From today's Automotive News via "Leftlane News":

Mazda to recall nearly all RX-8s




Mazda will recall all 2004, 2005, and many 2006 model year RX-8 sports cars to address an issue with the vehicle's unique rotary engine, according to trade publication Automotive News. The automaker is expected to officially announced the voluntary recall some time this week. Many engines will need to be replaced, according to the report. The move comes after the Japanese automaker came under fire from consumers over a number of serious problems with the engine. The issue involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks. Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced.

Anyone still want to take an RX-8 over a Crossfire?

 

ouch! that could get expensive.

 

Good thing I didn't buy an RX-8... that SUCKS!

 

Does the name "Gulf Coast" ring a bell? I hope he doesn't regret his RX-8 purchase over that of a Crossfire.

 

My thoughts exactly. I remember his posts well...

 

I have just one question. Does that recall fall under the "nit-pickin" problems category?

 

Only if you consider your engine to be a minor "nit," I suppose.

 

well it is a small engine no?

 

I did, lucky I sold it and replaced it with a roadster about 2 month ago.

 

Which is the most fun to drive?

 

If you go back and look at gulf coasts last thread in july, i think you will see +fireamx was making a feeble attempt at saying "i told you so".

 

Understood. Let's see if GulfCoast checks back with this forum to report on his purchase, as he wrote he would do. It will be interesting to hear his opinion in light of the recall.

 

I bought an RX-8 then retuned it after I found body damage on the car, and was seriously looking at another one before I bought my Xfire. I didn't buy one just because of posts on the RX8-Club board (just like this one). Glad I didn't get one. The RX has a marvelous shifting 6 speed, and of course the 4 seats, however the Xfire is a much better highway cruiser (smooth ride, awesome handling), better gas mileage, and awesome sound system (by far, the worst sounding premium factory system in existence is the Bose system in the RX-8 that was very difficult to replace, decent nav system though). I've seen that the RX-8 does not hold up well either, it basically shakes itself apart on the inside. It was a great concept with a poor execution (sounds like a GM). I know now I made the right choice.

Besides, the WOW factor just isn't there with the RX-8 as it is with the Xfire...nobody stares at an RX-8 driving down the road.

 

Feeble?...FEEBLE!!... I resent that. I think I made a perfectly legitimate attempt at saying, "I told you so." Besides, it doesn't matter. Nobody listens to us "old guys" anyway.
Actually I hope Gulf Coast gets a new engine out of the recall. When you think about it, it's not a bad deal. Purchase a pre-owned car at a greatly reduced "used car" price, and get a brand new engine installed by factory trained mechanics all for free.
The RX-8 owners that I really feel sorry for are the ones whose cars pass the vacuum test, and Mazda doesn't replace their engines. You know they will never have any faith in their cars after that, because they will just keep waiting for their engines to eventually go bad. On top of that, it will hurt their resale, because all other potential owners are going to be skeptical about any car that hasn't had the engine replaced. So it's a bad situation for Mazda's credibility, and for any RX-8 owners pocketbook, and peace of mind.
Personally, I like all the previous "RX" models, I'm just not crazy about the RX-8's styling from the "B" pillar back. And the thought of a "4 door" sports car goes against every fiber of my being. Sure it's more practical, but I think it was BullFrog who pointed out (in another thread) aren't true sports cars supposed to be impractical?
I applaud Mazda for "pushing the envelope" with just about all the rotary engine models it's ever produced. Nearly everyone was ground breaking in one way or another. But unfortunately with almost every new model came the inevitable "teething" problems. You would think that after 35+ years of "fiddling" with that engine, they could get it right.

 

Have you seen the "engine" on the RX-8?

I think it "snaps" in. . Hummm.

 

I got the inside scoop on this from a buddy of mine that drives an RX8. Apparently the problems were caused by software that didn't open up some kind of oil venting valve system properly. The resultant backup of oil caused a seal to fail and let excessive amounts of oil into the intake/exhaust flow, which fouled the catalytic converter. If the problem is caught early enough and the software is updated then everything is fine, but if its not caught in time the owner gets a new engine. From what he's telling me it looks lime Mazda is going to replace the engine every RX8 made since 2004.

Man, that's gonna be expensive...

 

Hello all. As an RX-8 owner for 3 years, (2004 sport 6 spd.) I can honestly say that there is no way I would rather have any other car than the one I have! I LOVE the high-revving engine, the vibration-free ride, the 50/50 weight dist., the handling, the "tracks like it's on rails" cornering, the 9,000K RPM get-it-to-68 mph-in-2nd gear, the almost non existent body roll (partially thanks to RB larger front/rear sway bars and larger RB end links), the interior comfort and the factory stereo (100 watt.) I have had no problems with excessive oil-burning or flooding or any of the other "common" complaints. I have driven many sports cars and sporty cars and would not trade my 8 for any of them. I am just wondering how many of you have actually driven an 8! And I do mean DRIVEN. Not just a quick 15 min ride around the block. And by the way, I DO get PLENTY of looks as my 8 rolls down the road, or parks in a lot (and people still wanna ask me questions about my car)! This is posted by a hot, blonde, blue-eyed female who knows a lot more than just how to put gas in a car and go.

 

~ LOL ... any pics for support?

 

what...me or my 8???

 

~ we all know what an 8 looks like.