Penelope

Hello
I have wanted an rx8 since they came out, but just never thought i would ever have one. While collaborating with my kids dad to get a car for our daughter we saw several on different car lots and i couldnt help but spend my time looking at them rather than looking at cars more appropriate for my childs first car. So he asked me what was up and I explained that I had always wanted one (after 20 years of being together off and on, i expected he knew), and that at this point I had sorta put it in the "bucket list" because its just not a practical car for my needs, but I really missed driving a stick.

He started texting me pics and info on ones he found listed locally....he didnt realize he was breaking my heart with every text/mention of another one he found for sale.Then my focus started to shift and i was noticing every single rx8 on the road
One day he started to tell me and i stopped him.....i couldnt bear it any longer. I told him i couldnt hear anymore, i felt like they were teasing me.....him and the local rx8s
A couple weeks later he calls me and says he wants me to find the car i want.....rx8, and he will buy it for me, < $10k

I have had my 2008 almost a year and I have never loved a car so much!
Her name is Penelope and she is my daily. Shes stock except she has a mid-pipe and aftermarket wheels. I looked for about 7-8 months before i found her. I buy every car by feeling rather than just certain criteria. I had test driven several rx8s , the majority being 40th anniversary editions, but when I saw her the first time I knew she was mine.
Im not a material person, but I totally fell in love with her from the jump. I must say that she is, BY FAR, the awesomest thing anyone has ever given me. So little effort, so much fun!

So.....Enter Charlie.....the grey 2004. Shes got some issues, but after driving Penelope once or twice, her benefactor decided he needed one too.
He has always wanted a rotary anyway and is a mechanical genius. So they both live in my driveway because Charlie is waiting on parts and he has no where for her if not running. He wants to modify her.

So....last Tuesday night someone tried to steal them both out of my driveway and set off the immobilizers. Penelope has been at Mazda for 4 days, insurance paying for anything electrical potentially damaged, re-keying, etc. & recalls also while she is there... Apparently theres a chance that the people messing with them used a taser to gain entry and disarm the alarms and somehow they activated the immobilizers.
There are odd marks in the paint on the passenger side door that were not there before. I hand wash her every week or 2 and these marks are new.

Hopefully i can find info here on what do do about Charlie, as she is not yet covered on insurance. Since she has been here such a short time, she hasnt even been washed yet & we dont know if theres odd marks on her.

89rotary

Welcome!! wow thats not cool at all! so many theft attempts happening these days is seems!!


you should post up some pics of them!

Penelope

Penelope

the Sisters- together for the first time

gwilliams6

Welcome, i also love my 2008 40th Anniversary Edition. Sorry to hear about the attack on both cars. Once you get Penelope back, remember Charlie is also due those recalls, including a few more for being a 2004.

Plug Charlie's vin number into here: https://www.mazdarecallinfo.com/Hile...0aAvyFEALw_wcB

See what recall work has been done, or not. That is all free of course from any dealer. Just get Charlie insured and on the road and to your Mazda dealer.

BTW I named my 2008 40th Anniversary edition , "Zena" like the female warrior .

UnknownJinX

I would assume you have read through all the stuff in the new owner sticky.

BTW, people trying to steal manual cars in North America? Did you leave some valuables inside?

When I had a 1999 Corolla w/ 5-speed, I usually parked it a block away from my house. The car just has basic locks, that's it. No immobilizers, no ignition chips, nothing. Pretty sure the classic screwdriver trick would work on it. Nothing ever happened to it. Guess I just live in a good neighbourhood.

How do you guys come up with these names?

I am never good at naming cars, as much as I love them. Thought it's more of a girl thing to do...

gwilliams6

UnknownJinX, I have always named my sports cars after powerful women. Just out of fun I guess. Many personal boats are named likewise. No big deal. LOL

Yes Penelope should read this thoroughly, and get those recalls done:

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/


RX8 Club’s recommended maintenance schedule, more comprehensive and proactive than Mazda’s schedule.
30,000 miles:
- Replace Ignition coils
- Replace Plug wires
- Replace Spark plugs
- Clean MAF (mass air flow sensor)
- Clean ESS (e-shaft sensor)
- Reset ESS profile
- Clean power steering connections
- Clean battery terminals and clamps
- Replace transmission fluid
- Replace coolant (Mazda FL-22 is highly recommended)
- Replace air filter
- Replace brake fluid (fluid in the brake lines AND the clutch line)
~$300 USD in parts if you shop smartly.


every 60,000:
...all 30,000, plus...
- Clean all chassis electrical grounding points
- Replace accessory belts
- Clean OMP lines
- Replace rear differential fluid
- Replace thermostat
- Clean / Straighten AC condenser fins
- Clean / Straighten oil cooler fins
- Inspect catalytic converter
- Clean / Inspect intake valving
- Consider / inspect all points in 90,000+ as well, many items fail early
~$130 USD in parts if you shop smartly.

90,000:
...all 30,000, plus any 60,000 not yet done, plus...
- Replace coolant bottle
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace radiator
- Replace front O2 sensor
- Replace motor mounts
- Inspect clutch pedal assembly for flex / weld breaks
~$900 USD in parts if you shop smartly.
At 100k, anything original in the cooling system is really suspect and failure prone. It represents the biggest threat to your engine.
__________________

New Yorker

Congrats on finally getting the car of your dreams. Good for you! Sorry to hear about the the theft attempt, that really stinks. I hope all is fixed to your satisfaction.

RotoScooter

Surprised to see nothing about the CLUTCH, other than the cracking pedal mounts.
I've had lots of issues, mainly with the Throw out bearing. I'm on my third Exedy t/o brg. in 90,000 miles. Do monthly AX in warmer months. Maybe abusing it somehow, but not according to my mechanic...

gwilliams6

Depending on how it was treated, a clutch could last past 90,000 miles. Replaced mine when I had reman engine put in at 70k miles. Cheaper to do it then, when the engine was out. My dealer charged no additional labor for the clutch work, as engine replacement and labor was under warranty. I just paid for parts on the clutch.

Ethan I. Shiller

Hi,

My beautiful 2008 Mazda RX-8 50K Miles just died.
The engine has No Compression on Front and Low compression on back.

A rebuilt I'm being told is about is 4K.

Looking to find someone who can do it themselves and wants
a 2008 Red Mazda RX-8 50K Miles - No accidents, Painted during the Summer original
Red

Live in PA, 215-431-3131 Ethan