Love the car and the way it drives. Hate having to wait for the car to warm up every time you want to drive it, or let it cool off a bit before you shut it off after getting high in the revs.

BeezyNoah, you can drive it away immediately when started, just keep the revs below 4000 rpm until warm, and you can shut it down while warm ,no problem there. You have some incorrect info.

I love the crap out of my car! It brings me loads of happiness and knowledge. I got to learn all about a new engine that I had no history with. Now I find it fun to help other people with 8s with their problems and teach my piston-head friends about my engine. I may not know alot compared to alot of people on here, but I hope to get there someday!

Oh and BeezyNoah, gwilliams6 is correct. You don't have to wait for it to warm up to drive. I live in Iowa where it gets pretty cold and when I start it I let the RPMs drop down below 2k to around 1.5k befrore I go anywhere, which takes less than a minute. I don't put her under load until she is warmed up- so until then I just keep her below 4k RPM.

New Engine installed under warranty
 

Bought the car in March 2014. Just had the engine replaced for free. Drove a Mazda 3 loaner. Definitely not a good replacement for the RX-8. Only complaint so far is the Mazda Service shop, the car is great. Had to take the RX-8 back to get parts fastened down. Not the first issue with them. Have to take it to another shop to ensure the warranty work was done right.

To Valcon5
 

Just curious,What happen to your engine that you needed replacement?
I've had a 07 for 4 yrs. Love it. I miss the torque of my old Corvette, but the 8 handles like no other car i've had in the past and I've had a number of great ones. I try to do all the right things w/my 8 to make it last(I'm 73)

At 70,000 miles, loss of compression, known issue covered by Mazda 100,000 mile warranty. I had a Mustang GT previously, miss the torque as well, like you, I enjoy the handling of 8.

My 8 is currently struggling with a 2259 air pump solenoid.Tried cleaning the solenoid with electrical contact cleaner its sitting for a few days before i start it.

I love my 8 because i understood the rotary has its own special needs and problems.It truley is not a car for every one.

I picked up my 04, 6 speed with every option except nav in May of 2014 right after getting home from a deployment. The next day, i realised i bought the worlds slowest fast car. I picked mostly satisfied. I love the car. I really do. But, I also hate it with every fiber of my being.

To DAT2RTR, I understand some of your feelings. With my 07,I miss the torque of many of my former rides. But to me this is a car you DRIVE(especially with the six speed trans.) Love the time going through the gears,and the handling is fantastic. My wife really no longer is interested in driving it. She says it keeps her too busy. Love it! I believe when taking off from a traffic light,some think I'm trying to engage them in a drag race,but it's driving as usual for an RX8. At higher highway speeds it seems the 8 just wants to faster and faster. Have to keep my mind on the limit posted(well not totally legal). Enjoy the pluses and ignore the minuses.

New and Potential Owners START HERE!: Wait. Why would anyone in their right mind buy an RX-8?

@jcblessing- When i bought the car, it was my second day home after being gone on a deployment. Wanted a manual car, went to 4 different dealerships and this was the ONLY car that had a manual. I dont think ive ever regretted my decision.
I daily drove it from May-Oct last year. I think the bad gas mileage is what makes me dislike the car more than anything. But, seeing as i live in North Dakota, and our winters are (normally) pretty harsh and unfriendly to small rear wheel drive sports cars. I picked up an 09 impreza 2.5i. Now, every time i drive the rx8 i wish i daily drove it.
I think thats what you have to do. you have to find a daily driver thats not as good as the rx8 to really apreciate the car. Im part of a subaru performance shop, ive driven my fair share of STi's and they just dont evoke the same confidence in the turns as my 8 does.

@RIWWP- Read that thread, along with damnnear every other "beginners" thread on this site. I found the site the day after i bought the car. Didnt become a member here for quite a few months afterwards though.

I recently bought my black 04 6 speed MT used, the car itself is wonderful. Mine however, has been an absolute money pit since I bought it , needing very much of the car replaced and having every issue along the way whilst getting said parts replaced. But alas, it is a 11 year old car, and has gone through 3 owners before me, and it still brings a smile to my face every time I drive it, so Highly Satisfied has to be my choice

Satisfied
 

Love the Rx-8.
The handling, the engine, the crazy redline, terrible fuel consumption, love it all. Bought after doing a LOT of research and haven't encountered anything that i didn't expect. If anything i have been shocked at how reliable it has been.

I am still enjoying my 06 Shinka. Nearly 100k mi now and its still tons of fun. Not much has gone wrong with it. Just keeping up with general maintenance and its great. I drive it all the time with no worries!

loving the rx8 since '09

I could swear on it if rx8 can double the mileage per tank I will drive it for live, but looking forward on rx9 now.

Update
 

Bought my '04 LY GT in 7/12 with 18.5k miles, second owner.
It had a bad cat at the time, replaced with a BHR midpipe.
Now approaching 52k, and it has been very dependable.
2 batteries and recently replaced a failing fuel pump were the only hiccups.
Premix, and regular oil changes.
I love it now more than ever.:)

one set of coils , plugs, and 100,000 plus miles now and several years of driving it, i can say for me it is a blast. The rx8 is not for every one because for me it is still a constant learning curve which is why i love the 8 , even my hated 2004 automatic series one. It is a lot of fun. I have a raadiator change comming this spring , more learning curve.

Was very satisfied until it died :P Not so satisfied with the cost of parts

Looking at a 3rd engine with only 80k my advice to anyone actually considering wanting to own such a ticking time bomb and complete piece of crap is run the hell away from this brand as fast as you can!

Only thing I'm worried about is the chronic overheating issue when stuck in traffic in hot weather. Other than that, loving the car :)

Still have our baby "Phantom Blue" 07 special ordered from japan. 15-17k addons, OH the last run of the SC from Pettit, still pushing 240hp at the wheel 6 spd auto, 24k miles on it.

Maybe it's you.

Update;
62k on my original engine '04 DD, bought over 4 years ago.
Without a doubt the most enjoyable car I've ever owned.
High maintenance, inefficient, and drinks gas, but worth every penny.
Love it now more than ever.

Just rolled over to 106,000 miles and very happy with it. It isn't a car for every one but it is a car for people who like being in touch with your ride. Premixed from 0 miles. The Rx8 requires you open the hood and be in touch and i love working on it and understanding why what does what. There is no equal for joy of driving and feeling the power line the 8 has.