Arthur

I just had a very frustrating conversation with a customer service rep from Mazda North America. My car is going in again tomorrow because the oil reeks of gasoline. I can only assume that this is related to the flooding issue (I've already had it in twice for flooding). So, I've been trying to get through to the customer service supervisor I've been dealing with at Mazda North America since last Friday. I've left numerous messages stating that I want to speak to someone before I take it to the dealer again. Of course, this person has not returned my phone calls.

Tonight, I tried calling the main number and spoke to one of the customer service operators. This guy tried to reach the person I've been working with, but when he came back on the phone he said "she is just finishing her shift and is on the way out the door and asked that I send your information to your dealer." Well, that just rubbed me the wrong way and I went off on the poor operator. I have had it with this. The dealer is not the problem, it's Mazda. Not only do I have deal with the mechanical problem, I have to deal with HORRIBLE customer service from the manufacturer.

I just looked up Virginia's lemon law and the statute states that you can invoke it after three failed repair attempts. Tomorrow will make three for me. It looks like invoking the lemon law might be the next step for me. Of course, I'm sure that's an ugly process too.

Sorry, I just had to vent. I've completely lost my patience with this.

Omicron

Dude, you made a mistake. But I understand your logic and respect your decision. Nice looking truck too. Good luck with it.

devalex

Trx8

Highly Satisfied: I am at 1800 miles, lots of short city drives, one trip of 250 miles each way; today I decided it was time to vote.

The car was very much what I expected when I bought it. That was easy because I had spent three months researching the RX-8, most of it in this forum (notably I have 73 posts and haven't started a new thread), and I had a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Although my wife has strongly supported the car, she hasn't been drawn to drive it, and that is fine, and may or may not change as time goes on. My 14 year-old son also helped specify the car and is very happy to be dropped off at school in an RX-8 instead of the Honda Odyssey. He is even more happy with the consequence that the RX-8 will be a car he will be driving when he turns 14 years and 9 months.

I needed to drop two people at the airport this morning, and the obvious answer was to take the van. As I loaded the two carry-on bags in the back of the van, I started to cringe. I didn't really want to drive the van the whole 25 miles to the airport, and worse, then back again. I popped the trunk on the RX-8, both bags dropped in, that is, along with the spare tire, a tool box, and a shovel I also carry in the trunk. The passengers were comfortable on the drive over and I was able to avoid driving the van, yet again.

Last weekend I drove my brother and his son in the RX-8 to a museum, 45 minutes each way. They are both 5'11" or so, with long legs, and they also fit comfortably in the car. My brother previously had an RX-7.

We also own two motorcyles, and I find the RX-8 is fun to drive in ways the parallel the bikes. Acceleration and cornering.

Overall, I like the car more now than I did when I first bought it.

Its a great car and I am constantly looking for reasons to drive somewhere. My son and I took it out twice yesterday for no apparent reason.

Lets see, where do I want to go today?

rx8revin

Almost perfect. After all the plastic comes off and the after market parts are put on

rx8loc

I had the 8 since last Oct with about 6K and I am very happy with the car with a few exceptions that everyone here probably know about:
Mileage which is improving slowly, strange door and speakers vibration.

I would love to have Mazda to improve and to fix if possible on these shortcomings.

maxwell72764

rx8loc, do a search on door rattle. Seems you aren't the only one. They do give an idea of what it is and how to fix.

IKnowNot'ing

1000 km and highly satisfied of my purchase. Mazda came with the right combination between my two favourite ex-cars : Audi S2 quattro turbo (4 seats, safety, build quality, great engine) AND Porsche Boxster 2.5 (handling, fun, exclusivity, great engine). There is absolutely no other car, whatever the price, that would better suit my desires AND needs.

Rotarian_SC

That is the exact same way that I felt. The only real car that would come close was the G35. But the coupe's backseat was too small and the sedan was, well I didn't like the sedan very much for some reason, not sure y.

Omicron

I too seriously considered a G35, but build quality and all sorts of problems with it (even 2+ years into production!) scared me off. Glad it did.

Not to mention that the G35 owners seem a bit, um, different than us Rotary-heads do. :D Excluding the trolls that appear here from time to time, there's a unique feel, helpfulness, participation and camaraderie here that I have not seen on another automotive forum.

Rotarian_SC

I also looked at the TL, but decided that it wasn't right for me. It was FWD and I didn't really like the handling. I also felt the wheelbase was to large for a performance car.

Omicron

Agreed, and I looked at them too, as we'd had an Acura for 10 years that had been bullet proof. But I found all of their current offerings uncompelling.

In fact, there's not much on the market that I didn't look at and drive... and I still bought the '8.

rX8rEdLiNe

Best car I ever been in my entire life. The car is the "fo-shizzles-my nizzles" =)

swEEtRide

whts up guys i havnt bought an 8 yet but let me tell you i drive a 1986 stang convert with 400hp to the wheels that runs a 12.309 1/4. from what i heard performance wise(correct me if im wrong) the 8's are running in the 13 sec's. now for all you people saying that you unhappy getting 17-18 mpg just hold your breath if your satisfied with your speeds then its only natural to sacrifice gas. my mustang only gets 8 mpg i would be extremely happy to be getting 17-18 (one of the reasons i want to buy an 8, besides the fact that the car is beautiful)

Rotarian_SC

I believe an RX8 w/ Canzoomer Stage 1 ($600) does a 13s 1/4mi. And it gets better gas milage than a regular 8. Although keep in mind the only source i have for the time is a Gtech

swEEtRide

another reason to be happy with $600 an 8 can take my mustang if i get a bad start.... my stang aslo has v8 302 bored out to a 306, msd, headers, heads, raised cam, forged pistons, 3 1/4" straight piping, short shift, t5 tranny, posi rear, aluminum driveshaft, stage 4 clutch, 75mm throttle body, eidlebrock intake manifold, boost retard, 373 gears, you do the math n figure out how much $$$ i dumped into that beast and then tell me the 8 isnt pure satisfaction

Rotarian_SC

I thought u said ur stang ran a 12.3 sec 1/4mi

RX8-TX

I know this is probably not the right thread (and I don't want to be a bitch); however, I haven't seen any slips of ANY RX-8 -stock or with a Zoomer S1 - dipping into 13s on the quarter mile.

If I am missing something, I will appreciate someone posting the link to the information. Until then, the 8 remains a 14 sec. car for me (high 14's / low 15s...whatever makes you happy...)

blue flash

this is my first rx and man i love it.eclipse pulled up beside me after going into 3rd gear he was in my mirror. having a good time

Rotarian_SC

I did say to keep in mind that there were only Gtec times for 1/4mi CZ Stg1 RX8's

swEEtRide

im just going by what i've heard im not sure on the exact timing of the 8 but im pretty sure its still a fast car for a 1.3 litre engine N/A my whole point is the gas is sitll good

Rotarian_SC

Mostly everbody with the problems has the automatic...especially flooding

The only in production N/A engine that comes close in HP/L is the one in the S2000, but that engine is much harder to mod than the Renesis.

fastone

I have to say I am very pleased about the RX8. The car is a load of fun to drive. I have owned a lot of high performance cars, and this car is the best by far. I also have a Corvette, and it stays in the garage, cause this car is a lot of fun. I only wish it had a bigger fuel tank. I get 20.0 MPG to date. The Corvette gets a little better gas mileage, but it has a 24-gallon tank.

NickG

I traded in my E46 Bimmer 325i with BMW sport suspension for the 8 about 6 weeks ago. The Bimmer was a truly great car - easily the best I had owned till then - with no significant flaws. However the 8 is more focussed, faster, steers better, is darn near as practical, and is simply a more involving drive. It is also absolutely unique - something that's hard to say about the E46 these days. Summary: the Bimmer is an outstanding sports SEDAN; the 8 is an oustanding SPORTS CAR.

Optitron

I am highly satisfied with my RX-8. It's a definite head-turner. I can't really complain about the gas mileage since I drive 120 miles a day, that's my fault.