RX-8 Shinka edition for my gf

Damaga

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Titanium 03.5 MazdaSpeed
Hi all,

My GF is thinking about getting an AT Shinka RX-8. Now, i tried telling her that 6 speed is better but she doesn't want to have to deal with that.

The reason I'm starting this thread is because I want to know the pros and cons of living with this car throughout the year (i.e. summer & winter driving). I know the renesis requires special attention (leave at idle for some time and oil burning).

So my main questions are: pros and cons of an RX-8? problems with winter driving? typical problems and maintenance issues? And anything else she should know before buying?

many thanks!!!
And that Shinka looks sweet!
 
wait until the '06 models show up. for 2006 they are upgrading the automatic to a 6 speed instead of '05 old school 4 speed, as well as bumping the power up to 212hp.
 
and to answer your questions:

Damaga said:
So my main questions are: pros and cons of an RX-8? problems with winter driving? typical problems and maintenance issues? And anything else she should know before buying?

since she wants the automatic, so that means power isn't her top priority, so that's not a problem for her :D

winter tires are REQUIRED for the RX-8, stock summer tires are useless in any sort of wintry condition.

other than keeping the oil topped off, making sure the coolant is fresh, and avoid short start up/shutdown sequences, the car is really quite easy to own.

basically if she doesn't skip out on regular maintenance, the car should be solid for a very long time :D

good luck with it.

AND GET 2006 if you want automatic!
 
The latest Car and Driver has an article on their long term test RX-8. You might want to browse through that for more info, and it's short enough to skim through in the store.
 
^on the C&D long term rx-8, that's an '04, and an early build '04 at that, hence the lower-than-normal gas mileage and what i consider excessive oil usage. They addressed most of the build quality issues in '05s, and presumably even better built for '06s.

one more thing to point out while i'm writing this, the black cherry paint on the '05 Shinka RX-8 is an exclusive color, ie it will not be available for '06. '06 'Shinka' package RX-8's will have different colorS available.
 
Driving a RWD sports car in the winter, even with snow tires, is an acquired skill. If she doesn't have it and it snows, she will end up spinning out at every intersection until she figures it out. I don't know how much snow you get in Ohio but in New England...I would never let my fiance in a RWD sports car after December 1st.

You can always throw some sand bags in the hatch and make sure the gas tank is full before a storm comes. I used to do that with my 87 Cougar.
 
get a accord coupe. alot more powerful, reliable. rx8 is probably for hardcore sports car people, i dont recommend it for chics that don't know how to work on cars.
 
fuel economy on my friends manual rx8 has been pretty weak, he fills up six times a month or more
 
maybe your lucky, but rx8 boards are full of problems.

Anyways, for the price of a shinka you could get a G35 coupe, with 300hp.
 
Autox MSP said:
maybe your lucky, but rx8 boards are full of problems.

Anyways, for the price of a shinka you could get a G35 coupe, with 300hp.

like any other car forums, only people with problematic cars are going to be vocal, people with perfectly running 8's are just enjoying their cars quietly ;)
 
I mean rx8 might be a good car for someone that likes to open their hoods every few days but for a girl that just wants a stylish coupe the g35 is the best one in the price range or a 3 series coupe. Besides I think the rx8 is the only car i know that has had numerous engine replacements and cat converters replaced. Also almost everyone complains about the milage, which the rotory is known for. Many people do not realize this when making purchase of the car. heck i bet you majority of the people buying the rx8 doesn't even know what an rotory even is.
 
^well this comes from someone that can't even spell rotAry right ;) ;) ;)

and how many actual 8 owners do you know that actually have their engines or cats replaced kyu. i think i know more 8 owners than you and i have yet meet one that need an engine replacement that's NOT due to improper modification ;) ;)
 
i acutally know a couple. My friend with a rx7 went though couple already on a stock fd. They might be good race engines but make a piss poor daily driver.

This girl obviouly doesn't know much about cars, why buy a rx8?? Besides the automatic puts down less then 150hp to the wheels and gets worse mileage then the manual rx8. I know you love the car and all but the rotary engine cars are not for eveyrone.
 
^well that'll do too lol

well if you want more info on the 8 just go to the rx8club forum and ask questions there, they probably know a whole lot more than i know, and more helpful too lol
 

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