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
03-24-2009, 03:38 AM
#1076
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03-24-2009, 11:11 AM
#1077
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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Love my girl ( car 8 )when ever I walk next to her I always catch her looking at me we have a very close relationship togather she likes to hug me. I lover eveything about her no rotor no motor.
04-04-2009, 05:09 PM
#1079
killerj
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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I've had my 05 for 3 years now, no major issues, just regular oil changes and a change of spark plugs. The car has been in a lot of snow and with a set of blizzaks it runs great. My only gripe is the rattles inside the car, other than than its been a great performer.
04-26-2009, 01:47 AM
#1081
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Satisfaction Survey with your RX-8
The Mazda community is very upset because Mazda has decided that the survey responses concerning the RX-8 will not be counted in some of the dealership service ratings. This is very interesting because Mazda has surveyed their customers, not liked the results, and decided not to include the data from the surveys. Nice.
This violates my golden rule of the customer: Don’t ask your customer what they want if you don’t plan on doing anything about it. Mazda has basically said, “Customer, please take this survey. If you score us high enough, we will count this survey, otherwise, don’t bother.”
This is almost the same thing that the lady at Jack in the Box told me. She said, “You will need to rate us on a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the best. If you rate us 7 or lower, that is the same as giving us a 1.” People should stop trying to cheat the system and focus on the customer.
As you can see both of the above examples show how metrics that were intended to help customer service actually hurt customer service. The problem is that people measure things that are easy to measure. It is a lot easier to tally the results of a survey about customer satisfaction than it is to understand if you are making your customers happy, or being more friendly to customers.
Mazda has now broken the golden rule of the customer. They paid lip service. On purpose. Now and they are not saying good things. They are talking about Mazda behind Mazda’s back, and the “customer satisfaction survey” has created a bunch of dissatisfied customers. Hmm. Mazda should fire some people and go back to the basics of making great cars that customers love and stop all this nonsense.
This violates my golden rule of the customer: Don’t ask your customer what they want if you don’t plan on doing anything about it. Mazda has basically said, “Customer, please take this survey. If you score us high enough, we will count this survey, otherwise, don’t bother.”
This is almost the same thing that the lady at Jack in the Box told me. She said, “You will need to rate us on a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the best. If you rate us 7 or lower, that is the same as giving us a 1.” People should stop trying to cheat the system and focus on the customer.
As you can see both of the above examples show how metrics that were intended to help customer service actually hurt customer service. The problem is that people measure things that are easy to measure. It is a lot easier to tally the results of a survey about customer satisfaction than it is to understand if you are making your customers happy, or being more friendly to customers.
Mazda has now broken the golden rule of the customer. They paid lip service. On purpose. Now and they are not saying good things. They are talking about Mazda behind Mazda’s back, and the “customer satisfaction survey” has created a bunch of dissatisfied customers. Hmm. Mazda should fire some people and go back to the basics of making great cars that customers love and stop all this nonsense.
04-30-2009, 07:58 AM
#1082
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i love the RX8. I love everything about the car. Yes she is thirsty, high maintenance, BUT which thing of beauty isn't? I live in the southern part of Africa, in a country called Botswana, and I will tell you this; the RX8 is appreciated here. I love the interior, the agressive exterior, the looks you get when you blow past someone, but most importantly, i love how it makes me feel.
05-03-2009, 08:00 PM
#1083
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I am Mc-LOVIN my 8!!! 04 Velocity Red. Navi, Bose, Appearence Pkg, LED side markers, LED parking lights, 32,000 miles. I did have to take it in for an issue, something about a fuel port...WARRANTY....recent issue was motor mounts and air sensor. Other than that love it....MPG (EH) whatevas. Looks are sexy...not many 8's here in Miami....the street here are flooded with 350's, Scions TC, and the regular riced out Civics/Accords. I love the fact that I dont see many 8's around. 8's are eye catchers to those who knows anything about 8's. She is a keeper....god willing.
06-05-2009, 07:58 PM
#1084
Eventhough I am more than a little dissapointed in the fuel economy, and low end grunt (or lack thereof), there is no way I can vote anything less than Highly Satisfied. I dismiss the pump agony every time I pull into a gas station and find people staring at it/me the way I stared at Porsches as a kid. I still do wish it were faster, but I suppose thats a problem I could've solved myself by getting a manual :o.
06-05-2009, 11:36 PM
#1085
Super Moderator
/\ On average we really only sacrifice about 12% loss in MPG for owning this unique rotary engine when compared to similar sized banger engines with similar performance.
A price I am willing to pay...every day I love this car more and more...
Anyone contemplating buying a new or good used RX-8 ...JUST DO IT, you are really missing out on a SPECIAL drive here.
There have been many past owners who either regret or mourn selling their RX-8...
A price I am willing to pay...every day I love this car more and more...
Anyone contemplating buying a new or good used RX-8 ...JUST DO IT, you are really missing out on a SPECIAL drive here.
There have been many past owners who either regret or mourn selling their RX-8...
06-05-2009, 11:42 PM
#1086
Super Moderator
The Mazda community is very upset because Mazda has decided that the survey responses concerning the RX-8 will not be counted in some of the dealership service ratings. This is very interesting because Mazda has surveyed their customers, not liked the results, and decided not to include the data from the surveys. Nice.
This violates my golden rule of the customer: Don’t ask your customer what they want if you don’t plan on doing anything about it. Mazda has basically said, “Customer, please take this survey. If you score us high enough, we will count this survey, otherwise, don’t bother.”
This is almost the same thing that the lady at Jack in the Box told me. She said, “You will need to rate us on a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the best. If you rate us 7 or lower, that is the same as giving us a 1.” People should stop trying to cheat the system and focus on the customer.
As you can see both of the above examples show how metrics that were intended to help customer service actually hurt customer service. The problem is that people measure things that are easy to measure. It is a lot easier to tally the results of a survey about customer satisfaction than it is to understand if you are making your customers happy, or being more friendly to customers.
Mazda has now broken the golden rule of the customer. They paid lip service. On purpose. Now and they are not saying good things. They are talking about Mazda behind Mazda’s back, and the “customer satisfaction survey” has created a bunch of dissatisfied customers. Hmm. Mazda should fire some people and go back to the basics of making great cars that customers love and stop all this nonsense.
This violates my golden rule of the customer: Don’t ask your customer what they want if you don’t plan on doing anything about it. Mazda has basically said, “Customer, please take this survey. If you score us high enough, we will count this survey, otherwise, don’t bother.”
This is almost the same thing that the lady at Jack in the Box told me. She said, “You will need to rate us on a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the best. If you rate us 7 or lower, that is the same as giving us a 1.” People should stop trying to cheat the system and focus on the customer.
As you can see both of the above examples show how metrics that were intended to help customer service actually hurt customer service. The problem is that people measure things that are easy to measure. It is a lot easier to tally the results of a survey about customer satisfaction than it is to understand if you are making your customers happy, or being more friendly to customers.
Mazda has now broken the golden rule of the customer. They paid lip service. On purpose. Now and they are not saying good things. They are talking about Mazda behind Mazda’s back, and the “customer satisfaction survey” has created a bunch of dissatisfied customers. Hmm. Mazda should fire some people and go back to the basics of making great cars that customers love and stop all this nonsense.
And Mazda certainly does respond to all the complaints and "reliability" issues, like they do with ANY of their models.
Most have been addressed in the changes Mazda have done to the Series II (09) RX-8, there have been over 65 mechanical related upgrades alone.
These upgrades are in response to RX-8 warranty claims and owner dissatisfaction.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-technical-trouble-shooting-160/mechanical-changes-rx-8-series-i-ii-161665/
06-07-2009, 08:16 PM
#1087
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
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Very Happy!!!
I love my RX8, I have not loved a car this much in all my life. But this is my first Mazda, seem like my first real vehicle. I have owned 2 Toyata, 5 Nissian and 2 Honda and a few others that just don't even count. I have had lots of fun adding things, keeping my car sharp. Always something new or different to do. I have had only minor defects so far.
I love my RX8, I have not loved a car this much in all my life. But this is my first Mazda, seem like my first real vehicle. I have owned 2 Toyata, 5 Nissian and 2 Honda and a few others that just don't even count. I have had lots of fun adding things, keeping my car sharp. Always something new or different to do. I have had only minor defects so far.
06-08-2009, 07:45 PM
#1088
I love my RX8 192ps 5 speed & its the best car I have ever owned 
The sad thing is,for the last 2 weeks I have not been able to drive the GreySilver Beast due to a Knee Injury that happened at work
& all I been able to do,is look out of the Bedroom Window staring at the RX8
The sad thing is,for the last 2 weeks I have not been able to drive the GreySilver Beast due to a Knee Injury that happened at work
& all I been able to do,is look out of the Bedroom Window staring at the RX8
06-08-2009, 08:32 PM
#1089
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lake Travis Shore
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If unique is what you seek...
So my friend's beautiful 911 is parked right next to my 8, when three coeds left the bar where we were outside of and proceeded to come over and ask what kind of car the 8 was. They paid no attention to the Porche which really chapped my friend's ***. So he couldn't resist and he blurted-out, "this car is much faster". But one of the sharp coeds replied rather quickly," yea, maybe, but every dentist in town has one"....my friend just got in his car and drove off. And did I mention he's a "dentist"......well my little 8 gave the Porche a "rotary-root-canal without meds"...I smiled all the way home.....how can you not love'em!
06-08-2009, 08:43 PM
#1090
D.K. wannabe
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Jersey
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So my friend's beautiful 911 is parked right next to my 8, when three coeds left the bar where we were outside of and proceeded to come over and ask what kind of car the 8 was. They paid no attention to the Porche which really chapped my friend's ***. So he couldn't resist and he blurted-out, "this car is much faster". But one of the sharp coeds replied rather quickly," yea, maybe, but every dentist in town has one"....my friend just got in his car and drove off. And did I mention he's a "dentist"......well my little 8 gave the Porche a "rotary-root-canal without meds"...I smiled all the way home.....how can you not love'em!
Lol man that's ubber cool. Great experience, that's why I love my 8 too --so unique.
06-18-2009, 12:39 AM
#1091
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I just bought my rx8 today and i already love everything about it. The smooth rpms and tight handling had me hooked in the first five minuets i drove it. I have used the stereo a total of about two min, no need for music when you can listen to the rotary whine!
07-08-2009, 07:52 AM
#1092
Also Just got my first 8 the other day. I have no complaints thus far. Car is comfortable, handling spectacular, and the engine sounds great. I would say highly satisfied to this point, however its only been 6 days 
07-18-2009, 10:12 AM
#1094
I just purchased my 04 2 days ago, so I am an RX-8 newb. I drive this car and marvel at the purr of the engine and the fact that you can spool the revs up to redline without stomping the acceleratorm then glide so smoothly through the gears, then I notice I'm doing 100 and I'm in fifth gear, but the engine isn't screeching or straining, it's wanting to keep going. The car seems so well balanced through turns as I have found on the few twisty bits i can find here in Kansas. I am looking forward to more of the sheer enjoyment of driving this car. It is a car that seems to have been designed simply for the pleasure of driving it. I am Impressed.
07-20-2009, 11:20 AM
#1095
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Join Date: May 2009
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Welcome new rotary-addict to one of the last truly satisfying, legal addictions out there. There is a siren song humming that transforms all of us from law-abiding drivers to Indy-wannabes at the second the revolutions turn 3,500. The twisties call out to the 8 and dare that you conquer them with pure speed...but do not...use a controlled measure and smile knowing that you are driving the most precise handling car and that "you own the curves" without having to speed around them. Enjoy your new addiction...
07-20-2009, 09:31 PM
#1097
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This is a long review. I’m a Mazda ***** now and you will tolerate a bit of history into my whoredom. If you find yourself unable to do so please stop now and move on to the next post. Thank you for your time and I am sorry to have wasted it if that is the case. To everyone else I will try to keep it as brief as possible.
My first Mazda was the 2005 Mazda3. I quickly fell in love with it and drove it merely for the sake of driving. I blew an engine, but I was told it was because I needed to decrease the time/distance between oil changes. At 45k mi on a 50k mi warranty they honored it without much BS (had to prove last two oil changes).
After my warranty expired I decided I wanted a new Mazda while taking it in for an alarm issue. I drove the Mazdaspeed 3, but while it was quick I felt as if I should have kid seats in the back. Whatever possessed them to do something that cool in a glorified station wagon is beyond me. Had they made a sedan model it would have been a done deal. Not feeling the MS3 the salesman took me over to a used 2006 RX8. I had looked over one (not drove) in 2005 when I purchased the three and wasn’t feeling it.
I test drove that car in late 2008 and purchased it the same day. It had all the fun of the MS3 (if not way more) and I didn’t look like someone who’s wife conned them into getting the family car (see dodge magnum for great alternate example of fast but not going to get you laid). You may think me insane, but I drove that car hard that night in the pouring rain. Alone on the freeway doing 100+ I was in awe of how this thing clinged to the road for dear life. The limited slip and traction control allowed a little slip here and there, but I never lost control and I tried soooo hard to (yes, at lower speeds… I’m not THAT crazy).
This car has amazed me time and time again at it’s refusal to lose control. I have 1.5mi of dirt road heading to my ranch and I hit it at 50mph from the road on a turn power sliding the initial turn (yup, my tires suffer my tyranny). I’ve had the fun of chasing a customed out BMW (unknown model, exterior shaved) at 70mph down winding roads. I’ve chased something that was shockingly able to match me at 80mph (most of the time) down the same road. At one point in attempting to catch up, prior to knowing what it was, I was doing 120 or so down a straight away. Realizing now what it was as I closed range we slowed down, met at a stop sign and exchanged glances before I headed home. Did you know a crown vic handles such turns VERY well?
Fuel economy? WTH are we talking about fuel economy for anyway? Look, you want fuel econ buy yourself a Prius and keep it over to the right on the freeway until I’m done burning off all the fossil fuels! No, 70mph doesn’t cut it in the #1 lane sir, move to the right please.
Do I have a con then? Yes. I hit ice at 55mph while the external temp display read 35 deg F. Yes, I am aware it is colder a bit higher up where the ice forms. I should have been more careful, but that isn’t the car’s fault. I appreciate how well it finally stopped with its nose hanging over a 30ft or so sloped drop, not so much as a scratch. I drove the rest of the way at 20mph, and spun out 2 more times. I should have RTFM or something as what I needed to do was turn off the traction control system. It might have been a good idea for them to alter this system when the temp is too low to prevent spinout from automatic over reaction to loss of traction. After all, they do have access to the external temp.
Another con is that I refuse to mod this car until it is out of warranty. I could always take mods off later, but the electronic systems contain data that might give this away if I can’t run the car after removal of the modifications. I purchased it for the warranty after all! You can count on the fact that the moment that odo rolls 75k the parts from various kits I research, save for and purchase will be waiting in my garage to be installed.
On a side note I would like to thank you all in advance for the information you have provided on this site. I will spend months here reading your posts to make the best decisions on hardware to be installed. I purchased this car at about 21mi on the odo and am now at 35k. I estimate it will be two years before I mod (if I can wait that long). Oh, and I change my oil every 1.5k mi. That might be excessive, but she’s a dirty girl… just the way I like em.
I'm "Highly Satisfied" with my $15k 2006 RX8 with 6spd trans, sports suspension and limited slip diff.
My first Mazda was the 2005 Mazda3. I quickly fell in love with it and drove it merely for the sake of driving. I blew an engine, but I was told it was because I needed to decrease the time/distance between oil changes. At 45k mi on a 50k mi warranty they honored it without much BS (had to prove last two oil changes).
After my warranty expired I decided I wanted a new Mazda while taking it in for an alarm issue. I drove the Mazdaspeed 3, but while it was quick I felt as if I should have kid seats in the back. Whatever possessed them to do something that cool in a glorified station wagon is beyond me. Had they made a sedan model it would have been a done deal. Not feeling the MS3 the salesman took me over to a used 2006 RX8. I had looked over one (not drove) in 2005 when I purchased the three and wasn’t feeling it.
I test drove that car in late 2008 and purchased it the same day. It had all the fun of the MS3 (if not way more) and I didn’t look like someone who’s wife conned them into getting the family car (see dodge magnum for great alternate example of fast but not going to get you laid). You may think me insane, but I drove that car hard that night in the pouring rain. Alone on the freeway doing 100+ I was in awe of how this thing clinged to the road for dear life. The limited slip and traction control allowed a little slip here and there, but I never lost control and I tried soooo hard to (yes, at lower speeds… I’m not THAT crazy).
This car has amazed me time and time again at it’s refusal to lose control. I have 1.5mi of dirt road heading to my ranch and I hit it at 50mph from the road on a turn power sliding the initial turn (yup, my tires suffer my tyranny). I’ve had the fun of chasing a customed out BMW (unknown model, exterior shaved) at 70mph down winding roads. I’ve chased something that was shockingly able to match me at 80mph (most of the time) down the same road. At one point in attempting to catch up, prior to knowing what it was, I was doing 120 or so down a straight away. Realizing now what it was as I closed range we slowed down, met at a stop sign and exchanged glances before I headed home. Did you know a crown vic handles such turns VERY well?
Fuel economy? WTH are we talking about fuel economy for anyway? Look, you want fuel econ buy yourself a Prius and keep it over to the right on the freeway until I’m done burning off all the fossil fuels! No, 70mph doesn’t cut it in the #1 lane sir, move to the right please.
Do I have a con then? Yes. I hit ice at 55mph while the external temp display read 35 deg F. Yes, I am aware it is colder a bit higher up where the ice forms. I should have been more careful, but that isn’t the car’s fault. I appreciate how well it finally stopped with its nose hanging over a 30ft or so sloped drop, not so much as a scratch. I drove the rest of the way at 20mph, and spun out 2 more times. I should have RTFM or something as what I needed to do was turn off the traction control system. It might have been a good idea for them to alter this system when the temp is too low to prevent spinout from automatic over reaction to loss of traction. After all, they do have access to the external temp.
Another con is that I refuse to mod this car until it is out of warranty. I could always take mods off later, but the electronic systems contain data that might give this away if I can’t run the car after removal of the modifications. I purchased it for the warranty after all! You can count on the fact that the moment that odo rolls 75k the parts from various kits I research, save for and purchase will be waiting in my garage to be installed.
On a side note I would like to thank you all in advance for the information you have provided on this site. I will spend months here reading your posts to make the best decisions on hardware to be installed. I purchased this car at about 21mi on the odo and am now at 35k. I estimate it will be two years before I mod (if I can wait that long). Oh, and I change my oil every 1.5k mi. That might be excessive, but she’s a dirty girl… just the way I like em.
I'm "Highly Satisfied" with my $15k 2006 RX8 with 6spd trans, sports suspension and limited slip diff.
07-21-2009, 01:27 AM
#1098
The Slow and the Serious
Join Date: Jul 2007
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After my warranty expired I decided I wanted a new Mazda while taking it in for an alarm issue. I drove the Mazdaspeed 3, but while it was quick I felt as if I should have kid seats in the back. Whatever possessed them to do something that cool in a glorified station wagon is beyond me.
07-21-2009, 03:35 AM
#1099
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Eh, sorry... I knew that might ruffle some feathers, but look at the bright side... its not like that blow hurt. I'm sure your tackle was safely secured in your wife's purse. :P
Sorry man, couldn't resist. To be completely serious I would imagine MS3 drivers get more lubbin then dodge caliber drivers. At least the MS3 looks good. Then again all Mazdas look good. Hey look at the bright side, at least you aren't in a MPV.
cheers
Sorry man, couldn't resist. To be completely serious I would imagine MS3 drivers get more lubbin then dodge caliber drivers. At least the MS3 looks good. Then again all Mazdas look good. Hey look at the bright side, at least you aren't in a MPV.
cheers
