Anyone notice that their car has some rust on it? I have some on the front part of the rear wheelwell on both sides, after I noticed it, it kind of makes sense since it is exposed steel. Well at least my car is leased so it doesn't really matter that much to me, just as long as I don't get dinging at the end of the lease I am fine

 

I doubt it.

You are probably looking at the section of "chip-guard" material.

Coincidentally, it's down the front of both rear wheelwells.

S

 

No, not that rectangular chip guard strip that is stuck on, the part that is rusted is on the inner part of the wheelwell in the front of the rear, I'll take some pictures and post it. It's like exposed to the elements unless you have the side aeroflares.

 

It's sad to see the condition of the underbody after a couple winters.

Not so pretty

 

All Mazda rust like crap.

 

Funny you mention this. This weekend when i swapped my wheels I noticed this. I am going to taking it to a body shop and have them repaint that small section. I was just going to spray it myself as it is in the wheel well but decided to let the pros do their work.

 

That's exactly what I was doing, swapped my winters for my stock rims, then I noticed it on both sides. Haven't had a chance to take a picture yet but I took it to the dealership yesterday for an oil change, told them about the bubbling rust, they are going to refinish that section and repaint it under warranty for me. I am pretty lucky since my car is still within the 3 years warranty, I would be pissed if I had bought and not leased the car. Coincidentally, there are two other 8's at work all 2004s and winter driven, they both have it, its not as bad as mine, there is not copper coloured rust like mine but I can feel the bubbles on their. I am guessing a couple years from now, this will be a problem for the 8

 

I had exactly the same issue with mine - July 2003 build. Both sides of the car. Two weeks ago, Avante Mazda in Richmond Hill refinished it under warranty at their body shop - no questions asked. It appeared to be a flaw with the finish as the rust was on the paint side, not coming from underneath.

 

Can someone post a picture or a sketch of where this is happening?

 

QFT, I have in on the bottom bit of the rear fender, where the rocker and fender meet

 

ha!...good thing i don't drive mine in the winter..thats what mazda came out with the 3 for=)

 

I've seen some rust colour in a couple of spots around my rear wheel arches and trunk opening. I hope it's not rusting already.

 

hey guys if ur getting rust i knew that this will happen sooner or later but this is very soon from what u told me . The way the wheel well is made is a crappy design it collects all the salt rocks in that little reservoir i call it. What i did went to canadian tire and got some black tar rust protector and sprayed the well inside only . It protects u from rust big time

 

Wow, 5 guys with rust, WTF! Are they all '03/'04s? I got the wax rustproofing / undercoat new with my '05, and added the side aeroflares, so I hope it won't affect me. But I'll check this weekend when I do the wheel swaps.

 

If you refer to the black spray on crap, I find after a year or more if starts to act like a sponge, if you want to undercoat, use roofing tar.

It takes a bit to apply, but its way friggin better than the spray on crap.

 

I might ask my dealer about this on Monday. They have been good to me, despite being outside the warranty period. I am outside warranty but they are replacing my headlights, no questions asked. Maybe they will do the same with this.

 

they are replacing ur headligths do u get condensation in them my dealer is fucked they have no idea what they are doing i am getting condensation in the front lights when they are on for a long persiod of time and its cold outside only so when i get to the dealer there is no condensationa nd they say its fine

 

that sux buddy......

bring it to the deler when it JUST sat outside..and make them replace it?

 

My headlights would get crazy condensation inside, and there is this ugly film left on the inside of each headlight. I am outside of bumper to bumper warranty but they are still replacing them for me.

 

i will go back to them the car is brand new but dont u think that any new headlight u will get the same thing will happen with condensation

 

Replaced my headlights and will be fixing the paint! My dealership rocks!

 

Hey Guys,

Same thing happened to mine. There is a problem with the way they sealed the 04's. I took mine to the dealer and they did a complete refinish and seal. All covered under the rust proof protection I paid for when I got the car. Only catch with rust proofing from the dealer is you have to bring your car into Mazda every year to check and spray if needed. If not your protection is not covered.

 

Now is a good time for everyone to check their rear wheel fender lips for rust. Get the dealership to repaint it before the bumper-to-bumper warranty runs out. Also check for the rust spot on the door sill under the driver's side suicide door.

These RX-8s need to stay rust-free for a long time so we can have cheap track toys in 2020.

 

well what if you got the lifetime rust proofing?

 

I had the rust proofing done on my car when I bought it, an extra package.

What was the warranty on that?

Is any rust covered under the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty?
I mean, the dealer can't claim "wear and tear" can they?