Radbunny

I'm seeing a lot on here about '04/05s, but is there anything good/bad about the '09 RX8? I'm planning on surprising my husband with one, but I want to know all I can before I do it. He showed interest in one and is currently deployed, so that's why I'm looking into it.

Do you still have to carry extra oil around?? I keep seeing that pop up in your threads.

Sorry I sound stupid on here... I've done a little research and someone showed me this site.

All help is appreciated!
Thanks!

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

honestly i dont really know much about the 09s coz i own an 04 BUT im nearing 90k miles on my 04 and (knock on wood) no problems so far minus the maintainence stuff. and honestly you should expect that with any sporty car. there are a bunch of guys with 09s on here so they should know. as far as i know there are quite a few "problems" taken care of with the 09's as theyre not a whole new model but more of an upgrade.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Mazda seems to have learned abit from their mistakes with the earlier version of the RX8 and made changes to the 09 to (hopefully) correct them. The reason for carrying oil around is twofold.
One: because the car injects oil into the combustion chamber. Some people mistake this for the car burning oil. That isn't exactly true. The oil is injected to help lubricate seals in the engine. A little more engine oil may be used than with a piston engine. This is dependent on the amount of aggressive driving that is done. It really isn't much more than would be expected. You just need to check the oil level every other fill up. You should be checking it every fill up anyway, with any car.
Two: Previously, in other earlier RX models, it was found that premixing (2 stroke oil with the gasoline) was found to help make the engine last longer between rebuilds. This shouldn't be necessary with the 09 RX8 that is used as a regular car.
Just follow the directions in the owners manual and it should be fine.

Thank You for your support of him and his job.
Beale AFB?

epikeddie

The problems you're noticing on the pre '06 model years were possibly due to several reasons i.e. OMP flow issues, lack of knowledge on rotary engines and involved maintenance, and more.

The '09 models now has a revised OMP (additional nozzle) system which alleviates the under-oiling / bad seals scenario. The '09 models still share the 13B-MSP Renesis rotary engine and power output is the same as the previous models.

The '09 models combat some of the issues that plagued the early models however due to the nature of the rotary engines: oil consumption can be expected. It is perfectly normal and your husband should carry an extra quart of oil with him.

They're great cars, handle better than about 90% of the cars out there, and are very unique. They just require the right owner to keep it in great condition. Neglect and rotaries just do not mix at all!

Radbunny

Thanks for the inputs, guys. I don't think he knew about the oil maintenance. He's not a big car guy... just wanted something cool. He's been driving the same truck since 94 and I think he's due an upgrade.

I have a little time before he comes home, so I'll keep reading here to be sure I get the best deal for my money when it comes time to buy.

And yes, alnielson, we're both Beale folks! (how'd ya know?)

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I have some internet stalking skills. Don't worry, I'm mostly harmless.
I spent thousands of dollars, in the past, on making my previous RX7's race worthy. Neither of them could match the handling of the RX8. It is compliant on the road, yet handles marvelous on the track.

shazy

He's pretty lucky to have you as awife.... If i randomly got a new car It woud be EPIC!!

Radbunny

I know right!!! I'm probably more excited about getting it for him than he will be when he gets it.

Wish me luck! Got about another month to go without telling him...

ARE-EX-8

Can you be my wife too

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

Checking the oil is easy... it might sound tedious, but it really isn't. I wouldn't say you need to carry around a bottle at all times. As you check it, you should see if it's low. So, you might want to have one ready at home or know that you can run to the store sometime soon after seeing that it's approaching the point where it's too low, but that shouldn't be too hard. Checking it is a bit easier in the 09's.. the engine cover has a little spot you can open and the dip stick is right there. All you have to do is check it while you're standing around and waiting for gas to fill up anyways. It's very easy, so I wouldn't let that worry you to the point of not getting the car.

Obviously we're biased, but it really is a fun car. Most the reviews are good and usually mention the smooth feel of the engine, the great handling and pure fun factor of driving the car. I've personally driven a few cars that I knew were better cars, but they just didn't have the same connected feel you get with the 8 which immediately turned me away. So to make a long explanation short... if he already showed interest, I'd say go for it. It's a very enjoyable car to drive and the community is great.

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

We will have to make a special thread just for you .

'Pics of Hawt ladies who buy an rx8 for their BF/husband' . LOL

Spoolin8

iTrader: (2)

If its any consolation, i have a 05 RX-8 with a couple of upgrades and i may be moving to New York next month and if so ill be dumping my car for basically what i owe on it (very cheap). What part of texas are you in?

unknown__Disciple

iTrader: (1)

i just purchased a 2009 rx8 bout a week ago and all i can say is that its the best car i could of purchased...

Radbunny

Thanks, Spoolin8, but I prefer to get a NEW one.

UniBroW

just posting to say I love my RX8. It's the first car that I've every had that I didn't tire of after 2+ years of ownership. This october it will be 3 years!.

Also want to point out the obvious, BEST WIFE EVER. Seriously, very cool and a big thanks to your husband who I take it is partly responsible for our continued freedom and many others!

jsjjr

iTrader: (1)

Just to re-iterate what everyone else is saying...don't let the oil thing worry you..it's just the nature of the beast. Oil is injected into the engine to lubricate the seals, so, you're going to actually burn a little, by design. Every other fill up, check the oil, if it's a little low, top it off.

I did a little searching before I bought mine, just to familiarize myself with the whole 'rotary' concept..

Here are a couple of videos you can look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGrD7...eature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOtQG...eature=related


These helped me understand what was happening with what I was "hearing" under the hood.

Radbunny

Thanks, UniBroW!

And for the record, we both are... I just happened to get a better deployment while he's in a hotter place. Mine gave me the dough to do this surprise!!! Got to love our govt! haha

fastlaneracing

If I only had a wife like you...

I think an 09 RX-8 will be perfect for you and him, just do the extra maintenance and you will be fine.

UniBroW

hats off to the both of you, you have my entire families utmost respect!

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Well deserved for one of our men in uniform from a very classy Lady.

The 09's are not a radical change from earlier years but Mazda did address some potential reliability issues along with a bit of a facelift (the latter I and many here didn't like at first, but it's growing on us). One of which mechanical upgrades was a third oil injector to better lubricate the rotors apex seals. As cited by others it's not allot of oil, but something to be checked a bit more often than piston engines.

Just be sure to get him a 6-speed and one of the strong colors - black, silver, grey, or red.
Given suede-out combat boots these days he's probably not used to polishing things (as we in the ol' Corps), so silver is the easiest color to keep clean.

Thanks for your support on the homefront and his overseas.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

I just want to know one thing; got a younger sister with the same personality?


Wife buying a new sports car for hubby FTW

toby

I always wondered why people get married...
This must be what they mean, when they say 'wait for the right one' !!

Also, props to your hubby for fighting for his country.

Radbunny

Huey, he wants RED. I like that it's called Velocity Red! And I'm pretty sure he wanted a manual anyway.

To be honest we liked the way the '08s looked better than the '09s, but it's getting harder to find a NEW '08 in red. (I keep finding them in silver or grey...) He definitely wants a new car, not a used one.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I was originally going to surprise him at the airport, but I got a look at the trunk this wknd and there is no way his luggage will fit in that opening!! So instead I'll hide it in the garage and let him find it in his own time...

PSTNLSS

iTrader: (3)

Might as well get a lawyer and divorce

haha just kidding.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

this is really cute i wish my gf got me a car for me its the other way around