Just bought 04 RX8, Was this a mistake?

[Saseelas]

Ok all, I am female and was just looking for a neat looking, fun driving car and just purchased a 2004 RX8 Touring with Navigation,etc. Am I in trouble?

After buying it (this last Saturday) I found this website and now I am starting to get paranoid. Reading about all the flooding problems and engine replacements on this site, was this a mistake. I will only be doing regular driving to and from work. No racing, etc. Was this a mistake to purchase it for this type of driving and does everyone have all these problems?

The mechanic I took it to, to check it out said it had two recall stickers on it but he didn't know what for. How can I find out and any tips for me as to driving this car daily so as NOT to have problems?

Please help. I had a 2000 Mustang that I loved but for some reason, decided to car shop, test drove the RX8 and bought it before finding out all of these problems you are talking about.

[G-man422]

You shouldn't have any problems as long as it was taken care of before you got it. If i could tell you one thing, make sure you check the oil often. These cars use a lot of oil. never let it get low. make sure to keep up with all maintanance. also, with the driving your doing, it should be FINE. Dont wory so much about it. Just have fun with it, its a SWEET CAR! congrats.

[mazdatekchubyninja]

the recall should be for the front lower control arm, which there was a bad batch that crack over time. the other is for exhaust overheating issuse causing
fuel tank damage+rebumper+under car,etc. There is one more which is for flood start which they replace with updated spark plugs, stronger+faster starter, updated battery, and a pcm reflash for cold start. DO NOT JUST START THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE AND SHUT IF OFF, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. make sure you let it warm up or you will flood it. I seen at least 2 a weak now for flood start due to cold weather. The battery will drain or die after 6 days of no use due to the high electrical draw from the electronics. DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC OIL due to it inject oil into the rotor housing for lubrication. USE PREMIUM FUEL FOR SPARK KNOCK. My dealership have only replace one motor and one tranny for now. Its an ok car just cost alot to maintain. Oh yeah tires cost alot

[mazdatech177]

well, as much as mazda wants you to think this is a new engine, its not. its just an old 13b with a different intake and exhaust. its going to have the same old rotary engine problems. not all that bad though, but i sure wouldnt own one.

now, let me tell you about the deck that i built...

[MWKW56]

My boyfriend has a 2004 now is trying to get rid of it. The car sqeaks, it uses way too much oil and it has moisture in the crankcase which Mazda says is normal but my dad says water in the oil for any reson is not good.

[rjitzsu]

moisture in the oil?
that sucks... must be a piece of crap...
how much? i'll but it

as for the original post 'm going to drop in my 2 cents.

the rx8's are great cars, but they aren't like any other car.

if you allow the car to warm up every time you start it, get regular service, and give it a few highway miles on the weekends, you'll love it.
if you're looking for a car that you can drive without ever thinking about it, or servicing it, or letting it warm up, you'll hate it.

yea the rx8's have a few common issues but what car doesn't? flooding is easily resolved by allowing the car to warm up. mazda has updated spark plugs, batteries, and starters installed from the factory on the 2005 and 2006 models to help resolve the issue for inpatient drivers.
the recalls that have come about on the rx8 are minor, uninvasive recalls that any dealer should be able to take care of for you within one day- and mazda will pay for you to have a rental while they fix your car.

moisture or white frost on the dipstick is normal and will go away once the car is warmed up. it does not effect engine performance or lubrication at all and has been a characteristic (not a problem) on the rx8's since day one.

rx8's DO use oil. small amounts of oil are injected into the combustion chamber by oil injectors to help seal the combustion chamber and provide lubrication. mazda reccomends you check your oil level every other gas fill-up. depending on your driving habbits, oil consumption really isn't an issue from what i've seen.

oil changes should be regular, and a normal oil change with filter will only change about half of the car's oil. the other half is in coolers and cooler lines that are not drained by releasing the oil drain plug. so regular 3000 mile oil changes are a must.

that's about it though... they're great cars but by no means normal cars.

mazda has a large enthusiast base between it's rx's and it's miatas and most of those people really don't consider the care required by an rx8 owner anything to be upset about.

i know one of the other mazda tech's above said he would never own one of these but i sure would. they're much easier to work on than the 93 and up rx7's were... and not much goes wrong with them. a large amount of the cars i work on in the area that i live are rx's and maybe that sways my opinion a bit but bottom line is this...

they're a lot of fun to drive
they're different from anything else out there
they look good
BUT
they require a little more 'attention'

in my opinion i'd rather give the rx8 the attention than be another mustang driver.

that's a lot of rambling...

[G-man422]

^ Now that pretty much covers it. well put man.

[MWKW56]

I agree the RX8 is cool, but when enough moisture (water) gets into the oil to make it cream colored, and not just on the top of the oil, then there must be a least some degradation in the lubrication until the heat cooks the water out.

My dad has been working on cars and building Hot Rods for 45 years, he tells me oil and water do not mix, therefore the quantity of oil displaced by the moisture cannot avoid reducing the amount of lubricant getting to all the places that need oil to ensure maximum performance and endurance. Ask any mechanic if milky oil is a good lubricant. By the way he also tells me that most of the wear and tear on an engine happens during the first few minutes of operation before the oil reaches all the wear points, to me that means before the engine warms up and cooks out all the moisture.

Anyway, If you love the car, dirve it and enjoy it, life is short.

[ccasmoe00]

Maybe you all should read the rx8 forums website before you start talking trash about the car. I have one and haven't had one problem. Most of you have no idea about Rotary Engines. Some people have almost 100,000 on the RX8 without any problems. Stop listening to bias opinion and listen to people who have actually owned them and take car of their cars. Read more at http://www.rx8club.com

[drftk1d]

compared to the FD you guys have it easy

[ccasmoe00]

Originally Posted by drftk1d

compared to the FD you guys have it easy

So I've heard. LOL

[6dmnbag]

I traded my 94 honda prelude in for a 2004 rx8 and I love that car. I have not had any problems since I bought it and I do let it warm up every time I drive it around.

[Vash Cloud]

Originally Posted by drftk1d

compared to the FD you guys have it easy

Oh, you aren't lying brother....you aren't lying...............

[nichelle]

Just enjoy the 8. I have had my 04 for 1 year and totally enjoy my ride. I have flooded the car 2x's however, the guys in the RX8 club helped me out. I also, had to replace the heater control module which was an easy fix for my husband. Just as others have stated get the oil changed and checked as scheduled. Know that the tire pressure light will come on when the the season changes. By the way, be sure to not pamper your vehicle, drive the 8. Every weekend rev the engine you now are the owner of a race car, our engines need the rush!

[cstrat]

Is it an automatic or 6 speed? I did not see that anywhere in your post.

The engine replacement problem is due to carbon buildup on the rotor seals. At least, that's my understanding. When I first bought my 04 6-spd there was occasionally a severe loss of power in HOT weather. I suspected I might have the dreaded carbon problem with my car. The dealer did the lastest PCM flash update under warranty and I have not had any problems since.

I make a point of taking the engine to redline while driving at least once each time I start it up. This helps to prevent the build up. These cars like to be driven hard to some degree. In addition, as others have said check the oil regularly. In short don't putt-putt around in an RX-8, the car doesn't like it. It is the most well balanced car I have ever driven. I feel like the car is part of me and I am part of the car when I drive it. As Jeremy Clarkson of "Top Gear" said after he had thrashed the RX-8 around the top gear test track, "it is the easiest car to drive fast that I have ever driven".