test drove the rx8. awesome car. maybe buy it today. what is the cost of routine maintenance? also, i heard about this car's oil-thirsty nature. is it really that bad with oil?

 

The cost od Maintenance shouldnt be that much higher than any other car. You should have the Oil changed every 2-3000 miles instead of 5 and keep a quart with you to top off about every other fill up. The rotary engine uses oil but it's not as bad as some peeps make it out to be. Just check the level often and top off when needed.(just dont overfill)

 

thanks for that info. are there other things i should know before i get the car this afternoon?

 

a couple of quick questions you should ask yourself.

Are you prepared to check oil regularly and add a quart every 1500-2000 miles. Some people don't want too.

Are you prepared for possible gas milage in the 17-19 mpg range. Some people think because it's a 1.3 that you get 1.3 gas milage. Also has a fairly small gas tank so getting 240-280 miles out of a tank is normal.

Are you happy with the power on your test drive. This is not a drag car and if you think your gonna kill mustangs gt's in the straights, it ain't going to happen. Of course the twisties are a totally different outcome.

Are you happy with the low torque until you get high into the rpm range. Some people don't like the idea that you don't get your power until over 5K.

Are you ready to follow shutdown procedures for not shutting this engine down until it warms up. Some people don't like to wait a few minutes before shutting the engine down.

Are you prepared to hit the redline (9K) every so often as this keeps the engine clear of carbon buildup (it also getting very addictive).


If you can live with that, you will really enjoy this car...

 

^ Good points. Also, If it's a new car. Are you prepared to follow the correct break in procedure and not drive it like you stole it until after 600 miles?

 

Why should you have your oil changed every 2-3k miles???? It is not specified in the owner's manual...

 

Mine drinks a quart every 750 miles. Mazda said this is with in the normal range.

 

yep im in your range

 

Depends on how you drive it. I like to keep it as fresh as possible.

 

sure.. If you feel the need go for it!

 

thanks everyone. i got mine today, but won't be able to pick it up until tomorrow. it's a 2005, but it is brand new. titanium gray. only has 40 miles. got it for $24000 out the door.

 

congrats!

 

sweet deal man! Congrats on yur buy! Be sure to watch yur RPM's for the 600-1000 mile break-in (depending on which break-in procedure you follow). They can sneak up on you fast, and from what i've heard...the break-in of a rotary engine can effect the life/gas of the engine if not done correctly.

Know the happy feeling your experiencing...enjoy yur new 8, and welcome to the board!

 

what do i have to know about the break-in period? the dealer told me that someone from mazda will tell me more about the car when i get it today?

 

To see the Mazda break-in guidelines, plus Racing Beat's more conservative break-in procedure, go here: http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm and then click "How to Break-In Your New RX-8" on the upper right corner of the page.

 

There is actually no proven facts that by reving the engine will clear carbon buildup. This was a known fact to the older versions of rotaries, but since the RENESIS has re-located the exaust ports, it might actually be more dificult to clear carbon deposits. It is not yet proven that this procedure will do the trick.

Also, it has been studied that by reving the engine up wears out the seals radder quicly! (See rotaryengineillustrated.com)

I guess for the meantime, be carefull on what people say and recomend for the engine. Since the RENESIS has not been around for that long, I guess we'll have to wait and see. As for spirited driving, I am addictive as well, but I am concerned on it's effects to the engine.... I guess time will tell.

 

got my 8 yesterday. awesome car. thanks for the website that gives break-in period. here is a quote from that website regarding oil changes:

"The Mazda RX-8 Owners Manual indicates that the engine oil and oil filter be changed every six (6) months or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first. Racing Beat supports this recommendation."

the salesman at the dealer told me to change oil every 3000 miles. which should i follow. thanks again.

 

"the salesman at the dealer told me to change oil every 3000 miles. which should i follow. thanks again."
Chances are you will consume about 1 qt of oil in 3,000 miles, so it makes sense to change the oil at that point rather than adding a qt. Other than that, oil change interval is dependent to a great degree on your driving habits, environmental conditions and the mileage you accumulate over time. Most on this forum will advise 3K mile intervals. Oil is cheap. A new engine is not.

 

I believe the manual states that interval for light driving, harder driving requires it more frequently according to the manual.

 

Never listen to a dealer period. Always use the doctrine that mazda provides and make informed adjustments as needed.

 

that's the truth...

my salesman told me that break-in period's are a thing of the past...with cars as advanced as they are now, they don't require them anymore

same fella also told me that the car (he was currently selling me) did NOT require premium fuel, and that i should not need to use it for any reason whatsoever...

Its comments like this that really have me wondering how much of their HW these salesmen do. Even more odd yet, this guy then goes on explain to me that he is actaully the dealership's mazda rep salesman.

by that time, i was ready to go, and read the whole "contradicting" owners manual. Safe to say, he had no idea what he was talking about