Just finished a 1400+mile trip to the Smoky Mountains. Here's the trip report:

Pre-trip: Went to Cascade Mazda (Cuyhoga Falls, Ohio) before trip to get oil change at 8800miles, PCM update from L to M flash, Air Conditioner cycling. After 2hrs, I was very disappointed with the service since they did nothing to fix the AC even though I gave them the TSB. Said they couldn't reproduce the problem and that the new part costs $500 so they didn't want to do it. (Previously they also did not do anything about the oil light issue, flooding issue, console heat issue. I had to take it to Mazda of Bedford to get those things fixed.) I cannot recommend Cascade Mazda service since they don't seem to fix anything.

Handling: RX-8 is great in the mountains and on the highway. So quiet and smooth for a sports car, which surprised one of my passengers. In a rain storm in the mountains, had a tree limb block half the road. I stopped before crashing. Luckily the car behind me did too but I think some of the other cars further back weren't so lucky due to following too close.

Gas Mileage with 3 different drivers and luggage and AC: Probably due to L/M flash, I got better mileage than expected. 75-85mph got 23.5mpg. 65-70mph with traffic jam got 24.3mpg. 60-70mpg got 23.4mpg. Mix of mountain (gears 2-4 mostly) and highway got 20.3mpg. I'm guessing in the mountains, I only got 14-15mpg so I feel for you city-only drivers.

Air Cond: AC was weak if vent was used and stuck in traffic. Passenger broke the temp **** off thinking it wasn't turned to cold. Darn that Cascade Mazda service! Even though outside temp only 80, AC was needed due to all the heat eminating from the rotary. Trunk also gets hot.

Roominess: Had 2 passengers and luggage with no problems. That back seat is great!

Girls: Young hotel clerk said she loved the looks. Another girl took a picture of us driving past her. It was funny because I thought she was taking a picture of the mountains but when we drove by, she followed us with the camera and took a picture!

 

Sounds good, I'm from your area and I bought my RX-8 at Park Mazda in Wooster (But I'm up in Cleveland all the time, especially Bedford), and the service in Wooster seems to be good.

I just hope your took your RX-8 down to Deal's Gap if you were in the smokies. It's meccha for Miatas and bikes so I'm sure RX-8's would do good there too. 318 turns in 11 miles. w00t!!!