I don't own an RX8, not sure I've even ever touched one...

But I've been in love with it ever since I saw a pre-launch model at the Birmingham Motor Show a good few years ago. Clarkson's hugely positive review on TopGear sealed that for me (see youtube)



I don't live in Houston...or Texas...or even the USA.

Yet.


I relocate across the Pond to Houston in a month's time (Uncle Sam willing). I am sincerely hoping to be able to buy an RX8 when I get here.

But I read somewhere that the air conditioning on the RX8 isn't great. Can you guys comment on that - being a soft-skinned Brit I will definitely need something that can cope with the Houston heat and humidity.....


(I really know nothing technical at this point, so I intend to study the threads in this forum in detail, but if there are any particular ones you think I should check out, please advise!)

 

You're going to get a whole lot of different answers on this but..............I'm in Central Florida and I don't have any issues with my A/C. I drive the car everyday and have the air on every day. I rarely even turn the fan on past the first setting. AND..............I don't like the heat. Now.....if you do a search, you will find a thread or two on the subject.

 

I have never had any problems with my AC. I mean it will take a while for you to get used to the heat when you first get in the car. But once my AC is on it feels great

 

A/C Mod

A/C Reprogram.

I did the reprogram today and it actually seems to work and put out colder air now. It was 95*F on the dash at 5pm here in Chicago today when I did this and the motor was already hot.

 

The A/C isn't the strongest but I think it's just fine for TX.

 

My temp indicator read 115 degrees 2 weeks ago and my A/C cooled me down just fine and I think the highest I've ever had was at 3 (that was just to initially cool down the car after sitting hours in the heat usually 1 is good enough. I have it set where it only provides A/C to your head and not your legs. It isn't the most powerful A/C but it is more than suffice.

 

If I may chime in, here in New Orleans it's been in the low to mid 90s with 100% humidity. The A/C works fine. Been a couple of time when it's not raining that I open the sunroof and move the A/C fan speed to almost high and I'm totally comfortable.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks all, most appreciated.

Can you guys recommend any particular dealers in area? I will be based around Cypress/Tomball, and would be looking for new or maximum two years old.

 

Living in Phoenix we clearly need it! I have the latest re-flash and the A/C works very well!

I can be slow starting if the car has been sitting in the sun and the compressor is hot, but a few miles down the road and it gets downright chilly!

 

What reprogram?

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...07&postcount=4

 

Look on Autotrader. I bought my 2006 with 6k miles from a Ford Dealership for a killer price.

 

+1 I got my 04 from a mitsu dealer with 10k miles for a ridiculous price.

 

I live in Houston and get by fine with the AC. All of the RX-8 owners here I think will agree.
It is not the best A/C on the market by any stretch of the imagination, but it won't leave you dying of heatstroke either.

 

I'm not quite sure what a good price would be. Here are some examples from autotrader:

2005
Mileage 11,738
Price $19,575

2005
Mileage 21,919
Price $16,999


2006
Mileage 27,950
Price $19,995

2006
Mileage 7,759
Price $22,995

2006
Mileage 6,000
Price $23,000


Any of those stand out at all?

 

+1

 

Find out exactly what you are looking for first.

AT or MT?
Sport or GT?
Leather or cloth?
Mileage?
etc etc etc

Then shop for that specific vehicle and you'll find a good deal.

I bought my first 8 for $19K(50K miles) and my second 8 for $23K - after TTL and ext. Warranty(23K miles).

 

eh, i live in Lousiana.....New Orleans to be more specific.

Between the 90+ heat and 90% and higher humidity we get here almost every day of summer.....I have come to find my AC kinda weak, and takes a while to get it real cold inside the car. But i find that with the windows cracked slightly, the AC on 1st setting, and the sunroof open about 2 1/2 inches....It is perfect. For me atleast.

 

Thanks Mac...............I wanted to put that in my original respponse, as some people don't know about it...........but I got lazy and didn't go search for it!

 

Thanks again for the responses.


I am test-driving an RX-8 over here at the weekend, hope to give it a decent run-out, see if it is as good on the inside as I am hoping.

I wasn't aware that the RX-8 comes as an automatic version, as well as manual. I would think that auto might take the fun out of driving it, then again the Houston traffic might make automatic a God-send.

Any opinions?

 

Manual. 04 and 05 autos had 4 port engines with sub 200bhp and only a 7800rpm limit.

 

fully modded auto loses to a stock manual....nuff said

 

Been in Houston (just south of Tomball, off 249) for a couple of weeks now, all been very manic sorting stuff out.


Thanks again for all the advice. After road-testing a bunch (6 or 7 in 48 hours), I finally went for a private sale:

2004 Grand Touring, metallic green, black/brown leather interior
12,000 miles (owner was an oil techie frequently abroad)
some nicks and dents - might leave them until I really hit something , but nothing horrific. About 1500USD to fix everything if I really want it.
It's got a spare tyre in the back, which cripples the little space that previously existed, but hey, I only need it for my briefcase - I'm buying an SUV for anything bigger!

Cost 19500 - which seemed like a pretty awesome deal in comparison to anything else out there.


The A/C hasn't been an issue, albeit I don't think we have had too many really hot days yet. I borrowed one of those windshield reflector things which seems to help, although I need one that fits better - any recommendations?

Driving-wise, I love it, albeit never driven anything like that before (always had dull company cars before), so I don't have much to compare it against.

I'm struggling with the gear changes, not because the stick is on the wrong side (the brain copes very fast), just keep missing changes, especially to/from the middle gears. I'm hoping it's just practice.

I bought a bottle of "purple", the owner said that that was the synthetic oil that had been recommended to him. (I should probably keep that in the boot....sorry - the trunk.)

Anyway, hope to see you guys tomorrow night at Hooters and you can show me the rest of the ropes!

Best wishes,
Roland aka Motorskills

 

congrats on the purchase. Keep the oil topped up, check the "little things" thread and the FAQs. Oh and drive it. A lot. Have fun.