What's up board members? New to the site. I was thinking about purchasing an RX-8, but after hearing about the heating issues and engine failures would this be a car to get? I live in Las Vegas and my wife and I went to go get a used one but the sales guy said all of the manual RX-8 have blown motors. We ended up not getting it due to being too upside on a trade in. I would still love to get one, after I test drove four of them I was grinning from ear to ear. I welcome all opinion.

 

They must really be getting desperate to unload all the automatics they have on the lot.

 

I would never buy an auto RX8, that kills the personality of the car imo.

 

I work at a Mazda dealer and I truly do not get peoples fear of this car. I have sold these since they have been brought to America.

According to my service department we have only replaced 4 or 5 engines. All but one where automatics. Our techs said that they were not being driven hard enough.

 

Any issues with blown motors though?

 

My dad had an RX-3 and several RX-7s all great cars and my dad swears by them claiming that's the greatest motor ever invented. I think the RX-8 is not for everyone though, and i'm definitely getting one in manual. What's the point of having a sports car if it's not manual. The RX-8 reminded me of my motorcycle the way it climbed the rpms real quick.

 

I have an 04 with 97k sMILES on it not even a flood, seriously

 

One blown motor (automatic) the rest were replaced through recall inspection.

 

I don't know where you are but Vegas was one of the first places the engine problems started showing up because of the hot dry weather. I think they replaced a lot out there.

 

Since you mention hot and dry, I spent 3 summers in El Paso, TX with my 8 and have had no engine problems at all.

 

No kidding, every week we have someone new saying they're about to get an amazing deal on one.

Then, a week later, we always have someone pissed that they wasted their money on a pathetic mock-up of a sports car.

 

Well when the time is right I will be buying an RX-8. I have been dreaming about owning this car. And in response to rootski, yeah there are alot of people who don't research before buying a car. My purpose of joining this site was to recieve honest opinion, and info about the RX-8. Like I said my dad swears by the earlier models and I know what it takes to take care of one. I think in order to remedy the heat issue, is to pay attention to your gauges and that's with any rotary powered car and a aluminum large capicity radiator would help too. lol
This is great site, thanks to all who replied.

 

When you go back, get a different salesman. The one you had was willing to lie to you to sell you an automatic. They may all lie, but you already caught that one.

 

The auto wasn't bad but liked the 07 auto because it's 6 speed. Manual it's just simply fun.

 

The auto has less power because they had to limit the RPMs to keep the torque converter from cavatating and sending foamy fluid through the transmission.

 

AT = buy another car

 

QFT!

 

I have owned my (07) RX-8 for 2 weeks. This is without a doubt one of the best cars I have ever driven. Yes, I have the Automatic wifes choice. We traded in are 04 Nissan Armada. My Armada was a great suv. Nissan had to replace the brake system, most of the parts of the ac and replaced the rearend at 10,500 miles. I also read about a few engines and tranmissions being replaced. No car is perfect. I also own a 05 Titan, with a new brake system. I don't care what car you own, you are going to have problems. I am firm believer of maintenance. Take care of your car and will take care of you. Read your owners manuel and change your fluids!

 

There is a lot of discussion on this forum about the hot/blown engines. Use the search and you will find several threads from a couple years ago. In a nutshell--most of the problems were with automatics (has only one oil cooler, among other things), mostly around Las Vegas.

Don't buy an AT if you can avoid it. Driving MT is a large part of the soul of this car.

"The gauges" on this car are pretty useless. The Temp gauge is useful during warm-up, but will not go above mid-range under normal driving conditions. The Oil "gauge" is a glorified idiot light--mid-range is OK. Anything else means big problems.

 

Go for it. If you have test driven 4 of them, then you obviously want one. Definitey go for the 6 speed.

 

What does insurance charge? Do they consider it a sedan?

 

No one can help you with this question...your only choice is to shop around to different insurance brokers/companies and get a quote. Insurance is based on many factors. A company can deem it a sedan but may give a higher price than one that classifies it as a coupe...