So, I think it is time for a little response.
Many people noted to never turn off TCS / stability mgmt (hold the traction control button down till swervy car appears.)

In 3 years and 56000 miles I've driven with it on when flooding or iced over and the rest of the time with it off.
I didn't eat a tree or wreck.

I drove a substantial amount of time on nitto motivos 245/45 and although they provide excellent stability I like the 225/45 kumho ecsta. Makes the car feel livelier.

I also used hawk performance HPS brake pads and they dust a lot, but are good.

The car has been great to work, especially as a novice, on and these forums have really helped out in completing the maintenance, so thanks for all the help.

The only chronic issue I have is my clutch pedal breaks about every 10k miles / the pedal goes weak. The warranty covers it, but it is annoying as hell.

So.. I am left with a somewhat difficult choice with the 8.
I am coming up on 100k miles and I am pretty worried I won't be one of the 8s that really breaks the 100k barrier.

I like the car though. I like the looks, I like the handling and I like the Revs but I could use more power. The interior center console from dash to passenger divider I could live without.

I can't buy a new rx8, I really like my 2009 one and I don't think I could find another low mileage one.

What I was going to do in two years is..
repaint the exterior,
replace the front interior seats,
Remove that center console?
Recondition/line the interior upholstry
Put another rotary in it or put a v8 in it?
big brake/rotor package

Or...
There are a bunch of great cars out and maybe I could trade my 8 in for something fun.

Or maybe this isn't the end and replacing the apex seals will give my engine a new lease on life?

Either way, y'all always give good advice, so what would you do when your 8 nears the 100k mile marker?

 

The 2009 and newer RX-8 are series 2 The engine is suppose to be more reliable. I would just keep up with maintenance (plugs, coils, wires, oil, coolant) and drive it. I would't repaint it unless it looks really bad. Just drive it and enjoy.

 

My suggestion is to go get a compression test. If it is below spec, then Mazda should cover it under the 8 yr/100k engine core warranty that also applies to Series II. (as long as you're in North America
) If it passes, you will at least know how your apex seals are doing and able to make a more informed decision.

I was getting close to 100k had some compression tests done, and now Mazda is replacing my engine under warranty, although there's some doubt as to the quality of the SII remans coming out of the reman plant. Depending on your maintenance and driving history, your engine may be doing better than mine was. Did you premix? How often did you refresh ignition components?

 

Low mileage ones are out there. I picked up a 2009 with 29K miles on it last year. They are out there if you look and are patience.

If your car is approaching 100K miles have the compression checked. If bad you get a new reman engine under warranty. If good continue driving with a smile on your face and premix if you are not already doing so.

 

According to the manual holding the DSC off switch til the traction light appears doesn't actually do anything except confuse the programming, to the point that you can't turn it back on in the same drive cycle. I was a bit confused by this at first, but from my understanding the DSC activates and deactivates both the stability control and traction control elements, so holding it is unecessary. I could be wrong though.

Keep the 8!!! Simple!! :P

 

If you are nearing 100K miles, absolutely take the car to a dealer for a compression test. If you qualify for an engine replacement, this is your last chance to get one.

 

From what I was told the DSC off is only electronic traction control. Holding for 5 seconds turns off the rear brake engaging stability mgmt. With the rear brake engage on it causes additional.body roll after sharp fast turns, so I turn it off.

For maintenance,
Never done premix.. Wasn't sure if that one was figured out yet.
Every 30k I change coils, plugs and wires.
I always top off engine with oil.

Is premix the way to go? I heard 1oz per gallon.
Red Line 40603 2-Stroke Racing Motor Oil - 16 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002G2U0VE..._uDXBvb0MRYE0K
Also is that what we are talking about for premix?

 

Your maintenance looks good to me, assuming you are changing the oil every 3,000 miles. You might want to keep an eye on your coils as they approach 20K miles, as many go bad near that interval.

As for premix, 1/2 oz per gallon is the accepted recommendation. Any quality JASO FC or FD 2 cycle oil is a good choice. I use Lucas semi-synthetic 2 cycle oil, because it meets all the requirements and is available at O'Reilly Auto Parts at a reasonable price. But, in my S2 car with the upgraded oiling system, I only bother to premix at the track or when I know I am going to drive the car hard.

You can read more about premixing here.

 

To take a step back.. I'm not sure what problem you're trying to solve?
It sounds like the car is in good shape, the reliability record for series 2's is pretty good, you're happy with it...

If you're worried, have a compression test performed, you'll know the health of your engine and can make decisions from there. If it's low, you'll get a new engine, you're still in the warranty period.

The clutch pedal issue IS weird, it shouldn't break that often. Doesn't BHR provide a reinforced replacement one? That should solve it once and for all.


Just enjoy the car

 

Yea 3k oil changes. Felt weird initially because I used to get tires rotated with changes, but now it is every other change.

Looks like I can get a gallon for 30 bucks off amazon, so Lucas looks good. Now I just need an extraction/measuring tool.

It looks like I really need a compression test done. The dealerships around me were bought by Clayton Mazda and they suck. Anything I should look out for if they try and dodge the warranty?

 

Basically I am worried about the 8 exploding and not having an enjoyable daily driver/fulfilling weekend warrior for two ranges 100k miles and 200k miles.
I didn't plan on it to last over 100,000 miles, but I am pretty lucky and am on my first engine and am getting close to the warranty end. So, I'm planning ahead and looking at available options.
After 100k miles(and it is paid.off) I was going to spend 15k on the car to try and make sure it makes it another 100k miles, and start adding after market mods, now that I am out of warranty nothing is stopping me from doing so.

To do that I have been looking at mostly engine swaps.
Not sure if it is realistic to expect my initial engine to last 200k miles. It seems like I am a little off to think it won't last 100k, so I'll get the compression test and hope for the best.

The after market mods I've been looking at, if I keep the rotary for past 100k miles are the greddy larger oil pan, a larger radiator and the coolant and oil temp gauges that hook into the CIG lighter. Then after that I was going to check for wheels and suspension for autocross in the forum.
I have seen 0 horsepower enhancing mods reliably work for the rotary, so far and that does leave me wanting.

Also, ease of maintenance mods were something I was going to look into as well. I love breaking my back to take out the stupid air filter.

Oh and thanks for mentioning BHR reinforced item. I didn't know that they made one and have been shopping around.

 

Sometimes I think all of us here think too much about our cars "exploding" and not about just using it to have fun with (where are the happy stories/the things that are right?), no worries just the drive we get to take that most ppl in this world will never experience. When I was first looking for a sports car all I ever read on the net was how much the 8 was a big heap of trouble...this goes wrong...that needs to be replaced...if your car feels and runs like it did the very first time you drove it (yours seem to be one of the good ones) love it and keep driving it. If that feeling, that grin on your face is lost then it's time to let go and move on. I think all of us 8 drivers are owners because we love the emotional connection to our cars and that's how I think you should way your decision.

Hope my perspective lends a helping hand

 

Thanks for the post that does help.
I do this "end of life" routine with all my vehicles.
My ninja250 hit 10k miles and it was rebuild time, so I traded it in for a street triple675cc bike, because I didn't particularly like the ninja250.

My mustang gt front air intake attempted to self destruct the engine bay and I gave it to my mom. I really hated that car.

My Tacoma prerunner sr5 hit 100k miles, so I put an awesome brake package on it and fun off roading tires. At 120k miles it started bleeding oil and I nursed that effin engine for another 40k miles until I gave it to my mom. I even fully detailed it, removed the seats and all. I really loved that truck.

The rx8.. It is hard to pick a none fun experience.
Driving daily an awesome car
Drifting through the rain
Doing autocross for the first time
Doing more autocross
Taking turn around stupid fast
Driving 90 all the way to Houston (speed limit is 80)
It is hard to not pick a great learning experience.
- front air intake flooded with oil, learned to disable the entire intake system
- learned to bleed my own brakes and change front and back brakes
- learned what all that **** under the hood was
- did my own spark plug, coils and wires!!
- changed transmission fluid!
- learned the electrical quirks usually = dealership
Hell right now my keyless entry doesn't work unless I move my key through the air while pushing the door button and the window motor gears are chewed up and I can't honestly wait to google "how to disassemble rx8 door" and fix that thing up.
My clutch failed on.my girlfriend and It's first date and she got to see me manually lift the clutch pedal to get in gear. She likes this car and accepts it and my partially disassembled motorcycle in my dining room. As long as I keep it clean.
I've spent a grand on tools. This has been awesome.

I don't just love this car, I love the experiences I have had with it. If I am forced to engine swap I'll still love it. I promised myself once the warranty was up I would do something neat with the car. I have a whole list of RIM/wheel combos for autocross growing, and am building an excel document to house the options. The engine is the big thing. As much as I hated the mustang I didnt mind its noise. Maybe a high revvng v8 is the answer. Maybe the rx9 will happen and its engine is swappable, who knows!
To coincide with the new toys list is a tools list and I can't wait to buy an air compressor and find an easier way to regularly bleed my brakes out!
I think I have a problem :P but 2/3 of my student loans pay off when the warranty expires along with the car being paid off and holy crap disposable income.

 

I love your reply it got me thinking about an "end of life" situation with my daily driver Mazda 5. I usually trade up my cars every 4 years, don't like the long term issues that may happen but the 5 has been with me an extra 2 years...I still love everything about it including all the family trips and crazy driving I pull off in it. It looks like you should do something crazy with the 8...the other night I went to a car meet and this guy had a 1st generation Miata with a corvette engine strapped in!

I always say do whatever makes you happy (without hurting someone else) life's too short to let money get in your way and share those happy memories with someone. There is plenty of money out there but only about 180000 RX 8 in the world and were lucky that they came into our lives