i will be going to virginia from maine soon with my rx8 and i did an oil change a couple weeks ago. there will be about an extra 300-350lbs including myself so not much added weight but is there anything i should know about long trips with the 8? does the oil temp spike on long trips? should i take breaks every # miles and if so how long? stuff like that please. i will reply tomorow as i am about to zzz

 

If its maintained properly, then you don't have to worry. You could go to sleep now, good night.

 

toss an extra quart of oil in the trunk.

this is still a car. not a time bomb.

 

It's just a car, but it's also a sports car. Of all the cars I've had, it's the most unforgiving of distracted driving. I don't eat or fool with the cell phone underway. While not uncomfortable, I also stop for a stretch every couple of hours. It's hard to shift your position around very much and the low seats + legs out posture can generate soreness or cramps over the course of a long day. Especially if you're running without a spare, make sure your tire pressures are good and that the flat kit has a fresh can of flat-fixer since they go bad over time. I also have added to that kit a $10 puncture fixer, which together with the air compressor, lets you do a repair on the spot and might save an expensive ride on the back of a flat-bed tow truck (there's no way to tow in the normal manner due to a lack of grab points for a hoist.) Take an air pressure gauge with since the sidewalls are so short and stiff it can be impossible to tell a lack of air just by looking. If you shred a tire, you may be stuck for a day or two since many tire outlets don't stock our relatively uncommon tire size.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...questid=254864

 

97,000 miles on my 8, purchased with 8,600 miles 4.5 years ago. Average of 7,000 miles normal daily commuting per year in RI, accounting for only ~31,000 of the miles I've put on it. The remaining ~49,000 miles have all been long distance trips of 400 miles or more, including my 8,330 mile trip out to CA and back for Sevenstock 13 (https://www.rx8club.com/sevenstock-archive-186/riwwps-ss13-trip-successful-8-330-miles-197270/).

Make sure you have oil, though you can easily pick it up anywhere. Fantastic car for long distance trips.

 

Totally agree. I find the seats and driving position so good that I don't need to adjust my position very often. Also, whereas the steering is very responsive, I haven't found it to be overly twitchy or need to be overly attentive ever since I got a proper alignment and installed the Conti DWS tires. I had the alignment shop dial in some extra castor to increase self-centering of the steering and optimize straight line stability. Better than new !

 

You should be fine

 

+1 on taking tire fix thing and tools. I would take oil and coolant. Check the oil before leaving. And dont forget to premix lol

 

This is a surprisingly comfortable car for long distance trips.

 

OMG I drove my rx8 with a ton extra weight from GA to CA 2200+miles 25 hours of driving, I'd say at the 500 mile mark add about 1/4 -1/2 a quart. when you reach your destination add the other 1/2-1/4 you will be fine. to get the best gas mileage keep it under 80mph gas mileage drops considerably after 75mph. stay alert stay alive n be safe!

 

this. i have witnessed the glory first hand

 

Jesus.

 

btw, a safe place to store you extra quart of oil is in the 'hole' between the windshield washer tank and the fender, or in the rear seat pass thru bin. A 1/2 quart of oil leaking in the trunk will make a real messy mess.

 

Be calm my son.

 

haha thank you so much guys this is all great advice!! i always have oil in my car but i never thought of bringing coolant so thats a good suggestion, and im actually thinking that i might have to invest in the tire repair kit since my car did not come with one. and thanks for the tip on gas mileage, that will definitely come in handy!! oh and my coworker said he is going to gut my muffler for me since he does it for everyone and he is a professional, he is going to slice it open and tig weld it back together but do you think it will make a diff on gas mileage? i know it shouldn't cuz it has nothing to do with the engine but my thoughts are it frees up room for more airflow and that will cause a bit more gas consumption due to the exhaust fumes not being stuffed, just my thoughts but i would like to get it done before i go to show it off to my family down there lol.

 

Gut the muffler? Not a good idea. The 8 is not your neighbors old Chevy.

 

haha whats wrong with gutting the muffler? i cant afford to replace the exhaust for an extra couple hp

 

I recently drove from WI to DE in one go, about 14 hours. The rx8 is surprisingly comfortable to be in for that long! Only thing I can think of is fill up earlier than you think you might need to, that last bit of the gas gauge goes by quickly...

 

how long did it take you to fully adjust the seat to avoid back pains lol?

 

Muffler or cat? I've never read of anyone gutting the muffler on an 8. Doing random sh*t on these cars is as likely to lose hp than gain it. Gutting a functioning cat is just plain dumb; these things go for $1300 at the dealer *if* you supply a core. If you insist on a gutted cat, trade with someone online here who has a bad one and needs to pass emissions test. Search the "for sale" section and you'll always find someone in this jam.

Doing random sh*t on the exhaust system can easily leave you with a drone which will leave you ears ringing after a long drive, both from the drone and from your female passenger complaining. Plus it's a classy car as is - don't bloody tuned it into a fart can civic.

 

Because it is a lot of time and effort with nothing to gain and possibly plenty to lose. You may as well go with straight pipes for what it's worth; a lot less time and work involved.... Just be aware that either way, your car will be as loud as a shuttle launch!

 

mmm didn't have any back pain? [shrug]

 

basically my friend will slice the muffler and run straight pipes through while maintaining the illusion of having a muffler. and hes not worried about time or anything but if it will make my car unbearably loud than idk if i want it, i just want a bit of extra sound when i gun it like the airbox mod. and i get a bit of pains sometimes but im constantly messing up my adjustments cuz i clean it like 3 times a week lmao

 

Yes, straight pipes will be crazy loud.

When God wants to shout down someone, he uses an uncorked rotary.

 

Listen to what everyone already said and don't gut your muffler. Your car will be unnecessarily loud. You will annoy your neighbors, you will risk getting pulled over, and long drives will not be fun.