MrToeknee

It's funny how you say "Lapalco/Barataria/Expressway EVERYDAY!" cause as much times as I have been on those streets EVERYDAY, I have never seen you. Except for maybe a while back when I first saw an 8 in this area. It was still stock but I had the license plate "EXILR8N".

Also, when I went to Don Ducote, Keith mentioned your name. He said "wassup!".
Hope this meet happens soon while the weather is still kickass.

Monique

Haah! EXILR8N is me!

I live in Marrero in the new part of Nottingham and I work in Elmwood (real close to Fox & Hound!).

I've had the car since Nov. 2003! I've done a good bit to it since. I was one of the first (if not the first) in our area to own a RX8 as a matter of fact. Most people asked "Wow- what kinda car is that?" I actually bought the one that was in Oakwood Mall. Cute/Funny story! I'll have to tell it over a daiquiris @ the Lakefront for our meet! Screw it, here goes... I bought my 8 before I even drove it! I test drove a yellow one bc I wanted a MT of course and that's what was avail to test drive. I scared the crap out of Shawn btw (my salesman), go me! Loved it! I told the dealership everything I wanted & they said they had ONE in inventory exactly the way I wanted it. "Yeah baby give it to me!" However- they couldn't find it. So they gave me another red one to drive until they located mine or ordered another. Everyone was baffled that they couldn't find it! Hmm... Finally the dealership called (finally to me = cpl days! lol.)... So yeah they realized it was on the showroon of the mall. Awesome, that's what prompted me to check into the new rotary, that hot *** 8 in the mall! I was a little skeptical to take it since so many people were able to closely check it out. But I went over it with a fine toothed comb and besides one scratch they took care of, it was great. It helped that there was a security guard with it not allowing anyone (even me- the owner) to touch it!

Damn, I babbled. That's what a daiquiris at 3PM on a Friday @ work will do to a girl still in love with her RX8!

Mhmm, Keith's my boy. Ask him 'bout my left tail light. I'm about to add some goldfish for a truly original "mod". lol. In fact, I think I'll call his cell now...

K.I.T.

-Monique

Astrox

Hello All,

I'm in for a meet as well. The only problem I have, is that I can't do it on a Saturday. Otherwise, tell me where and when and I will be there. I even mentioned I wouldn't mind having a group over, but no one seemed interested.

BTW, Keith is a good guy.

astrox

surfrgurl0301

im down for a meet..that would be great to check out other people's 8 since im still in the process of modifying but im only available on the weekends because im in baton rouge at school..btw, is there anyone from baton rouge here? i saw three 8s in the area today, white with stock chrome rims parked on bluebonnet, green with exhaust on burbank and lee, and i think a red one with chrome rims on old hammond and i see one all the time at lsu that is blue with the same chrome rims as i have!

CAM427R

I must drive around at the wrong times...I never seen 8's around Baton Rouge. There will be days I'll see three or four but usually I never see them. Surfrgurl I've seen you once and I see a black one with dark tint in the CEBA lot every MWF where I park, but that's it.

Monique

Hi Mike-

Yeah Keith's a good guy. Don mentioned to me that you've said to him that we've never crossed paths yet one day when he was on the phone with you and I passed him in traffic or something. It is kinda strange isn't it, we live what a 1/2 mile from eachother? lol. And Keith said you were wondering who does work on my 8 besides Ducote. He was on the phone with you when I rolled into the dealership on yesterday afternoon. The guy's name is Alex Peters. Alex installed my adjustable Koni shocks on yesterday. Man the car feels soooo good. Alot tighter & stiffer but not so much that the ride is uncomforable or too bumpy. It's juuuust right! I also put a RB front sway bar on some time ago, that stiffened the steering significantly so now my 8 feels real sporty! Anyway, Alex works mainly on BMW's, Porsche's, Mercedes, etc. His shop, Nurburgring, is located immediately next door to my office in Elmwood. He's a great guy & does excellent work. His cell # is 504-376-9220 and his email addy is nurburgring924@bellsouth.net. I told him that you may be contacting him. I'm seriously considering the REVi intake and if Alex will accept the job, I'll have him install it.

I'm interested in a meet at your house, break out the tele's that'd be fun.
I'm game wherever. You guys just keep me posted. Maybe we should rattle Ted's cage! The last he & I spoke of it, I mentioned the Spring being a great time for a meet.

Yo Tony- I hear your MS Kit looks great!

-Monique

PoLaK

iTrader: (1)

Monique... anyone beside delta region have Auto-X events around here? I've missed the last two once because I blew a fuse and didn't find it in time, another because the events are planned so spontanously and dates/times aren't advertised except in threads on autoxforum.com... Would really like to find a group that does them more frequently then once every month and a half or so.

skwidd

OK. My 8 has transmission problems. See here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...91#post1754191

I'm bringing it in to Paretti on Monday because I'd really prefer not to drive around. You guys are mentioning Ducote a whole bunch, but I live in Metairie, so Paretti is a lot closer.

Last time I dealt with Paretti, they fixed everything, but it took 3 days to get the car back because my service tech (who shall remain nameless) got me confused with another 8 owner who had more serious problems.

My question: in everyone's experience, is Ducote that much more competent than Paretti? If so, who should I speak with at Ducote?

Thanks.

MrToeknee

Thanks! But I feel so far behind on the "mod" area. Sunday morning ,in about 7 hours from now, I will be at Barataria Collision (Located on Barataria after the Expressway heading towards River Road) installing my 1) Revi Air Duct, 2) RB Exhaust, 3) Tein S Tech, 4) Foglight brackets, 5) Agency Power Pulley and painting my grille black for that "oem look". If anyone wants to stop by and say wassup, you're more than welcome to.

PS. The REVi intake isn't hard to install at all. Something you could definitely do yourself.

MrToeknee

I have never been to Paretti but I hear that they are pretty good. If you live near Paretti, then I would definitely recommend you to go them due to your tranny problem. You wouldn't want to "Put salt on the wound"

MrToeknee

BTW - I saw a wrecked black 8 on Barataria parked close to Sal's Seafood across from Patriot St. Anyone know them?

Monique

Hi there-

Delta is really the only club that hosts autox events locally. The next one is scheduled for March 18 @ Zephyr's on Airline Drive. The season should be kickin' back up full fledge! We used to have them at least every month and some schools in between. However due to Katrina, we lost our site at the NAS in Belle Chasse and plenty of members. "I actually haven't raced since and am no longer a board member but really wanna get back into it." Cenla- the nearest SCCA Region besides Delta, also hosts events I think their next event is on March 25. Delta & Cenla sometimes host events together. There used to be at least 2 per month between Delta & Cenla, we scheduled them apart that way everyone could attend both. The Cenla events are held at the EVO center in Zachary, LA. Their info is usually posted on autoxforum.com as well. You can also check the clubs' websites directly: delta-scca.org and cenla-scca.org. There are two other SCCA Clubs in LA but they're pretty far from NOLA; SoWeLa which is the Lake Charles area and Red River Region which is the Shreveport area. As you're probably already aware of, there are also drag races and road races held at No Problem Raceway, see noproblemraceway.com.

Hope this helps!

-Monique

Monique

Well IMO Ducote is better by far. Speak to Keith.

Sorry you're still having a tranny problem, I don't have time right now to check out your thread but I do rem you were having, what I thought was, the same squeaky cluch as I. Is your car still under warranty? I used Paretti three times or so not including the time Delta World Tire flooded my engine and they told me it would be two weeks before they'd look at it and I wouldn't get a rental til then! I had it towed to Ducote, they gave me a rental that day and I had my 8 back two days later with a new battery, starter & plugs! I work in Elmwood so Paretti is definately more convenient but that particular convenience hasn't paid off for me. It may not always be easy to get it in and it may take to get it back but personally I'd rather not rush mechanics with my ride anyway. If your car is not under warranty, read a few posts up of mine, I listed info on the guy who works on my car besides routine or warranty issues. He's fixing a tranny on a Jag at the moment. I think you should try both dealerships and determine for yourself with whom you feel more comfortable then take it from there.

Good luck.

-Monique

Monique

Well you sure are catching up quick on the mods! lol. Awesome!
I'll try to stop by this afternoon. Although my 8's lookin kinda dirty.

MrToeknee

nvm... im going to do it at my house... I would've loved to meet you though... but I have all the tools needed at home..

Edit: I'm actually starting right now.. WOO HOO!

MrToeknee

After the install, I'm gonna clean my baby up and wax! BEAUTIFUL day today.

Edit: Looks like I'm gonna have to post pone the drop for now.. bummer.

PoLaK

iTrader: (1)

Sure its Zephers? schedule here says Belle http://www.autoxforum.com/forums/ind...opic=2496&st=0

Monique

Tooooo late, I went. Nope you weren't there.
Some guy named Danny looked at me like I was nutso! lol.

C-ya!

-M

Monique

Awesome! Autocrossing at the NAS rocks! I knew it was March 18 from the title of a bulletin a friend posted on MySpace that I didn't actually open to read (oops!). I assumed (yeah, I know where assuming can get me!) that it was at Zephyr's. I've been outta the loop & didn't know Delta got the Belle Chasse site back. Yaay! I should logon to aim or some of the forums to get the scoop! haha. But yeah- pay attention to the instructions though bc security is strict on the base. Your name has to be on the gate entry list, so pre-register online even if you're not sure you're going. Just to be safe. And there are specific times where you can enter & exit. Also, you don't enter & exit through the main entrance to the base. They open the rear gate entry for the autox. After you exit the Belle Chasse Tunnel make a right by the Domino's Pizza and DON'T speed on that street! Then follow the cones. Anyway, you'll read up on all these instructions & rules.

Maybe I'll see ya there!

-M

skwidd

Guess what! Today I was running a quick errand and didn't get more than 2 miles from my house and the transmission completely goes out!!!

After pulling over, turning the car off, and trying to find the Mazda towing assistance number, I managed to get the car into 4th and limp over to Paretti as I had just gotten on to the I-10 and was in the middle of the Causeway cloverleaf.

I'm going to Paretti to see if I can get a loaner in the morning.

Astrox

Monique,

It is strange tht we never run into each other. Keith mentioned to me that you were driving up as I was speaking to him. Thanks for the info as well.

Skwidd-sorry about the transmission, good luck with it.

For all of you in the area. I will offer my house for a RX8 Get Together/BBQ. I also have a few friends in the Miata Club as well. If you are interested, email me and I will try to set something together over the next month.(NO area RX7s welcome as well)

astrox
Mike
astrox@ix.netcom.com

skwidd

The car is still under warranty.

Like I said, last time I used Paretti I was happy with the service (except for the service tech getting me confused with someone else and I could have had my car back quicker. heh).

I am a little surprised they said they couldn't get to you in 2 weeks AND refused to get you a rental until then. Was your car under warranty when Delta Tire flooded the car? Did you have to go out of pocket to get it towed to Ducote? I'd think that Mazda Roadside would cover that cost, especially since the dealership was not all that cooperative.

I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow morning. I'm kind of dreading it.

Thanks.

Monique

Wow sorry your tranny crapped out completely! Good luck with it.
Yes my car was under warranty, no I didn't have to pay for anything. My dealership was surprised when my 8 rolled in on the bed of a tow truck, flooded! lol. Yeah, I was really disappointed in Paretti. Delta World Tire is directly across Vets from them, too! I just figured they didn't wanna deal with it. But thats cool. I've got a great relationship with Ducote. I'm sure there are some who have that relationship with Paretti. ~shrug~ Well I hope everything works out for you!

-M

skwidd

I went in this morning and met with the service rep. I have a rental car.

The only thing that kind of sucks is that when I brought the car to the dealership in Dallas to get some work done, I would get a Mazda 6, not a rental car. I'll let you guys know what I hear.

skwidd

Guess who's getting a new transmission?

Ryan at Paretti told me that it is something internal in the transmission, and since they do not tear transmissions apart at Paretti, Mazda has authorized a new transmission. They also recommended a new clutch, so I might put a new clutch in. Paretti wants to charge $607 + $86 labor to put the new clutch in. Rosenthal has a factory clutch kit for $420, so I'm waiting to see if Paretti can match that price.

I just wish they knew what actually went wrong with the transmission. Curiosity is killing me!!!