Getting ready to buy an 8 but I haven't read anything about engine break in periods. Should I be concerned if the car I'm buying has 500 miles from test drives on it?

 

I'd say it depends on how long you plan on keeping the thing. If you want it for the long haul (lets say past the warranty period), then you'd probably want to ensure that the engine was broken in properly to hopefully avoid wear problems later in life. If you only plan on keeping the beast for 3 or 4 years then I wouldn't worry about it, and even use the fact that it might have 500 miles on it to get a bit of a discount. Just my 2 cents.

 

Here here

 

Then you haven't read the owners manual, and you haven't checked racing beat's website.

I suggest getting the car, reading the factory break in stuff, then checking out racing beat's guide.

500 miles... most test drivers won't rag it out, but some may. I wouldn't worry too much. Just baby it once you get it... stick to the suggest break in. Rotary engines are pretty durable since they don't defy natural tendencies (assuming you don't over boost them or have bad seals, which the RX-8 should have neither from the factory).