nowr2go

Well after careful consideration I singed the paperwork from Mazda and I am returning my car. All in all, I really like the RX-8 and it sure turns heads everywhere. However given the opportunity of having the choice offered by Mazda, I decided for the repurchase option as 14 mpg average is not acceptable after 4,500 miles. Yes it is a sports car but 14mpg is SUV territory. In addition with the A/C and cabin heat in the footwell, center console and the trunk, these issues just pushed me in giving back the car.

Just for those interested knwoing what I will be driving next, I already purchased a 2003 Mini Cooper S with the JCWorks kit on it (got lucky they had a dark silver with the blue/black interior). Yeah, it is a totally different car but I do like it a lot.

Happy motoring to you all. The RX-8 is a cool car :-)

BillK

Nice car, but be prepared to spend a fair amount of time at your local Mini dealer getting really stupid things fixed under warranty. Even the car mags mention this in their long-term tests; initial build quality is definitely not what it should be from BMW...

RotaryRocketMan

My uncle quickly sold off his Mustang because it was to hard to get in and out of. I suspect this is more of a personal size and agility issue than a car design defect. I switch back and forth daily from an SUV to the 8 and have no problems with either.

Not sure about that oil light issue, but I would probably have that looked at. I don't think Mazda will be giving you a refund if you blow the engine. You do put oil in the car between changes right?

Zoom-zoom.

graphicguy

What I'm hearing is a lot of people who are upset with their dealers, the price they paid or the way they were treated. In fairness, that has nothing to do with the 8. MPG seems to be a sticking point, but I'm getting what the MSRP sticker says I should be getting. It just took a while for the engine to really "break-in". In comparison, I had a PT Cruiser GT Turbo. MPG in that was averaging 14 MPG.

A/C seems to have some of you worried. Again, I don't have a problem with it. It keeps me comfortable in high temps and high humidity. Does it cycle? Yes! Does it sometimes blow out less than frigid air? Yes! Easy fix if you want to be totally frosty.....keep the A/C on "recirculate".

I'm not aware of a "squeaky" door issue. My RX8 is one of the best built cars I've ever owned (includes 2 BMWs, 2 hondas and 2 Toyotas). It's certainly better built than the 350Z/G35 that I test drove extensively.

Those that are returning their cars are well withing their rights to do so. Just ask yourselves one question and be honest...do you think the "quirks" you will find with your new rides will make you happier than the unique and great (IMHO) drives you have with the RX8? Or will the bloom fall from the rose when the inevitable "new car" euphoria wears off with them?

My guess is most of the returnees are getting something cheaper. I don't see many that are jumping off the RX8 and getting into a direct competitor....most of you are getting cars that are totally different.

Regarding the Mini....neat concept. I have a friend who had one. Kept it for all of 4 months before taking a huge depreication hit and getting something he could live with every day.

Puppy1

AGREED

Now I admit I haven't read every post in this thread, but I don't recall ANYONE saying they were giving back thier 8 so they could buy a "Z."

I know a few have mentioned possibly buying the G35c, but zero 350Z's? I find that statistic very interesting. It is the Z community that seems to be the most "anti-8," and apearenently it's with good reason. The 8 is obviously a better 'real world' sports car.

Nissan's 'bad information' campain of a supossed RX-8 reacall on the Fresh Alloy forum is backfiring big time.

Wing

I like the 8 more than Z after testing a Z out last night. I will be buying something else, probably not cheaper, but you never know. I'm even considering getting another 8 after the winter.

You know if I was in CA or FL I wouldn't get rid of the 8, but I have the opportunity here with 7 months of winter coming, might as well take it.

nowr2go

I find it interesting how some of you are reacting to the buyback issue. This thread should deal with the buyback issue, the reasons why one is returning the car to Mazda, and from a curiousity perspective what the replacement car is. Why some of you get defensive and put down the mini (since that is the car I replaced the RX-8 with) I don't understand. I guess one needs to always prove that the cars they own are better than anyone elses. As for me, I look at this from an objective perspective. Both the RX-8 and Cooper S are nice cars, definitely different in their missions, both have their good points and bad points! Let's leave it at that and don't get too defensive :-)

Superbone

I'm glad your MPG improved over time. Mine has not. I've got 4200 miles on mine and I'm still getting the same 15-17 MPG on mostly freeway driving.

I just couldn't justify it with my daily 100 mile commute. I will miss the car, though.

graphicguy

no defensiveness here. I like my car no matter what anyone else says.

Just relaying what a friend did with his Mini.

1.3 liter

I am failing to understand why you would sell your car back. I understand that the horsepower was understated...but it was understated by 8 hp, not 18 or 28, if that were the case I could probably see your point because those figures would be a gross understatement. At the 247 hp figure, the 8 was outgunned by the Infiniti coupe and sedan, Nissan's Z...heck even Cadillac's CTS is coming to the table with 250-255 hp.

I thought about my RX-8 that I ordered when all talk about the hp being lower than was originally stated, but I didn't cancel the order because to me the RX-8 is not all about horsepower at all, it's not about who can out accelerate whom at a traffic light, to me the RX-8 is about balance, it's about control, it's about all around driving pleasure, it's about refinement, but most of all it's about uniqueness. The 8 reminds me of my 94 probe gt. It was the most balanced sports coupe that I had ever driven, even though it only had 164 hp., but it did everything so well.


The RX-7 was never the most powerful car when compared to the other Japanese gt's (i.e Supra, Mitsu., and Z) it had the smallest rims/tires, the weakest engine (hp wise), it was consistently the lightest (which is good), but it was able to run or even outgun some of them. Sure it's one thing to have a screaming engine and pins you against the seat during acceleration, but it's another to have a car that does everything right and that's what the rx-7 did and the rx8 is continuing. I ask to the ones that have your 8's to look at it's overall design and how it harmonizes. Really look and appreciate your suicide doors and how they actually were the design theme of the car, look inside at your gauges that light up three colors, and the spot-lights above your window controls, how the cockpit becomes a part of you and you a part of it, and the little things you wouldn't normally expect, and... and...and...and maybe you will appreciate your machine even more, and also maybe you would appreciate Mazda's vision even more.

I read in a post on this forum, that someone has their RX-8 in the garage waiting to be sold back to Mazda, and they are planning to get a Chrysler Crossfire. A CROSSFIRE! Doesn't it have a 215 hp engine. Well to each his own, I say. It's not about hp with Mazda, folks, it's about the driving experience itself, an experience that they have refined over these many years. I can't wait to take delivery of my titanium 8 with chaparal leather, sport pkg, nav., front and rear rotary accents, front splash gaurds, and minidisc player (sorry I had to get all of that in). Because when it does arrive and I take delivery, I know that I will own a piece of automotive art. Peace out.....

Kev

Amen.

Wing

Oh don't get me wrong, I LOVE my 8 and I can't find another car that I like more! I'll probably just buy another one.

If I lived in sunny California I would keep it, but as it stands I have nothing to lose to return the car for the 7 winter months and get another in the spring!

The 8 is wonderfull, I'll still be around this forum!

lilhondi

As I approach the two weeks I have left before I return my RX-8 to Mazda, I have started shopping around for another car. I am a middle aged + woman and have decided to grow up, leave my 6 speed stick shift behind, and look at the Honda Accord automatic 6 cylinder. This is a beautiful car, dependable, and well made. I have spent my entire life in the fast lane, driving sports cars, and now it's time to slow down a bit and appreciate luxury. This entire experience has really taught me a lot about life and priorities.
lilhondi silver RX-8, 6 speed, touring PKG

U. N. O.

none sense. And yeah when u drive in the highway or where ever and come across a subaru, any subaru for that matter, don't forget its a "dodoburu" that WILL leave you breathing his exhaust smoke before you even get a chance to finish your foolish sentence.

you are the one speaking without thinking, what do you know about me and my reasonings to attack me this way? grow up. and if you are growned up, just die ok?

as long as there are no ******** like you, it will be fine. Besides who knows which car i will get next. I might wait to pass the winter months and get the 8 again after all REAL numbers and such are set, maybe even save a ton of money too. so don't speak too soon.

U. N. O.

i share your opinion totally, after all we all have been here since the bigginings ..

U. N. O.

yeah the ignore feature becomes very handy in this situation. He doesn't understand i am not trying to be bias towarsd the 8 since i have one. It herts to get rid of it. In fact i still think what if i wait and trbo the dam thing, but mpg kills...if it had better mpg, i would glue myself to the seat if necesary before anyone could take it away from me. my final .02 in the matter

Superbone

U.N.O., I'm in exactly the same boat (er, car) as you. If it wasn't for the MPG (and the fact I commute 100 mi/day), I'd be keeping the car.

mikeb

U.N.O I wasn't even talking to you
I was talking to rx ***** style

Puppy1

I went back a tallied what people said they were replacing their 8 with in this thread and the other tread that specifically asks what you are replacing your 8 with. There is obviously duplication because some memebers posted in both. But here is the total any way:

Another RX-8: 9

Accord V6: 3

Accura TL: 2

Mini Cooper: 2

SUV: 2

Accura NSX (used): 1

BMW Z4: 1

Crossfire: 1

What surprised me: 0 Nissan/Infinity/Lexus

8nomo

I currently possess both an RX-8 AND a 350Z.

I have been driving my 8 for about 6 weeks now (Red, 6-speed GT) which I purchased on Aug. 8th. When I bought the car I was initially impressed with its performance and styling, however after driving it for a while I slowly became more and more dissapointed with the performance. The 8 is being marketed based upon the strong Rotary/RX-7 history which it simply does not live up to. As someone who has put 2900 miles on the vehicle I feel I am qualified to say that for a $30,000+ "sports car" the RX-8 is entirely too slow.

After responding to the honorable and generous offer presented by Mazda for repurchase (imagine an american car manufacturer offering to buy back 3000+ vehicles due to a 9 hp defecit), I bought a 6-speed, touring model 350Z. Even though I am still breaking in the Z (400 miles so far) and can't push it too hard yet, I can tell you that performance-wise there is no comparison between the vehicles. The Z's superiority in torque, acceleration and handling are immediately evident (this is not simply a horsepower difference). The 8 and the Z are simply not in the same class when it comes to acceleration, handling and yes, gas mileage. Styling is, of course, always subjective.

The Z is a true sports car where the RX-8 is simply the victim of
compromise in too many areas to qualify in that category. One test drive of either vehicle is simply not enough to form an informed opinion of either and I can truly say that if anyone is looking for a "sports car" and they buy an 8 they can do better for only a slightly higher sticker price. This fact (in addition to protection from litigation), I feel lies at the core of Mazda's decision to repurchase. They know they are staking the future of the RX line and the rotary engine itself on this vehicle (in the US at least), and it simply doesnt live up to the expectations of many enthusiasts.

I did not post this to slam on the 8 or anybody who feels it is a superior vehicle to the Z, I understand that people have their own reasons for choosing the car they drive however I did notice that there were a few posts pointing out that no-one was trading their 8 for a Z. This is simply not true.

I have been following this forum since I bought my 8 in early August but have never posted a message until now. It is possible that there are others in the same situation as well.

Best of luck to those who keep their RX-8s, many of whom I am aware did not purchase the vehicle strictly for performance. At its core it is still a truly unique and remarkable vehicle, just not the one I was looking for.

Puppy1

But as you pointed out, no one is returning thier 8 to get a Z, not even you. You already had one. (You didn't say when you bought it, just that it had less miles.) You can edit you post some more if you'd like.

8nomo

I bought the 8 six weeks ago, decided to sell it back last week and bought the Z last Friday.

mikeb

why

Wing

Interesting, although I find the Z to have more power than the 8, I really didn't feel much of a difference when driving the 2 back to back. I test drove the Z 2 days ago. It seems to give you more of a sense of speed but that's all. I floored it at one point and then went WOW that was fast, looked at the speedo and was only going 80Km/h, while with the RX8 I would look down and go crap I'm already going 120? The Z has a sense of more speed being lower and stiffer. It takes more speed to give you that feel in the 8, which can be bad considering we have laws about speed

Handling for everyday driving was the same to me, but it has been proven on tracks the 8 handles better than the Z.

I was thinking about getting a Z, but I can't get over the horribly plasticy interior.

Still a VERY nice car, but not for me. Also the 8 is more practical with the extra seats and doors, if only for storing extra luggage!

graphicguy

As others have said, the few that are returning their 8 are totally within their right to do so.

That said, I'm a bit more harsh when it comes to the differences in the way the Z/G drive and the way the RX8 drives.

After spending quite a bit of time test driving the Z/G before buying the 8, I did the same thing again when I got THE LETTER. I came to the same conclusion as I had previously...while the 350Z is a BIT faster than the 8 (the G felt like it had about the same acceleration), everything else about the RX8 felt better.

I was always glad to get back into my RX8 after testing the Z/G.

Everything felt better in the RX8. Accleeration in the 350Z wasn't significantly faster when driving both the RX8 and Z back to back as someone else pointed out.

Handling, to me was a "no contest". While you have to work the Z to get great handling, the RX8 does it effortlessly. Better steering, better clutch, better shifter, much better ride and high handling limits with the RX8....all done instinctively. Since it was so easy and intuitive in the RX8, one may perceive that it reallly doesn't handle as well. Everything about the Z makes you work hard...steering it, shifting it, riding in it.....the Z just feels coarse when compared to the RX8.

The G blunts this a little, but not by much.

Then there's the obvious higher quality build and materials that are part of the RX8 package over the Z/G.

Add in the room, back seat, trunk, interior pieces and, for my money it was the RX8 choice, not once, but twice when testing.

MPG may be marginally better in the Z, but perusing other boards, I've seen the Z's stated real world MPG to be anywhere from 15 MPG to 26 MPG. Since break-in, I'm getting 18 MPG in all city and 24 MPG in all highway (usually cruising between 75-80 MPH) with a mix in the 20 MPG range. That's not too far off the Z MPG reports.

To get the same equipment levels in the Z (which would be Touring model with NAV) as I have in my 8 (GT with NAV) I would have had to spend $3K-$4K more. That was icing on the cake.

Now, Mazda is giving me $500 and free maintenance. I'm a happy camper.

Not a slight to Z owners. I like your cars. I like my RX8 better.