Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD
View Poll Results: What is your overall level of satisfaction with the RX8?
Highly Satisfied
2,880
71.93%
Somewhat Satisfied
710
17.73%
Neutral
157
3.92%
Somewhat Dissatisfied
130
3.25%
Highly Dissatisfied
127
3.17%
Voters: 4004. You may not vote on this poll

Satisfaction Survey with your RX-8

Thread Tools
 
Rating: Thread Rating: 31 votes, 3.87 average.
 
Old May 21, 2007 | 09:04 PM
  #851  
psychodad's Avatar
Mulletproof
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Highly satisfied except for the auto transmission, but that is more my fault than Mazda's.
Reply
Old May 22, 2007 | 06:58 AM
  #852  
New Yorker's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 58
From: NYC
Originally Posted by Hikago
Did some research about how it requires more maintanence like how it uses more oil than other engines, so I am aware of that. I also heard the rotary engine can flood more frequently that piston engines. Are there ways to prevent this or other possible problems from occuring? I live in so. cal, anaheim specifically, if weather might be an issue.

Seems like most people here love their 8's and experience minimal problems. I really want the rx-8, just worried about the reliability. I'll probably get one in sept/oct., so it'll be an '08 model. I appreciate any help or input and sorry for the trouble. ^^'
I've had my '05 for fifteen months, 10K+ miles, ZERO problems. I only drive on weekends, but even if I drove every day I'd choose the RX-8 as my daily driver, without for a second worrying about its reliability.

• Yes, it does use oil—by design—but it uses very little. If I add a quart between oil changes (every 4 months), it's a lot. I check the oil every other fill-up, but I've done that with every car I've owned, so that's not extra work for me.

• Based on what I read here, it seems early RX-8's could flood a little too easily if you weren't careful. But since then Mazda has switched to a more powerful battery, stronger starter motor, and reconfigured the ECU to address that. I've never flooded my car and never will—I don't give it a second thought. The ONLY thing I remember is to never: a) start the car when the engine's cold, b) and then turn it off right away, before it warms up. (You might do this in the morning, for example, if you need to move your car in the driveway). That's the only way the car might conceivably flood, so I just remember to never do that.

• Many here think it's wise to push her to redline at least once a drive, to help prevent possible carbon buildup. So I do that, too.

That's it! No big deal, no worries.
Reply
Old May 22, 2007 | 04:02 PM
  #853  
Hikago's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim, CA
Thanks new yorker! ^^ Makes me feel more confident about getting an RX-8. I'm probably gonna end up babying it to make sure it lasts. (i.e. warming up the engine before i start driving it anywhere and check the oil often) I do plan to make this my daily driver.
Reply
Old May 22, 2007 | 04:42 PM
  #854  
Rotator's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by Hikago
Thanks new yorker! ^^ Makes me feel more confident about getting an RX-8. I'm probably gonna end up babying it to make sure it lasts. (i.e. warming up the engine before i start driving it anywhere and check the oil often) I do plan to make this my daily driver.
Flooding? Not an issue.
Oil Usage? Not an issue - no more than some piston engines. 1-2L between oil changes - every 6000-8000km
Warming it up? Not an issue - start and go.

As with all things mechanical, it is nice to be sympathetic to cold components - meaning no 100% throttle until the oil gets a chance to warm up - usually a few minutes past when the water temperature is at steady state.

Best way to warm up a car is by driving it.

After the fluids are within operating temperature - Drive it like a RENTAL!

Beep - Shift - Beep - Shift - Brake, Repeat as necessary.

I would think that CARBON build up on a rotary will be your demise far sooner than driving it like you stole it all the time.

Mileage may not be that great, but I doubt many people are going to be asking to get a ride in that new TDI, or hybrid whatyoumacallit.

I am doing my part for the environment - I walk to work, I don't have any 2 stroke oil burners in the shape of lawmowers, motorcross bikes, etc. - I only have one oil burning vise - and it's best at experienced above 9000rpm, with tires screaming.

Buy the 8 - Welcome to the club
Reply
Old May 22, 2007 | 08:17 PM
  #855  
filterban's Avatar
'06 Sunlight Silver MT GT
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Originally Posted by MrSuicideDoor
the "highly satisfied" category should be named "defensive liars" or "people who haven't owned a camry or accord" or "people who buy impractical cars"
As RX-8 owners, we all bought impractical cars. But I doubt anyone bought one thinking it would be practical, so there's nothing wrong with being highly satisfied with it.

The RX-8 is the best car I have ever driven, and I am proud to own it.
Reply
Old May 22, 2007 | 11:20 PM
  #856  
Mazdaspeed 88's Avatar
Limited
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Malaysia
Talking

Completely satisfied! You have my vote! ;-)

Honestly, I wanted RX-8 ever since the X-men movie and has been looking around and working hard to earn for one and finally got the limited edition mazdaspeed. Remember guys, we are driving one of the most unique engine in the world! And as well as the unique and sexy design of it too...

- FC (Fuel consumption) is fine with me as any sports car will not have a 15km/l type of FC.
- Speed/Power/HP/PS etc, 250hp with a top speed of 240km/h+ is enough for me, how fast do you really want to go. It is in fact faster than majority of the cars and at the end it is also depends on the driver not just the car for speed.
- Handling, one word for it, Superb!
- Daily use, comfortable and enjoyable!
- Maintainance, not an issue as I always like to check oil, clean engine, no leak etc to mainatain the great performance and condition of all my cars.
- Road tax, it is one of the cheapest that you can get in Malaysia (as road tax arise according to the cc of the car here) only USD20 a year.
- Design, unique and sexy babe!
- Space, big enough for my family of 3 to sit in comfortably.

This is my personal opinions
Reply
Old May 24, 2007 | 06:39 PM
  #857  
JasonHill's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Change of Heart

I must revise my satisafaction level to somewhat extremely dissatisfied as I have just learned that they will not honor my warranty because I participated in a track day.
Reply
Old May 24, 2007 | 06:46 PM
  #858  
Go48's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 3
From: Fayetteville, PA
Time to call the Mazda customer service 800 number and calmly plead your case with them directly. The number is in your owners manual. Sometimes that works. They sometimes overrule dealer warranty decisions.
Reply
Old May 24, 2007 | 07:19 PM
  #859  
JasonHill's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Change of Heart

I must revise my satisafaction level to somewhat/ extremely dissatisfied. Mazda just told me they will not honor my warranty because I participated in a track day.
Reply
Old May 25, 2007 | 10:52 AM
  #860  
nycgps's Avatar
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 36
From: Planet Earth
Why would Mazda want to cover your car ?

Give me a good reason.

Your track ur car without any additional cooling or whatsoever.

Yes this is a sports car, but not a race/track car. its not build for track/race, at least in stock form. and you're complaining now ? weird.
Reply
Old May 25, 2007 | 05:54 PM
  #861  
psychodad's Avatar
Mulletproof
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
How would they find out you tracked it anyway? Did you tell them or did you break it on the track?
Reply
Old May 26, 2007 | 03:01 AM
  #862  
takahashi's Avatar
New Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,944
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
Originally Posted by nycgps
Your track ur car without any additional cooling or whatsoever.
We have 20 cars run these days regularly.

Most of them are in stock form.

Never seen one die.

Our cars are stronger?

And you have a bloody 2nd oil cooler. That is cool enough mate! I track so many times that my oil temp is never over 125 degree C with a 2nd cooler.
Reply
Old May 26, 2007 | 10:48 PM
  #863  
Winfree's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: In the hills between San Miguel and Parkfield - "up in the boonie lands", Central Coast of California, Wine Country
The Blue 8 is now celebrating it's first year with us! Only problems, weak battery - replaced with a really great battery by dealer, and smells from a rodent that picked the air conditioner as a final resting place - gross - cost of cleaning covered by comprehensive insurance....

This has been a very good car, and we will award her with some triangle jewelry!
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 06:43 AM
  #864  
Leesha's Avatar
View at your own Risk :)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,901
Likes: 1
I just love my car! Don't car how much gas prices are, I just go for drives even if I have no where to go. I find somewhere to go!!
...LOVE IT< Just Love It>LOVE IT!...

Last edited by Leesha; Jun 7, 2007 at 06:51 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2007 | 07:04 AM
  #865  
Bad_Bob's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Ansonia, CT
Thumbs up

Well, Since I only had the car for 13 hours and I have less than 75 miles in the car, I am sure this does not carry much waight, but I LOVE it. It sure is a worlds better than the 01 Miata that I traided in.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2007 | 10:25 AM
  #866  
boffam's Avatar
Rotating eccentrically
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Windsor, Ontario
I've had my car for 6 months now, and I can put myself sqaurely in the highly satisfied camp.

The car has some flaws, like road noise and interior rattles. I'd like a firmer brake pedal, as well. All these can ultimately be rectified, though, and none of them outweigh the immense fun this car is and how just plain cool it is. I only wish I'd left myself a little more cash for some mods (suspension, brake pads, intake, exhaust).

Next week I'm driving myself and 2 tall friends to Indianapolis for the USGP (10 hour trip)...not too many pure sports cars you can attempt THAT in.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2007 | 12:12 PM
  #867  
C-130toRX-8's Avatar
Air to Ground
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Monterey ,CA
Thumbs up Satisfied!

Why? - High Speed Low Drag!
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 04:54 PM
  #868  
cr55ztopher's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
lemon purchase

i purchased an 04 rx834,xxx miles!!! LEMON (haha lol) the dealer stated that the previous owner was jsut **** about the car so MAZDA decided to buy back the car.

within 6 months i had taken the car in 10 times.
it is on its 3rd block
rear tailights repalced
clock spring (has to do with airbagspelling)
breaks replaced
rotors resurfaced
rotten egg smell (dealer stated it was normal) bs
replaced washer jets
1st and 2nd gear replaced with all the little things inside
driver visor

not to mention recalls that were made!!!!

help
the car wants to stall but doesnt (drops to about 300-500 rpm)??
i have a clunk when i shift into 1st??? dealer stated it s normal the n replaced a deformed bushing, but it still clunks??????

my car idled at 2500rpm had knocking sound then jumped to 3000rpm then idled at normal around 800-900, NORMAL???????

im goint to court and mazda is saying "SINCE HEKNEW IT WAS A LEMON, HE SHOULD EXPECT PROBLEMS" IT STATES ON THE CONTRAFT THAT MY CAR SHOUDD BE PROBLEM FOR 1 YEAR AND ITS BEEN SIX MONTHS AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BLOCK AT 39,000 (3RD BLOCK)

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 05:24 PM
  #869  
CycloneSTL's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Put me in the dissatisfied camp

Bought a 2005 AT with 12,000 miles on it. Pristine condition in the dark gray. My wife really loves the car

POSITIVE: I think that it's the best looking car on the road, hands down for me. I simply love the way it looks. Handling is very well-mannered, nimble and pretty smooth for a sporty car.

NEGATIVE: Overall, straightline acceleration. A kid in a backwards hat driving an ALTIMA 3.5 totally dusted me at a stop light. This car is a lamb in wolf's clothing to me, bottom line.

I got a great deal on low mileage 2004 WRX STi and I am going to drive them both for another month and figure out which one I want to keep for the long term. Right now, I have to admit I'm leaning toward the STi while the wife is leaning toward the RX8.

Cheers

Last edited by CycloneSTL; Jun 12, 2007 at 05:25 PM. Reason: Grammar
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 06:27 PM
  #870  
C-130toRX-8's Avatar
Air to Ground
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Monterey ,CA
Shinka Package- The "Only" brand new 2006 Shinka left in the country.. just broke in the 600 miles this week, had the car for a week and half now. Gas Mileage 20.8mpg highway...city is "to be determined" June 07. So far, satisfied buyer!
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2007 | 02:46 AM
  #871  
petemahaf's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Highly Satisfied with MPG

I am highly satisfied. I have a winning blue 231HP black leather version. Performance is exceptional - All of the negatiev feedback is about the fuel consumption - If you want good fuel consumption buy a Toyota Prius or use a bicycle.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 01:29 PM
  #872  
joel levine's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
I'm very pleased!

19,000 miles on my 04 auto. GT. No issues thus far, Did all the updates and drive it somewhat easily. I've gotten as high as 26.3MPG on a trip. Like it so much I purchased it at lease end which was only three weeks ago. My dealer "Mazda of Wellesley, Ma." has made owning this car a pleasure.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 10:48 PM
  #873  
Cromax's Avatar
Buzz Buzz Buzz
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Victoria
I would say I'm somewhat satisified, based on the fact that my dealer isn't really the most helpful when it comes to warranty issues ... AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE!

The car itself is wonderful for value for the price.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 02:16 PM
  #874  
yz007's Avatar
A turbo what?
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Wynne, AR
I Love the car!!! I was my hubby's when we got married now I have taken over it It is a great car!! Sexy has enough oomph (really good with the turbo kit) and the only sports car I can easily carry 2 babies in!! RX8 Rocks!!!!
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #875  
Rich Linder's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Originally Posted by petemahaf
I am highly satisfied. I have a winning blue 231HP black leather version. Performance is exceptional - All of the negatiev feedback is about the fuel consumption - If you want good fuel consumption buy a Toyota Prius or use a bicycle.

Or just about any other automobile with a piston engine.

Wankels are not (and never were) noted for good fuel consumption.

If they were, there would be more than one car model still being sold worldwide with a Wankel in it.

Wankels are noted for smooth, fairly reliable power. For some, that's quite enough.

Today's fuel prices are taking a toll on the total number of Wankel fans, I'm afraid.

Even Mazda can't change that.

Last edited by Rich Linder; Jun 17, 2007 at 03:43 PM.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 31 votes, 3.87 average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:21 PM.