RE: Shed Of The Week: Mazda RX-8
Discussion
We had no issues with ours (sold at ~33k) and neither did my wifes cousin (about 45k IIRC) but the internet suggests others had issues early on.
Some of the issues are due to the coil packs failing which leads to unburnt fuel which leads to excess wear (as does flooding it). Other issues are carbon build up, mostly either due to incorrect oil or being driven too easily. I'm also not sure which years have issues, certainly we picked a 2006 car on purpose as Mazda learnt from the early issues with the 03-05 cars and there were a number of improvements.
I don't believe there is anything inherently fragile as per se about the RX-8 (unlike for example the Porsche IMS/RMS issues) but if not treated in the right way you can kill it in not a lot of time. I'd still expect better than 25k though.
Personally if I was to get another (and I'd love to but wouldn't get to drive it enough to justify it and have no where to keep it) I'd get an R3. If I couldn't afford one I'd get a 2006+ car (preferably early 2006 so it's the lower tax!)
Some of the issues are due to the coil packs failing which leads to unburnt fuel which leads to excess wear (as does flooding it). Other issues are carbon build up, mostly either due to incorrect oil or being driven too easily. I'm also not sure which years have issues, certainly we picked a 2006 car on purpose as Mazda learnt from the early issues with the 03-05 cars and there were a number of improvements.
I don't believe there is anything inherently fragile as per se about the RX-8 (unlike for example the Porsche IMS/RMS issues) but if not treated in the right way you can kill it in not a lot of time. I'd still expect better than 25k though.
Personally if I was to get another (and I'd love to but wouldn't get to drive it enough to justify it and have no where to keep it) I'd get an R3. If I couldn't afford one I'd get a 2006+ car (preferably early 2006 so it's the lower tax!)
mikeyr said:
Sadly when looking at fun but practical sheds an R3 is out of reach. Sure it's been covered before but did Mazda make any major changes during the years to the engine itself?
R3 is the main one, not sure about what else but it had an extra oil hole in the rotor to cover the area where oil didn't otherwise get to and (I think) was where it wore badly on earlier cars. mikeyr said:
PS: TREMAINE - used to enjoy your Readers Car updates, didn't you go from hating it to loving the thing?
Indeed - I really didn't get on with it at first, I was expecting it to be like my RX-7, only newer and faster when in fact it was slower and uglier... Then after about 3 months I finally bonded with it and realised how amazing it was... It really taught me that speed isn't that important...2 years, 18,000 miles and circa 20 track days later I sold it for more than I bought it for, to my best friend - so I still get to drive it!
Result!Currently looking for a replacement - had made my mind up on a Gen 2 Cayman S (after trying to choose between a Boxster and Chimaera) but don't think it will feel as special as the R3... Now looking at classic air-cooled 911's
So I went to see the car in the end as it was dirt cheap. I was told it didn't have any rust and that it was working fine now it had been on a long drive.
Unfortunately it had rust patches bubbling through on sills and rear arches along with underneath the bootlid. The car started slowly when cold and barely at all once warm. The idle was lumpy. Front tyres were very low in places. The seat adjuster switch was missing.
But, and it's a huge but, what a great car to drive! I loved the engine's delivery and the weight of both steering (heavier than expected) and gearshift. And I even liked the subtle exhaust note. The interior was a much nicer place than most SOTW candidates offer.
I didn't buy it - even at offers around £700 it was too much of a project/gamble. However, I am totally in the fan club. So now I'm keeping my eye out for a decent one but without going crazy on the budget - I'm hoping to find one that's been dragged down in price by the rotten examples out there. Wish me luck!
Unfortunately it had rust patches bubbling through on sills and rear arches along with underneath the bootlid. The car started slowly when cold and barely at all once warm. The idle was lumpy. Front tyres were very low in places. The seat adjuster switch was missing.
But, and it's a huge but, what a great car to drive! I loved the engine's delivery and the weight of both steering (heavier than expected) and gearshift. And I even liked the subtle exhaust note. The interior was a much nicer place than most SOTW candidates offer.
I didn't buy it - even at offers around £700 it was too much of a project/gamble. However, I am totally in the fan club. So now I'm keeping my eye out for a decent one but without going crazy on the budget - I'm hoping to find one that's been dragged down in price by the rotten examples out there. Wish me luck!
There are loads of really good cars at prices no better than the dogs.
Personally I'd aim for a early 2006 (pre-VED increase) *or* R3. No real difference (apart from age) in the 2006-2009 cars, the 2006 onwards cars had a bunch of fixes from the 03-05 cars and then the R3 was improved again.
Personally I'd aim for a early 2006 (pre-VED increase) *or* R3. No real difference (apart from age) in the 2006-2009 cars, the 2006 onwards cars had a bunch of fixes from the 03-05 cars and then the R3 was improved again.
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