Swashbuckler

Hey everyone, my pops is lookin at an RX-8. (sorry not lookin to trade the evo ) I have a few questions, and I have searched, but I'm having trouble narrowing down info. So, any help is appreciated.

My dad has a buddy that for some reason is selling his RX. It's a white '07 with 6500 miles, and he's asking 19k. Sounds like an awesome deal to me, but I'm not to keen on the subject. It's a base model (not sure what it is exactly) with an automatic trans with the manumatic option. I've been reading around and I'm getting people saying that the auto is trash, and very problematic. How much truth is there to this?

Also, I've told him to consistently check the oil and plugs. I'm also hearing to red line it a few times a day. Why is that? And is is possible in the autos? I'm sure he'll still be under warranty considering the low mileage, but any problems that can be avoided... What else am I missing? He buys it on tuesday, so if the auto is a NO GO please let me know. Also keep in mind, he's not big into cars like I am, and most of you are. He just wants a cool lookin, fun, reliable, well priced car. I think he's found it, for a deal none the less. Any comments and help are appreciated! Thanks in advance.

oh, and here's a pic of my car for ***** n' grins

briann

You have to redline 2nd gear[am i correct?]. To prevent carbon from building up in the engine.
That's a great price for an 07. Automatic is just less HP. 212 AT, 232 MT. Plus it only goes up to 7500rpm before changing gears. While the MT can redline at 9000-10000rpm
Later models(05+) are fine. Just make sure to change/check the oil every 3000 miles. Just like any other car. Also, make sure that its topped off because the 8 uses more oil than a regular[piston/cylinder] engine because its a rotary.
Some say its not as fun driving than a MT.
I don't think it will have many prbolems since its an 07. The 04 models had recalls because of spark plugs and bug they need to fix.
But heck, what do i know. I'm only 15 and i don't own an 8[yet]
Hahaha. Oops, i posted my age

Nice Evo btw

Cody Red

if you don't redline it at least once a day it will start to build up carbon. we redline so the rotors spin fast and wipe the carbon off! (no joke)

auto is trash IMO (sorry to the at's) because I always thought, "why make a rotary with auto?" it's slow, the older 4-ports were pretty bad?

i'm not sure i'm in the right condition to type, but um.

we burn a lot of oil, the plugs is where the carbon is built up.


i'm more than sure you didn't search 'hard enough' for the people that are gonna post up threads, the new search button sucks.

if he takes care of it, it's reliable. 6mt is more fun (sport suspension).

oh yeah, i'm shitting and grinning over your evo. it looks good.

not really.

jk

man this was a long pointless post! search dammit!

edit: kid is right about the 2nd, only because of load. redline in neutral doesn't cut it.

Swashbuckler

Thanks for the feed back. How exactly do you redline in 2nd gear specifically in an auto? No joke. I've owned a mustang, a ranger, a wrx, and an evo. All Manual. I'm guessing you launch, wait till it shifts once, then floor it?

And you're right, I didn't search hard enough. But to be completley honest with you, I did search for about 10 minutes, and my head hurts. I'm actually working on a college final exam paper (yes this early, yes it's a bitch), so I don't really have time to search through hundreds of threads.

The whole "slow auto" thing doesnt really matter to him. I can tell you right now he's not gonna mod. Unless I buy him an intake or something. Keep em comming!

Cody Red

ditto about the school. whack.

um, remember the
well when through with first, shift up (or paddle) to second and redline it.

g/l

szym0n

geez thats a nice deal....I have an 04 mt...40K miles and it runs good...Just needs some new padd and tires

briann

It's not relly redlining or floor it once it changes. For some who drive AT. You switch to sport mode/manual mode and run it up to the 7500 rpm mark.

I don't know i forgot, thats my guess.

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Well if its for pops, its a great deal. Now, if it were you, i would say HELL NO to the AT. The auto is much slower, plain and simple. Its nothing like other cars out there where the same model AT vs. MT is only a few tenths diff in acceleration, its more like a full second AND you cant run the AT to 9000 rpm's (where the spirit of this car resides) But you still get the great looks and the superb handling w/ the AT, but thats it (short of FI or course). If I were you i would be stearing pops in the direction of a MT 8, just so i could take it out on occasion and experience how a REAL sports car handles! LOL Hey, you came to an 8 forum, you have to expect some friendly trash talkin. Ur Evo looks great btw. GL.

SlayerRX8

If you are absolutely sure he isn't going to care about speed, the automatic sounds ok. But I sold my auto because I got fed up with it being slow. In all other aspects, it's a great car.

O5Rx8mazDa

Well.. to start off the auto is dump the guy at the dealership but what does he know hes the one tellin me to put 5w 20 in my car =P I changed the oil to royal purple full synthetic 5w 30 ITS SAFE people just dumb lol go to ROYALPURPLE.COM

he not modding so yea itll be relaible but i wouldnt trust the automatic he said something that they were tearing themselves apart pretty much something about the car wanting to drive at 1500 Rpm. and yes its good to rev it up just like its good to rev up every other engine once in a while. Ive had no engine problems Im at 36K miles. lol

Swashbuckler

Thanks for the input fellas. And yes, I'm positive he wont care about the speed factor, he knows nothing about cars.

"LOL Hey, you came to an 8 forum, you have to expect some friendly trash talkin"

trash talkin? ha! you guys got nothin with them slow mazdas you don't even want to see my mod list

Footman

iTrader: (2)

The manual does say to put 5W20 in it, though I'm from Canada though, maybe the Canadian sepcs use 5W20.. it even says it on the oil cap.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Don't waste your money on an intake. I hope you didn't buy one for your Evo and slap it on without tuning it.

People with Evos need to post timeslips, not photos, btw. Play off your car's strengths.

Swashbuckler

yeah I have an intake..so? lol. i haven't tracked it yet. but here are the mods.

Stroked to 2.3L
Wisco pistons
Eagle rods
Walbro 255lb fuel pump
Knife edged crank
Buddy club cams 264/272
Fidanza cam gears
AEM intake
Turbo Smart electronic boost controler
Forge BOV
SS brake lines
SS clutch line
Brass shifter bushing
Short throw shifter
Exedy Twin HD Clutch
SAFC II tuned by Mac in Parker CO
380 awhp conservativley tuned, stock turbo


btw I live in the C springs as well.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Tel hell with talking about the lame automatic 4 port rotaries - let's see more EVO pics! Seriously, Mazda should have never brought the auto to market. But since they did, it should be fine for your dad. Just get it some new shoes, tint the windows, and have fun in it. The auto struggled in the hotter climates, but in the great white North, you should be OK.

LOL - I have a buddy who runs a red EVO heavily modified for the track.

Swashbuckler

Struggles with the heat eh? elaborate...he lives in florida.

I didn't really come here to ***** out the evo but if any more people ask i will

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

For some strange reason, I thought you said he lived in Canada. My bad

The auto has only one oil cooler, and they do not have a fan. You need speed to let air flow over the heat exchanger. Rush hour stop and go is the culprit, coupled with high heat builds carbon. He will need to take the back roads and open it up every now and then. I also think premix is a must for hot climates. Get the Mazport cooling fan mod also.

Don't let me steer you wrong, those are only one man's opinion on here. I would ask more people to reply.

Hmmm... I'm sure others will chime in.

tajabaho1

if u dont race or abuse ur tranny, the AT will outlast the MT period, the tranny that is, and since its an 07, it has a 6 spd, I am serious, the synchros and **** on the MT tranny will die faster than the AT, and dont forget the clutch..........but if ur dad wants to race and drives fast and stuff, the MT is faster (even if it is by a little) and I guess its more fun to drive........

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I've seen you say this a few times but I have yet to hear anything like that from anyone but you... where are you getting this from? if you had any substantial evidence I'd go along with it, but you just kinda say it with no proof. Ignoring lemons, is there actually a greater number of manuals dying faster? And wouldnt a huge part of MT wear be the driver and their technique?

thecow135

people pay attention closely. I remember him saying it was an 07 auto. This means it has 6 ports and 2 oil coolers and a fan. the 07 auto is the same as the MT's except for:
1. it has 212 instead of 232 supposed horsepower
2. its an auto...
3. on the base model, the rims are different and so are the brakes and maybe the suspension

and thats pretty much it.

Swashbuckler

good to know.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Dam - double my bad

I need to quit drinking

Buy it

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

even though it's related to the hp difference, the redline is also lower.

question about that: would the lower redline effect how well you could clean out carbon through redline? or is the 7500 RPM under load enough?

thecow135

o yeah and redline.
about your question... i have no clue lol ask taja

Fortunate Few

iTrader: (2)

i say just red line it at least twice a day then!

base models have ugly little 16s that are a bitch to clean because they have this little hole for a design on each of the spokes.