Mazda RX-8

[rice-pudding]

I'm thinking about trading in my DERV guzzler for a sporty rx-8. Looking for some advice though giving that they are rotary engined cars.

Anyone owned one before? Is there any points to look out for as I know they need regular servicing and maintenance. It's a 2008 with 26k on the clock.

Any advice welcome!

[Six30]

Don't go near one , nice looking car but your be buying trouble, drink oil and petrol have warm engine starting problems which gets worse and then wont start at all, I'd stay well away if I was you .

[Paul-Kent]

Avoid avoid avoid!

[rice-pudding]

Haha thanks guys, I've done some research and it doesn't look good, the thing drinks 1 litre of oil for every 1000 miles and a 20mpg it will cost a fortune!

Think I'll stick to the 60+ MPG diesel work horse now and spend the money on a bike in the summer

[MrBrightside]

They drink oil, not burn it. The oil is used to also lubricate the apex seals and that's why it goes through it. It's not as bad as some would make you believe.

I owned one in June, sold it in August (because of my crash/funding new bike). They can rust in areas and if they have not been looked aft by a specialist, avoid. Even Main dealers are pants with these cars. They have a very finicky engine, which is prone to flooding if proper procedure isn't followed. If flooded on early cars it's not a problem, but on the later cars it's not such an easy fix. Engine MUST be warmed up before switching off. Interior is nice and sporty, the Bose system is pretty pants.

Some suffer hot start issues, if that's the case, avoid. The rotary engine WILL need stripping at least once in its life too, so factor that in.

Handling is amazing, perfect 50/50 and very predictable. As standard they sound sweet, especially up to the 9k redline! Cheap aftermarket manifold and exhausts available, but not much more power to be gained from the rotary. Gearbox can be a bit sticky but they last. The 231 is the one to have imo but for a 231bhp car they feel much, much less powerful. Yes, they are thirsty as fook. I bought mine for the track, but going over a VW Passat near BSE changed that, and it's now in Belguim!

Bottom line, they are a marmite car that you must test drive and deffo buy with your head with one of these, not your heart. If you are dead set, get a proper compression test done by a decent independent.

To be honest mate, a type R will be a better more reliable bet.

[rice-pudding]

I was days away from buying a immaculate 55 plate EP3 Type R, the thing was really well looked after but it was sold by the time I got time off work. I've owned 3 Civics in the past and they are a blast aswell as super reliable. The Integra is where my heart lies but I'll keep on dreaming haha.

It's a 2008 Ibiza TDI sportrider I've got at the moment, it's good, bags of tourqe, feels built for a track but I've never "bonded" with it....if you know what I mean

[Stu]

It's a 2008 Ibiza TDI sportrider I've got at the moment, it's good, bags of tourqe, feels built for a track but I've never "bonded" with it....if you know what I mean

 

Yes I know exactly what you mean

I had a 2014 Ibiza FR 1.2TSI from new and never really bonded with it! there was just something not quite right!

fast forward 18 months and I now have a 2014 seat Leon 1.6TDI

miles better motor and more than happy with it

[Six30]

They drink oil, not burn it. The oil is used to also lubricate the apex seals and that's why it goes through it. It's not as bad as some would make you believe.

I owned one in June, sold it in August (because of my crash/funding new bike). They can rust in areas and if they have not been looked aft by a specialist, avoid. Even Main dealers are pants with these cars. They have a very finicky engine, which is prone to flooding if proper procedure isn't followed. If flooded on early cars it's not a problem, but on the later cars it's not such an easy fix. Engine MUST be warmed up before switching off. Interior is nice and sporty, the Bose system is pretty pants.

Some suffer hot start issues, if that's the case, avoid. The rotary engine WILL need stripping at least once in its life too, so factor that in.

Handling is amazing, perfect 50/50 and very predictable. As standard they sound sweet, especially up to the 9k redline! Cheap aftermarket manifold and exhausts available, but not much more power to be gained from the rotary. Gearbox can be a bit sticky but they last. The 231 is the one to have imo but for a 231bhp car they feel much, much less powerful. Yes, they are thirsty as fook. I bought mine for the track, but going over a VW Passat near BSE changed that, and it's now in Belguim!

Bottom line, they are a marmite car that you must test drive and deffo buy with your head with one of these, not your heart. If you are dead set, get a proper compression test done by a decent independent.

To be honest mate, a type R will be a better more reliable bet.

 

No one said they burn oil

[Joeman]

there is a very good reason why no other manufacturers produce Wankel engines...

I drove one round Thruxton race circuit and wasn't that impressed. it didnt feel that quick.

[MrBrightside]

Six, I didn't say anyone on here did mate but there is a common misconception on the wonderweb.

Joe, your right, they don't feel overly quick eh? I was not overly impressed with the power.

[JRH]

Norton had success with their rotary engined bike. And Suzuki had a rotary in the 70's, but only the one model.

[The GOAT]

Funny as I'm also on the lookout for a nice Rx8, Don't care about running costs as I don't drive many miles so more for fun really.

I looked last year but in the end gave up as I couldn't find one I liked so bought a bloody Yaris 1.0... Go me

Looking for a PZ with the intention of taking it to the "ring".

I've done my homework now just need the right car to appear.

Or a BMW 330ci hmm.

[Joeman]

Funny as I'm also on the lookout for a nice Rx8, Don't care about running costs as I don't drive many miles so more for fun really.

I looked last year but in the end gave up as I couldn't find one I liked so bought a bloody Yaris 1.0... Go me

Looking for a PZ with the intention of taking it to the "ring".

I've done my homework now just need the right car to appear.

Or a BMW 330ci hmm.

 

LOL, im going the other way, trading my 330cd M-sport for a new Aygo to keep the mrs happy!

Swapping this:

for this

i feel like my manhood is being chopped off

[fq-craigus]

Nothing wrong with the rx8.

I'm not one usually for fish but when it comes to this car it needs to be upkeeped or the issues above become relivent.

My step mum has had one since new in 2005 and aside from an accident and the body shop knackering the cat due to start stopping and a mouse getting in the engine bay and chewing wires it's never missed a beat.

It doesn't 'drink' oil and only needs minor top ups between annual services there is a 1L top up bottle in the boot which is more than enough.

You must not start engine then turn off straight away or you will flood the engine if donor a few times, but a tow start will get it going no problem, we have had to do this a few times over the past 11 years.

Smart interior, comfy and smooth. The 230bhp is the one to go for, the twin rotor.

Yes they drink a load of fuel but it's a performance car........

We have recently treated the underside with wax oil as its age was starting to show but then again this car is used and it's a hazard

Imo get one if you want and looked after you will enjoy.

[rice-pudding]

I just spied it in a garage in the passing so I haven't even seen it up close yet. I'm just spectical about buying from a dealer as I don't who owned it before!

[Fozzie]

They are very good cars to own for the mechanically minded.

They share a lot in common with 2-strokes in some ways. But a rebuild on a rotary often means it's good for thousands of miles (60k is a number I've heard thrown around).

The RX8 is going very cheap these days. For someone who likes to get dirty hands they'd be a good project car.

My mum had one at some point, I remember the 9000rpm redline. Was pretty cool. Just it went through oil very quickly.

Although the cheap mineral oil from asda was tested long term and it was fine!

[Hoggs]

I think part of the bad rep comes from rude boys ragging them around and not understanding the engine needs a bit more love and care than, say, a Golf GTI one so they tended to knacker them out.

Like any second hand car find out what the common problems are, don't get sucked in to spending more than you can afford and go for it

Or.... buy another bike

[Joeman]

The RX7 is more sporty, if you want performance and don't mind living with the rotarry engine, get a jap import RX7.

[rice-pudding]

I've had my eye a MT-07 for a while too, so the money I'd save could go towards one of them. Probably be

more fun too!

I hate liking cars as much as I like bikes! Might just get the diesel guzzler remapped, that should throw on an extra 30bhp and tide me over till I fancy somthing new....again.

[Fozzie]

The RX7 is more sporty, if you want performance and don't mind living with the rotarry engine, get a jap import RX7.

 

Aha, I can say this to you and you'll understand.

I saw one with a custom engine, it was rocking a quad rotor, twin turbo charged engine with NOS. 750BHP without the NOS boosting. One of the most amazing sounds I've heard from an engine.

[Joeman]

Yes they can be tuned to mental heights!!

I've always fancied one as a toy.

A mate of mine had one years ago when I was driving a (then Standard) 200sx turbo (s14) and it was stupidly quick and spat flames from the exhuats!! It was black and looked like the batmobile..

He left my 200sx standing...

[KTM21]

I saw one with a custom engine, it was rocking a quad rotor, twin turbo charged engine with NOS. 750BHP without the NOS boosting. One of the most amazing sounds I've heard from an engine.

There's a youtuber called Rob Dahm who's building a custom quad rotor, turbo rx7. He thinks it'll be good for 1200whp.

[The GOAT]

I think most were bought and treated as if they were normal cars that don't use oil! So a basic lack of checks in the early years leads to issues later on.

Still if I take my time and hopefully will find a nice un.

[Igloo]

Buy one of these TG

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/05/d77e27dd8eb6e61fae7492f94d4e0418.jpg

But in all seriousness a colleague has an RX8 he loves. Works on it himself and is very happy with it. He has a 231 Kruro? Or something like that

(Can't catch me though )

[The GOAT]

I'll bet he can't!!