Reliability of 1st year Rx8's?
Is anyone concerned about buying the first of an all-new car that using an all-new rotary engine?
Im not suggesting that mazda doesnt make good cars but you cant help having problems with an all-new design. I understand that it doesnt really matter to those of you who are only leasing since you would have most likely have moved on to a newest must-have toy in 3 years but those of us who practically marry our cars and keep them a long time would it be better to wait a year or at least 6 months? |
Isn't that what a warrenty is for? I would suggest also looking into an extended warrenty. In most cases if negotiated correctly, they at least pay for themselves...
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Re: Reliability of 1st year Rx8's?
Originally posted by johnsocal Is anyone concerned about buying the first of an all-new car that using an all-new rotary engine? Im not suggesting that mazda doesnt make good cars but you cant help having problems with an all-new design. I understand that it doesnt really matter to those of you who are only leasing since you would have most likely have moved on to a newest must-have toy in 3 years but those of us who practically marry our cars and keep them a long time would it be better to wait a year or at least 6 months? |
i've already gotten my tube of KY and have shoes with straps that i can grab onto in dire emergencies, so i'm prepared :eek:
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I think MAZDA has quite a good reputation of NOT doing like other (sadly also: German /Audi, BMW, even Mercedes) manufacturers do it: Banana products -- delivered green and riping at the customer.... :( I did own a VW Golf GTI 16V which was ever SO bad, switched to French and Japanese cars since then.
However, no manufacturer is really save from this, no matter how hard they test... |
I owned a 1989 Ford Probe and my wife a 1989 Mazda MX-6 - effectively both first year cars built in a joint Ford/Mazda partnership - and both were pretty reliable, certainly more reliable than other vehicles I've had the misfortune of owning, even when those cars were several years into their production runs.
I also don't remember any large streak of failures on Gen II RX-7s, and the cooling problems with Gen IIIs took four or five model years to fix... In short, there are always going to be glitches, but hopefully the Japanese production run will iron most of those out. :D |
All new car here except for transmission and rear axle. I expect there to be a few first year niggles. Probably similar to the new 6. I have the most confidence there will be no significant problems with the engine because Mazda knows this is the last shot for the Wankel and the memory of the poor recent record is still fresh. So we can eliminate powertrain related problems. That leaves body and interior as most likely problem areas. Surely there will be one or two rattles that will be eliminated by the 2005 model run.
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Sure, I'm a little nervous. I think Mazda has done some pretty extensive testing of the engine anyway, as the design dates back to the RX-01 of 1995, and has been tested and tweeked since. I just get the feeling, (maybe minor glitches aside) the car will be pretty trouble free. I hope I'm right.
However, I hope they haven't tried to ignore what they thought were minor issues during testing or early production. (if there were any) As an example, I use the U.S. model WRX. I don't think a car, especially when it had been sold in other markets for about a year should have so many stoopid issues like ECU, various sensor glitches, and a grabby clutch that is prone to juddering. I'm surprised none of the journalists picked up on these things. (until recently) |
Glad I'm leasin |
I think there are a lot of NA engined RX-7 owners here who are pretty confident that the new FE engine would be very reliable. Maybe they can give you some insight into this.
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Re: Reliability of 1st year Rx8's?
Originally posted by johnsocal Is anyone concerned about buying the first of an all-new car that using an all-new rotary engine? Im not suggesting that mazda doesnt make good cars but you cant help having problems with an all-new design. I understand that it doesnt really matter to those of you who are only leasing since you would have most likely have moved on to a newest must-have toy in 3 years but those of us who practically marry our cars and keep them a long time would it be better to wait a year or at least 6 months? As far as the chassis of the RX-8 goes, it has existed for four years, since the RX-Evolv's debut in 1999. In those four years, it has been tweaked and developed extensively. Again, Mazda knows it's business when it comes to chassis and handling. The transmission is built by the same company that supplies Mazda with Miata transmissions, Aisin. These transmissions are very well manufactured and typically heavily overengineered. The Miata transmission can take quite a pounding. There should not be any issues there either. Of course, this is all speculation, but Mazda's rotary engine has a good record in NA form, and one only has to look at all of the 1st Generation RX-7's and Miatas on the road today to see Mazda's build quality. |
not to rain on anyone's parade, but Mazda is one of the worst car companies in terms of reliability and customer satisfaction...it's right there on paper on various reports magazines like Consumer Reports as well as many newspaper publications...the RX-7 even had many many issues and Mazda's warranty department too it in the ass...
i'm really hoping the RX-8 is a completely different breed of Mazda since i just bought one...i don't want problems with it... EDIT: again, this is just stuff i've read from various sources...i've only owned a Mazda 626 in the past and it gave me no problems the entire 2 years i had it |
Re: Re: Reliability of 1st year Rx8's?
Originally posted by SA22C Calling the Renesis all-new design is a bit misleading. While the port placement and size is new, the shape of the rotor and its eccentricity has been used by Mazda for thirty years. Normally aspirated rotaries have been used without incident for 200,000 miles on a regular basis. That includes a lot of owners who take their car out to race every weekend. As far as the engine goes, there should not be any issues of reliability or longevity. so it's not all-new but i'm still gonna stow away that extra bit of cash just incase...and if it turns out i don't need it, gonna go have a good time in vegas =) |
Originally posted by BRx8 not to rain on anyone's parade, but Mazda is one of the worst car companies in terms of reliability and customer satisfaction...it's right there on paper on various reports magazines like Consumer Reports as well as many newspaper publications...the RX-7 even had many many issues and Mazda's warranty department too it in the ass... i'm really hoping the RX-8 is a completely different breed of Mazda since i just bought one...i don't want problems with it... EDIT: again, this is just stuff i've read from various sources...i've only owned a Mazda 626 in the past and it gave me no problems the entire 2 years i had it |
Not the best Customer Service! Reliability is good!
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http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2002049a.gif http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/images/2002141a.gif
Below average, and right around average. Judging by JDP's data in the last few years, it seems that Mazda quality is actually on the rise. (No new models in 2002?) I have some doubts regarding all first year models, but especially with Mazda. (Look up info regarding 1st year Mazda, RX7, Miata, Millenia......) First year mean potential problems, which means you gotta deal with the dealership. Mazda dealership are near the buttom of the pile when it comes to customer service. With a rotary engine, it might be better to take your RX-8 to an independent rotary shop. Anyways, the cost of owning the first new toy on the block is that you have to deal with these issues. I'd recommend waiting for 2nd year model~ but who's got that kind of patience. :P |
Regarding the transmission, it's only built by the same company that makes them for the Miata's right, it's not the same tranny? :confused:
The 8 will produce a lot more hp/torque than a stock Miata ever did.. |
the company is aisin, but no clue the other question, i'm with you on expecting it to not be the exact same tranny.
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just cross fingers, and make sure you get the extended warranty on it. Also the car can be as reliable depending how u take care of it.
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Ok, hopefully I'm not going to get smacked by consumer reports for posting this. THIS is what I was referring to.
How automakers stack up for 2000 The average three-year-old car had 55 problems per 100 vehicles. Some makes did better, others worse. MAKE PROBLEMS per 100 vehicles Better than average Acura 21 Toyota 25 Lexus 25 Honda 32 Mazda 34 Subaru 36 Saab 37 Nissan 40 Mitsubishi 42 Lincoln 47 Buick 49 Hyundai 53 BMW 54 AVERAGE MODEL 55 Chrysler 56 Ford 56 Mercury 57 Plymouth 57 Dodge 59 Audi 64 Oldsmobile 67 Pontiac 68 Jeep 68 Chevrolet 69 Volvo 70 Saturn 70 GMC 72 Mercedes-Benz 73 Volkswagen 74 Cadillac 82 Worse than average Reliability is one of the most difficult aspects of a vehicle to evaluate, yet it’s one of the most important. Our annual survey of almost 3.5 million subscribers provides the most comprehensive reliability information available. The 2002 survey yielded responses on nearly 480,000 vehicles spanning eight model years--1995 to 2002. Owners told us about problems they had during the preceding 12 months in 14 areas, ranging from the electrical system to the engine, transmission, and more. In this report, you’ll find information that can be invaluable if you’re in the market for a car or if you simply want to see how your current car is likely to fare. FEWER PROBLEMS ALL AROUND Overall, the news is good. The newest cars in the survey, the 2002s, had fewer problems than the newest cars in the 2001 survey: 18 problems per 100 vehicles, down from 21. Similarly, cars that were two to eight years old had fewer problems than we’ve seen in previous surveys. As in the past, Japanese brands led the industry. Korea’s Hyundai was also among the best 2002 brands--a striking turnaround from its poor showing 10 years ago. We have enough data to report on 2000 to 2002 Hyundais. In this report, we focus our analysis on two model years: 2000 and 1998. These three- and five-year-old cars are more likely to have problems than new vehicles--and you’ll have to foot the bill if the warranty has expired. Knowing how such models are holding up is vital if you’re deciding whether to keep an older car or if you’re thinking of buying a used one. WHAT’S UP WITH 3-YEAR-OLDS On average, model-year 2000 cars had three times as many problems as the 2002 cars: 55 problems per 100 vehicles. By the time the average car approached three years old, problems that were apparent when the cars were new--such as those in the electrical system and power equipment, or queaks and rattles--were two or three times more common. Systems that were fine at the outset, such as brakes and cooling, started having some problems. The table above shows the average number of problems reported for 29 nameplates, or makes, of cars. (We include only those makes for which we have sufficient data on at least two models.) Most of the 10 best were Japanese, led by Acura. Some luxury-auto makers, such as Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz, were among the worst. Within those 29 makes, the best of 2000 were the Acura RL, Honda CR-V, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Lexus ES300, Honda Civic, and Toyota Camry--all with fewer than 18 problems per 100. Worst: the Chevrolet Corvette; Ford Focus; Mercedes-Benz M-Class; Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, and New Beetle; and Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari--all with more than 90 problems per 100 vehicles. HOW 5-YEAR-OLDS DID The average 1998 model had 78 problems per 100 vehicles, about four times as many as the 2002s. Their Achilles’ heel: electrical problems, which were seen five times as often as in new cars. The best 1998 vehicles were the Honda CR-V, Toyota Tacoma (4WD), Acura RL, Lexus ES300, and Honda Odyssey/Isuzu Oasis, all with fewer than 25 problems per 100 vehicles. Worst: the Cadillac Catera, VW New Beetle, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Dodge/Plymouth Neon, all with more than 140 problems per 100. |
Originally posted by Elara Ok, hopefully I'm not going to get smacked by consumer reports for posting this. THIS is what I was referring to. |
Originally posted by lefuton why would you get smacked for it? |
looking back, I'm probably ok since that doesn't appear to be in the member's section. Most places don't take kindly to posting information you would normally have to pay for to get.
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No - CR is unhappy when anyone publishes anything published in their mags without permission, especially if it's used to promote any particular brand or model of anything.
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Well I build Fords and Mazdas on somedays and let me tell ya one thing. You should see all the people around the new models of vehicles running down the line. All of the FPS people look like monkeys swinging in and out of the vechicles. I help build the Tribute though. It runs down the same line as the escape. But honestly I dont care if you are number 1 or number 6000, it is the luck of the draw. Right now all the FPS people have torque wrenches in hand making sure everything is to spec! I will be curious to see how things change in the middle of July when we start running or trying to run 100% for the new F-150.
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