If the rhythmic bumping is confined to a specific speed range, it may be the result of slightly unbalanced wheels and tires that are just at the right speed/frequency to generate a noticeable effect. I'm not too well versed in the RX8, but the miata on which it's based is notorious for being very sensitive to wheel balance. Perhaps, and this is a bit of a long shot, but have your wheels and tires Hunter Road-Force balanced (if my memory serves, they should be < 10, but I can't recall the units).

 

I have the same hole in my rear bumper. I think that's how they all are..

 

I really don't feel like it's something to do with the wheels, because the bumping doesn't get faster when I drive faster, I just start to notice less when I'm going faster. But I'll go for an alignment anyway, I drive down a usually bumpy dirt road to work, so we'll see..

 

How old are the tires? This could be due to your tire's sidewall(s) gradually losing rigidity. You wont notice a speed up in the sound because it is basically harmonizing with the slight shake in your vehicle. With a stiff suspension like the 8, you may not notice the shake much, or at all, yet still be able to hear the slight thumping.

 

Thanks. Interesting that Mazda would leave a hole. Could be something that is used for something outside the US, I guess. Nice to know others have it.

 

The tires are only a year old. I've put maybe 6k miles on them. Kuhmo Ecsta 4x.

 

Idle and always there. Havent down much revving while under the hood yet so I am unsure.

 

What years are your cars?

 

This could be the answer.
I'm not sure, but I believe there was talk of mandating rear view cameras on all cars at one time, & some countries possibly have already.

 

2005 6 speed. Base model US version.

 

Oh preytell why?. Do you have a better place?.

 

you do realize that more air naturally flows through the bottom lip vs the grille area right (except for when you are standing idle with the radiator fans on)? So what you did was completely ruin the flow pattern of the vehicle.

A better place? yea.... where Mazda designed it to be.

 

2005 6 speed black cherry Shinka edition

 

I had a sticker made and put it where the Mazda badge is . Uninterrupted air flow to both inter-cooler and rad .

Been like that for years ....................although I have been pulled over and ticketed a couple of times for it .

 

OK... so... I'm actually going to ask a serious dumb noob question.

Looking at used RX-8s automatics (so I can sell this proposition to my somewhat skeptical wife who will have to drive it occasionally, like when I take the twins to the pediatrician in our enormous, planet-Earth-killing V8 Audi Q7 which drives like a dump truck, and she has to take the RX-8 to work).

Wanna spend maybe $5,000-$7,000 on a used 8, looking at S1s 2004-2008.

(I'm not afraid of 100K+ miles, so long as I can get my hands on maintenance records and compare them to RIWWP's awesomely helpful list of things to look for, and get a real Wankel expert mechanic to look at it and tell me she's good to go.)

OK: since the 2004-2005s seem to have several "extra fun" maintenance/repair issues, including increased likelihood of already having engine replaced, and possibly with a low quality remanufactured motor, should I just completely avoid them and set my AutoTrader, craigslist, etc. searches to 2006-2008?

Said differently, any experienced 2004-2005 owners out there that are thinking, "Damn, I should have just paid a little more for an '06?"

Especially since the 2004-2005s are often around 100,000 miles+ by now, and will require, according to RIWWP's Start Here thread, probably about $900+ of catch-up maintenance soon upon purchase?

And, related: Let's say I do buy a 2004... and then it needs a new motor... How much should I expect to pay - parts & labor - for a decent replacement motor?

Noob appreciates any advice!

 

If your getting an auto I would only get a 6 port, so yes thats 2006 and up, get whichever one has the best compression.

 

J-town, teach your wife how to drive a stick.
Tell her how it's more fun, & how much more she will enjoy driving the 8 with the MT.
Tell her it's "empowering".
Chicks dig that Oprah crap.

 

 

Yeah, so I spoke to a Mazda specialist mechanic in town, a guy recommended by the local Mazda club's website, and he said he's seen a lot more engine "EPIC FAILS" with the automatics...

Stickshift + Wife combo could go one of two ways:

(A) Safer, because there's no possibility of talking on the phone, or

(B) Oh crap, she's driving stick with the cell phone crammed between her head and her shoulder.

I need to think about this...

Thanks for the feedback everyone, and also the thoughts on how to position manuals in an Oprah world.

Any thoughts on ballpark cost on a new motor, parts + labor, if I found, let's say, a 2004 RX-8 where some fool never changed the oil and it locked up? There do seem to be some of those around the Interwebs...

 

Post a Wanted add and describe the 8 you want. I've been wanting to upgrade my 8 to a newer one, its 04 with a new engine, specs in sig.

It's definitely not worth buying an 8 and then spending money on an engine replacement. Time, money, hassle..

 

Jtown. Idk about 8s a ridiculous amount but I have an 04 MT with 41k miles and knock on wood the only problems I've had with her was replacing the ignition coils, wires, and spark plugs at 30k as expected. Idk how she'll treat me as I get up further in the miles but I'm confident that it'll last a longgg time because I'm driving the car the way it's supposed to be drive. If I were you, find so one who really is an RX8 enthusiast. Maybe try looking at the for sale sub on this website. Odds are, someone who likes their car would take time to join this site and treat it right. Best of luck

 

Budget for around $4k for a new motor if you insist on getting one with a bad motor.

Get a compression test before purchase though, and you won't have to get a new motor.

Budget $120-$180 for that. Notice how it's far cheaper than $4k?


Keep in mind that failed engines usually still start and run. Time a cold start on the engine and then time a hot start on the engine. If there is a noticeable and significant difference, walk away.

 

6 port automatic. 6 port automatic. 6 port automatic. 6 port automatic. 6 port automatic

 

thanks for the info everyone. really great to have found some enthusiasts and experts that are willing to help out a noob.

 

i have a serious stupid question.. battery died - changed it.. alternator failed - changed it.. no headlights at all (fog lights and blinkers do work) an something is draining my battery when car if off.. please help. im use to working on my 23yr old jeep (simple). this car is killing me.
Thanks jen