ScorpiaN

Hello all,

Im possibly thinking of buying my first new car, and I am considering the RX-8 as one of them.
What i want is a decently fast car, prefereably RWD, that one day i can race at the track and have fun with, that can also be driven all year long. The only RX-8 i can afford is a 04 with a bit higher mileage (around 70,000 to 13000).

So i have 2 questions:

1. The low MPG has been beating to death with a stick multiple times. I have heard a rumor that if you get a piggyback chip that it will lean out the A/F mixture and you can gain a few ponies, and get better gas mileage.(This rumor also said that mazda had to richen the fuel mixture to meet emissions so that the cat-converter would last at least 100,000Kkm).

Is this true? if it is i have no problem researching and reprogramming my ecu...

2. I live up north, and it gets kinda cold in the winter (sometimes down to -30 + windchill). From what i read from owners, the cars have no problem starting in the cold, as long as you dont shut them down right after starting them up. But...the saleguy at mazda said unless you store them in a garage they dont start.

So, anyone have any problems with their car starting in the winter? I just want some more reasurrance! (and yes i know there was a problem with the earlier starters, and the was a TSB if you complained enough they would replace it...)

3. how many of you have higher mileage RX-8's? I like buying cars and keeping them for awhile, so if engines are shot after 130K km's then that kinda takes this car off my list.

Just FYI, the other cars I was thinking of are:

cobalt ss supercharged
Neon SRT-4 Turbo

Thanks for any info Guys!
I keep seeing conflicting info everytime i search this sorta thing...

Ian

CyberPitz

1.) Yes, there are systems like the AccessPort with the MazdaManiac tune that can increase your MPG and increase your HP by a few numbers.

2.) There are many people that have no issues starting their car in the cold, but then again, I don't know about -30. That's collldd

3.) There are a few people on the forums with 150k+ MILES on their engine. Others coming up to 100k Miles. Mazda has a, what, 8 year 100k mile warranty for North America....where are you located?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

^ his use of KM instead of miles, and -30 degrees implies Canada to me

1: Please ignore any reference to a "chip". Most of them don't really work well. IF you buy it from Ebay, you deserve the headache you will get. If you want to tune the ECU, get an AccessPORT or Scanalyzer 2 Pro, they don't piggyback anything, you can make changes to the ECU directly. Or get the MazdaManiac AccessPORT version, which he will tune for you (be aware of his long delays though, he is in high demand)

If you are doing this for MPG only, forget it. Forget MPG unless you drop under 14-15 mpg. If you get better, be happy, but expect 14-15 and accept that you have to live with it.

2: I suggest going to the Canada forum and talking to some of the guys there. The 8 with a stock starter and battery will probably start giving you issues down that low. The upgraded starter and battery (TSB on it) will improve this greatly, as will an oil heater. They can provide more help than I on that.

3: There are quite a few high mileage RX-8s. There are several threads on how high mileage you have, although a 155,000 mile 04 auto turned up in Florida with what was thought to be a dead engine, but was actually just horribly flooded and blown fuses. If you are within the 8 year 100,000 mile mark, there is a factory warranty on the engine core. Honestly, take care of it, and it will last forever. Of course, "taking care of it" is different than a piston engine. Don't assume that "taking care of it" means never revving it. Read the stickies and learn all you can about the 8 BEFORE you buy it. If you still want to, you won't be disappointed.

The only upset 8 owners are the ones that bought it without any knowledge or awareness of it's quirks.

(*sorry, us Yankees have a hard time converting miles to kilometers )

CyberPitz

Yeah, I know he was using KM, but I didn't feel like translating, so I just did MILES so he'd see first hand I wasn't doing KM and mistakenly read it like that.

ScorpiaN

I am from canada! lol

So, Retuning = no help for MPG...
At least its a little better than my V8 chevy truck...(and of course a way nicer vehicle)

I remember when the first 2004's came out and i used to gawk at them... now the 2004's are withing my price limit!

Im going to keep researching on the 8's and their engine...

How do any of you tall owners find the cars? (Im 6'1") when i sat in the one in the showroom, it seemed like the low roof/windshield line would get in the way, but i couldnt adjust the seats cause they were all power!! lol.

I miss having a sports car...I had 2 preludes previously, and ever since i sold the last one, i miss having a car. but after driving the truck i dont think i want to ever go back to FWD. but...the cobalt supercharged and SRT-4 ar esoooo tempting...mmmm....cheap power :D

Ryoma-kun

I'm as high as you and I don't have any problems with the height. I don't have sunroof though, maybe there's a difference. I've started it up in -15 C and never any starting problems related to cold weather.

shaunv74

If it's an '04 I would ask if the motor has been replaced. If not I would expect that you will need to get it replaced before your engine warranty is up. I have an '04 and love it but had the engine replaced at 55K miles. They did a great job and the new motor is excellent but I would be prepared for it, have them do the recall check, and make sure that you have the engine warranty to cover it when it happens.

The '04's didnt get enough oil in the beginning so I expect they all will have to have replacements at some point. Even people that know what they are doing.

I don't want that to scare you. Just talk to the salesman about it and find out if the motor has been replaced and if not if you will be covered under the 8yr 100K mile warranty on the engine.

rux

I guess if you're *too* concern about MPG, this car might not be the best option for you. I'm averaging 14-16 mpg on city driving and 16-18mpg on city / highway driving. But *for me* the smoothness of the engine, the great potential of the car, the fun when driving it, are much more important than MPG.

No problem starting on cold weather, I don't have heated garage, so I park my car in my apartment complex (frozen in the snowy morning, etc) - but my car is '09, so my starter and battery are still exceptionally good.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I am 6'1" as well. My first test drive, I was in a Touring w/ sunroof, and my hair was brushing the front edge of the sunroof opening. I didn't even think about up/down, and I am not even sure if it was possible. It bothered me at first, and I used it as an excuse not to buy it (I couldn't afford it then), but I hadn't even remembered it by the time I ended up buying one.

However I got a GT, and the power seat can be moved up/down as well, and still have the sunroof, but I have more like 4 inches away from the roofliner, at lowest seating level of course.

Legroom is just right. I can't extend either leg the whole way if over a pedal/deadpedal, but between the pedal I can stretch up to the firewall without issue. I do many long trips in my 8 and it is plenty comfortable.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Since the other cars you're considering are turbo FWD 4-bangers... I don't think you'll like the RX8. The RX8 is more like a bigger Miata.

PSTNLSS

iTrader: (3)

New Car='04 RX8 with 70k+ miles? hmmmm