A ford focus is NOT an RX-8.

That's what I've learned. I took my car into the dealership today to have the clutch and transmission looked at because my clutch pressure was changing (soft to hard to soft) and worse, the friction point was changing. So I took it into the dealership and they gave me a free budget rental car.
So until they're done, I'm driving a ford focus SE and honestly, this is the most uncomfortable car I've ever driven. I adjusted the seat so I could comfortably reach the pedals(I'm 6'2" so I was all the way back), but then I could no longer comfortably reach the steering wheel.

So I adjusted the seat so I would be comfortable with the wheel and then I was no longer comfortable with the pedals! BLAH!

I want my car back!

Ajax

 

I've learned that sometimes THERE IS a replacement for displacement!

 

I hate the turn signal in the Focus..its the most anoying sound POKY POKYY POKY..horrible..

 

lol, yes.. it is.. i cant stand it! I hate everything about this car though.

 

Dunno what it is, but Mazda really does a LOT of work on the ergonomics of the driver's seating position - same thing with the RX-7. The car feels like it fits YOU, not you trying to accomodate the car. The steering wheel is in the right place, there's a nice spot to rest your knee when you're not on the clutch, the pedals are just right....

My wife and I got a '92 Lexus SC300 in November to replace my '86 RX-7 daily driver. The car ran great (I rebuilt the engine in it and did a lot of work to it) but it just wasn't a nice car any more - the exterior was ratty, the AC typically didn't work, etc. The Lexus is a helluva nice car, but I just can't get nice and comfortable like I can in an RX-7, or an RX-8. Again, it feels like I'm trying to make myself fit to the car. Hell, the Lexus has tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel AND 8-way power seat, and I'm still not "just right" in it. Hop in the convertible RX-7, everything is just right with no messing around - shove the seat back, get in, and I'm good to go.

Not to mention I'm 6'6" - you'd think the big Lexus would fit me better.

Anyhow, big kudos to Mazda for designing cars around people.

Dale

 

definitely!!!!

 

i got a focus too when i took my aunts 8 in to get a new oil seal. i beat the **** out of that car. 5k rpm neutral drops are really fun with crappy tires.

 

I learnt that my rx-8 eats more oil then gas wich I thought was not possible.....I have 3900 klm and I used 3 litre of oil!!!!! the dealers told me this was normal....any on have this problem

 

i was down 1 quart after 1300 miles

 

I put a quart in at 2000. I'll put another in at 3500. It seems that about 1500-2000 miles is about right for 1 quart.

 

dont even talk about i t

 

There's no standard to that. No oil needed for the first 2000km in my car. But then I started redlining it...

In the next 700km half a litre was gone Then I started driving it even harder......

Now, after 500km I'll have to add again...

 

and the dipstick is hard to get

 

This is the second thread I've visited tonight where you've been complaining about the oil consumption. Is this some kind of flood, or maybe a troll? Yes the engine burns oil by design. If you didn't know that when you bought the car, well, you should have. Just check it every couple of fill-ups like Mazda suggests and fill it up when it gets low. No big deal.

 

I'm sure there is no standard to it and it definitely is dependent on how the car is driven.

I really don't mind adding oil to my car, but 500km is 310 miles which is like every tank of gas. If you're burning up that much oil, you might want to have your car looked at, unless yer drivin it really hard, so I hope that's not the case.

I keep 2 quarts of oil in my pass thru just in case.

 

its weird i never go through oil. i check it all the time.

 

well considering i only have 3000 miles on my car, i've only checked the oil twice. Lol. The first time I checked it just so I would know where dipstick was and the second time at 2000 miles i added oil.

It really is easier to get the dipstick out if you take off the engine cover but it can be done w/o doing so. All mazda really needs to do to fix the dipstick issue in this car would be to make the damn thing longer.

 

Actually that was my impression too. But I drove it really hard :D I'll keep an eye on the oil and if its still like this i'll have it checked.

But how many litres is one 'quart'? I keep 1 litre of oil in my trunk, in my custom-made bottle

 

they're almost 1 to 1. 1 Liter is 1.05 quarts.

 

mine was burning alot of oil when i first got it. I took it in for my 5000 oil change service and got the M flash while i was there a few weeks ago, and have noticed the oil consumption has dropped. not sure if it is related.

 

I'm new to both rotary engines and to the Rx-8. Should I be carrying oil? What grade oil should I use. Does it use a different oil port that the standard piston engine?

 

Yes, the Rotary does burn oil by design. A small amount of oil is injected onto the apex seals. The manual suggests checking the oil every second fuel fill. The actual amount of oil used appears to vary a bit depending on the age of the engine and driving style. You should use 5W20. Lots of info on the Renesis and oil use on this forum, just use the Search button.

 

Oh, and I've also learned RX8 owners like to bitch a lot about stupid stuff.

 

We had a saying years ago.......
A bitching sailor is a happy sailor.

Must be the same for RX8 owners.

 

LOL! No doubt. Lots of bitchy sailors around here :p