I own a 2004 Mazda RX8 with 67,900 miles. The entire engine needs to be replaced because of an internal fault failure. I am being charged 8,500 to have the engine replaced. I am very frustrated with a 3 year old car with mid mileage needing an engine replacement. I am a teacher and don't have the salary to replace a car every 3 years or at 67,900 miles. According to the dealer there is potential for fire.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

I purchased my 2004 Mazda Rx-8 in March 2005 and problems with the check engine light coming on did not start until April 2006. At that time the car had approximately 26,000 miles on it (I have a long commute 90% of which is freeway). The first several times back to the dealer minor things were adjusted or cleaned such as the spark plugs and a small valve a kit to a butterfly valve in a carburetor engine. Eventually the valve was replaced, but the light still came back on. In fact, on one occasion the car was pulled out of the shop doors pronounced fixed and upon my starting it again the light was back on. Eventually Mazda approved that the intake manifold be replaced, which it was. The check engine light has stayed off since that replacement (about 3-months), but other problems have arisen. First, either the intake or exhaust heads were not sealed correctly since the engine sounds like it is coming through the dash. This has been pointed out but never properly repaired. Now, as of August 3, 2007 the car's electrical system completely shuts down. This has happened on 3 occasions where without any warning the car shuts down. The needles in the dials on the dash bounce wildly back and forth while a clicking sound is coming from the fuse box in the engine. Needless to say the car is back in for it's 10th visit to the Mazda dealership in cleveland. I have started the buy back procedure with Mazda.

- North Olmsted, OH, USA

Problems with rotary engine starting. Usually happens at a temperature below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Poor ignition system for colder weather. I have had issues with it each winter I have owned the car(2004 to present day). A trip to the dealer has been necessary each time and while the warranty is still valid, this is an inconvenience but it's after the expiration is when I worry. A recall was noted and repairs were completed the fall of 2006 but the same thing happened yesterday. This recall included spark plug replacement, battery replacement, starter motor replacement, and reprogramming the onboard computer chip for ignition changes. The new starter motor made significant changes to starting time but didn't change it's condition in colder weather. The Mazda dealer has been little help in resolving the situation. Their remedy has been just treating the symptoms and not figuring on a solution to the ignition problem. They have told me repeatedly that "these cars do not like cold weather" and "these cars do not like short trips". I would figure that if a combustion motor cannot start in temperatures below 25 degrees F, then they should offer a better car/motor replacement.

- Cahokia, IL, USA

This is the second complaint in 3 months regarding my new 2004 Mazda Rx-8. in December 2004, it would not crank due to the engine coolant problem. Supposedly, this issue was taken care of for the second time. Now, today, 3/21/05, the car sitting in the garage with 55 degree weather will not crank again. I would advice anyone interesting in purchasing this car - don't. after talking with the dealership where I purchased it as well as the Mazda corporation - I get no where except to say they will send a book to tell me the correct way to crank it. I have been driving different vehicles for 26 years - I don't need a book telling me this.

- Carrollton, GA, USA

I purchased my automatic RX8 in late Jan. 2004. As I write this, I have averaged 14.3 mpg with mixed driving conditions (city and highway) during my first 3000 miles. My worst tankful was 12.3 mpg. Mazda North America refuses to address my issue, which is: My fuel economy is well below the estimated fuel economy on the sticker. Either there is something wrong with my RX8 or Mazda has intentionally misrepresented the fuel economy of the RX8.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

If the car stalls after a cold start, it is either very difficult or impossible to restart. Using the procedure in the owners manual for this situation will work, if the battery does not fail first. I have had this happen twice, once the car was towed. The second time, the battery died while attempting a restart per the owners manual, but the car was in the garage and I recharged the battery and eventually got the car started.

- Walpole, MA, USA

Mazda Rx-8, purchased Dec 24th, 2003.F the vehicle 'stalls' when cold, the engine become non-restartable (even following the manif's deflooding procedure) and needs to be returned to the dealership to be "fixed". causing a major safety hazard at rail-road tracks, intersections, and extreem conditions (such as driving far from home eg. Camping, and mountain driving).

- Austin, TX, USA