:eek: Ahhhh.....I thought he was talking about a "temp" gauge for the coolant systems or something. I had my hopes too high...

Having loved my 1983 RX-7 GSL, and lost it through a divorce, I've been waiting for Mazda or for that matter anyone else to come out with a rotary sedan that had more rear seat room. After all the work I did (and money spent) on the RX-7, my 8 out performs the 7 and exceeds my expectations. I am a very happy camper!

Took delivery of my RX-8 in early June 2004 and since have just been having a great time, love this car.... never expected to enjoy it so much....

It's Expensive!
 

I've got to say - the RX-8 is deffinetly what i'd consider one of the nicest cars out right now, but i do have one complaint - it's all so expensive! The price of the actual car off the lot i thought was decent considering what i got - but i didn't realize how much i'd have to spend after i bought the car! This is the only reason that i voted somewhat satisfied. Some of the things i'm talking about are things such as gas millage (i get 18 in the city, and about 20 - 21 hwy, and that's at 5,000ft elevation in denver, CO), tires (at about 20,000 miles you'll need new ones, and you'll have to special order them - expect to pay about $1300 for a set! :eek: ), the tags are pretty pricy and if you ever reck this thing, hope it's not on the front!(the headlight assembly costs nearly $1000 per headlight!) Other then the expenses, i find this car very attractive, and a very nice and fun ride. I actually drove 16 hours straight down to San Antonio, Texas (1000 miles) and was very comfortable the whole way. I also had 1 passenger as well. I got 300-320 miles on a tank of gas, which was all highway driving with the A/C off - with the A/C on, i got about 260 - 280. I hope to drive to canada in this sometime - definatly a nice car! :)

I voted "highly satisfied" I've had this car a month now and am totally in love with it. Gas mileage doesn't matter. (had a supercharged Mustang Cobra making about 11 mpg) It could have a bit more power but that is what is fun about the car. Waiting for the aftermarket to pick up etc. Whenever I get in this car and the guages light up all I can do is smile. Plus, all the thumbs up and comments are always positive.

love this car,

Pistol

overall GREAT car.I LOVE MY 8

Hi amanda, and welcome!!!

Check-out this thread , page 1, post #9 which is one of mine, posted 07-30-2004, 06:37 PM. There, I tried to make a list of all SC RX-8 owners. (Edited just a minute ago.) :D

I've been trying with limited success to get us all to meet with the RX-7 crew. They have monthly meets - I've gone to the last two (Aug & Sept). Next one's in Charleston in October, Okay? Stay tuned...

No you definitely do not have to warm-up your car before you hit the road. That's totally not an issue. You should however warm it up before you turn it off.

I relly like the car, the RX-7 turbo was a lot faster so I wish it had more speed, but I like it non the less

I too am dissatisfied with the gas milage (15-16), although I did get 20 on 2 longer trips.

A note on mileage...I've gotten 22 mpg on the highway, twice. The key is to leave it in sixth, only mildly break the speed limit (10-15 over), and utilize your cruise control.

But seriously, who the hell wants to drive this car like that??? Not me, hence the usual 15ish mpg.

I'm highly satisfied minus a few things I think my biggest complaints so far are gas mileage and also my car seems to suck up the oil pretty quick too!

Its hard to go ANYWHERE and NOT be noticed... THE 8 is the most awesome car I've owned... low rpms are sluggish... BUT ummmm whos driving low rpms LOL

Satisfied After 24 Hours
 

I get goose-bumps when I hear the exhaust! Not worrying about gas mileage right now, there's under 300 miles on the car.

Just bought a '05 Pearl White RX8 with the touring package. Picked it up 2 days ago and I really like it. I also ordered a spoiler and can't wait to install it.

The move to M calibration reflash made me a happy camper. Wow! pick up is quicker and the ride is so much smoother. After the reflash, it didn't have that jerky feeling at 5000 rpm, but the torque pickup and power build up from 2500-5000 RPM is so much smoother and stronger compared to the previous power lag from 2500-5000RPM before the reflash. I don't think there's a loss of power at all as the improved 2500-5000rpm power buildup compensations for the slow pre-flash 2500-5000RPM. I drive an automatic, but I timed my 5-60 mph and it took 7 seconds.

The Navigation system alone looks great (big screen); the ergonomic controls; the Bose audio and 6 disk changer (nice sound system there!); and the looks of this sports car. Ah... yes... the sound of the rotary engine reminds me I'm driving a sports car.

Only the rusty rotors are BAD ! I have to take them back to the dealer next week!

Is it just me or does your 8 (Mine is Delores) wink at you when you hit the unlock button. Just like she's saying "Welcome back, I've missed you" Wait maybe that's what i'm thinking.

;)

Nah. Last night mine told me "It's about time you get your bad self back over here! Do you realize what time it is?!? And I suppose you expect my cruise control, DSC and antilock brakes to keep your a$$ out of a jam again tonight! Next thing, you're gonna fall asleep on me and then we'll BOTH be in trouble! Now, get in here and take me home!!!" I guess the honeymoon is over...

Ok, just kidding. Hehe... my Pepper still winks at me. :cool:

Nuetral
 

I could live with the torque issue and the gas mileage. My tranny feels and acts like it's from the 1950's. Clunky, loud, fragile, reluctant piece of S@#$, imo. I expexted more. A major re-work or new supplier will be required before I ever consider buying another one.

um, maybe your car is messed up or your used to a tranny from an audi A4, but the 8's manual tranny is one of its greatest atributes. the throws are short and if you do it in a garage with the engine off, the gear changes sound like a gun cocking.

I will do the same comment as NoSubs...our tranny is far from the butter-like engagement of the S2K box...which is out of this world. However, having said that, it is pretty darn good.

It is an excercise @ the beginning to learn the 1-2 shift. You just have to be smooth. If you are having problems in other gears...well, then there is something seriously wrong with it.

Mazda could copy a few ideas from Honda perhaps. Climate control and electric seat adjustments for the passengers side. Still, very satisfied with the car while its only two weeks old.

I have never been happier with a car! I love my RX. I did not buy it for the gas milage, but I couldn't be happier. The last two times I checked I got 22 mpg and 21 mpg. I think of excuses just to drive it!

Even after my clutch problem with just 4k i love driving this car.

Just got my RX-8 last week. Was really worried about horrible gas mileage as many have posted. Much to my pleasant surprise, my first tank (dealer supplied, probably low grade) got 17 MPG! Pretty good as my car had 7 miles on it when I took delivery. It has more now. ;)

Synopsis
 

Brakes: Awesome. (no more needs to be said)
Handling Geometry: Awesome fast around corners with great balance and turn in.
Ride: Great comfort but still keeps car level around the bendies. Only at speeds over 110mph is the car too soft.
Motor: Too smooth. Great while cruising and at high speed. Shit when trying to drag race. Needs 50 more hp to make me jizz my pants.
Fuel Economy: Unbelievably bad! Drinks way more than 500hp V8 Engines. Something is wrong there. No wonder nobody else is making rotary engines.

Anyone else remember Corvettes from the mid-seventies? 5mpg. Less hp. We've gotten seriously jaded by the feats of automotive engineering that have changed performance motoring starting in the late-eighties.

Awsome car, having a tonne of fun. Great that my 2 year old has his own door, he's a pain to get in car seats.

Ride: A-. Stiff for me as i come from a passat but not harsh
Handling: A+. Confidence inspiring.
Power: B+. I am in the 'more torque' camp but it's still very quick, and i wouldnt trade more power for less handling.
Finish/Fit: A-. Very good although the interior has a couple places i think they could have upped part quality one, but that's just getting picky.
Mileage: C. But it's only got a week and a half on it. Am hoping it raises to fair, but not really something i worry about.

hi all.

top forum....had rx8 for three weeks now. Even fun stuck on the m25 in the pouring rain outside of london.

Though flooding issue takessome getting use to.

top car!!

haven't had any problems and there are so many things i love about this car to list them all.

yamajj

After having the car for almost a year I have made a few adjustments to the car for the race course. For those who feel the car needs more torque, remember this is a rotary engine not piston. All the torque is between 6500 and 9300 RPM. No one can beat me on the straight-aways and it goes without saying that the RX8 has it over everyone else in the corners.

As for the fuel mileage, well lets just say that it does great for a racing sports car that does double duty as a day driver.

The car is simply a pleasure to drive, and a blast on the race track.

I've had my car for 5 weeks and the more I drive it the more I like it. I just love its looks, its handling, its responsiveness when you have the revs up, the way it fits 4 people comfortably. There's just too much to mention.

Had my 8 for less than a week, but so far I am thrilled with the handling (I left behind a 97 MX-5 with a number of suspension mods and was wondering if I could get a similar handling experience with any car I could afford besides another modified Miata), love the interior, find the power acceptable (haven't pushed it hard yet), I'm not crazy about the fuel economy but it isn't a surprise... I'm just not certain about the exterior though, sometimes I love it, other times I think the car, well, it just isn't beautiful. Then again who cares, I don't see that much of the car's exterior from the driver's seat.

:cool: They call it the Batmobile .. Chick Magnet ..
I call it Slick...Quick and Sharp ..
Love the looks, sound system and the crazy ladies that want to go for a ride in it..

Yo Mick as my 8 says, "start me up"

Hey Kilted, wake up....the 8 is 1 of the best looking rides out there, take ur skirt off!!!!!!!

Highly Satisfied - huge smiles everytime I drive :D

Huge Smiles everytime i look at the car!!!

Love is reserved for special people and things
 

I love my RX8. My wife kids me about being jelious. I am the guy in the add on TV that the doors close on him as he hugs his 8. I also turned my DCS off and recked her yesterday. Now I'm depressed. Haven't loved a car since my 72 Toyota Celica.

Without a doubt the best car I´ve ever driven!!! The handling is just amazing!

Now 10 1/2 months and 10,800 miles I LOVE MY 8.

Yes there have been a few small problems, but that is normal for a totally new car. A little tired of the people that complain about everything. Power is great and only the straight line stop and go fokes would want more. The power and handling are great for windy roads. Love the breaks and steering. Didn't buy the 8 for gas milage. Other should stop complaining or buy something else.

Ditto TRZ 750
 

I detail my 8 every Sunday whether it needs it or not. I can't wait to get out of bed on a weekday to go to work (17 mile drive) and I can't wait to get off work, casually shifting gears around 6K to 7K RPM, not speeding but just enjoying the sound of the engine and occasional revs at which normal engines come unglued. I love it so much that I don't even turn the sterio on. The car creates it's own music.

With this kind of care and love of a car, who cares what you put in the gas tank or what speed it'll do in the quarter. I didn't buy mine for drag racing. I bought it for what it does to me when I drive it.

Unfortunately, I just got word from my insurance company that the damage to Rx in my accident on Monday is going to be in the neighborhood of $20K. 75% of the cost of the car... that equals TOTAL. The good news out of it is that the 2005 model is available now! So, I don't feel so bad anymore. I will be in a new one soon.

There is no other car to own, in my book. :D

The Sterio
 

That's too funny. The best sterio I've ever herd is my Rx. Who needs speekers when ya got rotars.

I am on love with my car

I’ve waited 4 months to say this… I love this car! :D

I would have said it the day I drove it off the lot and felt like the luckiest man in the world, but I figured it might have been “buyer’s high” since I’d agonized over the decision for 6 months, reading all of the auto magazine reviews on all my "possibilities," having narrowed the list down from all the usual suspects to the RX-8 or the G35 coupe. But after the test drive in the 8, there was only one car for me. The truth be told I continue to love this car and look forward to every drive, making up excuses to make trips here and there, particularly the long ones.

This is a driver’s car, no doubt about it. That it can be a daily driver, haul home a week’s groceries or a friend or two, makes it all the more unique. The engine is a gem, very addictive after you’ve broken it in and can send it into the 6 – 9K RPM with hardly a second thought. :p

I worried about flooding, but that problem was fixed by the time I bought my 8 in July, so other than so-so gas mileage [16-17 in town; 20+ all highway] there’s nothing to complain about. I even knew when I bought it that I’d be getting a winter set of rims and tires [which are now mounted and ready for snow tomorrow] and still be under the out-the-door price I was quoted on a comparably equipped G35 coupe.

So, if you want to have your head snap back when you come off the line, get a Mustang Cobra [my son has a 2003 and the acceleration takes your breath away] or the WRX, but if you want a smile on your face no matter the speed, no matter the day, this is it! :D

Just bought a '04 6mt titanium gray RX8. Finalists were a GTO, STI and the RX8. My wife and I felt the RX8 was the best balance of performance and handling. The GTO was marked up 10 grand over MSRP, the STI was a powerful ride but the wife and I couldn't get past the ricer looks. When we test drove the STI, a Legacy Outback 3.0 VDC and a Forester XT I suggested that my wife drive the RX8s they had on the lot but no dice. A few weeks later we were following a yellow RX8 and my wife said " that's a nice car." So we stopped at the dealer on the way home, they were having a slasher sale and dropped the price to 28.5K and we drove it home. We both love the way the car handles, especially since the other vehicles in our stable are all trucks. A 3/4 ton dodge diesel and two half tons, another dodge and a ford. The mileage doesn't really bother us compared to the trucks. :)

Interesting if you've been following this thread for a while... it's been open a little over a year now, 1200+ people have voted, and the car is STILL averaging 90% satisfaction. :D

Yeah, I still recieve the automated emails for every time a post is added to this thread, so I've been reading every one... keep 'em coming y'all! I just don't clog it up with affirming replies. It makes for a good read always.

I always have to wonder how many of those 105 votes @ neutral or worse came from non-RX8 owners trying to pepper it up. It's true though that you'll always get a few people who you just can't please, who really have bought an RX-8 and are inevitablly dissatisfied. Who can tell where those votes came from? 1140 votes say they're a bit out-numbered though. ;)

Keep 'em coming!!!

23,000 miles without a single regret.

great car great car

I voted Highly Satisfied. I bought my Titanium 8 in March of '04. 16,500 miles later I enjoy getting in it as much as I did the day I drove off the lot. Gas mileage, who cares, it does better than most other cars of this type. I drove the 350Z, the S2K, the STi, and I bought the 8. I do not plan on getting rid of it. I wish I had more options for tires though, that does suck a little.