PH Fleet: Mazda RX-8
A lap of the 'ring on a BMW S1000RR reminds Dale why he really needs the Mazda back
All the best advice is that I shouldn't do any repairs until the insurance companies come to some sort of conclusion over who's paying who. But I just can't wait any longer! There are so many reasons to get the car repaired and on the road; the weather is definitely one of them. As I write the Nurburgring is basking in sunshine like a giant 21km asphalt snake.
Lead us not into temptation
It's been so achingly wonderful that I even took to the track on a BMW S1000RR motorcycle in an effort to sate the adrenaline demon. Demon definitely sated by that shot of fear and excitement, for now, but it's definitely another major reason to repair the car and get back within the safety of my four-wheel 'cage', if not for me, but for my wife and kids.
Thankfully most of the damage to my car is cosmetic, so I'm planning to be on the road again soon. A rough-and-ready repair with secondhand parts. The brand-new Toyosports cat-back exhaust system (that was only fitted for a few days) is now bent in half a dozen spots and dragging shamefully on the floor.
This will be replaced with either another example of the same or a secondhand system. I could just put the standard system back on immediately, but having sampled the two-stroke buzz of the twin-rotor wankel, I'm keen to put a sports exhaust back on. So we'll see what the forums or eBay throw up in the next couple of weeks.
Are we aligned on this?
The front wing looks purely cosmetic, with no signs of scuffing to the front wheel. I'll be borrowing the laser alignment kit to make sure that is indeed the case.
At the back of the car, the bumper is also a complete mess. Right now I'm actually thankful that there are so many blown-up RX-8s lurking around the country. Because the price, and choice, of secondhand parts is pretty amazing. I'm hoping to pick up the bits I need for only a few hundred quid! Not bad for a Japanese sports car less than 10 years old.
As with the exhaust, I've got my eyes on eBay and the usual forums. So by the time my next pay cheque lands I should have some options lined up and the 'send money' of my Paypal button in sight. Then I can get back to what I love, driving the RX-8, instead of fixing it!
FACT SHEET
Car: Mazda RX-8
Run by: Dale Lomas
Bought: December 2011
Mileage: None
Purchase price: £2,800
Last month at a glance: Rescued from the insurance compound, assessing the damage
Previous reports:
It hasn't been a good month for Dale's Mazda...
Ordering pieces of paper to pass the German MOT
Dale makes a new RX-8 mate
PH fleet intro: Mazda RX-8
If the engine does go, then IIRC there is a PH'er that has tried to put a VTEC engine into one. The thread is in Readers Rides. The lower priced ones are surely asking to be used as a track-day toy nowadays. When/If the engine does go, just put another in or find a replacement engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm0IKl6cd2c
Or try and source a 20B and turbo. 500bhp is simple and up to 1200bhp possible (with a lot of cash!)
No faults beyond a faulty level sender in the coolant expansion tank and bubbling of the laquer on the alloys (both sorted under warranty).
Absolutely superb car and they're cheap as chips nowadays...
Phil
Nice 56 plate came into petrol other day and would not start in the heat explained she had probably flooded the engine and should leave it a few minutes and best to not do shorter trips etc...
She just ignored me and kept trying to start it until the battery went and the AA had to come out ffs
Nice 56 plate came into petrol other day and would not start in the heat explained she had probably flooded the engine and should leave it a few minutes and best to not do shorter trips etc...
She just ignored me and kept trying to start it until the battery went and the AA had to come out ffs
As for the RX-8, no they are not a HP monster. And getting them off the line quickly is very brutal, requiring almost max revs and semi side stepping the clutch. This way Motor Trend (I think) were clocking 5.9 sec 0-60mph in the 231 model. More normal use will not see you doing this though.
The alternator you see under the strut brace is on the front of the engine. That plastic cladding covers the battery, fusebox and airbox. Relocate the first two and you could easily get a 6 or 8 cylinder in BUT you'd completely muck up the balance.
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