After 3 months of searching, a constant internal debate of RX-8 vs 350Z, trying to find something that fit my price range, and a whole list of other delays, I finally purchased a 2005 RX-8 with 62,000 miles on it this morning. To begin with I want to thank everyone on this forum for all the detailed information I was able to obtain before purchasing the car. I feel that I was well equipped to find the right RX because of everything I had read here.

This being my first post here, I don't want to start off on the wrong foot and ask a million questions that are answered in other posts. I simply want to see if my understanding of everything I've read so far is correct and to see if I'm missing anything. I am fully prepared for all the maintenance this car seems to require, I just don't want to forget something so that I can hopefully take this car from 60k to 120k miles with a minimum of headaches.

As much as I'd love to go out right now and buy some coilovers, an exhaust, etc, I suppose it makes sense to take car of some basics first. Here is what I have come up with:

- Replace my coils, wires, and plugs as I have no idea when they were all changed last.
- Upgrade the starter. The engine passed a compression test, however startup feels a bit weak. From what Ive gathered, being a 2005 car, I should look for the upgraded starter?
- I have an intermittent coolant level light even though my coolant level is fine. It seems that this can be fixed by changing out the coolant bottle? If this is the correct fix for this, what bottle am I looking for? I'm assuming the coolant sensor is part of this?
- Change the brake fluid, again because I'm not sure when it was done last.
- I want to keep power modifications to a minimum. I do not want to mess with the exhaust too much as it seems from research that it would just be a lot of money for very small (if any) gains in HP. I would however like to do something about the cat, since it seems to be a common area of failure. Keeping this in mind, I'd also like a slightly louder exhaust. If I were to replace the cat with a midpipe, and maybe add some nice exhaust tips for looks, would I get a more aggressive sound from the car?
- Also on the same topic of the midpipe... Is the replacement just a simple bolt on procedure, or is there welding involved? Is it something that can easily be reversed with a few hours of labor for future emissions testing, and then put back on?
- Premixing. I want to give it a shot. Any tips on how I can do this being as I live in NJ and am not allowed to pump my own gas?
- Rev it up high once a day to help clear carbon deposits from the engine.

So far this is what I've taken from the forums to help keep my RX in top running condition. I'm sure I have other questions I'm missing right now, so any other maintenance tips would be appreciated. Thanks in advance guys!

 

It certainly does look like you have done some reading. Thanks!

1) Good call on the ignition.
2) You may or may not already have an upgraded starter. But keep in mind that starters don't last forever, and slow down as they age. You might have just a 7 year old "upgraded" starter that is weakening. Replacement is 2 electrical clips and 2 bolts, easily reached when you jack up the driver's side of the car.
3)Yes, that's your coolant bottle sensor, which is unfortunately integrated with the bottle itself. Mazmart has brand new bottle (with sensor) for about the cheapest you can get. Junkyards or partouts may snag you a used one for cheaper. They are all the same for our years/transmissions.
4) Good call on brake fluid
5) The sound from the exhaust is an aggregate of changes from each of the 3 sections (header, midpipe/cat, catback). Removing the cat will mean more sound volume, though each midpipe changes the sound differently. All depends on what you want there. I have my certain preference for BHR's midpipe in terms of quality of build and quality of sound. If you are in northern NJ you can sample the sound of mine easily (with stock header and catback).
6) Replacement is only straight forward if you don't have bolts rusted solid. If that cat has never been removed and/or the hardware replaced, then you are in for a headache if you do it yourself. Best bet is to take the car to a corner shop, have them put it on a lift and remove the existing hardware, putting in the hardware you give them, then drive home and remove the cat easily. Piece of cake, probably only ~$20 labor, and since they aren't removing the cat, nothing illegal for them to balk at.
7) I fill up all the time in NJ on my way to NYC. I usually pop the lid, step out, grab the oil, hand over my credit card, and while they are punching in the info I am adding the premix. A few times I've had to tell them to wait a moment. Usually confuses them, but I haven't had anyone give me problems.
8) yes. rev it

 

They redesigned the sensor some time in the past few years, so a junkyard bottle is likely to have the same problem.

Ken

 

1. the coils/wires/plugs aren't too expensive. if it was mine i would change the plugs, and then go on condition for the other parts.

2. if its had the starter it would be on the warranty history, so you could call mazda or a dealership, give them the vin and find out. i worked at a dealership from 04-08 and we did the starters as much as we could. you should also look at the battery.

3. yeah its the coolant bottle...

4. yes on changing the brake fluid. you should also change the coolant, trans and diff. i'd also change the cabin filter, and the engine air filter if its due

5. the cats do fail. taking the cat out will make it louder, how much depends on the other mods (if any). i've never heard a stock muffler/midpipe car

6. midpipe bolts on, its 5 nuts and one rubber hanger

7. premix; where there's a will there's a way... i'm sure there is room for 4 oz of liquid even on a full tank

8. revving it is good, we shouldn't have to even tell you to do it! these cars are fun