Today it looks like I won an auction featuring a dealer demo from a Mazda dealership with 17k on it, with no accident history. Wasn't expecting to finally be able to buy a RX-8 so early, since this was so sudden and unexpected, but the price was right. Has not hit me yet.

Thrilled to be here, and since I have not had the time to read up on everything on this car, please suggest anything related to new owners. I'll start lurking in the next while, but wanted to post here to say hi first.

 

hope you at least read up enough to know what you are buying.
everytime a noob starts a "can i haz torque or HP. why is mpg bad" thread,
God kills a kitten.

 

Welcome to the club, you will definatly love this car, keep the maintenance up to date and it shouldnt fail you, Ive had mine for 40 000km (25 000miles) and all is great, not a single problem so far, planing on doing the plugs this summer.

if go around the series 1 section (04-08) youll have ALOT of info on maintenance, tricks and tips to keep it in the best shape and stuff you wouldnt even know about your car, if you have specific question the Series 2 section (09-up) is right under and you will get specific awnsers for your model since theres some changes in the general layout, suspenssion and power train for the newer rx-8.

 

Well...Here are the basics (and I mean very basic) that every new owner should know:

1.) Check your oil level frequently...As in every other tank of gas...I usually check mine at every fill up just to be safe...And don't use 5w-20...That's just a mean thing to do to your car...It's only required for emission reasons.

2.) Do NOT shut your engine off cold...There is a possibility that you may flood it...Others may argue and say that isn't necessary (simply because they haven't flooded theirs yet)...Better to be safe than sorry.

3.) Stay on top of knowing the condition of your coils and plugs.

4.) You will hear many people say, "Drive it like you stole it"...Listen to them...You don't necessarily need to be speed racer...But keep those RPMs high, and redline once in a while...You aren't going to hurt the engine...It was meant to be driven hard.

My best advice is to read anything and everything you can find...Especially topics in the "Trouble Shooting" forum.

 

I've test driven them a couple times in the past, and have resolved my conflict with the HP. Sure, the mazdaspeed6 is a thrill, but not even that can outweigh the unique qualities and feel of the rx. I know what I'm getting into, i and I look forward to it. I just want to know everything possible about the car so I can treat it properly. Sadly, I have no personal friends that are mechanic junkies, so I'm a little on my own getting a car like this. I hope I can get most of what I need here.
I have known about 1) and 2) for a while, but 3) is where I'm already learning.

Can't wait for 4)

Thanks for the welcome!