Hey All!

My dad is about to order a 2006 Whitewater Pearl RX-8. He has always wanted one, and now the time has come...However, after reading a July 2005 article in Automobile magazine, I have told him to hold off due to some disturbing findings.

One was that the editors had to add a quart of oil every 2000 miles. I know my dad will no do this. Is this really an issue?

Another was that the car would not start in cold temps (ie. 0 degrees Farenheit). We are in Chicago, and it can get down to below zero at times.

Lastly, the car had to have it's ECU flashed 4 or 5 times to fix issues with sensors and what not.

I ask you RX-8 peeps, have these problems gone away with the 2006, or is my dad going to regret getting the car he has been drooling over since it came out?

Thanks for reading...

Lew

 

All those things you mention are just the nature of the car. Everything should be fine with the 2006 models, but the car does use oil as a part of the engine system. Have him get his oil changed every 2,500 miles and he should be ok. Just watch for the low engine oil level light. He really should be able to add oil if it's low. It's such a simple process. You should both drive the car and it will be a done deal-You'll love it. By the way i would't buy an automatic, not half the car that the 6sp is. Good Luck

 

It's a rotary. You HAVE to add oil. The engine uses oil. It's totally normal. How much oil you have to add depends on how you drive 2 qts in 3k miles.

I doubt Chicago is colder then NH or Minnesota. Do buy snow tires though. The stock summer tires are for Nevada year round, ie. warm and dry 363 days a year.

-- SNH

 

Thanks for the reply!

He's soon to be 66, and the last thing he wants to do is check oil levels every other fill up and remove the engine cover to have to add oil (at least you had to with the 2005). Maybe this isn't the car for him...

He test drove the manual, but with two replaced hips, he's settling for the auto. He's making a decision this week.

 

That article has been discussed here, and for the most part everyone agrees that these results are NOT typical.

The oil must be checked more frequently in a rotary engine, but the only way you should normally go through a quart every 2000 miles is if you were *really* running the engine hard. I had to add a quart after 4000 miles.

Yes, there were many ECU flashes to tweak the tune and to take care of a few glitches that appeared once the 8's hit the streets. There have been no new flashes for several months and it's unlikely there will need to be. It doesn't mean there won't be more, but the frequency of them has really slowed down.

Some folk have reported cold start issues, and others have had none. Since you live in a cold weather zone I would suggest getting a block heater or circulating hose heater installed. This would be true for any car in the northern U.S. or Canada so should come as no surprise...

Tell him to go for it. They're great, fun cars. He will have to learn about the quirks of rotary engines, but that isn't a big deal.

Chris...

 

The engine is designed to use oil. Oil are injected into the combustion chamber to lubricate the components inside.

 

Just repeating what everyone else is saying... oil is a must.

As far as ECU flashes, eventually a problem will come up and need to get taken care of, but since the 06s are brand new, they should come with everything working.

 

The 2006 AT setup is better than the 2004-2005 AT's - 4 port, 214 HP, 6-speeds verses the 2 port, 197 HP, 4-speeds that were in the earlier models. Many MT owners will still flame at AT owner, but it sounds like the AT will work best in your dad's case. He can still shift on his own when he wants to without the need to press in a clutch.

Good luck

 

don't get the AT it's a waste! not to bash on AT drivers, because they are still respected, but if your dad wants the feel of a real sports car get the 6SPD M/T....

The 2006's should have fixed all the problems in the 2004's and 2005's.....Yet, the oil consumption is the same, usually I check my oil level after every 3 visits to the pump.... Whatever your dad decides good luck... welcome!

 

oh my god! you have to remove the engine cover and check the oil, putting in a quart every 1500-2000 miles. dear lord, what's that take, 2 MINUTES? If 2 minutes is too much for a person to take out of their day, even at 66 years old, then maybe you're right, the 8 isn't the car for you. Then again, maybe he can also skip things like brushing teeth and taking showers, since those take more time AND effort.

 

It's really easy to check the oil! I also get free oil changes every 90 days or 3000 miles for as long as I own my 06. I haven't had any "cold" weather to say how it starts. The coldest I had was 21 degrees last week around 5 a.m. and it started up no problem. I know that isn't as cold as you were talking about but it started up just like it does when it is warm out.

 

Mugatu needs to settle down... No bashing the noob here...

Thanks for all the replies. I know adding oil is easy, and so is removing the engine cover. I just know that my dad will forget about checking the oil levels, and he does drive his cars like he stole them (He used to drag corvettes in the late 60's\early 70's).

Him and I will hash it out this week.

Thanks again!

Lew

 

Aside from needing to add oil from time to time (which really is very easy and essentially a non- issue if you are a car person) I think the larger issue is the double hip replacement. Over time he may find it difficult getting in and out of the car. The 06 comes with a six speed automatic and a more powerful engine than before so it should perform better than the 05 and earlier automatics. If he isn't a bit of a car nut this may not be the car for him.

 

Tell him to get an Evo. Not because I think it's the best car for him (especially with the hip problems and the heavy clutch), but because I would love to see a 66 year old man driving one.

Also, make sure you got for the 06 if you get an auto. Better tranny and engine. Get all-seasons or your dad will die as soon as it snows 1/2" -- I'm not joking about this. Other than that just have him get the oil changed every 3000 miles (no pushing it 3500 either) and to carry a quart with him if he goes on long trips (200 miles or something).

Also 8's sometimes get bad mileage. Some members have reported getting 12 mpg regularly. It's a bit of a crap shoot since some members get higher.

Good luck and make sure to post pics if he ends up getting it.

 

Thanks for the reply...He is a car nut...He has had 2 corvettes, a camaro, a Z28, and now a Accord V6 coupe to name a few....He did say that he can get in and out of the car OK by raising the seat and then lowering it once he was in (he did that with the Z28).

Like I said...Him and I need to talk it over and I need to remond him that checking and changing the oil is painless....

 

Werd Saturn...Werd....

It is an 06 auto that he is looking at, and thanks for the heads up on the tires and oil everyone! He drove his Z28 all year round on stock Z rated tires. The man's a bit crazy behind the wheel, but he survived 4 winters with that car...

 

Well, I've add my 8 for almost two years now, and I've added a HALF quart of oil every 2500 km (roughly 1500 miles). I get my oil changed every 5000 km (3000 miles), but I've done that with every car I've owned.

Definitely get snow tires for the winter. I'm in Canada, and drive to and from ski hills every winter weekend, so I know what I'm talking about.

As for cold weather starts, I've never had a problem, and I've started the 8 when it was 25 below Celsius (13 below Fahrenheit). I don't have a block heater, either.

Just my two bits.

 

I recently suffered a severe high ankle sprain and have been driving my Chevy Tahoe exclusively due to the ease of getting in and out.

I can't imagine trying to squeeze down into the rx8 with two hip replacements.

Do you think he'd like a sporty SUV? My wife has the V8 Volvo XC90 and it is actually pretty fun to drive and essentially worry free. I also think the VW Touareg is a good looking vehicle. Hell, they even make a V10 Diesel in the Touareg, I bet that hauls booty!

 

If it helps him checking the oil, you really dont NEED to have the engine cover on. I have had mine off for over 2 1/2 years now and have had no issues with performance or heat damage to the hood.

 

Also, if it helps, here is a list of all the service bulletins and recalls for the RX8...

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

 

He's not a SUV fan....I'm a VW owner myself (2003 GTI VR6 with mods) and the Toureg rawks! The other cars he is looking at is the Infinity G35 coupe and the new Eclipse spyder and coupe...

We'll see what happens...He should be getting a new car in a week or two...

Thanks again all!

Lew

 

NoTears316 makes a good point, apparently one does not need to have the engine cover on. While I do keep mine on, I've definitely read things here from a number of people who have left it off with no problem, so he's not just offering a stray crack-pot opinion.

 

I really don't understand why you would need to remove the engine cover to CHECK the oil. I've never removed mine unless I need to add; at about 2K miles.

 

No one addressed the cold-starting issue- I had it for two winters in Minneapolis (parked outside) and did not have more trouble starting than an average car. Sometimes it just had to crank for a little while. Maybe the third year will be bad, but who knows. Batteries aren't really all that expensive and it sounds like he wouldn't be stranded if he were unable to start it.

Oops, I see I'm second to address cold starting.

 

I would think that guys in their 50s 60s and older would be more likely to check the oil not less. Especially if the drag raced in any sort of professional way. I know my Dad (67) and my uncle Frank(58ish) do religiously- Frank spent more time behind the wheel but my Dad won some money. Of course my Dad still scuba dives in wrecks and caves for relaxation so...