RX Phil

Hello everyone! I've been a member on this forum for a few months now, using this site basically for troubleshooting info and such, now I'd like to formally introduce myself to you all. First off, a little history on how I acquired my RX-8. My other car, a "mildly" modded 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 started having a few drivetrain issues. So instead of doing what any sane, conventional human being would do and immediately rebuild the rearend, I just bought another car instead and designated the Camaro as my "project" car. I've always wanted an RX-8 since it's introduction and was seriously contemplating buying one after sitting in one when my wife and I bought a Mazda5 back in 2006. But at the time finances wouldn't allow it and I bought the Camaro shortly after. After years of modding the Camaro and sinking thousands of dollars into it on engine mods and suspension mods (I must say, even with $$$$$ spent on suspension on that thing the RX-8 still "feels" better!), I still wanted to own an 8. We had progressed from the 5 to a CX-7 then a CX-9 Grand Touring at that point and had really come to love the Mazda brand. So I pulled the trigger in January and sought out an RX-8. I found a clean '04 Velocity Red Grand Touring in Beaumont, Texas which was about a 2 hour drive from my home near Lafayette, Louisiana. The car had 66,000 miles on it and appeared very clean and well maintained with a good bit of service records at hand. I paid cash and drove it home with my wife and two girls following in the CX-9 and my son riding shotgun with me in the passenger seat. Man it felt good to drive it! Not even in the same league as my Z28 as far as power goes (it ran consistent mid 12's @ 113 mph before I rebuilt rear w/3.73's), but the RX-8 felt a lot more composed chassis wise. Well needless to say, all the usual problems associated with the 8 started showing up within days since I purchased it. In a short list of things, in no particular order, I've had to replace the water pump, coils and spark plugs, air conditioner compressor, assorted a/c lines due to fragments of the old a/c compressor blowing up!, rear O2 sensor twice, (puppy ate my wire ), secondary air injection solenoid, cooling fan assembly, and the lower rubber shifter boot due to stinky gear oil. I'm sure I've forgotten a few things but the gist of it all is even after spending so much on this 8 and contemplating on selling it so many times, I just can't bring myself to do it! Even with all it's downfalls, I really love this car! It almost seems that this became my "project" car instead of the Camaro! I find myself still driving the RX-8 more than the Camaro due it being MUCH more comfortable. My kids fit better in it too! I'm not so sure where to go from here with this car, my better sense says to just keep it, eventually put a new rotary in it since it's a relatively cheap engine, and pass it to my son when he gets his license in a year and half. But what a neat, quirky, weird car the RX-8 is! I apologize about such a long post, but I just wanted to make my introduction and hopefully make a few friends along the way!

ken-x8

Hi, Phil. Welcome! Sounds like you'll fit right in here. Hopefully your list of woes has taken care of all the problems, and your 8 will be nothing but fun from here on.

I bought mine new and am approaching 60k miles. My biggest fear if stuff starts to break is that I'd have to get some other kind of car...and there are none that appeal to me after the 8.

Ken

RX Phil

Thanks Ken. I agree about the "appeal" part. I drove a few BMW's, mid 2000's 3 series and 5 series and must say the RX-8 is way more involving. My wife said that she felt like she was riding in cinder block vault in the 5 series. Very solid but disconnected. I don't feel that way at all in the 8. It's the overall driving experience I always wanted my Z28 to be. Now if I could just get the power from the Camaro and magically transfer it to the RX-8!

monchie

Pics of your rides?

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Phil no need to transfer power from the Camaro to the 8…Just find twisty roads Welcome to the club!

RX Phil

I'm at work in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico right now and I haven't taken any good pictures of either one of my cars lately, but when I get home I'll give it a shot. The RX-8 is stock; the Camaro not so stock.

RX Phil

Unfortunately, here in South Louisiana, we have very long, straight, and very flat roads! But I only need to travel about an hour north from my home to get into some somewhat hilly, curvy terrain! I'm planning on making a trip with my son to the Deals Gap Rotary Rally this April, hopefully with some suspension upgrades and new wheels so maybe then I'll give the 8 some exercise!

token219

Keep at it bud if you love the 8 the 8 will love u. I have not yet got to the point where things have started to break. (Fingers crossed it stay fine). All I do is keep up with my normal maintenance. I live in nwi an it's my daily. It always put a giant smile on my face. Happy to know that there are people out there that love the car as much as I do. Lol sorry for the long reply.