First off, I'd like to announce that I am a noob to the boards and RX-8s in general. A bit about myself, I've been wrenching on cars for about 10 years. 11 second Mustang, Powerstrokes, and bikes. My Mustang blew its motor and I decided to take a break from it. Powerstrokes are fun, but they are trucks. Bikes are immensely fun but I reserve my throttle for the track days. Just looking to start turning wrenches on something else and the RX-8 has always had an appeal to me. My cousin had an R2 RX-7 with a T-66 which was fun and I guess that is where my soft spot for the RX cars comes from.

Haven't done much research on them yet which is why I poked my head here. I plan on doing a ton of reading here. I've loved the lines of the RX-8s since its inception. I guess the itch has been itching long enough.

You know how it all goes...a lot of trash being spoken about rotaries for over 10 years. My concern is the driveabilty/reliability of this car. How are you guys making out? Year/mileage/issues? Are you guys doing anything beyond normal maintenance to keep your rotary spinning like a top?

Also have a question in regards to the packages of the RX-8 and what each package consists of. Any trim levels with larger brakes? Looking for a basic car. No navigation, HIDs if available, sunroof, leather, big brakes if they offered that, no traction control. Factory ground effects and spoiler doesn't mean much to me as I'll probably go with a Mazdaspeed or Knight Sports kit if I can find one.

Anyway, here are a few pics of my toys. I thank you guys in advance, and look forward to possibly adding an RX-8 to my list of toys.

 

Hi, CK. Nice collection of vehicles.

If you want leather and a moon roof, you're looking at a Touring or GT. Check the specs at mazdausa.com for exact packages for '07. They changed the mix and names a bit from prior years. Nav system is an option, not part of a trim level, and I don't get the impression that people are really thrilled with it. Aftermarket navs are so much cheaper and better.

If you get the Performance package ('07) or Sport package (earlier) you get bigger brakes and DSC. Also HID headlights. No way to get the bigger brakes without DSC. DSC can be switched off, and I think there are threads on the site on how to nuke it - if you really want to.

I've had mine for a little over a year. I've spent more time than I should ingesting info from this site. Very good daily driver. No maintenance issues. Just do regular oil changes, usual maintenance. The much ballyhooed "Check your oil often" is really overstated - who would not check any car's oil every few tanks? Fuel mileage is...well, the numbers are on the window sticker, and should be taken with the usual grain of salt.

Look for Expo1's thread on passing the 100,000 mile mark for some good info on how RX-8s stand up. Also check out the "The little things" thread for all the nice touches you wouldn't think of until you've lived with a car for a while.

Ken

 

why would u want to buy an RX-8 noob?

And which noob were you looking at specifically?

 

Ken, thanks for the info. I am happy to hear that navigation isn't a necessary option for any of the trim levels. I'd really like to pick up a well maintained pre-owned vehicle as I see them now and again for about $15-$20k. I have a ton of researching to do, and I know you guys get bombarded with these questions all the time, but your responses gives me a basis point at which to start researching. I am glad I didn't get the obligatory, "Use the search function, this has been covered x amount of times."

 

Very nice vehicles, welcome to the board. You want a 04/05 base or sport model car, the sport package adds traction control/stability/HID's and fogs in 05. In 06+ the sport became the base model and to get back to a 04/05 sport you needed to add the "performance package" which included the DSC/TSC/HID and fogs which had nothing to do with performance. It's very confusing. But as long as you don't get the Touring/Grand touring you won't have a sunroof and if you're over 6'0 you won't fit well with a sunroof car.

All 6spd manual cars had the larger brakes, LSD, better engine, better suspension etc. There are a wide range of used ones for sale from 15-25K from 04-07. The main thing is to look for maintenance/break in history and if you want a lower mileage car.

I am actually selling my very clean low mile blue 05 if you're interested.

https://www.rx8club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122013

 

Ladies and gents, we have a legitimate good quality new visitor here, worth far more than the "noob" title.

Hey CK, welcome to the phone.

I love my -8 - 3 years into it, 40,000 miles, still runs like new, tons of fun. Dislikes are the fuel mileage and the overall interior fit and finish (plasticky with cheap parts in it) but that all fades as the car lunges for the redline.

You will decidedly feel the lack of torque if you're coming out of a Mustang or evnen your Powerstrokes - but you make it up with totally sweet handling and incredibly balanced performance.

Welcome, and let us know what you get, if you get an -8.

Best,

Stew

 

Welcome!

We've had our RX-8 for close to three years, and 24,000 miles. The only problem we've had with it is flooding once, when I decided to see if it would be a problem before we were off warranty (it was).

It's a great car, with excellent handling, comfort and interior room. It has two significant flaws--horrible gas mileage, and flooding (apparently a worse problem in early builds than in later versions). As Stew said, you'll notice the lack of torque if you're used to a muscle car, but you'll get used to that if you appreciate really good handling.

You should drive one a bit, and think about whether horrible gas mileage, and having to be careful NEVER to shut it off while cold, are a problem for you. And only you can decide whether the lack of torque will be a long-term problem for you.

 

Sunroof/HID/leather means you're getting DSC/TCS. But, like Ken said, DSC/TCS can be disabled - temporarily w/a button or permanently by more invasive methods.

And the model years are a bit screwy. 04-05 (not sure about 06) MTs in any trim came w/18s and big brakes. But we'll assume, based on your other toys, that AT isn't an option anyway Now the 07 base comes w/16s ?? but it sounds like you're not interested in a new one. Probably best to shoot for an 05 or 06.

18 months w/an 05 base MT, 27k is just a few days away - love it. No problems or complaints.

Oh, and the base 05 comes w/Xenon Halogens instead of HID.

 

Welcome. I've had mine for about 17 months. It seems to run better every day.
No problems except with the sunvisor, which got split and replaced under warranty. Just be mindful of motor oil and you'll be fine.

 

i'd love to see what you do with the 8.

 

Well I'd definitelly be one to recommend an 8 to anyone who enjoys cars and driving

i've had mine for 1.5 years and 10k miles and the only popular complaint i can side with is mileage .. but at least i know that all that gas goes into 9k rpm under my right foot

buying used is probably a good idea unless mazda puts up some promos again
it shouldnt be too hard to figure out the trim levels as ppl are usually pretty good about listing the details

id recommend getting one of this forum as there is so much info passed along here that anyone participating just could not be an ignorant owner .. most likely you can probably spy on the owner a bit and see if they complained of any issues in the past and have resolved them

lots of us had issues but then again most were corrected by dealer recalls .. so an issue in the past doesnt necessarilly indicate future problems if it was addressed correctly

in any case there is tons of info here .. so read on

good luck

 

Hello and welcome.

If you want to start "turning wrenches," be advised that engine mods will not net you much horsepower. Intake and exhaust gives about 5hp, flywheel maybe another 5-10... you get the picture. This car won't be as easy to mod as your Mustang, but there are ways, of course, to up the power. Turbos are the best way if you know what you're doing, and supercharger kits are just coming to market as well. The Renesis also loves the bottle (NO2). Suspension mods and tweaking will also reward you with even tighter and more responsive handling.

I got my 2005 used in Jan 2006 for $25k out-the-door, and I have never thought I overpaid. You're gonna love it. The RX-8 is not inherently unreliable, but it is unforgiving of any carelessness or neglect in proper procedure and maintenance. Mostly this requires little more than making sure it's up to date on recalls and keeping a close eye on oil and your cat converter. Some guys like to run 2-cycle oil in their gasoline to give the seals a little extra lubrication. The ignition system, coils and plugs especially, are another weak spot on the car.

With the features you specified, you'll want a Grand Touring model, which comes with everything you asked for except it does have traction control, however, it can be disabled whenever you please. Every model but the base auto-trans comes with the same set of brakes, but I must say, they won't disappoint you. They really are very good brakes, in fact, they drag the 8 to a stop from 80mph in a shorter distance than the Lamborghini Gallardo's. Coming from a foxbody Mustang, whose stock drum brakes were the size of shoe polish tins, you're probably going to be very impressed.

Welcome to the club, and be sure to read all the long, in-depth tech articles floating around here.

 

brakes dont stop the car. brakes stop the tires.

the tires stop the car.

 

^ and the road stops the tires, and the roadbed stops the road, and the earth stops the roadbed, and the bedrock stops the earth and the mantle stops the bedrock and and

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh!