Shabbernigdo

hello. worked arround or on just about every other type of engine / motor so i figured i try out a rotary.

What are some of the things you dont like about the vehicle other then milage.
Things that irritate you or things you feel mazda could of done a better job on.

Not looking to bash or anything i just want to see any and all possible anoyances before i buy one and have some random thing i over looked come back to kick me in the ntz. I have gone over the stickys and have been rollin through the you tube vids just want to see if there is any other things i may have missed. Even little things, any info is good info.

ty

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

There's already a "little things" thread, geared toward things people don't like about their car.

edit: https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...things-118359/

IgNord

The RX8 needs attention but I smile every time I drive it.
- I flip the ash tray open with my hand sometimes while shifting.
- Gotta take my bow out of the case to fit in the trunk (but then I get to drive some sweet mountain roads so I don't care anymore)
- floor mat comes up when I pivot to get out of the car.
- transmission bumps a little when shifting unless super careful (but it's a sports car duh!)
- Not looking forward to the winter weather + steep driveway...



P.S. Mazda dealership has $21.00 oil changes think I might pick up a bunch.

Shabbernigdo

Seen some of it but after the first few posts it just seems to be a bunch of people bitchin about noobs.

We had similar issues on the Nico forums but tryed to keep it to a minimum.

Shabbernigdo

none of those sound like a deal breaking issue : ) lol. would you happen to know if they have any known rusting issues to keep an eye out for? common spots ?

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

And what makes you think that this thread won't do the same? It's the nature of the question.

BTW, the linked thread isn't just bashing noobs. Keep reading. As well, that was one example. There are others...

IgNord

This is what I found:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...epairs-211027/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...uestion-16623/
Mazda RX-8 (03-10) (231ps) 4d Owners' Reviews | Parkers

Might look for one out of Vegas or AZ?

monchie

The rotary engine really needs to be taken care of. If you already read the stickies, then you should know what i mean...

Shabbernigdo

Yeah ive been reading them for a few days now and it all seems pretty straight forward. Im pretty ocd about checking oil and maintaning my vehicles. Im pretty much looking for little known issues or trouble spots really any usefull info regarding the car. I do have another question tho. From all the car searches and sites and such it seems people are trying to unload 04 to 05's way more then any other years is this just because of the engine issues those years are associated with or are the years after that much better in some way?

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

If you've been doing your research, why are you asking?

1. 04-05 are out of warranty, or near to.
2. They were the "guinea pig" trials of the RENESIS. There were bound to be issues.
3. Those issues were looked after (not necessarily solved) for the 06+ release.
4. The series 2 took care of some other outstanding issues (again, not necessarily solved. Though we're still waiting for results)

Back to the new owners stickies for you!

FlorencioMolter

Well i hope you won't mind posting the pictures of your ride when you make the purchase..

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I love my 8, but the one thing that bugs me is the sunroof decreases headroom, which means I have to recline the seat more so my head doesn't touch the roof. If I lean my head against the headrest, I end up looking down my nose. Not a big deal, just an annoyance on longer drives.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I have an 04 with no rust. I do not drive it on winter days when the roads have been treated. Only after the slush is gone.I have an older 4X4 pickup I drive then, it has lots of rust.
If you live where the roads go untreated, or you can drive something else when they are, I don't think rust is an issue, unless the previous owner did drive it on treated roads.

ken-x8

There are only three things that annoy me about my RX-8:

1. I have to be careful to not turn it off cold.
2. I have a hard time finding the trunk release button under the dash.
3. Members here (not noobs) who consider it their mission in life to convince all that the engine is doomed to fail.

Aside from that it's great. I'm more aligned with the "little things" crowd than the "annoying little things" gang.

BTW - on the "more 04-05 being unloaded than newer ones" bit. I believe that most 8's sold in the US were 04s, so there are more of those around to begin with. There's a recent thread with actual production numbers.

Ken

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hi ken, if you are having problems with cold stops & starts, you might need a tuneup.
Mine flooded once after I first got it. I replaced the usual ignition parts, & I don't even think about it anymore. Start, move, stop, start, no problem.

New Yorker

I've always taken good car of every car I've owned: I've always checked oil level every other fill-up; I've always changed oil every 3-5K miles; I've always changed fluids, filters, plugs, etc. following (or bettering) manufacturer's schedules. So my 8 needs no more attention than past cars I've owned.

Fact is, most Americans neglect their cars. And ordinary engines are more forgiving of owner neglect.

But for me, the 8 is like any other car as far as "looking after it" goes.

ken-x8

Thanks, Big, but I'm not having starting trouble. Just paranoid about the possibility of flooding. so I'm not giving it a chance.

I think I did once turn it off after driving half a mile, temp gauge not up to normal, and it started with no problem. Over the past seven years I think I've had maybe three instances where I drove around the block a couple of times to avoid turning off cold. Having to take an extra drive in this car is not really a problem.

IMHO, the only special maintenance deal is to change coils ridiculously often. My original ones blew at a bit past 40,000 miles. Next year I'll be around the 70k mark, and will also be beyond the end of the 8 year core warranty, so I'll upgrade to BHR.

Ken

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

No worries ken.
I was paranoid too, but read that flooding was due to faulty ignition. I also would drive around the block, or let it idle for a while. I decided to experiment after my tuneup.
I had a new battery and a charger at home, so I tried it, and it worked fine.
Many people still believe you HAVE to let it warm up.
It's one thing I was relieved to disprove.

Shabbernigdo

i will post some when i get one. trying to find a white manual one at a decent price that isint on the other side of the country lol so far all the factors dont seem to want to line up : P

Shabbernigdo

ah ok . that makes sense

Khurram

* For the typical rust spots..Chek under the trunk and rear panels on boths sides.
* My 8 is on the road 365 days snow, rain, sunny, stormy nothing matters my poor daily driver
I abuse the crap out of her and she loves it..
* The Coolant light is annoying.
* Low torque, esp off the red light it sort of tries to die on me, either im doing something
wrong or some has gone wrong wid her not sure..
* On wet road she tends to skid of on curves and ramps if you drive aggresively.
*cold start, you can smell strong gas fumes all over the place ( could this be my CAT being clogged??)
* other than that, my 8 drives like a dream.