Travelintrevor

I have been driving rx7's for over 10 years and am waiting to buy a rx8...however, I see a lot of them for sale and some people can't seem to get rid of them...If you sold one then why? Bad car?...was it becasue of the flooding? What??? answer honestly...I am still waiting for the supercharged or turbo charged rx8 to come out...if and when they decide which of the 2 charging types they will go with....there is only one on the base i am at in europe and he alway has something wrong with it..it floods, cat full of gas, tranny just went out(3rd gear) etc...what gives folks?

mysql101

some of the earlier builds had issues. Some still continue to have issues such as getting 9-13 mpg highway. If I had one of those cars, I'd try to get rid of it too.

Mine was built in Dec. It doesn't have any problems other than the interior is easy to scuff up with my shoes.

Velocity-8

I don't think it's just the RX8. I saw Mini Coopers (my former car) for sale within the first month there were on sale. I've saw 350Zs for sale right away too. Both of these cars had waiting lists and were selling for over list. People do weird things.

Nordic RX-8

Just my thoughts, but it could be several things - some people forget about the additional cost of vehicle ownership. The day to day costs of gas, oil, insurance and upkeep. The RX-8 gets good scores on real cost from Edmunds' web site, but it is still costly for a new car. I am actually surprised at the number of younger drivers can afford a $30K car with upkeep and being under the age of thirty. I know when I was thirty (not that long ago) owning a new car was not that high on the priority list (girls and beer seemed to take up the top 5 spots).

TRZ750

I agree with the earlier replies. Mazda brought out the 8 a little early causing the hard starting issue. Now it is solved. Why some get real low milage seems funny unless they are just extreem drivers. (I get 18-19 in town and 22 at 80mph freeway). Also some may just be living out of their means like Nordic said as I could not afford a new car when I was in my 20's. I had a two RX7s. the 79 12B was the best on milage, but the 84 13B was a lot more fun to drive. The 8 is biger and heavier, so milage should be down a little and my freeway is, but in town is actually better.

takahashi

Many people just brought the car for fun and soon realize they cannot afford it! This is just typical for an "own one too!" factor... it is typical unwhere in the world. Hate those people that bring down their car when selling them!

Adamrotor

It is just so the owner of the brand enw Rx8 pimps it for a while and then sales it so it wont loose value and then they could go off buying another car they will get bored of in my opinion.

Travelintrevor

i see..that clears it up a little....i love the 8 from the first time i drove....awesome handling, great brakes, better low rpm power than my TII, nice quit ride....fantastic looks and of course the motor....thanks for the quick reply...back on the waiting list to get one!!

DAC17

I agree with all of the above. The RX-8 is one of those "want", rather than "need" cars...so a lot of people buy them to have the latest thing, and then move on to the next "hot car". I've had mine for almost a year, and I still love driving it. No problems for me; got the M flash a couple of months ago, a few oil changes, and I'm good to go!

PaulieWalnuts

I've been keeping an eye out for a used one in my area (Chicago) and I've seen quite a few on the street but not that many for sale. And the ones that are for sale are still listed at a fairly high price ($27-$32K). So it seems they are holding value well. I'm sure the MPG has something to do with it but it's a sports car not a Honda Civic.

911SC

27 to 32 for a used RX8?!?!? Are you sure? I see them advertised now at $2000 off (with nav), which I guess it means a free nav. But still, can't a new one be had for around $28,000 to 30,000?

mysql101

Dealer invoice on a 6MT with GT and Navi is 30,000.

You can get a base unit with nothing on it for $25,000 (24500 + 500 destination).

MP3Guy

You're assuming from anecdotal evidence that "a lot" of people are selling their 8's. From what I see, this car has an exceptionally high level of customer satisfaction.

Besides, even if the car was as troublesome as you state, which it isn't, doesn't mean people run out and buy a new one. That is more costly than you think.

Wurmfist

I'm 25 and have no problem affording the car, I think youger people in their mid twenties are making more money than what was to be made 15 years ago, prolly when some of these older folks where my age. Of course, inflation has a lot to do with that. I was looking up that a '82 Corvette brand new was only like 24k fully loaded to the hilt. And I'm sure people where saying the same thing back then about "I don't understand how these younger guys can afford it" kind of stuff. New 'Vettes are what? 45k to 50k? So it doubled in cost in just a little over 20 years. I mean hell, my parents bought a house for 24k when I was little. I'd like to see someone buy a three bedroom house for that price now-a-days. Yes, 30k for a car is still expensive by any means but it's all in how you look at it I suppose.

I truely enjoy my 8. I love everything about it and I just don't see any of the problems with my car that people post here, maybe people just aren't taking care of them correctly. Someone said that it handles poorly and is not a great sportscar, but just ok. Maybe I don't have a lot of experience with nice cars, but when I get in the twisties and turns in this car I can't believe the performance it has. I think it would deffinatly hold it's own against other cars in it's class.

Added: I think it's just the "first year jitters" of a car newly released. My father had the same problem as he bought the new 1800 Honda Goldwing when it was first released and he had it in the shop many times for getting "bugs" fixed. But now it is a great running machine.

rjenk

Sorry, got to jump in here as my tongue is bleeding.

I am tired of many other 8 owners discounting the issues that some other owners are having. There are real issues with some of the 8's and it gets old having to constantly defend the points.

I had an 8 for six months and traded it. For what I paid for the vehicle, regardless of whether or not it was a new model, I expected a higher level of quality that what I got. As I have stated in other posts, I purchased a RSX about a month after they were released and it had been in the shop once during two years of ownership. (Now here is where some have said that my expectations are too high after owning an Acura...uh okay so Acura makes better cars?)

So here goes my partial list:

- Poor gas mileage (13/19 average on A/T) regardless of how driven…under 3,500RPM shifts, winding it out, with DSC, without DSC it did not matter). Mazda and Dealership states it must be the way I drive.
- Flooded (once before the L flash, once after although the second time recovered better)
- Hotter plugs installed to help with the flooding
- Rattle in driver’s side door (not fixed after two attempts)
- Interior parts that scratch very easily or break – center arm rest cover broke off.
- A/C did not cool and it sounds like a 747 taking off when on high.
- The heated (barbeque) cup holders.
- Parking break will not stay down when cold during the winter months.
- Dealership issues: knowing more about TSBs and flash updates than they do. Having to argue to get items addressed

Now many will try to discount all of the above issues as either I don’t know how to drive the car, sorry dealership, EPA’s fault, (insert other excuse here).. Sorry that does not cut it and only shows that you are completely closed minded and only see the 8 as a perfect car. I can understand someone being passionate about it but in some cases it goes too far.

I’m sorry but there are those that have legitimate complaints about many of the above issues or others. Say you are not experiencing any issues…great consider yourself lucky but don’t chastise others that are. Some of these cars have issues, many do not. If you are looking, roll the dice. I lost and got out. It is truly a love/hate relationship. The 8 is a beautiful vehicle that handles extremely well. I just wish it lived up to what it was expected and marketed to be.

Sorry for the lengthy post…

Riccio

Well, rjenk - you did the right thing - got rid of what was causing you so much annoyance and heartburn.

My experience is the opposite of yours - get decent gas mileage on 87 octane (18 when I push it - 21+ cruising on the Fwy)

No flooding

No problem with A/C or Center Cup Holders

No rattles, nothing breaking

have had: the time of my life driving and enjoying the car.

Maybe it's not that people are covering up problems with the car - maybe it's just that not everybody is having them............

rjenk

My gripe is not that people are covering issues up or that problems are widespread. It is that a some people are having issues with their vehicle and have legimate concerns and when they are expressed, some people jump in with both feet to defend the car to the end as it cannot possibly be the car, that's all.

I really loved my 8 but as the problems increased, my dislike for the car, dealership and Mazda increased until I wanted out.

Ricco - got any pictures of your Nash?

MTLbroker

I dunno, maybe it depends on what region you're in. I looked at msn.ca and did a search for used cars in my area. I came up with 5 rx8 for sale vs 14 350z for sale. Montreal is a pretty good market for cars.

MrJynx

That's unfortunate some people have had problems with the 8. I"ve only owned mine since Tuesday so I'm still in love with this car. The only thing that I find odd is the "heated" cup holders, but I barely use them so it's not to much of a problem.

Oh and when the Bose stereo is loud and I have the driver side window down the glass rattles slightly.. Besides that no problems at all!

As for the gas mileage, it is very poor. I hope once the break in period is over it will get better because barely getting 400km on a full tank of premium gas is going to become costly. But it was an expense I was ready to pay for.


MrJynx

Astor

the center cup holders are for coffee, they are supposed to stay warm

hehehe

PaulieWalnuts

On Cars.com, a 75 mile search from Chicago area ends up with this:

Results: 1-9 | Show All 9 Results | Revise Search

Year Vehicle Price Mileage Photo Seller Body Color Distance Compare
2004 Mazda RX-8 $30,759 2,042 Packey Webb Ford Coupe Red 20 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $29,999 4,818 Castle Honda Coupe Red 31 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $29,995 309 Continental Honda Coupe Red 13 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $29,991 2,569 Horizon Chevrolet Coupe Black 20 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $29,977 5,000 Arlington Acura in Palatine Coupe Graphite 36 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $29,699 4,000 Castle Honda Coupe 31 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $29,595 1,892 Schaumburg Honda Automobiles and Used Car Superstore Coupe Blue 33 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $28,995 -- Continental Honda Coupe 13 mi.
2004 Mazda RX-8 $25,995 17,191 Schaumburg Honda Automobiles and Used Car Superstore Coupe Black 33 mi.
Results: 1-9 | Show All 9 Results | Revise Search

Not a whole lot IMO. And I do see quite a few on the road.

snap-on

Aren't these new cars?

I wonder if they are a demo's

PaulieWalnuts

That was a search for used. A demo with 17,191 miles?

snap-on

I see that now..sorry

What Zip did you use..I did a search using 23150 and found a few..That zip code is for Va..the car was sold in Mn.

I wonder then if they are buybacks or re-po's?

MTLbroker

Maybe the Mazda buyback cars? You know, when the hp issue surfaced?
Maybe repos. Lotsa people get in over their heads.
Test cars? You know, the ones that are loaned out to journalists?
Bottom line, not too many around.