MBTwenty

I've gotten 24 a few times.

MBTwenty

Why compare to other cars, when even the most basic of research would show the gas milage of the 8. You knew what you were buying.

PeteInLongBeach

Sorry to be blunt, but I consider this complete nonsense on several levels. It's a modern Mazda, not a vintage Duesenberg. I put over 20,000 miles a year on mine, and it has been flawless.

The FD was a smaller / lighter car, rated under the EPA's previous testing methods. Current EPA ratings are generally lower.
Oh, and as for the fuel consumption on my '09 automatic, usually 24 mpg average per tank, never less than 22. Nothing to complain about there...

PaPaBear

I bought both of my RX-8's for a reason. The handling is like having your feet on the road. I have never checked my gas mileage and never will. I do not care. I had an engine change with my 2004 and the CAT caught the car on fire and was a total write off. Even after that I was one very happy guy when I got my 2008 Anniversary Model. Now this one with the enhanced suspension really feels like your feet are on the road. My only concern is what next? Will I have another rotary powered car from Mazda with the same or better handling characteristics? That is my only after thought. So far no problems with my 2008 at 34,000 miles and makes me smile every morning I open my garage door. Also thinking about finding a clean RX-7. Why not I am only 68 (69 next month) and my 91 year old mother loves the way my car handles. God gave me very good health and I am using it. Okay? Mom!

Spin9k

This is exactly how I feel about this car...exactly. I would never own my 8 as a dd that I depend on for reliability. It's my fun car, my questionable, glorius, flawed jewel.

For dd I have an Acura. Many Japanese make damn fine reliable cars. We take it for inspection once a yr, every yr. Pretty much there's nothing else to do...drive it...put gas in it...pay the insurance...and it has over 100K on it. It's a tank, and I love it too for that reason.

I understand and appreciate the OP's remarks. Makes perfect sense, esp. if you don't use the car often for anything it does really, really well like track work or showing off.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

While I think of the RX-8 as the 'Great Compromise' (Series 1 especially) and I am quite disappointed that they brought it to market with fuel flooding tendencies and less than optimum engine durability, I will absolutely buy another.

The electronic gremlins remind me of the 86-91 RX-7 which had poor soldering on HVAC and wiper switches to name just a few imperfections (Many other modern cars have electronic glitches and possibly use the same suppliers as Mazda did).

The tail lamp moisture thing is ridiculous and humorous at the same time. It almost seemed like Mazda could not figure it out .

Some of the interior issues should not have been (Chrome rubbing off prematurely and excessive shift **** wear) but they are trivial and common in the price range. The flawed sun visors and sources of squeaks and occasional rattles represent a negative result to the extreme search for weight reduction.

Mazda does pay attention to it's customers and to this forum. The series 2 is much improved in most areas of complaint. Fuel mileage and torque improvements won't truly be seen until the next rotary, if it gets green lighted.

Paul.

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

A lot of the problem stems from younger owners who buy a used 8, not really knowing what they just signed-for. After the CELs start lighting up, they realize that it takes a bit of money to keep a used car like this on the road, and the gnashing of teeth begins. They can't really afford it in the first place.

MariesRX8

My '04 has been my DD for 7 years, 80,000 miles A couple decent road trips in there, dozens of snowstorm commutes, tons of grocery gettings and running people around.

In all that time, it's only stranded me once: when I flooded it, so that one was on me. And the clutch pedal had the decency to snap off as I was pulling into my driveway, lol.

So "reliability" is an odd thing to qualify. Sure, I've had all the usual '04 TSB issues right through a new engine. But none of them stranded me (flooding I knew about, my fault entirely). And aside from motor mounts (noticed that TSB too late), none of them cost me a cent to fix.

So even with all those issues, it's hard for me to be annoyed with Mazda if in the end it's never stranded me, and hasn't really cost me anything extra even though I use it as my DD

Spin9k

...the 'no dd' comes from things like: 4 wks down for engine diagnose/replace, week down for coil replace, out of stock everywhere, 10 days or so down for bad CAT, MNAO wouldn't let dealer drop CAT for inspection, then they were out of stock, week for sending ECU to CA for reflash, misc other 1 to 3 day dealer stints for TSB work, etc. things like that make you cautious. Not everyones experience, but doubt it is unique either.

usnidc

I was a member on here for 2 years before buying my 2008 40th AE edition. I have owned it for a year and almost 20,000 miles with no problems. I get between 18 and 19 mpg no matter how hard or how easy I drive it. I knew about the quirks and I still bought one. I have owned my 1979 RX-7 for almost 20 years. It is the Limited Edition that even has points and condensers still. It has the manual choke that you have to pull out and press the gas pedal about half way and crank it for 20-30 seconds until it starts when it is cold. I know about quirky cars. That is why I bought the RX-8. No other car under $30,000 drives like it. My wife has a 2004 BMW Z4. It weighs 3000 lbs and has 230 hp. Sound familiar? Yet it is a TOTALLY different car to drive. And guess what, it was $45,000 new and it has rattles and minor annoyances and problems.

The RX-8 is like having a beautiful wife. You love the way she looks and makes you feel, but it takes a little work to keep her happy and you have to deal with her when she is PMSing.

MariesRX8

Sure, I agree, being without a car for weeks at a time is very inconvenient

For me though, until my engine swap, in those 7 years I'd never been without my car for more than 2 days at a time. And the service visits were for TSBs or minor issues, so at least I could schedule them at my convenience as they weren't "broken car" kinda things. Torn parking lever boot, water in tail lights, that sorta thing.

So compared to my Civic, I was only without my 8 more during those first few years while the TSBs were coming out so quickly. But after that, it's been as reliable (in the sense of being available to drive) as the Civic... if you don't count the engine swap visit

ShottsCruisers

Guys...I think the OP has some really valid concerns.

Let's all be honest with ourselves....really.

It's well documented that the Rx8's are plagued with issues. Reliability has been troublesome and on MAJOR components. And MAJOR components have to be repaired if you want to use your vehicles. We're not talking about sunroofs and radios, and the like...things you can live without. We're talking engines and cats and loss of power and the Rx8 stands out here as a problem vehicle compared ot almost all other makes/choices.

Now...for me...my '06 GT has 82,000 miles and I have been thrilled every day I drive the thing. The "new" hasn't even worn off and that's after driving my son's S2000.

In the 82K I've had....

*Bad alternator
*Bad motor mounts
*Bad HVAC blower

That's nothing! FANTASTIC! RELIABLE! HOWEVER.......read on

That's it, though right now I have the TRAC OFF light on and DSC OFF flashing. I can see them screwing me on this. Maybe not.

Also...this week goes in a new clutch (finally), coil packs, plugs and wires, Optima battery and new S-Drive tires. The thing should be like new when done!

That all said...I FEAR WEEKLY that the engine could start to die out. IF I had a Miata, an S2000, or a GX37 I'd not even have the thought my engine would be shot so early. Then factor in how many folks get rebuilt engines and they fail even earlier.

Bottom line is...deciding WHEN to sell our existing Rx8's is a HARD decision. Resale is falling quickly on them. I suppose I'd worry less IF I could get a BRAND NEW engine with a 3yr/50K warranty for $4K...but I/we can't. The good thing for me is that I drive my 8 like I ripped it off. Red-line 24/7...pray it lasts...I love it so!

ShottsCruisers

I missed this! LMAO! LUV IT!

rx8it

I'm thinking about keeping her. I will get a new car and the RX8 will more likely be garaged and taken out every now and then. After all of these years and issues, she still draws attention like no other.

ThatNewGuy

iTrader: (2)

I've only had my car for...4 months, and in that time I've had a random *** misfire, Trac/DSC lights, and flooded it once.
But guess what? Every night on my way home from work, I get the biggest **** eating grin a guy could ask for.
And the way people still stare, that never gets old.
If it needs a new engine, even at 147k miles, I'd replace it. This car is too much fun to just, write off for an engine.