Ok, I am new.. obviously, name is Phoenix, I live in Phoenix..

So, I am looking into purchasing an 8, but I am a bit hesitant. I have never had a vehicle quite like the 8, I currently dd a not so street friendly '90 Jeep wrangler YJ, but with the gas mileage, decided to get something else.

I know how to work on cars, but the 8 is a completely different animal then my 4.2L straight 6. What can I do myself? fluids?

Now before someone says the 8 has horrible gas mileage, understand that I currently get approx. 9 mpg city and 11 mpg freeway.

With all of that aside, I am looking at '05 - '07, and more or less wanted to know if there was anything to look out for. I was also hoping to see what anyone can tell me on the transmission options for these years. Personally, I would prefer an auto, as I have driven this damn standard for a while and its getting old. I am not completely opposed to driving another manual though.

When I go to look at the vehicles, what should I look for to see how it was maintained?

Being that I am in AZ, how is the summer heat going to treat the car?

Anything else that I should know going into this?

Thanks guys!

Phoenix

 

Get a manual, it doesn't get old when you have 9k rpm range to play with.

You want a car that have a good service records and preferably still on its original engine under 100k miles. In case the engine blew up, you get a free one from Mazda provided you can show the car was being properly maintained.

About summer heat, please search for "how to cool... thread started by 9krpm or OD.

Someone please link RIWWP's thread for new 8 owners.

 

Dude are you my alter-ego?? I DD'ed a 91 YJ in Phoenix for 8 years with no AC. Just got my RX8 at the beginning of the year.

As far as the Phoenix heat, my 8 has handled it pretty well through its first summer and there are plenty of other RX8 owners here in Phoenix that will say the same (actually Phoenix has one of the best RX8 communities!). Cars are designed to endure temperature extremes. The fan runs for awhile after shutting the engine off during the hotter days, but this is just the car cooling itself down, it takes care of itself. If there has been any power loss over the summer I haven't noticed.

The AC can blow a little warm some times, but coming from a no-AC soft top Jeep I'm not complaining. Plus there is an easy solution (seen here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=colder+AC) to cool the AC a little. I haven't gotten around to it yet, like I said I'm just happy to have AC at all.

You're right about gas mileage, it is an over-exaggerated problem with these cars and coming from a 9-11 MPG Jeep you will see a big improvement. Keep in mind though the RX8 does have a smaller tank so miles per tank is roughly the same as the Jeep. I get around 200-240 miles per tank which was about the same in my Jeep.

DON'T get an auto! The autos take a significant hit in performance compared to the manuals. Trust me the manual box in these cars is a million times better than in the Jeep. My 8 is SOO much easier to drive than my Jeep, the manual box really is a dream in this car. Test drive one you'll see what I mean.

As far as what to look for in an '05-'07, well I can't really help you there I bought new. But make sure you get maintenance records, these cars DO need regular oil changes and maintenance. Neglecting an RX8 will have far worse consequences than neglecting something like a Jeep.

Two threads you should read for potential new owners:
New and potential owners start here
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

Faq - Update
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-faq-9/faq-update-63747/

It also wouldn't hurt to check out the other threads in the FAQ section.

 

Everything Dave said and more. If you are curious about the RX8, feel free to meet us at the Pavilions this weekend, or a different meet for some Q&A.

 

Thanks for the info guys.. I will be in NM next weekend, but I would love to get with one of you sometime for some Q&A and just to get to know others in the area.

I do have a few quick questions regarding insurance... What does the insurance companies typically consider the 8? Sports car or sedan? I am expecting the insurance to be pretty similar to my Jeeps payment (18 year old + 4 wheel drive = highest possible payment) but being that I have USAA its still cheap no matter what.

I am glad to hear the 8 handles the heat alright, my Jeep runs a tad bit on the hot side in the summer months.

I am definitely looking forward to hopefully purchasing, I am tired of being at the mercy of my YJ for travel, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

I am in Fountain Hills, but I work in Mesa, and go to school in Scottsdale, so I would love to meet up with someone sometime to get a better understanding.

Thanks,

Phoenix

 

You have NO idea how much of a jackpot you just hit by living in the Phoenix area.

 

My insurance is pretty lax and classifies it as a 1.3L 4-door.

it's was only $5 more than the civic I had.

 

I live out in the desert myself, though i don't sit in any traffic which really heats up things in hot weather. One thing I've noticed is I switched from 5w30 to 10w40 for the summer; my oil temps were consistently cooler.

 

Ha starting to pick up on that..

Once I purchase, I guess I will belong to two clubs.. Arizona Virtual Jeep Club and RX8club..

The only thing I ask of everyone is to understand that the PHX in my username stands for my name.. Phoenix.. not the city I live near.. Phoenix..

Wow.. I am thinking that the insurance may be less than my jeep then.

 

Wait; do you or do you not live in the Phoenix, AZ area?

 

I do pretty much, I live in the East Valley.

My name is Phoenix, AND I live in the Phoenix Area.

 

I see now. I thought you may have had "A Moment in the Life of Rick James" going on there.

Flashwing and I are in the Chandler area while MazdaManiac and Easy_E1 are near South Mountain.

 

Chandler, about an hour away from me or so depending on the exact area.

I really hope to get an 8 relatively soon, I just have some things to work out with the bank and find a good one.

I am also in need of a tad bit more research, although, I think I have a decent understanding now. Seems to me that if you maintain the vehicle properly, it will keep going for a really long time. The stuff your supposed to do to other vehicles, you HAVE to do with the 8.

I am still gonna have to get used to the handling, and being so low on the ground.

 

There are a few relatively minor preventive things you may want to consider but they can be discussed after you get the car.

 

I'm right off the I-17 and Northern

 

You hit the nail on the head with that statement.

About insurance, I'm paying around ~$90 a month for full coverage on my 8 which I think is a really great deal. Part of it is the insurance company classified the car as a four-door sedan. The other part is I have a package deal for full coverage on the 8, minimum coverage on my YJ, and full coverage on my mom's Cherokee ($220 total). Granted youre a little younger then me but I do have 1 accident on my record. Insurance seems pretty cheap right now, even if you don't buy an 8 I'd recommend shopping around for new insurance for your Jeep if you haven't done it in awhile.

At your age though, I'm not sure I'd recommend the 8. I'm assuming you are going to be going to college/school/whatever soon, you need to make sure youre going to have the time and money to maintain it before you buy one. This is true for any real sports car not just the RX8.

 

Well I have the YJ fully covered for 85 a month, where as other insurance companies were wanted about 40-60 more a month.

I do go to school/work, but I am one of those guys who spends his free time wrenching on his vehicle, I enjoy it, so maintenance will get done for sure. I typically do my oil every 2600 miles and then have the tires rotated as well.

Now, what gas do you guys use? 91? or can 89 be used.. I would never run 87 in it.

EDIT: oh.. The reason I know I have time to maintain is because I work mon-fri and school is mon, tues, thurs.. So I have the weekends completely free.

 

^ Nothing but 91 octane for my baby.

I guess as long as you do your research and know what youre getting into you should be fine, you seem like a bright kid. The general consensus around here seems to be these aren't good cars for younger people, but I know there are several members here that are around your age or owned an 8 at that age. Perhaps some of them will chime in. The fact that it wouldn't be your first car helps too.

 

I guarantee that the 8 will not be as much of a hassle as my jeep.. I beat my jeep against the rocks a lot so I know what its like to have to do work on a vehicle.

In the jeep I have replaced/work on:
3 clutches
a transmission
a transfer case
a rear axle
regeared the front axle
done basic maintenance countless times
Seafoamed the hell out of it (love that stuff.. can I use it on the 8?)
Water pump
Alternator
couple serpentine belts
lots of ujoints
an miscellaneous other crap that fell off..

Now I know the 8 is going to be a lot more complicated, but I think I should be able to handle SOME of the work needed.. Dealer gets the rough stuff for sure.

 

PHXYJ, will you be in town saturday night?

 

I will be in New Mexico this weekend sadly. The one weekend this month I am gonna be busy.

Any other time?

 

Yeah man!! Every Saturday we have a group that meets up at the Pavilions at the 101 and Indian Bend

 

I will definitely have to attend sometime, I am typically not doing anything on Saturdays anyway.

 

^^ yes you can use sea foam on the 8.

it makes some serious smoke though, warn the neighbors

 

Thanks for the info!

Its one of the first things I do as a part of my basic maintenance I perform to the vehicle after purchasing.. I like to make sure everything is oh so clean!!