A couple Fridays ago I went out to start my 8 and nothing happened when I turned the key. Lights and aux. power still worked, but I knew that even a "dead" battery could still provide some power. So I had a friend bring me to work, and when we got back we tried a jump, but with no luck... I was almost sure it wasn't the flooding problem, because my last drive had been 20 minutes home from work. Anyway, I call roadside assistance and they tow it to the dealership and put me in a rental (I had to drive a 140hp Mitsubishi Galant for 4 days). Anyway, it turned out that the problem was the "clutch disengagement switch." So the little switch that makes sure the clutch is in before allowing the ignition to start was busted. Not a major issue, and since the part is probably used in every single MT Mazda made (and probably costs less than a dollar or two to make), it was probably just a random failure. Not a big deal, but wanted to let you all know what happened.

Durahl

 

They gave you a Mitsubishi Galant! 140hp! What agony! The least they could've done is give you an Evo

 

How frustrating!!!!

I can definitely imagine how you felt - a couple of years ago, I bought a 2000 Porsche Boxster S from a retired doctor. On the drive home from his house after buying the car, I stalled it at a traffic light in the left turn lane. I couldn't get it started......top was down, it was really a hot day, people are yelling at me and the car wouldn't start. Just humiliating.

Car was towed to the Porsche dealer.....faulty clutch disengagement switch. In my case, only had to be adjusted for $50.

It was a terrible start for my ownership of that car, and I kept it for less than a year - had multiple problems. My Boxster was very much a drama queen - needed to be attended to constantly.
Just never really enjoyed it the way I should have.

MUCH, MUCH HAPPIER WITH MY RX8 - trouble free so far!

 

Usually, clutch disengagement switches are located somewhere near the top of the clutch pedal arm. I've heard of these things getting damaged due to loose mounting, getting kicked by the driver, or being slammed in too hard from an overpowering sudden clutch release.