Hi all. After lots of shopping around I am looking to purchase a used '05 or '06 rx8 in the spring. Considering that I am a college student and I don't have an exceedingly large amount of extra cash to spend on repairs, I am curious to hear how everyone's rx8's are treating them reliability wise. I have done a large amount of research regarding this topic and have come across mixed opinions, so any input as to how often you encounter problems (if any) and/or how much you have had to spend on repairs/maintenance would be very much appreciated.

 

IMO college students shouldn't own this car, unless you/your parents have money and can comfortably own this car. asking a question like this usually means you're already 'stretching it' to just obtaining the car. if i was you i would pass.

 

+1


If you are a freshmen in college - you have 4 years of college abuse coming on your car. Beer nights, smokey friends, TONS of parking lot dents, drunk college kids ******* with others cars, vandals, seriously just get a beater for college.

Especially if you dont have a lot of money to start - college = money sucker. Your car WILL get fucked with at college I promise you.

To answer your question reliability i great, ive never had an engine flood, dead battery or any other mechanical problem in 35K miles, keeping in mind I care for this car like it was a real girlfriend or something LoL

 

As for reliability. I've only had one thing break in the past 3 years 8 months. It was the A/C control ****. It was replaced under warranty. Nothing else has broken, though its been in for a few recalls here and there (some needed, some not). It's been one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. I tend to baby it a bit, in the sense that I don't beat on it. It's always garaged, etc.

 

i am a senior in college and have had my 8 since i was a Sophomore. no parking lot dents or any of the above mentioned. i have gotten my only two dents from the grocery store and the mall. but then again, it may depend on where you are and I just may be lucky.

 

47K everything is OK
but if your in school,
I'd say NOWAY
Say no to drugs

 

I got my 2006 in June of last year, just hit 13k miles, no problems whatsoever.

 

May 2005, about 18k miles, no problems.

 

Bought used 2004 with 49k in may of 06 - I have 65k on it now.

Engine has flooded once and the clutch had to be replaced at 59k.

No other problems engine runs like a champ.

 

I got my '04 in October '03 and the only major issue that I've had was my Cat went out a few months back...actually a little before I hit 50k! It was covered under warrantee and a little after that I was informed Mazda extended the powertrain warrantees! Other than that, for it being a first model year it has not given me any real mechanical problems!

 

86,700 miles and it has started every day since 2/2004

 

very

 

completely

 

I gots a 04', shouldve flooded once or twice but never did. I'm 18 and off for the semester but trust me unless campus is close gas loot is gonne be alot. And if campus is far, your going to need the spare time for oil checks and maintance. So when finals come around and you have to work to pay for gas, check the oil, and study, stuff is going to get tight. Like Zoom said, if your parents are helping you out, butter. If not, then good luck.

 

44,000 m without a breakdown here . BUT - I have spent a lot of money on it because I wanted to not because I had too

 

Let me start by saying that i love my RX8 but it has spent 103 days in the shop including just getting it back two weeks ago with a new motor replaced under warranty. I had to take it back today because the engine has no power - I got blown away by a 6 cylinder SUV last night and it acts like it is constantly starving for fuel so obviously there is a problem somewhere with this one.

Of course Mazda does offer a loaner although I never take it since I have another car but it is still a little frustrating. I would suggest as a college student you stay away from it - not only because of my problems but as the others have said - I had a new Corvette while in college (thanks dad!!) and while I didn't trash it - it certainly could have been treated better by me and my classmates. Wait until you get out to get a sports car.

Bob

 

41k on my 04 and still running great. I have had all the warranty work done to keep it up to date.

 

I'm at 72k. '04 (June '03 build, purchased Oct '03 with 5 on the odo)

My list of problems:

1. That damn driver's side sunvisor. Broke last fall, out of warranty to the tune of $120.
2. That is all. (Had condensation in the left tail light once, but it hasn't happened again so I'm not counting it).

 

38k miles and I've had no major problems.

clutch pedal mounting bracket broke which made it hard to drive. Mazda replaced it without questions.

secondary air pump crapped out. Mazda replaced without questions.

and a little water in the tail lights. Mazda replaced without questions.


It has never folded.
And I believe since the starter TSB, all flooding issues have been rectified.

 

The 8 isn't as 'unreliable' as some would have you believe, even if you've been through the forums relatively exhaustively. It does require a bit more than regular maintenance and monitoring, compared to, say, a Miata. It's not the best car for a road trip with three unruly housemates, however.

 

Take care of it, it will take care of you. I know of one with over 100,000 miles, a few minor problems like clutch, alternator bearings but still runs very strong. It's almost eery - the motor doesn't run like it's got 100,000 miles, feels much newer.

 

No problems here with an 04.

 

I have an '04. Got it last april. I'm a Senior in High School...It's a grad. present. Anyways, I got it with 11.9k miles. I got almost 19k on it, and I can't complain at all. Do all the maintenance myself, and I care for it like a girlfriend as well, hah. My ex always complained about me always talking about her (8) but oh well.

In advance, i pay for my fuel and upgrades (used to work at mcds, now blockbuster). Sure does takes a while to save up, but it's something worth waiting for Gonna go to a Technical School though (2 year) should I be worried about the whole college drunken vandalism?

-Cody

 

I bought a used 2004 last September. Have had only one problem. The check engine light came on but it turned out to be the gas cap not ventilating properly or something, Mazda replaced it for free. I guess it was covered by warranty.

Have had no other problems. The service tech looked up the car's history for me and said the previous owner flooded the car twice and had it towed in. I haven't flooded the car once and have had no problems. Even had the new ECU flash and haven't felt any loss of power. Though, he told me if I flood it Mazda would give me the new battery and starter. Haven't wanted the new battery and starter so badly that I have felt the need to intentionally flood it, and haven't had a problem starting anyway.

The only quirky thing I have noticed is that for the first 1200 miles after an oil change, the car doesn't seem to burn any oil at all. Then for the last 1800 before I take it in again, it starts to get thirsty and I have to add a little oil every 600 miles or so.

 

actually, you can just state you have 'hard start/crank no start' conditions on cold mornings (like today!) and REQUEST to have the updated starter/battery per the recall/TSB.

I never flooded mine and was able to get ALL the engine-related updates easily, no questions asked