I'm ALMOST ready to purchase a 2005 RX8. It will be my daily driver but I have concerns about engine issues related to short trips. (I work less than three miles from home.) Are there any potential problems? If so, are there any steps I can take to prevent them? Thanks.

 

You will get horrible gas mileage. In the winter I myself would use a beater car for such a short drive. But otherwise you don't need to do anything special. Would you use it for longer trips when your not working?
Not to be a jerk but riding a bicycle would be better for both you and the car if your not going to use it much.

 

Well, you should be well out of the cold start flood threat.
But if you take the really long way home every once in a while, all should be good.

I wish I lived 3 miles away from work.
I'd buy a bicycle, and lose some weight.

BC.

 

I just got a job barely about a mile away. I'm going to purchase a cheap beater to take to work everyday. Not putting my Renesis through that everyday. I'd just walk or ride a bike put I have to cross a VERY busy street.

 

I actually live about 3 miles from work and that is plenty of time for the car to get warmed up. About twice a week I end up going downtown which is a 25-30 min drive at highway speed. I average about 13 mpg with the mixed driving. As has been stated above, get out on a highway or back road once or twice a week and let her stretch her legs. It's good for the car and the soul.

Welcome to the addiction!

 

Thanks for the info. BTW I do walk to work when the weather's decent. If the drivers where you live are anything like the nutjobs in Michigan, you know why I wouldn't ride a bike.

 

Here in Colorado, the bicyclists are more dangerous than the car drivers.

BC.

 

this is an non-issue.
drive it like you would any other car, you'll be fine. Flooding is over-rated and almost non-existent these days.

you'll get shitty gas mileage but who cares, at least you'll drive those 3 miles in style.

 

+1 well said.

 

I currently live about 3 miles from work as well, but I will take the long way home once in a while since it barely gets fully warmed up by the time I get home plus I didn't get to enjoy a long enough drive. I'm currently building a house bout 20-25 minutes from work so I'll get to enjoy a longer ride. That is until I buy a commuter.

 

Speaking of bike...

I recently purchased a Trek Hybrid/Road bike, so that I could get into better shape by commuting back and forth from/to work.

Driving my 8 to work takes me about 13-15 minutes. Riding my bike takes 35-40 minutes. Call me a nut, but you'd be damn surprised of how much excess fat I've trimmed off my body in over a week's time. I usually ride the bike every other day, so that gives my body time to recover since I'm still new to riding.

Sorry to thread jack... Just felt like sharing since some of you brought up the topic, lol.

 

Very true indeed

 

It's wear on the engine though, you'll barely get it warm in 3 miles.. short distance cars don't live long in general. I'd get a beater/motorcycle/umbrella.

 

The only good news is, you'll get less in driving mileage though.

 

i find that bs. you have to consider other factors such as season and geographical location. but 3 miles is plenty to get the car warmed up. heck i can get my car warmed up driving around the block, so 3 miles is fine.

OP- of course your only driving 3 miles, but considering its only 3 miles, i doubt you'll be complaining about gas prices and mileage.

 

Short commutes are hard on the exhaust system. It never gets hot enough to burn all the water out of the oil, and the exhaust. So expect more water in yoru oil, and your exhaust plus cat to burn out faster. When the exhaust is allowed to fully heat up it burns the condensation out, but if you keep only semi heating it and driving you wont allow for this. At least once a week you need to take her out and run her hot.