^^ Yes sir! Mazda did it right. I am going to put on upgraded pads and DOT4 brake fluid for my next track day but the stock setup is just fine for a few outings.

 

lol me tooo! a yelllow one. it was awful

but man oh man i love this car. i love every aspect of it, the body style, the engine sound, the exhaust, the speed and acceleration, the short-shifter, the interior is freakin HOTT.. the gauges are awesome, i love the red on blue back drop at night, the 9speaker bose sound system, the cd changer, the sound of the honk doesn't sound like a lil pecker. the xenon lights, the sunroof, the HANDLING IS AWESOME! the list is endless, i love it. i love it. i love it!

 

i sometimes open the door to my garage and pretend like theres gonna be nothing in there, then i open it and im like "oh my god!!! an RX-8!!!!! lol

 

went to get a warrant of fitness yesterday . The mechanic could not wait to get in & drive it .They were like kids looking all over it
He showed me the figure on his brake testing machine & said it was the best he's ever seen .

 

I have been trying to locate vss on the internet but cant find nothing apart for the auto....can anyone help me for the location on a manual 6 speed...??

 

What is "vss"?

 

And why are you posting in this thread?

 

^^+1 lol.

 

I test drove a new '06 Shinka last week. I had been considering a Corvette ('01-'02 era), a Mustang, and possibly a 350Z.

The RX-8 was at the very fringe of what I was considering. I loved the styling, the back seat, etc but I thought I would be turned off by the low HP and gas mileage, so it wasn't at the top of my list.

After driving an '03 Corvette, an '04 Saleen Mustang, and an '07 Mustang GT, I thought the RX-8 would feel underpowered. I was dead wrong. I ended up liking the RX-8 more than any other car I've driven EXCEPT Corvettes, and this car makes a heck of a lot more sense.

The one thing I truly love more than anything else about the RX-8 was the vibration-free revs all the way to 9000! I totally didn't expect it at all, and it blew me away. I'm a motorcycle rider, and my bike revs to 10K, and I love revving it. The RX-8's reminded me of driving a smoother version of my motorcycle.

Easily the most fascinating engine I've ever been fortunate enough to drive.

 

The drive home can be the highlight of the day especially when it has been a bad day.

The beep ALWAYS cheers me up, almost like it's saying smiiiiiiile. LOL

I love the forums, it's taught me so much about the car, but when I read some of the posts I feel like going for a drive.

 

Everything about this car is sooo POSiTiVE! Besides gas, but whatever. I'll grow out of it. The best thing I like about is, everything is on the steering wheel for the radio. So if I want to change my channel, just a click of the Arrows and it's down and the Volume Control also.

Best thing I like about the 8 is the Dim View on our Rear View Mirror. So once you pass a car they flash their high beams... BOOM! dims to green, hahahhahaha I love it sooo much!

Mazda did such a GREAT JOB!

 

I agree. The only wrong thing is the gas. It is very expensive where I live at $3.73 a gallon and rising for premium. This makes me have doubts about purchasing one and go for something else.

 

Holy crap! Where do you live?? California?

 

These "little things" are never more prevalent than when you drive [or buy] another car. Either the other car seems like a "super-car" or, and most often, the other car feels like total crap.

 

Yes, San Francisco Bay Area. Some stations in my are are even more that that for premium. I live in the South Bay, where gas is supposedly cheaper than other parts of the Bay Area. I drive up the half way up the peninsula every day. I am currently looking for work closer to home. Gas is more expensive where I work.

I bought regular gas for my car yesterday at $3.45 a gallon. Today it went up another nickel. It will probably be four dollars a gallon by the end of May for regular. The crash last Sunday in the MacArthur Maze might of caused the five cent increase in gas Sunday night.

It is because the vast majority in this state are against building oil refineries and having normal gas for autos. Gas has to be a special blend. They also oppose oil drilling. The reason it costs so much to live here is because of majority of the people here are stupid and do not understand the economics of supply and demand.

If I worked closer to home, I would by an 2007 RX 8 in a heartbeat. Maybe this could be my reward for getting a new job.

Since I live in an urban area, I have to go through a tougher smog check for my car than other areas of the state.

 

I guess I seem to notice little things more when looking for a new car than when I am looking than when I am currently driving the car I have now. I am spending lots of money buying regular gas, but I don't really think about it at all. I have had my car for 9 1/2 years and 137,000 miles. Looking a new car and rising gas prices, I realize that there are all these costs. I know that insurance will be more than what I am currently paying right now no matter what I buy. Same thing with car registration.

As for as looking at different cars, the two I sort of settled on to possibly purchase are good in some, but bad in others. They are two opposites. What is bad in one is good in the other. Trying to decide is driving me nuts because I won't be totally pleased if I chose one over the other.

 

What are you driving now and what car(s) are you looking at?

 

The other car I really like is the Honda Accord Coupe LX. I have read that reliability and gas are good. Not as fun to drive or look as good as the RX 8. I like the controls on the steering wheel on the 8 as well. I don't know how to drive a car with manual transmission.

I test drove a Scion Coupe, but didn't like it at all. It was too junky looking. Other cars I have dismissed the very small ones including the Civic. I drove the Civic before, but it isn't what I am looking for. I am looking for something with some power since the drive is hilly.

I have used Consumer Reports to get some information on cars.

I seem to looking for something that has a sporty look, reliable, and possibly gas conscious. Something a little different. Too many Civics out there. The whole gas issue didn't really become one until recently with the huge spike in prices over the past couple of weeks. It has forced me to reconsider a few things.

I currently drive a 1998 Dodge Neon Coupe. The car was purchased for when I went to school. It has a cassette player, air conditioning, and AM/FM radio. There is no cruise control. Since then, I have been using it for commuting. Essentially anything out there today is light years ahead of what I am currently driving.

 

Honestly, if you like the honda, your probably not going to be super happy with the 8. Most people looking at the 8 are debating weather to go with a Z or similar ilk car. If the mpg and practicality are appealing enough to seriously consider the honda, that probably means the 8 will be a frustrating ownership experience for you. Have you considered something like a civic si? My girl friend just got an 06 and its sporty and practical. Might be a good best of both worlds car.

 

I love the way the little indent in the trunk holds two aluminum 80cu scuba tanks perfectly! Anyone else noticed this?

 

It's hard to believe but no, I haven't.

 

I love logging on here and learning how to better maintain my 8, and how easy it actually is to do some of costly maintenance stuff myself! I'm not very technically or mechanically inclined when it comes to cars but I was able to do the following things after reading posts of all great people here in the Tech Garage and DIY:

1. change air filter (what a PITA if you don't know the technique.)

2. change cabin air filter (ahh fresh air! if you haven't changed yours do it today! 2 min. job!)

3. remove/install oil filter (it's clear as day where that thing is...didn't even have to go under the car to reach it)

4. change the engine oil (super easy with a 19mm socket)

5. change tranny and rear differential oils (more challenging, but with the right tools it's a piece of cake! 15/16 socket, 23mm socket, and torque wrench)

Next up is changing out brake fluids... so far everything has been a one-man job, and I'm still looking for the best method to do this one... ideas are always welcome!

I've only had the car for 2 months and although it drove great before (43K miles used)... after these easy maintenance items performed in one day, the thing REALLY drives like new! Smoothest shifting ever... better throttle response... just CLEAN as can be.

Oh and for that "little thing" that I love about the car itself... I really love the handle inside of the trunk lid! After the car just got a nice wax and polish, no one wants to get finger prints all over the trunk lid! That is pure genius if you ask me! Unfortunately, i find myself looking for that thing on my other car, too.. which is a 2007 Honda Civic. No luck yet!

 

"1. change air filter (what a PITA if you don't know the technique.)"

Really? I just undo the 2 clips in the front, lift up and slide out the old filter. Done.

 

"Oh and for that "little thing" that I love about the car itself... I really love the handle inside of the trunk lid! After the car just got a nice wax and polish, no one wants to get finger prints all over the trunk lid!"

I do the same. I also noticed with the weight of the spoiler it closes with ease.

 

I admit that I am not a fan of the two tone interiors. But I do like the coloured stitchings on the leather seats. So was a bit bummed that the all black leather may not. However I discovered when I was detailing the interior the stitches were silver in colour! It looked even better! Our previous leathered cars were just black stitchings. Also the blue cast on the gauges when in "Night" mode is too cool! Never seen it even on other cars which are just backlit.
The new dipstick on the 06 has clear indentations to indicate oil levels so it makes reading it easier.
Little things like these make the rx-8 is not just any other car that Mazda spent some time designing it from ground up.