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Mazda RX-8

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Comments

  • trispectrispec Member Posts: 305
    In the early days of Saturn (maybe not considered a mainstream car company) when supply was super tight, the dealers would regularly report to customers where their car was in the factory milestone and shipping processes. In 1990-93 the internet really wasn't that widely used. Saturn would even allow customers to send a picture of themselves to place in the cars while their car was being built to help customer feel that factory workers really were connecting with them personally. When the cars arrived at the dealership, factory worker's signatures would be attached to the photograph. Awesome marketing!

    I've owned 4 Saturns since 1993. Loved that company and their little plastic cars. But I'm afraid the GM monster has called Saturn home.

    But I've still missed my RX-7 badly and I'm going to be patient whatever happens, as I wait for my RX-8 AT with VINs greater than 159000 to arrive at any Boston metro area dealerships.
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    Not sure. Perhaps ask in the Mini forum? I don't think that the dealer is *completely* sidestepped.. I think you still have to negotiate the price with the dealer (as the web site advertises MSRP only). But I am not sure of the details of the process.
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    Good luck, may you find one that you really like!

    I have just went out and talked to a dealer yesterday... going to another one today..

    Go to the ZoomZoom Live event on Sept 10th and 11th (zoomzoomlive.com) and get a $500 rebate for attending. Apply that towards your RX-8 AT with 159000+ VIN :)
  • ClairesClaires Member Posts: 1,222
    Folks, please take the dealer/purchasing conversation to the Mazda RX8: Prices Paid & Buying Experience discussion. They're not just discussing the deals they got, but strategies for finding and dealing with dealers.

    MODERATOR

    Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

    Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review

  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    I bought my RX-8 today. Check the pics. No daytime pics yet, as it is the first night that I've had the car.

    I'm really tired now, but really excited! Loving it so far! Winning blue rocks!
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Hey gang! I purchased mine last night too! Was it a full moon or something? ;)

    Picking it up tonight, they are installing my CD changer! Special "better than wax" coat and spoiler to be added sometime next week, I couldn't wait for it to be ordered! Pics to follow soon.

    Proud owner of a Velocity Red, Touring, 6MT, Navigation RX8. Holy cow!

    Guess I gotta think of a new screenname... LL Bean Jeep is no longer appropriate! :shades:

    Thanks for all the great comments and help on this forum. Now I can add comments as a real owner!

    Happy weekend driving, everyone!
  • flashinkaflashinka Member Posts: 6
    I'm new to this forum but I have read the past few months worth of msgs. Had some comments to help prospective buyers and my own questions. First, I'll tell you my experience with my 05 Shinka. It's been mostly great. I had it narrowed to the new Vette, new Mustang, 350Z and the Rx8 when I was looking in April. I drove all of them. You can't beat the vette for acceleration and handling but I figured I'd save the $15,000 for something else. The Mustang is great for the price but I know in about 1-2 years I'll be so tired of seeing them on the road that I would have regretted buying it. The Z while slightly faster than the 8 is too impractical and quite frankly not as comfortable or balanced as the 8. So I ended up with the 8. Since I've owned it, my biggest "complaint" was MPG but that is probably due to recent gas prices. That being said, I have 3500 miles now and my mileage is getting better (now about 19-20 city). My Shinka has not had any flooding problems ever. I've even backed out of the driveway only and it easily restarted. Also, the handling of the Shinka equals the Vette (yes not less than but equal to vette). I even think the handling improvements on the Shinka shows when test driving both. Performance and oil consumption is still improving also.

    Now about the Shinka itself. Personally, I think the color is AWESOME. The interior is even better. The baby bottom leather seats are so soft and the color is striking. Before seeing the Shinka I was tempted by the blue, but in hindsight I made the much better choice. While the price was higher, it had all the options I wanted and would've ended up the same price anyway. Plus, I get that year of Sirius satellite which is addicting.

    Had a couple questions though. First, is it true that they will bring the Shinka back in 06? It was really nice to have such a unique car. I saw that there was a fire at the factory earlier this year. Does that mean that less than 2150 were built? Also, while I am happy with the performance (I used to own a 1986 Buick Grand National), it could be better; so is there any non-warranty violating enhancers?

    Also, on a personal note, does anyone know of a Mazda or an RX-7/RX-8 clubs in the Tampa Bay area?

    Thanks and will talk soon
  • trispectrispec Member Posts: 305
    Hello folks

    Is there another way to search for RX-8 VINs? As I'm waiting patiently for RX-8 VIN numbers above 159000 to show up in the Boston metro area online, it would seems likely that these VINs are probably used through out Mazda as a critical inventory management tool. Certainly, VINs can be found elsewhere for customers to use to track RX-8 shipments.

    Sorry, but I was talking to a new Mini Cooper customer today about the extensive e-mail tracking reports that she will be receiving direct from the factory and through out the shipping process from Oxford England. She was promised an VIN number fairly early in the build process. Certainly Mazda has something that at least that approximates the Mini Cooper systems.
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    yes they are releasing more shinkas for 2006, with some different type of leather. believe me, they are still plenty unique.

    for performance enhancement, one of the better thing is canzoomer's stage 1 mod, which pretty much leans out the maps and gives you back the horsepower lost due to emissions compliance.

    you can also do intake and exhaust (racing beat) but those don't do too much.

    nothing violates warranty unless it can be specifically traced to that item (this is the law). so if you put on an exhaust and your rear diff goes, then that is still warrantiable.
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    Well, it's been four days and 550 miles since I bought my RX-8 Thursday night.

    I am really enjoying the car so far. While I am still a jerky manual driver and uphills are still a problem, I'm getting smother and opening up the car a little more. I can't wait until the break-in period is over.

    The car's balance and handling are exceptional. It sticks in corners great, feels tight, yet the ride isn't too bone rattling. The shifting is awesome, and the sound of the engine is wonderful. The non-Bose sound system lacks plenty of things, but it's good enough for now (certainly good enough for everyone who was in my car) and I find myself turning it off to listen to the engine instead.

    The clutch feels nice and light, not unnecessarily heavy. The brakes feel tight and linear, and not heavy at all. So gracious and well-balanced! Mmm!

    Just the feel of this car is really awesome. I love rowing through the gears, I love the steering that I don't notice. Love love love so far :)

    Put on a clear bra today. Expensive, but will be necessary for the winter. Winter tires coming up in a month or so :)
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Hey astral... since we took the plunge the same day, thought I'd add in here too. I agree with everything! Just a perfect car, all around. My shifting made a dramatic improvement yesterday, it's starting to click for me now! There was an accident on the way to work, so the stop-and-go traffic does wonders for your starting practice. I love everything about mine, especially the hot red color!

    I do have the Bose, and it is fabulous... I'm SO glad I got the sunroof, too. Amazing how the sunroof open and windows down doesn't blow you all over the place like some cars. Just keeps getting better and better!

    I'm up to 400 miles so far. Named mine Roxy. :blush: It has to be a girl since the navigation voice is a female... sigh. Haven't mastered that yet, but I am gonna wait until I have the shifting down before I play with it!

    More soon! :D
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    Glad to hear you both got the manual. I think you'll be happier with it than the automatic. Don't be embarassed by miss-shifts or stalls. I've been driving manuals all my life (and I'm OLD ;) and I get lost in the RX-8 transmission sometimes. So many gears, so little time! It's easy to select the wrong gear as they are so close together. Eventually you will get used to the feel of where each pair begins. I'm talking of the 1-2, 3-4,5-6 pairs here. I have selected 4 instead of 6 and 3 instead of 5 several times. It works so well though, that shifting becomes addictive!

    Remember, reverse is selected by pushing down firmly while moving the lever there. One owner couldn't find this (hadn't read the manual yet) and was stuck in a parking lot for 30 min. studying the owners manual. He posted his experience for others enjoyment!

    The right attitude!
  • the_big_hthe_big_h Member Posts: 1,583
    just a quick update:

    my 04 Titanium Gray base model RX-8 now has almost 17k miles on the car in almost 8 months of ownership, there have been ZERO problems that required me to bring the car in for repair. The only times I have brought the car in for service is for recalls/updated parts/etc. I have been AVERAGING 20mpg overall since I got the car, and this is on 50/50 highway/stop-n-go traffic. The engine is as butter smooth as the first day I got it, as a matter of fact, the engine actually feels even stronger now that it is fully broken in.

    I LOVE THIS CAR. I really have no desire for any other car right now. That said, come winter time the car WILL stay in the garage during wintry weather, and I'll drive the beater during those times.

    that is all for now, I will check back again in a few months.

    zoom-zoom

    "zoomzoomh"
  • epaiukepaiuk Member Posts: 23
    Hi everyone,

    I just went to the Mazda ZoomZoomZoom event this weekend in LA and am now totally convinced that I want to get an RX-8. What do you guys think about the Shinka Manual vs a Manual with the GT package? I realize the Shinka is a bit more, but supposedly has better handling, slightly nicer interior (though I have not seen it in person). And aninventory search seemed to show a lot of Shinkas around here, so I was thinking dealer pricing might be aggressive. Thoughts from the rest of thr group? Thanks!
  • ramsesramses Member Posts: 8
    Well epaiuk,
    I myself love the SHINKA and as for there being alot in that area I still wouldnt let that stop you at all since they only made 900 something of them due to a fire in Japan Factory. They were supposed to make 2150 of them. But they are also going to be making 06 SHINKAs how many I have no clue but it will not be the same as the 05s though. More color options I think and different interiors. But the color is what was my CHERRY on top for me. It is a beauitful and elegant sports car in my opinion. Get one if you can! I can tell you that you wont pay what I did in Hawaii for mine. Since Hawaii has a 6000 dollar mark up on the Shinka but only 5 cam to Oahu.
    Good luck,

    Ramses
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    So I've had my new RX8 not even a week, and the check engine light came on this morning. BOO... only 500 miles it, too! Gonna go see the dealer today, hopefully it's just a quick fix. :cry:

    Does this happen a lot?
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    Don't get too upset. It's easy to trigger a MIL (the correct term for the events that turn on the light). Let the dealer "deal" with it.:) It's probably minor. Even leaving the gas cap on loose can turn on the light. If you accidentally trigger this light, it's also easy to get rid of it on an RX-8. If you disconnect the battery -ve for a minute or so, it will clear all codes from the computer (called a PCM). Of course, if there is a problem that turned it on in the first place, it will come back on.
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    for 3 clicks to get it closed really good?

    Does the cel eventually go off when you get the cap on correctly or does the dealer have to clear it?
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Yup, gas cap is on super tight. Had the same issue in my last car, so I'm used to lots of clicks there.

    I'm sure the dealer can figure it out, and it's probably a quick flash fix or something. Just annoying to have the new baby need service already! :(

    Happy weekend driving!
  • ramsesramses Member Posts: 8
    Just got my baby back today after taking it in for the PRO COAT anyone else got that yet? She looks beautiful today. :shades:
  • allimamaallimama Member Posts: 2
    Hey, Is the pro coat the clear coat that protects almost like the car bra? ( drive it a lot on the highway and want to prevent as much chipping as possible without the bra, because i heard that it messes up the paint in the sun) There are not too many people that do that in my area that do this (I am around DC)...but If it is good, i would drive to get it done. I unfortunatly only have off street parking (right on a one way street) and although i cover it, I am always afraid of scratches.

    opinions??
    Thanks!
  • pathstar1pathstar1 Member Posts: 1,015
    Get the front covered by 3M vinyl film. Lots of places do it, including Ming. It comes in a pre-cut kit, and includes the side mirrors. I suspect Pro Coat is like "Ming plating", which is just a silicone based "permanent wax".
  • ramsesramses Member Posts: 8
    PRO COAT is more than just a clear coat. When you get it(Pro Coat) they install a electronic box under your hood in the engine compartment that produces a electrical signal that helps prevent rust from the inside out. Also they protect the whole instead of the car. So if I spilled a soda on my leather seats it should NEVER stain and if it happens to then they(my dealership) will replace the seat. I have to say that my dealership has been very helpful and accomendating too. I had to wait to pay for the PRO COAT thing almost 2 weeks later when I had the money but they still made an appt for me. Well anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying their RX8's and/or Shinka's. Oh yeah by the way I just found out that one of the SHINKA around my area was broken into and since they COULD NOT start or move the car they vandalized it really bad. It sucks to hear about things like that but I glad to KNOW that the security on them WORK very well.
  • flashinkaflashinka Member Posts: 6
    Just thought you should know that you should feel lucky that you had a selection of Shinkas. When I bought mine in Tampa, Florida in April, there were only a couple left in the area so I knew to scoop one up before they sold out. I have a manual and wouldn't trade it due to the greater power. The handling is great (I test drove the Vette and I thought they were about equivalent). Pay more for the Shinka because it comes loaded anyway and the color combo of Black Cherry interior and the beautiful interior can't be beat. Good luck.
  • dtopgeardtopgear Member Posts: 25
    Check this out. Looks a lot like a RX-8 to me.

    http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/82/

    DA
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 13,665
    That looks like a lot of RX8 styling influence. I wonder if the Ford guys and the Mazda gjuys have been doing more than just sharing Ford's money?
    2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring
  • mugster1mugster1 Member Posts: 34
    the questions is does it have a rotary?

    Nice quote!!!
    "it shows the kind of talents who are operating at Ford design these days, and the kind of freedom they are being given."1
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    How was the trip to the dealer? First 500 miles, there should be no problems. The dealer should be dancing around fixing up every little bit. Really sorry to hear about the problem there.

    I already have 1450 miles on mine. I don't stall anymore (or barely every) and I am relatively confident on small uphill starts. Really steep uphills I still have to resolve to the ebrake trick.

    However, now that it's broken in, revving to 9000 RPM is just so damn awesome :) It was totally worth the break-in period wait (I waited until 1000 miles, keeping it under 4000RPM, occasional 5000-5500RPM before 600 miles, almost no full throttle before that, after that a little full throttle once in a while, kept RPMs genreally under 5000, sometimes up into 5500-6500, until 1000).

    I also relocated the front license plate from the front of the car to the side, and installed Racing Beat oil cooler and AC condenser screens (which are exposed to rocks and bugs, and Mazda won't warranty them if a rock breaks the cooler or the condenser). Some pictures of that work here.

    Oh, also added just shy of 3/4 qts oil (Castrol GTX 5W-20) at 1400 miles.
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Hi, thanks for the interest in a follow-up! The CEL came on and off for a few days, and the dealer did a diagnostic test and determined it needed an oxygen sensor. Said it was ok to drive unless the light started flashing. What a pain! That part needed to be ordered, so it's going in tomorrow for that and the 6CD Changer finally. Spoiler and paint protection are on, and it looks sooo hot!

    I'll try and post pics here later today (if I can figure it out). Turns out a coworker here also has one in black, so we got some hot pics of our babies yesterday.

    Otherwise, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my car! Red was the best choice for me, so glad I waited for it. I get a big ol' goofy grin whenever I get in it. Everyone who sees it just loves it, and it's quite the attention getter! Goes well with my blonde hair, too. Makes the boys drool! Happy 24th b-day to me! :blush:

    Shifting after two weeks has become very comfortable, and only a few boo-boos here and there (from 4-3 instead of 5, or missing the gear and getting that BAD sound). Minimal stalls now, no major hills yet but I'm doing well on the little ones. I no longer have to turn the music off at lights so I can focus on my starts, haaha.

    I'll hit 1,000 miles this weekend so then I'll really open it up. It's been gorgeous weather here, so I just keep on driving! (Almost 900 miles in two weeks!) Yikes. Darn gas prices won't keep me at home! :D

    No oil added here yet, but the dealer checked it twice already (in for the CEL diagnosis and then for the spoiler/paint) and will again tomorrow. Part of their usual routine, so if they added any I don't know.

    Happy weekend driving! Fall is in the air, great time for a drive! :shades:
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    Glad to hear the dealer is taking care of your issue!

    I'm gonna hit 1500 this weekend. I'm looking for excuses to drive my car. I carpool w/ my roommate to work and I've been insisting on driving every day (so much for the gas/miles savings on MY side), but today I took hold of myself and said: ok, you can drive now :).

    Here are some daytime pics of my 8. It's beautiful! This is before I relocated the front plate. This Mazda photo used to be my wallpaper at home at work before I bought my car. Now, I have my own:

    image

    This fall I'm going to drive to Dixville Notch in NH. I love driving in NH, there's so much breathtaking scenery. :shades:

    I really like how the wind buffets less in this car w/ the windows down. I find myself driving much more often with windows down, as my hair doesn't get blow all around. That, plus I like to hear the sound of the engine. This car is almost a little too quiet ;)

    Post the pics when you get them. Glad to hear you have another owner at work!
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Ok, I'll take Astral's lead and post my personal album on here... just don't snoop around into the pics of my home, dog, etc ok? ;) Just kidding, we're all friends here.

    http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2120976686

    (You'll have to create an account to see them, takes 2 seconds)

    That's the album of Roxy, my hot red RX8. There are some great ones of my coworkers' black one and mine together in there as well. I'll post more closeups soon, too.

    Roxy's in the shop one last time today, for the CD changer and O2 sensor... then I hope to not see the service guys again for a good while!

    Thanks for the interest, and enjoy! Have a great weekend!

    Astral... love the pics! :shades:
  • astralastral Member Posts: 41
    Great pics, llbeanjeep, the red definitely is a great color on the RX-8! I like it better than black, for sure :)

    I love the stock spoiler. I didn't get that on my car, but I want to add it in the near future. How much rear view does it block for you? (How intrusive is it?) My last car has a low-profile spoiler, so it didn't really obstruct any view, but this one looks like it arches up a little higher.

    Have a great weekend too and here's to the quarter-life crisis! (those who say that are simply jealous)
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    my purchase. it obstructs your view very little. it comes up a small amount into the bottom portion of the back window. i traded an 01 eclipse spyder that had the most obnoxious, view-blocking spoiler every made in a factory - couple that with the tiny back window that comes in a convertible and rear-view visibility was nil with the top up. So, it's possible that my 8 spoiler bothers me very little in comparison to the last one. Maybe you should hit the mazda lot and sit on one with a spoiler before you buy? this is one car that I like with or without the spoiler.
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Hey astral... glad ya like the pictures! Thanks for the interest.

    The spoiler is great, minimal obstruction. I had my car for about a week before they added the spoiler (had to be ordered) and I prefer it WITH the spoiler on. You can still see above and below it, it seems to hit just right so you can see it at it's most narrow point, but still see AROUND it.

    I especially like that I can see the hot color of my car in my own rear view mirror, haaha. ;)

    Definitely worth it, if ya like the look. :shades:
  • trispectrispec Member Posts: 305
    Hey, saw you Mass plate was red like mine. But I just asked the dealer to leave the front plate off and the did. I see lots of cars with red plates in Mass with no front plate. What's the big deal with the front plate?
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Ok, I LOVE my RX8... been three weeks, can't beat it! :blush:

    However, one tiny thing is driving me crazy. Almost EVERY time I turn the car off, I accidentally hit the trunk open button on the key. Anyone else do this, or is just me? Yesterday I didn't realize it and parked for a few hours with the trunk unpopped. Luckily it doesn't open all the way, but still. Everytime I get out of the car I have to close the trunk cuz I keep popping it!

    I'm told the 04s don't have the new funky key thing, just the 05s?... on my old jeep the trunk button wasn't as easily hit.

    I know, whining about the tiny things... but just wondering if anyone else is as goofy as me and keeps hitting the trunk? DOH! :P
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    I accidentally hit the trunk open button on the key. Anyone else do this, or is just me? Yesterday I didn't realize it and parked for a few hours with the trunk unpopped.

    I've done the samething.....and so has our entire sales staff. The new key is a little tricky to get used to. Try to get in the habit of turning the skinny side of the key/remote...This works for us.
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    You are not crazy :D

    There is a service bulletin sort-of about this - a copy is here.

    Basically on cars made after 4/1/2005 you have to hold the trunk button down for 7/10 of a seconds to pop the trunk, earlier cars it would pop with just a 5/100 second push.

    The question is what did they change (the key fob, the computer in the car) and how can you get this updated.

    I would print this bulletin out and ask your dealer and/or call Mazda USA and see if they can update your car.

    Dennis
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    I would be one of the ones going crazy over the key/trunk opening thing. I once had a grand prix (the dark years) and it was really easy to hit the trunk release on it as well. Left it parked in our driveway on a snowy day and came home to a trunk full of snow. Must have hit the release, it was real windy with the snowstorm, blew the lid open, snow, snow, snow. We took it to the car wash and used the shop vac to just suck it out.

    I didn't realize the 05 keys were different. Since I wanted a yellow one, I didn't even look at the 05's while shopping. good thing for the tsb and that sounds as though it would fix things. llbeanjeep - don't you feel better knowing it's not just you?
  • llbeanjeepllbeanjeep Member Posts: 21
    Awww, thanks everyone! It's driving me mad and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. Thanks for the responses!

    Just gotta be more conscious about it, or ask the dealer if they can reprogram I guess. I'm going there today to get my real license plates (no more temp tags!) so I'll ask about it. Thanks, Dennis!

    Too funny... have a great weekend driving, everyone! :shades:

    PS: Three weeks in and 1,300 miles... definitely in mad car lust and in love. :blush:
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    and I love it as much today as when I drove it home the first night! Could this be true love? My soul mate??
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    My BMWs had a feature to quick cool off the car on a hot day - you hold down the unlock button on the key and it rolls down all the windows and opens the moonroof.

    Real handy - unless you are sitting in your window office with your BMW keys in your jeans pocket and go out to find your car has been standing opened up all day. Thank goodness it didn't rain, but it cured me from keeping the keys in my pocket while at work :D

    I do the same now with the RX-8 key, or I too would be driving around with an open trunk.

    Dennis
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    like that. Some friends have a Z4 and she was telling me that the windows roll down just slightly when you open the door so you get a nice, solid shut when you shut the door, then roll up. Sweet!!

    Yes, I can imagine the horror of coming out of work and seeing your Bimmer "exposed."

    So, how are you liking the 8 so far and how does it stack with the S2K and the bimmer you traded? Any disappointments? And, what brand of oil are you using?

    I have to say, I'm very happy with mine. the only issues are: the 2 recalls of course. Got my letters and have just been putting off the process as long as possible, but I'm not fretting about them and expect nothing big from them. My brakes are squeaking when you slow down from faster speeds. And, as I posted earlier, my battery just about goes DOA if it sets without a start for a couple of days. Had that happen to me twice (I think he just wants to be driven).

    Happy & Safe Driving!!
  • dwynnedwynne Member Posts: 4,018
    I love the car, but I am still getting terrible mileage (13.5mpg on the last tank at about 1,300 miles). I have been topping it up with Castrol GTX (I think) - the local parts place didn't have a lot of choices in 5w20 oil.

    After the remains of Katrina came through we have over 2 weeks of no rain so I have been driving the new S every day. The last two we had rain so back in the RX-8. I have to say the 8 is "richer" in looks inside and out, but I love the S more overall. I get 22-24mpg commuting to work VS 13-15mpg in the 8. No real complaints I guess other than the mileage.

    I just have the tank recall, the other recall seems not to apply to 05 cars. Like you, I am in no hurry to take it in so I think I will wait until it is time for an oil change and try to get both at the same time.

    My car is pretty slow to turn over if it has been sitting for a while, but will start after sitting longer than yours. When hot (just stopped) it can be hard to restart - but I have found if you turn the key on and wait about 10-15 seconds before turning it to on the start position it starts a lot easier. I think I will ask about the beefier battery when I have the car in.

    Dennis
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    with the mpg's for about the same hp's, I'd have to favor the S over the 8 right now as well. My 8 mileage is a little better than yours. Most tanks get me 15 to 17 mpg's and if I do a highway trip, I have gotten as high as 21. Either way, sharp rides!!
  • flashinkaflashinka Member Posts: 6
    I might agree with you except you're comparing apples to oranges. First, it's a convertible. Second you don't get a back seat in the Honda. Finally, while initially (first 3000 miles or so) I was only getting about 17-18 mpg, I am now getting about 20-21 mpg and this is city/highway.
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    he bought at essentially the same time. I was merely asking him his opinion on the 2 cars at this point. I'm aware that the honda is a roadster, but performance-wise, they are pretty comparable. I traded a convertible for my 8 and I miss it - especially on these great fall days.

    I take it you have a Shinka? Auto or mt? How many miles on the car? you are definitely getting good mpg's. I've got a little over 4500 on mine.
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    So I finally got myself down to the Mazda dealership. I live in Los Angeles, home of the automobile, but there are a half dozen makers that are actually hard to find nearby. Subaru and Mazda are actually a bit hard to get to.

    I came in looking at the 3 series as a possible Matrix competitor. BLEGH. Moral: Leave the econoboxes to the guys who do it best. Mazda should just drop the 3 series, actually. Nobody would miss it.

    Then I saw the RX8 in the corner. Nice lines. So I poked around and drove it.
    -Interior/etc - very nice. Leather is unnecessarry, as is the sunroof(too far back to actually be used as anything other than extra airflow, esp when watching the road and tach so often). Recommendation - Sport package only. Trunk was small but useable. Get the spare tire "kit" as well, since those aren't run-flats like in the Mini. Bose is overpriced junk - again, get the Sport package and install a $500 Alpine system. Way better and a lot less expensive.

    Overall, a nice car. Love the cupholders. Digital speedometer is lame, though, and the interior door panels flex ominously when I press the power buttons. Still, a puny Civic can cost you $20K these days, so it's understandable that it's not an IS300 in fit and finish for this price. :)

    -Mileage. Stop whining. Rotary engines consume about three times the fuel of IC engines. You also get three times the power, so don't think "1.3l" - think "1.3L on steroids that is equal to a 3.9l engine." Look at the 350Zs fuel "economy" for comparison.

    -Engine/gearbox Take the plastic cover off. All of them, in fact. Store for when you finally resell the car. You need to access things regularly. It's just like a motorcycle in that way. 5-10 minutes maintainence every week. Plastic just gets in the way.

    Nice manual gearbox, but 5 speed is all you need - it's just not legal to drive it in 6th gear at anything approaching more than an idle. I suppose if you were racing it on the weekends or were in Germany, it would be useful, but a 6-speed and "USA" is overkill, especially with this engine. 4 would be better, in fact, but the 6 speed is a holdover to IC engines which have tight powerbands and need all those gears.

    - I tested both transmission options and my conclusion:
    Manual was nice, but the gearing ratios are off, due to the 6 speed and the fact that in the U.S., the 5th and 6th gears are more like Overdrive 2 and Overdrive 3. Great shifter, though. As good as my old Volvos - a solid, precise gearbox made for driving and not as an economy measure(with typical rubbery feel we all know and hate).

    Automatic was dreadful and lacked torque when in normal modes. It kept wanting to shift into 4th gear at 25mph!!!. Automatic, in manual mode, using the paddles on the wheel - this is how they must get the posted times. Manual performance, with automatic shifting speeds, while putting 100% of your attention on the tach. This was much faster and more precise than the up/down use of the gearknob as well. The IS300 has this feature as well, and it also does wonders in actual driving. NOTE: it still would like to(but doesn't) shift up when you come to a stop/let off the gas and won't drop to 1st until you are at about 5mph!, so don't forget to drop it down to first gear, as it'll happily lope along and bog down trying to rev up again as it's still in 2nd gear at 10mph.

    Now, I hear people complaining about lack of low-end torque. I found that it exploded off the line if you ran it exactly like you drive/ride a motorcycle. If you drive it like a car, you wonder what the reviewers are getting excited about.
    #1: Pre-rev the engine a little bit at the light. Go on, it needs it. The engine is essentially one big turbocharger in how it works, so low-rpms="HUH?" performance. 4-5000rpm is normal, just like a Ninja 500 or S2000.

    #2: 0-60 times are best done in 1st and second gear. Save third gear for the highway, and 4th for overdrive. Drive this like a sportbike and ignore the 5th and 6th gears. 8000rpm in 2nd gear will get you a ticket, just like a typical sportbike, btw. (grin)

    #3: To get the best gas mileage, accelerate hard, then upshift 2-4 gears at once. It'll gladly run in 4th or 5th gear at 40mph if you let it. Then drop it back down into 2nd to accelerate. This is very unlike typical cars in that the engine won't bog down and die simply from dropping rpms - say, a 5th gear upshift at 30mph in a V6. There is no valve-train or timing gear or reciprocating movement... the engine spins around and dropping the revs suddenly just slows it down as there's really nothing to get in the way or bind against. zoom...coast...zoom...coast.(for gas mileage, mind you - performance is the opposite - just hold it in 2nd and 3rd all day long)

    I'm buying one when the 2006s come out. Very fun to drive.(just with they'd fix the speedo with an analog one - my only real pet peeve)
  • lhesslhess Member Posts: 379
    huh? I don't gripe about the mileage - knew it wasn't great before I bought it - or the low-end torque - knew about that too. And, I just drive mine - sometimes slow, sometimes fast, sometimes i shift at high rpms', sometimes low, and I even use 6th gear, sometimes. I don't worry about the 0-60 times, I don't race it. I intend to keep my plastic engine cover right where it is. Rev it to 4-5000 rpms for takeoff? Not likely, a little over 2 gives me a nice, smooth take-off. And, I happen to like the digital speedo. It makes it easier to see speed and rpm's at the same time.
  • plektoplekto Member Posts: 3,738
    Um - I meant rev to 2K. Heh. 4-5K, though, is where it's happy is what I meant. It's like owning a motorcycle for the first time. You have to retrain your ears to think of "OMG my engine's about to explode" to "happy engine" :) I find the low-end torque to be great, actually. There's no initial "jerk" like in a typical car, but that's all in your head - the car is seriously fast compared to anything else in for the same money. I love how it shifts and there's no hole in power. My current car, it gets to 2nd and then drops half its rpms going into 3rd. So it's either a slower windup and no lag worth mentioning(revs like a V8 racecar engine with all the mods 3-6K happens within moments) or a good takeoff followed by bogging down every time you shift. I really like how rotarys feel. Reminds me of my bike - small high-revving engine with tight gears. Other than the 0-20mph lag, the thing always has a gear and plenty of power, especially in the twisties.

    My gripe with the plastic covers is that they are hard to remove, especially when you are constantly checking oil. It also makes seeing most problems as they are developing - well, Audi is a fan of this "hidden engine" approach. I prefer to see it in all its warts - so I can spot a gasket or hose or belt that's needing fixing. That I can't pop it off in 5 seconds to get at the battery if I need a jump is a sign of over-engineering. I'd rather they'd put a hinge on the pass-through instead of it popping out when you open it. Also, a DVD player option is a must for the rear seated munchkins, as well as a power outlet back there.

    The speedometer is okay, but it gets washed out where a needle doesn't. OTOH, most speedometers are set at the factoy 2-3% slow, then calibrated for the biggest tire you can fit. The net result is that my car, like every other one with an analog gauge, is reading ~70pmh when you are really going 65mph on the standard tires. Blame the lawyers on this one. Perhaps they need to just switch the display to a real digital display(LED and not backlit LCD).

    All that is minor, really. The car reminds me of my old Volvo 240 Turbo after I put a better swaybar/suspension on it. Small back seat, full of quirks, but gosh it handled well and was fast. For about the same price, figuring in inflation. No wonder they're selling so well. :)
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