maxchao

iTrader: (2)

RIWWP I really can't find that thread (been doing that for 30 minutes..) well I guess it's weekend so I can't call them until Monday anyway. Hopefully I can find it before then lol

Also I got another question. So like the 8 I am considering, if the 04 gets a new engine from Mazda in 2011, what engine is it? The first gen FE or the 2nd gen FF?? Is it any different from the original one in the 04?

Mazurfer

Believe it WILL be a first gen re-man.
Therefore, for all practical purposes it will be the same.

Here's the rest you were looking for.


For customers in the USA
Customer Assistance Center U.S.A
Phone Number : 1-800-222-5500
Availability : From Monday-Friday 6:00-16:45 Pacific time
Mailing Address : Mazda North American Operations
P.O.BOX:19734 Irvine,CA 92623-9734
E-mail address : MazdaCustomerAssistance@mazdausa.com
URL : http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/cont....action?bhcp=1


For customers in Canada
Customer Assistance Center Canada
Phone Number : 1-800-263-4680
FAX Number : 905-787-7125
Availability : From Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30 Eastern Standard time
Mailing Address : Mazda Canada Inc. 55 Vogell Road
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3K5
E-mail address : mciep@mazda.ca

For customers in Mexico
Customer Assistance Center Mexico
Phone Number : 01-800-016-2932
Availability : From Monday-Friday 8:00-20:00 Saturday 8:00-18:00
Mailing Address : Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena NO.1500,
Colonia Santa Fe, DF 01210 Mexico
E-mail address : Julio.ramirez@teletech.com

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

Great Thanks a lot! I have sent them an email and I will call them on Monday.

Oh well I guess a reman engine is good enough. I will take care of it anyway so it should make far, hopefully. At least that solves the biggest puzzle when buying a used 8, the engine, right?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Maz.


Max, this thread, for reference, though answered better above rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=214647

It is essentially the same series 1 rx8 engine it originally had. The only real change is that this engine will be running on the best current ecu flash from the start, rather than starting life with a terrible flash.

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

Yup I just have to make sure that the MSP-16 has been done right? Probably premix as well...That's the part that I will start reading once I get one for sure.

The more I read the more I want to own one. I am trying to play calm so I can make room for negotiation, but I don't know how long I will be able to hold it lol

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Added power steering and weak starter to the Specific Issues section, had to move Gas Mileage to the next post due to 20,000 character limit

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

I bought the 8 today!! Woohoo!!

Funny thing on the 5 minute trip I drove back to my place from the bank, the airbag was flashing. I googled around and found that it was just a poor connection. Fixed that and it's good.

Now what concerns me is that the ECU firmware. I contacted Mazda and they said they have no record but it is possible that the dealership simply did not report. Is there a way that I can check the ECU firmware myself? Or I really have to get it to a dealership to do it?

komo225

I feel like a lot of this is bad things about the car. Problems and things that go wrong. I really like this car and am doing a huge amount of research before investing time and money into this. But after reading a lot of these post I feel like the car i get is going to automatically come with all these problems? Any reassurance or advice you can give me? Help on if this car is even worth it.

Thanks

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Welcome!

Yes, a dealership can do it. The only other option is an AccessPORT probably can.

It's like dealing with traffic on your way to work. If you expect it, if you prepare for it, then it's no more than an annoyance that is easily overcome and bypassed. If you don't expect it, don't prepare for it, and at most just "hope" that it won't happen, then when it does, it is massively disrupting, a pretty big problem, and throws you off quite a bit.

If you buy an RX-8 expecting and preparing for the common issues, then when they pop up you won't be caught off guard, and will be able to easily overcome them without much issue. It's the people the go into the purchase with their head in the clouds or buried in dirt that get slammed by the issues and do the most complaining.

It doesn't mean that you WILL have these problems. I've only had "issues" with the cat, the O2 sensor (from the cat failure), and now a steering u-joint issue. The rest have been just maintenance items to me, like ignition replacements regularly.


Depending on if everything is something you are willing to deal with or not depends on if you think it's worth it. To me....it DEFINITELY is!

This car isn't for everyone though, so your opinion may be different.

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

Thanks. I am planning to take to the dealer for the next oil change, as I have no place to do it now. I will get them to update the ECU for me, and make friends. :D

What is said above is true. This is not a car for everyone. But even that what other options are out there? At this price range you are looking at 350Z, S2000, or Mustang, and they all have their own strength and weakness. Just depends on what you are looking for.

I don't know much as I only have the car for a few weeks, but I figure for the way I drive a car RX-8 is the best for me. I want a car I can autocross, drive to work, listen to music on highway without killing my ears. If you want straight line performance, not-as-much maintenance (sport car is sport car), a second car, there are certainly better options out there.

Or if money is not an object. Get a Porsche.

EvilMrMe

I'm looking into buying a 07 rx8 in about 2 weeks. I have read and researched pretty well but im wondering if I any one can forsee any issues with putting this car in storage for 8 months or more at a time. The reason why is that I have read that this is a car that you want to start at least once every 2 days but they never say why.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

It's true that you do want to start the car often. It keeps away carbon build-up, rust, fouling, etc.
Search the forum for "Storage tips". There's lots of info!

New Yorker

Guidelines for long-term storage of an RX-8 are no different than for any other car:

• Add Sta-bil to the gas tank to keep the gas from going bad
• Disconnect the battery; tickle charge to keep it in good condition
• For really long-term storage, some raise the car to keep the tires from getting flat spots. Personally, I suspect this isn't a real problem unless you'll be storing for years rather than months.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

To add to the list:
stuff some metal "cotton" in the intake duct and exhaust to keep out nasty critters.
make sure you fill the tank when adding the sta-bil.
clean the car before/after storage. Nothing like old caked on debris settling over the long hibernation period to really get into the paint...

Also, change the oil when you recover from storage

komo225

Ohkay so i decided to go for it and start looking around for one. Im stuck between the 2008 and 2009 R3 any advice you can give me?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Series 2 (2009+) is mechanically superior to Series 1 (2004 - 2008). They tweaked the rear suspension geometry slightly, changed the transmission and rear diff gearing, and made several improvements to the engine / oiling. The R3 is also still somewhat rare, and will be coveted eventually.

However, the Series 2 has areas in which is can not yet be modded. The ECU tune being the primary one. The stock ECU tune is the only tune available, as the ECU changed from Series 1 to Series 2, and no company has deemed it worth the investment cost to hack the Series 2 ECU. There are also a variety of cosmetic items that fit Series 1 but not Series 2, and no one has put in the time to develop the Series 2 variants.

The R3 will also have (probably) more time left on the warranty than the 2008.

And then there is appearances, but that is entirely your opinion.

Hockeychic187

I just got my RX8.. its a 2004. When i bought it the tire pressure light was on, so i read up on that and made sure my tire pressure was correct at 32 psi. The light is still on. The check engine light is on as well now. Suggestions on where or what to look at first for the possible problem?

Mazurfer

Is the TPMS light flashing or solid? Flashing indicates a malfunction and given it's a 04, it could be that one or more batteries are low or on the way out.
Solid, means it's working and if your pressure is good, then it could be other things like..........a big tread difference between the tires(one worn more than others), different size tires(front to rear, or even side to side).

In terms of the check engine light, go get it read somewhere for free like Autozone, Pepboys, Aamco, or something like that and let us know what it is.

Also, what is the mileage, auto or manual, and do you have any maintenance history on the car?

maxchao

iTrader: (2)

When I got my 04 a few weeks ago the TMPS light was on solid. It turned out that 3 of the 4 TPMS Sensors were missing. You can see if you have TMPS sensor on each wheel by looking at the valve stem.

Hockeychic187

The light is solid, and all the tires are the same with good tread. How does one check the batteries? lol i think i might be in over my head. Autozone right down from my house so ill head that way in few.

Mileage is 98,204, manual, and no maintenance history. I only got it less then 72 hours ago so im heading back to the dealer today to have a chat with them. Hopefully they will fix it and i wont have to worry about a thing.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, the dealer is your best bet for the TPMS. Way out of warranty on them from the factory, but being a new purchase from a dealer, the dealer should have some like 3-day warranty or something that should cover it.

Let us know what the code is from Autozone.

Hockeychic187

Yeah i now know why the TPMS light is on, one of the tires is missing it. Found it in the glove box. Good place for it.

Autozone found EVAP control system leak - large leak.
probably causes
Faulty fuel cap, canister faulty, purge valve solenoid faulty, damaged/leaking EVAP hose, or Faulty EVAP leak detection pump.

Another code came up but he said it must be a dealer code bc it came up with something to do with a truck.

Went by the dealer, they are going to get it into service in the next day or 2 they said they are booked for 48 hours but they will call as soon as something opens. and they better. lol

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

The evap code is for your gas cap. It's possible it is something else, but it's 99% usual to be the gas cap. Just make sure it's tightened several clicks. If it persists, you may need a new gasp cap. Common with the 8.

If you got the actual code number itself, we can help you out still, but not with that vague description.


And yeah, I agree. TPMS functions fantastically from the glovebox. Telepathy with the tires.

Hockeychic187

OEM number to cross? thats the only thing on here. P0455.
He didnt give me the other code, but he did look at the gas cap and didnt say anything about it...

Telepathy.. i like that. Now only if the light would go off. Hopefully the dealer will put that one back in or a new one. Any lights being on that arent suppose to be make me nervous.

I am happy to report that i LOVE this car as much as i always thought i would. I was like 12 when the concept first came out and my step dad had an RX7, so we got all excited. and now i finally bought my very own! Its a great feeling!

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Quick search: http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...club.com+P0455

First thread: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/p0455-evap-system-leak-detected-112250/

It does appear that it CAN be the gas cap, but that the gas cap often triggers the small leak instead of the large.

Here is the shop manual screen shot that someone posted in that thread. Any of the possible causes are viable, but the gas cap is usually the problem.