On another thread of "as our RX-8's age", there's the comment of what might happen if you happen to slam the rear door into the already closed front. Has anyone done this? What kind of damage occurs? My kids scare the crap out of me daily with this. Like most kids, they think you have to slam car doors to shut them, and I'm constantly yelling at them "BACK DOOR FIRST" ... they know it, but I fear that one of their friends will miss this critical point and cause untold damage to the front door.

Anyone ever do this?

Stew

 

I havent, but idiot passengers on the other side have banged them trying to close them at the same time

 

I actually did it the other day cleaning the car out. I forgot the back door was open and when I shut my driver's door it just hit with a low thud and lightly bounced back. I DO NOT let my kids nor do I close doors hard, so no damage at all.

As far as I'm concerned the door handles are for opening and closing.

 

At least you didn't slam the back door on the front door. I think there should be no/minimal damage shutting the front door by itself.

 

GRT8's description of front door closing when rear door is still open is about right - door just bounces back, no harm done, happened to me too. If you are worried that someone will close the rear door over the front door that's not quite shut but in the closed position, then I suggest buying the protection strip that goes on the inside panel of the rear door. I have seen it in the Mazda accessories brochure. Or make your own using generic moulding strip.

-Ringer-

 

I did this once on purpose (lightly) just to see what the contact points are what the possible consequences would be. As I remember, the plastic of the rear door arm rest makes contact with the rear edge of the front door. So, the answer is going to be, it depends on how hard the rear door is being slammed. Could range from nothing at all, to lightly scuffed plastic panel to denting the front door (although I doubt the latter). Mazda was obviously aware of the possibility because they do sell a stick-on rub strip for the rear doors. I forget what they call them.

While you're on the subject of giving instructions to your passengers, whether adult or children: Make sure that no one in the rear seat grabs the seat belt that is in front of them. That's for the front seat and it they snap that into the rear buckle they are going to become a permanent resident of the rear seat because it jams the latch. Make sure that they know that their seat belt is behind them. This has been documented a number of times on this forum.

I don't have these issues since my rear seat passenger is always my dog. I do all of the belt buckling and door closing.

 

I can verify the bouncing back also, but I've never slammed the rear door on the front. I usually explain to people how it works so they don't do it. I am paranoid about damaging the car since I always have bad luck anyway.

 

You have? Geeze, who knew?

 

Never "slammed" it on the front, but people have tried to close it on the front several times. Just bounces right off.

 

my son has, he thinks he is a big boy because he can shut door now, he's almost 2.

 

I just put those protector strips on yesterday--they look ok--I'm not totally convinced on their effectiveness yet though.

 

Like father, like son! Jenkins, I'm just kidding. (Couldn't resist. :D)

 

I intentionally slammed a rear door onto a closed front door of a dealer's RX-8 while checking out the car before deciding to buy. The salesman actually said, "Sure, go ahead."

I didn't slam it hard enough to try to do damage, but I did imitate someone slamming the door pretty hard.

No damage.

 

You mean these???

 

I was explaining to friends how the doors work while he was sitting behind me with both doors open, saying "you have to close the rear doors first and then the front." his leg was still hanging out of the car and as soon as i said that, out of habit i grabbed my door and pulled it closed. there was no damage to my door, but a bit of damage to my friend. I had to let him drive my car to make up for my stupidity.

 

So what do these things actually do?

 

Basically protects the inside of the rear door and the edge of the front door by providing a cushion to absorb the shock. IMO it should have come with the car automatically.

 

where do you buy them?

 

I beleive you can buy them from a Mazda dealership.

 

Ok, this happen to me because my girlfriends mom closed the front door, and then she closed the back. Results, the backdoor bounce off the front and no damge. Scared the hell outta me

 

When I first bought the car someone closed the doors at the same time. I had to ran around and check it out whew! But no damage.

 

where do you buy them?

http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=1470


Ask for Richard, he's awesome. I know a lot of us used him to buy accessories on our Mazda6's. I just got some touch up paint from him last week. He's very responsive and welcomes phone calls if you have questions on your car and/or the accessories.