Hello all, this is my first post on this site so please bear with me..lol. I currently drive a 2005 Ford Mustang which I have been thinking of trading in on a RX-8. There are several reasons for this, but first and foremost I have ALWAYS loved the look of the RX-8 and the performance/handling of RWD sports cars (especially the older RX-7's). I do have a question before I take the plunge and get an 8, will the car be reliable as a daily driver? I do have a beater Honda Accord to drive in the snow and extreme cold, but I am looking for a car to drive 9 months out of the year as a daily to work, the track, auto-x, wherever I need to go. I do alot of interstate driving as well, so being somewhat comfotable to ride in is a plus. I have been reading alot on this forum and have seen numerous topics regarding engine failure and recalls and such...which kind of worries me. So, from all of you guys that own these beautiful cars...what do you think? Sorry for such a noob question, but I figured you guys would be the one to ask!! Thanks in advance for any help.

~Andy

 

From what you've described, it should work for you as a daily driver. The biggest downside will be gas mileage, but I find it bearable. I've done 4.5 hour drives between college and home many times, and while I feel glad to get out after the drive, during the drive it's very comfortable. Might be a little bumpy for some people, but I'd imagine that coming from a mustang, you wont find it bad at all. I've had mine for over a year and a half with no real issues so far. Just follow basic maintenance and it should hold up well. I cant this is a fact, but it is my belief that cars produced after the recall will hold up better than cars that were run pre-recall. Some have more issues than others. As for me, I've had no real issues. hope this helps.

 

Yeah see the one I was looking at was a 04 model (pre recall), it has all of the options I was looking for and a reasonable price with decent mileage (30k). That is kind of what worried me is that the model I was looking at seems to be the most recalled one...the MT 04 model. It is at a Mazda dealer, so I could inquire about the extended warranty on the powertrain which if I am correct covers it to 60k right? On a plus note, I was figuring that with 30k on the car, if it was gonna crap out it would have more than likely done it by now. It must just be a luck of the draw deal with the 04's because my friend had one with no problems whatsoever.

 

My 8 is my work vehicle.

 

My 04 MT has had no real problems at all. Its my daily driver and I drive the **** out of it daily. From what you describe, the 8 might be the perfect car for you. Its well rounded enough to do all that you need. Hell, what other car in its class can you fit an entire drum kit in, then take it to the track and represent?

Can you talk with the previous owner? It would be a plus to know their driving style and maintenance history.

As you may have read here, the only real maintenance is of course checking and changing oil often, and redlining it as much as possible (at least once a day). Other than that, my 8 has been the perfect daily driver, especially if you have a beater for bad weather.

Go for it.

 

As long as all the recalls have been done on the 04 MT that you are looking for, there should be no issues with reliability. I have 59,000 miles on my 04 MT and have never had a problem with it.......and I take it up to redline 2 - 3 times a day.

Just make sure the recalls have been done. We have quite a few members on here that are nearing the 100,000 mark in their 04's with no problems, and we have one that has just hit 150,000 miles without an issue.

 

I'd get the newest, lowest mileage 8 you can find if you buy used. Think long and hard though. The 8 is an awesome car and I love mine but the Mustang is a nice car as well and it's considerably quicker in a straight line.

If you don't care about that and care more about auto-xing and being truly connecting to the car and the road, the 8 is your baby.

P.S. My buddy's brother has a 2005 Mustang GT and he's averaging 24 mpg driving it to work. That's pretty dang good.

 

I drive mine as a daily driver, and I have love it in that role. It drives very well, catches eyes, but I can still park it anywhere.

The only downsides that I can see are if you have a really short commute where your engine doesn't get a full chance to warm up before you get where you are going, the car will get odscenely low gas mileage from running on choke all the time. The other thing is that there is a little worry with valeting the car due to the flooding problem if you give the car to a garage which moves the car during the day. I have never had a problem with it flooding at a garage, but there is a small risk that if the car cooled down during the day, it could flood if moved at the wrong moment.

On the up side, I have driven this thing everywhere. Parked it in garages in New York and Philadephia. Driven it to Montreal in February. It is a fabulous driver's car. It is extraordinarily comfortable on the highway and handles great running around. Just get winter tires and go if you decide to make it a 12 month car.

 

I use mine as a daily driver year round outside of chicago. It is great as a daily driver and as long as you keep up with maintnaince you will enjoy it. If you slap some snow tires on for the winter you will be able to have even more fun

 

Zoomy is my daily driver. I also have an old Accord for snow days (just have summer tires on the 8), Home Depot large/dirty stuff runs, park at the airport, etc.

The Accord used to be my daily driver. The 8 is a *lot* more fun.

Ken

 

It's been my daily driver for the last 57,400 miles, so the answer is yes.

 

they're excellent daily drivers. I enjoy my drive to work every day.

The only reason to give one pause when considering the RX-8 is the fuel economy. It's not cheap when you're getting 15-18 mpg on premium.

 

But when you factor in the money you save by not needing to ride roller coasters, go skydiving, etc., it kind of evens out.

Ken

 

In that case ...... my 8 is a bargin

 

Yes

 

As everyone would agree and have already mentioned, the 8 is a great daily driver.

I was told once if you are going to drive a car that much why not enjoy every day you drive it.

I have an 04 MT myself. And I did have my engine replaced at 42k miles. I have put 17,000 on the new engine and so far it has been great. (knock on wood)

Just make sure all the recalls have been done and it has a new set up plugs since 30k is around the time they need to be changed.

I drive mine all year round in New England and I put all seaons on it for the winter time and has been ok in the snow.

I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

Yes, it is true that they extended the powertrain warranty to 5 years/60K. As far as your other questions, everybody else has addressed those. If you are willing to give up some straight line speed for amazing handling, and if you are willing to put up with the gas mileage, then the 8 is a great daily driver.

 

The 8 is a great daily driver. When I'm home, my 8 and I are inseparable. It's low-torque nature means it's nice and tame in traffic, but when it's time to have fun all you have to do is get the revs up and she turns into a screamer. Plus, its rear seats are more spacious than your Mustang and even have their own doors, so not only can you cruise around corners at the century mark, you can do it with three buddies or a load of stuff as well. It's a sort of jack of all trades, which is great in a daily driver.

 

yes

 

awesome daily driver.

only thing to ever consider is gas mileage. because just driving it normally, following the legal laws of the road, doesnt give great mpg. and it is nearly impossible to drive it like that. this car begs you to do at least 110 down the freeway. at least.

 

If you don't hve a problem with the gas, use it as your daily.

 

I was sorta like you when i was looking for a new car. What ever i got had to be able to haul a decent amount of stuff, ride nice for long trips, and be able to hold 3-4 people. I found a low mileage 05 and after driving it i was sold. I just recently went on a 7 hour drive down to the Florida pan handle and while no 7 hour drive is fun the Rx-8 rode great with a passenger and a load of stuff. The only down side to this car is its thirst for gas, but even then i get about 20mpg.

 

My 8 is a fantastic daily driver, even all winter. But it is not perfect: the tire noise is unspeakably loud, the interior rattles, squeaks, groans and buzzes, and the brakes squeal. As much as I love the sound of the motor, I crank the stereo just to drown out all that other stuff.

 

I use my 8 as a daily driver, have about 14K miles now after 11 months of ownership. No problems. I've gone on long distance 2 hr + road trips with it. Very comfortable.

My only complaint is when you have a fully loaded car, 4 people and stuff in the trunk, the 8 def loses its peppyness. Otherwise, if you're okay with its MPG like i'm, its a great car to be in versus everyone else in their cars. I also find myself taking the long way home sometimes on purpose because the car is that good to drive in.

 

As is so often the case regarding any number of "hot" topics on the internet, the number of words written here, on this website, regarding "engine failure" does not necessarily indicate how widespread—or not—the problem actually is.

There are thousands of topics about how the WTC collapsed as a result of a controlled demolition. That doesn't make it true.

Chick•en Lit•tle
noun
an alarmist or doomsayer

ORIGIN 1990s: from the name of a character in a children's story who repeatedly warns that the sky is falling.