The RX-8 comes with Mazda's "Instant Mobility System" which comprises a bottle of sealant and an air compressor. Combined with Mazda's roadside assistance, this is probably sufficient for owners who don't intend to venture too far off the beaten track. But if you plan on getting away from it all in your RX-8, you may feel better with the added security of a real spare tire.

 

I take it that if one uses theis repair kit, it would render the tire useless and unreusable, even if they could fic the cause of the leak?

Rim could be cleaned, right?

Claude H.

 

That appears to be the "party line" from Mazda. According to the Owner's Manual:

 

Bear in mind that that the owner's manual is vetted and munged by Mazda's legal department before it goes to press. Chances are that a competent tire shop may be able to repair a tire that has been "gooped," but the lawyers won't let them suggest that possibility.

 

Spare tire is US$395. I've got the spare tire option and it doesn't extend at all into the rearmost wide portion or into the well. It does take up most of the portion right behind the rear seat. I'm fairly sure that you'll get at least one golf bag in there, but I'm not sure about two since I'm not a golfer. Overall I was quite pleased and surprised with the amount of room that was still available after the tire mount and tire were installed.

And as for the road rescue kit & Mazda road side service, if you get a catastrophic tire failure will Mazda's road side service do anything other than call a tow truck and tow you to a nearby tire store. Or does roadside service normally carry a spare? At least with my own spare I'll be able to limp home with some dignity. But maybe I'm overthinking this thing.

 

I try to carry those little rubber tire plugs with a reamer and an insertion tool. I've used these for years with no trouble. The fine print on the package says a regular vulcanizing patch should be used inside the tire later, but all the tire shops around here just repair them with the plugs. Since the car comes with a compressor, you don't have to buy a little one for your trunk. You'll save a lot of time and money repairing the tires yourself. Another great thing about these plugs is that you won't ruin the tire! Make sure you keep a pair of pliers around to pull out the offending nail. You'll usually see the nail. If not, spread some soapy water (or saliva, if you're on the road) over the suspicious looking spot. If it bubbles, you've found your leak.

 

Can you post a pic?

 

As for the car cover, I think it's ridiculously over-priced... So what if it is designed to fit the RX-8 perfectly... no way jose.

Aftermarket covers do just as good of a job protecting your car and cost only. I bought a $40 cover for my TT that worked great.. An $80 cover (I don't think there are aftermarket covers that even cost that much) should work even better... but $250??? c'mon, give me a break.. I would be embarassed to be seen with it, simply because I know how much it costs, it's a pretty wasteful investment.. You're better off spending that money on several botles of Zaino and a 1400psi Karcher pressure washer...

 

fyi, i opted for full size tire and rim in trunk. it eats up much space but will comfort me on long trips and i can remove it when i am local. i called mazda roadside service and they will only come and tow you to dealer. they do not carry spare tires or donuts. by the way, a new tire is 200 dollars from tire rack and a rim is 280 from mazda. i also have the green you ordered-it's elegant. have not seen another in massachusetts.

 

Wow! Those replacement tires are expensive, but I am not overly surprised...

Speaking about tires, however, has anyone checked into SNOW tires yet? Yup, SNOW! In the past with my Miatas and RX7's I have mounted FOUR matched, balanced and alligned snow tires to survive New England winter driving. Not sure about the availability of snow tires for these 18" rims but I haven't started looking yet. Any other thoughts? Some of us WILL be driving in snow this winter!!