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After a year and a half of owning an 8

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Old 08-19-2005 | 04:15 PM
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After a year and a half of owning an 8

I still love it. I still get out wanting more of it's thrills and fun, I still walk away staring at it's beauty, and still I respect and use it's practical features.

For a while I wanted more power, but I think it was only because I felt the need to not be "beaten" in a straight line by other cars in it's class. After stepping back and considering the Rx-8, only the Rx-8, and remembering the reasons why I wanted to buy a car. It just simply doesn't need it to make me happy.

I wanted something fun to drive, unique, but not too impractical, something to take the edge off of driving in L.A. because I rather dislike it.

The Rx-8 has done that, and continues to do that
Old 08-19-2005 | 04:18 PM
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*checks self*

yup, still love it :D
Old 08-19-2005 | 04:23 PM
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I have had it for two years now and still love it. I love the looks. I love the drive. I love the comfort and partical aspects of it.
Old 08-19-2005 | 04:26 PM
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It's just strange, when I first got it I had expected a lot of the thrill to wear off over time, it's worn a bit, but it seems as if it's not going away.
Old 08-19-2005 | 04:30 PM
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I'm in same boat. Still enjoy the car immensely. Never had any problems with it. Still running original firmware.

More power would be nice, but then again, I go way too fast as it is. Not too thrilled about fuel economy.

No rattles, the squeak in the rearview mirror fixed itself. Added about 4 quarts of oil in the past 1.5 yrs.

Not looking forward to putting it away for the winter.
Old 08-19-2005 | 04:43 PM
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Originally Posted by MTLbroker
I'm in same boat. Still enjoy the car immensely. Never had any problems with it. Still running original firmware.

More power would be nice, but then again, I go way too fast as it is. Not too thrilled about fuel economy.

No rattles, the squeak in the rearview mirror fixed itself. Added about 4 quarts of oil in the past 1.5 yrs.

Not looking forward to putting it away for the winter.
how does it handle in the snow? I was thinking about moving to Canada....
Old 08-19-2005 | 05:36 PM
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A lot of fun in the snow as well !

Owned for a year now, put 17" + Toyo snows on it and had much more fun than my front wheel drive MX-6. The RX8 is actually more sure footed in the snow. First full summer and man was it hot - this car is solid !
Old 08-19-2005 | 05:41 PM
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it was a sweet ride until everything starts falling apart, I swear this car is like a high maintence girlfriend that always seems to have problems. I dont even feel like punching it when I am driving as I know it has no dam power in it all. This is suppose to be a sports car? Wheres the power?
Old 08-19-2005 | 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Minda
it was a sweet ride until everything starts falling apart, I swear this car is like a high maintence girlfriend that always seems to have problems. I dont even feel like punching it when I am driving as I know it has no dam power in it all. This is suppose to be a sports car? Wheres the power?
If I had mod, I would give you a one week ban.

All of your threads include some form of bitching.
Old 08-19-2005 | 05:52 PM
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Yup, 32K on the OD and loving every mile so far. Took delivery in Oct '03. I have had ZERO problems with my 8.
Old 08-19-2005 | 06:13 PM
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Have had my 8 for a year and 8 months now and still enjoy the thrill. 18,000 miles and no problems (just the recalls). My wife is on a trip and I have her car and a van that I should occasionaly drive, but just can't ever seem to do it. Want the 8!
Old 08-19-2005 | 06:27 PM
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I’ve had mine for 1 year and 10 months. I’ve found excuses to test drive other cars (fuel economy etc.). So far, after every test drive has been over, I’ve run back to my 8 and gone home. It’s easy to forget how much better it handles than most anything in its price range.
Old 08-19-2005 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Minda
it was a sweet ride until everything starts falling apart, I swear this car is like a high maintence girlfriend that always seems to have problems. I dont even feel like punching it when I am driving as I know it has no dam power in it all. This is suppose to be a sports car? Wheres the power?
Why don't you sell the car then if that's how you feel? It's clear that the RX-8 doesn't work for you.
Old 08-19-2005 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Tamas
Why don't you sell the car then if that's how you feel? It's clear that the RX-8 doesn't work for you.
its in the process...
Old 08-19-2005 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Minda
it was a sweet ride until everything starts falling apart, I swear this car is like a high maintence girlfriend that always seems to have problems. I dont even feel like punching it when I am driving as I know it has no dam power in it all. This is suppose to be a sports car? Wheres the power?
Sounds like you didn't test drive it before you bought it, because if you did, you would have come to the conclusions about power and how "sporty" it was before you put the cash down for it. What, did you think it would somehow it would reach your expectations after you got it home? That maybe there was a "race" button that you weren't told about? Where you driving downhill during the testdrive with earplugs? or maybe your legally blind but didn't tell the salesman and they sent you home with a Mazda3 and you didn't know it? honestly you sound like a troll.

No power? how can a car that does 0-60 in just under 6 seconds have "no power" did you read what reviews are saying about the RX-8? See the top Gear episode? Overall I got the impression that they were all somewhat pleased.

and exactly how is "everything" falling apart? Your judging your own, single, personal experience and coming to the conclusion that it applies to all RX-8's?

your a troll, and stop trying to hijack my thread. For every one person that isn't pleased with the 8, there's 10 others that are. You've made a thread with your opinoins in it, no need to try and grief others.

Last edited by Jarred; 08-19-2005 at 06:59 PM.
Old 08-19-2005 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Jarred
I still love it. I still get out wanting more of it's thrills and fun, I still walk away staring at it's beauty, and still I respect and use it's practical features.

For a while I wanted more power, but I think it was only because I felt the need to not be "beaten" in a straight line by other cars in it's class. After stepping back and considering the Rx-8, only the Rx-8, and remembering the reasons why I wanted to buy a car. It just simply doesn't need it to make me happy.

I wanted something fun to drive, unique, but not too impractical, something to take the edge off of driving in L.A. because I rather dislike it.

The Rx-8 has done that, and continues to do that
I feel exactly the same way!

Have owned the car now for about 1.4 years and still can't stop thinking about driving it. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones (or just part of the silent majority?), but I've had zero problems, zero fustration, just 100% joy. I've owned many different cars over the years, but few (if any) have lasted this long with me in the "honeymoon" stage of ownership.

I think once people accept the power for what it is, the whole hp thing is a non-issue. The car is fast enough, and in some ways it's more fun to wring out every ounce of performance by reving the heck out of it!
Old 08-19-2005 | 08:04 PM
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LOL... nice burn Jarred
Old 08-19-2005 | 09:02 PM
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My First Post

Originally Posted by Moyenne
Owned for a year now, put 17" + Toyo snows on it and had much more fun than my front wheel drive MX-6. The RX8 is actually more sure footed in the snow. First full summer and man was it hot - this car is solid !
Thanks large, Moyenne! I've only had my RX-8 for a few months, and, while I love it to death, I have been a little concerned about what was going to happen when the Boston winter comes. Since I, too, had an MX-6, you have put me completely at ease. Thanks!!

By the way, that Minda is a complete loser. Not because of her views on the RX-8-- chacun a son gout-- but simply because she has so little life that she spends her time at a site like this, bitching uselessly at people who love the car she hates. Man, I LOVE this car, and yet it's still not clear that I have much time to spend on this board! I can't *imagine* spending even a second here if I didn't like the car.

Last edited by Krankor; 08-19-2005 at 09:05 PM. Reason: sentence seemed a little run-on without a comma
Old 08-19-2005 | 09:07 PM
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Sounds like you didn't test drive it before you bought it, because if you did, you would have come to the conclusions about power and how "sporty" it was before you put the cash down for it. What, did you think it would somehow it would reach your expectations after you got it home? That maybe there was a "race" button that you weren't told about? Where you driving downhill during the testdrive with earplugs? or maybe your legally blind but didn't tell the salesman and they sent you home with a Mazda3 and you didn't know it? honestly you sound like a troll.
SNAP!!
Old 08-19-2005 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by RX-Hachi

I think once people accept the power for what it is, the whole hp thing is a non-issue. The car is fast enough, and in some ways it's more fun to wring out every ounce of performance by reving the heck out of it!
I honestly had to step back and ask myself, "Do you want more power because you feel the car needs it?, or because X car can beat you in a straight line, or whatever?"

and I found myself only wanting it when the thought that "X" car is faster entered my head, not while I was just driving around having fun.

yup, a lot of other cars are faster, but it's fun the way it is, the thought of potentially compromising the life of the engine with forced induction, and the price of it, just isn't worth it to me. IF I had enough money to buy 2, or had another car that made me just as happy, I'd love to turn it into a project car. But for now all I can say is that the 8 has gone beyond my expectations after 18 months.
Old 08-20-2005 | 12:32 PM
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Smile Outstanding Handling

Had mine for a year and 8 months. 35,000 miles. Several little problems but nothing serious. I still get a thrill everyday in my 8. As I leave work there is a gorgeous "S" bend ramp onto the freeway. The first bend has a big negative camber. As I throw my baby around those corners, she leaps and bucks like a colt in a field and I know shes a happy car. I just sit there grinning like an idiot as i hit 110 at the freeway entry. Manner from heaven boys!! If I had one minor complaint, it would be the stereo system sound quality.

Enjoy - Tom
Old 08-23-2005 | 01:07 PM
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I've had mine for 2 years now. I love the drive and the looks. Not so comfortable with the constant recalls/updates. The A/C still doesn't work well (after amp installed last year), oil consumption is way up, the idle is rough, and the gas mileage is just awful. I'm on the fence about keeping it. I'm bringing it to the dealer on Thursday and we will see how the fixes go. Then I will be bringing it back AGAIN for the control arms. My Fiat is a model of reliability compared to this.
Old 08-23-2005 | 01:24 PM
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I only drive mine on the weekends. When Saturday morning comes around I go for an hour drive just around the city or to the beach. Come back with a huge grin on my face. Then i go back in my room and jack off..haha j/k
Old 08-23-2005 | 01:30 PM
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eww
Old 08-23-2005 | 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Jarred
I honestly had to step back and ask myself, "Do you want more power because you feel the car needs it?, or because X car can beat you in a straight line, or whatever?"

and I found myself only wanting it when the thought that "X" car is faster entered my head, not while I was just driving around having fun.
Very well said

1.25 years into ownership, and it just gets sweeter every day. I enjoy the sensations the car provides, that zen-like experience of *being* the car rather than driving it. More power doesn't necessarily improve that experience for me. In fact, if the car had come with +40hp made via a turbo with the usual turbo lag, I would not have bought it.

My only real complaint is a problem with mine hesitating badly on higher-rpm upshifts. It ruins the otherwise perfect fluidity of the machine. A few others have mentioned it, so at least it's not Just Me. And I've finally read (on another forum) where a few people swear the R flash cured it for them. Mine's scheduled for the recall work on monday, so it should feel like a whole new car to me next week


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