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RX-8 is it worth the problems???

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Old 01-12-2006, 05:45 PM
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Don't even know why I bother.

Where did I say I was being tormented? I expressed a little concern over the possibility that there could be a future problem. I'm not saying there is a future problem. I only provided the two threads as a basis for my concern. I prefer not to play ostrich when it comes to as significant as an investment as my car. I appreciate that the original starters of the thread posted what they did. If you READ my post, you can see that I even express doubt that this could happen and that Mazda would release the Renesis without extensive testing. Perhaps your ability of discernment escapes you at the moment, but I hoped you could atleast tell that I love this car. Guess my hope was in vain. Re: Gas mileage. Where was I complaining? The original poster asked for what people were getting in mileage. I gave him my experience. I didn't whine about it. BTW...READ the post again. I wasn't talking about gas mileage in the first line. I was talking about life expectancy of the car ie. total mileage in response to the "you bought a sports car" post.

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Old 01-12-2006, 06:15 PM
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you guys are being way too harsh on this dude, buying a car is a huge investment.. hes just asking a couple of questoins that any smart sane person thats about to drop 20k+ would and should ask.
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Old 01-12-2006, 06:21 PM
  #53  
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Raptor...

I had your concerns... BUT, Consumer Report gave it a "recommended rating" regarding reliability and that pushed me OVER THE EDGE...

I just got the RX8 this past weekend...

And I've not stopped smiling since...

I LOVE THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE!!!!

Sound like a frickin space shuttle!
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Old 01-12-2006, 06:32 PM
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did cleoent say something? :D
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Old 01-12-2006, 06:34 PM
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I am also a new RX-8 owner. I have had up and down mileage so far, but I think my foot in a new car is the answer to that.

The car makes you feel young and careless...even though I'm only 25, but honestly it makes me feel like I just got my license.

Driving used to be a chore, not so anymore. Take the risk...if you, like me are weary of the engine, drop the extra 1,750 or so on the extended warranty.
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Old 01-12-2006, 06:42 PM
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1 option is to just lease the rx8, that way its very low risk, if you end up not liking it, you arnt stuck with it after 3 years. If you like it, then just buy it after the lease is up.
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Old 01-12-2006, 06:46 PM
  #57  
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Originally Posted by Raptor75
OK I’ve been monitoring this list for about 2 years know in anticipation of the big day, time for a new car. I have narrowed it down to 2 cars. Mazda RX-8 or Subaru Legacy GT manual trans. I will focus here on my concerns about the Mazda and would like to hear educated informed data which my sway my decision please no kids telling me how rad the car is.


1) MPG is poor. No matter how you justify it the Rotary is not an efficient engine. I will be driving 90% of my time in suburban traffic, not stop and go but stop lights every several to couple of blocks. Here is the rub an RX-8 can get anywhere from 18 MPG to 13 MPG and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why the range in possible mileage. I find this very disturbing that after 3 years Mazda has yet to correct this large disparity.

Has this list ever run a survey of MPG?

Can any of you that report what MPG you get for a manual in the same driving situation I drive.


2) RELIABLITY: I will have this car for the next 10 years so I want a car that will last. I have heard issues with this car developing rattles after 20 K. What have you experienced?

What really concerns me is the reliability of this new rotary engine. I have been reading about compression problems developing after 40-50K. I have read of several people losing compression and having expensive repairs because of it.

My initial thoughts would be that older rotaries which have excellent long-term reliability when properly maintained may not carry over to the new RX-8 rotary engine. The RX-8 engine gets it’s high horse power from a relatively high compression not seen in the previous versions. Could it be that as this engine ages it is incapable of maintaining this compression ratio? The way the Rotary is designed presents a number of areas where compression could fail. Is this engine destine to fail or lose power prematurely?

Any one out there with 50K plus on there car? Can you give your experience?


3) FLOODING: Can’t believe Mazda hasn’t corrected this already. From what I understand a stronger started that would spin the engine faster would all but eliminate this problem. I understand a recall to a stronger starter is available but you have to jump through hoops to get it. I don’t want a car that I have to sing and dance to get part that will keep me from getting stranded. I live in Chicago (cold winters) and will drive the car year round so I feel it is only a matter of time. Any thoughts?



4) TIRES: Stock tires can’t ride in the snow so I have to change them right off the bat. I plan on going to Avons all season performance tires. I don’t want to change tires for the seasons. Any one want to buy a set of stock tires cheap?



5) POOR SERVICE: Here is a scary one. I’m sure there are good ones out there but I only here about the bad ones. What is your experience especially if you’re from Chicago land.
You're clearly a future Subaru Legacy owner. Go forth and prosper with that choice.
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Old 01-12-2006, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by wushunut
Where did I say I was being tormented? I expressed a little concern over the possibility that there could be a future problem. I'm not saying there is a future problem. I only provided the two threads as a basis for my concern. I prefer not to play ostrich when it comes to as significant as an investment as my car. I appreciate that the original starters of the thread posted what they did. If you READ my post, you can see that I even express doubt that this could happen and that Mazda would release the Renesis without extensive testing. Perhaps your ability of discernment escapes you at the moment, but I hoped you could atleast tell that I love this car. Guess my hope was in vain. Re: Gas mileage. Where was I complaining? The original poster asked for what people were getting in mileage. I gave him my experience. I didn't whine about it. BTW...READ the post again. I wasn't talking about gas mileage in the first line. I was talking about life expectancy of the car ie. total mileage in response to the "you bought a sports car" post.
Oh. I thought you were talking about gas mileage, not total miles, because you ended your paragraph with a "it's a sports car" referral, which usually translates into gas mileage. Sports car or not, I expect it to go 200k, I never said "it's a sports car, it's not meant to go for the long haul." Or maybe I misread your posts again.

I understand you like your car for what it is, but from your first post, it seemed as if you didn't 'enjoy' it because of the worries you have from those two threads. I guess I'm wrong, sometimes I get instant knee jerk reactions to defend something I take pride in. Personally, I believe with frequent service maintenance and oil changes, the Renesis will hold up. Or maybe that's just a hope, but from what it seems, the Renesis is the Rx7's 13B made reliable, according to many posts on the forum and Mazda perhaps.

btw - Someone needs to start a "how many miles do you have" poll in the general discussion forum, a lot of us seem to be in need of more recent data.

Last edited by Raptor2k; 01-12-2006 at 07:36 PM.
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Old 01-12-2006, 08:36 PM
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no problems...I'm not the best writer in the world >.<

I can understand the knee jerk thing. I love the car.

I guess I'm just paranoid. It's like finding out your wife/girlfriend/significant other might have cancer...but the lab tests aren't in yet. Something like that.
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Old 01-12-2006, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by wushunut

The latest "loss of compression" thread has me a little worried. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about see this thread: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/blown-motor-77861/

and this linked thread in the above thread: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...lity+side+seal


Reading through that gave me some concerns as well. So far, only one car has shown this problem. I'm hoping it's an anomoly. I can't believe Mazda would release an engine without extensive testing. But those two thread, when read together, give me a little cause for concern. Hoping some the rotary gurus will shed more light on the issue.

I went so far as to consider alternatives if it turned out to be a problem. Verdict..for the price. No cars can compare. Drive the RX-8. You will understand. I looked briefly at the LGT. It may have straight line performance...but the handling is light years behind. I'd hate it. Sorry for the novel. Just my thoughts.
My exact thoughts nice to hear from you and the many others that have posted some useful info. The polls were a great help. I do wish that some one could expand on the above situation.
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Old 01-12-2006, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by cleoent
For some reason my posts have been ignored.

Have you checked out the mazdaspeed 6?
No interest, LGT is faster has a better AWD system, is 300ibs lighter. R&T just compared the two and picked the LGT.

Plus Mazda has little experience with high out put turbo engines and AWD systems. I also will not buy a car in the first year of production.
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Old 01-12-2006, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by wushunut
Don't even know why I bother.

Where did I say I was being tormented? I expressed a little concern over the possibility that there could be a future problem. I'm not saying there is a future problem. I only provided the two threads as a basis for my concern. I prefer not to play ostrich when it comes to as significant as an investment as my car. I appreciate that the original starters of the thread posted what they did. If you READ my post, you can see that I even express doubt that this could happen and that Mazda would release the Renesis without extensive testing. Perhaps your ability of discernment escapes you at the moment, but I hoped you could atleast tell that I love this car. Guess my hope was in vain. Re: Gas mileage. Where was I complaining? The original poster asked for what people were getting in mileage. I gave him my experience. I didn't whine about it. BTW...READ the post again. I wasn't talking about gas mileage in the first line. I was talking about life expectancy of the car ie. total mileage in response to the "you bought a sports car" post.
Your talking to a dim wit, don't waste your time. We have a couple on this thread. Your imput is appreciated.
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Old 01-12-2006, 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Raptor75
Your talking to a dim wit, don't waste your time. We have a couple on this thread. Your imput is appreciated.
No need for that. Buy the Legacy, the 8 is obviously too much for you to handle.
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Old 01-12-2006, 10:48 PM
  #64  
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I think you should ask yourself what you are expecting from your next car.
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:10 PM
  #65  
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Buying a car isn't an investment. Anyone buying ANY car is basically tossing that money down the drain.. ESPECIALLY a newer car.

SO since it is just pissing away money anyway who really cares about the little problems.

Personally, I walked in and offered to pay MSRP as long as I could get out of the dealership in an hour. I didn't even bother test driving.

If you want an investment buy a house.


Originally Posted by playdoh43
you guys are being way too harsh on this dude, buying a car is a huge investment.. hes just asking a couple of questoins that any smart sane person thats about to drop 20k+ would and should ask.
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Raptor75
3) FLOODING: Can’t believe Mazda hasn’t corrected this already. From what I understand a stronger started that would spin the engine faster would all but eliminate this problem. I understand a recall to a stronger starter is available but you have to jump through hoops to get it. I don’t want a car that I have to sing and dance to get part that will keep me from getting stranded.
Anybody know if the 06's will have this stronger starter to help prevent flooding?
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Xeres
Anybody know if the 06's will have this stronger starter to help prevent flooding?
All starters recently produced have been stronger. So I'm sure there are '05s with the stronger plugs. The recall flashes have shown to take care of any potential flooding anyway. It only takes about half hour or so to get it done at the dealership, iirc.
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:30 PM
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This guy's a troll with a bankroll from Subaru. Family sedan vs sports coupe is his argument? This is BS.
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Xeres
Anybody know if the 06's will have this stronger starter to help prevent flooding?
The 12/1/2005 version of the "Engine cranks but no start" TSB indicates that cars built after 3/22/2005 have all of the latest enhancements: PCM calibration, battery, starter and plugs.

At this time there is no specific evidence one way or the other that this cures the flooding issue. The 12/1/2005 TSB still warns against short trips. I currently have a thread out asking if any late model 2005 owners have flooded.
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Old 01-12-2006, 11:45 PM
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1) MPG is poor. No matter how you justify it the Rotary is not an efficient engine. I will be driving 90% of my time in suburban traffic, not stop and go but stop lights every several to couple of blocks. Here is the rub an RX-8 can get anywhere from 18 MPG to 13 MPG and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why the range in possible mileage. I find this very disturbing that after 3 years Mazda has yet to correct this large disparity.
Real bank breaker, your argument is rubbish, more dependent on how you drive...

MOTORTREND One-Year Test Update: 2005 Subaru Legacy GT
AVG TEST MPG: 17.9


ROAD AND TRACK Long-Term Test: 2004 Mazda RX-8
AVG TEST MPG: 17.2

Last edited by Slick8; 01-13-2006 at 12:01 AM.
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Old 01-13-2006, 05:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Slick8
This guy's a troll with a bankroll from Subaru. Family sedan vs sports coupe is his argument? This is BS.
By this statement, you obviously know nothing about either car. It's a completely valid comparison: 1) because the guy has already said that he has his next car down to two choices (RX-8 and Legacy GT) and 2) because there are a lot of similarities between the two. Both are 4-doors and seat 4-5. Same price range with many of the same features (assuming the RX-8 is 6-speed with GT package). Both are very good handlers - doubtful you'd ever notice the difference on the street (especially if you are going to put all-seaons on the RX-8). Not to mention, the LGT (aka the family sedan) outperforms the RX-8 (the supposed sports car of the two).

As for gas mileage, C&D got an average of 22mpg for the LGT over their 800-mile test, with 27mpg on the highway, both numbers that we have been nowhere near in our RX-8.
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Old 01-13-2006, 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by sti_eric
As for gas mileage, C&D got an average of 22mpg for the LGT over their 800-mile test, with 27mpg on the highway, both numbers that we have been nowhere near in our RX-8.
Bullocks, Motortrend's test of avg mpg was over a 4,388 mile spread, a much better representation of the REAL gas mileage. Anyone can pull someting out their ****, back your words up.
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Old 01-13-2006, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Raptor2k
All starters recently produced have been stronger. So I'm sure there are '05s with the stronger plugs. The recall flashes have shown to take care of any potential flooding anyway. It only takes about half hour or so to get it done at the dealership, iirc.

From what I hear is that the 06s will have the stronger starter/battery and some late model 05 but this is second hand information.

The Flash helps but dose not eliminate the flooding problem.
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Old 01-13-2006, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by sti_eric
Not to mention, the LGT (aka the family sedan) outperforms the RX-8 (the supposed sports car of the two).
What planet are you from? Your saying that the Legacy GT out performs the RX-8 in all performance measures. Again your talking out your **** again. Its obvious you never driven the RX-8 or the Legacy GT, YET your an expert. Your magazine racing is limited in how you want to read things and then put your "opinion on it". I don't disagree that the Legacy GT is a fine automobile, it will only outhandle the RX-8 in the snow and rain.
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Old 01-13-2006, 01:39 PM
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stock Legacy GT handles NOWHERE NEAR the capabilitie of a stock RX-8, it handles, like, well, a family sedan
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