...Wankels.

I had to decline a test drive on Sunday because I want to buy a couple more Christmas gifts. :p It's inevitible. Black (or maybe Silver) 6-sp GT.

I've been a Honda/Acura driver for over 10 years. I really enjoy high-revving, slick shifting machines. The only experience I have with rotary engines is when I drove my sister's a couple of times years ago (she had an early 80s ...first generation?). It scooted, I remember that much.

Anyway, a couple of questions that I wanted to bring up that may be redundant, but what may be common sense to me now I don't hold as gospel for the rotary:

-- Synthetic oil :: Opinions/Experience? Good/Bad? How is burn rate affected? Benefits for any of the seals?

-- Throttle :: One thing I've not been able to determine yet is if the RX-8 has an electronic throttle. If so, is there any latency between input and response during downshifts/heel toeing? That was something I could sense test driving one of the new Acuras.

-- Break-in/Mating :: Tradition method? Variable engine speeds and loading? 1500 miles? Correct?

-- Fuel :: I've been lurking for a couple weeks and have observed some discussion on this, but don't totally understand. What grade fuel do you use, and why? Mazda recommends 95 octane (91 is as good as it gets in California) and I've seen some proclaim better performance with lower grade gas. I'm curious as to how this could be possible, given the 10.0:1 compression ratio (vs rpm which is a third for each wankel right?). If I'm fanning flames on a bad subject then forget it.

Thanks for the indulgence. Now for my $.02 for anyone who's "looking". My insurance will go down when I get this car (about $100/yr 50/100/50 coverage). I'm a single guy, in his thirties, who rents, living in Southern California.

 

-- Synthetic oil :: Opinions/Experience? Good/Bad? How is burn rate affected? Benefits for any of the seals?

There's no mention of it in the owners manual altough the tech highlights CD mentions 5w20 non-synthetic as recommended. There is always a heated debate on whether syntetics are good for rotary engines or not. A lot of rotary tuners use synthetics but mostly higher priced ones like Royal Purple or Redline. Search for it, you'll find a lot of discussions on this.

-- Throttle :: One thing I've not been able to determine yet is if the RX-8 has an electronic throttle. If so, is there any latency between input and response during downshifts/heel toeing? That was something I could sense test driving one of the new Acuras.

Yes, drive by wire electronic throtle is standard but there's not a hint of delay. But I only test drove the car and read about it a lot so let the owners answer this...

-- Break-in/Mating :: Tradition method? Variable engine speeds and loading? 1500 miles? Correct?

Owners manual states that there is no particular break-in procedure required but recommends variable speeds, less than 7000 rpm for the first 600 miles. Of course there's also a lot of debate on the matter.

-- Fuel :: I've been lurking for a couple weeks and have observed some discussion on this, but don't totally understand. What grade fuel do you use, and why? Mazda recommends 95 octane (91 is as good as it gets in California) and I've seen some proclaim better performance with lower grade gas. I'm curious as to how this could be possible, given the 10.0:1 compression ratio (vs rpm which is a third for each wankel right?). If I'm fanning flames on a bad subject then forget it.

Mazda Recommends Premium 91 octane but the car can handle 87 and up but supposedly with a loss in power.

Thanks for the indulgence. Now for my $.02 for anyone who's "looking". My insurance will go down when I get this car (about $100/yr 50/100/50 coverage). I'm a single guy, in his thirties, who rents, living in Southern California.

I'm 27 single too and rent and my insurance will increase when I get this car

One last thing, SEARCH! There's tons of info in the forum

 

Delay? What's that? Nope, that's one of the really sweet parts of the car, the wide open rev range and the instant throttle response!

 

Not an owner, but can answer the throttle response question. It is heavenly on the RX-8. Very much like my Miata which is a wonderful thing.

Not sure which Acuras you've driven but, using my wife's CL Type S (6 speed) as an example, the throttle response is awful when it comes to dropping revs, fine on the way up. Not a "drive by wire" problem though, the flywheel/clutch combo is VERY heavy (something like 40 to 45 pounds). Didn't notice it in an RSX Type S I drove.

Have driven many Hondas/Acuras over the years myself. Very nice cars. You will LOVE the RX-8!

 

hrm... well with my seven i ran ONLY non synthetic oil.. people found it burned cleaner due to the lack of cleaners in the oil..

i ran the LOWEST octane i could find in my 7.. i ran 86 in it. (it was an na second gen.)

heel toe driving? my husband did it all the time in his 91. did it in the 8 with the sales person in the car ( i had to laugh.. the sales guy loved it)