Engine dying pretty sure... :(
 

Just started yesterday, the car makes the raspy rattling sound under load above 3-4k rpm and loss of power. The sound matches an mp3 posted on another thread about this too. From my research here on the forum and talking to the dealer & BHR, sounds like it is highly likely low compression, aka engine blown, bad seals. 66k miles :( I was really hoping the renesis was going to have better longevity than the rx7 engines, but it doesn't appear so; lots of other people have had engines replaced. Also it seems Mazda has timed the 8yr/100k warranty well, mine expired recently. Gah!

So now, spend the $6k or whatever to have the dealer put in a new engine, spend $3-4k on an and engine and do it myself, risking screwing something up, or just throw in the towel and get a new mazdaspeed3? Decisions.....

i fell your pain.... 04 35K on the clock and my 8 has lost compression... sad... i really expected more... ( out of warranty too ) ..

Seems time for a 3-4 rotor engine upgrade.

Oh man, sorry to hear that. :(

CHARLES !!! come back to MI ..... We all rx8's owners need your shop here !!

damn, shitty thing to happen to one of our best ... I suspect Goodbox sales won't quite offset the costs of a new engine :(

I'm at 55k and about to upgrade injectors and nudge up my boost. I sure hope I get at least 10,000 miles out of it.

Early (04\05) engines tend to fail sooner because of a series of reasons (Early flashes with poor OMP rates etc mostly). Newer engines aren't bulletproof either and a remanufactured through mazda isn't worth the money if you have to pay for it.
The point is... our engine can be built to be reliable with a little monetary effort on top of the rebuild cost. Since you have BHR that close to you just leave the car there and go back after a while to pick it up with a huge smile.