Whuddup rx-ophiles!

I just joined the club recently since I decided to start researching the RX-8 for a future purchase (I'm thinking about 6 months from now). Generally it looks like the 8's a damn good car that has a little bit of everything: hot looks, 4 seats, good speed, and reliability (at least it looks like it). In comparing with other cars like the S2000, 350Z, etc. it seems like the 8 has the best all-around package for someone wanting a sports car but maintaining at least some sort of practicality (I like the rear bucket seats and trunk space).

The only things I've seen that are a little unsettling are some of the complaints I've seen about lower-than-advertised gas economy and the whole engine flooding issue. I just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on those issues along with any others in regards to the 8. I'm actually a little more worried about the engine flooding then the gas mileage...I drive like a grandpa generally (unless one of my smartass buddies decides to line up next to me at a stop light :D *BOOYAH*)

Also, what interior/exterior colors do you people like the best?? I'm just curious to know as I like the titanium dark gray (or black) and leather black/red seats! It's too bad that they don't have black/blue seats to match the brilliant blue...now that'd be so sweet...

 

ah the flooding issues and such were with earlier cars and you should have no issues with an 05 or a later model 04. I have the 04 red with red and black leather. Love the smell of leather and its been a great car. As with most sports car gas mileage is not that great but is better than a SUV. Gas mileage will depend on how you drive it too. Seems that waiting till around September of any year is better to get a deal cause the dealers want to unload before the new models come out. You might go better in six months with an 05 perhaps at invoice or slightly above invoice. Good luck in six months.

 

Ahh ... another potential cult member ...

Well, I looked at all those plus the G35, the Z4, etc. All the reasons you cite are why I bought it - great looks, good power, A+ on the "fun to drive" report card, etc. Also, I had an RX-7 ages ago, and once you've experienced the turbine-like power build up, the sound, etc, you never forget it.

Fuel Mileage: Well, if you're buying an economy car, then you won't be looking at an -8, will you. It's a sports car, that's all I can say. Yes, it should get better mileage considering a displacement of 1.3 L, but it should also only make about 91 horsespower - IF you use a Corvette's horsepower to displacement ratio of 70 HP per liter (400 out of 5.7L). That said, yeah, I wish it got better mileage. I average about 18 mpg - about 4.5 shy of my "lifetime" average for my Acura TL that I traded on it (22.5 mpg for life of the car).

Flooding: Well, this is a relatively rare, but often talked about issue. Here's the basics on it - if you start the car and don't let it run a minute or two at least, and then shut it down, you run the risk of flooding it. They have reprogrammed the computer and done a "campaign" on it, so any car you buy should have had it done (the much-talked about "M Flash"), which reduces the chances of it. That said, if you read this board, it still can happen. I honestly wouldn't worry about it - maintain good habits - if you start the car, drive it. Let the car warm a moment (no need for a 10 minute warmup however) before starting off (I let the idle drop below 1500 before motoring off - about 30 seconds of running from a dead cold start), run quality gas in it, and make sure you have the M Flash and you won't have any issues. If your car's build date is after March 2004, the car comes with the M Flash. I'm sure any car you buy new in 6 months will have that done, and probably another level of further refinement.

COLOR: Well, I think the only answers you're going to get is what each person drives! In my humble opinion, by the far the best color is Lightning Yellow with black leather interior. The second best is Winning Blue with the blue/black leather, third best is Velocity Red with Red or Chapperal leather, 4th best is triple black (black outside and in) and everything else is a rental car color.

Buy the car, you won't be at all sorry.

Welcome ... we shall capture your mind and your soul.

 

So you're saying that engine flooding (although the happenings are sparse) is less likely with an 8 made at least within the last half of 2004? Perhaps a production date after June or July? That also leads me to another question, are there any significant differences between an '04 and an '05 model? Forgive the questions, I'm just amped about getting an RX-8 :D

 

The dealer here in Colorado got a white 05 in a few weeks ago. He said there was no difference except they offer the white for 05 and they dropped the yellow color. I get a tad above 16 MPG for city around the town driving. I have not taken the car out on the open highways to use a tank of gas to find out what it does with MPG yet. There's a recommended 600 mile break in for a rotary engine. You will love the sound when it starts up in the morning! The purrr is really great once its warmed up. I start mine and drive it right away and have had no problems. Mine has a build date of June 04.

 

StewC625: Thanks for the insight, you answered one of my questions while I was writing it

I'm moving from a Nissan Sentra to this, so yeah the mileage will be a big difference but so will the driving experience I'm sure. I just started a new, well-paying job that'll finally let me afford a new car *woot*. Don't get me wrong, I love my lil' Sentra, it's the first and only car I've ever had and it's been very dependable. But it's nearly time to move on. Can't be stuck in a compact forever Not to mention I gotta learn to use manual...been spoiled with automatic my whole life (please forgive me! )

 

Flooding: Yes, that issue seems to be greatly reduced with the M-Flash - but even a car earlier than March 2004 will be M-Flashed by the dealer before you buy it. It's a required service campaign. Just check the build date (on the sticker on the driver's door frame), and if it's earlier than March 2004, either select a different one, or ask to have it verified or done before delivery.

04 v 05 - I know they switched tires in late 2004 - from Bridgestones to Dunlops. Also, minor little stuff like they went to a "fob" key with the keyless entry stuff right on the key fob head, and they are offering satellite radio as an optioin. Also, they dropped the only cool color, Lightning Yellow, for "rental car white" (what the hell were they thinking????)
That's all I know about ...

 

As a new guy on here you can do more research by looking at all the great pics and work guys have done with there cars on DIY threads. This section is really great if you want to add some things to the car to make it look great and if you have a minor issue you might find the answer there as well. These forums are great for RX owners as we help each other out with different issues. Like the manual does not tell you the rear view mirror can be adjusted. It has pivots and you can move the mirror up further so you can have a better view out the windshield. Can't beat how these cars corner too. Great balanced car Mazda designed.

 

FYI - I took delivery of mine in July of 04, on a Sept 03 build date. I drove it a month without once flooding it, then got it M-Flashed, and it's been wonderful. It's a daily driver although right now I have a third car (my mom is traveling in Europe for 6 weeks, so her car is here) so I'm not driving it much while I wait for my new tires to come in.

If you live in a winter climate, you'll either need winter tires like Bridgestone Blizzaks, or you'll need to swap to All-Season tires. The stock tires are **** in the snow, or even dry pavement when the temp is below 30 degrees F. I just ordered Pirelli PZero Nero M+S's for mine in size 245-40-18, and they should be arriving in about 2-3 weeks (anyone want to buy my OEM Bridgestones? I have an "ad" in the "for sale" section ... Only 2800 miles on the car).

You will LOVE it.

 

Yeah I definitely agree the yellow's far better than white. Dunno why they would do that! Thanks for the tip about the tires! I live in Oregon where it gets cold but not cold enough to warrant snow consistently, although we'll get freezing rain sometimes Think studded tires are a good option? Also, does anyone know if there's any real substance to a turbo-charged '05 from the factory?

 

I gotta think the car would be TERRIBLE with studded tires on anything but icy roads. Better off going to all seasons. Here's a thread from member Omicron who also made the all-season switch and his story convinced me to do same.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/pirelli-pzero-nero-m-s-21980/

 

Wow Stewc625 that's a steep price for tires but if you want to use the car for All Season than looks like this is a good deal and match for the car and probally is better all around than the originals.

 

The Bridgestones RE040 in 225/45-ZR18 are $240 apiece new at TireRack.com. For $100 each plus shipping, you can buy my OEM Bridgestones, on which the wear is not yet measurable (the fronts measure at 12/32's of an inch at the center groove, the rears at 10/32's). The P-Zero Neros are $150 each at TireRack.com. Great tires, reasonable price!

At this size, anything less than $175 each is a bargain. Michelin Pilot Sport Alpin's - the other all-season choice are more than $250 each!

Stew

SC

 

Definately verify that all recalls and campaigns (http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html) have been done. True, they *should* have been performed before delivery (recalls should be done on the lot), but that doesn't mean they were

As others have suggested, I believe the 04 and 05 cars are mechanically identical. Have the recalls and campaigns performed (M-flash in particular) and and older 04 is as reliable as an 05 (aside from age and testing milage, etc.).

 

Ok so it looks like all-season tires (Pirellis or otherwise) is the way to go. Another question, how much modding (engine performance, body styling, etc.) can you do before a dealership considers your warranty void?

 

All depends on what you do - in theory, replacing a part obviously voids that items' factory warranty - you replace the exhaust with a new cat-back and the original's warranty is automatically void. You replace the wheels, and the OEM wheels warranty is void, etc.

But, certain mods carry additional warranty price tags - I can't speak speciifically for Mazda, but most mfrs will stop warranty coverage on the entire drive train if you significantly modify it for power output - i.e., you put a turbo on it and there won't be any engine/trans/rearend/powertrain warranty left for you.

Body mods are a seprate deal - obviously drilling into factory body work to mount stuff causes the rust-through warranty to be void, unless it's a factory-approved mod such as the Mazdaspeed appearance package. Interior mods such as stereos, etc. usually don't void warranty unless you're doing significant interior changes while youre installing.

I'm not a "mod" guy ... my car's a lease and it will stay box stock save for the Pirelli's and perhaps a satellite radio and/or a subwoofer of some kind. I sure there are more knowledgable folks on the board who can tell you better about this.

 

The interior mods interest me a lot, I ran across a cool tutorial on how to integrate an Ipod system into the stock sound system, complete with detailed pics! I'm sure someone else has found and posted it already but here's the URL anyway:

http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/

When I finally do get my RX-8 (and a sweet day that'll be) I'm thinking of putting mazdaspeed body kit accessories on there that I I saw off Mazda's website. Probably better ones out there but these look pretty cool too.