Two more sleeps to go

[Magsrx8]

I'll be picking up my S1 on Friday and am a tad excited to say the least. I've done all my buyer research, having owned one in 2016 (and learnt about the joys of rotary engines) so have not rushed into buying but having found the right one, I'm very much looking forward to picking her up and driving her home.

Mid life crisis?

Maybe but I've not felt this excited at 'xmas' time since I was a kid!

Am sure you all have fond memories of your maiden drives in an 8 so any do's and don'ts would be much appreciated...

[warpc0il]

Do drive in one gear lower than normal.
Do try not to grin like an idiot when you see your reflection in shop windows.

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[Magsrx8]

Thanks Dave, I'll bear that in mind but make no guarantees about not grinning like an idiot I'm afraid.

[nightfire10]

Don't worry about when to change gear ;you'll hear a BEEP telling you it's ready for the next gear

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[Shagrington]

Exciting I'm not sure how much use you got from your last one, so I'll post my usual ... 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.

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.

[SeriousSam]

Do try to get the engine over 6500 RPM on a reasonably regular basis, it will thank you for it in the long run.

Try your hardest not to grin like a loon when you first hit the beep in second gear. You'll fail, because we all did (still do if we're honest), but it's rude not to try.

Also don't beep it until it's up to temperature. Takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the proper temperature for that sort of thing, but it's worth the wait.

[Magsrx8]

Thanks Shag & Sam, that's very handy.

I've picked her up and driven the 130 miles home and she was absolutely awesome, although I didn't see many reflections to gauge my grin size so will have to try harder.

Will post up some pics etc once I've given her a good detailed clean but am in love already. Reckon I've got an absolute bargain too looking at the rest of the market but may pick some OC brains re insurance valuation, as the mileage is ridiculously low and it's in mint condition.

Loving the beeps too, felt like roadrunner around a load of wiley coyotes!

[HarSc]

Awesome to hear! Definitely get some pics up too - us lot on here rather enjoy looking at new buys and what 8's are out there in good hands

[Magsrx8]

So had the car for a day now and am absolutely loving it, starts on a button, purrs like...a rotary engine does...and drives beautifully. One happy chappy right here.

The only fault I've found so far is the clock wasn't right as hadn't taken daylight savings into account lol

[nightfire10]

How many miles

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[Magsrx8]

She had 10,589 genuine miles on the clock when I collected her yesterday.

[HarSc]

Wow, that's crazy low! Nice find!

[Magsrx8]

She's a great find, especially when I see the price that BostonRotary is selling his blue one for, as it has comparable mileage to mine. Xmas came early this year for sure.

[Delanor]

Do try not to grin like an idiot when you see your reflection in shop windows.

17 years later and it still happens to me - a hopeless case I`m afraid!

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