Road Trip & Reliability
 

New RX8 owner - 2007 RX8 with 1,600 km on it.

Looking to do a roadtrip from Toronto to LA in the spring

Anyone out there with experience with long road trips in this car and any concerns about reliability or is this a stay close to home kind of ride

Tks

I drove my car from Lexington Kentucky when I bought it to San Diego Ca in like 3 days. No problems out of the car at all so I wouldn't worry much just keep a thing of oil with you and top it off every once in a while and you should be fine.

Do the same things you would do with any other vehicle. Ensure you tires and brakes are up to snuff. I would suggest an oil change before leaving but otherwise make sure your fluid levels are good as well.

Be sure to bring your tire repair kit, a few quarts (2 or 3) of oil, I would suggest a gallon of your favorite radiator fluid as well.

The RX8 has been a great travel car. I made a road trip from Phoenix AZ to NW Indiana by lake Michigan which was about 1,800 miles one way with zero problems.

If you have a tool kit be sure to pack that as well.

Don't forgot to post lots of pictures! We love pictures!

2 yrs ago, I drove from Chicago to Daytona (for the 24Hr race). 1200 miles and 18 hrs. each way, without stopping (except of gas). The ride was very comfortable.

What worries me about long trips is the lack of a spare tire (if you didn't get the kit). The fix-a-flat goo won't patch all types of punctures.

Otherwise, I've found it to be a wonderfully comfortable car for long trips. No reliability problems at all.

Longest trip I've made was Northern Virginia to Charlotte, about 400 miles each way. Didn't do anything except check tire pressures and fluids, and make sure oil was topped off before I left. Since then I've added a tire plug kit, just from paranoia about there not being a spare.

The car is just too new to worry about breakdowns. I carry a few tools, but I'm more likely to use those to fix something in the motel room than on the car. Very different from when I owned a VW Rabbit, where a good tool set and a shop manual were always kept in the back.

Ken

I've had no problems driving from Calgary to Vancouver each year (1000km each way). Done it 3 summers in a row.

Only possible problem I see is the fact that the 8 has no spare tire.

Here are my road trip lengths:

1100 mi

2100 mi

1000 mi

2100 mi

= 6300 miles can't be wrong. Only problem is when your at 14,000 feet. Which all cars get choked out except those monster truck with turbo diesel. That was the worst, when I was as slow as all the other cars out there, and had little or no acceleration capability. Keep in mind that was before the MSP16 oil flash though. But those monster truck were on my tail and I couldn't shake them like I could at sea level!

And dial into your gps for the closest gas stations around 1/2 tank so you know there's stuff up ahead or not. I didn't know it at the time, but I also drove through the longest stretch without gas services in the mainland, which was in UT. Barely survived it.

Drove from Waco, TX to Chicago, IL twice... only problem that came up was a big rock puncturing the underside of my oil pan -=X

Can't really fault the rx8... it did great and ate up the curves for hours on end... the rx8 is a fantastic road trip car (if gas mileage is not too important).

In the past three weeks I've done two 1100 mile road trips. No issues at all. Farthest non stop was Phoenix to Boulder Co. Like 1200+ miles. Very comfortable long haul car.

As long as the car is well maintained and you make sure oil, fluids, etc. are good, the RX-8 is about as reliable as any other car on a long trip.

I can't think of any common problems with the 8 that would make it suddenly die on a long road trip. Most serious problems are things that happen over a very long period of time, like carbon buildup.

EDIT: But anything can happen to any car on a long trip, you never know. I think it's a good idea to have some kind of roadside assistance in case of the unexpected.

After almost 3 years, several 300+ mile drives (and countless local rides), I've yet to have a mechanical problem. Not one. Nada. The 8 is as reliable as any car I've owned.

Last July I drove mine from Upstate NY to Ohio, then to Daytona Beach Florida and back, The 8 does great on long trips.

i just drove from iowa to killeen texas, and the 8 was great till the end when my aftermarket coils went out. then i was along the side of the road waiting for a tow. but really not the 8's fault. so i think you'll be fine

One "problem" I have though is on really long, cruise-control for hours kinda trips, the seats are SO comfy, and the faint hum of the engine so calming, it's REALLY hard to stay alert and awake (for me anyway). Caffeine and good music are your friends ;)

I can attest to that. I have to flip on the AM channels to try and keep awake!

Are these long roads trips with a turbo eight? I wanna drive to Deals Gap(NC) with my eight. Im kinda worried about the trip.

I did a 3400 and 3100 trip in my 04 rx8GT. Never had a problem on either trip. I added 1 qt oil during both trips. Carried an extra quart in trunk. The car is perfect for long trips. It's comfortable and never gets boring. Half the fun of both vacation trips was driving it in the rx8.:)

If your car is tuned properly and everything is in working order, you should be fine.

If I am concerned about my car not making a road trip, it is probably a 1979 Ford Fairmont which is leaving pieces on the road as a drive along or something. Your car is barely broken in. There is no new car on the market that I would be afraid to take a trip in. (Although if I had a Ferrari 399GTB or something I just wouldn't want to put miles on it.) A hand-made 3-rotor can go from Daytona to Seattle in 24 hours (i.e. Rolex 24) screaming at 8600 rpm, or a 2-rotor engine go an entire racing season, why can't your 2-rotor cruise along the same distance much slower?
I personally change fluids when break-in is done. If you are so inclined, I would do that before the trip, and as a previous poster said, bring some additional engine oil of your choice for topping off from MOP consumption.

I've made multiple 700-1000 mile trips with no problems. The RX-8 is very comfortable on road trips.

1800 mile trip from cali to Iowa.

I also drive from chicago to Iowa (300 miles each way) at least once every 2 months.

And Im also taking a road trip to Deals gap (NC) then up to NJ to see my family then back to chicago which should be another 2000-3000 mile roadtrip.

Your car will be fine.

EDIT- Ive made all these roadtrips with 65,XXX + miles, now my car is at 72,XXX and Im making another 3K mile roadtrip. Enjoy your car, you only live once.

ay, i nearly fell asleep when I first bought my car.. had to drive from Ohio back to NYC.. the hum of the rotary is something else.

that was before I stuck a midpipe and exhaust on it though.. now it's a .. bit louder..

I can second this drive. I have made it multiple times. The Rx-8 is great to travel in, but like everyone else has said check your oil when filling up with gas! It seems like mine burns a little more oil when it cruises down the highway for multiple hours.

I can't compare to most of you guys, the longest I've done was a trip from Sacramento California to San Jose California, about a 4 hour round trip. All I did was check the fluid levels, and tire pressure, and checked oil level every pump. No drama on the 8's part, but if I had to pick one problem, my cds got really hot after the 2nd hour of driving.