Mazda RX-8 Forum

• The headlamp dipped beam pattern on both the 192 & 231 has a specific beam of light above the main cut-off that is there to illuminate overhead reflective road signs. This pattern can be seen as a straight line if you drive up close to a vertical wall.
• The RX-8 steering wheel has a magnesium core to save weight.
• The front seatbelts can be buckled into the rear seatbelt clasp but cannot be unclasped. DO NOT DO THIS!
• The RENESIS rotary engine utilises a metered oil pump to inject a small amount of oil onto the apex seals of each rotor to keep them lubricated and reduce failure.
• The high frequency sound you hear under the hood when the key is on but the engine is off is the electric throttle actuator pushing the throttle butterfly toward closed, waiting for you to start the engine.
• Every time you first start driving the RX-8 there is an audible thump heard from the car. That is the ABS braking system performing a self-test.
• The manual RX-8 models have a carbon fibre drive shaft (the non-UK auto has a steel drive shaft).
• There is a Seat Track Position Sensor that tells the onboard airbag system what position your seat is in.
• The BOSE sound system is tuned differently for a Mazda RX-8 with leather upholstery as opposed to one equipped with a cloth trim
• The 190 has larger secondary fuel injectors than the 230.

I found this forum post about RX8 facts and thought you guys might like them! There are loads more in the post, interesting stuff for owners :)

What do you guys think about owning a mazda rx-8 at 18 years old ? What’s insurance like on this car ?

So I looked at a rx 8 today.
It ran 134k km total, it’s from 2004, 231hp and what it seems like everything you could ask for for features.
It was a bit dark I didn’t look much at the paint.
First of all: is the little rotary styled brake light between the exhausts really the third brake light?
The guy who sells it tried to start it at first and for like 15 minutes cranked it and when it finally started it blew a lot of gas out of the exhausts. Can there be a damage now because of that? I know rotarys don’t like cranking too excessive.
How long lasting are apex seals?
The car has brembo brakes. Are they stock?
It’s pretty low. I got about 2-3 fingers between wheelgap. Any chance of aftermarket dampers?

Any tips for a new owner?
I already found a place with an rotary expert. I may be calling them to know if he’s still with them or not.

Alright this is a question that can be answered with a simple google search but i want to hear from actual owners.

Im looking at buying an intake for my RX8 and i have narrowed my search to three:

1. K&N Typhoon
2. RacingBeat Rev-i + air duct
3. Injen

I know that all of these intakes give minimal to no hp gains but i want one for a smoother idle, cooler air, and of course the sound.
The K&N is the one im most interested in because it is only $320 new w/free shipping. The other intakes will be $500+ and shipping.

I only use my RX8 3-4 times a week in usually dry conditions but sometimes in rain. I would like to start tracking it aswell.

I want to know what other owners would recommend. I already know about the AEM/MS intake but i dont really want to remove my bumper to install it.
Thanks in advance!