What are all the complaints about?
 

I recently got a new job and am looking to buy an RX8. I have been in love with the look and the speed of the car, but while researching, I have come up with so many bad hits on the car.

So many threads I see say that the car is not reliable. Is this because these people don't take care of it? (Let the car warm before turning it off so the engine doesn't flood, check oil...) My job will be a 5 minute commute from my house, but the car is so amazing that I want it anyways, but not if the reliability is so poor.

I would like to go out and purchase the car sometime soon so that I can enjoy it in the awesome weather (New Yorker) but would like some information before I do so, and I know that many of you guys know more about this car than anything. Thanks for your anticipated help.

I've never had any trouble and drive it just like any other car...

Just do the maintainence and get it out and DRIVE it once and a while... you'll not have any problems.

My complaints:
Rattles everywhere
Check Engine Light is always on
No torque
Car actually has around 215-220hp not 238hp as advertised. It used to be advertised at 248 wasn't it?

I have not had a single problem with my car. Nothing at all. My only problem is that black is hard to keep clean :)

But seriously, no problems at all, I simply love this car. Some people speak of flooding problems, but I have never encountered this issue. Drives like a dream.

no problems with mine *knocks on wood*.
its my daily driver, and other than phantom misfire CELS, i've had no problems with it. I even get slightly better than EPA values for gas mileage.

well, i have to agree with willie, black is hard to keep clean. but i knew that going in :)

I second you on that I only have 957 miles on mine but I love every one of them, but you are right the BB is hard to keep clean :bowdown:

Some of the early models had problems with flooding, but I haven't heard too many of these since mazda upgraded to the latest flash. I haven't heard of a single 05 RX8 flooding, so I think most of those are resolved. I still wouldn't shut it down cold, but it warms very quickly, and is not that big a deal.

The car takes oil, but not what other forums are are saying. I add a quart every 1500 miles. Some cars have a little sooner, others even later. Just check it every once and a while, you'll be fine. As an example, I hear honda s2000's eat up a quart every 1500 miles or so.

A few owners down south have had engine issues in the summer. It was about 20-30 cars had to have thier engines replaced, but considering that there are 26,000 members on this board, that is a small percentage, and most turned out to be automatics. After much debate, most came to the conclusion that since the auto's only have 1 oil cooler, the oil was heating up and breaking down faster then mazda anticipated and would clogged the engine. All were 04's models.

The original batteries on these cars were pretty weak, but there is a TSB out to replace them, as well as spark plugs and a new starter (which also helped with the flooding issues). Thats it for mechanical problems.

I have had an 04 for 20 months, and other then a dead battery, I have had 0 problems with this car. Not sure on long term reliability because they have only been out 2-3 years, but some here have already put 80K+ miles on their car and have had no issues.

I think the biggest issue that you will actually feel is the gas milage. Expect about 16 -18 mpg, and about 260 miles out of a tank. Some have gotten more, some less, but that seems to be average for city driving. Low 20's on highway.

If you are coming from a car with lots of torque you may be disappointed, as the power on this car doesn't really kick in until about 6K rpm's, up to 8.5K. It's not a drag car, but more then makes up for it from the handling and connection to the road feeling that it gives you.

Test drive one, If it's fast enough for you, I would say get one. I think most of the reliability comments have more to do because it's the same engine as the last rx7's, and they had lots of engine overheating problems ( due to twin turbo's).

Good luck

Where are you getting your information? What do you mean by unreliable? Specifics help.

its a rotary, but its not the same engine as was in the FD. there are several design differences, one of the more significant changes being moving the intake/exhaust ports to the side housings.

23K on a daily driver in Dc which gets super hot and pretty cold with avg winters.
(im an 04 as well, 6speed)
no major issues. 2 rattles, but a quick peek at the DUI section and a can of wd40 got rid of em.

Complaints due to a young adults buying the car and expecting it to be fast with good gas milage.

My only complaint is I hate where they put the cup holders. I can live with that. I don't use them much anyway. I only have a little over 700 miles on my car right now but I think it's great. I haven't had any rattles except driving on I-5 in parts of Washington. What is up with that road?? It's worse than a washboard! I swear it felt like Bella had square wheels on and there were chunks of the highway broken out!!!! Great job DOT. :rolleyes:

no problems with my car either. even the auto i had had no problems. I believe the problems on our cars are overrated. Every forum i've been on has people talking about the rx8 being a b*tch at maintenance and problems, but most of the time, that really isn't the case.

however, if you commute 5 miles each time, be prepared for some damaging mileage.

just use the rear cup holders. the front ones are worthless for holding drinks, because they just get in the way.

Didn't you know these were cup warmers? :) They should change the brochure advertising cup warmers instead of cup holders... :) :)

I LOVE the car but it definitely has pros and cons and at $3.87/gallon and ~16 MPG, this definitely creates a PROBLEM!

On the other hand... you just feel special driving this car.. especially at the track!

Carlos

You do that too?

well, then my cup warmers are broken, because they dont' get that warm (yes, i'm talking about the front ones). my trunk on the other hand...

The cars are reliable, but thanks to the FD whenever someone here's the term rotary they immediately think about unreliable engines, detonation and 80k rebuilds. Frankly that's not the case.

Aside from the occasional rattle my rx8 has been flawless. A/c problems, and some other first year stuff was fixed and my local dealership (oak tree mazda in san jose, ca) have been a pleasure to deal with. Highly recommend them.

Mine's an '05 daily driver and I've had zero problems. First car I've ever bought that I didn't have to take back to the dealer for SOMETHING. No brake squeaks, no rattles, no floods, worst mileage ever was 16.84 (don't get a chance to drag race much), best mileage was 21.89. My drive is 70/30 highway/city. Engine starts no problem. AC works fine. One of the secretaries in our office had an RX-7 with 225,000 original miles on it until it was totaled in an accident.

With any consumer product those people that feel like they have been "bit in the butt" can make a lot of noise, especially on the internet. By contrast, there are probably plenty of RX owners out there who are happy and never posted a word on the net regarding the purchase. RX-8 has recieved great reliability ratings from the auto press including consumer reports. Since you are here at RX8club.com you know what you will need to do for your RX: check the oil, warm it up, and have fun! Really, the couple of quirks are easy to get used to.

I don't think the car has had any more problems than other cars. With that being said, I am VERY satisfied with my 8, and I have taken it on long road trips several times. I've owned since Sept 03 and have had my tranny rebuilt once and a couple of other minor problems.

ALthough, If you have a 5 minute commute it may not be the best car for you as the car is hardly warmed up before you get there. I usually ride my bicycle to work and have just gotten a motorcycle as it's getting hot.

If you love the RX-8, there are no serious reliability issues to hold you back. Just make sure you get a good deal when you buy.

Thanks for all the replys you guys have been awesome, with so much info.

Great car..Get it! :rock:

38000 miles, 04 6 MT daily driver, NO problems ever. 20+ mpg