Does specific VIN#'s = problematic cars?
 

Ponder this thought.

Some of us, seem to have no problems in lack of power or low MPG's. Yet some of us here, definately do.

It will be curious to find out if there is any correlation between VIN#'s, build dates, shipments, etc to cars that are experiencing power and MPG problems.

It just seems unusual that there seems to be two distinct factions here. Those who have exceptional performance and MPG's such as RXhusker, etc, and those who cars are suffering power lags, low MPG's, low dyno readings, etc. There seems to be no middle ground if you know what I mean.

Could it be specific VIN# range or specific shipments? Remember how RXhusker had one of the last cars to be delivered and it seems to be one of the best performing. I noticed many that received their cars on the first shipment (allocation), and sat at port for many weeks, having problems.

Here is my info, and I don't seem to have a problem, yet.

VIN# 1842
Build: 5/29
2nd allocation
Delivery: 7/28

Let's hear your data, along with your problems, if any, and maybe we'll see if there IS a connection.

it depends on what it is. if its a bum part, then it certainly could be in vin ranges. ditto assembly tecniques.

for the problems you describe, it could be the driver, the amount of miles on the car, the way its broken in, the weather etc etc

mike

Cool idea, Zoomster. I've been wondering this myself. I wonder if this info would be more helpful after everyone's had a chance to put at least 2000 miles or so on their cars, but any and all information is useful at this point.

My car has 730 miles on it.

VIN# 5899
Build: 6/23
don't know the allocation
Delivery: 8/14

SO FAR, I report no problems. My only quibble at this point is with the A/C, which could be better but still gets the job done.

My mileage has been within the EPA estimates and the power on the car seems very good. I have no complaints about heat in the cabin.

VIN# 0849
Build: 5/03
1st allocation
Delivery: 7/18

Don't notice any performance issues, revs better after 7200 rpm to limit, getting better still w/more miles and driving experience.

No lights coming on, no weird noises turning, stopping, going or coming. Added tweeters to make stereo better, use 93 octane fuel only.

Exhaust pipe soot was a problem, lately is almost non-existent at 975 miles. Wouldn't say I'm too happy w/A/C. there is heat in the cabin wo/A/C

4 tanks = 18.1, 19.8, 18.3, 17.9 (sorry, have been redlining it this tank every time out as past breakin)

Ok zoomster, I'll play... :)

VIN# 4226
Build: 6/13
3rd allocation?
Delivery: 8/06

Zero problems* at 740 miles, butt dyno reads lots of power to buzzer. Ave 17.5 MPG with normal driving (4-5k shifts) and 15's with somewhat heavy right foot. A/C on most of the time.

I've only been to redline a few times since break-in ended but was trying to make a conscious effort to notice any power flux, but noticed none.

*EDIT: sooty tailpipes, cycling A/C

Re: Does specific VIN#'s = problematic cars?
 

VIN# 1897
Build: Not sure (I took over someone else's order)
1st allocation
Delivery: 7/17
2000 miles on my car.

Low mpg (average 16 or so.) Driving style makes little if any difference. Lots of soot on the tailpipe. Don't know about power problems, but don't much care.

Cali car. Do we get special emissions?

POE: Port Hueneme

Re: Re: Does specific VIN#'s = problematic cars?
 

I believe emissions are the same for all.

VIN#: 1126
delivered: 7/17/03
miles now: 2400+
California car

Issues:

CEL during first week of ownership

Sooty tailpipes

Poor gas mileage (averaging 200 miles per tank of 91 octane under combined city/highway driving conditions)

Oil light flashed on, then off, once at 75mph at around 1800 mi.

AC cycling noticeable, but tolerable

Alrighty then:

Vin: 1073
Build: 5/28
First boat in Jax June 21st (?)
Picked up: July 19th
1500 + miles

MPG: sux (16 best so far)
Power: seems to drop off above 7K or so

VIN# 0585 (Not sure how I got a low VIN since I didn't pre-order)
Build: 05/03
Bought it off the lot on July 31. Was told first one sold by dealer.
Silver 6SP GT black/red leather

19.5-20mpg every time whether I drive fast or slow and I've accidentally put in regular gas. No diffs that I can tell, although the gas mileage might have been a tad higher with regular. Maybe 50% highway, 50% city driving. AC on and off.

So far no major problems. Just don't like the heat issue. I've gone 9000rpm in first and second gear (0-60 test) with no loss of power that I can tell.

For reference my 1989 Mazda MX-6 is rated for 28-32mpg and I get ~30mpg under the same type of driving as the RX-8. With strictly highway driving, I get up to 36mpg going 75mph.
For another reference, I have a 1996 Toyota Tacome 4WD rated for 17-21mpg and I get around 20mpg under the same conditions. With strictly highway driving I still get the same 20mpg.

Even though I haven't driven the RX-8 strictly on the highway yet to test the claimed 24mpg, my gut feeling is that the mpg estimates are on the low side compared to other vehicle mpg estimates. Maybe as the RX-8 breaks in, the gas mileage will improve. According to a recent Motortrend endurance test of a Honda, its gas mileage improved after several thousand miles.

Vin: 983
Build: 05/27
First boat in Jax June 21st (?)
Picked up: July 23rd
1952 miles


Oil light flashed on last weekend when I was 1/2 quart low. Soot on the tailpipes, poor gas mileage (Averaging 14.2mpg) but I do like to rev it :). Power levels and drops after 7k..


We need to get one of the later production cars on a dyno and see whats up.

VIN# 0852
Ordered Jan 9th
Build 5/03 First allocation
Delivered Aug 7th (finally! It took calls from Regional Mazda rep to Tacoma port to expedite)
Miles now -- approx 900

Issues - 1. soot in tail pipe 2. broke fastener installing the exhaust finishers 3. Not enough time to drive the car :p

I have good A/C (over 100 degrees here in NEB), great power (IMHO), OK mileage (lowest 16, highest 21), no heat issues (got very hot once through center console during first few days but never again).

I'll be taking the $500 + service with a big smile on my face.

good idea zoomster.

My 8:

VIN# 2162
Build: 5/31
not sure on allocation - think 2nd
Delivery: 7/15

miles: 1200

Problems:
low MPG. I am averaging about 14MPG & see no improvement to date. Worst mileage was 13.1, best was 15.8. LOW oil light sometimes.

Ooops I forgot to mention that I have 1200+miles on my RX-8. My oil level is still at the full mark. Unfortunately I don't know whether my RX-8 isn't eating much oil or the dealer put in too much oil since I didn't check it until just recently.

It would be interesting to see people's stats on oil consumption, location of car (e.g. California cars may be different), power, and gas mileage. Maybe some people's cars are eating way too much oil for some reason, causing power loss + soot + bad gas mileage.

This is worthless unless EVERYONE does a dyno test. "My car feels like it has a lot of power" cannot be substantiated by a "butt dyno". If ones' previous car was a civic than the 8 will feel very fast, 180whp or 205whp.

Also I wouldn't be so quick to post my vin number in a public forum but that's another topic.

I was hoping to see more of a pattern here, but it looks hit and miss in respect to VIN's, build dates, and allocation. What I did notice is those that have reported problems here, thus far, have 1000+ miles. Mine only has about 750 miles. Could it be the cars are being more problematic as they "age"? I don't think so, but let's here from some more "high-milers" and find out what they are experiencing.

Party pooper! ;)

I don't think this is worthless. Obviously we are seeing those that are not experiencing performance lags as compared to some. Or experiencing extremely low MPG's as some.

I don't think anyone is reporting their performance by "butt-dyno". Someone would notice performance lags and hesitations, and gas-guzzling tendencies.

If someone has a problem with stating their specific VIN#, then give a range, ie. 1000-2000, if that's makes them feel more comfortable.

VIN# 4883

653 miles
no problems whatsoever...
just hit 600 today and redlined all night...most of the time power was VERY linear...i didn't feel a surge in power at 6250 nor 7250, just VERY linear...although at about 7500 i did hear a different sound coming from engine...for the first time i redlined in first, power shifted to second and squealed the tires...

a few times, however, i actually felt a dip in power at 6250...seemed like the ports didn't open or something as i didn't accelerate any further for 2-3 brief seconds until i hit 7250 then i linearly accelerated again...

Of course you didn't experience or felt that since you didn't have a real dyno, just your "butt-dyno". ;)

VIN low 700s (I don't know why someone said not to give exact VIN, but I'll follow that advice). My dealer said April 19 build, I think, and the car was cleared from Port of Baltimore July 14 (delivered in Washington 16th).
I have been breaking it in very conservatively, and now have 1,300 miles. Biggest gripe is mileage, although there has been lots of driving in high-90s, heavy traffic with long periods of idling. Worst tank, and the most recent, 15.5. An earlier tank with about 2/3 highway cruising at 3,000-3,300 (70-77 with auto) was 18.9.
There is soot on the inside of the exhaust pipes; is that so unusual, or rotary-specific?
I haven't used high revs yet, so can't report on power dropoff. The low-mid range response to throttle is not especially sharp or powerful, but the car will give adequate power if I decide I want to drive briskly, and shift down to second.
The AC is marginal in very hot conditions. I found that 4th speed, while in city traffic, produced noise and lukewarm (fresh) air. Switching to 3 allowed decent cooling.
Oil near full at 1,000. Like another poster, I don't know if it was overfull to begin with.
Silver Auto w/$3,500 package.

This is just what I see, but california rx8's seem to be the ones with bad gas mileage and you can add me to that list.

Vin: 21XX
Build 5/31
Mileage: 2800 mi


Problems:
Sooty Exhaust
Fuel economy always between 16-19 (I'm not driving like a maniac either)
Oil light came on three or four times around 82 mph when it had enough oil
E-brake light comes on when cornering hard, or apparantly occasionally when the car is cold
There are about 3 distinct squeaks or rattles inside
And as far as my PERCEPTION goes, it doesn't acclerate at the same rate between 7-9K.



I still love the car, but the problems piss me off. I need a day to take this puppy to the dealership so they can work on it, and help me decide if it's worth keeping this particular one.

VIN: 180x
Birthday Date: 5/29 (It's still my baby)
Port Hueneme
1800 miles
MPG: Avg 16-18, 19 MPG last tank

Problems: Water spots (damn rain) and rock chipping sound when I roll up the passenger side window. Little soot on tailpipe. No oil light but the tire pressure sensor sounds when it's cold in the morning.

VIN 64**
Build 6/25
Jacksonville
Picked-up 8/6
350 miles (great to have an MX-6 "mule" for the work route)

NO PROBLEMS at all.

I'm doing the 600 mile break-in @ <4500 rpm

It's very hard to force myself to shift @ 4500.

It's also very hard to believe this "lost hp" issue while I'm driving it, only while I'm driving my computer.

Sootage @ the pipes. 17.4 from my only refill. (Included at least 30 minutes of combined "let it idle with an occasional rev or two while showing it off" time.