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?
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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

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, I doubt I actually get rid of the 8, my troubles are not nearly that dire just wanted to vent frustrations and wondered if anyone else got the same way :)

The reliability issue stays in the back of my mind but I'm not all THAT worried about it (wouldn't be worried at all if this wasn't our family's main source of transportation for a bit).

I understand where you're coming from.
I bought the my car about 5 months ago and the apex seals went after a few months. I'm still waiting to get it back from the dealership. It's all covered under warranty. but I'm stuck making payments and insurance with no car to show for it.
It kind of turned me off from the 8. I no longer have that omg i love this car! kind of feeling.

but i know as soon as i get it back and drive it I'll love it all over again lol.

I think that if he is doing babies and toddlers, he has some other issues... And should maybe consider getting a van, with some candy in it. :p

I agree about getting a beater though. Something that will be more comfortable and economical than a sports car. Another option, would be to sell the 8 until you are in a better situation for a sports car. Sell it now, buy it back for less in a few years. This would be taking a gamble though, on whether or not you will be allowed to buy a sports car again haha!

Im a stay at home dad with 2 boys ages 1+ and 4(and 3/4) Now I don't drive my wife to work everyday but the 8 is my family car( although we do have a Mazda 5 now as well ;))

Both boys came home from being born in the 8. We do the grocery shopping together in the 8. Sometimes twice a week. We go to the park /zoo/playdates/doctors/dentists in the 8. On the weekends the 8 gets to rest and we do everything in the Mazda5.

If the rear facing is too bulky behind you put it on the other side/ garage sale it and by one thats less of an issue. Or just live with it for a few more pounds. 20 lbs is nearly enough to turn him around anyway. Mine will be soon. People are now saying infants should stay rear facing til 30 lbs but really 20+ lbs and feet sticking out of the carrier + a good forward seat with adequate side impact protection should be good. and dont bother with big strollers. All you need is an umbrella stroller.

get something for your wife to drive herself to work in or a carpool rather than you driving both ways with the kid etc. thats too much time in the car for you guys. Get that moped for her ;) or find a way to move closer to her work.

150 miles a day for work is too much in any car .

oh and anyone looking for a stroller for 2 kids like I have, this version of a Sit and Stand- The Joovy Caboose and Joovy Caboose Ultralight(aluminum frame instead of steel) folds up and fits right in the 8s trunk with no problem at all. Tried it out last week.

http://www.joovy.com/pages/pd_caboose.php and there is a bench for the "Standing" kid to sit on facing backwards if he/she doesnt want to stand.

let me clarify one thing, then give you my advice..

you say you have three people in the car - but I believe you mean YOU, your WIFE, and your new BABY.

I woudl NOT buy a "cheap beater" and put my wife/kid in it 150 miles a day. have you ever seen a small civic or other "beater" after it's been in a major traffic collision? I have. I work in law enforcement and have seen my fair share of NASTY crashes. you don't want your new baby in a POS death trap.

the RX8 sucks for gas mileage - so 150 miles a day is also costing you a lot in gas.

if you are going to dump your Murano and go to ONE famiy car, an RX8 is workable as your baby is small.

if you sell the RX8 - you have to factor in how much money you will LOSE by selling it. the car market sucks,a nd RX8s are not that popular in the general car market - so likely you coudl lose a lot of momney on the sale, and you'd be better of keeping it. sure an Accord would be more practical and get better gas mileage, but if you lose $3000 when you sell the car, you might not be making the best deicsion.

one thing to consider - if you are only not driving your Murano to avoid going over your lease miles - you might want to consider HOW much you'll get penalized by going over - if it's not THAT much, it might make more sense to drie it - go over the miles, and pay the minimal mileage penalty vs driving the RX8 to death, putting more miles on it, and the gas cost... not tomention time.

see what is wrong with the 8, and if it's just minimal stuff, fix it, enjoy it. unless you can sell it and get out of it w/out losing a ton, you likely are better off keepitn it.

^ while I appreciate your passion you assume I have immediate intentions of selling my 8 (many in their replys seem to have). I've never said I'm really planning to sell it (actually quite the contrary). I appreciate your suggestions about mileage vs. gas costs, etc.... but I've had plenty of time lately to ponder the pros and cons of every option in our scenario, unfortunately the current one is the least expensive and therefore serves our needs right now.

If it makes you feel better, the "Beater" I indicate is a 00-03 RX-300, our research indicates overwhelmingly that these are solid runners for hundreds of thousands of miles and loaded with safety features for my precious little family. But it has become very important for us lately to purchase this next one in cash (never has been an issue in our past) so we must make do for a little while longer.

I may have a bit of buyer's remorse where I sit today but the solution is just to let me complain a little and get over it. :D I'll be a lot happier with my car when it goes back to lighter duty (I'd be sick of that 4-door sedan in less than 2 months and more miserable by far)


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Zoom44

Thank you so much for your post, hearing someone in a similar situation does make me feel better. I too manage grocery shopping, errands, park outings, etc just fine in the 8. I CAN put his stroller in the trunk but rarely bother with it.

We continue to debate when the baby seat will be forward facing, I have a Recaro Como that "will" fit rear-facing but it's not a lot of fun. I'd like to put it forward facing when he reaches 1 year and I think his Chicco carrier/base unit will last him that long as it goes to 30lbs/30".

Living w/ the 8 as a "family car" is fine, I don't enjoy it as much as a long distance commuter. To be fair I've never had a job that was more than 20-30 min. away and had for 8 years worked for my company out of my own house (so I'm admittedly very spoiled). My wife's commute isn't outrageous at 35-40 min. each way but my own fussing comes from taking her in the morning, coming back, being Mr. Mom 3 days or working a couple days and then going back to pick her up and come back home in the afternoon. Makes for a lot of driving.

I wouldn't "enjoy" it in any car I don't think.....but you do what you gotta do :)

I got a Honda FIT as my beater. pretty reliable.

but it wasnt really my beater until my car got pwned front and the rear.

Now I left my 8 collecting dust. giving my FIT maybe 50-100 miles a day. dont get me wrong I dont hate my rotary at all. I just dont have the time to buy the new bumper and fix it up yet.

After a while if you have to tote kids or people a fair amount or get snow like me it can get bothersome.

It's why I sold mine after 2+ years.

Your a family man!

If I were you, I'd sell the Rx8 as quickly as possible. And do one of the following things:
1) invest the money
2) set up a college fund for your kid.

Get rid of the car.

You mentioned an RX-300 for family use, we had a 2001 and it only avg. 18 miles per gallon and guess what ? The lower half of the engine had to be replaced due to oil coking even with proper oil changes and low milage. Toyotas dirty little v6 secret.

Loved my RX8 for the first 4 yrs, LOVED it, waxed it, talked to it, all that good stuff...

But after dumping no less than $45K into that car (car included) I realized that was $45K I could have spent on a house or simply saving and enjoying life.

Even though I loved my car and still love it, I know it was not the most wise financial decision....

Tis better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.........


Till we meet again rx8! For now its my 1992 Nissan Maxima w/ 175K miles!

I love my car, but I know when I start commuting more it's going to be time for a beater that gets good milage. I dont ever want to treat my 8 as a car a put 100 miles on a day.

i do about 60-70 miles a day and i have another car but im thinking of getting a beater when i get my third car so i can drive that daily or to work at least and use the good ones for school and stuff

isn't your other car a Camaro? Bastard.

i put about 40 miles a day on the 8, i have a beater but the beater gets less gas mileage than the 8

Thank you for prompting deeper research, we based this choice on reading a bunch of reviews on a couple of the major sites but never came across this. Oddly enough someone just last week mentioned this "dirty little secret" to me and I half way brushed it off because I had not yet read anything that disturbing.

We certainly can't afford to invest in something that's going to die on us quickly.

Well for anyone that cares, I've spent the last 5 days in an '02 Altima and my faith in my choice of car is renewed. I have been reminded how miserable I'd be in the long term w/ a generic appliance to drive :)

The dealer can't seem to replicate my steering issue after 3 days of keeping my car (this was my choice to let them try it first thing in the morning as I experience it). I'm hoping it's now duely noted so if it fails 6 mo. out of warranty I'll have a leg to stand on for them fixing whatever it is.