Hi Guys,

I'm new here today.
Having admired the RX-8 since it was first born (which I could not afford) I have now purchased a used one of 2.5yrs old - I was so delighted and proud to take owership & show off my new boy!!
I have had my stunning 'Sexy Rexy' for 2wks now ... however at the weekend the clutch 'burnt' out and my babe was towed away...
Mazda tell me I was 'riding' the clutch and because of the 'rotary' engine I caused this problem myself. Which I dispute. However, they have been very good to me and have repaired my 'Sexy Rexy' as a good will gesture FOC. I have just got him back today and I'm now extremely cautious to even 'rev' him anymore and feel unsure if I should keep him in case it happens again.
Has this happened to anyone else? I'm worried that I have a 'dud' one!

Many thanks

 

That sucks. Out of curiousity, how many miles are on your car? Was the clutch just slipping? Or was it shuddering?

I haven't had any problems with mine after almost 3.5 years (about 32K mi), but I'm also easy on the clutch for the most part.

Good luck.

 

There is a slight shudder when changing gear. It had 47K on a 53 plate when I got it.
Cos I'm a girlie - 'men' at Mazda just assume I don't know how to drive a sports car! I've driven many brand new top of the range fleet cars and just feel that this is not living up to the execptation of it's reviews... which surprises me & disappoints me. Thats why I think I've bought a dud!
It's certainly not a smooth ride as I expected.

 

sorry to hear about the clutch. Did you see signs of it at all during the first 2 wks?

 

The shudder doesn't sound right. I have 52K on the original clutch and it is still strong. They should have replaced it under warranty for you so I'm glad they did that. Is the shudder when the clutch is engaging, disengaging, accelerating, shifting? Give us a little more description and hopefully we can help.

 

The bottom line is, if you are applying power with the clutch partially engaged, you are burning the disc. I have driven a manual since I was 16 y/o and have driven trucks, sports car, sedans, and now the 8. My experience, you should be able to fully engage (i.e., lift the pedal completely) by 2000 rpms or less on the 8 when starting in first gear. Any higher and you don't know what you're doing (or you're trying to race, in which case clutch life is clearly not a priority for you).

Also, implement rev-matching into your driving. If you don't know how, search and learn. You should do it all the time, it's no effort once you know how. Your clutch will thank you.

 

I don't see how they can blame you at all if you've only had it for 2 weeks....it takes a while to burn out a clutch

 

Thank you... & obviously I agree!! That's what I've bn trying to tell them!! 2 wks... even I couldn't kill a car that quickly! :-)

Anyway, think I'm gonna put it up for SALE as I'm very worried about the repair costs etc now, as the 'clutch' problem has really worried me. Real shame, cos I luv him!!

 

It could have been a bad clutch from the previous owner. Clutches are designed to wear out and to be serviced. It happens. Normal. Mileage may vary depending on driving style. I would not sell the car due to the clutch. On the contrary, I would be excited to have a new one installed. One less thing you have to worry about later on!

 

Be careful how you use the word smooth. It still has a sport tuned suspension, so its going to be bumpy (but not as bumpy as a Z, am I right? or am I right? ohhhhhhhhh snap ). the smoothness is when you put your foot on the pedal (for some reason im not sure i spelled that right? petal? thats like a flower thing, right?). So yeah, thats an engine thing, not a luxury car thing. But it sounds like you already know that.

ahhh, i need sleep, and you need to whip your car around a few corners

 

Thanks for all your comments, you've all put my mind at rest... sadly, I feel it's the norm, if a woman buys a sports car some men / dealers think they don't know how to drive and think we only know how to wreck cars! They don't like us being better drivers!!!!
I had a good drive in him today and yes... whipped him round a few corners!! Think I will keep him, as I'd be gutted now to give him up

 

*chants* Lightweight flywheel

 

^^There's the silver lining. Definitely put in the flywheel when you get the clutch done. They'll have the whole transmission out and it will an extra hour or so for them to throw it in.