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Ah. I thought this was a well-known problem:

"We probably wouldn't have cared too much about the RX-8's sheik-friendly ways, except that there was another problem. The car didn't like cold mornings.

It transpires that the Renesis 13B rotary is prone to flooding if you fire it up and then shut it down before it gets up to operating temperature. The RX-8's manual specifically states that you should warm up the engine in really cold weather-0 degree Fahrenheit or lower-and use minimal throttle for starting. Once the engine is flooded, Mazda advises flooring the gas (which shuts off the fuel pump) or using no throttle at all.

The starting problem wasn't unique to our car, as both Mazda and Internet chat rooms acknowledge. Mazda says that, weirdly, only some cars have been affected by cold-starting woes, which the company has partially redressed by changing the spark plugs and retrofitting batteries with more cranking power."


More details: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/coupes/0507_2004_mazda_rx8/  

Hi I live in Vegas have had same problem what attorney did you use? I give up. The rx8 has been at the dealer for the last 2 weeks. Car stalled in stop and go traffic on 215. Has done this once in the past and was in the shop for three weeks last year. I just want my money back and I will buy a Honda. any help would be appreciated.  

just bought 2004 rx8 16000 miles i had the car 2 day,s and had to put in shop for fuel problems .dealer replaced engine is this thefix or am i going to become a shop mouse ?? someone please let me know before i,m stuck.  

from other peoples responses, it doesnt look good cbransky  

I too live in Las Vegas. My 2005 RX8 has been in the shop 10 times for excessive vibration when idle. They put in a new enging last week. (did not solve the problem)
I'm attempting to have have Mazda buy back this peice of crap thru the Lemon Law process. However, it has been over 8 months. Who was your consumers rights lawyer and how long did it take you to settle.

I've been squeaking but have yet to be greased!!  

could you provide me your lawyer's name and phone number?  I will likely have to sue Mazda and the dealer.  Thanks  

I am experiencing the same problems.  I intend to sue Mazda and the dealer as well.  How did your suit come out?  Could you send me whatever pleadings/complaint/petition you prepared and whatever information you obtained from Mazda?  Thanks  

I am just now having the same stalling problems with my AT rx8. I don't know what to do. Looks like I may have to sue also. I am going to the mazda place today to have them "not know" what to do with it. I am going to ask what the process is for them to buy back my unsafe vehicle. Sounds like it will be a waste of time though. What should I *** Just sell it and cut the losses? Mazda needs to own up to their unreliable cars before someone gets killed for stalling out in the middle of an intersection. How can this be legal??  

I too have had similar ordeals with my 04 rx8. I've had a new transmission (2 mos after I bought the car!) and we've been in and out of the dealership too many times to couint. Not only is the transmission slipping AGAIN, but I suspect engine trouble this time around. My stereing wheele also seems to slack when I come to a stop. This is really scary, especially with that ball joint recall. Let me know where to get more info.  

I have a 2004 RX-8 AT with 44,000 miles on it.
My problems started at one morning when the car almost started, coughed, and refused to start.  Since then it has been towed three times and in the shop five or six times.  Lately it has started stalling a slow speeds and will not restart.
The normal repairs made by Mazda is to replace the spark plugs and the battery.  One time they replaced the air manifold and the air inlet "shutters".
Today I send Mazda a certified letter informing them under the North Carolina Lemon Law that I wanted to return the car.
We'll see what happens...  

I have a 2004 RX-8 AT with 44,000 miles on it.
My problems started at one morning when the car almost started, coughed, and refused to start.  Since then it has been towed three times and in the shop five or six times.  Lately it has started stalling a slow speeds and will not restart.
The normal repairs made by Mazda is to replace the spark plugs and the battery.  One time they replaced the air manifold and the air inlet "shutters".
Today I send Mazda a certified letter informing them under the North Carolina Lemon Law that I wanted to return the car.
We'll see what happens...  

I had a 04 RX8 as well.
It ended going to the dealership about 18 times.
the car looked cool, the inside was cheap and flimsy.
the issues that I had:
-engine flooded
-9x to churn engine
-rear tail light had condensation
-vanity mirror fell off, while I was driving.
-ashtray hatch broke off.

about a year and half later traded in the clunker for a 05 4Runner.
needless to say, I will not be getting a Mazda again.
I will stick w/ Toyota.  

stallednalabama:
I too have had similar ordeals with my 04 rx8. I've had a new transmission (2 mos after I bought the car!) and we've been in and out of the dealership too many times to couint. Not only is the transmission slipping AGAIN, but I suspect engine trouble this time around. My stereing wheele also seems to slack when I come to a stop. This is really scary, especially with that ball joint recall. Let me know where to get more info.

I too am from Alabama. My car is exhibitting the same problem as listed by others (vibrating, stalling at stop lights, etc.). It has been in the shop 5 times. As a matter of fact it is in the shop now and I have just been informed by the dealer that a new engine will be installed. From what I read from others, this may not be the solution. If anybody knows of any legal action that has been taken in Alabama on this problem, please respond. The Lemon law will not apply because the problem started at 16000 miles and 1.5 years after i purchased the car.  

Hi beyondvegas,
               I've just read your posting on noticeboard about your car problems, which i'm glad to hear you've resolved. Have you any idea what the problem was that caused yor car to stall. I ve got a Mazda E2200 diesel panel van which I bought from new in 2000 and now has got 85,000 miles on clock. Last summer and now this summer the van will stall for no apperent reason, After 5 minutes or so I can start it again . I'd be gratfull if you got any ideas,

              Regards Andy  

I have had all the same problems.  My 2004 AT RX8 finally stalled in rush hour traffic and would not start up again for a few minutes.  It started up just long enough to pull over to the side of the freeway.  It died 4 more times until I reached a safe location and called a tow truck.  This is the third time I have complained to the dealership about these "symptoms".  They have given me the same response...they don't know what is wrong.  This time, however, they are replacing my engine.  The service manager did not deny that this is becoming more and more common.  He has been cooperative and says I will have my car back within one week.  I feel like I should get rid of this car immediately.  If they can't correct the original engine, can they reproduce a new one?  Has anyone had problems with their replacement engine?