I'm getting quite interested in the RX-8 just because it's so quirky and so different - a refreshing change from the normal run of the mill stuff.. I like that a lot...
I discovered it's possible to get trapped in an RX-8 yesterday. We were looking at the rear seats and how you gain access to them via the suicide doors. Initially it looks like the rear seats are only usable by people with no legs but in fact someone of my size can sit in the rear with a full complement of legs but one's knees are around one's ears and it's not comfy...
One big worry is once you're in and the doors are shut you can't get out

You're trapped and totally at the mercy of others to allow you out...
Looks like the engine is toast though. It does run but very badly and with lost of smoke and vibration. One plug looks suspiciously clean; it looks wile it has been wiped by a rotor and it has some rather worrying witness marks on it...
That was just a diversion yesterday as the main work was to replace an Activa clutch and reassemble the dash after the heater matrix change well before Christmas... I did the dash whilst Chris and Liam did the clutch. They found a much better way of doing it by not removing the gearbox completely, just moving it to one side. It saved hours of work and swearing and made the job quite straightforward really - as long as you have a stubby enough alignment tool.
We were all pleased at how smoothly and easily the gearbox wet back onto the engine...
Main reason for getting the Activa mobile right now is so that it can vacate the hard-standing area in favour of the RX-8 as we're all as keen as mustard to get stuck into sorting the poorly Mazda..
I'm sure thought that as soon as Chris's Activa is mobile again he'll be unable to resist her charms...
I fear this blog might get full of RX-8 stuff soon.. Sorry but I hope it'll be interesting...
I hasten to add though, despite my great interest, the RX-8 is not mine and I do not intend to acquire one even though I'm getting to like them a lot...