I formerly owned an '89 2nd Gen RX7 (14 yrs, 250,122 mi), that had the factory sunroof. I had nothing but probelms with the slide mechanisim (in sharp contrast to the reliability of the rest of the vehicle!). It seems the design of its slide mechanism was less than optimum, and the grease or whatever that ws applied was always attracting dirt dust and grit that hastened it to continually jam up, every 9-12 months. I heard this was a common problem with other owners.

Anyone have any thoughts on the design of the mechanism on the RX-8? Tips regarding preventive measures for long-term reliability? Or am I just paranoid from my previous experience? Common sense would suggest that 15 tears of engineering progress would render my concerns moot, but ...?

Jeff

 

I guess time will tell. No problems thus far for me. Works great only 10K miles.

 

I still have my '87 2nd gen RX-7, and never had a moments problem with the sunroof. Never been cleaned, greased, or anything else in 17 years. Maybe you were just unlucky.

Here's hoping the RX-8 moonroof is as troublefree as my RX-7's was.

 

I got my 8 back in November. The moonroof worked as I drove off the lot but when I tried it the next day it didn't work. It worked on and off for a week before I took it in and got it fixed. It was the button trigger or something not the sliding mechanism and it has worked fine since then (although haven't used it much since cold weather set in). No other problems with the car in past 3 months.

 

I have a 1994 Rx-7 TT along with my Rx-8. My Rx-7's chassis has 175K miles now. The moon roof and its mechanism are probably the only original parts left. Its been rock solid reliable in sharp contrast to the rest of the vehicle. Hope that helps.

 

My MX-3 had a nearly identical mechanism to the RX-8 and it worked like new for the 10 years I owned the car.

 

My problems with the sunroof in my first RX-7 in 1986 usually were largely due to infrequent use - the more I used it the better it worked. Basically the same with my current RX-7 - an 1988 AE.

If the car has been sitting for a while - the sunroof will not lift up - I have to help it. Perhaps the motor is somewhat under powered - it seems not to be able to overcome a struck sunroof.

John