Ok, folks, I am a newbie. I just joined the club. I love the RX-8. Is there any reason why I should not buy it?? Let me know. I am interested in all the pro's and con's. Thanks so much!!

I am about ready to buy a 2005 w/Gran Touring Package, automatic, and nav. It's sitting on the Dealers showroom floor. I am out the door paying 27K. Talk me into it or talk me out of it. PLEASE!!! Help me decide.

RX-8 Wanna-Be in Rockville, MD.

 

You seem really excited about it. I'd say buy it. If you don't mind less than spectacular gas mileage, being sure not to shut if off cold, and can manage to check your oil regularly, you'll be fine.

 

have you read all the automatic bashing on this board ... if i were sure i wanted an auto .. i would test drive the hell out of the car .. and then if you still like it .. groan and moan to dealer .. until the price is just to right to pass it up

nothing else matters .. trust me

 

Thanks, Bunny and Dupa! Bunny, what do you mean? Is there a problem when shutting the car off when it is cold? Does it not start back up??

Dupa, do the automatics suck?? Should I go for the 6sp higher horsepower??

HELP!

Bunny, does the car burn oil before a normal 3-4K oil change?? That is CRAZY!

 

yes .. oil consumption is considered normal
yes .. cold shut offs may flood the engine .. newer models (05s) supposedly are nto affected .. but mine stutters sometimes in the cold .. but no flooding yet .. there is dechoking procedure that you should know too

i never drove an auto .. but high rpm engine mated with auto just doesnt sound right .. so i understand why a lot of ppl here dont like that idea .. plus you get less power

 

Thanks, Dupa. I will reconsider the 6 speed and the 232+ hp. Anything else I should know about or be concerned with??? Other issues?? Problems???

 

Just to elaborate, the car doesn't "burn" oil—the rotary is designed to use it. ("burns oil" implies the engine's poorly designed and uses more oil than it would had it been designed properly. The VW I had in college burned oil because of a bad head gasket.) From the owner's manual:

"The Mazda RX-8 requires regular checking of the engine oil level. The compact, high performance RENESIS rotary engine in your vehicle consumes a small amount of engine oil due to its structural design. An oil pump optimizes the amount of oil injected to lubricate the rotor seals in the combustion cycle. Although your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil level warning light and an engine oil pressure gauge, it is best to keep the engine oil level in the range between full and low by checking the oil dipstick regularly. Mazda recommends checking the oil level at every second fuel filling. The oil consumption of the engine depends on engine speed and engine load."

 

Hello all! I'm also a noob and I'm really close to closing a deal for an 05 Touring 6 speed. The dealer wants 25,400 +TTR. I'm still weighing if its the car for me. Please continue adding pros and cons to this thread for it will also help me decide. Thanks!

 

First off you guys can get better deals than that if you're looking for a left over '05. It's almost the end of March '06. At this point getting $7000K off MSRP should be easy. If you push you might be able to get as much as $8-9K off.

Secondly, stay far away from the auto. The HP difference is ridiculous. If you think this car gets made fun of for looking like a sportscar, but not having enough power, think even harder if your contemplating an auto. You will be severly disappointed if performance matters to you at all. Plus the resale value of the autos is even more crappy than the already crappy resale value of the manuals. Stay away.

Finally, think long and hard about the gas mileage issue so you are not shell shocked later. Realistically, the car gets about 15 MPG in city driving and in the low 20s on the hwy. If you buy a car that get's a legit 20 MPG in the city instead, you will save $50 for every 1000 miles driven or $5000 per 100K. If you're buying this car as a long-term keeper, these numbers add up quickly and should be considered with the overall cost of ownership vs alternative vehicles. Note: the figures above are based on $3/gal gas.

Other than that, the 8 is a fantastic car and you will love driving it. All other concerns seem overblown to me. Good luck.

 

The Auto is not nearly as fun as the stick. I will say that. I've test driven both, and to be honest, they may as well be different cars, in my eyes.

You will "flood" the engine if you start the car, and then turn it off before the temperature gauge reaches about 50%. Not guranteed, but it's a chance. Meaning you won't be able to pull it out of your garage, into your parking space, and turn it off to wash it. You'd have to let it warm up.

 

This is actually my major concern until after your testimonial. I'll am coming from a 2000 eclipse V6 that does 20-26 mpg so I guess its not much of a big hit. Also, i drive 90% highway most of the time. I use my econobox to get me to work so the 8 will not be my daily driver. Thanks for the input!

 

Do you have kids? A wife? Do you get snow in the winter where you live? How important is 0-60 quickness to you? Do you often have passengers in you car? Are you afraid of popping the hood? How afraid of gas stations are you? Do you expect the manufacturer of your car to listen to the problem, and then address the problem with a solution?

The answers to these questions might help us help you.