A difficult decision
 

Hello all! I've read about 9,000 posts here so far, trying to do research on the Rx-8 and get some opinions. I may or may not be buying one tomorrow. I still have a lot of concerns, and I'd like everyone's input.

First, the car I'm looking at is an '05 White, with 4,400 miles on it. It's got fog lights, spoiler, sunroof, and heated black leather. Absolutely gorgeous. The exact color and car that I've wanted for two years. (That's right, TWO years I've been wanting this car.)

The things that are concerning me are what I'd like some input on.

1. It's an slush box, and I hear a lot about the engine flooding. I'm not sure if that just with the MT (since that seems to be what most people around here have) or something the automatic is going to do, too.

2. This will be my daily driver. I live in MD, and the winters aren't THAT bad, but there is the occasional good snow and/or iceover. I'm looking at the Bridgestone Blizzak as my snow tires and some cheaper rims for the winter. Do you think I'll be alright? I don't drive much in the snow as it is with my current FWD car, the most I ever deal with is some slush left on the road.

3. How many miles can I expect to get out of this car? I know they've only been around for a few years now, but what kind of mileage does everyone have on theirs?

Thanks!

Lpr0923,

JUst do it!

I finally got mine this weekend after researching and looking for over 10 months.

1. MT or AT flooding doesn't matter. Shouldn't be an issue with late model 2005 and/or TSB corrections ) under warranty).
2. Sounds like you've read the threads. Should do fine in the snow with proper tires.
3. Threads have people that have gotten over 100,000 and say there is no reason why it shouldn't be 200,000 with proper maintenance. H*ll I've only kept piston engined cars to 150,000 over 12 years.

White is nice.

Flooding has been fixed. it's not a slow car. Do you want a ticket and like to race light to light? Get a V8 Mustang

Renesis is a better design than the old ones. Many owners have gotton over 200k.

Miles really depend upon how you drive and when you do preventative maintence.
That's true for any car.

There's a thread for miles. A few already have 80k and I think one reported 100k.

By the way that over 5 yrs. away. You will probably sell the car before you even get near it's death.

where in md are you? The wheather isnt too bad at all for the rx8, theres very few snow days.
flooding occurs on both manual and auto cars

Thanks for your input!

I'm in Northern Maryland, Harford County. Close to Baltimore.

I'm not looking for speed, Razz1, and besides, everyone and their mother has a mustang. :) I'm actually really interested in doing autocross. I've ridden with other drivers quite a few times, it's a lot of fun. I certainly can't do it with my current car.

Thanks again, if I decide to do it, I'll definitely be back to let everyone know and show it off ;)

I like the stick but if you are going to drive in traffic everyday, a slushbox is nice. I have an AT vehicle to drive in winter and for errands so I got the stick.

My 05 AT hasn't flooded yet - knock on wood :) But I'm pretty religious about not shutting it down cold, if I've only ran it for a short bit I rev to 3000 before shutdown, etc. Just look at the info on this site and that comes with the car about how to treat it, and your chances of flooding are very low.

I would think you should be fine with those winter tires. I just put ultra high peformance pirelli all seasons on mine to get me through the chicago winters.

If you're interested in autox do yourself a favor and wait for an MT. The AT takes most of the fun out of the RX-8, if you just want the car for looks and good handling then I guess go for it. With the AT the soul of the rotary is lost and the negatives are just amplified.

I'm shopping for an RX-8 also. I was looking for a used 04 or 05 but after reading all the horror stories regarding flooding, stalling with AC running, running bad in hot weather (I live in Vegas) and all the problems before and after the 4206 recall which most 04's are flagged for and I think many 05's I decided that if I get one it will be an 06. Supposedly the bugs are finally worked out.
You may get lucky and not have any problems with an 04, 05 but I'm not gonna chance it.

What ever. People make too big of deal on this forum about the items you mentioned Maggs.

damn, i only read about 6539 posts. i must not know all the mystery of the car

Flooding hasn't been an issue for me. Rev the engine for 10 seconds or let it warm up. More then once I've forgotten but never flooded.

Get snow tires. My only regret is getting 18" rims for mine. I could have saved some cash getting 17" rims. But, then again my speedo would be off and my tire guage would blink all winter as well. I'm not sure how much grippier the 18's are. I know 0-60 is supposed to be better on 17" wheels though.

:) NH

if you can find an 06.....pick one up cheap. It's good having a fresh warrenty

Ike is spot on here. Part of what makes the RX8 so enjoyable is using the smooth shifter to play with the easy-to-rev, high-redlining engine.

No flooding problems here.

As far as snow goes, you'll be fine with winter tires. I run summer tires most of the year and all-seasons in the winter (in hilly western Massachusetts without TCS/DSC).

GAS MILEAGE SUCKS ON AN 8 But you turn heads every where you go so drive slow save gas and turn more heads

I have an '04 and used to live in Philly just north of you. You'll be fine in the winter with snow tires but definitely get dedicated snow tires on an extra set of rims. I got 17" rims with Dunlop M3's and they've been great. As far as the AT vs. MT. That's a tough one I have a MT. Personally I would only go with the '06 AT because it has the 6 port engine and a 6 speed gearbox. The AT is definitely nice in traffic though. I would see if you can ask a few of the AT folks on the forum what their opinion is. It's still a great car and you'll love it. In terms of the flooding and recalls as long as you have a good dealer you're fine. I've been flooded once and they came and got me, deflooded the engine and got me on my way free of charge. It sucked but Mazda took care of it the best they could. Since the new flash I haven't had any flooding issues.

To the "200k" comment. Just to note..MANY a 1st gen RX7 owner has achieved WELL over 300k miles...and a large handful (That I know of) have even gone over 400k miles...

For stoplight racing...avoid V8 Mustangs! SRT-4's, EVO's STI's..all blow Mustangs away :-P

2005 Ford Mustang GT 4.6L V8 5.1 13.5 (MT Jan 05)
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 5.1 13.5
2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4.8 13.4
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR 4.5 13.3 (MT Dec '05)
2006 Subaru Impreza 22B STi 4.7 13.5 (C&D)

I wouldn't say 1 or 2 tenth seconds is blowing it away. The mustang is 8-10k cheaper and easy to mod.

The gt500(40k+)4.5 seconds. The quarter-mile required only 12.9 seconds at 112 mph. I bet you could get close to the gt500's numbers and still be under the price of the Evo/Sti. I did see a video of a neon on nitrous getting 12 second 1/4's. The car was mostly destroyed though :P

Fit finish and track performance are a different story. What do I know. I own and love my 8 :)

If you're looking for a white RX-8, I'd say you should take a look at the one that Mazmart is selling (he's a Forum Vendor and a great guy)

My first winter coming with RX, but occasionally we have here already -10C(F?), great started all the time, from Canadian forum I know there are no problem with it as well, never experienced with flooded engine, fat winter tires do the job! If mileage is no concern, best of all. Girls calls my red RX beauty as "sexy", you know, it worth something!