Hello,
this is my first post here, so please bear with me. my name is Mike, i live in S.W. Indiana, and am seriously considering the purchase of an RX-8. however, it seems to me that this car is known for being unreliable, and has recurring problems year after year that Mazda hasnt been able to fix.

so, can some knowledgeable RX-8 person enlighten me here? the problems i am talking about are as follows:
1) Engine replacements
2) Flooding/Wont Start problems
3) High oil consumption
4) And a host of other problems that i have read many times, forcing owners to have their RX-8 towed.

i have read where some say a rotary engine will flood if not warm when shut off. i have read where a rotary engine consumes more oil, thats the nature of the engine, and thats a good sign. others have told me all of those comments are complete BS.

so, here i am, looking for some answers..............

Mike

 

I've never owned an RX-8, but I've owned RX-7's for 10+ years, and my step father had an 05 RX-8 for a while so I'll take my best shot:

1) Not sure, but I certainly wouldn't rate the engine as the most reliable engine on the planet. With proper care you should be able to get a decent life out of it though.

2) Flooding can suck, but the key is just not shutting the car off when the engine hasn't warmed up yet. Is it a pain? Yes. Is unmanageable? Nope, not at all.

3) Oil consumption isn't really a big concern. All engines will burn some oil. This will burn a little more since it injects it, but at worst case you're looking at 1 or 2 quarts between oil changes, and it typically isn't even that much. No need to buy crazy expensive oil, Mazda doesn't recommend the synthetic stuff anyway.

4) My step father had a few issues with his but nothing that left him stranded. A tire pressure sensor issue, as well some sort of engine sensor that just caused a check engine light. Admittedly he only had it for 1.5 years and only put about 10k miles on it. But overall I don't think it's a car that "just falls apart"... this isn't a VW.

 

hi

well i have been told to not switch off the car until it has time to warm up on cold days as it can flood the engine.

i have always let my 8 warm up if simply moving it out of the drive/garage or when washing. i even tell the mechanic or bodyshop ppl the same to be on the safe side. i was told by the salesman the fix had been done, but i won't tempt fate lol.

oil consumption is part of the way this engine works as it uses oil injected by the computer to the rotor apex seals to prevent them wearing out.

if you like cars then checking your dipstick every second fill up will not be a problem. all cars use a little oil, a rotary is designed that way.

i bought my 8 with 62000 miles on it and it uses very little oil, but always carry your litre oil container with you and keep the oil topped up you'll be ok.

rotary engines love to be revved, so rev them, don't baby them and rev to the redline at least once a day. this helps blow out carbon build up on the rotors and manifold, i find when i do red line the engine idles better, plus sounds great and is a blast.

have never had a problem yet besides the rear door rubber wearing the sill paint off causing some rust but the paint waranty covered that.

if you are gonna buy an rx8, just ensure there is a full service history and that the recalls were all done.

go buy one you know you want too....

 

Your comments aren't BS. They may be exaggerations perhaps. I would buy a new one if I were in the market now, although most after 06 have updates from the factory that will almost totally prevent flooding. The 09 could have even longer engine life than we presently see. I've heard of some Version1s (04-08)approaching 200k now. I don't think this is the norm and the verdict is still out for 'average' renesis engine life.

Paul.

 

depends on where u are, i'd try to buy from a forum member, since u'll know they take care of their car.

 

1) Mainly with Auto matics and in high climate states

2) Flooding has been fixed with a flash of the PCM

3) Oil consumption is normal it's not high. Get your head out of your ****

4) Really? You are too general.

5) Your lucky if ewven 5 % of the owners that have an RX 8 even post here. So this forum isn't a survey thats valid.

First thing people do when they have a problem is run to the internet to complain. So... what you read is from cry babies.

 

1. Engine replacement happens to EVERY CAR, in case u dunno there were TONS of Altima VQ25 engine has to be replaced by Nissan, and Honda has to replace some of the K20A, etc. Just because Rotary is *special* people pay more attention to it, but in a nut shell it happens to every lineup out there.

2. Almost 3 yrs of ownership(June) never flooded once, I dont even warm my car up, I pull it out of my garage and wash it then just put it back. Never flood. People who flooded their engine are usually : Weak battery, Old starter, Never change their plugs, Never update ECU.

3. High ? Its pretty normal to me, My brother's VQ35 eats more oil than my rotary. Go figure.

4. dude, u think Only Rx-8 needs a tow? go ahead and read other forums u will see tons of Civics, Accord, Camry, BMWs etc are being tow every freaking day.

 

the new $3,000 rebate from Mazda on the RX-8 has rekindled my interest in the RX-8. see the other thread regarding "$3,000 Rebate Vs. Reliability"

Mike

 

the oil consumption is due to the nature of a rotary engine, it mixes the oil with the fuel. its not a big problem you just have to moniter it more frequently than a piston engine. as far as the engine flooding, this is a huge pain. i only drive my 8 for pleasure , usually weekends. and i would say it floods about every month and a half. which means it has to get towed and then, because my manufacturers warranty is expired i have to pay for the fix. i've had mine for 3 years and enough is enough everytime i get to drive it i talk myself out of selling it but the flooding is a huge inconvenience.
i hope this helps in your decision

 

You must appreciate the Rotary Engine to appreciate the RX8. -Test drive one. It'll put a smile on your face.

 

Dear Poolshark

1. Engine replacements? My '04 MT has 90k uninterrupted miles of zoom zoom. The few (relative to total production) replaced engines were 2004-5 autos in extreemly hot climates. The original autos only had 1 oil cooler and, well, auto trans add heat.
2. I first flooded my '04 RX8 in well... '08 just a couple of months ago when my original battery bit the dust. Further investigation revealed a $26 coil had bit the dust. 1 normal 4 year battery and normal wear coil later, I'm back up and zooming along nicely.
3. Oil consumption? Well, it's designed to use some oil. Love it or leave it. It is not a problem. It's designed that way.
4. Host of other problems? not for my '04 MT with 90k miles. Sure I've worried about what i've read, but it hasn't happend to me. Bottom line: keep it clean, keep it maintained, and keep driving it like you stole it.

Zoom Zoom

 

How come mine never floods ? Is my Rx-8 having a problem ?

 

ours are defective.. still not one flood after 86k miles. old starter too.

beers

 

oh... then i'm psyched to have a normal one thats blocking my driveway now waiting for a tow to a dealershipthat'll charged my 100 bucks and send it back with no idea whats going on with it

 

Yah sucks to have a normal one doesn't it I know you know first hand....

 

Here's the problems I've had so far:

1.) Unsolicited attention- people are constantly slowing down/ speeding up on the highway to get a closer look then giving me the thumbs up or something.
2.) Difficulty going home- I often find myself seeking the long way or taking some needless side trip rather than just going where I must and parking the thing.
3.) Over revving- This Renesis engine seems determined to spin like a gas turbine. Don't the folks at Mazda know engines can't spin past 7,000 rpm? 9,000 rpms? What's next? Hyperspace?

Well there it is. It's a heavy burden. Not for the faint of heart but if your up to it this is what you can expect too.

 

As long as Mazda makes them I will by them.

 

Dear god, I just rolled on the floor with that one. Nice!

 

I'm relatively new to the 8 but I can tell you I have only had 2 problems ever and I have about 72000mi. I flooded it once, my own damn fault and I got a CEL for an EVAP Emissions leak. Yeah it does burn a small amount of oil between changes and the gas mileage pretty much sucks but over all the most fun I have had driving, ever, is in my 8

 

Hmm, let's see… you're read that "the car is known for being unreliable, and has recurring problems year after year that Mazda has been unable to fix," huh? I've seen these symptoms before, and I believe I can diagnose your problem:
you've been getting anecdotal RX-8 reliability info here on RX8Club.com (see: Internet facts; also "Bush attacked WTC," "Obama a Muslim") instead of from reputable, bona fide sources.

I suggest you check out the new Consumer Reports Annual Auto Buying Issue, where the RX-8 has been named to CR's list of Recommended Cars (which must be average or above in reliability). Also, do a search and check out the long-term road tests (40,000+ miles) in Car and Driver and Road & Track.

You're welcome.