the honeymoon's over, life changes, RX-8 a bit hard to live with
 

So much like that new girlfriend I was madly in love with my shiny, curvy and tight machine the first of this year when she came into my life. Fast forward 8 months, go from driving 100 miles per week 90% alone to 150 per day with 3 people in the car and I wouldn't call myself sick, but at the least slightly frustrated.

To be fair, that once in a while the trunk isn't loaded down with equipment and the backseat is empty of 2 extra people (one weighs only 20lbs but his rear-facing seat is a tad bulky) and I remember what first attracted me to this car. So...to be fair to the RX-8 my life changed significantly only 2 months into ownership and I'd like to think I'd still maintain that glossy veneer of the new girlfriend otherwise, But does anyone else end up with buyer's remorse inside of a year?
________________

To make matters a tad worse it may be my quickly diminishing warranty or the fact that in a few more weeks this will be our ONLY car for a while (instead of my toy that sat in the garage) but I've had new noises and issues popping up a lot the last month or so.

-She started studdering and hesitating below 4k - fixed (I hope not temp.) by the dealer by a Zoom treatment

-4th Gear has begun to catch a couple times/day (did someone cover up worn synchros with something in the tranny oil?)

-I have this wonderful new tapping/ticking noise coming from the area of the intake (not the coils, I've checked the wires, I've read about the shutter valve?)

-Now since last week it sounds like my steering rack is scraping on the ground when I'm at very low or no speed (no play in the steering wheel at speed, but certainly feels and sounds bad)

I have an appointment at the dealer next week that will hopefully quell these fears and fix my issues but that damn Accord my wife thinks I should have bought sure is sounding like a better idea lately ;)

Thanks for listening....

hahaha... ive had mine for a week... hope this doesnt happen to me. cuz i have 5 mores years of ownership lol

You need a cheap beater for those 150 mile, 3 person days. I was putting over 400 miles a week on my 8 back when gas was $4.00 / gallon. I picked up a 2000 Saturn SL for $2,500 and drove it 3-4 a week just for work.

+1^

hi ...been there done that...

Listen to your wife.

It is time to sell the 8 and get the Accord.

When you are no longer doing babies and toddlers get a sports car again.

:dunno:

Yea dude, just get a beater. I am buyin an integra for a DD (can get one for under 4k) so the 8 can be my toy. That is when I get the dough to buy another 8

Do not sell your 8, you will regret it, just get a cheap DD!

150 miles/day in a sports car. Ouch!

(Hope your wife doesn't read the thread. She might wonder about your choice of analogy.)

^ +1 you will regret selling the 8 sooner or later just keep it and get a cheap dd

I love ya dearly unfgvn, but The Wife will become sick of the 8 faster than a fleeing criminal. She will hate the cost and the inconvenience of "always something being wrong with it." Note that this does not have to correspond with reality. Her perception will be that the car is taking up too much effort when the family should be focusing on other priorities.

[ very cute baby in the avatar, BTW.]

That's what I did. I drove a Chrysler minivan for 8 yrs until my son grew up. The minivan was great for soccer/marshal arts and later Scouts. But, I had to have something fun to drive again. Gas mileage be damned.

1. Dont sell the 8, you are not gonna get what its worth- if you have parts on it, then do a part out like I am currently to pay off tickets so I can join the Air Force.to

2. If you are not that attached to your 8, then yeah, sell it. BUt 99% of ppl on here are.

3. Have a family member or friend or someone you trust take over payments for a while... like 2 months while you can save $$ to buy an Accord. My bro bought a 96 Accord for $1500 and it has performed miracles.... He saved $$ and bought a 64 impala later on..

Somebody loves me!!! :wiggle: Love ya too! :)


As for the worrying about the 8 statement you made, thats why you get a DD!! Then the 8 is his toy so when it is down, no worries

get a beater

trust me im about to sell my 8 any day now because i lost my job and im not to sure what to do but driving the car that many miles will make you cry sometimes but its just a car really, i used to drive my 8 to fix copiers all day long 8 hours 5 times a week and its perfect,

The wife couldn't be much better, we [have in the past] shared the call of the new car sickness a little too often. She's not pushing to get rid of the RX but it's lack of much comfort and it's recent quirks have her a little nervous.

I lost my job back in April, we have a nice cushy SUV that is/was leased which we planned to buy at the end of the lease (this month) but that plan has had to be altered as well. So, since the Murano was right at the mileage limit we basically parked it back in June and I've been taking her to and from work every day.

We kinda plan on everyone's general advice of getting a "beater", but it will have to wait for a few more months w/ the status-quo before we can afford to do that in cash.

So no, I don't really have to get rid of the RX, just have to live w/ some inconvenience, some quickly racking up mileage and nagging longevity doubts for a little while. The plan was and still is that when I am ready to get rid of the 8 I'll be getting what I've really wanted for a long long time......but plans are fluid these days :D

:D Thanks, we are very proud of the little man

...the RX-8 was supposed to be my version of giving in to needing a "family car" after a long string of 2 seaters, but these days it's really really the family car :)

^gl

No buyers remorse here.

This is my second RX8 in as many years.

Don't ask.

You see this is where the EVO/STi/WRX or even CTSV shines as a family DD, not only do they get better MPGs and are way faster but all have four doors and makes family life a breeze.

But if you want to keep the 8 then i second getting a beater

Many moons ago I gave up my Supra for an SUV to haul camera equipment around in.
I really did miss that car.
As many have said if you can swing the funds, just get a cheap second car. Trust me.

As far as my honeymoon goes it's still lust.
Although the 8 is a 2 + 2 I just treat it as a 2 seater with a rear seat for my laptop and lunch for work.:yesnod:
If gas hits $5 a gallon I'll find a nice moped as my beater.

If you weren't upside down on the car, I would say to get a Mazda 3 hatchback. It's still a fun car and would be great for your needs.

Sounds like a beater is what you need. Why not look around (especially on Craigslist) for someone selling a Honda Accord or Civic. As long as they are maintained, Hondas last FOREVER.

something like this works beautifully, ive put 1000 miles on already, lol got it like 2 months ago.

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...9bf91db8f0.jpg

Honestly I think you are just going through a rough patch. I've had my 8 for about 16 months now and there were times when I was seriously looking around for a different car.

Now I can't get enough of driving my 8. The 8 is like the girlfriend that you think is wrong for you but in the end you just can't get rid of her because shes so good in bed haha

That would be interesting with a wife and baby seat on the back :D