I've spent the last hour reading Dr P&P's thread:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/renesis-side-seal-discussion-38411/
and had to give my brain a rest
so, here I am...

I bought my 8 three months ago
(manufacture date = 11/03)
I'm upset about the HP issue...
Has anyone had any experience with the "Buy Back" policy Mazda offered
(for those of us how are just learning of this policy)?

I do find it interesting that the Mazda web site
( www.mazdausa.com )
is still claiming HP for the 8 is 197 AT and 238 MT.
You'd think Mazda would change their AD...

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me...

 

The window sticker that came with your RX-8 was likely updated to reflect the new number.

I'm curious about you being upset with the HP. Did your car suddenly get slower than when you test drove it?

 

heres me thinking that 238hp is still the official US 6MT power output. Down from 247 at launch.

250ps in japan.
240ps in Auz
238bhp in US
231ps in Eurpoe.


And its way to late to complane, only the first few buyers were affected anyhow, after the first month or two its no go.

 

the buyback was for anyone who bought their 8 prior to September 2003. All the windows stickers now reflect the updated 238 HP number that Mazda is sticking to.

I assume you test drove your car before you bought it right? The majority of the owners here really don't care what the # of the horsepower is. They care about how fun the car is to drive. If you test drove the car and didn't have a problem with it (obviously you didn't because you BOUGHT it), then there is little reason to be upset about it now.

If you are posting this because you found out about Mazda's buyback offer AFTER you bought your 8, it really doesn't matter because it doesn't affect you or your car.

 

You are remembering that that is not the rear wheel horsepower, right? That is the HP at the crank.

 

I'm totally befuddled why the spec-sheet peak crankshaft horsepower is such an issue for some people. Claimed horspower has very little to do with what actually makes it to the rear wheels.

You obviously liked your RX-8 enough to add seatcovers, momo shifter, and third brake light modification. Considering that you bought an AT, horsepower was clearly not a priority in your purchase in the first place.

If I was Mazda, I would not have patience for you people. Frankly, the Mazda HP antagonism that I see by some "owners" hurts our community as a whole.

 

Basically as already stated, the buyback was for those who bought the car with the advertised 247 horsepower. It was even mentioned as 250 earlier on. Mazda was great that they did this. Nissan did not do this with their Infinity car that followed the same scenario.

It does not concern you because the stated horsepower figure was corrected.