concern about the 8
 

I am comming close to buying a RX-8 GT with black exterior 6sp with orange/black leather, and i have been hearing alot about the start up problems. I was wonder if you guys can inform me about this problem and tell me exactly what it is, and who is having this problem and how can it be fixed. I am only 21 and i dont want to blow all this money on a car that gives me problems, even though it is a sweet looking and awesome driving car.

Thanks!

I have an RX-8 6mt and have yet to have any problems with flooding or start up. I haven't had any problems with the clutch, gears, tires, heat or speakers. I've read threads throughout this forum about how to burn rubber, make your tires "chirp", and of having to buy another transmission after dropping a couple gears at the DRAGSTRIP.

I don't drag it, chirp the tires or slide sideways. I DO zip it around, and use the power it possesses, but I do not drop the clutch or purposely try to get the car to do things that are seen on movies. I don't know if there's a connection...but I love the car, the way it handles, the way it looks, the way it sounds and the way other people look at it.

I am approaching 5,000 miles and have yet to experience any problems mentioned on some of these boards.

A lot of the problems, as more of the more experienced Rotary-heads are sure to tell you, are that folks dont take the time to read the introductary literature about the car and expect a naturally aspirated rotary engine to behave EXACTLY like a piston engine.

Sadly (or, in the case of RX-8 owners, this is a good thing), they do things that folks driving a piston engine really shouldnt do...start it cold, then stop it quickly. You can get away with it in a piston engine, but the Rotary is less forgiving. However, the new upgrade to the ECU should keep that from happening.

Just to a search for tips or something like that, and I'm sure that you can uncover quite a few little things to remember and you'll love the RX-8.

The RX-8 is my first rotary engine car, and I love it - driving piston engines now...well....they just feel crude

The only start up “problems” I have heard of / read about happens when people shut down a cold engine, known as the “flooding issue” you can find MANY posts on this by using the search feature. I have not run into this myself because like you I came to this board first before purchasing the RX-8 and my sales person also mentioned that I should not turn off a cold motor. There is also talk that the most recent “M-FLASH” of the ECU further helps minimize the “flooding issue”. I highly recommend you purchase the car but insist that the dealer “flash” the car to the “M”.
Once you get the car do the following

Never shut off a cold engine.

Inform all household members of this if there is the slightest chance they might move the car.

Avoid valet parking if you can, If you must INSIST they do not move the car, turn if off when they pull it up, or pound it into their heads you can’t turn off a cold engine ( might cost a extra buck or two tip) .

I've had my rx8 for almost nine months with no problems with starts or flooding

Yes, but have you shut it down with a cold engine as described above?

no

I have, and have had no issues. This is after 9 months & 13,000 miles.

Don't worry about nothing.

I've shut it off 3 or 4 times with the engine cold when I'm not paying attention and so far I havent had any problems. I to have had it almost 9 months and 15K miles.

I did twice in the span of 5 minutes, when I first got it (doing so without thinking), and it started up just fine

Folllow the instructions in the owner's manual and you shouldn't have any problems.

The car is not hard to use/own. 2 or 3 extra things you got to watch out for. Not hard. I think the little details are why so many of the owners work in IT? hmmm...

Why? That is not a good thing to do to a piston engine, let alone a rotary one.

I have never had problem starting and I have never flooded mine. The start does take about half a second longer than what you would expect from a piston engine.

I have, several times, and in almost 12k miles not a single problem starting it.

When I was 21 i WANTED TO BUY A 240z when they first came out. They were less then $4000. My Dad convinced me not to buy one since I was in the Navy (1970) and didn't Know where I would be and for how long. As it turned out I could have gotten the car and diven it in the states for the duration. I have always regetted that decision and now at 55 bought the RX8. This car has it's issues but is the best of all worlds it drives sweet but rides really smooth. The mileage is Ok 14 - 24 but if you want a car to love it will please you.

Absolutely nothing. I have npt had a single strat up problem.