So I am new to the RX-8 / rotary scene. I bought a 2004 VR 6 spd (87,000km) a month ago.

I did a bunch of reading before I bought the car, so I sorta knew what I was getting into. Anyways the more I read posts on this forum the more paranoid I get about my car. IE: engine failure, trans problems, etc.

Has there been any major problems with the 8's in Canada?

I see hot dusty climates seem to have a neg. effect on the 8's engine. So I am wondering if the cooler damper weather here in Canada ( at least here in B.C.) may be a little better for the RX-8's engine?

Also as a new rx owner, I have noticed my car seems to Idle sometimes at just shy of 1000rpm, and sometimes it will idle at 850 rpm. (it's not searching just idles solid at either rpm depending on it's "mood"). When it's at 850 rpm the car seems to idle a little "rough" (shifter shakes). The car starts fine every time, and rev's and drives great so I do not think it's bad coils or plugs. Is this normal.

oh ya I did follow the "first $100 dollars..." post.

I get great milage for an 8 from what I have read as well. appr. 425km (90% hwy) from full to when the yellow low fuel light comes on.

Anyways love the car for the most part but am very paranoid. Any Canadians Help calm me down a bit? lol

 

hey bra welcome to the club we have an rx8 club on Facebook for BC members just search Vancouver rx8 club bra if u would like to join!

 

Ya, I've gotten 450km on a tank, twice, she's easy to hit over 400km with. I've only had my 8 for over a year, but I'd love to say that considering how well mine and yours are doing for mileage, it should mean we have very healthy motors and should last a while.

 

Unfortunately we aren't immune to the problems up here, and the climate doesn't really change anything.

My engine was replaced last year. Luckily, I just made it under warranty, so it was all covered. The rotary is a fragile engine that's for sure. If you look at some of the ads on Craigslist, there is always at least 1 or 2 for sale that have had theirs replaced as well. I've also had problems with power steering cutting out, as well as oil being dumped into the intake (both are known RX8 problems).

Things I would recommend immediately doing are:

- Install an oil-catch can. The oil in the intake is something you'll want to look out for, as it can and will destroy your catalytic converter as well as gum up the SSV.

- Extend the coolant bottle overflow hose so that it drains directly out of the bottom of the engine bay. By default, the coolant overflow hose drains directly over the power steering harness connectors - which over time, can knock out your power steering, as well as short out a cooling fan on the radiator.

I would also get a compression test done, before your 8 year 160,000 km engine warranty is up. The last thing you want is to be stuck with an engine that has low-compression and is out of warranty.

Other than that, enjoy your 8 and redline at least once a day

 

Yes, reading this forum (or most) makes you paranoid because too many of these forums have agressive drivers and "modders" and such that discuss every problem they have encountered.
I bought a used 204 RX8, got on this forum, freaked out when the first engine light came on, read about all the engine failures and sold my car within a year after driving just 6000 miles. The young lady that bought it still drives it, has added 25k miles , the miles on the car are 89K, and she reports no problems despite never redlining it or racing it. The only complaint she had was when the Engine was turned off shortly after starting and she had trouble re-starting it. Now, she has learned to easily deal with it.
I went back and bought an 09 RX8 and so far it is a dream car. Ignore the people here who swear that you would kill your car if you did not redline it every day, revv it high all the time, add pre-mix, insist that only the most expensive oils must be put in.
The only real flaw is the low mpg.
Most are low budget nascar wannabe's. If you plan on using it as you would a normal car, buy it for its looks and handling, its a great car to have.

 

I have found many threads on poor idle and a lots of them seem to indicate bad motor mounts. People also seem to not understand that gear shifter is connected directly to transmission so its always going to vibrate somewhat. (other cars generally use linkages and like). Sometimes threaders indicate new coils solving problems or bad idle caused from compression issues. I know from reading as well that car computer will change idle speed based on the temperature of engine coolant and the amount of load. Like when yu are having the a/c to on.

I see some good advise in here like oil catch can is easy and cheap to install but I think its not entirely right about oil destroying catalytic convertor. Rotary engines injector more oil into engine to keep apex and corner seals lubricated than the amount of oiil that would go thru your intake. And if not the case I think your car has a bigger problem hahaha. I notice that in my 04 model that the hose from the spot where you put oil in connects to the intake and if I am not easily careful with the pouring of oil in to tube it will gather around edge there and drain thru that hose in to the intake tube ... rubber humpy like tube connected to thottle body.

I think you need to read and search more before starting new thread like this, not that I care I'm tyring to help you. I see a lot of angry members yelling at posters for not searching and posting things in wrong sections. It confuses me too as its not easy always to understand layout and intentions.

I like mountains

 

I HAVE read and searches the forum. I have probably spent 40 hours reading posts in the last month.

I did know that the shifter will shake, LIKE I SAID I am just paranoild "AFTER READING POSTS ON THIS FORUM".

Plus most of the posts are U.S. posts. I wanted to hear from the Canadians, as a lot of times one Country may have issues with a vehical that others do not.

I have read "SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH" before making a post. I don't need snotty comments from people. I felt this was a valid group of questions related to CANADA
that I did not see in any posts.

But Thank you to everyone who have given me helpful advise (including the previous post)

 

It seemed to me your paranoia is focused on the engine. I did not comment. I don't know where you get the information that more rx8's have problems in dusty hot climates. You did not provide link or information to prove, I do not if this is just your general assessment.

You ask and give specific details, I answered best I could. I know you say thanks. Nowwhere have you already said that you knew shitfter was connected to transmission. I was simply saying and you take offense like I suppose to know you know. you are angry and very fragile and does not capitals mean yelling in forums?

From reading I've done, Canadian RX8's have just as much failures as U.S.
Cooler climate does not seem to play a role.


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Your paranoia is likely well earned, high mileage RX8's are extremely high maintenance in all areas, depending on the previous owners maintenance regime.

If you had done as much searching and reading as you claimed you would have known to get a compression test before buying such a old high mileage 8.
Or you did search and you just don't know how to "understand".

Do compression test as already suggested, you may still be covered ..

High mileage 8 and poor idle ... I bet its bad compression which means you engine is toast. Nice buy.

Even if its not compression have fun buying Coils and Plugs ... hope your parents will fork out the money for that.

Now how does your over sensitive skin feel?

 

....our 13b's do not really like to run cold. Try to warm up the motor before any attempt at WOT or you will flog and you will feel bad for not warming up the coolant/oil enough.
that's about it.

 

jobidia First thing my parents are DEAD. Hope that make u feel good. Second I am in my mid 30. I am not a pampered teenager! 3rd I did have a comp. test done before I bought the car!!!! The car is in great shape.


"hope your parents will fork out the money for that.

Now how does your over sensitive skin feel?"

It's comments like this from people like you that pisses me off.

Don't judge a person you know nothing about. I am far from being sensative to things that are related a car, But bringing up my parents??? Dude what is wrong with YOU!!!!

You assume to much.

 

jobidia is an idiot.
The revs will climb pretty high on a cold start. I've seen mine go real high when it was in the -25C temps. make sure your fluids are maintained.

 

I have had my RX8 for three years. I have put 100k on it, it is used as my DD March thru October and I have done two long road trips (7500k+). I have read these threads for 3 years and have found some good information and a lot of information that might not be so good. I love my car and due regular maintenance. You have to remember that most posts are based on one persons opinion on one vehicle (the one they drive). You must use common sense and take some of these posts with a grain of salt. Drive your car have fun with it .