For the past month, I've been debating whether to get an RX-8 or a 350z. I was just about ready to go out and get an RX-8 when I started to read about all the problems people have been having with the new car: fuel economy, check engine lights, a/c cycling, oil light, excess heat generation, etc.

My guess is that these problems are less common than one might think after reading all the posts on this forum (although the fuel economy issue seems to affect everyone to varying degrees). But it does make me worry about buying the RX-8 so soon. After reading all this, if I went out and got an RX-8 and one or more of these problems came up, I would forever kick myself.

The good thing about the 350z (outside of the RX-8 vs. 350z debate) is that it has been through one model year already. I went on some of the 350z forums, and they had their share of first model year problems, too: paint chipping, clutch problems, tire cupping, crappy Bose stereo, etc. It seems like a lot of these issues have been resolved with the 2004 model.

So my question is, how long will it take for Mazda to work out the kinks in the RX-8? Will they make engineering adjustments in mid-year production stream? Do you think some of the problems have already been worked out? I don't know if I can wait yet another year to get one of these cars, but if I want an RX-8, it seems like my patience may be rewarded with a less problematic car.

 

I think you already know what the answer is..

There's always a price to pay for getting a first year model.. If you are unwilling to deal with all of the glitches that of a first year model, then simply wait and get a 2nd year model or whenever all the glitches are resolved. If you can't wait, then get your 350Z.. I'm sure you'll be happy with either, they are both excellent cars. But I have a feeling you like the RX-8 more...

Anyway, it all depends on whether or not you want a car *now*.

Really nothing to discuss. Nobody could tell you how long it will take for Mazda to work out the kinks... Any answer you will get doesn't have any validity to it anyway, so why bother asking?

 

Take the 8. It's a great car, especially in light of being the first year. The only REAL concern is with MPG and I and many others are getting a consistent 20+. Only 4k, so far, and haven't even tried disabling DSC/TCS or reflashing the ECU (waiting for the MPG to stop increasing).

Other "problems" are really minor when compared to the really superior handling (read the most fun to drive) and bullet proof reliability and ease of maintenance of the Renesis. Things like lack of seat/mirror memory and cup holder locations are readily forgotten when you crank up towards 9k+ on the dial! (Talking about "Zoom Zoom", you bet!)

Come to think of it, I think we'd all prefer you to pick the 350. Our 8's would become that much more valuable especially when you others decide on trading your Zs in on the '05 8s.

Your basic question is, How may 8 owners are really happy with how their cars DRIVE as oppose to the competition? Mazda seems to have made all the right choices when the hard preformance/quality/reliability/cost/feature/refinements/etc., questions were asked, evidenced by a product that does not feel at all compromised. And you have to give them credit for being so forthcoming on what issues have been uncovered. They really have made the 8 their corporate identity/marketing focus and it shows.

So, go ahead and buy the Nissan... PLEASE?!

 

To add to the original question:

What is the likelyhood of Mazda comming out with a modifyed ECU program for the U.S. RX-8 to deal with the reported poor milage a number of owners are experiencing?

Or for the cycling A/C?

Or to offset the EPA issue that caused them to reduce stated HP?

I have never purchased a 1st year car, nor a Mazda car and hence do not know if there is any "after the fact" tweaking that mightcome from Mazda.

In short, what kind of fixes might Mazda make to the existing cars produiced in to date?

Thanks,

Claude H.

 

I have 1500 miles on my 8 and have had absolutely NO problems. Even mileage has been within the 18 - 24 mpg advertised... and this is before any fuel map/ECU optimizations.

I haven't seen a single check engine light, had to replace a single drop of oil, or heard any unusual squeaks. I think Mazda has done an outstanding job on the RX-8.

 

I also have drivin about 2200 miles, and only problem I had was a click in the drivers window when opening and closing, which has disappeared the last few days.

I like to avoid sweeping generalizations, as sartre said, when you label someone you negate them.

But, it seems to me that with a few exceptions, the 8 owners are pretty cool people.

The Z owners seem to come off as creeps (again there have been some exceptions to this.)

Without mentioning names, the wrx has one real good former owner here, and one grade A creep.

Now, I ask you, do you want to be in the company of class, or crass?

Also, and more important, it usually takes more then one year to work out the kinks in any car. So far, the 8 has been realativly trouble free

I would not count on a mazda sactioned mod chip.

Drive a Z, drive a 8, see what you like better.

8 is a little cheaper then the z loaded, so you could use the diff on a extended warrenty.


And squidward, two questions:

1-is that a picture of you?

2-Why the heack are you so cranky?

 

3700 miles here and no problems.

 

The car is brilliant. Factor in it's not only new - it's also unique and you'll see that Mazda has done a very good job.

The price of the Z has just been dropped locally because the 8 has eaten a lot of its sales. It'll probably be a common trend. This could make the Z a bargain 2 seat grunt car ,,, if that sort of car appeals to you,

 

2300 miles (thought i had closer to 3k before, kinda dissapointed to be honest...i need to get out and drive)
and not a single problem
________
ZOLOFT SETTLEMENT

 

5k here added oil for first time today

 

Easiest decision ever...

If you NEED a backseat, buy the Rx-8

 

Well I knew it. I knew I should have waited a while to buy this damned car, and you'd think I'd know being a manager at a car dealership and seeing the complete lack of quality that they put into their products. They get in such a damned hurry to put things on the street that they begin scrambling to fix things the day the car is released. Every day I drive this car something else developes. Don't get me wrong I love my 8 but for christ's sake they need to really slow down and do a little more real world testing on vehicles BEFORE the public takes delivery. How could anyone that was driving a pre-production version of this car not notice a problem like an oil light that almost every owner has had. Then introduce a new oil pan right away to correct the problem. Anyways...

Problems so far to date.

1. Intermittent oil light

2. annoying *** rattle in the center of the dash that I don't even want to try to have the dealership fix for fear of creating more problems

3. RH window does not roll all the way down

4. Driver's side doors rattle over small road imperfections due to poor factory adjustment.

5. Pass door power locks inop

6. fake metal finish on shift **** wearing off in less than 4000 miles (2000) of them were all hwy from KC to ATL

7. Now yesterday the damned rear end started whining louder than the radio when I decellerate by lifting off the throttle. Another local 8 owner that was at a car show with me today is having the same problem.

I was not bothered one bit by the HP issue
I was truly impressed for the first month I owned this car this car, but it is truly proving just to be a another cost cutting POS from Ford Motor Co. (the WAL-MART of the car industry) I guess I learned my lesson.

I'm done venting just wanted to see if anyone else has had these problems.

 

7900 miles and no problems........ so it might just be you

based on consumer records that eclispe isn't exactly a high quality machine either.............

 

As I read about some of these engine related issues, such as engine light and mileage, it makes me wonder how aggressive some RX-8 drivers are. I don't "baby" my RX-8, but I don't drive 100 mph either.

Any opinions about whether some of these issues might be related to how the car is driven? An owner in another thread indicated his engine light came on after he exceeded 100 mph.

I realize some problems are unrelated to driving style (e.g. fit and finish issues), but most cars have these issues. I had many annoying problems with past Mercedes and BMW's I have owned.

Curiously, my other car, an American made Yukon Denali has been virtually trouble-free for over 12,000 miles.

 

4100+ Miles.. No problems.

 

I haven't had any of these problems yet...I'm still waiting.

I thought I might have found a problem with mine: shifting into 2nd after hard accel up to 9k rpm in 1st. I tried a few times today and couldn't get the problem to happen again. I'm starting to think that maybe it was just an adrenelyn rush that caused my right arm to malfunction the first two times.

Sorry, this car has no problems. Not yet anyway. I'll keep trying...

 

2275 miles - no problems

You know, a lot of people prefer buying slightly used cars. All the little annoying problems have already been taken care of by the first owner. This goes for absolutely any car. Too bad you got more than your share, albeit petty for all but possibly the rear end noise.

 

More than 5k miles. No problems at all. :D

 

I only have 1253 miles but so far so good. I am still enjoying calculating my MPG. It improves a little w/ every fill up.

 

Over 4500+ miles and have experienced none of your issues except I once saw the low oil light while going high speed on incline (plan to get the new oil pan).

 

5800 miles,20 m.p.g and the only issue is rear package tray rattels on rougher roads,is that the cars fault or the shity roads?hmmm.

 

3000 miles. No problems.

 

2300+ miles and no problems...
________
MEXICO HOTELS

 

u can really say that agian i had a 2001 eclipse gt had it for two years with 50+ problems at teh dealer over 3 months. Never i repeat myself i will never buy another mitsu product.EVER if u want to know teh probelms i will gladly show the service records.

 

No probs love it will never ever go back to piston.