29th Sep 2008, 20:45
I bought a 2004 Rx-8 with 50k miles on it, and I've had it for four months already, and the only problem I've had was that my brake pad are used up.
I take good care of the car. I love my 8. I do warm it up before I drive it
18th Dec 2008, 16:43
I have also purchased a used 2004 RX8 with 47k miles, my sister drove it while I was gone (without my permission), and I went to start it the other morning, it was really close, and I could feel the burning vibration, but then it instantly went off as soon as I thought it was started... I assumed it was out of power because one of the lights was on. I got a new battery and it still wouldn't start (after much attempts to jump and charge). I saw in the manual the info about engine flooding (the older 2004 version) and tried that, I noticed a difference in the sound, but it still wouldn't start. Also, it's reasonably warm outside, where I live it never gets below freezing, but always very close... any suggestions?
27th Dec 2008, 03:00
Wow I was only shy of 1 week to purchase one of these, but now I will most certainly opt for a BMW or Mercedes instead... thanks for the heads up guys.
10th Feb 2009, 09:18
I bought my RX8 in May of last year (I love the way it looked). I haven't really had too many problems except the flooding engine. She only has 38000 miles and normally runs great.
But in Nov I pulled it out of the garage to wash it, didn't know I had to let her warm up before I shut her down, and flooded the engine. So the next morning I went to go to work and it didn't start. They fixed it a day later.
Then Saturday I washed it again (still didn't know it would flood if not warmed up) and Sunday it wouldn't start. Here it is Tuesday and they called me yesterday, said they got it to start, but found a compression problem, so the dealer is trying to get me a new engine. The only two problems I have had with the car and both my fault for not knowing. But now I know and I won't make that mistake again.
I love my car she runs great, and granted she eats oil like butter, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
17th Feb 2009, 01:52
I have had so many problems with this that is not even funny. The flooding, yes everybody has had it, but not it doesn't want to start. I thought it was the battery, but I took it to get it charged and nothing, used jumper cables, nothing.
I just want to give the car back, but they don't want to take it. I don't want to get my credit messed up, so if anybody wants to do something about it, leave a message. We should do something about it, if you search around there are a lot of cars with the same problems all over, and changing the engine doesn't fix the problem.
Don't take me wrong, it's a nice car to look at, but it really sucks when you can't rely on it. I am calling the dealer and will tow it in again :(
23rd Aug 2009, 12:31
This car is amazing the best sports car I have ever owned. The only problem is the engine flooding, but I got it fixed and get over it.
I LOVE MY RX8.
24th Sep 2009, 16:37
I read all of the previous comments. I'm surprised about the flooding and other problems some owners have had. Fortunately, the car lot that I bought mine from told me about that little quirk (that you have to warm it up before shutting it down).
I've had none of the above problems. (Except for the passenger side watery tail light. I'm going to spray some Rain-X in there and see what that does to clear up the water). I just had to have a new clutch put in, though. But there's no telling how the previous owner treated it (I bought it at around 40k miles).
I love my car. I'm a little more worried after reading all of these comments (!), but I've taken many to heart to try and keep my Mazda running the best that it wonderfully can.
I have to wonder if many of these different problems may be car-specific... It seems like some are lemons and some putt along just fine.
Anyway, I'm a happy owner - knock on wood!
15th Oct 2009, 16:21
By the way, Rain-X didn't fix the watery passenger side tail light assembly, but I drilled 3 small (1/4) holes about 6 inches apart at the bottom of the assembly. The water/condensation is gone.
If anyone would like to know, I had fixed the sun visors, also. (Yes both of them had broken!). I took off the holding clips from the hinge assemblies inside. Then I just super-glued the plastic back together. The clips made the hinges too tight and that's what breaks the plastic housing.
So, I've figure out two virtually free fixes. I hope the word gets out!
16th Sep 2008, 23:22
I have had my RX 8 for about a year now, and I have spent more on repairing it than I have on paying the installments.
All the problems that I have read about sound so familiar.
Initially I thought that I had purchased a Friday car (you know the one that the factory rushed on Friday because it was time to go home). Then my friend bought the same car and I realized that we either both had a Friday car, or that the RX 8 is an engineering nightmare.
I have never had problems with a car as with the RX8. The water in the rear lenses, the start up problems.
It would not go into third gear, had to replace the petrol pump, had to replace the gear fork.
Had to replace a cracked and leaky radiator now as well as the coolant bottle (sensor stopped working and the bottle is a unit, you cannot only purchase the sensor).
The engine management light keeps on flashing. The agents could not find the problem as it does not show any code on their diagnostic computers. It is now at an electronic engineering shop for almost two weeks. Most electronic components were replaced, but they could not find the problem. They are currently re-wiring the whole engine to try and find the problem on a trial and error basis. It is going to cost me a fortune.
By the way, my friend has been without his car for about 3 weeks now. He had to replace his seals and rotor housings on 150 000 kms (93 000 miles) at a cost of about R 30 000 ($ 4000). My friend and I work for the same company and are teased by our fellow employees for driving drug addicted supermodels that has to go to rehab every few months, but never recover. They have a point because every time I get it back, I think that I can now drive it with confidence, but every time I am horribly disappointed a month or two later.
I don't know if I still want it when I get it back. But what do you drive after an RX8. Where do you go from dating a supermodel. I think you have to be in denial to drive an RX8.