utente1

I couldn't drive my Mazda for a couple of years because of a medical condition. Recently I had the Mazda dealer here in Eugene get my RX-8 ready to drive again. And it drives perfectly. It's still as much fun to drive as it was when it was new.

But...I consistently get 12 mpg. If my memory is right, I used to get 18 mpg. Now, a couple of things: I'm driving it normally, maybe even babying it. I shift at appropriate times, not revving up the RPM. It drives perfectly. It idles steadily at 700 rpm. It shows no symptoms that it needs a tune-up. Other than the 12 mpg, it's perfect. I love being able to drive it again.

I told the service manager at Mazda about this. He said that it needs "new coils, spark plugs, wires." That sounds like just a tune-up. Even though it shows no evidence of needing a tune-up, I don't have any reason not to get one. Oh, yeah...there is one reason. He said that it would cost $1.699.89

I know that a Mazda dealer would be expensive, but that does seems high, Besides which, I don't know why I'm getting only 12 miles per gallon, and if that would fix it.

Any ideas? I'd appreciate any comments.

TWiisted

A tune up couldn't hurt. Fresh oil, filter, plugs, and wires. On the fence about the coils, I don't see how they could degrade too much just sitting. The plugs may just need to be cleaned up, depending on how many miles they have seen. Fresh fuel too. The only other thing I would wonder about is the cat, if you still it. See how it does a little higher in the revs. If it pulls nicely, then I would think it is ok.

Mine tends to get around 18mpg. I don't know how many miles are on it, but it compression tests ok. just for comparison.

utente1

Thanks for you comments. My car has only about 35,000 miles on it.

You said to try higher revs. What would that indicate? I'm certainly willing to try it. If nothing else, it's always fun.

Doesn't $1,700 seem like a lot? Oh, when I took it to the dealer after it had been sitting for so long, they did a lot. New oil, lube, that sort of thing. And, when I got it back it ran perfectly, Still does,

Any reason not to take it to another mechanic? The Mazda dealer is, of course, probably the best. But another $1,700?

CarbonRX

Hi do you have a Code reader to help diagnose the problem.
or you could try and clean your airflow meter with the proper cleaning fluid.
then I would be trying new o2 sensors pre cat and post cat. code reader helps here before spending money on parts.
is there a intake air leak or exhaust gas leak before the cat. or is your car de-catted.


hope this helps.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

If you wait to have symptoms of needing coils and wires, you'll also be needing a new engine. I know you're not a new owner but these things are silent killers of rx8s and at 35k are overdue. I would not ignore the suggestion.

But yes 1700 is way too much. You can buy appropriate coils, wires and plugs from AutoZone, or if you want a bit more peace of mind, BHR. Installation is easy if you're handy.
Rx8help.com has condensed knowledge on this.

spectre6000

Stealerships are called thusly for a very well earned reason. On top of that, they like to cause collateral damage. I took my '09 in for the fuel pump recall with a freshly restored interior including a brand new leather steering wheel, and they put a giant gouge in the leather (I'm short, and the tech didn't adjust the seat to accommodate the knife clipped to his pocket). They tried to blame me, saying the (again, brand new, from Mazda, with something like 500 miles) wheel was covered in grease from my borderline OCD hands somehow... The guy then proceeded to pull out some hardcore degreaser and wiped the steering wheel down with it, pulling some of the dye out of the (now formerly brand new) leather, and called it grease as if I was a complete idiot. I took the key and left before he could cause more damage...

Unfortunately, I feel that the indies have caught on to the fact that they can charge more in recent years, though they typically take better care of your car. The exception would be if you can find a proper old school shop in your neighborhood that's familiar with rotaries, and... well, those aren't easy to come by...

Alternatively, do your cost analysis, and figure out how many hours you'll need to work at your rates to offset whatever some jamoke wants to rip you off at. Your title will probably need to start with a capital-C and we'd all likely need to be regular patrons of your company for those numbers to break even (assuming the cited $1,700 and my own guesstimate of 2 hours at my pace).

RX-8s are aging into 'classic car' status in some jurisdictions though (20 years is 20 years...), and with the classic car hobby comes certain responsibilities. Add to that the exotic engine with which even most car enthusiast and/or professionals only have a theoretical familiarity. Coils and plugs are a two banana job, tops. And the second banana is just because they're down on the side and you have to reach through the wheel well rather than being up on top like an old school inline engine would conveniently have them. I'd allow a casual Saturday morning with a good podcast for a raw amateur. Gather your parts and tools, print out the pages of the manual if you don't have a copy to hand, and enjoy some zen. Bonus, the feeling of having done it yourself is its own reward.

utente1

When I had the Mazda dealer checked the Code reader, it didn't show any problems. I don't know what's going on.

utente1

I wouldn't even try doing it myself. I don't even know what "coils" are. Can you help?

I've called around mechanics shops in Eugene. So far, nobody is willing to work on an RX8. So, the dealer might be the only choice. $1700 is a lot right now.

utente1

After not driving the car for at least a couple of years, I took it to the dealer. He quoted me thousands!, but I haven't added it all up. But, many thousands. Some things I new weren't needed. Example: "new front rotors and pads and squeal kit (who even knows what that is?), rear rotors and new pads and squeal kit $1195.00"
What was his diagnosis for why I needed all new brakes? Rust! I drove the car, the rust disappeared of course.

I was scared to go back and try to get my car back, it was so much money, Full detail $375 (yeah, I know that details are expensive)

headlight restore $154.95 (I bought a kit from Amazon. The headlights look new,
Here are some favorites: left and right tail light assembly $1361.98 (which it needed; they were broken) I bought a pair on eBay for under $200.

I called and said that I couldn't afford it. So he said that they'd just do what was needed to drive it. $585.

So it really makes me wonder how much was actually needed. I called around for mechanics here in Eugene. Nobody would work on an RX8.

Also, I got some replies here on RX8club. Some guys are only getting maybe 15 mpg. So, maybe I'll just live with it. And maybe fill it up with regular next time and see if it runs the same.