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cloudstrifex 08-06-2011 08:08 PM

Hello Again!
 
Hello everyone! I doubt anyone remembers, but I purchased an RX-8 with my fiance back in October 2010 and made a few posts on here. We ended up breaking off the engagement and I had to sell the car. I was pretty depressed so I kind of stopped posting here and doing a lot of other things (both in real life and on the internet), but life goes on. I was still driving my crappy 2004 Alero with snow tires that I had from NY (almost bald) and 150,000+ miles up until recently. Inspection and registration were coming up, and after replacing the brakes and battery I did not want to dump any more money into it. Combine that with the move to just outside of Houston, meaning a 36 mile commute to work one way, and I knew I needed a new car.

That's when I started searching around for a new car, but of course I was really only interested in an RX-8. I ended up finding a decent price on a 2005 with 50,000 miles and decided to go for it, and that is where I am right now. I've had it for about a month and I love it! It's the same color and year as my old one, but it's only a sport whereas my old one was a touring. No big deal though, and it has 20,000 less miles.

I have a few small complaints about it - mainly the clutch. I think the previous owner burned it out a little bit and I intend on replacing it soon along with the pedal, bracket, and new flywheel. That and there are a few aesthetic imperfections both inside and out, but those can be fixed in time and are really no big deal. The engine feels great, and idles at very low RPM. It seems to be a little smoother than my old one, which is definitely good. I believe it still has very good compression, but without a test from Mazda I couldn't really tell you. All in all it will be a little tough with insurance and the payments, but it was well worth it and I love having it as my daily driver. And don't worry, I still remember all the do's and don'ts of driving a rotary from the last time around so I intend on making her last. ^^

One final note - I don't know a whole lot about cars so my friend is helping me with the clutch issue. I will be going for an aftermarket one, but as it stands I don't know very much about what all is needed for the swap. Please don't hesitate to give constructive criticism on how to go about with this, and what I should look into getting for it. I do intend to do a few light mods in the future (clear corners, new CD deck and speakers), but I am on a budget right now so I'm not in a huge hurry. Oh, and the previous owner decided to paint the stock rims sort of a gunmetal grey. It looks pretty decent with the black paint actually, but the rims themselves are a bit scuffed so I'm still debating what I should do with them in the future. I would post pics but I'm at work right now - maybe I'll upload a few from my phone and attach them in a little bit.

Well, glad to be back guys! Anybody in Houston let me know if you want to get together sometime and maybe I can learn a bit more about DIY stuff for my car. ^^

Pauleman90 08-06-2011 08:18 PM

Congrats on the 8!

I want to see the pics of the wheels. I was thinking about painting mine a gunmetal gray! Post some pics when u get a minute.

Glad to see u back!!

cloudstrifex 08-06-2011 11:23 PM

Sure man here are some pics of it. This might not work right since I'm doing this from my phone at work but I'll give it a shot.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1414316_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._8312824_n.jpg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1069989_n.jpg

pistonhater 08-06-2011 11:59 PM

Congrats on the purchase of the car! Love the color of the wheels:yesnod:

Sorry to hear about what happened. Sounds like you are moving along very well with life and your new car.

I used to live in Houston. I would have mixed feelings about using an RX-8 as a daily driver there. Like in many other big cities, traffic there is horrible!!! Thirty something miles commute is not really bad though. But once you get outside the Houston area things turn very nice. Lots of great drives around.

cloudstrifex 08-07-2011 12:15 AM

Yeah the drive for me right now is actually really bad when I'm working the day shift, and I try to leave an hour before work to make sure I get there on time. I am moving on Wednesday to an apartment that is much closer so that should relieve gas mileage and wear on the car by a bit. Thanks for the kind words!

Forgot to mention I think the previous owner tinted the windows a bit. Could be wrong but the windows seem darker than my old one.

Roidz 08-07-2011 01:00 AM

Sorry to hear about the tough times, but glad it's lookin up and you are back in an 8. Congrats.

cloudstrifex 08-07-2011 12:08 PM

Thank you! Good to be back. ^^

Pauleman90 08-07-2011 02:02 PM

I actually really like the wheels gray.. I painted mine black a few months ago and now im tempted to do the gray!! Congrats on the 8 looks good!!

cloudstrifex 08-07-2011 03:23 PM

Thanks, man! I saw your car in your album - very nice! I would trade you my rims for yours any day ;) I personally prefer the black on black look.

Of course, mine are a bit scuffed so I doubt you would want to do that.

Pauleman90 08-07-2011 03:55 PM

Thank u!! haha my wheels are in perfect condition, not a scratch on them.. I donno Im gonna look for some paint this week. If I decide to paint them ill post some pics!

cloudstrifex 08-07-2011 04:06 PM

Unfortunately the car came like that, and there was nothing the dealership would do about it. I might go get them touched up sometime soon, though!

unknown__Disciple 08-07-2011 04:40 PM

holy shit your back... i was wondering what always happened to you lol...sorry to hear about your ex-fiance....shit happens, come out to the monday night meets. they are definitely worth coming out to (check the texas section for info meet). hope to meet you again.

cloudstrifex 08-07-2011 05:18 PM

Hey Hector! Sorry to fall of the map like that. I posted in the Gulf forum - I think it was on the same thread you're referring to. Since they're Monday nights that's great because I don't have to work Mondays! Is there one going on tomorrow night? If so I would definitely be in.

unknown__Disciple 08-07-2011 05:33 PM

yeah the biggest monday night meet we are having is going to happen tomorrow. come out. i posted the link in the thread you posted in.

cloudstrifex 08-07-2011 05:46 PM

Awesome, and I'm guessing it's still at the Jason's Deli in Katy? I'll definitely be there, man!

monchie 08-09-2011 01:19 AM

The wheel color really looks good with the black car. Anyway, drop it like it's hot.

dirkyd3rk 08-09-2011 10:46 AM


Originally Posted by cloudstrifex (Post 4049712)
Hello everyone! I doubt anyone remembers, but I purchased an RX-8 with my fiance back in October 2010 and made a few posts on here. We ended up breaking off the engagement and I had to sell the car. I was pretty depressed so I kind of stopped posting here and doing a lot of other things (both in real life and on the internet), but life goes on. I was still driving my crappy 2004 Alero with snow tires that I had from NY (almost bald) and 150,000+ miles up until recently. Inspection and registration were coming up, and after replacing the brakes and battery I did not want to dump any more money into it. Combine that with the move to just outside of Houston, meaning a 36 mile commute to work one way, and I knew I needed a new car.

That's when I started searching around for a new car, but of course I was really only interested in an RX-8. I ended up finding a decent price on a 2005 with 50,000 miles and decided to go for it, and that is where I am right now. I've had it for about a month and I love it! It's the same color and year as my old one, but it's only a sport whereas my old one was a touring. No big deal though, and it has 20,000 less miles.

I have a few small complaints about it - mainly the clutch. I think the previous owner burned it out a little bit and I intend on replacing it soon along with the pedal, bracket, and new flywheel. That and there are a few aesthetic imperfections both inside and out, but those can be fixed in time and are really no big deal. The engine feels great, and idles at very low RPM. It seems to be a little smoother than my old one, which is definitely good. I believe it still has very good compression, but without a test from Mazda I couldn't really tell you. All in all it will be a little tough with insurance and the payments, but it was well worth it and I love having it as my daily driver. And don't worry, I still remember all the do's and don'ts of driving a rotary from the last time around so I intend on making her last. ^^

One final note - I don't know a whole lot about cars so my friend is helping me with the clutch issue. I will be going for an aftermarket one, but as it stands I don't know very much about what all is needed for the swap. Please don't hesitate to give constructive criticism on how to go about with this, and what I should look into getting for it. I do intend to do a few light mods in the future (clear corners, new CD deck and speakers), but I am on a budget right now so I'm not in a huge hurry. Oh, and the previous owner decided to paint the stock rims sort of a gunmetal grey. It looks pretty decent with the black paint actually, but the rims themselves are a bit scuffed so I'm still debating what I should do with them in the future. I would post pics but I'm at work right now - maybe I'll upload a few from my phone and attach them in a little bit.

Well, glad to be back guys! Anybody in Houston let me know if you want to get together sometime and maybe I can learn a bit more about DIY stuff for my car. ^^

Sorry to hear about your situation man. I know you stated that you're on a budget but if and when you decide to do exterior mods one of my close friends has a body shop here in houston (beltway 8 & 288) and im sure I could get you a great deal. Im going to have my car two toned (hood, roof, and trunk) painted metallic black for almost nothing. Ive known the guy 10 years very honest and does quality work on tons of vehicles! I like the gun metal rims by the way! Congrats on the new 8

cloudstrifex 08-09-2011 02:11 PM

Hey thanks man no worries, things happen for a reason and life goes on. That sounds awesome I would really appreciate that! Does he do paint as well as repair? I wouldn't mind getting in contact for a quote on repainting the rims black and touching up a few scratches on the car. I ask about repair because I have one ore two slight dents, one being on the roof. That seems like it would be a big job though so I would be happy with just the paint touch ups. I am definitely very interested - thanks again man!

This community is just one more reason to love owning an 8. Everybody is so nice here. The only thing I can really offer is help with labor (no promise on knowledge) or computer services for people here. >.<

Polak Graphics 08-09-2011 04:12 PM

Welcome.

Check out the Texas8 guys.

dirkyd3rk 08-09-2011 07:01 PM


Originally Posted by cloudstrifex (Post 4051591)
Hey thanks man no worries, things happen for a reason and life goes on. That sounds awesome I would really appreciate that! Does he do paint as well as repair? I wouldn't mind getting in contact for a quote on repainting the rims black and touching up a few scratches on the car. I ask about repair because I have one ore two slight dents, one being on the roof. That seems like it would be a big job though so I would be happy with just the paint touch ups. I am definitely very interested - thanks again man!

This community is just one more reason to love owning an 8. Everybody is so nice here. The only thing I can really offer is help with labor (no promise on knowledge) or computer services for people here. >.<

Yes man his shop does full collision repairs, paint, touch ups, order rims at discount, and other stuff. Its far from where I live now but totally worth every penny. I recently moved by the woodlands and met another body/paint man closer to my area through my uncle. So depending on what side of town you're on south houston or closer to woodlands i got you covered lol. The shop my friend owns is called Escobedo's body shop and the other near 45 woodlands is called Casari's auto/body; quality work from both. When you're ready one day just let me know and i could roll up there with you or anyone else in houston.

Work I had done at my friends shop:
*Front bumper repainted
*Entire trunk repainted
*Rims painted blk
*Brake calipers/rotors painted
*Grey exhaust rear bumper repainted gun metal
*Silver on sides of center console repainted
*Driver door repainted because of dents/dings
*Tail lights masked
*Other random stuff i forgot :)

All this work only set me back 800 bucks (yes he ordered my factory velocity red paint). Any where else I probably would have paid over 1700 for sure. Im not promoting his shop by any means, as i said any 8 owners around houston looking for a trustworthy shop i will give you my hook up; plus I dont have any rx8 friends in houston yet lol. Get a quote from somewhere else man and ill introduce you to my friend to take from there im sure he will save you some dinero.

cloudstrifex 08-09-2011 07:12 PM

Awesome dude, sounds like a plan. I actually just took my car in for an oil change and coolant flush and have a few issues I need to fix first. The clutch pedal needs to be replaced, which I will probably go with the BHR setup that has the reinforced bracket, as well as the coolant overflow tank and two motor mounts needing to be replaced. Not cheap and I don't have that much money, but my friend and I are going to do the labor for most of that ourselves so I will save quite a bit going that route. I'll definitely let you know, though!

dirkyd3rk 08-09-2011 07:22 PM


Originally Posted by cloudstrifex (Post 4051881)
Awesome dude, sounds like a plan. I actually just took my car in for an oil change and coolant flush and have a few issues I need to fix first. The clutch pedal needs to be replaced, which I will probably go with the BHR setup that has the reinforced bracket, as well as the coolant overflow tank and two motor mounts needing to be replaced. Not cheap and I don't have that much money, but my friend and I are going to do the labor for most of that ourselves so I will save quite a bit going that route. I'll definitely let you know, though!

Funny you say that; I took my car in monday to finally do my clutch assembly pedal recall I been procrastinating on. Dude if i knew how to wrk on cars im sure id be under my own hood rather some egghead dealer messing with my baby. For sure man i just joined this site and ill be here!


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