First RX8 Adventure

[seani_]

Hi,

After owning a few scoobies I've switched sides to the RX8 crew!

I was considering a Nissan GTR or M2/M4,and even a new Cupra but they are just too much to enjoy on the roads - I was after the experience and thrill under 100MPH and the RX8 ticked the box!

Eyes wide open I bought an R3, with full (specialist) service history and tests. Yeah, this is going to be a journey and already hitting opportunities with the decat (instant MOT fail but perhaps a whole new system?) but oh so happy with the car!!

Looking forwards to spending hours sorting fuses issues, oil choice and telling people not to drive the car just 10 meters.

Sean

[HarSc]

Sean!

Lovely to hear you bought an R3 (which are the best - ask me how I know ) sounds good though! Be sure to get some pics up - I know us lot do enjoy looking at some new cars people have got

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi Sean & to the RX-8OC

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[Shagrington]

Hi and seani_. 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 with the R3 you do have a redline that rises with the coolant temperature (as shown with the lights on the rev counter) but I still think the above advice is good as it allows time for the oil 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 (including access to all the workshop and technical manuals), local meets (they were all postponed but have been starting up again recently) - 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.

[*thomas*]

Welcome to the awesome world of rotaries. I've owned a few Subies before (and still have one with a 6 cilinder as my daily car), but the rx8 is a great car and offers lots off thrills at lower (licence-friendly) speeds.