I'm starting to live my user name. I bought a 2004 Sport with a 6 speed with 66,000 miles a couple of months ago. I have spent most of those two months in a rental and the Eight has been in the shop. Here is the list of things that have gone wrong (so far).

• 02 Sensor
• Air bag ***'y (not wrecked)
• Front and Rear wheel bearings
• Battery
• Alternator
• Glove box ***'y
• Radiator fluid reservoir + sensor

This not including the things I want/need to do like new, ignition stuff like coils and spark plugs. I would like to replace the head lamps at some point since they are really messed up, even after trying to restore them many times. That was my doing though.

It could be a lot worse, with all the engine failures I have read about. At least the compression is good on the engine and runs well. I just wish it would settle down so I can drive the car and enjoy it. I really want to play at the Auto-X and take her up to the The Dragon. It's still one of the best handling cars I have ever owned and excited about owning the RX-8.

Anyways my eight costs money!

 

It suck but most of that stuff is 66000 mile stuff no matter which car you own...

Good news is the engine sounds like it's in good shape so you're ahead of the game.

Got my first cel this morning. This will be my first repair on an 04 with 32k I bought around 16 months ago. Hoping it's just an 02, guess we'll see. Car is running fine minus the annoying yellow engine light.

 

That was my first fix. I hope that is all it is the sensor not the cat. Good luck!

 

I feel ya pain.
Mine had a laundry list when I got it.
It took about 2k and a lot of reading, but now my car runs great.
The only things left on my list now are, replacing the over flow bottle and some new shocks.

 

Your right, 8 cost $$$...lol

 

Wait...

You had another thread about the battery light coming on, so you replaced the battery, but that didn't fix the issue.

Also, didn't the airbag assembly not fix your rattle?

Isn't it kind of unfair to pin those on the car?

 

I'm not trying to blame the car. This stuff just happens and I'm still driving a rental. The Eight is still in the shop and costing me money. I was just trying to point out the irony of my user name and the frustration of not being able to drive my car. I hope this thread does not discourage anyone from buying or owning a RX-8. The previous owner clearly did not take care of it and the engine is running strong.

 

But... At least a couple of the things you listed, didn't actually go wrong.

 

The air bag assembly was broken and the alternator did eventually kill the battery. I went to go by and get something out of the car and noticed there was condensation in the tail lamps.

 

I finally got the car back and it is running great. I was able to get her out and play this weekend. Man, it is good to have my Eight back!

 

lucky you, Mine is still at the dealer getting a new MOTOR put in. Ide rather have fishbowl taillights..

 

I hear that. What year and miles is your eight?

 

So I took the car into Mazda, with my CEL, to have the 30,000 mile maintenance done and to check the CEL and also a rattle I was hearing hitting certain bumps. Since they were doing the plugs anyway, had them put new coils on too (didn't change the plug wires).

Turns out the CEL was my gas cap. Cool.

They also checked out the rattle. Sounded like it was coming from the driver's side rear, and only on certain types of bumps. Searched the forum and was convinced it was a loose brake slider. Wrong...

It was the front license plate rattling around (which is stored in my trunk) tapping the mounting screws which are all stored in a little plastic bag. Nice. I cannot believe that I could hear a license plate rattling in my trunk from outside the car with both windows down. It's the only thing in my trunk with the exception of that glorious tire repait kit Mazda was so kind to provide me Very funny.

Total cost $595.00. At least I've got new coils and plugs. She did run like a beast this morning.

 

I really need to do the plugs and coils. However, I'm tapped out right now.

 

I did the plugs, wires, and coils ($600) and now have another issue. Dealer wants to replace the Lower Intake Manifold. I’m getting some cels that suggest that is the issue. I hope the warranty covers it. If not I’m going to sell this sucker. I can’t afford the $2700 price tag for the repair and it's starting to get ridiculous. I will shop that around though.

 

It sounds like you are at the dealers mercy. I can't really see why they would need to replace your LIM but the engine does have to be dropped to replace it (according to the FSM anyway). What warranty do you have? If you are talking about the engine warranty it will not cover the LIM, it only covers the engine core.

 

I have an extended warranty through the bank when I bought the car. They have been really good at covering stuff so I might be off the hook. From what I'm reading it sounds like stuck SSV but I'm not sure what that means and why they need to replace the whole LIM.

 

Search for the SSV cleaning. It's nothing major. The replacement part is expensive new but it rarely fails, it is usually just stuck and needs cleaning. There is a new one for sale here in the FS section.