Replaced headlights because cloudy inside.
Replaced left taillight because scratches.
Replaced warped piece above glove box.
Replaced black door strips between front and back doors both side because scratched and dents.
Replaced complete wipers. Faded out.
Fixed dents and scratches that were there when purchased but was told car in perfect condition.
Alignment bad when received. Fixed alignment.
First time used air conditioner burning smell. Burnt compressor replaced.
Gas Tank Recall.
Manual shift paddles would stick and not shift up. Worked intermittently. Replaced springs and contacts.
Not shifting down into first when in manual when came to stop. Replaced some trans switches.
Goes into 4th gear at 29mph when in automatic. They say that is good???
How can it be good to lug engine. Manually would be in 2nd or 3rd.
Makes 12 mpg!
When a company puts a sticker on a window stating 18 round town 24 freeway, that is what it should make. My old car a Mustang GT 2002 stated 16 around town and that it what it made or better.
I bought car for 3 reason.
1.Automatic (drove stick for 20 yrs)
2.To get better gas mileage.
3.Style and look of car.
I drive more in manual to see if can make better mileage, but this doesn't happen. Bought car for automatic.
BAD, BAD, BAD GAS MILEAGE. RIDICULOUS!
I have gotten 10.91mpg on a tank and once almost 15mpg. I was thrilled with the 15mpg, but that hasn't happened again. One long distance trip I got 19. Drive mostly around town. The average for this car is 12-12.5mpg.. This is unacceptable!!
So let's resume: you bought an automatic, rotary-engined high performance (capable of at 8500 rpm) RX 8 to mainly use it in the city and save on gas?!
I'm a Mazda salesman and the gas mileage rating on this car is 18/24. It's not good, but better than 12. I agree, when I had my demo, I could fill it up at 150 miles a tank or 7.9 mpg. I disliked this car to a great degree just because of the oil consumption and gas mileage. As a Mazda salesman I say: "Don't buy one."
I really don't know why you bought this car if you wanted something economical for city driving! Wouldn't a nice automatic diesel hatchback have made more sense?
I just bought a 2005 Mazda RX8. I love this car. Its better on gas mileage than my 2002 nissan sentra ser was and it's a lot faster. The interior fit and finish is excellent and the car brings me completments no matter where I go. A sports car that can comfortably seat 4 normal size adults is very rare - but the rx8 does it.
In all fairness, there is a problem with the check engine light, but other than that there are no problems. The performance and ride is great... I have no complaints really.
In response to an earlier post - if there were that many problems with the car - shame on you for driving away in it. If a dealer gave me a new car that was in less than perfect condition I would have driven it through his window.
Maybe I am going to get a Nissan Z...
I... Well, my experience isn't quite the same as the original poster, but I certainly can't argue.
Mileage. I just drove to Chicago and back from Cleveland, and even taking route 20 on the way back, never got over 19.5 MPG. That's at an average of 52 MPH according to the GPS. The sticker says it should do over 20, and I believed it. My Mini would get well over the sticker indicated 38 if I took it easy.
The car has been in for the first recall, and it now misses. The dealership drives it and screeches that "all is well!" yet the car gets terrible mileage, and stumbles in an obvious way.
Ah, well. They'll get it right. Still a nice car, and still corners very well.
Wow, I was really considering getting one. Until I read this board, and comments.
Thanks for everyones input.
I was considering an RX-8 until seeing the comments posted. I'm mainly interested in the 6-speed manual - is the reliability and MPG a lot better than the automatic? sure hope so - it is a nice looking car with 50/50 weight distribution.
I had an 04 six speed with lots of engine problems, and interior quality problems. Handling and breaking were great, but the lack of torque was really annoying in day-to-day traffic. Usually got about 19 mpg in mixed driving. I don't recommend this car.
I just picked up my 2004 RX-8 this past weekend - Feb 16th for those who would like to keep track.
I must say that I fell in love with the car the moment I sat down. After taking her up the nearest highway during the test drive, I decided to ask for her hand in marriage.
Of course, it was a long two weeks from the time that I took that first test drive until the day I brought her home, so needless to say, I've been all over the internet researching my purchase. In all fairness I must say that the posts on this site have been very helpful.
With all that I read I opted for the 3 year extended warranty on top of the current factory warranty (current odometer reading is 27,500). That being said, there is a certain level of comfort that I obtained by doing this especially after reading some of these posts.
For those of you complaining about the gas mileage, please keep in mind that you did purchase a sports car... a high performance sports car that still gets better mileage than most of the V8's that I'm out running on highway. Also... I hear that this is supposed to improve as the engine gets broken in and accustomed to the way it's driven.
As for the interior, I love it. Yes, more expensive materials could have been used, but if that's what you want go and get a Lexus SC450. The cabin on the RX is smooth and pretty much a breeze to maintain and keep looking good. The controls are all well within reach and I'm amazed at the roominess of the cabin. I'm 6'3" and never thought I would fit into a sports car. I came to this conclusion after sitting in the 350Z only to have the salesman tell me that for an extra grand they could through in longer seat tracks (that was the funniest thing I heard that day).
I have come across some little things like the driver side mirror rattle that's talked about in this review. Also, the silver emblem on door step is stating to peel up. All small things that can be remedied with glue and tightening of a few screws I'm sure.
As for maintainance, only time will tell. I assure you that I'm not worried about it being that I took the initiative to get an extended warranty, as I would recommend anyone purchasing a used car to do.
As for driving... NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I DRIVEN ANYTHING THAT WAS SO FUN TO DRIVE... I swear I don't feel that I'm being fair to other drivers because nothing else on the road comes close to this car. (well, I've never driven a Ferrari or Lambo so I can't honestly say that).
If you are looking for a sports car with out the bulkiness or gas consumption of an American muscle car, and the agility of a cat... look no further than the RX-8. This car, in my opinion, is perfect in every sense of the word. And should the time come that it's not perfect, it provides peace of mind having that extended warranty to fall back on.
Moral of the story:
1. Don't expect to get Toyota Prius mileage from a high performance rotary powered Mazda
2. Warranty, Warranty and once again Warranty
3. Don't get a car on looks alone. Plan your purchase, decide what you will be using the car for and weigh your options. I traded in my 2001 Navigator that was getting 13 MPG. My 8 appears to be hitting right at about 18 MPG right now, but I've only had it a week so I've already one that battle. Also, it was so nice to pull up to the pump with a $50 bill and get $17 back in change. I couldn't leave the pump without dropping $75 in the Navigator.
Also, keep in mind that this is not a ordinary car. That being said, you will have to treat it differently than an ordinary piston powered auto. Do you research, read your manual and get familiar with the workings of your machine. I plan to keep mine around for a long time. '04 Brilliant Black Baby. The only thing I'm missing are leather seats, but I'll be taking a trip to the junk yard soon. It's been 3 years since they were introduced and I'm sure that some one out there wanted to experience the true power of that rotary engine and their car didn't quite make it due to some one's misjudgement.
Happy Motoring - a satisfied consumer!
A bit of advice: Stick with the cloth seats. Mazda uses very poor quality leather seat covers that wear prematurely. Cloth may be more durable, and cheaper to replace if/when the time comes.
Thanks for the heads up on Mazda leather. I've seriously been thinking about taking it to an auto upholstery shop and have some custom seat covers done. I'm thinking that may be cheaper and a better grade of leather than what Mazda offers. I really appreciate your advise on that!
Just completed my first 1000 miles and I'm still in love. This is by far the best driving car I've owned compared to (95 Honda Accord, 98 Chevy Malibu, 01 Lincoln Navigator)... Stay posted as I will definitely keep you up to speed on the Maintenance.
About spanding more money on a tank of gas for navigator then for rx-8.don't you think that tank in a navigator much larger???dahhhh.to be exact 15.8 for rx-8 and 28 for navigator!!!just take calculator and do math :).and how can you spend 33$ for 15.8 g tank and 75 for 28g.maybe you got optional 36-38g tank for your navigator :).people please think when you write something.
To my good friend whom I sense a little hostility from, let me assure you that I do know the tank on the Navi was bigger, (It was a 30 gallon tank to be exact) and to be exact, the tank size on the RX8 is 15.9. I was only making reference to the fact that filling up the tank is a joy at $33 in the RX compared to what I use to have to poor into the Navi - Dahhh! People, please take my post for what it is... an honest opinion on what I believe is an awesome car. Please put your "critical" eye glasses away as they would be more useful in a grammar school English class:-)
Now, back to the reason that I've returned... This car is "bleeping" incredible. No complaints, only praise. We all know the car is in a class of it's own (at least those who REALLY own one know) but I've decided to list a few things about this car that you just don't find on others in it's class. Here are my five and if anyone can think of their own five more, please list them here.
1. the way you can fly by anything on the road in 3rd gear @ 4000rpm
2. the buzz from that sweet rotary engine as you accelerate
3. those sick rear suicide doors that make everyone look twice
4. the interior wraps you like you are in the cockpit of a fighter jet
5. those electric blue xenon lights... aren't they the best.
Wow, I never realized that a blog like this even existed. I wish it had before I purchased my 2004 RX8. About 2 weeks ago, I decided to get rid of this headache. It really is a shame, when the service manager at the local Mazda, where I purchased my car, knows me on a first name basis. After this last problems, he indicated to me that Mazda was this close to sending in a recall because there were too many problems with the 2004 rx8; that's why we got the extra 10,000 mile extended warranty for free. (60,000 not 50,000) Of course, he replied that they have fixed all the problems with the latest version. Unfortunately, that does not help me any. Anyways, and this is a quote from a Mazda service manager, hey said Vic, "get rid of the car, it's a piece of junk"; of course he used a more colorful metaphor. Needless, to say, I have spent at least 20 times in Mazda's service department fixing the broken: sun visor (2 times), the condensated rear brake light, the reprogrammed air conditioner and heater, the starter, the gas tank, the ball joint, and the PCM something or another. When my car wouldn't start about 2 weeks ago and I had it towed to Mazda, the service manager stated that the 2004 and 2005 will have a tendency to flood the engine because of a problem with the motor. He responded to me by saying that next year I can put a brand new 3000 dollar turbo engine that will alleviate the problem. Even the tow driver stated that my RX8 was the 6th one he had picked up this week. So, if you are reading this and are contemplating buying a 2004 or 2005, Please don't, I really don't want to see you stalled or broken down on the side of the road. I thought FORD stood for fix or repair daily. Oh wait, Mazda is owned by FORD; now it makes sense!!!