Am I safe with an RX8?
#26
Sparky!
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'04 with 34,000 miles here. I've had some minor TSB work that was done by the dealer under warranty, and almost all of that work was related to minor trim issues (foggy tailights, broken tab on parking brake trim, etc.). I've never had any major mechanical issues with this car, nor has it ever failed to start or get me where I needed to go.
By contrast, I've had three new Hondas in the past ten years that had major problems ('98 Prelude - new transmission @ 24k miles; '00 Accord - new transmission at 78k miles; '05 CR-V - transfer case problems at 30k miles). Moral of the story? Cars are complex machines, and they're not going to be 100% perfect 100% of the time. Read any forum dedicated to any particular make or model, and you'll find that all cars have their share of quirks and issues. The RX-8 is no better and no worse than the average new car in terms of reliability.
By contrast, I've had three new Hondas in the past ten years that had major problems ('98 Prelude - new transmission @ 24k miles; '00 Accord - new transmission at 78k miles; '05 CR-V - transfer case problems at 30k miles). Moral of the story? Cars are complex machines, and they're not going to be 100% perfect 100% of the time. Read any forum dedicated to any particular make or model, and you'll find that all cars have their share of quirks and issues. The RX-8 is no better and no worse than the average new car in terms of reliability.
#27
Registered Zoom Zoomer
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'05 Shinka myself and am very pleased with it. 14k miles (bought new in March '06 and limited Winter use).
Only three maladies that were quickly resolved:
1. Taillight condensation one light- replaced with new unit.
2. Console runner clip replaced.
3. 'Hard start' flash performed (already had the better starter and battery).
I may have the brake pad service bulletin performed but some disc squeal is normal.
I've installed a radiator screen, clear corners (w/ stealth bulbs), and color matched strakes.
5W-20 dino, changed every 3k miles (so I don't worry about oil usage, although I do check regularly). I'm going to run some pre-mix in the Spring, just for the heck of it.
Only three maladies that were quickly resolved:
1. Taillight condensation one light- replaced with new unit.
2. Console runner clip replaced.
3. 'Hard start' flash performed (already had the better starter and battery).
I may have the brake pad service bulletin performed but some disc squeal is normal.
I've installed a radiator screen, clear corners (w/ stealth bulbs), and color matched strakes.
5W-20 dino, changed every 3k miles (so I don't worry about oil usage, although I do check regularly). I'm going to run some pre-mix in the Spring, just for the heck of it.
#28
My 2005 is passing 43,000 miles and a receint compression test showed that the motor is in excellent shape. I'm pretty tough on my cars and living in Phoenix I'm part of the group which had has a lot of blown motors due to the excessive climate here during the summer.
I have some moderate modifications including the greddy oil pan and Koyo radiator to help with heat but otherwise the car has been fantastic to own! I have experienced a little bit of the transmission woes and might end up with a rebuild here within the next 15,000 miles. It's my daily driver so it has to be dependable.
The key to the car is driving it like a sports car should be driven. Be rough but not destructive. Take care of the car and demand 100% out of it and it will perform for you every time!
I have some moderate modifications including the greddy oil pan and Koyo radiator to help with heat but otherwise the car has been fantastic to own! I have experienced a little bit of the transmission woes and might end up with a rebuild here within the next 15,000 miles. It's my daily driver so it has to be dependable.
The key to the car is driving it like a sports car should be driven. Be rough but not destructive. Take care of the car and demand 100% out of it and it will perform for you every time!
#29
more then a Mazda
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#30
Second and most importantly. Why would everyone else in the world use 5W-30? Why shouldn't we? Would that make sense since we know why 5W-20 is recommended here?
Many here choose to use 5W-30 with no problems and—believing the only reason we get 5W-20 is to satisfy CAFE—feel more comfortable using what the rest of the world is using. Maybe they're smart to switch. I've been hesitant to make the change because I wonder if the programming of the ECU is somehow calibrated to 5W-20 instead of 5W-30.
#31
Atomic 8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London, Ontario
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'07, 4500 km
I feel very safe in this car. First winter, blizzaks, no problems in the city so far. Only one dealer in London but great service manager and awesome mechanics. I visit almost every Saturday, bring some coffees, stay on great terms. They always ask if I have any problems, wash it, installed a bunch of mods that they'd never done before. I feel if you get to know the people (not just a walk-in customer) they will really take care of you.
Good luck.
I feel very safe in this car. First winter, blizzaks, no problems in the city so far. Only one dealer in London but great service manager and awesome mechanics. I visit almost every Saturday, bring some coffees, stay on great terms. They always ask if I have any problems, wash it, installed a bunch of mods that they'd never done before. I feel if you get to know the people (not just a walk-in customer) they will really take care of you.
Good luck.
#32
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Join Date: May 2007
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I have ALWAYS HEARD, "Dont buy the first model year of a new yehicle." It's true sometimes they rush things out to production and let us work out the kinks later with recalls and TSB. Thats just the way it is. Buy an 06 or 05 and it will be a safer buy. A friend of mine bought an 04 BMW 525i when they came out with the new I drive and body style and he had to take his car back once a month for software updates, and once he was detailing it and the computer locked all the doors and rolled the windows up BY ITS SELF!!! with the keys in it!!! He called the dealer and they the car was so new they had no way to break into it.
#34
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Join Date: Feb 2004
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Hi everyone. I am about to purchase an 05 RX8 Shinka. I already have the financing and everything and I am getting a real good deal on the car.
But now I am scared. I have read many horror stories on here about the engines going bad. I don't want to have all kinds of problems with the car and I am worried that I might based on what everyone else has said. All throughout the world 5W-30 is recommended for this car, but here in the US they recommend 5W-20 for the car. Could this be the cause for all the engine failures. Would it be bettter to use 5W-30 when I get the car and avoid what the manual says or is
5W-20 going to work ok now that recall 4206F has been done for these cars.
What does everyone think about the oil?
Do you think I should get the car based on your experiences? Is everyone happy?
I need some reassurance over here, but I also want to hear the bad side too.
But now I am scared. I have read many horror stories on here about the engines going bad. I don't want to have all kinds of problems with the car and I am worried that I might based on what everyone else has said. All throughout the world 5W-30 is recommended for this car, but here in the US they recommend 5W-20 for the car. Could this be the cause for all the engine failures. Would it be bettter to use 5W-30 when I get the car and avoid what the manual says or is
5W-20 going to work ok now that recall 4206F has been done for these cars.
What does everyone think about the oil?
Do you think I should get the car based on your experiences? Is everyone happy?
I need some reassurance over here, but I also want to hear the bad side too.
#37
have fun.
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