i.e:
Have there been any recalls for NZ models?
Are models 2004 and prior more prone to any faults?
Any extras that come in imports that I should stay away from?
NZ new vs imports?

Maintenance tips specific to having an 8 in NZ?

I have been careful when purchasing a car but I have did get burnt the time I bought my S15. Ended up replacing the rear suspension, clutch kit AND the gearbox in the first 12 months!!

I always look after my cars really well and the RX-8 will be no exception so all suggestions will be much appreciated. Cheers!

 

Hi Dash, Yes there have been recalls for nz RX8's, these are not specific to the NZ model though. the main one was for a gas tank heat shield and there was one recently for hard starting problems that some 8's had. These recall's were also done for the imports free of charge.

In NZ the RX8 came out in 03, i have an 03 japanese import that has given no problems at all in 18 months of driving. There is no real differences other than colour option and minor cosmetic differences between the years.

as far as extras that come with imports its more a case of make sure you get the right high spec model. In NZ we really only have one model which has the high power 6 port motor and 6 speed manual there was also the auto model which has less power due to the 4 port motor and torque converter i believe. The auto appears to have been discontinued by mazda NZ. If you buy an import make sure you get the model called the type S the other models (type E) usually can be identified by the 16" rims and have the lower power motor and 5 speed gear box and heaps of other differences, these are heaps cheaper but not as desirable. in short if your gonna get an import get the type S! all the differences are listed on the site somewhere

NZ models have leather interior and headlight washers
Jap spec doesn't have the headlight washers and is available in cloth or leather (all i've seen are cloth though) and they are manual seats not electric like the leather.
jap spec cuts out at 180k nz is not speed limited
on paper the jap model has more HP but no one is sure if it really is
you will probably be able to get a better deal on an import than NZ new

no NZ specific maintenance tips really, make sure you keep the oil toped up and redline it on a regular basis and warm it up before you thrash it!

 

Thanks rotor_man. That's a great help!

Did you import your 8 or buy it from a dealer?

 

I just came back from NZ. I didn't see any RX-8s in NZ - including Mazda showrooms. One of the limo drivers said they are around, but rare. I guess some are imported used from Japan.

 

I bought mine from a dealer Dash, it only had 5000km on the clock so was basically new.

Heaps of our cars are imported used from Japan Blaaz, all of the japanese sports cars are readily available here like skyline's evo's wrx and of course all the RX7's including the newer series 7 and 8 models of the FD The RX8 is still not common on the roads which is kinda nice

 

rotor_man covered most of the key points.

I've had my Jap Type S since July last year. No specific maintenance issues relating to NZ... and Mazda does cover the main recall issues. I've had the fuel tank insulation and the starter reflash done. They would have put the improved plugs in as well but I'd already paid to get them a while back.

Something worth knowing... and I think this applies to the big dealerships is that with NZ and Jap models, the dealerships will top off your oil if you're getting your servicing done with them.

As has been mentioned there aren't really all that many RX8s on NZ roads. In Wellington I've counted no more than 15 of them, and in a recent trip way up north past Auckland I saw three total.

Most Mazda car yards will occasionally have an RX but it's not a staple in their yards. The main Wellington city has had an RX on show for the last couple of weeks for the first time in a long time. Sold quick too - and I saw it on a hoist getting the full body kit treatment.

Many, well 50%, NZ RX drivers will acknowledge you which is great.

If you get an import and they're around:
- get the Type S
- do check the car over carefully - one I was looking at had had a roll cage *removed*
- the powered seats sit higher so if you're tall like me (6'6") you won't fit lol
- check the tyre inflation kit is there, and if not you'll want it replaced (not cheap) or a spare fitted as I did (even less cheap - $700)

Happy to answer any other questions.

In short I LOVE my RX8 - it turns heads and is just AWESOME to DRIVE. Thirsty though - but then I knew that going in having done a lot of research here and elsewhere. Best of all - being so tall it's one of the few cars I actually fit into!

 

My Type S came from a dealer with 9700Kms on the clock so it was near new.

Its first NZ owner had put less than a couple of thousand Kms on it and fitted all the body kit (thanks mate!) and then swapped it for something else. Probably saw the fuel bills and I think he wanted a convertible or something.

 

There are a lot of 5 speeds & autos coming into the country . One dealer tried to pass off a 5 speed as a "high power" model to me- Beware . The others covered it pretty well.
Had my Type s 'import' 2 yrs & 50000 kms now & its been great .
You will quickly find that you know more than the dealers if you hang around this forum long enough .