Reliability over speed

I plan on buying a 2005 RX-8 within a couple of weeks. I will be useing the car mostly to drive to work...83 miles one way. I've never owned a sports car, always been a 4x4 kinda guy, but I really like the looks of this car.

What I am needing to know is how reliable are these cars?

Whats up with this no spare tire thing? I think I'll get one...call me old fashioned. I suppose it's an option in attempt to save weight.

How good do they stand behind the extended warranty? I work in construction. I can build a house from top to bottom. However, you don't even want me working on your car.

I always change the oil and do general maintenance myself. Are there any tips or little tricks to takeing good care of the rotary engine or other parts of the car. I've decided on the standard transmission. Any tips on it such as certain types of gear oil?

I own a 95 Ford 4x4 truck with over 220,000 miles and have always changed the oil in the rear end about every 50,000 miles or so. It has the limited slip differentials. Would you recomend doing the same on the RX-8?

I've got like a million questions and know of no owners locally to ask.

The reason I ask about the warranty is I bought a new Ford in 88 and it was a lemon. Every part of it. I fought with the local dealership and the Ford company for 2 years and never got the truck fixed. Do you think problems like this are dealership related or corporation related? This truck would burn a quart of oil around every 400 miles among all the other problems.

If any of my ramblings here make sense I'd sure appreciate your advice. From reading several of the posts I see a lot of experience here on the forum.

Noooobody knowwws

well, its not turbo so you should be alright, and if your driving highway miles, the rx8 should run smoother than a babies ass.

Thanks. Yeah its all highway, hardly any city. What kind of mileage would you think I may get? I think the sticker says 24 mpg highway.

well remember most rotary motors use a little oil here and there between oil changes. but as far a gas milage im not sure, 24mpg sounds about right.

and change your air filter every 5k miles. if particles get in between the rotar and the housing ,over a peroid of time early wearing may occur. Then you will lose compression, then your rear main seal will give.well atleast it happend to my 93@78k ,those are hard stoplight to stoplight miles.

Thanks for the tips. Thats the kinda stuff I need to know.

If anymore come to mind I'd sure appreciate your sharing them.

24mpg if you drive like a bitch.

just do routine oil changes and make sure to warm up the motor, no matter what the season.

The rotary engine is like no other - revs smooth all the way to 9000, just goes faster and faster! No drama, no clashing valves, just smooth like an electric motor. A buzzer rings in at 8500rpm, just to let you know it's time to change up!

The mileage will probably disapoint you. I get 19 (us) mpg, even mostly highway, but never less than 17 if I drive it like I stole it.

Wankel engines inject engine oil to lubricate the rotors, they 'use' up about a quart every 1000 miles. Perfectly normal.

They do have a spare tire as an option, but not std. The tires are huge, and on 18" rims, so if you did carry one, you would have no room for anything else.

Like you, I believe in looking after the rear end and gearbox, I use the Redline oils.

If you don't know any owners, let me introduce you to "www.rx8club.com". Thousands of owners, and the BEST resource for D.I.Y., mods, spares, deals and general info, anywhere. All the detail you could ever want, on tap.

Tell 'em StealthTL sent you!
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doc

Thanks for all the tips and info. I plan on picking it up next weekend if everything goes right.

Thanks for the invite doc. Looks like a pretty cool sight. I've registered and been reading a lot but havent posted anything yet.