New Rx8 owner, total newbie with a car of this type

[jwalla17]

Festive greetings to everyone!

Just to introduce myself, I’m currently based in Solihull and having just taken delivery of a 2009 RX-8 R3 with 58000 miles on the clock, I’m very excited to see what the car can do on some backcountry roads.

It’s my very first rear wheel drive car and I’m fortunate that the previous owner was a car and bike enthusiast who knew the salient points in regards to maintenance (special thanks to the buyer advice forum contributors). The controls feel very sharp and responsive and the engine sounds crisp with no rattling. The startup seems normal from what I’ve seen from RX8 videos online.

It’s got a Mazda dealer service history and it has very recently had a service but nonetheless, I’d be greatful for any recommendation for ensuring the car will perform efficiently. It’s not had a compression test so I will probably arrange that, even though the previous owner didn’t believe it was necessary.

Thanks and happy new year too.
JW

[Dave2112]

Hi JW welcome along to the Rotary world, if you have no evidence of the coils being changed, then I would put them 1st on your list, also plugs and leads. If the car starts quickly when hot, then I wouldn’t worry about a compression test, just enjoy the car. Drive it like you stole it, always high up in the rev range. You won’t stop smiling

[acegeezer]

I presume you read this topic before buying.. app.php/buyers-guide
.. and following on from Dave's comment above .. viewtopic.php?f=25&t=36282

The best thing you can do is join the Club as a full Member, you are restricted to certain topics only as a guest and a lot of meaningful info' is in the member section
Also, please fill out your profile properly to include your location, it will then appear in the LHS panel every time you post, just like the rest of us .. to our forum and the Rotary world, enjoy it.. and put up some photo's we like those here

[Shagrington]

Hi and jwalla17. and

Have a good read through whatever in the FAQ section you didn't already read and then (and just ignore me if you know all this already) here are my best tips for keeping it all running sweetly:

1. To start up turn the key to position 2, wait for most of the lights on the dash to go out (I watch the airbag light by the glove box), press the clutch to the floor (optional, but reduces drag), turn the key to start and do not touch the throttle until it has started. You can drive off straight away, just keep the revs down for a bit (see #4 below).

2. Never turn off the engine before it has reached at least somewhere towards normal operating temperature (should only take a minute or two, but best to go for a short drive if just swapping cars round on the drive etc). Switching off cold risks flooding, which is a real with a rotary engine. Mazda recommend rev to 4k and hold it for 8-10 seconds switching off while still revving if you have no option but to switch off cold (it is not necessary to do this in any other circumstance).

3. Check the oil level regularly (use the dipstick - the oil gauge tells you nothing other than that you have or don't have pressure) and top up if necessary with semi synthetic 5w30 (more people are advising to use 10w40 now though) ... small amounts at a time, no more than ½ a litre then check the level again before adding more as you don't want to overfill it.

4. Use all the revs once the engine is nice and warm (don't sit idling to warm up, start up and drive but keep it below about 4k until the needle on the water temperature gauge is pointing straight up, then give it another 10 minutes for the oil to warm up too before really thrashing it ) (with the R3 you do have a redline limiter that rises with the coolant temperature indicated by the lights on the dash, but the above is still good advice as it gives the oil time to warm up too) and hit the beep often. Best acceleration is from 4k revs up - to pull away you really need to rev to 2k - you can let the revs drop after lifting the clutch if you are in traffic, cruising steadily at 3½k revs and changing down to go up hills or accelerate gets you the best mpg ... which still won't be great.

5. Join the club for discounts on all sorts of things (you will very quickly get the cost of membership back - and then some), loads more info in the members only sections, local meets (or if you can't find one exactly local it is a good excuse for a drive if you come to one a bit further away), a sexy keyring just for joining and more.

[njkmr]

Welcome aboard Fella.
Your in the right place if you need any advice or help with your new car.

[PaulAV]

You may want to meet some fellow rotary owners, a week tomorrow there is the monthly meet for Midlands owners, it's near Twycross zoo, so a few back roads and the food at turpins is fairly good as well.

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi JW & to the RX-8OC

Please put your Location here in the Profile Section

Please check out the EVENTS SECTION's - Events Team

[jwalla17]

Thank you for your replies. Sorry its late but It's been a crazy time at work

Its given me time to try and 'make the 8'. As advised, I've been sure to give it at least one red-line each drive (the car ever-willing as always). It’s been a wake up call for improving my driving to get the most out of it.

To that end, I’ve been driving it most days as practice makes perfect. And its an absolute hoot to drive . Though I've had to adapt my driving style a bit. I'm constantly having to resist the urge to change gear just when the car is on the max power band.

What’s next? Well I’m thinking I might give myself lessons (on the xbox ) and then possibly joining the track meet in February.

I’ve got to get some new wipers (I’m thinking the Bosch Aeros). I’ve just switched from the 5w30 fully synthetic to 10w40 semi synthetic oil as an RX-specialist on youtube stated that it burned cleaner. I will also look into changing the ignition coils very soon.

Cosmetically, while I've always loved the car's styling, I quite like what an American cousin has done to the front of theirs.



I think I can achieve a similar result using some 3M 1080 Matte vinyl and a suitable fog light tint once I’ve sourced a suitable product. I'd like to give it a try anyway so if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Have an enjoyable, fun weekend.
JW

[GreySilver Beast]

What colour is your R3

[acegeezer]

Upload some pics.. and please put your location in your profile just a reminder

[jwalla17]

Updated profile with location now

I’ll provide some pictures once I’ve got it all washed and given it the full wax and polish!

[jwalla17]

So I finally have some pictures of the newb's new purchase. Took a whole morning but finally it gets a proper clean and polish. Can't wait to give it a coat or two of wax once the weather improves and the sun comes back out

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[GreySilver Beast]

Nice car