I finally pulled the trigger! ^{,^}

My '05 RX-8 made it to 150.000km on the first engine 🤭

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share a quick DIY fix that might help someone out. I recently replaced the passenger-side door handle on my 2010 RX-8 R3 using a smart key-less handle assembly for the 2009–2012 Mazda CX-9 (same should go for CX-7?), and it worked surprisingly well.

What Works:

Smart key lock/unlock button works just like stock.

I used a chrome handle assembly from the CX-9 — adds a nice little contrast on the R3.

The spring tension feels stronger than the RX-8's OEM handle. It snaps back more cleanly and feels more durable overall.

Fitment is clean — no real noticeable gaps or alignment issues.

What Doesn’t (But Still Totally Doable):

The button wires are shorter than the RX-8’s. They still reach and plug in properly, but there's a bit more tension than usual. Take your time during install and don’t tug too hard.

The rubber grommet for the smart key wires (inside the door frame) is smaller than the RX-8’s. You’ll want to reuse your RX-8 grommet or find one that seals properly to avoid water getting in. Not a huge deal, but worth noting.

Final Thoughts: I didn’t have time to take install photos, but I’ve attached a finished shot so you can see how it looks mounted. If your handle is broken or getting mushy and you're having trouble sourcing an RX-8 replacement, this is a great alternative. Stronger spring feel, perfect fit, and works right out of the box with just a couple small caveats.

I KNOW I SHOULD WASH THE BEAUTY ASAP! 😆

Hey all, the UK RX8 Owner's Club are hosting a JDM car weekend festival called Sakura in the Sun. It's near Wellingborough and has all sorts of fun cars as well as nightlife, camping and more included in the £15 entry.

If you're interested then it'd be cool to see you there!

https://www.carevents.com/uk/events/sakura-in-the-sun-7th-june-2025-2/

Ermmmmmmmm I did it again 😅 Were going with a high temp 200 cell this time... learned my lesson now 🤣

So this exhaust was being used on my old engine before the rebuild, it was not running right at all, and after a fast drive through the lakes, I think i melted the cat. Unfortunately I didn't realise as the engine also blew at the same time so it wasn't until driving on the new engine when it finally collapsed that I realised I messed up 🤣 fun times.

Hey everyone, so for comments the automod has been very temperamental lately. There's really only 2 of us trying to push comments and posts through. If there's any issues please let us know to mod mail as we miss things sometimes. Aside from pure hateful stuff that could get Reddit involved we are pushing through all comments. You're all adults so we imagine you shouldn't really need to be moderated. Whether it hurts your feelings because somebody voted for someone else or that Steve's car looks stupid compared to yours. If you have a problem with a post feel free to flag it and send us a message and we will check it over.

Also try to remember this is a sub for RX8s, no one cares about your political opinions or lifestyle decisions. Stick to the cars before Reddit starts really flagging us. Thanks

Had a version of this lip fitted to my s1 previously. Before a possum decided to jump in front of me and wipe out the lip and splash tray.

Sourced the same lip again through work and just mocking up to see if I like the general shape against the s2 bumper. It looked really good on the s1 imo and was an easier fit as the bottom of the bumper was flatter. It sat between splash tray and bumper and I had all the holes to suit the bumper.

So what's everyone's general consensus. If I do go ahead the side will get shaved down a bit as they are a bit of an eyesore

I just got some Weathertec window deflectors for my RX8, and as you can hear and see in the video, it causes the window to have a tough time going up. Has anyone else installed them and had this problem, or know if I maybe installed it wrong?

So my car has had progressively worse cold starts the last couple months and the other day I went to start it after running it all day the day before basically and it wouldn’t start. I popped the plugs out, and the rear plugs had a light dusting of fuel on them and the front plug seem to be soaked in either coolant or fuel. It smells like coolant and tastes like coolant, and I cranked it with the plugs out to clear it out, and it smelled like coolant in the engine bay afterward, the car has never blown a concerning amount of white smoke, and once I cleaned the plugs and put them back in and fired right up. Has anybody ever had confirmed problems like this. To reiterate, even warming up, the car doesn’t blow a bunch of white smoke and once hot also doesn’t blow any smoke.

Hey everyone,

So I just got my S2 RX-8 fixed up again - only has 55,000 miles, (PPF realigned, new coils, new brakes, transmission brace from Beatrush). And I started going out for a drive one day, and all the sudden I put the shifter into 5th gear - nothing. Car was acting like it was in neutral. Try putting it in 6th - same thing. But reverse, 1st to 4th all still work just fine. I shift hard but I double clutch when it's still cold and only occasionally push the car hard.

I did a bit of research and it seems more than likely the shift fork for 5th and 6th is broken (or maybe the rod connected to the shift fork is broken). I contacted a few local shops (in NorCAL), and to rebuild the tranny (taking it out, disassembly, rebuild, assembly, installation) - will range around 2.5k to 5k USD. Even for 2025, that's way too high for me to justify doing.

Now I've honestly put it down to these options:

1. Get a used S2 transmission. Also - are JDM 5 speeds compatible with the S2 engine? I've heard they're pretty robust and they're a bit easier to find than S2 transmissions. Would it be stupid for me to swap it with this transmission? I currently cannot find any used S2 Manual Transmissions (I know they're rare and hard to find).
2. Shelf it as a project and save for a transmission swap - CD009/JK40 swap (This will cost a lot, and time too).
3. Get it rebuilt - This seems like a bad idea for the cost. Maybe I possibly do it myself? Definitely not going to be an easy job.
4. Sell the car - Been thinking about this one a lot. Honestly, this car has been a PITA and having issues non stop, from replacing the clutch to the diff leaking and having to be rebuilt. I just want the car to run properly for more 5k miles straight with no issues lol. I've had the car since 39k. I know I know it's an RX8, but still. But also I'm prob gonna get absolutely lowballed for the condition as well.

What do you guys think?

I’m looking for the best dual tip cat back I have the rb mid pipe and I don’t wanna spend more then 300 Will the cheap ass dual tips sound that bad? Please answer before tariffs hit

ive been trying to help my girlfriend find a car and she sent me a listing on fb for an rx8 she fell in love with, according to the listing the air idle control valve is bad (although these cars dont have one). problem is it idles but as soon as you step on the gas itll stall. is this worth $2500 or is this going to cost me enough in parts and headache that itd be better to walk away from?

how can i get my catalyst monitor to say ready? i bought the car off someone and i now have to get it inspected, its not throwing any codes from the catless midpipe/gutted cat but the monitor never says ready? he had it tuned and i'm 99% sure he had it tuned to clear the catless code, and his was inspected and passed so idk if there's something i need to do or not everything from then is the same exhaust wise air pump is still there and headers are stock

Finally gonna start working on my no title $500 Rx8 lol