Dissolved

have any of you called MNAO and asked the total amount of replaced 8 engines? From this board alone, I've heard of 6. Is that accurate?

SpacerX

I believe Canzoomer had collected some data from a Mazda/Canada source stating that there were approximately 60 cases in North America. That data is a few weeks old, though, prior to the examples posted here.

I'm uncertain as to the "normal" engine failure rates for high performance engines (or other major drivetrain components -- e.g., several 350Z drivers on My350Z.com reported having to replace their transmissions) during a first-year run. I believe to date there have been about 10K RX8's sold in North America.

FWIW, I still plan on purchasing one of these vehicles in a few months.

ectomort

Disclaimer: I'm one of those ecstatic owners who feels that Mazda has done a great job supporting it's customers (I received the $500 credit and free service package, which biases me a tad.)

I'm glad they replaced the whole engine unit... it allows Mazda to fully analyze the failure, and I know I have a complete, factory assembled engine. If Canzoomer/SpacerX's speculation about the failure rates is true, only 0.6% of the engines are having this problem. Sounds like an incidental manufacturing problem to me; rather than a design defect.

SpacerX, fwiw, I've had the car for 2.5 months and I totally love it... driving it, looking at it, hearing it. My wife took it out the other day to run an errand (she doesn't drive it often) and came back beaming, "your car is so fun!" Good luck, future owner, you won't be sorry.

ViperDude152

Current 88 Rx7 Owner Here. Seems like the Rx8 has a lot of problems that need to be worked out of it. I love the Rx8 but reading on the problems it has so far. for a 30,000 dollar car.... hm. I dunno. seems like Ill be paying more then 30,000 down the road on repairs.


Justin

SpacerX

Rojr that, Ecto. I've been test driving lots of vehicles for the past year or so -- going to retire my trusty Probe GT after 11 years of outstanding service (giving it to my mom, actually -- not worth it to try and trade-in). The RX8 by far and away meets my expectations for a modern, exciting, and unconventional sportscar. Really the same thing that attracted me to the PGT. It's a very balanced design. Concur with your assessment: my impression of the issues is that they are "first-year blues," versus fundamental design flaws.

BTW, (off-topic) I'm also retiring my Mac of 8 years to get a new one soon -- probably one of the new 15" Powerbooks...

Ciao!
Darren

ectomort

I won't. Regardless of what happens, Mazda has given me and other owners who purchased the car before Sept. 26th free servicing during the first 4 years/40K miles. Add an extended warranty and that means the first 10 years/100K miles is worry free for me. All I pay for is gas, tires, and accessories. :D

I know everyone doesn't have these perqs, but from what I've seen, Mazda is committed to satisfying it's customers.

ectomort

Slick! You'll have two great new rides soon. Congrats. The new PowerBooks rock (and so does Panther.) I drive a 15" TiBook myself at home (and a dual 2GHz G5 at work.)

-=Zeqs=-

Hmm...well, the old belief is that not every engine is created equally...just like no two cars of the same model are exactly the same. Over all though, is it responsive?

-=Zeqs=-

? 30,000 on warranties?

SpacerX

Another thread with similar discussion located HERE

For those on this thread in the same boat as me (currently "testing the waters"), please allow me to re-post from the other thread:

" I'm also in the market (timeframe for purchase a few months from now). I continue to be impressed with the design characteristics of the RX8, compared to the conventional designs that define the current offerings from other makes. Everything about the design seems much more optimal, either for interior space and utility, or for the sportscar handling and performance. To say nothing of the unique styling. The only other vehicle I currently see making as bold a statement is perhaps the Infiniti FX. Everything else seems pretty boring...

"I'm not too concerned with the first-year model issues noted above. I don't see them precluding my picking one up in a few months."

Ciao!
Darren

canzoomer

I agree. Firstly if it is a design defect, we would see more failures, and a number of them failing more gradually.
This entirely sounds like a limited number of failures probably cause by a limited number of some bad part.

Secondly, they are taking the right approach in changing out the whole assembly, which leaves one to think that they too feel there is something specifically wrong with a handful of cars.