Too bad my 07 isn't old enough, but I've signed up.

 

The problem with the 2007 isn't its age, only that we don't have enough of them signed up to include the year in the main survey. By signing up, you helped fix this problem

Updated results recently posted for the 2004 and 2005. RX-8 reliability, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2004: 89, average

2005: 82, average (small sample size, but similarity to the 2004 is reassuring)

It seems that quite a few tail lamps have been replaced because of condensation lately.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise results and include more model years--so hopefully more owners will continue to sign up.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The one for the RX-8:

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons

 

In about a month we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More needed, especially for the 2005 on.

Have the revisions for 2009 reignited interest in the RX-8?

Car reliability research

 

I just added my 2007 automatic. Only "repair" so far was just this week: replaced the original Dunlop 8090s with a set of General Exclaim UHPs at about 20,000 miles.

I expect impressive durability from my RX-8 because all the Japan-built Mazdas I've owned have been great, all the way back to the RX-2 I bought new in 1973.

 

That's not a repair. That's a sign you've been driving the car as it was designed to be driven.

I'd be much more concerned if the stock tires lasted 50k...

Only two 2009s so far. Has anyone here bought one?

More participants continue to be needed, for all model years.

Car reliability research

 

Your survey sucks....

Only enthusist post here or someone with a bug up there butt.

1 out of ten RX8 owners I meeet may.... just maybe know about the Website.

Get a real job.

 

Well, seems at least one person here has a bug up their butt. Maybe because they have a "real job?"

FWIW, the survey process compensates for the fact that a fair number of people learn of the site through forums. About 80% from search engines at this point, though.

The key thing is to get as many owners involved as possible.

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the RX-8 to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2004: 78, about average

2005: 110, worse than average, but marginal sample size

Quite a few 2005 owners have recently reported condensation in the tail lights. More common with this year, or just more commonly repaired because these cars are still under warranty?

A big thank you to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons

 

Why only 100 cars per year and not say 1000?

 

I originally reported results in terms of "per car," since most people only own a single car. But a few people persuasively argued that the average person has a difficult time with decimals. So, following common practice, we've been reporting results "per 100 cars" to eliminate the decimal.

 

Updated results in August.

I continue to come across discussions of the RX-8's allegedly poor reliability all over the Internet. My stats suggest that this isn't the case, but I'd like to have some solid stats on engine failures. Need more participants to be able to do this.

Car reliability research

 

The 2006 has now been added to the survey. Additional participants remain needed for all years. Updated results for the 2004 and 2005 in a couple of weeks.

Car reliability research

 

We have updated results for the RX-8 to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2005: 101, about average, but close to "worse than average"

2004: 67, about average, but close to "better than average"

Condensation in the tail lights is the most common repair, by far, followed by ignition coils. A couple of complete engine replacements after the recall inspection. I suspect that the repair rate for the 2005s is higher because owners are getting those tail lights taken care of right before the warranty ends, while owners of the 2004s are more likely to live with the problem rather than pay to fix it.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons

 

We'll have updated results soon. Additional participants remain needed for all model years. The 2005 is just three cars short of the minimum for a full result.

Car reliability research

 

I'm not any help with this. My '07 still has less than 20k miles, so I've had absolutely 0 issues with it thus far.

Wait, that's a GOOD thing, right?

 

Another 2007 in the survey would certainly be helpful.

We have updated results for the RX-8 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2005: 88, about average

2004: 65, better than average

Condensation in the tail lights is the most common repair, by far, followed by ignition coils. A couple of complete engine replacements after the recall inspection. I suspect that the repair rate for the 2005s is higher because owners are getting those tail lights taken care of right before the warranty ends, while owners of the 2004s are more likely to live with the problem rather than pay to fix it.

A big thanks, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons

 

179 RX-8 owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

 

We have updated results for the RX-8 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2005: 41, improved to better than average now that out of warranty (owners probably are just living with condensation in tail lights)

2004: 72, about average

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons

 

Just enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May, with a preview for participants in mid-April.

Car reliability research

 

The first group of people who signed up have been selling their RX-8s, so we need new participants to take their places to keep providing these stats.

We've been providing a full result for the 2004 and a partial result for the 2006. I'd like to provide full results for all years--just a matter of getting more owners involved.

 

signed up my 2008

 

e have updated results for the RX-8 to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2005: 61, improved to average now that out of warranty (owners probably are just living with condensation in tail lights), small sample size

2004: 63, also about average

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons

 

Upstated stats next month for the 2004, 2005, and (at long last) 2006. Barely have a full result this time for the 2005.

To help provide better information on your year:

Car reliability research

 

Same, except i have 22k miles.

 

We have updated results for the RX-8 to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010.

Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2006: 82

2005: 57

2004: 63

All are about average. The 2006 could be higher because the samle size for it is very small, or because these cars are still under warranty. Owners of older cars are more likely to live with problems.

Thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Mazda RX-8 reliability comparisons