As the odometer is about to kick over 20,000mi, I thought I might post my impressions and ownership thoughts after 20,000mi for those who are thinking of buying the car or just got one and is wondering what lies ahead.

After 20,000mi, I can say that the car is fully broken in. Actually, by 10,000 I felt the engine was stronger than when new, but at 20K, it revs quite freely and pulls fairly hard. I have just replaced my tires, mostly because the noise was driving me crazy, I rotated them rather frequently so they may have had another 5-7K left on them. The stock tires are one of my main grips that I’ll get to later. The clutch is still in great shape, I don’t drop launch my car, to I expect it to last quite a while. The feel and grab is still as good as stock. My brakes have also held up well, the light weight of the car helps here I’m sure.

I have a base model (no DSC or TCS) and haven’t missed the feature. I don’t drive in cold weather, but I get a lot of rain here in Houston. The car is so neutral, I haven’t yet had it get sideways on me without me actually trying, even in the wet.

The interior fit and finish has held up great, no broken buttons, pealing, fading or wearing. I have installed the factory seat covers since I work out quite a bit to protect my cloth seats. The exterior paint has also held up well, no issues with the front bumper in terms of pitting or chipping, and I drive in some nasty areas.

My gas mileage has gone up with time, I can get about 16-17 in the city with some spirited driving and use of the 6th gear. I’ve been able to get 24-25mpg highway at 70mph with the A/C on, with the A/C off, I can get higher 27-28mpg. My gas mileage mods include:

Royal Purple Transmission Fluid
Royal Purple 5W-20
32psi tire pressure
Racing Beat intake system
Replaced spark plugs at 10K

The RacingBeat intake made the biggest difference in terms of gas mileage.

From a utility perspective, I can’t really tell a difference between the 8 and my Mazda6. Living with the 8 is quite easy, it fits nearly anything I need to carry, people seem to like getting into the back of the car? (guess they find it cool). Even with my stiffer suspension, it cruises well on long trips and isn’t to taxing.

Here are my main grips thus far.

1. 6th gear is to short – there is a huge mileage difference between cruising at ~3200rpm (65mph) and 3500rpm (70mph), and I can’t understand why Mazda didn’t make the 6th gear like 0.77:1 since they decided to go with a 4.44 final drive.

2. Tires – The stock RE040’s are crap. They are heavy, noisy, and have a crappy tread life. They grip ok, but my Pzero’s are 5lb lighter, grip better, are quieter and have about 30% more tread life. The Pzero’s are also cheaper, so go figure. Needless to say, get some lighter tires, they do amazing things in ride quality and steering response.

3. Rough Idle – the car runs to lean at idle, so you feel the car studder every few seconds, the A/C really makes this worse. I guess this is an emissions issue, its annoying to me, and with my ECU project I aim to fix this.

4. Exposed A/C condensor / Oil Coolers – I had to replace my A/C condenser due to a small puncture from a rock ($650). Why there are no screens to protect them is beyond me, it would be so cheap and easy, and doesn’t effect the cool abilities. Do your self a favor and buy the Racing Beat screens or make your own.

5. Rear Suspension – You can’t get to the top of the shocks without taking them out of the car, this is my biggest design bitch, adjustable shocks are not going to be fun. I may look at some way to cut out a section of the body up there so they can be accessed.

Those are my only real grips with the car, after 20,000 miles, I’m very happy with the purchase. I’ve made a lot of new friends and met some cool people because of it, which you can’t really quantify, but certainly add to the experience.

The handling and steering feel are like nothing else I’ve driven. Every time I drive another car and get back into mine I’m just floored by how much sportscar I have for $25K. It can cruise comfortably, but also carve up the road like a go-kart welding scalpel. Sure, I wish we could get a little better mileage, but it doesn’t bother me that much. Hopefully my megasquirt project can help me get better mileage by leaning out the AFR. If your on a budget, and want to know what I recommend in terms of mods, I would rank it in the order of 1. Tires, 2. RP tranny fluid, 3. Racing Beat Intake. That’s all you need to get the most out of the car, plus your choice of handling mods.

 

see, i can give a *real* 20k mile report already (20,600+ miles in 11 months w00t), but you pretty much said everything i'd say about this car, so i'll save my keystrokes, lol

 

i guess i can add comments regarding winter driving in this car, namely, DON'T DRIVE THIS CAR IN SNOW WITH STOCK TIRES. Get winter tires or at the least, get good all-season tires if you even think about driving in the white stuff.

 

brillo,
just a suggestion. you might want to get some b&g 44k and run it with a tank of very good 93 octane!!!!

pm if needed.

beers

 

Thanks brillo.

 

FWIW, I heard that Lucas makes a killer fuel injector cleaner, though I haven't tried it. People on the general Mazda forum swear by it.

 

I run redline injector cleaner through the car fairly frequently which I like. Swoope, do you think B&G is better, I have never used it.

 

just had an issue that i cant fully explain yet.


beers

 

at 21.5k miles on my 8, i cannot really say all that much. i have aside from the Axis Hiros, billet grille, tint, and stereo system, my car is running smooth still.

my likings about my car are:
1. the handling on this car is superb. i can take turns at double the "rated" speed and still be in full control of my vehicle.

2. the car launches pretty well from a stand still, and once the car gets above 6k RPMs, it really gets moving

3. and of course the compliments . people always say "nice car" or something of the like. and because mine is black, w/the limo and dark tint it has, some of my friends have dubbed my car "the batmobile"

my complaints about my car are:
1. like brillo said, the rough idle. i like to run premium in my car (though i know it's not necessary), but i've also run regular, and plus octane. none have solved the problem, so i went back to premium octane.

2. when having the car idling, i don't like the rattling noise of the flywheel grinding up against the tranny, so i always push in my clutch.

3. at 21.5k miles my truck still had lots of tire tread left. at 21.5k miles on my car, i now have to replace my 19" Hankook Ventus Sport k-104 series tires for almost the same price i paid for the tires on my truck.

I mean, don't get me wrong, i understand that this car is a higher maintenance car than other cars. one would come to expect that the more they would pay for any kind of car.

 

Why is transmission fluid so important?

 

better transmission/differential fluids reduce friction, which in turn reduce drivetrain loss, which in theory, will result in more efficient power output to the wheels, which *should* result in better fuel economy?

 

well, for one, it shifts so much smoother than stock with the better tranny fluid, and I row alot of gears. Second, heat is a big issue for me in Houston, and the synthetic really helps protect the tranny. and finally, it should be more efficient than stock in terms of power train loss.

 

I am also at 21k and would like to suggest those of you at the same mileage check the weep hole on the water pump. My water pump is being replaced today becaues there was an green oily substance exiting (seals bad). This just started about a week ago. That weep hole is right behind the belt. FYI.

I love my car. Each time I have to go in for another recall or service bulletin I cry a single tear. I have been in a 6 loaner for 3days now and really miss the control I had in my 8.

 

Hey Brillo, which RP transmission fluid did you use? Max-Gear?

 

how many recalls have there been on the 8? as far as i know, it's only been the one for the fuel tank

 

Yep, Maxgear 75W90 for both the tranny and diff. Mazda posted a TSB that 75W90 was fine for the diff since the stock fluid isn't really available in the U.S.

 

Check this link for recalls/TSB's.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

Redline fluid is what I use and no problems here, I love it. It seems to be harder to find though than royal purple(in SA at least).

 

holy crap! are all those recalls needed on the rx-8?!

or is that just a bunch of care care stuff recommended by that dealership?

 

only the ones IN RED are mandatory RECALLS

the rest are Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that address common issues (that may NOT happen to every 8 out there) that have arose and how to fix them...

even the 2 recalls are preventive measures, I have yet heard any accidents/incidents that occurred due to the issues addressed in the recalls...

 

using that tranny fluid here in New England is not recommended... especially in the winter months. I asked the service tech at my dealership who also lives in my town, well he said the cold has a negative effect on that fluid... just have to be careful on which weight you buy.

 

have you seen the movie Fight Club? Remember when Tyler Durden (Edward Norton) is explaining what he does as the insurance representative?

yea.....that's what they do

 

I want to say I have had 6 recalls. I have noticed that they are not all posted on the Rosenthall site either. I could be wrong....

RECALLS
Yaw Damper can't remember
Air Bag Something
Engine No Start
Gas tank melting from hot exhaust
Ball joint Recall
and I am missing one....maybe a computer upgrade or something???

I remember I am at 6 on recalls (low vin #) because I asked the dealer if I would get a prize when I hit 8.

Service Bulletins
Oil Sensor replaced
Oil pan replaced
4 lights replaced- moisture
New dipstick
Grommets on engine cover

Oh yeah, and the one that isn't out there yet,
The replacement of the water pump

 

My recall list may be really off. You know, service bulletins ususally are something that an owner must request. I think several of the things I listed in the recall section of my last post were indeed SB that the dealership did without my asking.

I really love my car. I can't wait until the bugs are worked out, if that is possible.

 

you do not take your car in for a TSB unless you really have that problem....