Hi all.
I just feel like to share my experiences with S1 and S2.
I had S1 05 GT 6spd for about 4 years. (bought it used with 30k miles)
This was my first car I bought, first sports car, as well as first manual car.
Learning how to drive a manual was probably one of the best thing I've ever done in my life.
When I got the car, I did my homework so managed to not flood it at all. (no short trips)
The car just feels so good to drive it around, especially quiet and not so traffic heavy roads.
It may not have that straightline acceleration that other competitors have, but it has very forgiving nature (noob friendly) with decent amount of power.
Some problems I've encountered with S1 05 GT are:
1. Clutch squeak - fortunately it did not break while I owned it.
2. Broken engine mount - stealership ripped me off by not notifying me that I was able to get it replaced under warranty (mazda in cerritos area). Later I got the money back.
3. Engine compression going low- barely passed test...according to stealership. Inorder to get the replacement engine under warranty, compression must be under 5.8 or so(cant remember exact number), and mine was about 6.1
Still, the car had only 60K miles on it at that time, was only 5 years old.
Although warranty backed it for 8yrs 100k miles, living with fear of engine failure for a car that is only 5 yrs old? hmm...
4. expensive parts and maintenance costs- this is to be expected with sports car. But could be problematic for people with tight buget.
5. starter gone bad - another common problem with S1. replaced with AT starter. This also should NOT happen to a 5 years old car.
6. relatively high insurance cost - (relatively) young male driver with 1 ticket record = $300+/month or $2600/yr to be insured.
To sum it up, I had mostly powertrain related issues with S1 05 model.
After all that hassle, I moved on to S2 09 Touring 6spd about 2 years ago.
I did consider getting other cars such as used wrx/sti, new speed 3, used mustang gt but they just did not appeal to me.
Notably, mustang had too much body roll and it was just too heavy, which ruined my high expectation about iconic American muscle.
In defense of mustang, it did have great power. Unbeatable in that price range.
So I ended up with rx8 again; got used S2 with 22k miles.
I just loved this car too much to get other car.
My justifications were: there are no other cars around in this price range with 4 doors + rwd fun + handling capability + high revvying engine (very important).
Also, 09 model came with aux port which I always wanted.
I could say many issues related with drivability are resolved so far.
S2 even prevents you from doing over rev with 3 level limiter while engine is cold. (5k, 7k, then normal 9k)
No rough idle unlike my failing S1 engine, just occasional misfire can be felt.
But here comes catch.
Problems during my 2yrs of ownership with S2 (now at 51K miles):
1. Audio is gone - Bose system, no sound at all most of the time. It just gave up about 6 months ago.
Head unit works fine. So it is likely to be amp according to couple shops I've talked to.
Oddly it does work rarely during cold winter morning.
I was told replacing with oem will cost about one grand.
Shop owners advised me to just go all aftermarket for cheaper fix, which still will cost me minimum $500.
Well, I could live with no audio. Not an immediate danger.
2. Power windows dead - first, driver side dead about 8 months ago.
just yesterday, passenger side dead as well.
Checked with local mechanic today. Told me it would cost 300~400 to fix, depending on how many parts need to be replaced.
Not an immediate danger. Have sunroof that is still working...for now.
3. Faulty coolant senor. It had me freak out. (sht engine seal might have gone bad?) but later found its just faulty sensor (common in S2)
4. problems mentioned above should NOT happen to a 5 yrs old modern car.
It is a relief that audio/window problems do not compromise car's drivability.
But even most of the cheaper cars that are 5~6 yrs old do not have those problems.
Hell, even my father's 13 years old passenger car does not have problems other than some common automatic transmission issues and minor leaks from hoses, which is acceptable considering hes car has about 200K miles on it.
In summary, here are my opinion based on 6 yrs of ownership.
Pros
1. Best handling car in the price range. Very forgiving.
2. Unique engine that revs to 9k rpm (for manual only)
3. 4 doors 4 seats = lot more practical than 2dr coupes
4. drive feel is exceptional overall.
5. Surprisingly comfortable. I expected harsher ride.
Cons
1. Small things to keep in mind, such as not turning off the engine while cold, religiously maintaining oil level etc etc
2. Build quality is not quite there for a mass produced model. (except engine. its hand built)
3. Stealerships that love to take advantage of uninformed customers. (well this isn't mazda only issue but still...fking with my warranty? unacceptable. )
4. Unique engine - you need to find a good mechanic who knows how to deal with rotary engine if something goes wrong while you are out of warranty or stealership does not want to honor your warranty for some reason.
5. Regular maintenance could be costly. (coils, spark plugs, tires, breakpads etc)
Will I buy another mazda car? ABSOLUTELY NO.
Not even recommending it to my friends and family.
Actually I will STOP them from buying one.
How about next gen rotary car?
may be as a weekend car...just not within first 5~6 years of its release.
I really love the rotary engine and all
but dealing with sub-par build quality (durability) is not what i'd wanna get involved again in future.
may be im just getting old.
I just feel like to share my experiences with S1 and S2.
I had S1 05 GT 6spd for about 4 years. (bought it used with 30k miles)
This was my first car I bought, first sports car, as well as first manual car.
Learning how to drive a manual was probably one of the best thing I've ever done in my life.
When I got the car, I did my homework so managed to not flood it at all. (no short trips)
The car just feels so good to drive it around, especially quiet and not so traffic heavy roads.
It may not have that straightline acceleration that other competitors have, but it has very forgiving nature (noob friendly) with decent amount of power.
Some problems I've encountered with S1 05 GT are:
1. Clutch squeak - fortunately it did not break while I owned it.
2. Broken engine mount - stealership ripped me off by not notifying me that I was able to get it replaced under warranty (mazda in cerritos area). Later I got the money back.
3. Engine compression going low- barely passed test...according to stealership. Inorder to get the replacement engine under warranty, compression must be under 5.8 or so(cant remember exact number), and mine was about 6.1
Still, the car had only 60K miles on it at that time, was only 5 years old.
Although warranty backed it for 8yrs 100k miles, living with fear of engine failure for a car that is only 5 yrs old? hmm...
4. expensive parts and maintenance costs- this is to be expected with sports car. But could be problematic for people with tight buget.
5. starter gone bad - another common problem with S1. replaced with AT starter. This also should NOT happen to a 5 years old car.
6. relatively high insurance cost - (relatively) young male driver with 1 ticket record = $300+/month or $2600/yr to be insured.
To sum it up, I had mostly powertrain related issues with S1 05 model.
After all that hassle, I moved on to S2 09 Touring 6spd about 2 years ago.
I did consider getting other cars such as used wrx/sti, new speed 3, used mustang gt but they just did not appeal to me.
Notably, mustang had too much body roll and it was just too heavy, which ruined my high expectation about iconic American muscle.
In defense of mustang, it did have great power. Unbeatable in that price range.
So I ended up with rx8 again; got used S2 with 22k miles.
I just loved this car too much to get other car.
My justifications were: there are no other cars around in this price range with 4 doors + rwd fun + handling capability + high revvying engine (very important).
Also, 09 model came with aux port which I always wanted.
I could say many issues related with drivability are resolved so far.
S2 even prevents you from doing over rev with 3 level limiter while engine is cold. (5k, 7k, then normal 9k)
No rough idle unlike my failing S1 engine, just occasional misfire can be felt.
But here comes catch.
Problems during my 2yrs of ownership with S2 (now at 51K miles):
1. Audio is gone - Bose system, no sound at all most of the time. It just gave up about 6 months ago.
Head unit works fine. So it is likely to be amp according to couple shops I've talked to.
Oddly it does work rarely during cold winter morning.
I was told replacing with oem will cost about one grand.
Shop owners advised me to just go all aftermarket for cheaper fix, which still will cost me minimum $500.
Well, I could live with no audio. Not an immediate danger.
2. Power windows dead - first, driver side dead about 8 months ago.
just yesterday, passenger side dead as well.
Checked with local mechanic today. Told me it would cost 300~400 to fix, depending on how many parts need to be replaced.
Not an immediate danger. Have sunroof that is still working...for now.
3. Faulty coolant senor. It had me freak out. (sht engine seal might have gone bad?) but later found its just faulty sensor (common in S2)
4. problems mentioned above should NOT happen to a 5 yrs old modern car.
It is a relief that audio/window problems do not compromise car's drivability.
But even most of the cheaper cars that are 5~6 yrs old do not have those problems.
Hell, even my father's 13 years old passenger car does not have problems other than some common automatic transmission issues and minor leaks from hoses, which is acceptable considering hes car has about 200K miles on it.
In summary, here are my opinion based on 6 yrs of ownership.
Pros
1. Best handling car in the price range. Very forgiving.
2. Unique engine that revs to 9k rpm (for manual only)
3. 4 doors 4 seats = lot more practical than 2dr coupes
4. drive feel is exceptional overall.
5. Surprisingly comfortable. I expected harsher ride.
Cons
1. Small things to keep in mind, such as not turning off the engine while cold, religiously maintaining oil level etc etc
2. Build quality is not quite there for a mass produced model. (except engine. its hand built)
3. Stealerships that love to take advantage of uninformed customers. (well this isn't mazda only issue but still...fking with my warranty? unacceptable. )
4. Unique engine - you need to find a good mechanic who knows how to deal with rotary engine if something goes wrong while you are out of warranty or stealership does not want to honor your warranty for some reason.
5. Regular maintenance could be costly. (coils, spark plugs, tires, breakpads etc)
Will I buy another mazda car? ABSOLUTELY NO.
Not even recommending it to my friends and family.
Actually I will STOP them from buying one.
How about next gen rotary car?
may be as a weekend car...just not within first 5~6 years of its release.
I really love the rotary engine and all
but dealing with sub-par build quality (durability) is not what i'd wanna get involved again in future.
may be im just getting old.
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