no floods
but I have not cold shut off

I drive it like any other car without paying extra attention. I will cold start it and back it up 6 feet to wash it and start it up again to move it back in. It starts on the 1st try all the time.

Well, it's not like I'd break the rules just to see if I can make it stall. That'd suck. I try to follow 2 simple rules: (1) Warm up for 10 seconds before putting into gear. I spend the time buckling up, getting the right music on, etc. so I'm not just sitting there. (2) Let the engine run at least 2 minutes before shutting down. If I'm backing out to wash the car, I'll take it around the block then pull into the driveway.

I've had no hint of a stall or flood yet, but I have no idea if the car gives you any kind of warning signs when you're running close to disaster. If so, I've had none.

No A/C cycling
No hot center console
No creaks
14.9-23 mpg, depending on whether I'm city/highway
Used about a quart and a half of oil in 4800 miles
No CEL
Tire pressure light for 5 minutes yesterday when it was cold
No engine flooding

I've only really had the oil light issue, and I'm asking the dealer about that this week when it goes in for the 5,000 mile check-up. Probably won't be fixed before my long trip to Niagara, but as long as we keep the oil full it doesn't come on. I've also cold-started and turned it off a few times, when i wasn't thinking, and it's started back up every time. But I have a feeling I've been lucky in that, so I'm not going to push it if I can help it.

So far, my car has been trouble-free. I'm using a bit more oil than I was lead to believe I'd be using, (~ 1 qt. per 2300 mi.) but I know this varies with driving habits.

I hate to say it, but even though things are great with my car, after reading about the few bad experiences some have had on this forum, I feel like my car is gonna suddenly vaporize or something. Oh well, it's just my paranoid nature.

I bought my 8 in Sept. It had a July build.

So far I have.....
not flooded the engine. :)
(Although I learned my lesson with my 7)
I get 17 mpg with 10% highway. :|
Center console does not get hot. :)
Oil use is <1 qt at 1000 miles. :)
Air does not cycle on and off. :)
No CEL. :)
Coolent leak from bad seal that resulted in a new engine. :(
In fact, 1 problem - now solved. :)

Lots and lots of positive looks and comments. :)
So WTF? A very minor engineering mistake (although very expensive for Mazda), resolved without questions.

I love my 8!

I love your attitude, WayneO!

no flooding, althought i cold started and restarted a few times.
center consoles does not get hot
oil use is minimal
air does cycle on and off but very rare
no CEL
no oil light
no tire pressure light

Milleage increase from 16 to 23 mpg after first oil change at 3k miles.
It drops back to 17 mpg after that big temperature drop in MD.

so far at 7200 miles, in 2.5 months, it has not give me any trouble (knock on wood)

I am a happy 8 owner.

This is such a great car! My experience:

No flooding - and every morning I cold start it, back it out of the garage, then turn it off for a couple of minutes before restarting.
I had the oil warning light issue and Mazda replaced the oil pan - the problem hasn't recurred.
No problems with air con
no CEL

I say again - this is a great car !

I've had my 8 since August 28th and I now have about 11,000 km of carefree driving including free oil and filter. :D :D :D

I do wish fuel economy was better - but what the hell.

Bought mine in Oct. I've put 3000 miles on it. 100 miles a day round trip to work.
No floods.
No heat.
Eats very little oil.
Don't know about AC, I fly with roof open.
MPG-With this car you never look at mileage. Wasn't bought to be a HYBRID.

Love the car, wouldn't trade it for anything. Even choose it over the Z6 Vette.