Hey Guys,

I had one of the first 2004 rx-8 which unfortunately I sold after about 3 months of ownership. I drive a lot because work and I need a much more reliable car with better mileage (flooding was more of an occurrence then and according to the sticker i can get 18-24 mpg which i averaged about 16 in real driving).

I know , i know it's my fault for not doing my home work , but when i got the car it was one of the first on out on the lot. After test driving it I wanted it.

So my question is, i'm thinking of getting maybe a used 2005 or 2006 as a secondary car and was I wondering if flooding is still an issue with the new ecu updates out. I was told that used rx-8 can be had for a pretty good price. I would get this car as a secondary car and wouldn't be my daily method of tranportation. I know that I will probably still have to check the oil often because it's a rotary , which brings me to my other question.

Does the newer models of rx-8 come with a meter that tells you how much oil is the car. I ask cause my current car have one which i find useful.

Thanks.

 

Flooding is probably always going to be an issue when it comes to rotary

 

ecu updates, new battery and starter should keep the flooding to a minimum. as for the meter to tell you how much oil you have, it's called a dipstick. i feel like that hertz commercial...."in-car navigation system? we have an in-hand navigation system - it's called a map"

 

From your post, I'd say look at different cars. The 8 still gets poor gas mileage--varies from 8 to 8 though.

Also, the flooding issue was much reduced after the recalls and upgrades, but it still remains a potential danger if the car is turned off cold.

VW GTI/Cooper S, new EVO/WRX?

 

I had an 04 with the old starter and battery and never flooded. It did take a while to turn over so they upgraded me to the starter and battery

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I think you ma ybe right.

When i had my car the dealership said that they will only deflood it once and then after that they are charging $95.

Sometimes i have to take it places where i would have it valet, and those guys would just shut the car cold when they move it around.

It's too bad that there is no oil meter of some sort (aside from the dipstick which i recall on the 2004 model it isn't even right upfront like most cars) since it does tend to need more constant check on the oil. My current car doesn't even have a dipstick (i think it's dumb that they removed it) but the meter seems to do a pretty good job and its been reliable and i can tell right away if oil is needed without getting out of the car.

I really like the way rx-8 handles it's light and neutral. The s2000 also is a great car but rx-8 is so more tempting because they can really be had for a great price. Maybe I'll just wait and the car matures even more.

 

Same problem; I just bought a 2004 RX8, and it takes a second or two longer to start than my roommates 2006 Shinka. How do I resolve this and how do I avoid flooding? Any other tips for driving and maintaining the RX8 would be great, too. Thx.

 

Well the 350Z and other sport cars get bad milage too.

 

Sure, but take for example my Evo where I get a little under 20mpg if I drive it hard, but I have around 300whp and a heavier car. If I drive nice on the highway I can get around 25 mpg. Then consider that there are cars out there just as fast as the RX-8 that can top 30mpg on the highway. There is bad mileage and then there is 15 mpg bad. I've seen too many RX-8 owners getting close to 15mpg regularly to think it's some freak occurence. Either a lot of RX-8 owners are really bad at math or there are some serious inconsistency issues with the Renesis.

 

No they are just lead foots and keep the rev's high.

of course there's the Lotus Elise at 20-25mpg

How's that a run for an EVO?

 

of course when you're on the highway you are off boost and have a 140hp 4banger. go figure you get decent mileage.


and as far as the mileage thing goes......its a product of their right foot. I've driven 3 tanks out of my car that i just got and i wouldnt say i have been kind but i keep the revs down in traffic and on the highway and im at 19mpg.