RX-8 starts right up first time, every time
 

It's only been 10.5 years (36K miles), but my 8 fires up after just a second or two every time. Needless to say, I've never flooded it. In fact, it's as reliable as any car I've ever owned. And I've owned a lot of cars.

Just thought I should mention it since the vast majority of us satisfied RX-8 owners really have no cause to find our way to this forum to report a problem because, well… there is no problem to report! Hey, if I didn't know much about the car and came here to learn about it, I'd walk away thinking "what an unreliable piece of crap!" So consider this a reality check. The kind of reality that you won't read much about in a complaint departme… I mean, on a car forum.
;)

36k miles on a 10 year old car? That's not a lot of miles per year.....I'm not knocking the 8 as obviously I own one too but those numbers don't prove reliability. Just proves you don't drive it that often.

Uh, no. 36K+ miles without a single problem would be considered reliable by any standard.

No it wouldn't. Now go put it back in the garage before something breaks..

Your next 36k miles are where you are likely to have issues, if any ,as RX8 parts wear. Congrats so far anyway.

Thanks!

I had zero starting issues with my current 8 until about 92k miles. It was reliable and only maintenance items needed attention. The only thing I remember replacing was a latch for the center console. In all fairness, I experienced detonation from a cold star at 94k miles and lost compression on the front rotor. I just bought another engine and installed it and its running great!

My first 8, an 05 Sport model I bought fresh off a lease. It had 29k miles and gave me some issues with hot starts a couple of times. I sold it when I bought my house as I needed more money for a down payment. I suppose its hit or miss with these cars really.

118,000 miles.

Not a single issue.

2005 6MT Sport package.

I even drive it with snow tires in the winters and...NO rust even here in the snow/salt belt.

Agreed! 2004 101,000 miles. Mine has been super reliable, too. I am going to replace the coolant bottle this winter for the coolant light issue, but other than that, solid. Mine has been flooded by the locksmith, and a detail shop. If you shut it off before while it is still in the rich cold start mode, it may flood, but I have this issue with my Audis and BMWs as well. Reading these forums will make you paranoid.

I mean, congratzm I guess.... but that's an average of 3600 miles per year...

Most people drive that within a couple months...it's a garage queen at this point.

Bought my 06 9.5 years ago. Been very trouble free and pleasurable ownership. Up until last year, it was used as a commuter. It's now enjoying weekend driving status only.