I have decided that i do want an rx8. I was wondering though, how is the engine maintenance on the car? are the parts easy to find and install? do these wuestions really matter? is it a mazda only thing?

also, im having a little trouble locating an 95 or 06 rx8 anywhere in my area. if anyone here lives in GA or north FL and sees a red/black 05-06 rx8 with leather interrior, let me know. these cars are kinda hard to find.

 

Search for your engine questions...they have been asked a million times. You should be able to find plenty of used 8's online...or at the stealerships

 

Autoweb.com
Carmax.com
Autotrader.com
Mazdausa.com - Find a dealer near you, and they usually list all pre-owned cars that they have on the lot. The other sites listed are good, and there are other good sites out there.

As for maintenance, it isn't too bad, but it definitely is way easier if you have access to a lift for a lot of the maintenance. i.e. spark plugs can only really be changed from under the car, and if you can remove the left front wheel, it makes it even easier.

 

there are some rare cases out there. but hey, You take care of her, she will take car of you.

engine maintenance is the same for every car.

 

Try a Camry V-6, where you need to remove the intake plenum to replace the plugs. And the oil filter is tucked well beneath the exhaust manifold.

I don't think there is a car made today that's easy to work on. On the other hand, there is so little to do it doesn't really matter all that much.

But, that said, the RX-8 does not look any harder to work on than anything else. Oil filter is in a wierd place, but at least it's on top. Oil drain plug is reachable without jacking the car. Air filter box is funky to open, but once you know the trick (thanks for the video, expo1) it's right up front and on top. Fluid containers are translucent, in plain sight, and easy to reach.

Ken

 

the only one of that list i have tried is autotrader.

all the mazda dealers in my area have shut down so no looking there.
these cars are less popular here than in other areas so that makes finding used ones even harder.

my dad and i fix all our own vehicles so its important for us to be easier to fix ourselves.

 

I need to know how to open the air filter. Can anybody pls point me to the link?

 

Maintenance is very easy, the oil filter is a PITA to reach but other than that very straightforward. The only extra things are keeping an eye on the oil level and spark plugs/coils otherwise it's just regular fluid changes etc.

To open the airbox there are some metal clips, pop them loose and the cover comes right off if I remember correctly.

 

thats is really weird because I have a few friends from the Florida area and they say 350Z's and RX-8s are everywhere in the southern states.

cars.com should help a lot and there are always cars available in the FS section here. You should be able to get a a steal of a deal, take a plane ride out and drive the car back home and still be money ahead of buying locally.

 

My 05 6spd is for sale in Dallas, 3 hr plane ride and drive it home. PM me for details.

 

Yeah, I unhooked the clips. But doesnt look like I can open the airbox enough to check the air filters.

 

you can. It is hinged on the back end. just grab the lip and pry it open a couple of inches and yank the filter out.

 

Or try to change it for the VQ35DE. ! You have to take pretty much every on top to have access to it.

 

I don't have the link, but I remember finding it without too much work. Search "air filter" and similar terms in the tech section. Look for posts by expo1.

There are a number of posts kind of describing it, but it never really got through to me. Expo1 put up a video that makes it clear. Basically, you lift the back of the box a little, then put your hands on the front and push back hard. When the front has pulled clear of whatever it's plugged into in the front, it kind of lifts up. Lifts a lot: the bottom winds up as high as the top originally was.

But until I saw the video, I never would have pushed back that far and that hard.

Once up, you undo the clips and lift the hinged lid like the owner's manual says.

Make sure you don't knock off any of the grommets underneath the box. You'll see them once the box is up.

Ken

 

Thanks Ken-rx8. For the benefit of other here it is https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...27&postcount=9

 

Apparantly, when I bought my RX-8, I paid an extra $250 to my dealer and my first 12 oil changes are free, with synthetic blend. I don't know if that's a dealer option or a Mazda option, but regardless, its a pretty good deal. Oh, it also entitles me to a free rental car whenever I bring my car into service, for whatever reason, for as long as I own the car.

So, I'd say those two little perks are pretty good service. Oh, and I get free car washes. But I have yet to take em up on that offer.

John

 

i have only seen 3 on the road but only one i see frequently in town.

they are easy to find in atlanta im sure but i havent seen one there either.

i looked at cars.com but there are none like i want. my parents dont suggest silver and those are the most common with gt and MT i have seen online.

and i would rather not have to get on a plane to get a car. i could find one in atlanta or tallahassee if i actually went there and looked at used lots.