'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.

 

'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.

 

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!

 

every car has good points and bad .if there was a car with no problems no one could live without one.big joke.i have 47,000 plus and never once did i think i could buy a car like this without some kind of bug here and there.i love my car even after two aholes have ran into the rear and one ahole pulled out in front of me.no fault of my own and most people say sale the car!thats just bs!anything in life will have good points and or bad just read between the lines get on the road and forget about it.i do every time i feel a little under the weather or need a little boost for life!driving this car has made me enjoy a few of lifes fun things without to much hardship of repairs like other cars much more than whati paid.all in all happy as hell and driving it daily 50 plus miles each way! ...1 trans,clutch assy,two sets on hid headlights,one set of taillight,condensation issues,oil pan,storage box cover two times,new starter,battery,plugs x 3,i rear bumper,new ms exhaust,custom intake,inside blue leds,and just really happy as hell people seem to look at my car like it cost about 80,000 grand or so.most people don't know what it is and thats ok with me i am having fun every day i drive with or without the a- holes on the road!

 

You're right, 13K miles is not very much. Most of my confidence with reliability is based on those long-term (40K+) road tests I've read, Consumer Reports, and the fact that I've owned 3 Miatas previously that were all pretty reliable. (Though one had the dreaded "#4 engine bearing" problem leading to engine failure. Mazda put in a new replacement engine, no problem. And I believe they were even doing that for cars technically out of warranty.)

That's an excellent question! My point was that yes, while that fact strongly suggests the reason for the difference is satisfying CAFE numbers, there's no proof that that's the reason. In other words, that might well be the reason, but it's possible there's another variable here in the US that would explain why Mazda goes with 5W-20. As I said before, I find it hard to believe that incrementally lowering corporate fleet mpg numbers by a tiny amount would be more important to Mazda and Ford than introducing another rotary car that's as reliable as it possibly can be. And if 5W-20 increased the probability of engine problems, with possible engine replacements, warranty costs, and the resulting bad publicity, why would Mazda and/or Ford recommend it? Just doesn't make business sense, far as I can tell.

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.

 

'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 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.

 

^+1

that goes for everything computer related. and just most things in general. especially since most things now are computer related.

 

No, you should buy a rusty turbo civic

 

well that sure as hell would be faster than an 8, LOL...

 

I agree with BlueRenesis. Every car is going to have something wrong with it. Just incase you haven't already got the invitation, Welcome to the facts of Life.

 

I have about 52K on mine and it runs great. RIDE the RX8 Hard and you won't have any issues. the Renesis LOVES to rev and rev hard! drive it all the way to the redline on every shift, and you will have not major issues. Mine does have some rattles and shakes, occasionally. However, keep in mind, EVERY car has plastic interiors and they ALL rattle and squeak!

have fun.

 

ALL THE WAY TO REDLINE EVERY SHIFT, LOL. Okay that is a little excessive. Sure maybe if you like getting 150 miles a tank