My wife and I are thinking about getting an RX-8. The Mazda salesrep advised us of apparent special "needs" of the RX-8. He told us:
1. No synthetic oil
2. Check oil every three fill-ups
3. VERY long warm-ups first thing in the morning, possibly as long as ten minutes!
4. Rev the engine before shutdown

The only thing that concerns us is the long warm-up. Is that true?

 

not really, at least i don't do that. usually, I just wait until the revs drop down to around 1000 rpms, then I'm off. I also drive a bit more cautiously until the temperature gauge shows normal operating temperatures.

 

The car can be flooded if not warmed up properly. The M flash really pretty much makes this a non issue as I have yet to hear of anyone flooding after the M flash.
I've never flooded my car and I've never really followed the warmup procedures or shutdown procedures.

I really don't think about my oil much either but I should go check it now.

 

No on the long warm up. What he apparently doesn't understand is the caution about shutting down cold - the caution is not to shut it down cold, so if you are only moving it - say out of the garage - don't shut it off while it is still cold. But even that fluke has been improved by some new programming.
It uses somewhat more oil than an ordinary car, so yes checking the oil is a good thing
Check elsewhere on here for the lengthy threads on synthetic oli - there are plenty of folks who have used it for years in the RX7 without detriment, but plenty that wouldn't touch the stuff.
It certainly wouldn't kill the engine upon use!
Revving the engine before shut down is again to deal with the engine flooding - again, the programming has improved, so this is not a big deal.
And BTW, all the answers to these questions I learned in a couple of days reading this forum - that and then some. Go to the Tech forum and find the links to the service bulletins. And read the forums for a couple of days. You'll learn a lot more that way than trying to think of questions to ask.
It's a great car, but it is a bit new to market, so there may still be a few kinks to work out. All in all I still think its a bargain. Did you test drive it?

 

the manual actually states to check the oil every other fill up. but what you can do is just check every 2nd or 3rd fill up until you get a feel for how much your car uses. if i am remembering correctly the difference between the full line and the add line is 1.75 quarts. once you get a good understanding of the amount per x miles it is using you can adjust your schedule. i check mine about every 5th fillup now. and i didn't add any last time as it wasn't even half way down to the fill line. i usually wait until it needs about a quart but others will say that is waiting to long.

 

I don't follow any of those things you listed and I've had no problems . . . nowadays there is no reason to let a new car warm up being driving . . . though the flood problem is well known if you shut the car right down when it is cold.

With that said, I stalled my car about 30 to 60 seconds after I started it and it was FREEZING outside and my car started right up without a problem

 

Simple as that: BUY IT!
As previously stated, it is a bargain and a magnificent car for sure.
Here in Europe we have great cars (some of which you don't even get at the US), I 've driven many of these, but still wouldn't trade my rx-8 for anything else.
Oh, have also in mind the 8 is unique. I studied many hours in these forums before I tried to live with it, that's why I managed up until now to overcome some minor 'difficulties' I 've encountered (couple of bad starts, that's all)

 

The dealer's comments: Spoken like a true non-owner.

1. No synthetic oil
2. Check oil every three fill-ups
3. VERY long warm-ups first thing in the morning, possibly as long as ten minutes!
4. Rev the engine before shutdown
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1. No problem: use normal 5-20w
2. A bit of over-kill maybe. Depends on the car and possibly the way you drive. Mine uses very little oil. I change it every 3K and never have to add any (and yes, I have been checking - once a month now). Once you get a feel for how YOUR car drinks oil you will adjust that '3-fillup' schedule.
3. No...start car, drive it for a minute and you are done. The engine seems to warm up faster than a 'normal' one.
4. Never done that - don't intend to. Car works fine.

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Reading these forums can make you paranoid looking at all the problem posts. Be aware of that...most are rehashes of the same 'problems' and most of those problems are being addressed in some form by Mazda - for instance the flooding problem ('M' flash is supposed to really help reduce the possibility of that happening - we shall see).

 

I always kill the engine at 3k rpms. And when I start it I turn the key to get the CD/dash to fully light up, then crank it. It fires up better than my Toyo 4-banger...

 

Nothing wrong with synthetic oil as long as it is 5W20 or 5W30.

Before taking receipt of the car ensure you have the M flash for the PCM and you will not have flooding problems.

I use synthetic oil in mine and have to top it off every 700 miles or so.

Get the car. You will not regret it. It is easily the most fun I have had driving. I no longer dread going places to run errands. I actually find myself looking for errands to run just so I can drive the car!

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Apparently the salesrep was a tad overzealous in favor of caution.
To "affenage:" No, we haven't test driven the car yet but we certainly will.
We presently have two cars- a new Quest and an Audi TT Quattro roadster. I LOVE the TT but with a new baby we have become a one-car family, which doesn't work for us. Rear access and room in the TT coupe is too inconvenient, so sadly the TT has to go. :o(