I got a new, Blue base Rx-8 about 2 weeks ago from Long Beach Mazda ($5000 off MSRP).
I like the car and am happy to return to a rotary. I had a FD for about 9 years, and had a love/hate relations ship with it. The performace, looks, and fun was great, but the maintenance and problems were horrible. Still, I'm willing to give a rotary another chance (But with a 2nd year model this time).

I have some questions that I have not seen answered on this board.
1) I've seen that I should not stop the car if the engine is not warmed up due to flooding problems. If I start the car and the temp guage shows that it is already warm, either due to recent driving or outside temperature, is it safe to turn off the engine after starting it?

2) Does anyone else have trouble reading the radio/clock display at around noon? The glare from the sun makes it impossible to see on my Rx-8.

3) If I hold in the 'text' button for a few seconds, I see the word 'clear' on the display. What does this mean? It doesn't seem to clear the presets or anyting else.

4) Has anyone seen/made an ashtray replacement that turns the ashtray/cigarette lighter into a storage bin. I don't smoke and use the lighter in the center arm rest for my power needs.

Thanks,
Dan.

 

1) No, if the engine is warm, the ecu wont use special fuel map to warm it up, your car is an 05, so there are chances it has the new battery, starter and fresh ecu flash, so flooding shouldn't be a problem regardless.

2) No, no trouble here, make sure your lights aren't on.

3) You are clearing the thermo-nuclear power source, if you do it 3 times within one minute your car will explode killing you and everyone around you instantly... ok i have no idea what that is. :D

4) Haven't seen one, in my car, the XM reciever goes there

 

I found the answer to #3

"About 5 seconds after selecting any mode, the volume function will be automatically selected. To reset bass, mid-range, treble, fade and balance, press the audio control dial for 2 seconds. The unit will beep and "CLEAR" will be displayed"

Sound system reset obviously

Pages 6-19, 6-20 of the manual

 

darn, you mean someone read the manual?

 

I'm really, really, REALLY bored at work, so I downloaded the PDF version :D

yeah, I'm a geek too

 

I have the problem with #2 sometimes. Kinda just gotta deal.

I've seen the ashtray replacement, but I don't remember where. I think it was just slightly larger than stock so I'm not sure if it would be worth the investment. You may want to try some of the vendors on the forum and see if they have it.

 

hehe mmmm thermo nuclear rx-8 :D