First time RX-8 owner

bertrex · Post by **bertrex** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 6:50 pm

Hello All,

I'm *delighted* to have recently become a first time RX-8 owner. I have wanted a rotary car for 32 years, ever since my dad was driving on the motorway and explained that the car in front was an RX-7 and that it's engine was completely different from reciprocating ones... I'd seen FD3s on eBay for 5 or 6k for years but never had that sort of money, then they became rarer and sought after, now I'll never own one. So, I thought this was my last chance to own a rotary, before the RX-8 goes the same way as the 7.

I have a crystal white 40th anniversary edition, no 285/400 and I love it! On my way to collect it I thought, "What if I finally get it and find that I don't like it?" - a 32 year dream would be wasted, but the opposite was the case. There are things I'm sure I'll need to get fixed but since I don't know how an RX-8 is supposed to sound or feel, I don't know if there's anything obvious that needs attention. Other OC members might drive it a few yards and know that x, y and x are wrong with it but I have no experience to compare it with. I have one suspicion but I'll seek advice on that in a separate post in the appropriate forum section.

Anyway, that's my introduction - thank you to Alan for his warm welcome to the club - much appreciated. I look forward to learning and becoming an active member.

Cheers,

Dave.

AaronM1991 · Post by **AaronM1991** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:08 pm

Welcome!! Lovely motor you have there mate! would love a white 40th one day myself!!

Post by **casey** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:19 pm

to the club!

I'm sure you won't be disappointed with your purchase, just make sure to warm it up and beep it regularly.

Hope to see you at an event when the current crisis is over

Post by **warpc0il** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:26 pm

The official

wagon will be along shortly.

In the meantime, congratulations in making two great investments, the "best" RX-8 (IMO) and OC membership

nightfire10 · Post by **nightfire10** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:33 pm

Great choice

Ainmhidh · Post by **Ainmhidh** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:45 pm

Hi Dave, glad you've found your way in. Nice looking 40th. If you want to update your profile with a general area then folks can point you at appropriate professional help, or harass you to come to social meets once the current restrictions are lifted. Do share some more photos of the car when you get them, and ask any questions in the appropriate areas (you may have already done so - I haven't got there yet!)
Alan.

ChrisHolmes · Post by **ChrisHolmes** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:09 pm

Welcome to the club Dave, if you have trouble finding information on the forum just post up what your looking for and help will come along pretty quickly. Asking elementary new owner questions on here is much safer than on some Facebook groups.

GreySilver Beast · Post by **GreySilver Beast** » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:14 pm

Hi Dave &

to the RX-8OC

<<<<<< Please put your Location in your Profile Box, it will help us to know where you are, if required any help in the future

Please check out the EVENTS SECTION's for anything coming up soon in your area

Events Team

Post by **Shagrington** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 12:34 am

Hi and

Dave. Nice looking car you have there

and thanks for joining the club already

(that also saved me including tip #5 in my list below).

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 (most people and specialists 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

) 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.

bertrex · Post by **bertrex** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 11:50 am

Thank you all for your replies, warm welcomes and very useful tips (thank you Shagrington!) - very much appreciated, all.

I'm in Cheshire and work in the centre of Manchester but now have wheels, will travel and look forward to attending meets as soon as we're all able to move freely.

Some beautiful looking members' RX-8s above - I hope I can get mine in such good condition, in time...

Thanks again,

Dave.

njkmr · Post by **njkmr** » Sun Mar 29, 2020 8:39 pm

Welcome Dave,
get some more pics up .
You're in the right place for advice etc so ask away and the experts will be along to assist you .
Regards
Rob

bertrex · Post by **bertrex** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 3:20 pm

Erm, I have only a few poorly taken photos as the car is in hiding at the moment. I've not quite found the right time to tell my girlfriend that I've bought it yet and with a toddler and a baby she wouldn't really see it as a 'family car'. Any suggestions gratefully received!

IMG-20200326-WA0010.jpg

IMG-20200326-WA0012.jpg

IMG-20200326-WA0014.jpg

IMG_20200324_1449288~2(1).jpg

IMG_20200324_1449136~2.jpg

In the second photo it looks like the very bottom of the car has a slight buckle or dent, vertically just to the left of the passenger door handle. I don't know how that happened.

Post by **warpc0il** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 3:30 pm

bertrex wrote: ↑
Mon Mar 30, 2020 3:20 pm
I've not quite found the right time to tell my girlfriend that I've bought it yet and with a toddler and a baby she wouldn't really see it as a 'family car'. Any suggestions gratefully received!

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=80633&p=1234285&hi ... t#p1234285

350matt · Post by **350matt** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:17 pm

agreed the RX8 is a family car

I use mine to run the kids about all the time
well that and I don't like driving the wife x type

njkmr · Post by **njkmr** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:59 pm

Shes going to have to go....the girlfriend that is..!
Nah im sure she will come to love the car like most people do. They are fairly practical to be honest and can do what most family cars can do , but with a bit more fun.
Looks great in the pics.

Post by **Delanor** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:12 pm

Nice to see you have started ownership with a great model of the RX-8, if not known your first stop should be to make sure the parts of the ignition system (plugs, leads and coils) are good quality and in good condition if needed don`t entertain cheap parts.

*
*
Del.

ChrisHolmes · Post by **ChrisHolmes** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:06 pm

You could demonstrate to her how easy it is to fit a child seat into the rear due to the way the doors hinge.

Post by **Honkytonk** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:20 pm

I've had four fully grown men in mine with no problems for space. Two of them were pissed and in the back so were basically children.

It's a proper 2+2 with more space than you'd think, isofix and easy to clean seats. Family car.

Phrase it in the way I did "I could have got a 2 seater..." and they come round.

Ainmhidh · Post by **Ainmhidh** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:27 pm

Unexpectedly capacious boot too! Just remember to stop at 2 kids!

GreySilver Beast · Post by **GreySilver Beast** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:32 pm

The Boot will take 3 cases of 6 bottle Wine Boxes at the back of the Boot

ChrisHolmes · Post by **ChrisHolmes** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:45 pm

You can load 2.4mtr boards and pipe through the drop down centre of the back seat.

30405 · Post by **30405** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 8:46 pm

Ainmhidh wrote:Unexpectedly capacious boot too! Just remember to stop at 2 kids!

I'd wager you can get more than 2 in the boot. Buts that's most likely age dependant.

goodeggbob · Post by **goodeggbob** » Mon Mar 30, 2020 9:09 pm

You could say how much it reminds you of her, curvacious,quiet,smooth and very responsive,then run.

bertrex · Post by **bertrex** » Tue Mar 31, 2020 11:17 am

Thank you all for some great and humourous suggestions - some would get me killed, some might actually help - particularly the 3 cases of wine. I'm going to bring the car home this afternoon so if I don't post again, she killed me. Her dad has a 1964 Rover P4 and he recently texted his wife saying, "Don't get too excited but I've bought another car." - a 1950 Rover P4 Cyclops. I told him I was considering following suit and asked how it went when he bought the Cyclops - his response, "Not good!".

Depending on the response, there might be a 40th Anniversary going cheap on eBay soon...

Post by **bigpete8** » Tue Mar 31, 2020 11:39 am

Dont forget if you go the isofix route you have facility for the top tether in the rx8 so dont need the strut support in the footwell.
I have manged to get a double buggy in the boot of mine....
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=75408&p=1116515&hil ... y#p1116515

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