I'm a current owner of a 2003 MINI Cooper, I love the car but thereliability is for not. In the 18 months I've owned the car it's been in the shop 8+ times. It's currently in for a new transmission, hopefully covered by the extended warranty, the jury is still out on that.

Anyway, I've never owned a Mazda and am looking ataeither a 2006 used or a new 2007RX-8. It's a great looking car and seats 4. I'm looking for input from newer RX-8 owners. How's the realiability? Any major problems, or issues that I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Ron

 

Do not get the auto with the 4 port motor.

 

Can you offer more details than that? What's with the auto and 4 port motor?

 

The RX8s with the auto trans & lower powered engines are notorious for the engines losing compression. If you are interested in getting an auto, get one of the newer 8s with the higher powered 6-port engine. Otherwise, I would get the 6-speed manual.

 

Thank you. I am looking at a new 07 or maybe and 08.

 

I test drove an '08 RS8 today, this car is not for me.

 

i think the newer 8's are better produced then the older ones. i have an 05 and i bought it used i've had the car for 5 months and it's had a remanufactured engine and now a rebuilt transmission. it's common in the rx8's standard or auto to have engine problems. mine was idling so bad that it almost died i took it in and it was because i had no compression. these cars run on compression. Do alot of research because from what i heard and have experienced the 8's have alot of problems.

 

Interesting article in the Feb. issue of Automobile magazine concerning Mazda autos and rotaries. I've had my 6 speed auto(manual with paddle shifters) RX8 GT about 10 months. I haven't had any problems whatsoever. I check the oil every so often, and occasionally add some. Mine has tire pressure gauges and I've had to add air two times. It doesn't get good mileage in stop and go town traffic, but it gets great mileage on the highway. In 4th gear at say 60mph, it will accelerate faster than hell to 90 or better. I like to particularly **** off Mustang and Mitsu spyder drivers. I like to get behind them and keep pushing the driver to his or her limits, and then pass them and wave. The RX8 doesn't look like anything else on the road, thats important to me. I live in an area where good cars like BMWs, Corvettes, Porches, etc. are common. My RX8 up to about 150mph will keep up with the best of them. All the horror stories I read here are not in my experiences, Mazda has built nearly 2 million rotary cars. I'm very happy with mine.