You won’t believe it, but – a pollster working for Mazda called the other night. Normally I hang up on pollsters immediately, but not this one! *Rubbing hands together* She asked a number of questions, some were simple yes/no, or "on a scale of 1-4, rate xyz," including things like styling, image, colors, creature comforts, etc. But a number of questions solicited customer ideas and complaints. I said I was VERY pleased with the car overall, but mentioned a few items that have annoyed me and other people on this forum.

- Bogus oil "pressure" gauge
- Low mileage
- Lousy heater
- OEM tires not good for snow
- Ineffective rear-view mirror (autodim mirror)

They also allowed an "importance" scale for each issue, so I could say that the oil pressure gauge was a minor issue, but that the rear-view mirror was a big deal (safety issue). We talked for about 20 minutes. I told her there was a Web site where considerable discussion takes place concerning the 8, but curiously she didn’t ask the name of the Web site.

So you see, Mazda DOES care what their customers think!

 

Unfortunately, it doesn't necessarily mean that they'll do anything about it. :p

Still, I love my car. :D

 

That 1-4 scale is kind of weird like there is no middle ground or "average" rating.

That person didn't ask about the site because she doesn't care. There is no room to put "We should check out the RX8club.com to get more opinions." The questionnare in itself is good enough for them. I should know I used to call people to take customer satisfaction surveys while in college and only wanted what I asked for, no more. You don't get paid enough to dig that deep.

 

I agree on that rear view mirror. It's too big. It blocks too much of my view out the windshield when I look over that way. Bad for sight seeing.

 

Yeah, and like you say, it probably was a sub-contractor doing the canvassing for Mazda. So I especially wouldn't expect them to give a hoot.

At the Washington Auto Show on New Years Day I had a long conversation with one of the Mazda reps and wrote down the forum URL for her to pass up the chain to someone who MIGHT be interested in seeing what owners were saying about their car. Who knows if she passed it on or whether anyone at MNAO would want to read the posting in this forum. We'll never know, but it was worth a shot anyway.

 

I thought it was too big and too low and then found you can move it up if you haven't already. And I think Paul's problem is with the autodim feature.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try.

 

Yes and yes. I had the same position problem, then learned you could twist it up further & out of the way. And the autodim with my mirror doesn't dim worth a rip (plan to get it replaced when I get the chance).

 

Lousy heater???

If I put mine to max heat, max fan speed my skin melts off.

 

On company I worked for wanted us to poll our "internal customers" on how we could assist them better. We were told that you don't want a middle ground answer, because that is what everyone would pick. You need to make the client pick a positive or a negative response.

Were you answering for all of us or just yourself? When did you purchase your car?

 

I was answering just for me - I figured they would get enough samples, so I just talked about stuff that concerned me. And I didn't say a word about horsepower. :p I bought my 8 first week in December, 04 (not quite 2 months ago).

It was 12 degrees F here this morning. Last time I went to Charleston in the winter, it wasn't nearly that cold.

 

nice thought and i doubt she ever passed it up the chain- bu tit doesnt matter. MNAO employeees read this forum everyday- some of whom it is their job to do so. they have been reading what goes on here(and other mazda auto related forums) for years....

 

Good to know. Maybe some of the information will purcolate up to those who can remedy in future models, the problems some of the owners are reporting.

 

its happened already- MSP04 was a direct result of forum members problem of having service techs turn them away from getting the original M. the original TSB stated "do all cars even if they are just in for regular service with no problems" but many techs were turnign people away. after reading about that on here it was changed to an MSP.

but it also works the other way, case in point-
people with the navi were upset to find out that there was a new version of the software out and they were told they could not get it for free. then a thread was started telling folks how they could go to a secret screen on the navi and wipe it clean. then they go to the service and say "something is wrong with my navi" and the service people would have to re-install it but with the new software. this would look like a weird glitch and be covered under warrenty. within a couple of days of the start of that thread Mazda let it be known that they knew what was going on and that anyone who they suspected of doing this would only be covered once and it would not be covered under warrenty again.

 

On a totally unrelated though amusing point - what do you estimate is the percentage of people in this forum who have absolutely no clue what a percolator is? :D

 

65%, do a poll. I'm in the minority.

Chris

 

some mazda regional rep called on my cell one morning while I was driving in my 8 going to work. He asked if I liked my RX-8, and I said, well, I'm driving it as we speak, I guess so! :o

 

About your autodimming problem - is it turned off? Page 3-26 of the owner's manual discusses this stuff...
Auto-dimming mirror The auto-dimming mirror automatically reduces glare of headlights from cars at the rear when the ignition switch is in the ON position. Press the OFF button ( 0 ) to cancel the automatic dimming function. The indicator light will go off. To reactivate the automatic dimming function, press the ON button ( 1 ). The indicator light will illuminate.

 

Hey Racer - nah, I'm not insulted. But yes, I've checked those things and it still doesn't work well. I think it's just a defective one. Thanks for the tips though.

 

Gee, I must have been thinking of the well know Purcolator oil filter. :D

 

Monkey

Hey, I am 18 and do not yet own an RX-8 although I am trying to gather as much mechanical know how and pratical rotary engine knowledge as possible.

This car seems to really only attract people who know it well and know what they are getting in to when they buy it. A rotary, escieally an NA or Naturally Aspirated (meaning to forced induction meaning Turbocharger/Supercharger) is a maintence intensive car in itself. It gulps down oil and gas like a college student gulps down beer on a Saturday night party, oil being very important to the relaibility of the engine. Also, do you know how to drive a manual transmission? The RX-8 uses a Short Shifter which makes for very short throws from gear to gear, not something that is a good for a beginner driver, hell even I feel nervous (I drive an automatic, I hate the auto, don't midn the car but hate the auto) getting behind the wheel of my moms manual focus wagon simply becuase I am not used to a clutch quite yet (even though i figured it out on my own for the most part, thank you motorcycles).

Sorry if I sound a bit condiscending witht he technical stuff but really, if you want a sports car like this you need to know what your getting in to and make sure you take car of it.

Take for example the WRX. It has one of the highest insurance ratings of its class. The reason being is that the crash rates are so high. Why? It has 4 wheel drive, shouldn't that bail me out? Well, thats what a lot of people think apparently because it has one of the highest crash ratings along with the STi and the Evo, people think it will pull thier *** out to the fryer, wrongo.

The Rx-8, being a RWD sports car, is not something a new driver should start on. Also, high revs are a bit hard for new drivers to get used to. Take a sport biek for example, I am starting small so I can get the skills to ride something bigger (600-750cc's or cubic centimeters in engine size).

Anyway, got to go, will continue this discussion if your evne listening any more, it seems you gave up after everyone jumped on your assumptions.

 

My sample rate may be off, but I see a lot more women driving RX-8's than guys. Just regular house wives who don't really care what kind of car they're driving. I don't even bother waving to other RX-8 owners anymore because they think I'm a stalker or something.

There lies a big problem with the RX-8 - someone who's not watching the oil levels carefully and assumes this car will operate like a normal car will be in for nasty surprise.

 

As long as they react appropriately when the dashboard Engine Oil Level Warning Light comes on, they should be fine. I assume it warns before damage occurs ?

 

True, it seems to have become known as a "chick car" to many. Also, it seems Monkey has given up here as I know at 15 who is willing to listen to the advice of those more experianced then him/her?