Are you happy with your Rx8?

Whizbang · 01-27-2009, 10:15 PM

I am curious to see what Rx8 owners think. After tech school this summer, ill be in a position to be able to afford one, if i choose too. I love my rotaries and it would be nice to have a "newish" car for once.

Please share you experience and year rx8.

sumdeus · 01-27-2009, 10:59 PM

I love mine. Its a 2007 with 27xxx miles on it and have had no problems what-so-ever. It is a daily driver for me and it works great for that, but is still fun to go into the mountains on the twisties. Handling is quite possibly the car's greatest attribute.

Are you planning on buying new or used? If used, I would avoid 04 and 05 model years. Those are the years with significantly more engine and transmission issues.

Whitey · 01-28-2009, 09:34 AM

I absolutely love mine. It's an 06' model and as sumdeus mentioned, I would stay away from the 04 and 05 models because Mazda didn't quite get all the kinks worked out until 06 so a lot of your 04 and 05 owners either love their car and have worked through all the issues or they're so tired of it that they're ready to trade. (if they haven't already). There ARE some trouble-free early models out there......but I certainly wouldn't want to take a chance trying to find one.

***Herblenny*** · 01-28-2009, 10:04 AM

I have mix feelings about it.. I have the 04 GT Lightning Yellow.. Car has over 112K, reman has about 42K. But looks brand new!

I been averaging 12-14 mpg.. But everytime I get inside, I drive it like I stole it. Since gas is cheap these days, I drive it worse than before

For the price, I think its a great car!! Its somewhat practical in sense that it has room for 4 people.. and a boot that holds stuff.

I'm an FD owner and in someways, 8 drives better than my modified FD. Power is not comparable but handling is great! I recently swapped out my stock rims for my Forgelines again and its like driving on rails on the street. Tires are 245/40 and 275/35 and I been using that for track days.

When the car is working.. I'm fine and VERY happy. If MPG could be better, I'll be even more ecstatic. Only issues I been having are random engine light (came on again 2 days ago), flooding, MPG, etc etc.. And when the transmission gets hot (like on the track) I had problem shifting into 4th, 5th, and 6th. ONLY when it gets really hot. I've changed it to different fluid and it still did it... Only on track though..

But like whitey said, I've personally thought about selling it and getting something else.. But there are days when I look at it, I'm like, "Why?? It looks great and drives so well!!". And for 10-15K for one of the best handling car, I say its worth keeping. I'll probably keep it... even though I need more reliable car.. but so far only major issues I had was bad fuel pump. Which stranded me couple of times until replaced... This might not be related.. but pump went bad after I started using pre-mix. At this point, I don't bother with pre-mix.

SPICcnmFD · 01-28-2009, 10:55 AM

I've heard alot of the guys around here that track 8s say the premix messed up various parts of the fuel system, so they just quit using it.

afgmoto1978 · 01-28-2009, 11:34 AM

13B-REW swap. lol

***Herblenny*** · 01-28-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afgmoto1978

13B-REW swap. lol

I'm debating about that.. Just waiting for someone to complete one and let me take a ride in it

afgmoto1978 · 01-28-2009, 11:40 AM

I know Tony Angelo (pro drifter) and the boys at Gotham did it. Doesn't help you any though.

***Herblenny*** · 01-28-2009, 12:01 PM

I think its very doable.. I saw couple of people do it but they all do it bit different.

My concern is hooking all the junk and getting the traction and abs.. I just don't know much to know if I need to keep the stock ECU and still run PFC or not. Mounting the engine and such, I have an idea.. but I need to do some more research

So, are you going to make it to DGRR 09??

afgmoto1978 · 01-28-2009, 12:33 PM

I really want to, but it's looking like I won't be able to if I do all the Redline Time Attack races. Not enough vacation time for everything. I might be able to do it if I fly down there like I did last time and crashed at your place.

***Herblenny*** · 01-28-2009, 03:59 PM

You know you are welcome to!! All you have to do is pay for new tires for my FD

afgmoto1978 · 01-28-2009, 07:04 PM

LOL, what?!?!

Whizbang · 01-28-2009, 08:58 PM

i am contemplating an 09 R3 model come end of summer. I know the 09's 6 spd manual models have the 4.77 final gear (which is a nice touch). Plus i love the seats to death in the one i have sat in.

sumdeus · 01-28-2009, 09:20 PM

R3 seats are awesome. I test drove one and fell in love with those seats.

Whizbang · 01-28-2009, 09:21 PM

how was the actually driving experience.

View Poll Results: What do you think about your Rx8?
Yes, I love my car.	44	83.02%
No, I've thought about setting it on fire to collect insurance.	9	16.98%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

01-27-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 20	Are you happy with your Rx8? I am curious to see what Rx8 owners think. After tech school this summer, ill be in a position to be able to afford one, if i choose too. I love my rotaries and it would be nice to have a "newish" car for once. Please share you experience and year rx8. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

01-28-2009, 10:04 AM	#4
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	I have mix feelings about it.. I have the 04 GT Lightning Yellow.. Car has over 112K, reman has about 42K. But looks brand new! I been averaging 12-14 mpg.. But everytime I get inside, I drive it like I stole it. Since gas is cheap these days, I drive it worse than before For the price, I think its a great car!! Its somewhat practical in sense that it has room for 4 people.. and a boot that holds stuff. I'm an FD owner and in someways, 8 drives better than my modified FD. Power is not comparable but handling is great! I recently swapped out my stock rims for my Forgelines again and its like driving on rails on the street. Tires are 245/40 and 275/35 and I been using that for track days. When the car is working.. I'm fine and VERY happy. If MPG could be better, I'll be even more ecstatic. Only issues I been having are random engine light (came on again 2 days ago), flooding, MPG, etc etc.. And when the transmission gets hot (like on the track) I had problem shifting into 4th, 5th, and 6th. ONLY when it gets really hot. I've changed it to different fluid and it still did it... Only on track though.. But like whitey said, I've personally thought about selling it and getting something else.. But there are days when I look at it, I'm like, "Why?? It looks great and drives so well!!". And for 10-15K for one of the best handling car, I say its worth keeping. I'll probably keep it... even though I need more reliable car.. but so far only major issues I had was bad fuel pump. Which stranded me couple of times until replaced... This might not be related.. but pump went bad after I started using pre-mix. At this point, I don't bother with pre-mix. __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

01-28-2009, 10:55 AM	#5
SPICcnmFD Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 329 Rep Power: 18	I've heard alot of the guys around here that track 8s say the premix messed up various parts of the fuel system, so they just quit using it. __________________ 1993 Rx-7 SM2 #11 At the local AutoX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VOSQkkSLQs Speed for Sale shootout 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiqlyAkGmpg A few laps at Barbers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_h5q...x=0&playnext=1

01-28-2009, 12:01 PM	#9
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	I think its very doable.. I saw couple of people do it but they all do it bit different. My concern is hooking all the junk and getting the traction and abs.. I just don't know much to know if I need to keep the stock ECU and still run PFC or not. Mounting the engine and such, I have an idea.. but I need to do some more research So, are you going to make it to DGRR 09?? __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

01-27-2009, 10:59 PM	#2
sumdeus Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 148 Rep Power: 0	I love mine. Its a 2007 with 27xxx miles on it and have had no problems what-so-ever. It is a daily driver for me and it works great for that, but is still fun to go into the mountains on the twisties. Handling is quite possibly the car's greatest attribute. Are you planning on buying new or used? If used, I would avoid 04 and 05 model years. Those are the years with significantly more engine and transmission issues.

01-28-2009, 09:34 AM	#3
Whitey A Drivin' Mofo Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	I absolutely love mine. It's an 06' model and as sumdeus mentioned, I would stay away from the 04 and 05 models because Mazda didn't quite get all the kinks worked out until 06 so a lot of your 04 and 05 owners either love their car and have worked through all the issues or they're so tired of it that they're ready to trade. (if they haven't already). There ARE some trouble-free early models out there......but I certainly wouldn't want to take a chance trying to find one.

01-28-2009, 11:34 AM	#6
afgmoto1978 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 381 Rep Power: 18	13B-REW swap. lol

01-28-2009, 11:40 AM	#8
afgmoto1978 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 381 Rep Power: 18	I know Tony Angelo (pro drifter) and the boys at Gotham did it. Doesn't help you any though.

01-28-2009, 12:33 PM	#10
afgmoto1978 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 381 Rep Power: 18	I really want to, but it's looking like I won't be able to if I do all the Redline Time Attack races. Not enough vacation time for everything. I might be able to do it if I fly down there like I did last time and crashed at your place.

01-28-2009, 03:59 PM	#11
*Herblenny* Founder/Administrator/Internet Pitbull :) Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 644 Rep Power: 10	You know you are welcome to!! All you have to do is pay for new tires for my FD __________________ DGRR 2013 - Year of 13B www.DealsGapRotaryRally.com http://www.facebook.com/Herblenny

01-28-2009, 07:04 PM	#12
afgmoto1978 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 381 Rep Power: 18	LOL, what?!?!

01-28-2009, 08:58 PM	#13
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 20	i am contemplating an 09 R3 model come end of summer. I know the 09's 6 spd manual models have the 4.77 final gear (which is a nice touch). Plus i love the seats to death in the one i have sat in. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

01-28-2009, 09:20 PM	#14
sumdeus Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florence, SC Posts: 148 Rep Power: 0	R3 seats are awesome. I test drove one and fell in love with those seats.

01-28-2009, 09:21 PM	#15
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 20	how was the actually driving experience. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook