Ten days ago I became the proud owner of a 2008 Mazda RX-8: 40th Anniversary Edition, 6-speed manual transmission, Metropolitan Gray Mica exterior w/Cosmo Red interior. A couple of pictures – taken the day after I got it – can be seen here. This is my first new car in 14 years, and only my 4th car ever. This is my “I’m getting the car I’ve always wanted” car: it has power windows/locks, a sunroof, heated seats, etc. And it’s a sports car. All of my previous cars have been very basic, pretty much 4 tires and a steering wheel, so I’ve never had so much as power windows before.
So far I just love this car, though all of the warnings about gas mileage were very true. My favorite quote from the “Tell me about your Mazda RX-8” thread is:
I’d love to get that as a t-shirt: a couple of fish looking at an RX-8 and saying, “Wow, that guy can drink!” grin I’ll be filling it up for the second time tonight, at just shy of 400 miles. But it’s totally worth it.
I don’t care if you have a new car.
I don’t care if you have a new sports car.
I don’t care if you have a new really cool car.
I’ll bet you’re younger than me, too.
I don’t care but I sure am jealous.
It’s a great car and I wish I had one just like it. Enjoy.
I am usually not a big Mazda fan but this looks sweet. How big is the gas tank? Filling after 400 miles doesn’t seem so bad to me. Hell, my f-150 pickup only gets 10 mpg and I live 10 miles from the nearest store(ouch).
Thats why we pretty much only drive our Toyotas anymore. Me '91 4runner(4banger) and her a 2006 Camry(v-6).
You bought a nice car and I am happy for you. I remember the day I drove off in my 4Runner for the first time.
Cheers
I have no problem with this if you want to go print some up. Hell I’ll even buy one. Maybe you can generate some interest at an RX-8 forum and the profits will help defray the cost of filling your tank.
15.9 gallons. Tonight I put in 12.44 gallons, and the needle had been hovering a couple marks above “E.”
No, I filled it up for the second time after just shy of 400 miles. So far I’m filling the tank every 175-190 miles – but I don’t like to get it much below 1/4 tank. The average for these cars is 18-20mpg, but I’ll know for sure at the next fillup: I was finally able to reset one of my trip meters (I reset it the last time, but then took the car in for an accessory installation and they disconnected the battery).
Heh!
But now you have me wondering if one of my artist friends would be willing to draw something up… (Though I bet Mazda wouldn’t let me use a recognizeable image of the car, or its name.)
I just got back from the jar store and as I was leaving there was a slate, um, I mean, Metropolitan Gray RX-8 sitting right out front. It looked even better than the pictures. Smoking hot girl driving it as well I must say.
Woot
Oooooh, maybe the shirts could become limited edition!
Are you sure it was Metropolitan Gray? Did the car have a 40th Anniversary emblem on its side? Other RX-8s do come in a dark gray, but Metro Gray Mica is a limited edition color. Just a touch cooler-looking than the regular gray, if I say so myself.
I’m not smoking hot, but I’m pretty darn cute. Me and my car get a few looks.
The owner’s manual recommends checking the oil every other fill-up. There were no paper towels at my gas station tonight, so I’ll check the oil this weekend.
Nope, it uses premium fuel and 5W-20 oil. What it does use is more oil than a regular engine, by design: it uses a small amount of oil to keep the tip seals lubricated. Which is why you have to check the oil so often, and will usually add oil between changes.
Between the gas and the oil it is not a cheap car to maintain, but as soon as you drive one you know it’s worth it.
Welcome to the Mazda family. I once considered the RX-8 but ended up with a 3S because I preferred the ride comfort and fuel efficiency. My friend, a long-time Mazda RX-7 admirer (who’d never actually owned one), got so jealous of my acquisition that he went and got an RX-8 not long after … not to jones me but to finally make the move and get a Mazda. You could say I inspired him to finally take the plunge. The RX is a great ride that handles like it’s on rails. I love the 18" wheels so much that I bought a set from an RX-8 owner to put on my 3 during the summer, along with a set of BFGoodrich g-Force KDW2 tires. Now my 3 handles like it’s on rails too.
The Renesis engine does require a bit more TLC than a conventional car’s piston engine, but I think that just comes with the territory on such a unique machine. I know my friend is on almost constantly monitoring his oil level. Enjoy getting your Zoom Zoom on!
(Random strange observation: I find it interesting that I’m more comfortable in the back of the RX-8 than in the front passenger seat, hehe)
All of my previous cars have been very basic, pretty much 4 tires and a steering wheel, so I’ve never had so much as power windows before.
