Another view of RX-8 reliability
 

First of all, I sympathize with those whose RX-8 has let them down. I am not out to bash anyone or make light of how inconvenient or expensive it can be to have a car that needs repair.

I have only owned my 8 for a few months, and although nothing has gone wrong, I did fork over considerable green for an extended warranty for my own peace of mind.

But, I have to ask, is the reliability of the RX-8 all that bad?

For one thing, Consumer Reports lists the RX-8's reliability currently as merely "below average", although it has flirted with "average" in the past.

We also have to compare the RX-8 to cars to which a comparison is valid.

The RX-8 is not a high-volume car. Global sales are, what...50,000 per year? That is far less than, say, the Boxster or Z4 or 350Z. Nor is it a particularly expensive car.

Moreover, Mazda is a relatively small maker, despite its position within the Ford empire.

But the key is to consider how much of the RX-8 is bespoke to that car. So little is shared with other Mazda products. Not the engine. Not the platform. Not the interior fitments, at least those which I can see. Not the electronics. Not the driveline. And NOTHING is shared with any Ford products. (If I am wrong on any of these counts let me know).

Other Mazda products are built off platforms that are shared with many vehicles in the Ford family, and hence these platforms would have had a so much larger development budget appropriate for larger volume vehicles.

The 350Z uses the same platform as the G35 and FX, and the same engine as nearly every Nissan. The Z4 shares a lot with the 3 series. The Boxster has a lot of commonality with the 911.

What I am getting at is that the RX-8 is almost a boutique car! It was developed independently by an relatively small manufacturer for sales in limited numbers. Considering those parameters, the reliability of the RX-8 perhaps is not so bad. It costs money to engineer reliability into a car...money that is easier to ammortize over a million units.

(That is not to say that some makers don't a better job of engineering in this reliability than others).

It seems that many here expect the RX-8 to be as trouble-free as your average Japanese car, like the Mazda3, Accord, or Civic. Clearly this is not the case. But it might make you feel better to consider the RX-8 like a Japanese TVR. Or Alfa Romeo. :)

Perhaps the reliability of the S2000 torpedoes this logic, but I still think my point of view has some merit.

Comments?

You have some very valid points. Just an FYI:

Total global production for Porsche mid-engine cars in 2006 - including Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman, and Cayman S configurations - totalled 29,000 units worldwide.

People, please tell me all this negative feedback on the RX8 is mostly due to the nature of a car forum, meaning that complaints, issues and problems are usually "amplified" in such venues.

I had heard NONE of this when I first got my 05 RX8 and since I am just about to get a new 07 it concerns me somewhat that there are so many "problems" with the car now, apparently?

Is it really that bad, enough to stop me purchasing a new 8, or is it typical forum "noise"???

Thoughts or comments...

Good post. I agree, this is a unique rewarding car for which any issues are quickly brought to light because of the small production run and forums such as these.

I actually love the exclusivity. I can count the number of RX8's I've seen in London with two hands.

The little cap that covers the seat belt anchor on the faux-B-pillar is made by Ford :doh:. Found that out after trying to get mine replaced; the dealership told me I wouldn't be able to get just the cap itself and had to replace the whole seat belt assembly. Geez. however, they said I could buy it for twenty bucks over at the Ford dealership. No thanks.

The great majority here have had very good service/reliability from their 8's!!

All cars have weak or trouble spots and we just tend to beat them to death on this forum.

That said, knowing what the possible issues are can let you do things to minimize the possibility of these things happening or to fix them quickly - read, learn, act.

I think 8 reliability has been skewed by the 04's. I think 05+ models are at least average.

Who says the S2000 is more reliable? not from what I have read.

BTW - many S2000's (and Z's for that matter) use more oil than the 8 does - and the 8 is designed to use oil.

Good post, good points.
I could be wrong, but I think some of the technology in the RX-8 went into the new MX-5.
And the round dash vents and horn seem suspiciously Ford-esque to me.
:)

I have an 04, and no major issues....knock on wood. I think with forums you are definitely going to hear about the problems more often than the praise. I mean Mazda realized some of the issues taking place, and extended the warranty as a result. Just enjoy the car for what it is. May not be the fastest thing, but I think we all knew that when we bought it. It has a lot to offer, and is quite unique. I still get the giddiness when I haven't driven mine in a while. Who else can say they are pullin' the HP we do from a 1.3L engine without FI.

I own an 04 and previously had a 1st gen rx7 for many years. Problems with the 8 so far? Outside of the reflashes, none. It's the most fun I can have with my clothes on. :D:

just typical forum noise.

well after you have had two engine replacements...two airbag sensor replacements, both seat warmers replaced, three sets of brake pads, a leaky injector replaced and numberous other smaller issues you tend to worry about the reliablity after the warranty runs out........no matter how boutique or how much fun you have driving the car when it isn't in the shop.

On my first rx8, June 2003 build date, I drove 45000 miles without any *major* issues. I had the oil temperature light sensor fixed, and the mandatory recall issues (which were precautionary), but that was it.

Those 45000 miles involved driving through baking heat in the middle of Australia on many occasions at high speeds (on occasion taking it up to ~140mph) for 10+ hours at a time, thrashing it through the twisty roads near where I live whenever I had the chance, and accelerating to the beep off the lights all the time when driving around the city - just because it was fun.

Still, no problems with the engine, clutch, gearbox, brakes .... it was all good.

My new August 06 build has 1500 miles on it, again with no problems.

i had too many problems with my 8 and i ultimately decided to dump it and get a GTI, but a day doesnt go by that i dont wish i still had it

Owner since August 2003. No major problems. I did have a flat tire last year, so that might be a sign of danger. What you are reading is typical "sour grapes" syndrome from some unlucky individuals that had issues with their 8's. If it happened to them, obviously ALL the 8's are screwed up. I'd hate to see when some of these people try to buy a new house and it starts to settle on it's foundation. They may never live in houses again!

I love the car! I want to keep it forever but after my warranty runs out I won't be able to afford any major repairs ($9,000 for new engine? no way i can afford that). Experiences up until now tells me, rotary engine, cat and starter will go bad gradually and eventually make the car unresponsive with really poor gas mileages.

But then, my friend's Z had power window malfunction and some weird brake symptom that dealer can't fix.

Maybe it's a first year bug (04 with Auto) but it's not a feature and I don't intend to live with it.

Oh yeah, my heater stopped working so I have to go to fix that too... heh

Just when you think you have everything fixed, there is always another something. :(

Drama. List a car, ANY car, and anyone here could hit Google and find something wrong with it. Some of the 350s and G35s consumer more oil than a rotary, or worse, have the engine blow. The Z crowd watched the 03's destroy their trannys and front tires. Hell, even CAMRYs have problem. You pick the car that has the issues you think you'll be able to live with :hahano:

I would agree, I think the RX is pretty solid over all. I think the real issue comes from Mazda unwillingness to fix a portion of cars with problems poor mpg, marbles in the blender sound, ect.... I think the RX is reliable it is Mazda that needs an over haul.

I just wonder whether RX8s in Japan have the same complaints as the US folks. As an observation, most of the problems associated with the RX8 are from people in the US.

As far as I know, most RX8s in OZ has been very reliable. No one has ever complained about "BAD GAS MILEAGE", in fact, most of us owners fall within what Mazda has qouted in their fuel consumption figures. Ohhh, we pay more for fuel per litre compared to the US.

Basically, mine is 3 years old and still runs like new. I still have the old starter motor and it starts each time I crank her up and that's with the original battery that came with the car. :)

I know the first year typically had more problems than any other but this is to be expected. ANY time you buy the first year of a new car model or redesign you're doing so with the knowledge that you are on a shakedown year. From what I've seen the quality and reliability have continued to improve as time has gone on.

FYI:

Consumer Reports has an 'average' reliability on 05 and 06 model year 8s.

I know because I have both Annual Buyer's Guides and Automotive Guides.

I have an 04 with an 03 build date.

Not one problem that wasn't directly related to something I did.

...so I can't really understand the reliability issues some people are having.

Well, average is not good IMO. I love the car but I have had many problems. My friend has and 06' and it has been in the shop a few times too. Great car otherwise. I probably will not return to Mazda though. I know there are people here that have not had many problems and I know things are generally pronounced in forums but everytime I go to the dealer there are at least a couple of 8's there with me.

^^ So

There are alway going to be a couple of the same car you buy at the dealer service department.