Firstly - Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and I am a fresh RX-8 owner. I have been around rx8club.com for a while though, this is my first post.

Since RX-8s came out I always desired to have one, until recently I could finally afford one :-) 231PS model, 6speed manual, Oct 2003, 35000 miles only. And I tell you what ? Sorry for that, but I am disappointed. It's not about how smooth it was supposed to be as I have read everywhere, or it's handling (which is great indeed!), but it's the NOISES ! Noises which apparently are normal for that car? And which spoil ALL the pleasure (until I play up some music when I don't hear noises, then the fun begins indeed, though the gearbox really could be much slicker!). But as I can hear the noises, also passengers will, so I would be ashamed to drive anybody in my RX8 with me.

Here's the video of my noises:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHCPUiCx-_I

Since I have started the car I noticed the clutch (noise no 3 in video). I thought-well, clutch bearings probably. But then I have stared searching in this forum and found posts which regard is as normal (gear rollover apparently?) I have also found similiar video on youtube which has just been posted by somebody else (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtvqVnfU26E)
and somebody answered that it is indeed normal. Not enough for me, so I went to a car dealer and I've seen another 2003 RX-8 and indeed it also HAS that idle sound (I wasn't able to test drive it though as it was too late, so don't know about gearbox noises as on my video).
So all in all, it really turns out to be normal. IS THIS TRUE? Or have I just seen two bad rx8 examples? If it's true, then I am extremely well disappointed, that really spoils out the fun, because it is there even with gears engaged when driving, then when you depress clutch noise is gone, but it strikes back with next gear and clutch pedal released.
Also, there is that 'grindy' and 'crunchy' sounds - are those also normal? I could swear noise no 1 on my vid is not a grind, although I cannot vouch for it, it doesn't feel like a grind at all, only sounds like slight one. It could be into 2nd(mostly) but also into 3rd or into 1st. I think all those noises are related to the same, one thing, which is either bad or normal.

PLEASE CORRECT ME AND TELL ME THAT I HAVE A FAULTY RX-8, because I would just gladly sell this one at lower price and buy another, working properly! It was my dream car for years and to be spoiled because those stupid noises?? PLEASE , NO !

Sorry for a bit longish post, but wanted to be exhaustive :-)

 

I have the same noise when the clutch is out but goes away when you push the clutch in.

 

search gear rollover..

the answer is there.

beers

 

OK so I'm pretty sure idle noise is the gear rollover.

But there are still other noises left, that 'crunchy' sound most noticeable on 4th gear and almost like 'grindy' when going mostly into 2nd (shown in video).

Are those related to gear rollover?

Cheers!

EDIT: WHOOAA :-) I have just been to Mazda dealer (which luckily is just around the corner of my home) and they said there's 5 recalls outstanding on the car and booked me in for Thursday, all completely free, although I bought the car with NO service history whatsoever and didn't even know if I'm covered by any warranties as it has been damaged cat D. I'm still pretty concern about the noises though...