Omicron

I've subscribed and read CR for years, and one thing is clear: When it comes to cars, if it's not economical and slow, they don't like it very much - and they take every opportunity they can to criticize it.

army_rx8

ahh 6 pages of reading and when i finaly got to the end i totaly forgot what i was going to post...probable something or other about my rx-8 and her problems......oh well she didn't make herself so why blame her for her lill' shortcomings :p

army_rx8

ah yes now i remember. I've had my rx-8 in the shop for a total of about 14 days in 14 months of ownership (build date 6/03) she has a nice 28k of mostly city milage (80%). only one lill probablem that i can not atribute to a crappy dealership in ga...and that is one of my suspension bushings is going bad (sqeeks dependent on outside temp)...everythign else is b/c the dealership screwed me...but oh well...i love having my whole evap system replaced...grrr dang shady dealership. But now that i'm back in the main stream...she is happy again...and if she is happy i'm happy

Jarred

whoa, I just read on consumer reports .org that the predicted reliability on the rx-8 was good or excellent all across the board. But then they gave it an "X" for total, which...I don't quite understand. I read their description, but they compare it to older models, ....which, they don't have anything with the 8 to compare it to. Does this make sense ?

Jud

I think the real answer to all this is how many buy backs there were from the horsepower fiasco and how many of those people filled out the reliability survey. I think alot of people are confusing the ideas of RX-8 enthusiast and car owner. There are many people who bought those first RX-8s and decided to keep them after the horsepower number decreased. I bet there were just as many who took the buyback option. If you bought a car, then gave it back because of some error in advertising, I think that's just the type of person that would also give the car a bad rating in reliability.

Jud

red22

if you like your 8 cool. why do eveyone cares what other people think about there 8, hell there are alot of f**K**g haters out there..

red22

ahahahhahahhahahhahah

red22

take care of your car period.....for no car last for ever. come people you guys acy like your going to have this car for more than 7 years damn new cars come out every year........

beachdog

I believe that the "x" designates that they didn't have enough surveys for a statistically valid result. The normal designations would be a full color circle to a full black circle if they were presenting the prediction.

Spin9k

Fortunately didn't happen that way...far from it - most likely thought: "Happy day, Mazda shoots itself in the foot and gives me buck$ and free maintenance on an unknow reliabilty new car that I love regardless. They did the work if it breaks! Happy day & Thank you Mazda!!"

I've heard different numbers but I think it was in the 10's anyway that took the buyback - compared to how many 8 sold?? Quite a lot by that time - in the 1000s at least.

Kurt Bob

What language is that? Translation?

grnrx_8

I've had mine for a year this month, I drive it every day, has just over 10K miles on it... mix of city and highway driving, including one road trip from Reno to the bay area... have never had any issues with it, always as solid as the day I bought it. Just regular maintainence, oil changes etc...

Genom

Just passed 30K miles, 15 months ownership, it has been autocrossed, raced on high speed courses, and is used for anything and everything I need a car to do. I dont baby it, I just take basic care of it. Runs just as good as the day I drove it off the lot. Like Omi said, to CR, anything that isnt an Accord will get less than stellar grades.

Also, to point out the people complaining about problems, remember that your average person will log on to look for help if they have a problem, but few (comparatively speaking) will log on to say how great the car is if they dont have problems. I know it's been said before, but I had to laugh at reading how the car was doomed. Thats what I read last year when it came out and had lower power. And then when the mileage wasnt stacking up to claims, etc. Anytime something negative surfaces, there's always a doom and gloom type or 2.

bigblockbeater

that's true. like the old saying goes, you know you're doing a good job if noone complains. for all the complaining there must be God knows how many satisfied owners. i must admit i do have my complaints about the car, but none of them have to to with why i bought it. you can't beat a wankle! overall the car is great. she handles like a dream. way better then the isuzu trooper i traded for it lol (although i do miss off roading).

quack_p

This is really not the case. If you've read through this entire thread, you know that CR gave the RX-8 a highly favorable review and that the reliability ratings are not "from" CR but from a survey of its subscribers.

Genom

No. You need to read CR and see how they do rate cars. They do not rate it as a sports car. They rate it's overall value as a commuter car. Thats how they have for a while. Because of this, a reliable car with a long track record and good gas mileage will ALWAYS get higher ratings than a 1 year old model with so-so gas economy. At least thats what it has always lookied like to me. Admitidely I have only read CR for about 2 years though so it might have been different before.

knowledge1213

that's BS consumer reports is a excellent organization. they rate it as a sports car.........i even have the issue with the review in it........as far as it being reliable.......i agree this car is not reliable to my standards........and i can't wait to get rid of it..........this is the least reliable car i have ever own..........my infiniti and acura are in the garage with it......have been in the dealer less time and they are only 3 and 4 yrs old........

Spin9k

Don't wait, just sell it! Use Ebay or your local classified... then go get whatever pleases you.

Hate to see a good car in unloving hands, please sell it to someone who appreciates it. Thanks and enjoy your new reliable ride.

knowledge1213

Hell no mazda is getting off that easy they are going to buy this crap back from me..........I am not going to sell and lose money on a poor quality of car. Car has been in the shop 20-25 times has only 6k miles on it.........and they can't fix it..........and dont worry I will never buy mazda again ........so i want have to worry about if it's reliable or not........(by the way...sitting at the dealer as we speak) change the damn cat......drove off........and something grounded and burned..smoked up the entire interior of the car.......30k piece of junk........once again mazda blew it........on the rotary........

Shamblerock

Knowledge, who should one beleive? Car and driver and about another 1/2 dozen organizations that rate cars only for a living or Consumer Report who rate televisons, stoves, telephones, TV's, Cars and baby chairs? Hmmm, I wonder? I say give more weight to the experts/specialists because they really know and don't base their opinions and judgements on what other people say, especially those that hear a funny sound and run to the dealer reporting a problem whern in fact there is no problem or a quick fix. Maybe you got a lemon, I don't know.

I have had mine for 6 months and no problems whatsoever and I beat the car like a dirty rug every single day. This car is a blast to drive. I have read that the car had many bugs in the 2003 year production. This is a given just like any othewr first year car. But there were adjustments and quick fixes. If you keep breaking the same thing(s) over again, then I agree with you whole heartedly. But if you fix a problem once and it goes away, that's a great sign.

Don';t be rash, step back, take a deep breath and take another look at the whole package and revise your issues. If you still think you are going to get a car that gives so much for so little, then make your move.

If you owned sports cars before as I did, you must know that the 8 is exceptional and a higher level of patience comes rather easily. But if you don't like it, then certainly trade it in. Whatever you do, don't buy an infinity G35 Coupe or 350 Z as I am readiing more and more that these cars have some major problems especially in the transmission and steering/alignment departments. See road and track or Motor trend long term tests as an example.

Shamblerock

Knowledge, 20-25 times is excessive. I think you may have a dealer issue. Raise it with Mazda Head office. I heard that they have given people like you with a history of problems either a new 8 or your money back. DON'T TAKE THE LOSS ON TRADE IN. Fifght hard for a 2-3 weeks with Mazda and as a last resort, trade it in.

knowledge1213

thank u guys for the love.........i agree the rx-8 is fun to drive........handles like any german car i have driven.........great balance....great daily driver....if i had to drive it everyday, but these quality issues are driving me up the wall.........i know some people have had perfect performance from their cars.......i and others are not the lucky ones........i would be amendable to accepting a new rx-8, but i really just would like my money back........and just not deal with mazda again. i am not even sure if the techs are really trained to fix these cars.........i like the g35 .....no 350z because of the 2 seats........and yes the 03-04 350z has alignment problems.......not sure if they solved it. have not researched in a while;however, did not notice any for the g35.......transmissions are a nissan/infiniti weak point. has been for years.........i am disappointed greatly in my car

quack_p

From the CR website:

What to look for in a sporty car or coupe

Sporty cars are available in an array of models, ranging from two-seat roadsters to small sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. There is also a variety of coupes on the market, ranging from the small Saturn Ion to the luxurious BMW G45Ci. While two-door coupes are designed to be sporty looking, not all are fun to drive.

Why buy a sporty car? A sporty car has little to do with practicality and everything to do with driving fun. While most models have relatively little cargo space, some sedan and hatchback models have ample trunk or rear cargo space for many people.

Engines and transmissions. Your engine choices in this category range from four-cylinder engines to powerful V8s. Six-cylinder engines typically provide the best balance of power and fuel economy. Four-cylinder engines usually get better fuel economy, but they lack the power or refinement of larger engines. Similarly, V8s provide more power than six-cylinders, but at a sacrifice in gas mileage. Turbocharged and supercharged versions of these engines pay an additional fuel-economy penalty for the extra power that they provide. Many cars in this segment require more expensive premium fuel. Virtually all sporty cars are available with an automatic transmission. Five- or six-speed manual transmissions are also typically available for sporty models. Manuals usually provide better fuel economy than automatics, and many drivers find them more fun to drive because of the extra shift control they provide. Many automatics now provide a manual-shift mode that works similar to a manual transmission, but without a clutch.

Front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive? Although many models come with front-wheel drive, most of the sportiest models use rear-wheel drive because it typically provides better handling and steering. Front-wheel drive, on the other hand, provides better traction than rear-wheel drive in slippery conditions. Some models are available with all-wheel drive (AWD), which provides significantly better traction in slippery conditions than either two-wheel-drive system. Traction control, available on many two-wheel-drive models, also helps provide extra traction in slippery conditions, but it isn’t as effective as all-wheel drive. For more information about drive systems, see our traction-debate report.

Fuel economy. See our fuel-efficient cars report to check how models compare within their categories.

Convertible tops. Convertible models with a softtop are less secure from theft and less insulated from road and wind noise and outside temperatures. Higher-priced models have layered headliners, which add insulation. Some also offer removable hardtops. These reduce the compromises of a softtop, but they can be heavy and cumbersome to get on and off and require a storage space when not in use. Some luxury convertibles have a power-operated hard top that retracts like a soft-top. This provides the best of both worlds, but they are relatively pricey and tend to take up more space when folded than a softtop would.

Access. Many sporty cars sit very low and have little headroom and small doors, which can make entry and exit awkward. Some coupes have wider doors and more headroom. Sedans and four-door hatchbacks typically provide easier access than low-slung two-door models. The Mazda RX-8 coupe has two small rear-hinged rear doors.

Seating. Depending on the model, a sporty car can have anywhere from two to five seating positions. Even with a five-seat design, the middle rear position is often tight and uncomfortable for adults. Sit in each seat to gauge its comfort. Look for a center rear seat with a three-point safety belt rather than a lap belt. Some coupes employ a seating arrangement called 2+2, which provides so little room in the back that it could even be uncomfortable for small children.

Cargo space. If cargo space is even moderately high on your list of priorities, then this may be the wrong type of vehicle to be looking at. Only a few models provide decent trunk or cargo space. If you have any large items like golf clubs or luggage that you’ll often need to carry, you may want to bring them with you when you shop.

Towing. As a group, sporty cars and coupes are not intended for towing. There are only a few cars in this class that offer towing capabilities, and their maximum tow ratings are about 1,000 pounds.

Safety features. All new vehicles have standard dual front air bags, three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions, and top-tether and LATCH child-seat attachments in the rear seats. Some models offer side air bags. Head-protection side bags, which protect passengers in a side impact, are often available on nonconvertible models. Antilock brakes are standard or optional on most models. Other safety features to look for include stability control, traction control, tire-pressure monitors, safety-belt pretensioners, occupant-sensing air-bag systems, and daytime running lights. If you're considering a two-seater, make sure it has a switch to disable the passenger air bag so you can take a child with you.

quack_p

Might as well end all the speculation about what CR said or didn't say. Here it is:

Highs: Smooth-revving engine, handling, ride, shifter, braking, four-passenger capacity.
Lows: Fuel economy, reliability

The RX-8 is a fun-to-drive sport coupe with a practical twist: two small rear-hinged back doors. It has excellent road manners, delivering both agile handling and a very comfortable ride for a sports car. The transmission glides from gear to gear, and the engine revs with equal smoothness, although fuel economy is unimpressive.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The RX-8 provides good isolation from bumps and impacts, and the highway ride is almost sedanlike. Wind and road noise are tolerable for a sports car. Despite its softer suspension, the RX-8 feels sure-footed, agile, and lithe, even in bumpy corners. The steering is quick and communicative, and it responds quickly to changes of direction. The car was stable and balanced at its limits on both our handling course and through our avoidance maneuver. A smooth-revving 238-hp, 1.3-liter rotary engine provides lively acceleration, but the car is not as quick as some competitors, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, or Nissan 350Z. The six-speed transmission shifts precisely. Expect only 18 mpg overall. Braking performance is excellent.

INSIDE THE CABIN

The interior of the RX-8 features high-quality materials and excellent attention to detail. Surfaces are soft and textured, with lids and covers that operate smoothly. The triangular shape of the engine's rotor is echoed throughout the interior styling. The low dash makes visibility from the low seats quite good. Controls are well-placed, and head room is sufficient for six-footers. The leather front seats are very comfortable and supportive. The rear seat is fine for kids. Adults won't find it roomy but should be comfortable enough for a short trip. Even with the rear-hinged doors, getting in and out of the low-slung RX-8 requires ducking. The major controls and displays are well-illuminated and easy to read. The digital speedometer is prominent, but an analog one would be more intuitive. Minor gripes include the similarity between the audio system's tuning and volume/power ***** and the locations of the center console's seat-heater controls, which can be accidentally activated with your arm. The RX-8 has a variety of storage spaces, pockets, and cubbies. The center console has two sturdy, recessed cup holders in front, and there are two more in the rear. While the rear seats don't fold, there is a lockable pass-through for long items.

SAFETY NOTES

Side-impact air bags and curtain-style head-protection air bags that extend to protect both front and rear passengers are standard on the RX-8 and supplement front air bags. The front safety belts are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters for reducing belt slack and forces in a crash. Sensors that detect the position of the driver's seat and if front belts are buckled help determine the level of deployment of the front air bags. Intrusion-minimizing pedals are also designed to collapse in case of a collision to help reduce leg injuries. Rear passengers also have three-point belts, but some may find the shoulder portion tugs a bit heavily on their shoulders. Integral head restraints on both the front and rear seatbacks are tall enough to adequately protect against whiplash. Driving with kids: Though front-facing seats should prove secure in the RX-8, rear-facing infant seats with wider bases may be hard to secure in the deeply contoured and narrower rear seats. Rear-facing infant seats with narrow bases will fit better. There are two tether strap anchors on the rear parcel shelf and LATCH anchors in both rear seats. Though slots in the cushion are intended to help access the LATCH anchors, they are still deeply recessed making attaching and detaching LATCH straps difficult.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be worse than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

quack_p

Here by way of comparison is what CR said about the 350Z:

Highs: Acceleration, braking, handling, fuel economy.
Lows: Ride, noise, visibility, no cutoff switch for passenger air bag.

The 350Z is a two-seater coupe that carries on the tradition of the Datsun/Nissan Z cars of the past. Its strong, punchy engine provides smooth, quick acceleration, and it even has commendable fuel economy for a sports car. Handling is good but lacks the agility and finesse of, say, the Mazda RX-8--one of the Z's logical competitors. The 350Z also has a stiff, harsh ride and poor visibility. Typical of two-seaters, the car has minimal cargo space.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

On bumpy roads, the 350Z emits a constant barrage of harsh kicks and snappy, short body motions. Even on a smooth highway, it remains nervous and jittery. Tire and road noise are noticeable, and the engine is loud but not objectionable under full throttle. The 350Z corners with little body lean, but it isn't as responsive as the best cars in this class. Steering is fairly quick but lacks road feel. At our track, the 350Z felt less agile than its competitors, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Mazda RX-8, or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. But the Z was ultimately secure, and it posted a fast speed through our avoidance maneuver. The 287-hp, 3.5-liter V6 delivers plenty of performance and is very responsive throughout its rpm range. The crisp-shifting six-speed transmission is well matched to the engine. The 350Z managed a respectable 22 mpg in mixed driving. Braking performance is outstanding.

INSIDE THE CABIN

The interior finish is disappointing, with expanses of plain plastic. The gauge cluster and control stalks feel flimsy. Only the leather seats look fairly well done. The low seating position compromises the view out. Head room is good, but rear visibility is particularly poor, with large blind spots. Shorter drivers found it difficult to reach the pedals. The comfortable front seats are firm and supportive. Getting in and out of this low-slung coupe is somewhat difficult because of the sloping roof and wide doorsills. We found the vertical exterior door handles awkward to use. Gauges are illuminated and easy to read. The gauge pod moves up and down when you adjust the steering wheel. Not all controls are lit at night, including the cruise and power-mirror controls. The driver's seat controls are awkward. The 350Z lacks a traditional glove box, but storage compartments sit behind the seats. A lined center cubby houses two sturdy cup holders, and a flimsier cup holder retracts from the dash. The rear cargo area is quite small, even for a two-door coupe.

SAFETY NOTES

Side-impact and head-protection air bags are a part of an extra-cost option package for the 350Z. Side-impact air bags are also available in the roadster. The air bags supplement required front air bags and three-point safety belts. The belts are anchored from the B-pillar and do not adjust, but are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters to reduce belt slack and forces in case of a crash. Sensors in the belt buckles also sense when the belts are fastened, which, along with crash severity, help determine how the front air bags deploy. Unfortunately, there is no manual cut-off to disable the front air bags for the safe transport of children. There are adjustable, locking head restraints on both seats, which are tall enough even when down to reduce rearward head travel and the likelihood of whiplash. Driving with kids: Though completely impractical and somewhat in disregard of the potential risk to child passengers, the owner's manual indicates that children under age 12 should not be transported in the 350Z as it is not equipped with a front air bag cut-off switch. One can be installed, but only by following an application from, and getting approval of, the government. Ironically, there is an anchor for attaching a tether strap on the cargo area floor, but no LATCH anchors.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be average, according to our latest subscriber survey.