There are over 10,000 members in this forum. Even if only 75% of them are owners, that represents over 7500 cars. The number of problems reported given the number of cars represented is probably average (or even below average) for a new car.

Remember this is an enthusiasts site. Nearly all problems will be reported and discussed intensely, while simply happy owners (like me) don't generally post "no-problem" threads...

 

Jeffjett, your list is not totally comprehensive. You should also add the following to the list of POTENTIAL problems:

Flooding.
Cracks on headlights/taillights.

Even then, I would buy the car again. Why? Because the majority of the potential problems already have solutions in the form of a TSB / recall or precendence set where the dealer is addressing it. I weighted the pros and cons between seeing those listed problems (that are fixable) and the ownership experience of a unique car with personality. In the end, the pros outweight the cons.

It doesn't matter that your Toyota is more reliable since you are getting a new car anyway. So, you should compare the potential problems of the RX-8 against the ones from your other new car choices. Chances are it's the same and your decision would still depend on how desirable the car is to you.

 

No real problems with my car and I would buy it again tomorrow.

 

hell yes.. I did my research and knew that there were some very minor problembs.. as with any first run production car.

But the good things way out live the minor things.. that are all fixed on my 8 ..

Luve luve luve the 8. but i am a rotery freek

 

I got my black 6 speed RX-8 today, Luv it so far, can't wait till 600 miles up.

 

I have had my car for 2 months now and have not experience any problems what so ever. The car starts and runs flawlessly and seamlessly. I have thoroughly enjoyed the rotary experience and the way that the car performs at high speeds. My experiences with the service department at Stone Mountain Mazda (Stone Mountain Georgia) has been excellent.

 

I've personally witnessed rattles and squeaks, poor gas mileage, defective cats, wind noise.... in my 03 Accord. The 03 Accord has also suffered from almost every other issue in that list from what I've researched (You do know about the early V-6 03 Accords having catastrophic oil loss problems? A manufacturing defect caused the engine block to become porous to oil...)

Just to put it in perspective. Any new model will have problems. Hell, Mazda's long term reliability is really just as uncertain as Honda's (And I'm a big Honda fan!).

Even "knowing" all of this, I am damn set on getting an RX-8 next.

(Then again, the MPG issue is really my fault. Even the I-4 likes to go above the 3000 RPM mark on a regular basis... )

 

I knew all that stuff and still bought the 8 because I really liked the car and I believed that Mazda would stand behind it as they have with other Mazdas I have owned.

I have actually experienced none of the expected problems, except slightly low mileage, but even that has been better than expected. I expected 18 overall and have experienced 19.8 overall in the first 7000 miles. It has been better lately.

The internet exchange of info is very new and we now know immediately about problems with almost every consumer product.

I don't know how the objective data for the Rx-8 will compare to other recently released models--disgruntled customers usually have more to say.

I would not be surprised if consumer reports data shows above average problems in the first year, but I would bet that after the first year this model will be well above average because Mazdas almost always are.

 

My car has none of the "issues".

MPG is lower than posted. Because: 1) I'm still breaking the car in. 2) I do not drive like EPA testers.

Other than that, no problems. I think you're falling victim to the fact that enthusiast web sites tend have disproportional amounts of complainers. Sure, the car is in it's first year of production. And, sure, I believe all the people who are reporting problems. But I think the reporters are disproportionately represented.

I too was concerned about some of the posts. But I went to other car model's enthusiasts' sites and saw equal or more frightening posts. (Check out My350Z.com. Plenty of really pissed off owners. Tire feathering/tread life issues, bad transmissions, NVH getting to drivers over time, assembly issues, interiors falling apart, etc.)

The 8 is well designed and well built. Individual drivers may never get the posted MPG. Continual ECU flashes may or may not bring the mileage and HP up. The car's interior gets a little hot in the summer from heat under the car - however, correctly functioning A/C is powerful and cools the car very effectively. I have no issues with the car. Yes, I wish it got better mileage.

I bought the car after spending more than six months on this website, reading up as much as I could. Knowing what I know, and having the same budget for a new car, I would by the 8 all over again. With another $5k to spend, I would probably have gotten an IS300. But, it was over budget. For less money I got a very entertaining, unique, but fairly practical car. I'm happy. I'm going to be paying more for gas in the long run, but the 8 is a little more sporty than the IS300. It's all about making compromises that work.