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I have a auto , how do I get a copy of the TSB ?
Doug.
I live in MN and have been experiencing obnoxiously squeaky breaks for the past 9 months. I understand that breaks tend to be noisy up here when the weather gets so cold, but this is a squeak that doesn't seem to go away even after driving awhile and hard breaking. I have been assured that the break pads do not need to be replaced.
I've really been having issues with one of the Twin Cities dealerships with my breaks, and many other things (but I'll leave that for another day). first, towards the end of the summer, they told me that it was just moisture causing the squeaking due to the high humidity; in the winter they tell me it's the cold dry air that is the cause - they seem to be contradicting views, both of which don't make any sense to me (but I'm not an auto machanic).
any recommendations or thoughts?
also, if anyone here is in the Minneapolis area, please let me know if you've had good or bad experiences with any of the dealerships around here - after dealing with mine for over 2 years now, I'm getting fed up with it. I've really enjoyed this car but since it has been out of warranty there always seems to be something minor wrong with it.
Thanks
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There was some report about a shim to stop the sqeek that dealers could add but I never asked about it.
The breaks sqeek, the seat squeeks, there's a popcorn rattle in the exhaust, the gas millage sucks, the oil burn is 1 qt/1000 miles and there is water in my rear tail light.....but the car is sooooo fun to drive I could careless! I know that the rotary engine plus the design of the RX-8 keeps on giving a pure driving experience that would cost at least twice as much in any other car.
Do some google searches for brake pad bedding-in procedures. Many people report that after doing that, their brakes don't squeal anymore. Haven't tried it myself yet, but a lot of pad manufacturers do seem to recommend it. I just don't think they recommend it it everyone because it requires you to do hard braking from higher speeds. I'm sure they are worried about liability issues.
We are an informal club of rotary engine car enthusiasts. We have regular meets, etc, so come on out and join us! No specific car, etc is required to join. In fact, we don't even care if you have a car - anybody with an interest in this stuff is welcome to join. We just ask that everyone treat each other with respect.
Even if you aren't from the Chicago area, feel free to join us. We'd love to have you at a meet if you are passing through.
Duke
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
You'll find that the RX-8 can keep pace with anything in its price class, will out handle cars costing 20k more (yes, I'm speaking Porsche Boxter and Cayman class cars), and more practical and comfortable as a daily driver than just about anything else that can properly be called a 'sports car.'
As for the horror stories about engine failures, they're relatively rare as a % of all models sold, are pretty much confined to the first model year of production, and happen most often in scorching hot temperature climates such as Nevada and Arizona with THE AUTOMATIC transmission (which only has one oil cooler, rather than the two that the manual has).
So, unless you're looking at an '04 model year automatic transmission model, driven in stop and go traffic in a very hot state, you have very little to worry about (even then, statistically, you have little to worry about).
My RX-8 has been rock solid and trouble free for 54,000 wonderful miles. The engine actually gets stronger with age. Just make sure to check the oil at least once a month. You will absolutely love the symphony the motor produces as you wind through all 6 gears - make sure you redline it all the way to 9,500 rpm - the rotary motor LOVES IT and THRIVES ON IT!!!
You will also be AMAZED at the handling. Make sure to spring for a model with Electronic Stability Control - the car is so forgiving at the limit that it will make a novice drive look like a pro in every apex.
If you do buy one, please, please, please, buy a manual, which has more power than the automatic, and do not brag to loudly about your car or let others drive it, lest the best value sports car on the market today becomes too popular, and ruins the party for those of us planning on buying what another.
By the way, the RX-8 has Porsche like handling and a perfect 50/50 weight distribution because its chief engineer worked for Porsche before his stint at Mazda.
1: The rear seats are fine for kids and such. It's a 2+2 sedan, really. They just did the suicide rear door thing and decided to fake it being a coupe. But consider that it's a LOT more friendly in the rear than a 3 series or C class, let alone a Porsche(midgets in the rear, MAYBE?). It's a fine family car as long as you don't need a middle rear seat.(most of families don't)
2: The engine is basically a giant motorcycle engine in how you drive it. So there's no lugging it off the line like a V8. Wind it up, flog it with abandon, and watch the car come alive(the rev limiter will keep it from hurting itself, so feel free to bounce off of it). It has a silly light flywheel as well with the manual transmission, so it revs like a sport bike as well.
3: It's only .1 seconds slower than a Cayman and only 1mph slower in handling tests as well. Nothing else comes close for under $35-40K other than a WRX or a S2000. That you can get one for $25K or so after rebates ... amazing, really. True, a 3 series is nicer and faster, but the second you hit a set of curves, everything that isn't a Porsche or a roadster is far, far behind.
4: The car does burn oil. Remember 2-strokes? They burned oil to run. This is essentially a 3-stroke engine and as such uses a tiny amount of oil to lubricate the inner seals as it runs. So you need to add some oil every month or two as normal upkeep. This is not a defect - it's just a different engine, just like how the old Corvairs has a turbine engine or how a Prius has a hybrid design. The problem came from people driving it like a 4-stroke engine and never adding oil for 5-6 months at a time. Then whining that the car had a defect. Well, low oil tends to ruin any engine quickly...
5: Few people have them. As such, they are real "sleepers". A Cayman or Boxster is a cop magnet and people love to steal them. The RX-8 is none of that. It's all the function and none of the ego or bling. (I think it looks fantastic, but it isn't about appearing to be stupidly wealthy)
6: Also avoid the black leather. It's hot and it makes it feel more cramped inside. The tan leather gives the car a much more open feel(blue and tan is a nice combo as well, IMO, as is white and tan)
7:It gets good gas mileage considering that it's a true sports car like a Porsche or a 350Z or Mustang or... It's no Civic, but then again, no Civic could hope to keep up with it, either.
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=daytona24&vehic- leCode=RX8
It's no slouch in terms of reliability or speed.
***quote***
The SpeedSource Mazda team beat the runner-up Porsche by over five laps. The win was Mazda's 22nd class win at the race, ending Porsche's lengthy winning streak at the biggest 24-hour race in America. In its wake, the champion SpeedSource number 70 RX-8 left behind over two dozen Porsche 911 GT-3s, a handful of Pontiacs, a pair of Ferrari 430 Challenges, a Corvette and a BMW M6. Although fierce attempts were made, including a total of 55 lead changes among 10 cars in the class, no one managed to pass the RX-8 for the final 185 laps.
***
The thing's no joke. And what they ran was nearly a stock engine with manual as the engine can't really be pushed to more HP without a major redesign. Sure, they upgraded other things, added a roll cage and rear wing and so on, but the engine is pretty much what you get in one that you buy.
Since the last service, I can be stopped and put the pedal to the floor, and it will just accelerate as if I was doing a nice, smooth "little" acceleration. Does the same in either auto or the manual shifting mode. Anyone have any ideas?
Also, any tech out there for Mazda...what is the chance if they have to replace the engine that they put a 6 speed auto in rather than a 4? Is that even possible or does alot of other "stuff" have to change on the vehicle as well (just asking, I am not an "auto knowledgable person".
Mazda steps up to the plate and shows customer support once again. If you paid for past repairs that PREVIOUSLY out of warranty, you will be reimbursed for covered claims.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/mazda-to-extend-warranty-on-rx-8-engines.html
Kudos, Mazda!
Auto transmission models have only one oil cooler which is not enough. Rotary produces lots of heat. It's inherent to the design.
Manual models have dual oil coolers, and this helps keep things tame under the hood in hot climate, stop and go driving.
At any rate, the 100,000 mile/8 Year Warranty offered by Mazda on all 2004-2008 RX-8s, whether bought new or used, and even reimbursing owners for core/housing problems when they were formerly out of warranty is a class act.
One other thing, the new Renesis has a third fuel metering pump, whereas the last gen only had two.
I love Mazda for keeping the rotary alive and well. It is unique, and while it has some negative aspects such as low torque and poor fuel economy (although I just broke 22 mpg on mixed driving for the first time, which isn't terrible for sports car), it has redeeming qualities in spades - especially that 9,500 redline that just makes beautiful music, while helping to keep the weight way, way down.
My 8's handling is nothing short of amazing. And the braking is phenomenal too.
I love this car more each year.
Question - how does the warranty now work on the new engine? Does the warranty start over for the engine only? Or does it continue from where I am now?
Sorry.
Wake up last Saturday to find my 2004 M GT wont start, click click.
I go to work and on my wa home, as my roadside assist has expired look for a Tow truck. Cut to the chase, i get hom give it another try and ..... yes it works, no problems for a week.
So here is my question .. Anyone ... anyone have the same situation>
PS
Afraid to take it anywhere
Any answers, comments, suggestions, etc... are appreciated.
The new one coming out this fall, though, has a much better and larger oil system, plus better styling(IMO) - it looks meaner and more aggressive. And I suspect they tweaked it just enough to get that .1 second difference between it and the Cayman sorted out.
When it was replaced, the delear said the engine will remain under warranty, either for the balance of the warranty or 1 year which ever is longer. (not sure if that is true, but from the dealer). But mazda has recently come out to extend the warranty on the rx-8 engine to 8yrs 100,000 miles. I think it does not matter if you are buying it used....but make sure to ask.
The automatic only has one oil cooler. The manual has two oil coolers.
Most of the problems with the Renesis have been overwhelmingly automatics, and a good chunk of those have been the first year of production.
The new 8 year/100,000 mile warranty Mazda has issued, which transfers to second and third buyers, should provide peace of mind.
You can also disconnect Battery poles for 5 min and reset CPU.
any insight? :confuse:
The chat opens at 8:45 pm ET and runs until 10 pm ET. I hope you're able to join us tonight to meet and greet with your fellow CarSpace members!
See you there!
who built this car ? i would think in this day and age that its should be quite simple to figure out a simple problem like a motor that helps you steer. As you can tell i dont work on cars nor no much about it .
Can anyone let me know if this problem is becoming more popular ? and if anyone knows for sure how or if this can be fixed?
However, the rx8 was still a blast. I never had a serious issue. The only money I put into it were the winter tires and the 9 or ten oil changes. i had the squeaky brake pads replaced for free after 7000 miles.
It handled like a true sports car. With the winter tires on, i never had an issue with snow. I liked checking the oil frequently, it made me feel like i was more involved with the car's upkeep. I never minded letting it warm up to avoid flooding and then revving it like i just stole it. The car was peppy and quick and i loved the look with the appearance package with side skirts and spoiler. The look of it reminded me of a mini viper . I wished Mazda added more torque and HP, but it didn't bother me too much when I was able to hug curves and corner better than 95% of the cars out there. THe car had its quirks, but it never bothered me. This was a great forum to keep me updated and I wish all of you a trouble free experience like I had. Ride on.
1. always let the engine warm all the way up (yes, ALWAYS!)
2. be care to not let the engine overheat
If you live in an area that gets particularly hot in the Summer, consider installing an oil temp gauge and take whatever steps are needed to keep the oil temperature below 250F.
If you live in an area that gets particularly cold in Winter, be very careful to make sure the engine reaches full operating temperature. If in doubt, use the cold shut down procedure of holding the engine revs at 3000 for 10 seconds before shutting the engine down. This will make sure that the oil film inside the engine is not excessively diluted by fuel, causing a temporary reduction of compression and very hard starting.
Excellent -$17,400
Good - $16,600
Fair - $15,550
Edmunds TMV says:
Dealer Retail - $17,300
Private Party - $15,900
Trade In - $14,344
Seems like a good deal to me. Thoughts?
Some details appreciated. Trying to avoid dealers.
You wouldn't call an typical extended cab pickup a 2 door vehicle just because the rear doors open backwards would you? No, it's got 4 doors. The RX8 is just using sucide type rear doors as an optical illusion to look like a coupe. A nice trick, if I do say so, but it's not a real coupe.
And it's not the same as a G37. It's actually about spec of spec equal on the track to a base Cayman/Boxster. But nobody compares the two...
I have a 13b motor that has been bridge ported, it's HOT, LOUD and does not like city traffic.... Will a RX8 motor (Man Tran) have all the same motor mounts and bolt to the TX?
I just want to do a simple swap.... Any thoughts???
Thanks bunches