Brendon1215

Tweek

Before you get abused by the rest of the forum:

Look through the various sections on the forums and the read ALL of stickies on the top of them.

If you have any questions, use the search button on the top. Most if not all of your questions asked have been answered already.

-Thanks.

Brendon1215

Will do, thanks.

ZumnRx8

Same as any other car. Maintain it properly. Always take it to a Rotary Shop and/or a Mazda Dealer. NEVER a friend that supposedly knows about cars, or some other regular mechanic in your area. Check fluids weekly if not daily (it only takes couple of minutes). Always check your belts for cracking. And change the oil every 3k mi. Never Overheat your car and if it does start to overheat, stop!, and take it to a dealer, you might have a problem. Check your coils regularly. Swap out for a good battery. There are some simple inexpensive bang-for-your-buck upgrades that will keep your Rotary running smooth and lengthen its life. Go test drive one. The handling says it all. Oh yea, and if possible, park on a Cement surface (driveway/garage) and check it every time you leave for leak stains. You can avoid bigger problems if you spot a leak early.

Brendon1215

Okay, prefect. Thanks! Is the rotary a little harder to maintain?

ZumnRx8

^no. Just pay more attention and check it regularly how I said. I edited some of my post above so you might want to re-read it. An RX8 is a sexy car and handles better than your expectations. The attention you get from it will ease the pain of the monthly car and insurance payment. Where are you located?

Brendon1215

Yeah, I really like almost everything about it. I'm located in Columbus, Ohio. So, our summers are in the 80-95 range and our winters get somewhat bad. Just depends on the amount of snow, but we get a lot of ice when snow comes.

ZumnRx8

^there are many threads about driving your RX8 in the snow and winter and what not. Some people even get seperate wheels w/ winter/snow tires. I suggest you read those. As far as the 80-95 summers... that should be fine.

Brendon1215

Okay. I saw someone winter thread, regarding how to maintain them when driving them in the winter and they mentioned something about getting winter tires. How does the RWD deal with the snow & ice? Because I don't want something that'll be slipping and sliding everytime I try to drive it when it's snowy.

ZumnRx8

^Thats a good question you would have to ask your fellow RX8 club members within that thread. There are many more SNOW threads like it, I suggest you read as many as you can, you dont want to miss any important info. As far as my RX8 goes..... I'm in beautiful Sunny Southern California We get winters like cold weather, high winds and heavy rains, but rarely snow. I live up in the mountains so I been stuck in my own driveway because of the snow.

Tweek

In that case get a Subaru Wrx (STI) :D mmm torque.

Brendon1215

Haha, so it still get's cold and snowy there. My friends brother who's 17, has owned his RX-8 for like 2 months or so now, and he loves it. But, the negatives he said was; bad gas mileage, and that it sucks in the snow & rain. So, that's what made me ask you guys to get some more information.

Brendon1215

Those are pretty expensive. So, I don't know about that one.

ZumnRx8

Gas Mileage only comes to those who dont check on everything I mentioned earlier. Many RX8 owners are happy with their gas mileage.

Brendon1215

I did see someone's signature, claiming their RX-8 got around 20 MPG. Which, isn't that bad for what it is. I looked at some 8's on AutoTrader & Cars, and they're not very expensive. Ranging anywhere from $10,000-$15,000 for an 04'. Which isn't that bad of a price actually.

ZumnRx8

no, not bad, but I suggest an 06+ What is your budget/ price range?

Brendon1215

I don't necessarily have a price range as of now. I have family willing to help me, but I have to make an honest effort to put as much into it as possible. So, I've been applying to places so I can get a job. I'm not even old enough for my license quite yet either.

ZumnRx8

How old are you? At least you are asking questions in a mature manner, and not like other younger teenage drivers that come onto this forum.

Brendon1215

Thank you; much appreciated. I'm actually 14, almost 15. So, I'm quite young in fact. Yeah, I'm pretty mature for my age. I don't go around acting like an idiot and being immature. It's a privilege to be on here, and I'm going to use it in the manner it was meant to be used in.

ZumnRx8

Well considering you have a year or so before you get your RX8, you have plenty of time to do as much research as possible on the maintainance as well as other things like modification on your 8. Keep us updated.

Brendon1215

Okay, will do. I need to do a little more research, that's why I decided to sign up on here!

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

I would say not until your experienced in routine maint. I personally believe changing a tire should be a part of the driving test... just me. Get with your dad or a friend or someone and change the oil on a car. change some transmission fluid. do a diff clean up. change a set of plugs on a car. Just get under the hood, and around the car. Learn what sounds certain parts make. That way when you pull up to the drive through and you hear the gears winding in the transmission you dont freak. Or the first time you hear a break squeal you dont go buying new pads simply because they had a little oil on them.

Brendon1215

I already know how to do some of that stuff. I've been around drag racing (IHRA/NHRA) & cars since I was really little, because my dad had many friends who did that kind of stuff. If I learned on a rotary, it shouldn't be too bad; correct?

DocBeech

iTrader: (1)

Nah, just keep in mind rotaries are pricey to fix. Things have gotten a lot better since they did some upgrades. Make sure you have the recalls completed. Make sure the one you buy has all the history with it. Don't over pay for it, and find a local mechanic that understands and knows the rotary engine.

Brendon1215

Okay, perfect. Like a Mazda dealership?