I picked up my RX-8 in 2024, looking for a fun, cheap car for me to learn to drive manual with and to learn about working on cars in general. After browsing marketplace, I came upon this one in pretty clean shape. A test drive and compression test later, she was mine!
My first summer with her was all about getting out and driving, getting comfortable driving a manual. Along the way, I learned about regular maintenance, while also replacing the cracked windshield from when I bought it, troubleshooting a misfire with new plugs, wires, and coils, spray painting my calipers for a cheap, instant gratification mod, installing my new Tein Flex Z Coilovers, adding a Sohn adapter for the OMP, and customizing my interior with some JDM inspired, confetti fabric.
That first winter, I decided to do what all rotary owners do and that was rebuild my engine. It was closing in on 95k miles on the original engine, and while the compression numbers were still decent, I wanted to rebuild before the housings were shot. The entire winter was spent cleaning and learning about the Renesis engine. With new seals, the engine sparked back to life on the first crank of may 2025. It was easily one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life!
That summer (2025) more wear items were replaced on the RX-8. New tie rods removed an annoying clank, and brought the suspension to life. Transfluid and coolant were all drained and replaced.
The following winter is where my exterior mods arrived. I custom designed and fabricated a front splitter and side skirts. I also installed my 326 Powet replica wing/spoiler, and paint matched it too! Let's just say a lot of learning happened that winter. I also installed a new CarPlay system which was the first electrical I have ever touched on a car!
This summer (2026) has been all about driving when I can and just enjoying the car for the most part. I did custom fab a fuse box cover and installed a true cold air intake (ebay) to clean up the engine bay a little.
Future plans include:
- wheels & tires
- new bushings throughout suspension
- seats
- battery relocation
- wrap/livery???
This journey has been awesome and I plan on keeping this RX-8 on the road for a long time.
@rotaryrookie
