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
11-04-2012, 12:22 PM
#1326
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3rd owner of my 05. IO voted highly satisfied. Engine block replaced about 15k before i got it, and has been trouble free for about 20k miles so far. I do have to do the cabin temp control fix before winter. 16-18 mpg.same mpg as my 04 GTO but completely different driving experience. Obviously down on power, but the "zoom zoom" on the back roads makes up for it.
Last edited by alliswell; 11-04-2012 at 12:35 PM.
11-05-2012, 10:41 AM
#1327
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Okay, coming close to a year (like 10-1/2 months) , and what I planned as my sometimes car almost immediately became my everyday drive.
My home life is difficult at the best of times, my job sucks, but in between I get to drive my 2011 R3. I take the longer roads through the Park just because it's fun, and makes me leave home earlier/get home later by ten to fifteen minutes. On a bad day, I can just go drive somewhere and feel better.
Yes, this costs money. If for you, a car is ultimately a point A to point B machine, not sure why you bought an RX-8. But if the point of any journey simply becomes the journey, the RX-8 is where it's at. I have cut other things so I can pay more for gas and oil. (Not that oil is more than a few bucks a month, but still...) My R3 still makes me feel different about myself, not as a symbol of anything, but actually just how I feel about me.
Maybe I was conditioned for this, as my first car was a '68 Dodge Charger with a small crack in the engine block that leaked oil almost directly onto a spark plug. Kept oil and spark plugs in the back seat, put in oil every fillup and whenever I heard that seven-cylinder sound just pulled over and changed the spark plug. Lousy on gas, burned oil, and was down torque and HP due to the crack in the engine block.
Yet the magic of the RX-8 is the handling, the free-revving engine that can just make a drive, the thoughtful little things like windows that snap up and down, damn near perfect weight balance front-back, braking that is better than anything under amost 200K. It would not be possible to get most of this from any other engine, displacing a tiny 1.3 liters allows it farther back under the hood to get that excellent balance -- and once you have that, so many other perforance issues fall in line. Want to zoom off the line? Buy a muscle car. The RX-8 is a sports car in the old school sense.
It really could just be put this way to many people: It's a rotary thing, you wouldn't understand.
My home life is difficult at the best of times, my job sucks, but in between I get to drive my 2011 R3. I take the longer roads through the Park just because it's fun, and makes me leave home earlier/get home later by ten to fifteen minutes. On a bad day, I can just go drive somewhere and feel better.
Yes, this costs money. If for you, a car is ultimately a point A to point B machine, not sure why you bought an RX-8. But if the point of any journey simply becomes the journey, the RX-8 is where it's at. I have cut other things so I can pay more for gas and oil. (Not that oil is more than a few bucks a month, but still...) My R3 still makes me feel different about myself, not as a symbol of anything, but actually just how I feel about me.
Maybe I was conditioned for this, as my first car was a '68 Dodge Charger with a small crack in the engine block that leaked oil almost directly onto a spark plug. Kept oil and spark plugs in the back seat, put in oil every fillup and whenever I heard that seven-cylinder sound just pulled over and changed the spark plug. Lousy on gas, burned oil, and was down torque and HP due to the crack in the engine block.
Yet the magic of the RX-8 is the handling, the free-revving engine that can just make a drive, the thoughtful little things like windows that snap up and down, damn near perfect weight balance front-back, braking that is better than anything under amost 200K. It would not be possible to get most of this from any other engine, displacing a tiny 1.3 liters allows it farther back under the hood to get that excellent balance -- and once you have that, so many other perforance issues fall in line. Want to zoom off the line? Buy a muscle car. The RX-8 is a sports car in the old school sense.
It really could just be put this way to many people: It's a rotary thing, you wouldn't understand.
I feel this way, too! Work can be such a grind and the RX-8 can be an amazing tool, if you let it.
11-26-2012, 03:41 PM
#1328
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Location: East Texas
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I bought my '04 RX8 in Nov, 2003. Kept it 7 years then traded it in on an '07 Mercedes Benz CLK 350 convert. The last thing the Mazda dealer told me as I drove the new RX8 out of the dealer's was, "Don't ever turn off the engine before it warms up!" If I had known what that entailed, I would never have bought the car. Add to that no torque and poor gas mileage, and I have to say that it was a disappointing experience. I had anticipated keeping the car much longer than seven years, but I got tired of having to deal with the cold-engine-flooding issue (it actually happened to me twice), the lack of excelleration and mediocre gas mileage. . .I am much happier with the M-B.
11-26-2012, 05:00 PM
#1329
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I fear I have ruined every other car for me.
I have owned 3 cars; in this order:
1. Sunfire (still own it and drive it in the winter)
2. 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse - when i bought it I though it was fast (compared to a sunfire it is)
3. 2005 Mazda RX-8
The 8 is sooo much faster than the eclipse. The handling is unbelievable. I love the noise it makes when you go over 3500-4000 RPM. Adding oil and spending more money at the gas station is inconvenient but when I am driving it down the road I forget about that and just love my life.
I have owned 3 cars; in this order:
1. Sunfire (still own it and drive it in the winter)
2. 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse - when i bought it I though it was fast (compared to a sunfire it is)
3. 2005 Mazda RX-8
The 8 is sooo much faster than the eclipse. The handling is unbelievable. I love the noise it makes when you go over 3500-4000 RPM. Adding oil and spending more money at the gas station is inconvenient but when I am driving it down the road I forget about that and just love my life.
12-05-2012, 07:23 PM
#1330
Registered
highly satisfied great handling and i always get compliments. except for the gas milleage and the cost of aftermarket parts (coilovers, exhaust, intake etc..)
12-06-2012, 06:15 AM
#1331
ProfDean
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Horseheads, NY
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Very satisfied!
I love my 8! I get 20 +/-2 consistently with a mix of city/out of town driving. I would say I get 18-20 with city and 20-22 (24 if driving mostly interstate) mpg for long distances. I have over 122K miles with the original engine and no serious problems. Just maintenance stuff like changing ignition coils (once), plugs (2 or 3 times), O2 rear sensor (once), etc. I DO get regular oil changes every 3K miles with a tire rotation at that time. My only complaint is finding a set of tires that will last more than 30K miles. I am currently running with Kumho tires and they are wearing much better than the Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position (have gone through two sets of these) and Cooper tires (one set that had a terrible wear rate). Overall, the car still handles great. If you take care of it and don't hink of it as a race car that you need to drive the hell out of, you can drive this car for a long time. I would not be surprised if this car went to 200K miles and beyond. My concern is that I may have to trade it for a more practical car someday, like an SUV, so I don't have to fret about driving it in these NY winters (I am now in my 6th NY winter with this car!).
12-07-2012, 08:29 AM
#1332
40th anniversary Edition
ProfDean , i see you live in NY. So i know you get some snow. I used to live in NYC and Long Island, and even Rochester NY. After my Bridgestone wore out. I got Continental Extreme Contact DWS ultra-performance All-Season tires(Top rated Ultra-performance All-Season tire, by Tire World) for my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8. They are super in all weather and wear like iron (They have a 50,000 mile tread warranty, and even a one year road hazard warranty-unheard of in a performance tire) , and after one year's wear I am sure they will make it to 50,000 miles. They aren't as super in the dry as pure summer performance tires, but really not far off that performance.They still handle great. And they are super in the wet and even snow. It gives much greater margin of safety when you are having fun in bad weather.
BTW I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since 1973. One RX3; two RX4s both sedan and coupe; all three generations of RX7, and a 40th Anniversary RX8. Also a Mazdaspeed 3
BTW I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since 1973. One RX3; two RX4s both sedan and coupe; all three generations of RX7, and a 40th Anniversary RX8. Also a Mazdaspeed 3
Last edited by gwilliams6; 12-07-2012 at 08:45 AM.
12-07-2012, 04:13 PM
#1334
40th anniversary Edition
It has been a great ride for nearly 40 years, on track and off track. Probably over a million rotary miles. I have owned many piston cars too, mainly for the wife, but love the rotaries best. In 2017 I will be getting the new RX7, and I will keep the 40th Anniversary RX8
Last edited by gwilliams6; 12-07-2012 at 04:16 PM.
12-08-2012, 10:29 PM
#1335
ProfDean , i see you live in NY. So i know you get some snow. I used to live in NYC and Long Island, and even Rochester NY. After my Bridgestone wore out. I got Continental Extreme Contact DWS ultra-performance All-Season tires(Top rated Ultra-performance All-Season tire, by Tire World) for my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8. They are super in all weather and wear like iron (They have a 50,000 mile tread warranty, and even a one year road hazard warranty-unheard of in a performance tire) , and after one year's wear I am sure they will make it to 50,000 miles. They aren't as super in the dry as pure summer performance tires, but really not far off that performance.They still handle great. And they are super in the wet and even snow. It gives much greater margin of safety when you are having fun in bad weather.
BTW I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since 1973. One RX3; two RX4s both sedan and coupe; all three generations of RX7, and a 40th Anniversary RX8. Also a Mazdaspeed 3
BTW I have owned seven rotary Mazdas since 1973. One RX3; two RX4s both sedan and coupe; all three generations of RX7, and a 40th Anniversary RX8. Also a Mazdaspeed 3
i respect your passion for rotaries....that is all.
12-09-2012, 08:57 AM
#1336
40th anniversary Edition
Hey Jeff, if while driving around the Dallas area you see a silver 2000 Mazda Protege S driving around, that is a former car of mine that I gave my nephew who lives in Southlake, TX. It is still going strong after 12 years !
12-10-2012, 02:32 AM
#1337
im in the frisco area but ill keep a lookout for it!
12-11-2012, 07:28 AM
#1339
I bought my '04 RX8 in Nov, 2003. Kept it 7 years then traded it in on an '07 Mercedes Benz CLK 350 convert. The last thing the Mazda dealer told me as I drove the new RX8 out of the dealer's was, "Don't ever turn off the engine before it warms up!" If I had known what that entailed, I would never have bought the car. Add to that no torque and poor gas mileage, and I have to say that it was a disappointing experience. I had anticipated keeping the car much longer than seven years, but I got tired of having to deal with the cold-engine-flooding issue (it actually happened to me twice), the lack of excelleration and mediocre gas mileage. . .I am much happier with the M-B.
I take it you never Autocrossed, did any track days or canyon / mountain runs with your 8. If no, then yes, a Mercedes would be a much better daily driver.
I admit, the 8 is not the greatest car for DD duties. When you get it into a situation where the amazing chassis comes into play, you forgive all its transgressions quite quickly.
This RX8 is my seventh Rotary car that I have owned and I now own 2 at once. I have had 2 different 1st gen RX7's then 4 different Second Gen RX7's from a GTU to a couple of TII's to my current TII that I call the FD FC.
I am delighted with my 8, it is a fantastic car, the handling is remarkable for off the showroom floor, the brakes, while I had my reservations with them being single piston, are more then adequate. I really feel like this car can contend for a Top Time of the Day at an AX just the way it sits with the exception of tires.
12-11-2012, 04:02 PM
#1341
Sleeper effect, everyone expects an FD to be fast, no one expects an FC to have 400+ HP.
Especially 10 years ago. I used to go to DE's and see the smirks at the fart can exhaust (Apexi N1) and vented hood. ( I put on for track days to keep under hood temps down)
Then, after the 1st session, I get all kinds of visits from people wanting to know why the car is so damn fast.
Plus, I just like a down and dirty car, I used to have a 1980 Porsche 911 all hot rodded out with a 3.6 swap, RUF treatment etc.. and I hated the attention it got. I would feel the same way with an FD, I like how low key the FC is.
Especially 10 years ago. I used to go to DE's and see the smirks at the fart can exhaust (Apexi N1) and vented hood. ( I put on for track days to keep under hood temps down)
Then, after the 1st session, I get all kinds of visits from people wanting to know why the car is so damn fast.
Plus, I just like a down and dirty car, I used to have a 1980 Porsche 911 all hot rodded out with a 3.6 swap, RUF treatment etc.. and I hated the attention it got. I would feel the same way with an FD, I like how low key the FC is.
12-12-2012, 09:18 AM
#1342
40th anniversary Edition
I understand. my original 1978 FB was eventually heavily modified with special Racing Beat built race-ported and prepared turbocharged 13B that would produce 450+ hp, but with bodyworks, rear tail and suspension and wheels mods it was NOT a sleeper. It was insured by Lloyds of London. I still had it when I owned by FC Turbo II. Sold both when I got married and bought a house and then bought my FD. The FD was a blast ,perhaps the sharpest handling car Ihad ever driven to that point and I have driven porsches and other sports cars. I was friends with and race photographer for late Porsche driving legend Al Holbert, who won six IMSA championships, won Daytona 24 hours and won 24 Hours of LeMans. If you arent familiar with him, google him. He died in tragic crash while piloting his plane back home to Pennslyvania from Mid-Ohio track. In 2008 I bought both the 40th Anniversary RX8 and the Mazdaspeed 3 GT. very different but both a blast. Modestly changed with mazdaspeed cold air intakes on both. A much greater hp boost on the Speed 3 with its direct injection and turbo.
12-12-2012, 11:10 AM
#1343
40th anniversary Edition
Here are shots of my 40th Anniversary RX8 with second place trophy for Mazda category at 2011 MD auto show. first place in Mazdas is this white FD with fully chromed single turbo engine, modified suspension, interior, everything ! Also shot of my 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 GT, the only Mazdaspeed 3 GT in the country with a factory power moonroof, installed and warrantied by Mazda (don't ask how I got this or how Mazda delivered this to me when moonroofs are not an option on the Speed 3) it pays to have many decades of relationships with Mazda.
12-14-2012, 08:08 PM
#1344
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Here's a short reasoning. In the time I have owned this car it has been broken down just as many days as it has been driven on the road. Engineering to the bare minumum results in fragile cars period. Doing things cheaply has led to this being a so called premium vehicle with the dependability of a soviet era yugo. Innovative engine design is no excuse for a total lack of dependability.
12-14-2012, 09:31 PM
#1345
Super Moderator
Here's a short reasoning. In the time I have owned this car it has been broken down just as many days as it has been driven on the road. Engineering to the bare minumum results in fragile cars period. Doing things cheaply has led to this being a so called premium vehicle with the dependability of a soviet era yugo. Innovative engine design is no excuse for a total lack of dependability.
Like anything which one purchases second,third, or even fourth hand one must go in with eyes wide open.
I can assure you that ALL components (parts) made and used in the RX-8 are of very,very good quality.
Mazda just does not purposely produce/make or have made to their specifications parts which are known to be inferior or defective....they just do not operate like this.
No other Japanese car makers do, it is not in their interest to do so.
All top 6 Japan car makers are always in the top 15 of reliability or 'product' or owner surveys.
In the end we in this club are here to help each other, no matter which country one originates from, I also believe the car and product (RX-8) can be improved 1000 X just by the free help many have posted here and continue to.
There is however only so much one can do on the net.
I have not read your club history, but please continue to post and ask the correct questions, and or search.
12-15-2012, 08:30 AM
#1346
40th anniversary Edition
Thanks for the great post ASH8. My almost 40 years with Mazda rotary cars has found them very well built and reliable on the track and on the road . They have never been fragile or minimum engineered. On the contrary, Mazda has been a leader in technology and innovation and every RX I have owned has been better than the previous one, as Mazda has constantly improved their product. No car manufacturer,Asian, European or American has cars void of any problems or recall. But I have stayed with Mazda for their consistent excellence and adherence to a philosophy of building drivers' cars. BTW since I have bought my 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 in may of 2008 , it has been totally trouble free, totally. I have added a Mazdaspeed CAI and added Nippon Denso iridium racing sparkplugs for a little more performance. If you take care of these cars properly they won't let you down.
Last edited by gwilliams6; 12-15-2012 at 09:49 AM.
12-15-2012, 10:41 AM
#1347
Registered
I have spent around $2000 repairing previous owner neglect in a matter of just six months, and yet just like a certain white illegal substance I cant get enough of the car. I had an M3 that was sold to repair my hot rod. I regretted it after the fact because it was amazing and I had been searching for a replacement since. Now I have the 04 BOOSTED 8 in winning blue and if this car goes there is NO replacement!
Last edited by Renesis Noob; 01-05-2013 at 03:13 PM.
01-04-2013, 02:16 PM
#1348
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I bought her brand new 2004, Lightening Yellow & still LOVE everything about her except the gas mileage (which I knew ahead of time). My only real issue now is the GPS update. I have finally found the newest update disc but it will not work in my car and I don't have any idea how to remedy it.
Last edited by Misjiff; 01-04-2013 at 02:21 PM. Reason: add
03-19-2013, 11:37 AM
#1350
Whilst it's annoying that the rotary is a fragile engine really I LOVE my car. Owned since Oct 2012, not let me down and I've spent around £2k getting her in perfect condition. have to say it makes me smile... when I park in a car park I always look back and looks like NO OTHER car out there... sounds like no other car out there...
At night, I'll be driving with the footwell red LED's, it's just a lovely place to be, great sound system, great handling and braking and a sound that just puts a smile on my face!!!
At night, I'll be driving with the footwell red LED's, it's just a lovely place to be, great sound system, great handling and braking and a sound that just puts a smile on my face!!!