Hello all!!
I own a 2002 Acura CL-S (Im from acurazine.com)and i love it, but i have also thought about getting somthing new. i think the rx-8 is one of the best looking cars on the road today! i test drove one a few weeks ago and liked it a lot( black, black leather, navi) What do you like about the car and what do you dislike. I want to know more about the oil issue, and i think i heard somthgin about false starts somtimes (dont know about the truth on that one) if there was anyone around the dfw area that would meet with me or show me what the car can do that would be bad ***!! Im going to try and go to one of your meets as soon as i can to closer talk to you guys. Awesome forum by the way.

The cl has been good to me, and i might not sell it, but i do love the rx8!! Heres a pic of my car.

 

Dude, what school is that?

I'm in DFW and would be glad to explain the pros/cons of the 8.

 

Well, 1st of all, I drive 3k to 4k between oil changes and I don't have to add oil. I drive normally @70mph on the freeway. After 4k miles, my car still has 1/3 level above the low mark. It only uses alot of oil if you floor it constantly, I mean really drive it hard. I don't have a problem with starting but the flooding problem is a real one. You just need to follow the directions when the engine is cold and you are fine. I think the problem relates more to older vehicles with a slow spinning starter, weak battery, old PCM version and a spark plug problem. I am sure if you buy a new vehicle it will have all these updates.

 

Can someone pretty please make a sticky for "common questions about the RX8"?

Oil Issue: Not really a problem. Just check every 600 miles or so. Carry a quart in the trunk just to be safe.

False Starts: Not sure what you're talkin about here. Some people experience flooding, but that's mainly due to turning off the engine before it's warmed up. Seems to be a lot less frequent with the latest models.

I think you switching over from the CL would be a rewarding move. For the CL is way too comfortable and too much body roll. That huge *** just swings around and at higher speeds 100+ you can feel the back end getting a bit loose. You'll have a more enjoyable driving experience.

 

Check out the stickied topic "the little things" at the top. Good info.

 

the new Ben Barber Center, in mansfield....i live over here by it.

 

I'm in south Arlington, PM me if you wanna check the car out

 

the flooding is what i was talking about....one of the other cars i was looking at was a g35 but just get to expensive, id like to buy another 30,000 (~) car. I was thinking from the reviews ive already read that most people that complain about it are pretty lazy, i mean after all this a car in 2006, i dont think mazda would make it that big of a pain in the ***. Another i liked about it was how low you sit in it, and how tight it was, made the cl look like wide open spaces, not that thats a bad thing. I really have abs. 0 complaints about the CL since day 1, if acura came back out with a 2 door sport/luxury coupe it would be in my driveway. Are there any other reliability issuese with the 8 that yall are aware of?

 

As far as the Oil thing goes, I usually have to add oil once every 1K miles or so. I took it to the dealership, no leaks or anything, just consumes it, so I deal with it. Besides that, I'm completely satisfied. Flooded it once, just because I started it cold, backed it out of the garage, and turned it off. (Bad idea) Just seems that as long as you are willing to make the effort to take car of the car it'll be good to you. I like your car too by the way. Always liked Acuras, very classy.

 

thats not bad, i dont drive that much anymore. How is gas mileage, im spoiled at almost 28 every where i go....

 

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/little-things-67045/

 

02CLS

If you live in a area where it gets pretty cold you can complain of very slow starts and they will install a new Battery, starter and plugs, it's called their cold weather start package.

I've had this done and now it starts in like 1-2 seconds, sounds like a motorcycle starter it turns over so fast.

I use about a quart of oil between oil changes 3K.

 

I came from an 01 CL-S. I really liked the CL-S for its creature comforts and pretty good straight line performance. The gas mileage was also nice.

The 8 is a totally different feeling car. RWD, 50/50 balance, high revs. I actually have had less trouble with the 8 than my CL-S or my Wife's TL-S. She is on her 3rd tranny.

 

im actually quite glad that someone has come from a cl. Im on my second tranny, and am scared stiff of it going out, its not big deal due to it being under warranty but its a pain in my ***.

 

I'm a new owner of about a week and a half and have not become jaded by questions which have been answered before so let me take a whack at it.

Oil consumption not a big issue, the rotary injects oil into the combustion chamber so oil consumption is normal I hear a quart any where from 1.5 to 4 K.

The car can flood, sounds like a bigger problem in cold weather. Also cars built after 3/05 have upgrades, which help this situation. If you follow procedures this should never be an issue.

Likes:
The look of the car, very unique.
The Rotary - very interesting engine that if maintained should have good longevity
The ride and feel are outstanding.
The inside is as nice as the out side and has a very good build quality.
The price great bang for the buck.
The details - the car has lots of nice little extras, which I find very pleasing.
Performance - you will not out run a Z in a straight line but it will hang in there.
Seating - The car seats 4 but looks like a two seater and a six-footer fits comfortably in the back.

Dislikes:
The fuel mileage - This car is a gas hog, mileage between cars can very up to 7 mpg and know one knows why. If you get a good one expect 19 mpg a bad one will be around 12.
The Rotary - no torque you need to keep it on boil.
Mazda - detuned the engine to make the cat last for the life of government mandated warranty rather then redesign it.
Storage - I miss having a indent or cove to throw things, there are many store areas but they are small and have doors.

Hope this helps.

 

If you liked the looks, the feel of driving it, and the cockpit...your 80% there. There is no 'issue' with the oil...the RX-8 uses injected oil to lub the rotors... so you add some now and again to top it off.

Most 03/04 'new-model' issues have been rectified so a 2005/6 should not have you visiting the dealer often. My mileage after nearly 3 yrs of ownership is consistantly 16-22, usually 18, so NO it is NOT a gas hog, but far from a Prius or even a Civic as far as MPG goes. Get over that BEFORE you buy it for your own piece of mind.

On the track, the 8 transcends great to become superior! Some would say the track is the place where an 8 shows it true colors (and I agree). On track, I get generally 8mpg at nearly continuous WOT in the 5-9,000 RPM range...and it's worth every penny for that pleasure!

Good luck deciding what's right for you.

 

I notice my biggest difference in MPG between my old CL-S and my 8 on the highway. I attribute it to the low RPM's of the Acura 6 compared to the 8 at highway speed. Around the city they are very close 19-20mpg.