It's been a year since I gave up my RX8, it still hurts. Had a 2010 Velocity Red MT Sport with just 24,000 miles that was my little piece of sanity and escape. In Aug 2014 took her into the dealer for my regular 3,000 mile oil change, but they gave it to a rookie who didn't re-install the oil plug properly. ON MY WAY HOME, the oil plug came out & I had lost almost all the oil by the time I reacted to the oil light & got pulled over. I do have to give the dealer credit, they did all they could to try to make it better, new factory rebuilt motor, and by the time it was over, they had a brand new (last one in north america so they said) transmission installed as well (another long story, but related to the engine replacement). It took over a month, I got my baby back, but it just didn't feel right. It didn't start the same, didn't run quite the same, but nothing I could put my finger on, just a gut feeling. Ultimately the "Re-built" motor made me nervous, I've read too many posts about people being on their third & fourth motors.

In the end I gave her up, made the dealer buy it back & got into a 2015 Mazda3 SGT, MT of course. I've been happy with the Mazda3, but can't help to think back of the fun & indescribable driving experience I had when I was behind the wheel of my RX8.

I just had my decision to give her up validated though. I had my Mazda3 into the same dealer for an oil change last week (what can I say they treated me right so I stuck with them) & the service guy pulled me aside to tell me, they just had to replace the engine in my old RX8 again. Apparently it came up with some internal coolant leak that killed motor # 2. I made the right call to give her up, but I still miss her on a regular basis. Moral of the story, DO YOU OWN OIL CHANGES & DON"T TRUST ANYONE WITH YOUR BABY!

I'll be watching what happens with the RX-Vision, could be exciting, but for now I have to settle with my Mazda3 SGT. I get the ZOOM-ZOOM, its a fun drive but its not my RX8!

Just had to share

 

I feel your hurt.

Took my 8 out for some spirited driving today. Kentucky twisty turny back roads. Drove the **** outta the little bitch. she loved it, as did I.

After all these years she still makes my face hurt from smiling too much.

 

OHH that face hurt from the ear to ear grin, I forgot that feeling! Got that grin twinge just reading your post. I still go back to all those special twisty places I had found when I had my RX8, roads I never would have searched for or found without it.

Thanks for bringing that feeling back up, it'll always be there in the back of my mind.

 

Wow, that story is brutal... I really feel for you man. Mazda 3 is a great car, but obviously, it's not the same.

Are you ever gonna get back into an 8 again?

 

I feel your pain, i crashed my car, then had a engine blow so my car had hard life and due to finance issue it took me 5 years to rebuild the car, drove it for few months , then i sort of lost all the spark so i sold the rx-8.

then i bought an is350 i love the car it faster and comfortable ride then the rx8.
I couldn't forget the fun i had in the rx-8, so i went and brought a nismo 370z, i love the Z but it just not the same sort of spark i had with the rx8.

i think i am back at rx8 club because i just can forget the fun i had in the rx8.

I might have to go buy an rx8 some time soon.

 

Thanks Eric & yushinrt,

Would love to get back in another 8 but all the stars would really have to align. I've do still have an open spot in a carport I built after I got my old RX8 in 2010. After getting my 8, I didn't feel right leaving my baby out in the driveway getting soaked on a regular basis (I live in the Pacific NW) so I had even built a carport to keep her protected & dry.

More likely, I'll be keeping my eye on what happens with the RX-Vision concept car that recently made it's debut. Crossing my fingers that by the time I get my M3 paid off, they have an RX7 in production and they've got a year or two of production under their belts. Loved that rotary whine, high end power and slot-car handling, hopefully there's another rotary in my future!!

 

Every time I consider selling my car, I read stories like this. GarfCamen - you could probably get a solid deal on an 8 from trading in a 3

 

Hey Runningmann,

Trust me, I've thought long & hard about getting another 8. Still look up 8's for sale around my area several times a month. Last time I was at the dealer for my oil change, they had a newer 8 on the lot that had me wishing. Salesman told me he really wanted my 3 as a trade in, especially since it's a MT, though salesmen always want a trade in! But being a bit older & having been burned a time or two, I really have this thing about buying cars new & controlling how they're maintained from the day they drive off the lot. Unless a heap of cash just drops in my lap I'll probably keep my 3 around a few years & see what happens with the RX-Vision, maybe another dream will come true!

 

My 8 is a little banged up and every now and then, I get the thought that it is time to sell her. But the thought never gets to a serious stage and hopefully it never does.

 

I took a break from my first 8 when my wife and I had our kid. Ended up in a WRX. Didn't like that and traded for a Ford Focus ST. That was alright, got great gas mileage, lots of power, handled relatively well for what it was... but the problem was that it wasn't an RX8.

So about a year ago I found an '09 R3 with 12,500 miles on it. Jumped on it and now I'm much happier. The original owner didn't seem to know what he was doing and as far as I can tell was a ham-fisted ape when it came to that car... (left seat bolster on driver's side worn down, anything shiny in the car was scratched, clutch pedal cover wasn't properly attached, dings on the wheels, rocker panel on the passenger side not fully attached, spark plugs all caked with carbon, misfiring randomly, etc...)...

I replaced the coils, plugs, plug wires, air filter, battery, and changed the oil 2x, and fixed everything else, then beat the **** out of her to help clear the carbon. It now runs smooth as silk with no misfires... She's as good as new and better than I remember my old 8! I missed having one and I'm glad I have one now.

 

I feel you man. We've all been there. I got my RX-8 almost new, and when I started to get cooling problems (in a reasonably new car!), I flipped out. I wasn't expecting issues from a new car. I kinda wanted to sell it too. But I didn't. Because I love it so much. I decided to keep it and fix what's wrong. In your case, I think they dropped in a bad engine. I've heard a few stories here about bad remans from Mazda. Looks like you were one of the unlucky ones. Still, I were you, and I really wanted to get rid of that car because it had an issue, I would've sold it and picked up a better RX-8. Low mileage. One that still runs on the original engine. Untouched. Hard to find, I know. But with a bit of patience, you should've found one. The Mazda 3 is pretty nice too. How does it compare to your RX-8? How's the power and handling?

 

Sometimes it's the pain in the journey that makes it extra special. I've had a dealer warranty the original motor and I've put in two motors myself (one was a self-inflicted casualty) and many other issues (many self-inflicted) but I love this car and wouldn't ask for anything different at this point There were a few times where I was thinking about getting something different, mostly when frustrated on my back under the car in the dead freezing of winter, but I kept on and I'm happy I did! Every time I drive it I smile. Every time I park it I look back at it over my shoulder. My wife gets jealous at times. Each of us have our own situation, and it doesn't always work out. I count myself fortunate that I still have mine.

 

^ haha that jealous wife. Can't blame you though , the rx8 has one fine rear :]

 

I gave up my 8 about 7 months ago for a 2015 Accord Coupe V6, oh man how dearly I miss the 8.

 

It's been 3 years since I traded up to a Z06. Yes the Z06 is incredible but there is definitely times I miss the underpowered Rx8 for tossing through some corners at 9k rpm. I will also be looking at future rotary developments as I can see myself buying another one some day.

 

every time my car leaves my hands something happens from minor to major. i have done the majority of all my work and at times i almost gave up. there's a great deal of pride in builds, that's something that you can get in a nicer off the lot vehicle. that's why they call us enthusiasts.