Hey everyone,

I am pretty close to getting a 2004 Mazda RX8 Nordic Green Mica, but I had some questions regarding it.

1.) The mileage has about 74,000...is this too high? I've browsed this board in the past and seen members passing the 100k mark, although I heard some things about the reliability of the rotary after 100k. I assume just like any other car as long as you well maintain it, should last you a very long time...the car is a one owner and is fabulous condition. I guess some of my probing questions would be the oil changes/checks, revving it to 9000 RPM often, etc.

2.) As far as a manual transmission is concerned, what is the difference compared to a piston engine I heard shorter shifts, so what RPM's would I need to get before I should shift?

3.) Racing Beat products...how are they? My first purchase will probably be a new RB exhaust and get a REVi intake system. Then some RB coil springs later down the road, and some other exterior stuff from rotaryfx.com. Anyway just curious how well the RB products are, and if perhaps there are better products for the RX8 than just RB.

4.) How long must I idle the RX8 during the cold winter months for it to be ready to drive?

5.) Is there any sort of big maintenence stuff required at 75,000 and beyond?

These are the questions I have on the top of my head so far, and answers would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

1. You assume correctly that given proper maintenance the rotary can live a long and happy life. Considering its fewer moving parts and rotational rather than opposed action compared to a piston engine it should actually live longer. Pre-mixing 2-cycle oil is good insurance to prolong the apex seal life and thereby maintain compression.
2. "Granny shift" it at 3k rpm, but preferred well above 5k. "A redline a day keeps the carbon away."
3. Racing Beat has very good products and enjoy the endorsement of most members here.
4. Not long at all; no moreso than a piston engine. Just drive away, but take it easy until the coolant comes up to operating temperature.
5. That's a relative question. If normal service increments were prior met ("severe duty" best schedule) then just keep following that schedule.

 

Huey thanks for the response.

Oh I forgot to ask, what kind of wheels (black preferably) look good on the RX8?

 

I gotta say the stock wheels on the '09s and '10s look pretty good. Maybe get a set for cheap and have them painted black?

 

+1 Huey

 

I'd still run a carfax or similar check on the car. When I was shopping, I found several "fabulous" cars that didn't turn out to have such a fabulous history. So don't be fooled by what you see with your eyes or what someone tells you about the car without documentation to back it up. I also called Mazda with the VIN number and made sure there weren't any outstanding recalls or that any recall work had been done in a timely manner. I also got lucky and found an owner that kept every single receipt with dated proof and with mileage documented for every single thing that had been done to the car right down to the window tint and the warranty for it.