Convince me on the 8.
 

I have the ability to get into a brand new '04 8 for one killer of a deal. I have driven both the MT and AT and would go manual if I decide to get the car. My major concerns revolve around the flooding problem.
I've been lurking here for a long time, Ive read the threads...Im very suprised by how cavalier many owners are about this issue. I must say I lean towards the "i bought a $30k automobile and it shouldnt have this major of a problem." side of the coin.
My concerns have to do with warranty issue with this problem...Lets say flooding will be an ongoing problem, will I have to pay for the fix when the warranty is up? Chances are I will correct?
What about the CATS? Am I going to be paying for that too when the car is out of warranty? Again Im going to guess yes. Im sure I can tolerate these "quirks" as long as its not costing me my $$$.


Those that respond, if you could stick to the "nuts n bolts" of the matter Id appreciate it. I dont need to hear about the "fun factor", Im well aware of that!

Thanks in advance.


1999.5 Ford SVT Lightning(12.6@110)
1995 Jeep Wrangler
2003 Mazda 6S

Re: Convince me on the 8.
 

There is no longer a problem. Mazda fixed that. Before you pick up the car, if you decide to get one, be sure you get the newest ECU program.

BTW, I and many, many others never had an issue with flooding. I had the old ECU programming up until last week.

I haven't had the flash, and yet I STILL have never had a flooding issue, and I have had my car since last July.

People who flood their cars do it because they move the car and then shut it off without letting it warm up. People have said that if you rev to like 6000 RPMs for like 10 seconds and then shut the engine, it will lessen the chance of happening.

As far as the cat goes, I'm not sure if there is someone here that has 50,000 miles on their car to answer you on whether or not it will have to be replaced. If that is really a concern of yours, I think you worry too much.

I think the cat is supposed to last 100 - 120,000 miles if the car is left stock-tuned. Search...

btw, your car won't flood if you keep it on high ground. :p Mine never has. I make sure not to shut it down until it's warmed-up. Another tip is to mash the gas before you crank it. That causes a fuel shut-off, which will allow any fuel in there to get blown-out. Then, while cranking, let-off the gas completely & it should fire-up. I've never done this, but somebody else, with a lot of rotary experience, does this routinely.

Me? I'm getting the M flash ASAP... just to be sure...

Old flash "K"- haven't had a flooding problem yet. Of course I did read the manual after I bought it (I'm just weird I guess). People that are having the problem 1). didn't read the manual. 2). didn't research the car. 3). probably still have the "K" flash.

Even that idiot that was trying to flood his 8 (for the lemon law) couldn't get it to flood after the "L" flash (this also directly displays the level of his intellect).

The reason we are "cavalier" about this MAJOR issue is because just a tad of common sense can reduce it to a non-issue. How hard is it to make sure the car is warm before you shut it off?

I'm with the rest of them... no reflash yet, and no flooding.

I've had the car since around Thanksgiving of last year, and I'm STILL in love! I've driven performance/sports cars for longer than I care to remember, and the 8 has the absolute best blend of sportiness, performance and refinement of any I've owned. Plus the price ain't bad! ;)

In other words, RTFM.

When I bought my car the dealer told me straight out that when I stop the car to park it that I should give it 15 seconds running and then rev the engine up to 3k and kill the engine.

I have not had the car for very long but I also have not had the problem. I do have the new "M" code on it as well.

The other reason people may be "cavalier" about this is that this is a proto-type year for this car. In the computer industry we refer to this as Bleeding-Edge Technology. It pays to play in other words.

All I have to say is that Mazda seems to address concerns WAY faster than any American car company I ever dealt with.

Thanks for a majority of the feedback. Im glad to see most people can keep it above board w/o trying to take a shot me for putting forth the questions.The "L" flash has essential sold me on picking up this car/

Im about 95% sold on this car, it is a blast to drive. Just had a few concerns I wanted to have eased before I went ahead and purchased it.

How does common sense play a role in the flooding of a car again? If it did millions of people would have flooding problems with ever make and model of automobile.

And as far as how hard it is to make sure the car is warm before you shut it down...Well I guess you should pose that question to those that have had their 8s flood. Askin me is pointless

my car is warmed up after going only a mile or two down the road, in about 45mph traffic.

I've not flooded, but if all I have to do is make sure the car is warm before shutting it off, I don't consider that a major problem.

The common sense is just in the case that this is not a piston type engine. We all do it all the time. You jump in the car, move it twenty feet, and kill the engine to wash it or whatever. You just cannot do that in this car (or you couldn't/shouldn't) but some people did. The rotary is just different.

Millions of people probably didn't read the manual where it tells you how to avoid that situation.

Same problem that people have when they go from a gas piston engine to a diesel. I have seen tons of people hop in their jetta TDI in the winter and not warm it up and start driving it. No, it does not hurt it if you do it once in a while... But diesel requires HOT air to cause the combustion since there is no spark and it relies solely on compressed air to combust. Cold air will combust but no where near as efficiently as hot air.

Anyway... most people recognize the diff between diesel and gas but for some reason a lot of people do not want to acknowledge the diff between rotary and V powered cars.

Before I bought my 8 this was a real concern for me. The burning oil, the diff technology, and the fact that I never worked on a rotary were major concerns for me. Then I just decided the heck with it and bought the car. =) No regrets here.

"How does common sense play a role in the flooding of a car again? If it did millions of people would have flooding problems with ever make and model of automobile."

Common sense...I just bought a new car with an engine that I'm unfamiliar with...hrmm...common sense states that I may want to read the manual (RTFM) so I don't damage my new 30,000 dollar machine. I consider this a common sense issue. If however you think that it's normal for a person to shell out 30,000 dollars for a machine and not take the time to familiarize themselves with it then I can see why you think flooding is a MAJOR issue.

"And as far as how hard it is to make sure the car is warm before you shut it down...Well I guess you should pose that question to those that have had their 8s flood. Askin me is pointless"

Actually the question was directed at you. Ever seen a temp gauge in a car? Do you think YOU would be able to glance at said gauge and be certain the car is within normal operating temps before shutting it off? If YOU cannot perform this most simple of tasks then I don't think this is the car for you.

what page in the manual does it address flooding/warming up? i could not find it...

The bottom line is simple. Mazda fixed the flooding proplem therefore there is no issue anymore.

So you're 95% there. Think about the CanZoomer Stage 1 and an exhaust sytem. That should push ya another 5%!

Again with the flooding....

learn how to properly treat an internal combustion engine and you will never ever EVER flood one. Ever. Promise.

If you've read the threads on flooding you know the opinions are wide and varied. If you still favor the "my $30K car shouldn't flood" argument then don't get the 8...you're not going to change your mind on this one. It's not that I don't agree with you, but if after lurking here for some time and reading the posts you are still having heartache over the issue, then I'd say go with another car.

I sit on the side of the fence that says you shouldn't have to convince yourself to spend $30K on a car. If it comes down to convincing, get the one your heart tells you to get without the heartache.

For me...it's the RX8.

-Eric

My FC is approaching 150k and never had the flooding issue. I haven't always warmed it up properly. still no issues. Had it in Va., IL. & now Md. No problems even in the bitter cold in Chicago.
My 8 hasn't had the problem. Getting the M flash next week. Suggest you do a search and read up on the M.
Youv'e driven the car .... isn't the grin on you face worth a little TLC to prevent this minor problem?
Get the 8!

Although I live in a very warm climate, I always make sure the car is warmed up and rev to 3k for 10 secs. Seven months no probs. No flashes. No nothing. All fun.