After reading so many threads about little complaints and broken door sills and all kinds of little things, plus the whole issue going on here I'm most likely going to have to avoid the RX8, at least the 2004 model. It's a shame because it's such a beauty but for the price, and it's pricey, there just shouldn't be so many things seemingly holding it back.

Here's to hoping the 2005's make a few improvements and take this car to the level of perfection it deserves.

 

Other than the HP stuff it's pretty normal for a first model year.

 

its very good for a first year production

 

whats truer than that? I would love to get your MPG. I'm sittin on 2200 miles & I'm still feelin 12-13 MPG right in the ****. Waiting for the call to drop mine off. Fare well my love...

 

tell em billy...tell em

mazda no fixy, me no buyy (a new 8)

everybody git ur roll on...

mean time, I'll lurk about b/c I luv da rotary. and based on my experience w/ 1 1979 RX-7 I KNOW they are capable of better than my 12-13 MPG.

 

astrlsrfr, I just got the call today. I turn in my gas hog on Friday. 5700 miles on mine now. It was fun while it lasted.

 

well at least it was 'fun'

what's your next car ?

 

I got the call yesterday and the car is going back today. I love so many things about this car and may consider another for the future. Until then, I'll keep on racking up the miles on my fd.

 

Well, thought I'd finally chime in - Dealer called, check is in - my 8 goes back this afternoon and I go back to driving my BMW.

Some things about the car I love, but one aspect I've really grown to hate - 1800 miles @ 12-13 MPG - not acceptable to me given the EPA rating of 18/24. 33% spec error is too much in my engineering handbook. This coupled with Mazda's poor handling of the entire advertised spec vs actual performance mess sealed the car's fate.

I'll miss the handling, just as I still sometimes miss my RX-7 and my Miata. Mazda (and an extended poor dealer experience wrt to this car) has manged to turn me from a 20 year Mazda owner into an ex-customer - sad.

On a lighter note: I still think they should have interfaced the nav system to the gas gague - then when you hit 1/4 tank the screen would pop up, show the nearest gas station and the voice would say "GO here NOW!"...

Oh well, life goes on...

Dave

 

that would be cool if nav included gas warning
I like your gas would have got better after 2k

 

people would ignore it and still run out of gas. better luck with your next car.

 

I wouldn't want it to warn me with 1/4 a tank to go, as thats a huge distance.

It also depends on how your gauage is setup. In my MX3 I can drive for over 30 miles with the warning light on have the needly banging on empty, and then fill up to the neck with 40L (9 gallons). The tank is 50L (11 gallons) so I still have hell of a lot in reserve.

Cheers
---Dave

 

Dropped off the car on Friday with 6019 miles on it. Got back in my 92 Maxima SE. Feels like a damn boat!

I had almost decided to go with the Accord V6 Sedan but when I dropped the car off, the dealer was telling me that I could get a fully loaded 2004 Mazda6s for about invoice after factory incentives.

I took a look at one. I decided on the spot that I had changed my mind and would go with the 6s instead of the Accord. Just like the looks and handling so much more. But then, I read on Edmunds.com that there is a rust problem.

So, between that and the CA car tax increase, I might just put my new purchase on hold.

 

Dont let your dealer get you on this. You want invoice less incentives + fair dealer profit. NOT invoice price with incentives. In other words, start with invoice + fair profit - any additional incentives after that is gravey.

 

Thanks, wleonard. I will do that.

 

On the note of Mazda and ethics:

I got flamed pretty bad in August and September because I said that Mazda are dishonest and liars.

Well, I came across this little tidbit which I think amply illustrates the point:

It seems that Mazda set a little record back in 1999.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission fined them 5.25 million dollars for misleading information in their lease ads and agreements.
This is the FTC record for the highest penalty to date!!

http://www3.ftc.gov/opa/1999/09/mazdafinal.htm

It seems that Mazda and the FTC have a long and illustrious record of actions:

Go to:
http://www.ftc.gov/cgi-bin/htsearch

And search for the word "Mazda"

 

I know this thread is a bit dated as most of the returners have gone through the process, but I am still in it (process).

Just to refresh my memory and to make sure. Most of you experienced two weeks from fax-back notification of buyback until notice to drop off and checks?

I am at the two week mark and have my eye on several vehicles, but it just isnt safe to get one and own two cars based on paper promise of return of one.

Anyone returning hit problems after your buyback offer was accepted? Any hidden costs, tricks at turnin etc ?

thanks....

 

It took a little over 3 weeks until I got the call to return my car after faxing the agreement back. Everything went very smoothly. I will be getting my Sepang Green MT V6 fully loaded Mazda6s this week.

 

...thanks, that kept me going for the interim.

Faxed and phoned approval of numbers Oct. 20.

Got call today (Oct. 30) to take to dealer.

Spoke to dealer and he has my check.


For those of you that the 8 is the car of your dreams. Luck shines on you. Enjoy your dream.

Adios amigos!

 

I know this is becoming old news but here's what I did. I worked with my dealer after I received my letter. He found out that the dealer was in no way "penalized" for me doing a repurchase so he worked with me to get the repurchase done and found me another 8 and had it trucked in. The day the check came from Mazda I deposited it into my bank account and wrote a check to the dealer for the new 8. So basically I test drove the first one for 6k miles and got a new one with Red/Black Interior, Nav, Rotary Accents, and Spoiler for the EXACT same price as my first one that did not have those options. I'm suprised every dealer did not do this because basically they were able to sell TWO cars. Worked out great for me!!!

 

That's exactly what I tried to talk my dealer into. They sank the "allotment" song & I walked. Too bad, we both lost on their density.