DivisionMonkey

Just picked up my 2005 Titanium 6 Speed GT a couple of weeks ago. I decided to post my observations, which come from someone that has never owned a Mazda in the past.

I was pretty pleased with the dealership and they met all of my terms on purchasing the RX8. They didn't have the exact one I wanted in stock and only had ones with a few extra things on them that, in the end, I'm glad that I got (rotary accent and appearance package). They said that they hadn't sold an RX8 in weeks, and gave me a decent enough discount to meet my terms. I can't give them the high points I would give a Saturn dealer for instance, but I can give them higher than any other dealership.

Right off the bat I was impressed with the smoothness of the ride. It surprised me that a well handling "sports car" rode so well. The back seats have tons of room compared to a Mustang GT for example. I like the heated mirrors (even though my dealer said it didn’t have them!)

Here are some of my disappointments:
1. Why oh why, do the headlights not automatically turn on?? This feature is standard on some of the cheapest autos out there. I’ve had this functionality on the past three cars that I’ve owned and miss it much.

2. The rear window defroster…does this thing turn off automatically after some time? I don’t think it does. This feature is also available in some very cheap autos.

3. Some slight illumination around the sunroof buttons would be nice. They are nearly invisible at night.

4. In today’s age of aftermarket products, you would think Mazda would have made it easier to swap in your own audio system. Instead we get this very custom thing. Granted, it looks good, but now I’m limited on what I can do.

5. $350+ for the Sirrus radio option? Are they out of their freaking minds??? This is a $50ish unit at Best Buy.

6. I was surprised that I miss and could have used a compass just yesterday. My previous two cars had a digital compass in the mirror.

These disappointments aren’t enough to make me regret buying the RX8 thankfully. I still love the car.

I do have a few questions that might be more appropriate in one of the other forums but I’m on a roll.

1. Is there a conflict with the warranty and using synthetic oils such as Royal Purple 5W20? I could have sworn I read in some of the paper work that it was recommended not to use synthetic, but I can’t find it now nor is it in anywhere in the manual section that talks about changing the oil and maintaining the proper oil levels.

2. Am I right in assuming that a REVi intake and/or a RB cat back would void the warranty?

3. Can the Sirrus option available from Mazda be added along WITH the PhatBox option? Does the PhatBox use the SAT, AUX, or CD mode in a single CD unit.

cLLcLe

I agree with you on number 4.... but you demand too much auto stuff. Cmon, who cares if you ahve to take the extra effort to switch on the headlights and turn off the defroster yourself. You possibly couldn't be THAT lazy right?
350 for sirius radio option? You aren't bargaining right ^^

In the manual and what other's have tested (for more info use search function) synthetic isn't recommended. Hey, if mazda says not to use synthetic then no way in hell am I using it. They made the engine right? ^^

Nothing aftermarket voids warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Act declares that all aftermarket performance parts cannot void warranty unless the damage was caused by that aftermarket performance part in question. So let's say you are getting an oil change, the tech pops the hood and sees the REVi intake, there is no right for him to deny service and void warranty just because you have that installed. If the dealership does void your warranty... take it up to your local office or something like that.

Hope this helps. ^^

MassiveAttack

I don't care so much about automatically turning on, but I wish they'd just turn themselves off. Stupid beeping...

Why would one need/want this? Seriously, I'm curious.

Not that I have trouble finding them, but I totally agree. I think the sunroof was a bit of an afterthought in that regard. I mean, you can roll up the windows after you've turned the car off, but not close the sunroof...

I just can't get behind this. I haven't seen anything but custom-made stuff that looks good replacing most any new vehicle stereo. Sure, old cars that had, basically, a box cut into the dash look fine.

Yeah, I was wondering if I could grab the upgrade one from a Mazda6 and it would work. It's still got the Homelink buttons, so that's good. I could sell mine on this board!

--Massive

ÜberJumper

The daytime running lights turn on automatically for me... it's the HID light thingies that I have to turn on (which kinda makes sense).

I'm really disappointed with how the power functions work. The operation of the power windows and sunroof is sup-par compared to other cars in its price range. The windows should both be auto down and up. The sunroof should be able to be closed with the key off. You should be able to open the windows AND the sunroof from the remote or at LEAST with a key in the door (My VW did the windows down thing with the key in the door, my brother's Cooper S, IIRC, does windows down from the remote).

Dragonrider

I have had mine since 2003, one of the first 2004 models to find its way to the states. It is a black on black 6sp Grand Touring. It was the only available black on black in the state at the time. This is my second RX car. My first was a first generation RX7 and I got that one right as it was unloaded as well.

The Mazda RX line of cars is some of the best sport cars for the money around and now that you have driven one, I am sure you agree. But if you are looking for a luxury car with every automatic devise possible, there are many to choose from and they are all fine cars and a Mazda RX8 may not be for you. If you are looking for a car that is economical on fuel, then sports cars are not for you. The RX8 is a sports car not a luxury economy car. I have been asked about the gas mileage of my RX8. My answer is simple. I don’t know and I don’t care. All I need to know is that the gas gauge more or less lets me know when I am getting near ¼ tank.

The RX8 is a sports car with 4 doors, not a luxury car attempting to be a sports car. The limited automatic devises minimize service challenges and make setting the car up for the track that much more simplified if that is possible. When you are on the track, none of those automatic devises have any use.

The other advantage to the way the RX8 is put together makes is very easy while not necessarily inexpensive to create a personalized RX8 which I have done and continue to work on. As time goes on you will find this a nice option for consideration

The only challenge I have had to date with mine is speed control. Seems the car only wants to go very fast. Oh maybe that’s me, but that is another story.

So as you sit in your new RX8 ask yourself why you have the car. If our answer is because its a great sports car that has a touch of practicable application like the 4 doors then try to set by your bias for luxury cars aside and enjoy the thrill of the ride in the RX 8 sports car. If you want those non essential automatic luxuries get your second car with them. Just a suggestion.

Have fun, and welcome to the family of RX drivers.

CollisionAlert

well said...i used to have a 92 toyota carolla that didnt even have power steering...so i dont see why there is any complaining. Anything is better than nothing. Would you prefer to have the "rolly" up windows that give you a permanent indention of a handle in you left knee?...i dont think so lol

MazdaRich

Division I agree with you on most points. These are the nit-picks I have about the car, especially after taking a test drive (again) this week at night. I've complained to Mazda about their stereo integration schemes--and of course they did the same thing on the new Miata! This is completely unnecessary and will definitely not help sell any cars. Almost as stupid as BMW i-Drive--no wait that's a whole nother level of ergonomic disaster.

I agree about the automatic headlights for a very simple reason--the cluster guage is always illuminated. This makes it easy to drive off and forget the lights aren't on. I almost expected automatic headlights. It was difficult to figure out how to operate the sunroof in the dark.

The only other complaint I have is that you can't get leather without a sunroof. :/

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

^you can adjust the cluster illumination so it turns RED when you turn on the light you know...

ÜberJumper

MazdaRich:

You can adjust the illumination on the Gauge cluster so that when your lights are on, the gauges are illuminated in red, rather than white. Just dial down the gauge brightness one click.

DragonRider:

I call bullshit. Seriously, how many RX-8 drivers are going to be on the track? More specifically, how many RX-8 GTs with all the options are going to be driven on the track? I'd wager less than .1% (If you're going to buy a track car, get a SRT-4, then you can expect less for the money.) This car is being sold as a daily driver, as such, it should have the ammenities one would expect from a similarly priced automobile. Mazda should know not to put in some cool features (homelink, 6 disc changer, sunroof) without making them "right".

All that being said, I love my 8, and as disappointing as these features are I was aware of them before I purchased the car. They were not deal breakers for me.

Dragonrider

Did not mean to touch a nerve.

Your position is noted. Regardless, you did ask for input. Careful what you ask for. You may find that you may not get what you are seeking.

Question? Where you expecting only like minded. Well, welcome to the real world. Not everyone is going to you know.

At any rate, I still say welcome to the family of RX-8 drivers.

Matt RX8

I agree with Dragonrider. It's a sportscar and a lot of those luxury features are useless on the track and only add additional weight to the car. That's why I have a 6MT with only sport package (HIDs and DSC are a must for me since I will drive it at night and in the snow). The cloth seats are awesome at holding you in your seats in tight turns and also also lighter weight. No sunroof also saves weight, gives you more helmet room and add to the structural rigidity of the car. Now if only they'd off a model without an AC, then they could save some more weight.

While I do daily drive my car, I bought it mainly to use on the track. If I would have wanted a wannabe-sportscar-luxury-car I would have bought another BMW (non ///M).

I realize that many RX8 owners don't track their cars. This is obvious by the lack of posts in the Racing/Sub-Forum. But there are some of us who bought this car for it's sportscar abilities and you can be sure that we are not dissapointed.

Dragonrider

If I had it over to do, I would have gone the sport model without the sun roof as well for the very same reasons. Now I am looking to remove the sunroof. Need the Hemet room.

The grand touring model was the only black on black they had, now come the mods to get it where I want it. I don't know about you, but I found that the RX8 holds the corners like it was glued down.

Matt RX8

I did managed to spin it twice at the last autocross but I was going a little over the top. :o

it's a fun car to autocross but I might stop autocross it to save wear and tear because I'm getting more into track events.

It's a great car on the track but I'm just a novice. I've only done two days on the track but will do another 5-6 days the rest of the year. I was in the car in a novice run group and was quite quick compared to the rest of the class. Quick enough for me to get bumped to a more advanced run group for the next school.

Great brakes + Great cornering + 9K redline = great track car :D

DivisionMonkey

Don't get me wrong, I still love the car. I just hate seeing some of the options that *I* like and use being available on a sub $15k car and not available even as aftermarket on my $32k car. Yes, I am that lazy that I want it to turn on the headlights automatically, especially since probably 80% or more of the cars on the market already do it. As you can tell, this is a big deal to me, but not a show stopper because I knew about it before I purchased the RX8. I just hope that maybe an aftermarket product can be offered later or maybe newer models will have it added in the future.

Edit: Found this, might try it out for only $30. https://www.designtech-intl.com/merc...atid=12&step=4

I view it sort of like a computer. If I pay twice as much for a new one as my previous one, I expect it to have all of the previous one's functionality in addition to the upgrades to speed and what not.

cLLcLe:

Thanks for the info about aftermarket items. I've never had a desire to use aftermarket products until I bought the RX8 so had no clue how it all worked.

Ryan13b:

So the defroster does turn off automatically?? I guess I never left it on long enough then to see. To me, the auto headlights aren't a novelty.

MassiveAttack:

I don't need nore necessarly want the defroster to turn off automatically, however, it's just another item that I noticed was "missing" that I can get on nearly any $15k car. But according to Ryan13b, it does exist on the RX8.

Anyway, I'm glad to be a part of the RX8 community. My post wasn't intented to cause anguish or arguments. I just wanted to point out some of the things that *I* would change, knowing full well that many people like the RX8 just as it is.

ÜberJumper

DragonRider:

I can only assume you're replying to me, as the OP hadn't posted since my post. (Obviously I'm not asking for anyone's input sooooooo).

Dodge designed the SRT-4 for racer wannabes, the RX8's not so much designed for track racers. Mazda could design a track only version of the 8 that has the features you racers want. But the GT models are designed and sold as a sexy sports car from what I can see.

Those of us that bought the car (the vast majority of us I think even you can agree) didn't buy it for the track. A large portion of us would probably *like* to have more "luxury" options that allow us to enjoy the car on a long twisty drive and for daily use. Most of these "luxury" options are simple things that would not add considerable weight into the car, after all, they're mostly software/firmware/circuit design.

What my major beef with Mazda is they didn't put some "It just ******* makes sense" features into the car.

Not only that, the car designers had at least two serious DUH moment... Why, WHY would I want to be driving at highway speeds and REQUIRE that I HOLD the close button on the sunroof and/or windows instead of it/them automatically closing? The radio replacement option's another point that's just silly. Cupholder and heated seat switch placement? Again debatably stupid.


Again, I bought the car in spite of these issues, and I love it anyways... it's FOOLISH to not ask Mazda to strive for improvements in the design, especially for features that just make sense.

jbrasure

I had several of the same concerns when I bought my RX-8. However, I found that I didn't miss the features much. Here are my thoughts on each one:

1) Auto headlights sound great, but in reality they annoy me. Then never turn on early enough when it's getting dark, they don't turn on during cloudy days, and sometimes they turn on too often (like when you drive under a bridge). Now that I have an RX-8 I actually enjoy the manual headlights better. I usually leave them on 90% of the time as daytime running lights.

2) I'm not sure about the timer on the rear defroster.

3) I agree about the sunroof buttons. They could use some illumination. However, once you've owned your RX-8 for a few months you'll have the button location memorized. I can easily find mine without looking.

4) Regarding the audio system, it would be nice if you could swap it out. However, the Bose system is pretty darn good. Personally, I love the way it looks, so I'm glad they did things the way that they did. To be fair, many cars are doing this now.

5) Regarding the missing compass, that what the nav system is for!

Dragonrider

ÜberJumper

You seem to be a bit defensive.

You know what they say about assumptions.

This thread is that of DivsionMonkey not you. Seems that you must feel a bit threatened.

Not the intention.

Improvement is a matter of perception.

To you, Mazda needs to turn a sports car into a luxury lemon.

To others, less is more.

Next time you feel the need to use profanity in print, make sure the issue involves you.

Dragonrider

ÜberJumper:

You are correct regarding the “touching the nerve” issue. I was referring to you. Seems you have a lot of issues.

One is which is a less then civil way of expressing yourself. Your point is noted. I don't know your age, but you behavior denotes that you are young and arrogant.

I had no intent on upsetting you. But when you put you view on a forum you are asking for input. If you don't want challenge keep your position to yourself.

You may find you learn more if you put a lid on your attitude.

You clearly do not need much assistance to being upset.

I will repeat the point however, for those who seek luxury. There are several cars out there that specialize in the category and they are fine cars.

If what was presented made you feel offended, that is regrettable, but that is a challenge for you not me.

I bought my RX-8 because it is a sports car. When I want luxury, I drive my 1998 Mercedes SL600. All the options you are demanding are in that car. And there is no intention of putting it on the track.

I May be driving it to the track as a spectator, but never on the track. You see, I will practice what I preach.

I guess I take exception of unwarranted profanity in a simple exchange of viewpoints.

I will not change mine and you clearly will not change yours. That’s OK. That is what makes the world go round. What is sad, is your bully attitude that makes your feel you need to get violent or boisterous to make your point.

You are and RX driver. That is all that matters. So knock off the attitude and the profanity. You made your point. Enjoy your car, and have a great life.

ÜberJumper

DragonRider:

I apologize if you got the wrong idea from me "calling bullshit" on you (specifically that the car's designed as a pure sports car and not something else). I use that term often in conversation when I disagree with an opinion that seems based on facts I don't see in evidence.

I can assure you my posting intentions were not hostile in nature (maybe hostile to Mazda for their lack of "it just ******* makes sense" features), nor am I upset at you having a different opinion on the RX-8 than I do. I am certainly not threatened that someone has a different opinion than I do.

You seemingly purchased the car as a plaything. I purchased the car as a sporty daily driver (I certainly did not want to purchase a luxury car). You seem to want mazda to design the car for the track IE: more functional. I'd appreciate if they put more work into making some of it's standard "luxury" features (the shiny bits) up to par with other cars in the same or lesser price range ("luxury" being all the bits that make the car comfortable rather than functional).

Don't confuse my annoyance (and use of the word "*******") at Mazda with me disagreeing with your opinion.

(ps. My age is in profile if you're curious)

Dragonrider

Duly Noted, and appreciated.

However, I do use my RX8 Daly as well as at the track. Most of Mazda’s line are used on the track. While Mazda must provide enough amenities to make the cars practical for those who wish to use the car as basic transportation to insure the profitability of the company, the basic concept of all of Mazda’s line is to make the cars racers.

Mazda’s desire that the cars double as possible racers is clearly evidenced in their acquisition of Laguna Seca, and the creation of Mazda Speed, Mazda Sport, and of course Star Mazda pro Formula.

In all endeavors there is going to be compromise, and the notable lack of ability to please everyone.

As an example, in Europe cup holders in a car are ridiculous to European drivers. On the autobahn driving at say 120mph, one does not have the option to operate the car and sip coffee or munch a burger.

Our driving concepts here in the US must seem somewhat insane to those in Europe. We hear of people trying to drive and eat, drink, read, change clothes, apply makeup, etc. We seem to be focused on everything but driving. We demand so many luxury devises to play with, buttons to push, ***** to twist, navigation monitors to watch, we are not watching the road. That can get very dangerous.

So while I will acknowledge your personal frustration with Mazda for not including some luxury items for the car you would like to see as standard, I find your sense of harsh intolerance with Mazda’s choices of compromise interesting. Each to their own I suppose.

I for one am very grateful that Mazda saw fit to build their cars so that each of us can customize our car to do what we want it to do. Regarding luxury amenities. Well, I go back to when I got a my first car, it was a luxury to have air-conditioning, now it comes standard in almost every car.

guy321

Atleast the rx-8 doesn't have a stupid whip antenna like the 3-50z and '05 mustang.

Dragonrider

You got that right.

pcimino

I have the nav, and there are times when I'd like a simple compass...

I *believe* that the auto headlight feature was left off because HID lights burnout from too many cycles (on/off cycles). And when it's dusk or low light they can automatically turn on and off unnecessarily.

I base this wholly on a dicussion with a Lexus owner, who's dealer told him not to use the auto feature, but manually turn his headlights on/off.

Somewhere in the D.I.Y. forums, someone has rewired the 8 so the running lights and fog lights are always on with the ignition, and the headlights on/off manually. This sounds pretty cool to me, but haven't had time to try it yet.

scottmhr1

Anyone that wants it and any car company that puts auto up and auto close on windows and sunroof is an idiot. This is a safety factor so that little juniors won't stick thier heads out the windows and sunroof and be choked to death. Auto close functions are a lawsuit waiting to happen. Once this is known you should understand why they don't put them in most cars, just plain common sense.

cLLcLe

I agree.. I've always thought about that and auto-open is fine. But on my parent's BMW, the auto-close has always scared me. Think of the children! THE CHILDREN!!!

And don't say it couldn't happen.. .cuz you know it could. And maybe will sometime in the near future.