I was missing my GPS manual for the car –no biggie but there were a few functions that I couldn’t figure out (turns out they’re not actually enabled in the car). Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to write a letter to Mazda asking things like “why can’t I fit cruise control in my RX-8” and “why doesn’t the TMC/RDS work in my RX-8”.

Clearly Mazda didn’t like me asking questions –the response? They replied but didn’t attach any postage! –Genius! Don’t believe me? Check these photo...

For those of you interested, Mazda’s official response on the lack of TMC/RDS (traffic announcements linked to the GPS) is it costs a lot to subscribe...

I’ve been a member of the RX-8 Owners Club since I bought the 8 –a little sad but there’s great discounts and help on the forums so I thought it was worth the £30pa, anyhow, they’ve had the converted 300mile club on the forum for a while which I’ve wanted to get into however as most of my trips are 200miles it means the last bit of fuel is wasted on city driving (not the most efficient) so any attempt was lost.

Stacey and I had our 5 year anniversary this weekend so I suggested a trip to Scotland to celebrate –fancy that, just over 300miles to the hotel (303 according to the sat nav) and some super A roads, not sure what influenced that!

Anyway, on the way up we took a slight detour and got stuck in hours of traffic on the M6, not to mention torrential downpours so I took it nice and easy and I’m pleased to announce I made it into the 300mile club! WOOHOO!! I’m sure I was running on fumes in the end as I went about 35miles on the light.

What I loved the most though was on the way home we took a slight detour through the highlands to have a bit of a play (testing out what I’d learnt on the track day a few weekends ago) so I wasn't easy on the throttle and by the time I filled up there was only 16miles difference in the fuel economy... What a car!

I know it’s a little concerning being pleased about getting 300miles out of a 50L tank (around 24mpg) but most 8’s can’t make it over 250 let alone 300!

Here are some shots of the car on the trip home (very artsy :P) I'll post some on the Falkirk Wheel and Edinburgh later.

So after nearly 3months of waiting (or it may have been over 3 months actually), we finally picked up the RX-8 (referred to as "the 8") yesterday. Having waited this long I had everything planned and ready to go.

After sorting out the final payments etc and having a quick look around the car, we were off! I can’t even begin to describe how pleased I am with the car, it’s so much fun to drive and not only that, I don’t think the fuel efficiency is too bad. I’ve done 440miles so far and on my first full tank I managed 277.5miles (mostly motorways but there were a couple of hours pottering around town) that works out at 22.2mpg which baring in mind this is the break-in period that uses more fuel than after around 4k miles...

I really can’t fault the car so far, because you’re meant to “break the car in” for the first 600 miles or so, I’m being very careful not to push it too much but boy what fun, without taking it over 5k ish revs I’ve been getting out every time with a massive smile! Don’t get me started on the looks Stacey and I have been getting from clearly very envious pedestrians…

If I had to pick a fault with it I’d be hard pushed to, the price was great, insurance less than I was paying for a 1.2l Corsa 3 years ago (though I do have 1years NCD now!!), fuel efficiency not bad for a 231bhp, the drive’s so much fun, the look is incredible and build feels quality and solid. Top marks for Mazda me thinks! 3 years of wanting one, 3 months till I got it and totally worth it!!

You’re all more than welcome to come and have a play in it sometime, I don’t think I’ll be needing an excuse to take her out! For now though, here are some photos.

The first time I had to park it and leave it ;)

Proof the mpg aren't really THAT bad...

These are more for the 8 guys, but it shows the new Air Conditioner grill fitted by Mazda, it’s only covering 1/3rd of the intake and not at all on the oil cooler so I think I’ll be adding the vents :)

It's been brought to my attention that some people out there STILL don't know what the RX-8 looks like so I thought I'd post a little photo of it here for you:

Visit Mazda's RX-8 Showcase Site

I'll try and post a few more later of the interior etc.

Ok, so my RX-8's on it's way over to Rotterdam and should be here in the UK around the 4th, so I thought it was time to start planning a road trip. I've been thinking about a raod trip for a while now and previously I was thinking of going to Italy via Germany but seeing as a friend has just moved to Copenhagen I thought it made sense to pop over there too.

For those of you interested, this is my initial plan:

Distance: 3,449.85 miles
Time: 60hrs 46mins
Toll costs: 143.18 GBP
Road tax cost: 5.14 GBP

Based on 25mpg and an average of £0.90per litre (I'm hoping its cheaper in Europe than here):

Petrol costs: 496.78 GBP
Giving total costs:  645.10 GBP + food/accommodation

Stopping off at:

• Rotterdam
• Hamburg
• Copenhagen
• Berlin
• Nurnberg
• Verona
• San Marino (it’s only a small detour)
• Rome
• Napoli
• Amalfi
• Genova
• Dijon
• Chalons-on-Champagne
• Calais
• Dover
• London…

The Route

After a sleepless night I decided to give the dealer a call to find out what the score was with my RX-8, apparently it's been built and its on the way over from Japan to Rotterdam where it will go through a few final customisations for the UK before being sent to the dealer for the final trimmings.

It's all most exciting!

I also found out an interesting fact, I was wondering how they manage to keep the delivery miles so low, it turns out when its being shipped its put into Transit Mode (or something like that) where the speedo is deactivated, then when it arrives at the dealership, they take a week to make it roadworthy etc.

The long and short of it is that it has an ETA in the UK of 4th August allowing 7days for it to be sorted, I should have it when I return from Denmark on the 14th

Ok, for those of you who know me you'll know that when I first setup The Site Doctor I had a few goals, one of the main goals was to get a Mazda RX-8, well it's finally happened!

A little background/history:

When I first moved upto the West Midlands I started working at the University Hospital of Birmingham (UHB) as the Theatre Systems information manager (or something like that). Just before I left, I was leaving work with a friend (and colleague) Stuart Day when we walk past a car that had the most unbelievable presence, it looked like it was growling, coiled -ready to pounce. It was fantastic. With no idea of what it was or how much it would cost I said that it was going onto my list of goals.

A few days later we confirmed that it was a new Coupe from Mazda called the RX-8 and so the obsession began. It's been less than two years (only just!) but this weekend I went and ordered it and for those of you who still don't beleive me, I've scanned in the receipt (with my name on it )