After one year and 10 days of ownership of my Velocity Red RX-8 6-speed, I traded it in today. I only keep cars for 3 years and sold this after a year mainly because of:

1) Lack of power & torque(even after flash)
2) Excessive heat and lack of sufficient shielding(heat shield installed already)
3) Lousy HVAC system that just did not keep the car cool in summer(new switch installed)

On the positive side this was a great handling car and fun to drive.

The replacement is an Audi S4, 340 BHP, 0-60 in 5.3 seconds.

 

That's okay. I'm sure your RX-8 will find a new home.

As for the S4, congrats. I wish I had 340 hp.

 

S4's are pretty sweet.

 

Off-topic: cgrx, your sig is dead.

 

What "Excessive heat" are you referring to specifically?

Is the Air Conditioning really that bad? I live in Riverside where 100 degree temps are not uncommon in the summer. I need a good a/c.

 

The A/C is marginal and there is so much heat coming from the center tunnel that the A/C has a hard time keeping up. I keep it on full blast in "re-circular" mode and still can not cool off enough and takes a long time.

I am not sure how owners in hot/humid climate such as Florida or Louisana cope with this.

 

Interesting.

Now I need to do a search to see how many other 8 owners have complained about this issue. Like I said, it is an important issue considering the climate where I live.

 

My a/c works fine. I live in LA.

 

I really like the new Audi S4, was thinking of getting one to replace the wife's BMW 540. The only downside is the car is quite heavy for its class and about 1000 lbs heavier than the RX-8.

 

After doing a search, it does seem that there are people complaining about the A/C. Not just it's cooling ability, but a "surging" problem. More of the complaints seem to be about the surging, not the ability to cool.

 

once it's cranked up I can comfortably drive with it on "2". The real problem with the AC is for the rear passengers, which in my case (and probably others) is the "little ones".

If it's hot out, my poor daughter really suffers due to poor venting to the rear passenger seats and the ambient heat generated inside the car.

Even with LLumar Stealth tint at 30% light transmission/50% solar energy rejection which is suppossed to help reduce the greenhouse effect in the car, it still is hot back there.

Oh, by the way if you go to LLumar's web site the "automotive" link has an 8!

Pretty cool

 

I've had our Titanium 8 about 4 weeks now in South Florida. The weather has been constant 92 or so degrees...90 humidity most of the time...the AC has been fine. Car built 06/25/04.
The area inside the front cup holders is somewhat warm but not overly hot...we put the air up full/ recirculate for first 5 minutes after having parked in sun, but after that keep it at 2 or 3 with recirculate on. Recently had rear passengers for about 45 minutes at a clip...no complaints. Have noticed that a windshield shade helps lots when the car is left in the sun.

 

ya.. hope ur 8 will find some guys love him..
some of my friends designing to install a superchager in to the 8. they just bought it from jp. and it's shipping to here. i hope it will get a great effect!!

 

I have no problem with the A/C so far.

 

Since you were not happy with your RX-8, it was a good idea to make another owner happy with it.

 

I live in South Florida (Ft. Lauderdale area) and made it through the brutally hot summer with no A/C problems in my RX-8 and I don't even have tinted windows. It keeps me plenty cool on 2 for a few minutes, then down to 1. My wife complains that my hands are cold when I get out, so I know its doing a great job.

 

Great choice with the S4. If I had twice what I paid for the 8 I would buy one to. You need to change your sig. :D

 

I dont have a problem with the AC in south florida. I just put Llumar 18% tints and it made a difference. My passangers have asked me to turn the ac down on several outings. It gets pretty cold in my car. I think it all depends on the person. Some people feel the cold and heat differently

 

I live in East County San Diego. It's not unusual for our weather to be in the 90-100 range. My A/C works fine.

 

I live in AZ, so A/C performance is definetely an issue for me. Since I usually drive alone, I shut off the far passenger side vent, to increase air flow to the driver's side. That helps out quite a bit, but it's still marginal on the blistering days.

 

It may have something to do with the manufacture date of the 8. My 8 is from March, 04, and I have very cold A/C. It seems that the complaints I have heard were from earlier versions. Also, I always get at least 18 mpg in the city. Can't complain about that.

Still, I would love to have an S4.

 

S4's are wicked...good choice. Are you getting new or used? how much will it set you back?

BTW: i have no probs with A/C. No heating problem inside the cabin either. The cup holders do get hot though...but i never eat/drink/smoke inside my car so that doesn't bother me :D

 

Pins and needles -- nice toknow you -- goodbye!

 

How much did you get for it?

 

Glad to hear that so many people are happy with their a/c.