vietdude

Hey guys, I just sold my Eclipse GSX. I'm considering this car for my next. But I need some more detailed information from the users who own this car. Is it reliable? What is the engine dependibility? Did you have any mechanic problems since you bought it? I was told that mazda isn't a very well known name for reliability issues. Please help me decide on this. Any information is very appreciated.

mikefrombarrie

There are several things you might want to take into consideration.

1. The 238Hp as advertised by Mazda is not exactly true, people that have dynoed the 8 get an average of 180hp to the wheels. Thats about 210 to 220Hp to the flywheel.

2. The cars performance is 5.9sec zero to 60mph and the 1/4 mile is 14.5sec. But what they dont tell you is that you have to launch the car from 7500rpm!
That was a big shock for me actually! so really a street start is around 7 seconds

3. The car is a pig on gas, another thing that I didnt know about. I get about 15L per 100km. Which is 1.5times what said in the manual.

Overall its a great car, but it would be nice if I knew all these facts before I bought the car.

HeelnToe

You'll get a more balanced and unbiased view by just browsing around this site. You'll find people saying it's been nothing but problems for them, and others saying it's been perfect. I waded through it all almost a year ago, and decided it was worth the plunge... and couldn't be happier that I did

I came from a GS-T, by the way...

Check out the various threads on TSB's and RECALLS, as well as the various CPU FLASHES that have been released.

Bottom line though, IMHO, is as long as your car is up-to-date regarding TSBs, recalls, and CPU flashes, you'll be fine. My only problems in 10,000 miles have been squeaking brake pads (replaced for free), and a part on my console lid snapped off (replaced for free).

And make sure the idea of 18 miles per gallon (roughly) doesn't scare ya off

poolsidenaz

Welcome There are several other threads much like yours. Check these out for lots of opinions on all sides and good luck to you!

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/why-rx8-57992/

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/noob-ready-buy-rx8-key-concerns-56747/

and for all positive fun stuff... the little things thread https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=things

an informal satisfaction survey https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=things

A collective effort of "top 10 things an 8 owner should know" https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=things

PaulieWalnuts

Where did you hear this? Probably from somone who has never owned a Mazda. Mazda as a whole is on par with Honda and Toyota for reliability. My wife has a 99 Protege that has had zero problems and has been a great car.

For a small percentage of owners the 8 has had some teething issues but that's what the warranty is for. Buy one and if you don't like it, simply sell it.

Sigma

Mazda is ranked #1 (yes, beating even the venerable Honda) for long-term reliability by extended warranty companies that, unlike sources such as Consumer Reports, actually have a vested interest in ranking reliability correctly since they based their warranty rates off them.

Mindtrip

Get a Subaru.....

Overport

Is a Honda Civic reliable?

Ike

It has some issues such as noisy brakes (this seems to be common with Mazda), some grinding in the tranny, AC problems, regular reflashes of the ECU, and a few others. These hardly make it a reliability problem, but it's something to consider. There have also been more engines replaced in the RX-8 than I've seen on most new cars, but again the chances of this happening to you are slim, though longterm the reliability of the renesis is still unknown. Mazda is pretty middle of the pack when it comes to most reliability ratings, but most cars by most manufacturers are pretty reliable nowadays.

The biggest thing I would worry about if I were you is the modability and acceleration of the RX-8. If you're a bit of a speed freak the RX-8 isn't for you and you should look elsewhere. If you're not and you will appreciate a car for it's nimble handling and fun to drive aspects the RX-8 is a great choice.

truemagellen

that is why you research a car before you buy it I mean it is a $30K purchase

truemagellen

u are so full of **** sometimes

all the things u initially listed have been dealt with...it isn't like your tin can didnt come out with some issues

also lots of engine replacements yea I don't think so...why do you hang out on this forum again?

Rotario

Spoken like a true non-owner.

PaulieWalnuts

Based on whose reliability ratings?

truemagellen

based on daily pot smoker Ike

Fanman

Also, please realize that last year (04') was the first year of these cars. Most cars, the 1st year/year & half will experience most of the issues. After that (05'+) you will get more reliability. But this is true of every car. The Subaru STI's were blowing engines when they first came out, but it was corrected later on.

PPen131

only someone so full of himself could write this as if he actually owns the car and drives it on a daily basis. good job

truemagellen

haha good point!

Ike

Guess I should have spoken like a true fanboi and told him the car is great with no issues and to run right out and buy one.

Ike

Consumer reports and JD power, but I suppose since they don't give Mazda shining marks they don't count. I suppose that consumer reports giving the RX-8 in particular poor marks discredits the magazine even further in many people on this forums eyes.

Ike

Actually the WRX comes with very few issues, but had this question actually been asked about the WRX I would have informed of the known issues rather than fed him a load of BS.

-=Rowdy=-

PaulieWalnuts

Touchy touchy. I was simply asking what the source of the information is. I took a look at the study and it ranks Buick as #2, Chevy #11, and scores Mazda below average like you said. It also says Subaru is ranked below Mazda so I guess if we're using studies to make a point, that means Subaru must be pretty unreliable because JD Power says so.

PPen131

i may be a noob to the forum, but here's what i've noticed. Ike isn't a troll as many have said. rather, he's entrenched here having garnered a bit of e-popularity for himself by "putting the delusional rx8 owners in their place." many here can't stand him and argue with him, while others kiss his ***. either way, it's serving to inflate his ego, and he's living it up on this message board. i actually don't mind many of his posts as he can be informative at times, but there are a good handful like the aforementioned that make him seem pretty damn pompous.

cliffs notes: Ikewrx is here because he is enjoying his e-fame

Ike

Didn't mean to come off as sounding touchy, just irritated by some others in this thread. I believe you found the JD power survey from a year ago where Mazda and Subaru were right next to one another. If that's the one it's for cars from MY01 since JD power does a lot of 3 year vehicle dependability studies. Consumer reports main study every year is a report on initial quality and will be more of an indication of what you can expect from the current MY of cars but may not be the best for determining longterm results. In Consumer Reports this past month Mazda finished 17th out of 28 and I think did a little better the year prior. The RX-8 was also not recommended based on the owners surveys they received.

I won't even bother commenting at your pot shot at Subaru because this is about Mazda and the RX-8.

Ike

I could care less about "e-fame" and am simply here to discuss cars like I do on many other forums. For some unknown reason I've latched on to this forum more than others <shrugs>. I fail to see what is "pompous" about what I posted and have yet to see anyone bother trying to refute what I say. Instead everyone is getting all butt hurt because I didn't just give the typical response you would find from someone blinded by their love for the RX-8.