Animagix

welcome all!

I'm new to this site and new to mazda in general. I'm a long time owner of an a4 but I feel that it is now time to part with it and go for something a little younger and more eager, that's where the rx-8 came into my dreams just last week... literally... i had a dream about this car so I figured it was meant to be, hahah!

Even though one scary thing that's kinda making me look away is the engine flooding issue. I love going on long trips and would hate to be left stranded. Has mazda done anything to remedy this? or would this have to be a constant precautionary thing to look out for?

I love everything about this car based on what I've read and will test drive it some time this week. The gas mileage issues wouldn't be a problem for me, city and highway driving on teh v6 a4 is around 16mpg.

anyway, hoping i'll eventually be a rx8 owner within a week or two.
I've always thought about the wrx and the lan evo... though I've seen enough of them on the road already.

scottmhr1

Haven't seen any new post of flodding for quite awhile unless a troll trying to stir things up. Is the milage is no problem for you, buy it, you will love it!

c2k4-8

Never had a problem with flooding... mine is 14 months old.

Gambit

You won't flood on a long trip, because it usually only happens if the car is on for less than a minute and you shut it off cold. Also you can give it a little rev to like 3-4k and shut it off while it's up there and you ought to be OK all the time. I've never flooded and usually get 16-17 mpg, all city driving

Go48

If you fail to get this car because of this "issue", you will miss out on the thrill of owning and driving a unique and amazing automobile. If you are basing your flooding concerns on the postings on this forum, you are probably making a mistake. Yes, the rotary engine can flood if you don't take a few precautions, the primary one being warming the engine before shutting it down. Read some of the posts regarding this "issue" and you will get an education about flooding and how to avoid it.

Also, the battery that comes installed on the car is not up to the task in some cases, so for about $70 you can replace that with an upgraded replacement unit such as the Interstate MTP-35. That will go a long way towards avoiding a flood since it spins the rotors at a significantly higher RPM and it has some additional reserve power for doing the no-start routine in case the car ever does flood.

So drive the car and make your decision based on that. Good luck!

rotten42

For the last time.....the flooding issue is a thing of the past. If you read your owners manual and treat the car right you should not have a problem.


The car works great in the winter too. I have always thought that the issue with people flooding in the winter is because of the weak stock battery. I think there is a TSB in the US about having it replaced.


BUY THE CAR!

capitolgator

no flood issues with mine- sounds like a non-issue.

SE3PO

14 months and not a single problem

LiveBlues

I've had mine for 10 months now and have never flooded it and have never really thought about it. Around town, I get high 18's mileage wise. As Pops said, test drive it. That is the definative answer.

Leadfoot27

Flooding is no longer an issue. If you like the car....get it.

rx8wannahave

Like already stated, the flooding issue is an overblown problem. Has it happend? YES Is it common? NO

Don't shut off the car cold or in the very least do the 3K thing and you will be fine. I've had mine since December with no issue at all.

The RX8 is a great drivers car and it's as fun on a turn as it is just driving around town. Read up on the rotary engine and the many threads here and you will be OK.

Honestly, this website really scared me regarding the fuel economy of the car since I heard people were getting 10-13mpg (how...is debatable) but from owning the car these past 5 or so months that issue has been a proven, to me at least, non-issue.

My avg so far (and I don't drive like a grandma) has been, in MAINLY CITY driving (75-85%) 19.2mpg...and my car is not even FULLY broken in from what I hear (I have 2.7K miles on it).

So, go test drive one and I'll bet you will fall in love with this car. Oh yeah...the rear seats are actually usable and comfortable.

Animagix

I'm in the market for a 2004, the mileage on this kinda scaring me a bit. I spoke with the guy and he said the car comes with a GT package with everything including nav. also the exterior is perfect. again the mileage is a lot for a year.

http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...1981&cardist=4

Go48

Pass that one up. You can get a "new" '04 for not much more--like $3K-4K more--than that price. Have a dealer do a search for the color and add-ons you want.

Cattywampus

I'd look around 1st. Like he said^^ it wouldn't be much more for a new one. With a lot less miles

Thetitanium8

11 months no flooding for me.

Slvr8

I agree

Glyphon

i bought a used 04 8 for about a grand less than that, with than 1/2 the miles than that one has (granted, it was a sport pack though).

Depending on the area, new 04s can be scarce, but i think incentives for the 05s have started, so you might be able to find a new 05 for around that price, or a little more depending on options.

back in march when i bought my 8, i looked at new 05s, new 04s, and used 04s, and in about a 100 mile radius of where i live, there were only a handful of new 04s (none closer than 50 miles), and they were all automatics, and none in black...mostly yellows, with a few reds.

but since i wanted a black 6mt, the best deal for me was a used 04.

but definately look around your area. because different areas of the country have widely varying new 04s in stock.

sable

glyphon, you DID get a good deal....worth all the hassle you went through. They gave me almost that much on trade-in on your car.... hope you're enjoying it. Mine's been nothing but TROUBLE (well, a lot more than I had hoped for).

Ellar

So far, I've never read an account of someone flooding the car when they did something other than move it out of the garage to wash it. Even if someone pipes up now that I've said that, with a story where they moved the car 5 feet for some other reason - in reality, the flooding issue is never going to bite you in the *** as long as you avoid that garage scenario.

Three days after I got the car, I stalled it because I got in, cranked it up, and reached for something in the far side of the passenger footwell. I neglected to shift into neutral, so it stalled when my foot came off the clutch. I freaked. All of those flooding stories ran through my mind (along with an image of the satisfaction on my neighbors face as they watched the car get winched up onto a flatbed), but it started up fine.

I get gas at a station close enough that the coolant temperature barely registers on the guage before I shut it off to fuel. Never a problem. I get my hair cut two long blocks away. Never a problem.

If you're looking for something "eager", then you've found your next car. The dreams won't stop after you buy it. Believe me.

Animagix

I will eventually get the car, I know I won't flood it if I warmed it up and such and never shut it down when its cold... my main concern would be at valet parking or at lots where most of the time, the attendants constantly shuffle cars around and not realize the sensitive nature of renesis. I live in new york and this would be a problem during the winter... my solution is to make a sign and leave it over the wheel before handing it over just as a reminder never to shut it off cold.

I'm checking out a grey 04 tonight, and hopefully drive home with it. GT with everything.

Ellar

It won't cool down enough in a restaurant parking lot to flood. I'm more worried that you'd use a valet at all. My last car was probably worth around $2000 before the rear main seal went, and I never would have handed the keys over to a valet. Gives me douche chills just thinking about it.