I REALLY love this car, it fits my needs perfectly and it looks great! After reading all the posts about the problems with the car it has began to discourage me from buying one. I need a reliable car and I won't buy one if it gives me a lot of problems. Should all the "bugs" be worked out by now? I test drove an Automatic today and all I can say is crap. I will go test a MT this week. Is owning this car a good idea?

 

Read the satisfaction survey thread above. Since this is a car enthusiast forum as well as an RX-8 forum, you will see a lot more posts about problems with the car than positive posts simply because the people here are enthusiasts; and will tend to be more **** about their cars than the average driver. The RX-8 is still on its first year of production, so there are bound to be a few bugs that needs to be worked out. Speaking about problems, my 2001 VW GTI had more problems during the first two years of ownership than most of the RX-8s on the road right now. Even though most car companies nowadays have high quality control standards, not every car comes out perfect. Sometimes it depends on the roll of the die.

 

No, it's a horrible idea... What the hell do you think people are going to say on an RX-8 forum?!?! Oh, and welcome to the site :D

 

EVOLUTION

 

just do it! its a great car and i love it! if u like ppl checking you out...the car is perfect!

 

Evolution is a fine car, but I for one got discouraged by the fact it is a Mitsubishi. The powertrain may be bulletproof, but the rest of it is econo-Lancer.

 

I believe that the 8 is a reliable car, juss dont be stupid! read the manual.

 

Edmunds lists the 8 as one of the least expensive vehicles to own, in terms of repairs/maintenance, if that tells you anything.

 

How the hell could they know that already?

john

 

that's becasue they are almost all still under warranty.. of course it's cheap to repair!:D

 

i wouldnt consider there to "problems" with the car...theres the flooding issue which isnt a "problem" because it's easily avoided, so its only a problem if you dont know how to take care of the car. thats basicly the only issue as far as im concerned otherwise i couldnt be more happy with this car

 

And with Mitsubishi's unknown future because of DaimlerChrysler not supporting it....I just don't know.....

 

Although it seems that all or most of the bugs have been worked out with either upgrades or recalls, if you are really concerned, you can wait several months for the 2005.
To answer your question.. Is it a good idea to buy?

No, it's a great idea!

 

if not for the site you would probably have never heard anythign negative about the 8. this site isn't an arm of mazda so people will tend to write about their experiences both good and bad. look I haven't really had any bad experiences with the car except for the shitty service dept. at the dealer. other than that this forum has helped imensely in gettign my feet wet with ideas and tech knoweledge others have bout the ride. in short, not a bad idea.

 

It's a wonderful car and I love mine, but if you don't NEED to make a move in the immediate future, I'd wait til the 2005 models come out. Since you obviously have concerns and the 2004s do have some bugs that need ironing out, you might as well wait a few months.

 

Worth getting -- yes.
Unreliable -- no.
Anything better -- depends on your owns tastes / needs

 

uh yeah just a little missing horsepower, mazda buy back, engine floods, 14 miles per gallon, phoney 0-60 times.

yeah sure whips a Z

 

missing horsepower has been adressed. mazda buy backs are for the gas freeks like you. 0-60 times are deadly accurate simply because I have personally blown a 350 z off the line. This was clearly a drivers race i'll admit. But all of the reports have the 8 between 5.9-6.1 0-60. The z is only at 5.6 in any mag. Where are you coming from?

 

I'll admit I haven't had my 8 for a long time (only 1,000 miles on it), but I see no reason that it would suddenly become unrealiable anytime soon.

 

I'm not missing any horsepower.
The buy-back program isn't in effect anymore, but I bought an RX-8 anyways.
My RX-8 never flooded once in my 9000 miles of ownership.
I've always gotten an average of 20mpg.
My 0-60 times are always pretty high because I don't floor it like a drag racer.

...but I've taken out a Z before...