View Poll Results: What is your overall level of satisfaction with the RX8?
Highly Satisfied
2,880
71.93%
Somewhat Satisfied
710
17.73%
Neutral
157
3.92%
Somewhat Dissatisfied
130
3.25%
Highly Dissatisfied
127
3.17%
Voters: 4004. You may not vote on this poll
Satisfaction Survey with your RX-8
12-07-2004, 08:29 PM
#551
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Highly satisfied.
Like many others, I'd like to get better mileage, though the first two tanks are averaging right at 18.0 mpg in mixed driving. As long as it stays there, I'll be happy.
Would I like more torque? Sure. Would I give up 2000-3000 rpm to get it? Not likely.
Following the recommendation to keep it at 4000 rpm or under for the first 1000 miles and that's difficult. Otherwise, it's a sweet, sweet ride and outhandles just about everything I've driven since a long departed and loved 240Z.
Mazda has designed a truly unique sports car. No kids to carry, but the 70 lb retriever/poodle fits in the rear seat so part of the family doesn't have to be left at home.
Like many others, I'd like to get better mileage, though the first two tanks are averaging right at 18.0 mpg in mixed driving. As long as it stays there, I'll be happy.
Would I like more torque? Sure. Would I give up 2000-3000 rpm to get it? Not likely.
Following the recommendation to keep it at 4000 rpm or under for the first 1000 miles and that's difficult. Otherwise, it's a sweet, sweet ride and outhandles just about everything I've driven since a long departed and loved 240Z.
Mazda has designed a truly unique sports car. No kids to carry, but the 70 lb retriever/poodle fits in the rear seat so part of the family doesn't have to be left at home.
12-07-2004, 09:20 PM
#552
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Highly Satisfied.....I've had my 8 for 7 months and not a thing go wrong....touch wood.....Would I like more power and torque (of course)....that's why I'm waiting for Hymee's Super Charger to come out.....won't be long now.
12-07-2004, 09:39 PM
#553
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With the car, I'm mostly satisfied. However, my dissatisfaction lies with my dealerships service, and Mazda's "Factory rep". Main problem: noise from clutch when shifting and intermittent trouble getting into 5th and 2nd gears. First problem was duplicated in front of Service manager abd the dealership nor the rep will take care of it. Pondering giving them a choice of buying car back or litigation.
12-08-2004, 06:53 AM
#554
Silver, Black/Red, GT, AP
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I had to vote somewhat satisfied, not quite highly satisfied. Here's my reasons:
Good: Engine note (hmmMMMM), Handling, Uniqueness, Size, Suicide doors, TPMS
Bad: Gas mileage (duh), Large and uneven panel gaps (which I've not seen anyone else mention, strange as all the 8s on the lot had these), Dealer experience (My wife drives an Acura and the dealer expereince there is MUCH better than the Mazda dealers)
Good: Engine note (hmmMMMM), Handling, Uniqueness, Size, Suicide doors, TPMS
Bad: Gas mileage (duh), Large and uneven panel gaps (which I've not seen anyone else mention, strange as all the 8s on the lot had these), Dealer experience (My wife drives an Acura and the dealer expereince there is MUCH better than the Mazda dealers)
12-08-2004, 09:00 AM
#555
Smooth Criminal
I forgot about Dealer experience when considering true satisfaction. I have been appaled at my dealer, almost 3 hours for an oil change. I have not been in once, and had them give me an estimate on repair time that was even close. I used to be a Honda only kind of guy, and I really liked the dealer side of Honda. 20 minutes for an oil change.
But with the car, I can not complain at all. I would not drive anything else.
But with the car, I can not complain at all. I would not drive anything else.
12-08-2004, 11:16 AM
#557
Fast 'Nuf
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Originally Posted by jsh1120
Highly satisfied.
Following the recommendation to keep it at 4000 rpm or under for the first 1000 miles and that's difficult.
Did anyone else get this recommendation? My dealer recommended keeping it under 6K for 600 miles, which I did. I'm at just over 750 miles now and she's only seen 6.5K once and I think I'm being pretty conservative in my driving. Hope I've not done anything bad to the car. From the posts here, though, I think it may be jsh1200's dealer being too conservative.
Any thoughts on this from more experienced owners?
I hope I havn't done anything bad! My 8 sees high RPM's a lot, what could possibly come from that, do you know?
Highly satisfied.
Following the recommendation to keep it at 4000 rpm or under for the first 1000 miles and that's difficult.
Did anyone else get this recommendation? My dealer recommended keeping it under 6K for 600 miles, which I did. I'm at just over 750 miles now and she's only seen 6.5K once and I think I'm being pretty conservative in my driving. Hope I've not done anything bad to the car. From the posts here, though, I think it may be jsh1200's dealer being too conservative.
Any thoughts on this from more experienced owners?
I hope I havn't done anything bad! My 8 sees high RPM's a lot, what could possibly come from that, do you know?
12-08-2004, 11:37 AM
#559
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Racing Beat Break-In Recommendation
My break in procedure didn't come from my dealer. (I wouldn't trust my dealer to know his a** from green apples with regard to breaking in a high performance, high rpm engine.)
Nor are they based on Mazda's recommendations. Manufacturers have a vested interest in minimizing both the need for breaking in an engine and the need for service, especially when they're providing the service as a part of the initial purchase price.
The recommendation is based on Racing Beat's recommendations which seem prudcent and reasonable based on my experience with other high revving engines, primarily in motorcycles.
http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm
See the link to "How to Break In Your RX-8" on the page above.
P.S. I seriously doubt that occasional periods above the recommended levels will harm this engine, especially in the short run. However, since I generally keep cars for a LONG time, I like to take precautions that may save the engine from premature problems down the line. In other words, if you're leasing, don't worry about it; let some other schmuck deal with the abuse after you've turned the car back in...(Note: This philosophy in tune with current American political trends.)
Nor are they based on Mazda's recommendations. Manufacturers have a vested interest in minimizing both the need for breaking in an engine and the need for service, especially when they're providing the service as a part of the initial purchase price.
The recommendation is based on Racing Beat's recommendations which seem prudcent and reasonable based on my experience with other high revving engines, primarily in motorcycles.
http://www.racingbeat.com/FRmazda4.htm
See the link to "How to Break In Your RX-8" on the page above.
P.S. I seriously doubt that occasional periods above the recommended levels will harm this engine, especially in the short run. However, since I generally keep cars for a LONG time, I like to take precautions that may save the engine from premature problems down the line. In other words, if you're leasing, don't worry about it; let some other schmuck deal with the abuse after you've turned the car back in...(Note: This philosophy in tune with current American political trends.)
Last edited by jsh1120; 12-08-2004 at 11:42 AM. Reason: additional comment
12-08-2004, 11:56 AM
#560
Registered
Confessions of a Dum Bass
I was never told about the revs from my dealer. I didn't read the manual and I didn't know about rx8club.com until about 6 months after I got my 8. So, I'm going to be exposing my ignorance on this post. I have run my 8 from the beginning with varying speeds, never holding at any point until about 1K miles. I did take it up to 8.5K+ 
on occasion but never longer than an instant. I just couldn't stand it. I had to hear the beep. I have had no problems (maybe long term?) and my car seems to have only gotten faster. If I had know then what I know now I would not have driven it the way I did. It's just so dang hard to keep from punching it when it feels & sounds so good. I guess time will tell if I've screwed something up. I'm open to any rotary bashing anyone throws at me cause I'm sure I deserve it.
on occasion but never longer than an instant. I just couldn't stand it. I had to hear the beep. I have had no problems (maybe long term?) and my car seems to have only gotten faster. If I had know then what I know now I would not have driven it the way I did. It's just so dang hard to keep from punching it when it feels & sounds so good. I guess time will tell if I've screwed something up. I'm open to any rotary bashing anyone throws at me cause I'm sure I deserve it.
Last edited by SilverEIGHT; 12-08-2004 at 01:03 PM.
12-08-2004, 12:27 PM
#561
Smooth Criminal
Originally Posted by Benedick
Thanks for the clarification and the link. I found the linked page very interesting but I did not find a link on there about RX-8 break in. In fact the word 'break' does not appear anywhere on the page. Could you have pointed to the wrong page?
See attached screen shot.
12-12-2004, 03:46 PM
#564
A Torque-Free Zone
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2 months, 2k miles and highly satisfied. That being said, I haven't been back for service yet, except for the M-flash the day after I got the car. We'll see how that goes.
The highs for me are the razor-like handling and steering that come with a decent ride. And the fact that my 3 kids fit in a car that drives like this. The neck snapping and gawking of onlookers is kind of fun, too.
I still grin like crazy when I drive it and peek in the garage to say "goodnight" before I go to bed. :D
The highs for me are the razor-like handling and steering that come with a decent ride. And the fact that my 3 kids fit in a car that drives like this. The neck snapping and gawking of onlookers is kind of fun, too.
I still grin like crazy when I drive it and peek in the garage to say "goodnight" before I go to bed. :D
12-12-2004, 09:49 PM
#565
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I have had mine since November 2003. It just gets better everyday. I made some changes to it though. In fact, once it is done, it may be a bit challenging for anyone at first glance to realize that it is an RX8.
By February 2004, except for a roll bar and racing seats for a harness system, the car will be totally ready for the track.
Out came the stock exhaust, in went a B&B Cat back and racing pipe (no more cat). HP went way up. Also got a spectacular 15ft flaming back flash out the pipes when a shifted at full rev 9400RPM.
Out came the stock flywheel and clutch, in went a 9.5lb flywheel and super heavy duty racing clutch. Hp went up.
In went a Special piggyback ECU from Canzoomer to I could tune the car and create my own maps. Performance and HP way up. Lost the 15ft back fire from the super rich mix from the stock map, but I can live without the fireworks. Oh, the back fire effect will happen on any RX8 once the cat is removed, assuming you run it up to max red line before you shift.
Soon, the hood will be replaced with a vented racing hood. Side skirts and rear bumper will be replaced with blue mint racing aro body parts.
Final adjustments will be heavy duty custom re-enforces tower struts front and rear, and chassis reinforcements under bracing front and rear, racing shocks and springs, short throw shift kit and a full set of vented racing breaks. The stock breaks work perfect on the track, but they do warp after a day of breaking from 140mph to bring the car down to 40mph to make corners at the end of the straight away. Racing Breaks will reduce the warping problem.
Anything else. Well yes as a matter of fact, tinting of the windows and when it come out, a supercharge that the developer promises will boost HP aprox 200hp or stock.
Oh where is the HP on mine after import detuning has been overcome. Oh aprox. 245PH at 6600RPM. What the hp is at 9500hp who knows. All I know is that my RX8 now does 0-60 about 4.8secs. and about 13.8 to 14.5 in the 1/4 depending on how I start. Temp on the any of the runs also makes a difference.
All this from a car everyone says is under hp and no torque. Well if a car that has low hp and little torque can do what mine does, how fast can it go if the HP it dynoed say at 250 at 6600. That’s right, already have one that does that.
I say forget the dyno, take the car to the track and see if anyone can out run you. I did. Guess what. (I took race track driving school and am licensed to drive on race tracks) In the corners, the RX8 is king. Now with the car re-tuned to remove the import limitation requirements by the US EPA, the opposition said the RX8 just walks away from the competition in the straight always.
When the car is done it will not be the same RX8 that I bought in 2003. It will be mine RX8. We affectingly named the car the “Black Dragon” for the flames it through when we first took out the cat. It doesn’t breath fire anymore, but it does burn up the track. Even better.
Yes I will post before and after pictures when it is complete.
What does all this add up too. The RX8 is number one.
Do I like my RX8? ZOOM ZOOM, see you in my rear view.
By February 2004, except for a roll bar and racing seats for a harness system, the car will be totally ready for the track.
Out came the stock exhaust, in went a B&B Cat back and racing pipe (no more cat). HP went way up. Also got a spectacular 15ft flaming back flash out the pipes when a shifted at full rev 9400RPM.
Out came the stock flywheel and clutch, in went a 9.5lb flywheel and super heavy duty racing clutch. Hp went up.
In went a Special piggyback ECU from Canzoomer to I could tune the car and create my own maps. Performance and HP way up. Lost the 15ft back fire from the super rich mix from the stock map, but I can live without the fireworks. Oh, the back fire effect will happen on any RX8 once the cat is removed, assuming you run it up to max red line before you shift.
Soon, the hood will be replaced with a vented racing hood. Side skirts and rear bumper will be replaced with blue mint racing aro body parts.
Final adjustments will be heavy duty custom re-enforces tower struts front and rear, and chassis reinforcements under bracing front and rear, racing shocks and springs, short throw shift kit and a full set of vented racing breaks. The stock breaks work perfect on the track, but they do warp after a day of breaking from 140mph to bring the car down to 40mph to make corners at the end of the straight away. Racing Breaks will reduce the warping problem.
Anything else. Well yes as a matter of fact, tinting of the windows and when it come out, a supercharge that the developer promises will boost HP aprox 200hp or stock.
Oh where is the HP on mine after import detuning has been overcome. Oh aprox. 245PH at 6600RPM. What the hp is at 9500hp who knows. All I know is that my RX8 now does 0-60 about 4.8secs. and about 13.8 to 14.5 in the 1/4 depending on how I start. Temp on the any of the runs also makes a difference.
All this from a car everyone says is under hp and no torque. Well if a car that has low hp and little torque can do what mine does, how fast can it go if the HP it dynoed say at 250 at 6600. That’s right, already have one that does that.
I say forget the dyno, take the car to the track and see if anyone can out run you. I did. Guess what. (I took race track driving school and am licensed to drive on race tracks) In the corners, the RX8 is king. Now with the car re-tuned to remove the import limitation requirements by the US EPA, the opposition said the RX8 just walks away from the competition in the straight always.
When the car is done it will not be the same RX8 that I bought in 2003. It will be mine RX8. We affectingly named the car the “Black Dragon” for the flames it through when we first took out the cat. It doesn’t breath fire anymore, but it does burn up the track. Even better.
Yes I will post before and after pictures when it is complete.
What does all this add up too. The RX8 is number one.
Do I like my RX8? ZOOM ZOOM, see you in my rear view.
12-25-2004, 01:32 PM
#566
Wilzoom....zoom
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If only more MPG
Just got my 04 Black on Black w/GT package a week ago and have driven less than 300 miles. For styling its the bomb, but damn if the gas milage does not improve after a break in period it will be tough. Averaging around 14 MPG city at this point, and in southern CA, that gets expensive REAL FAST.....That being said, I wouldnt have picked another car even if the MPG does not improve......its a sexy * for crying out loud!
See ya on the toll roads! :D
See ya on the toll roads! :D
12-30-2004, 08:12 AM
#568
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IMMENSLY satisfied
and I have to ask.... why would a person ever complain of the gas mileage of a sports car? you want mileage... get a geo metro
my wife loves the car, and the fact that I volunteer to go get anything and everything... even groceries lol!
I live in the mountains of NC, and the roads are twisty to say the least
not one squeek out of the tires, even my old vette lost traction occasionally, but not this car.
and one more thing (as alot of people have said) one day I'll see how the stereo sounds, but right now that hummmmmmmMMMMMMM is all I want to hear!
and I have to ask.... why would a person ever complain of the gas mileage of a sports car? you want mileage... get a geo metro
my wife loves the car, and the fact that I volunteer to go get anything and everything... even groceries lol!
I live in the mountains of NC, and the roads are twisty to say the least
not one squeek out of the tires, even my old vette lost traction occasionally, but not this car.
and one more thing (as alot of people have said) one day I'll see how the stereo sounds, but right now that hummmmmmmMMMMMMM is all I want to hear!
12-31-2004, 12:49 AM
#569
Wilzoom....zoom
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[QUOTE=Ghost's 8]IMMENSLY satisfied
and I have to ask.... why would a person ever complain of the gas mileage of a sports car? you want mileage... get a geo metro
Milage was far from the reason I bought my 8, but still, its not unreasonable to hope for better MPG. At 14MPG I'll end up sitting in my ride more than driving it, but even that has its advantages.
and I have to ask.... why would a person ever complain of the gas mileage of a sports car? you want mileage... get a geo metro
Milage was far from the reason I bought my 8, but still, its not unreasonable to hope for better MPG. At 14MPG I'll end up sitting in my ride more than driving it, but even that has its advantages.
12-31-2004, 02:27 PM
#571
Wilzoom....zoom
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well it does look fast even standing still :D . Found myself sitting in my garage this morning just staring at it. Im so impressed with the design. little detials I hadnt noticed before, and they way the whole cars lines embrace the rotary accent, Damn she's hot!
01-03-2005, 03:19 PM
#574
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Not starting
The RX8 is a uniquely designed car with exciting performance and road handling. But what is the use of all that if the car does not start. I drive medium and long distance and tried all tricks in the book. The car had to be towed in3 times in the last 8 weeks because it would not start and the so called flooding procedure did not work. Every time the dealer exchanges the spark plugs and gives me the car back without further comment. I am highly dissatisfied with the car, it is extremely unreliable, and also with the dealership here in South Africa who neither gave me a loan car as promised, nor are able to sort the problem out.
To my mind the car is not fit for general use and the recent re-call by Mazda shows that we are driving basically an experimental vehicle.
To my mind the car is not fit for general use and the recent re-call by Mazda shows that we are driving basically an experimental vehicle.
01-03-2005, 05:06 PM
#575
Registered
Originally Posted by docwis
The RX8 is a uniquely designed car with exciting performance and road handling. But what is the use of all that if the car does not start. I drive medium and long distance and tried all tricks in the book. The car had to be towed in3 times in the last 8 weeks because it would not start and the so called flooding procedure did not work. Every time the dealer exchanges the spark plugs and gives me the car back without further comment. I am highly dissatisfied with the car, it is extremely unreliable, and also with the dealership here in South Africa who neither gave me a loan car as promised, nor are able to sort the problem out.
To my mind the car is not fit for general use and the recent re-call by Mazda shows that we are driving basically an experimental vehicle.
To my mind the car is not fit for general use and the recent re-call by Mazda shows that we are driving basically an experimental vehicle.
The following is my opinion:
The RX-8 is not a daily driver, although many owners use it successfully in that role. It is a car for enthusiasts who are willing to put up with the idiosyncracies of such a unique, state-of-the-art vehicle. If you depend on it for your daily driver, you are making a mistake. Again my opinion. Apparently the problems you are having with the car are causing you great angst so in the interest of improving your mental condition, you may want to consider getting rid of it for something more bland and more reliable.
Have a nice day.