RX-8...Just to risky?

[GreenArrow]

I know there have been tons of threads on this car, but I cant help being attracted to the RX-8. Saw one on autotrader today, only 17,000 miles for £3995, two owners, full history, always garaged, supposedly no hot starting problems. Are they really too risky a car to buy? I have always fancied one since test driving the 228 model back in 2004 when it came out. It says a lot for the car that I enjoyed driving it far more than a Clio 182 I tried the week before (felt faster too)...but I do know that many people have had their fingers badly burned due to the car's foibles. Is there a maximum engine mileage that needs to be set when considering one? I.e. do they generally give up the ghost at 60/70,000 miles?

[ldub]

Have been tempted a couple of times, very good value & superb chassis!

If you're buying one it is very advisable to have a full compression test done, various specialists around the country that can do this.

Good luck!

[lilwashu]

Get a compression test and if good you can't really go wrong at that mileage (change the ignition components straight away though). There aren't any foibles except regular oil changes (with a thicker grade than Mazda say), and don't turn it off when stone cold.

I paid £3000 for an 06 reg/26k miles in January which is my third one (first two were almost new) and it hasn't put a foot wrong.

[Emeye]

Very tempting for the money. I saw on for sale for £1000 near me recently, and another this week up for £2000 with 30k miles.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

The fuel economy is dreadful and isn't the car tax high? (correct me if I'm wrong)

MD at work had one from new for a few years and was always having problems with it failing to start.

[GreenArrow]

Emeye said:

Very tempting for the money. I saw on for sale for £1000 near me recently, and another this week up for £2000 with 30k miles.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

The fuel economy is dreadful and isn't the car tax high? (correct me if I'm wrong)

MD at work had one from new for a few years and was always having problems with it failing to start.

The post March 2006 cars are very hard to sell, as the road tax is £500!!! Pre March 2006, £285, I think.

The hot starting problem is apparently solved by revving the car to 4/5K revs before shutting off the engine.

Didn't know about the compression test thing...

[irocfan]

thing is IIRC you can get a fully reconned lump for £2k so if you're keeping for any length of time buy for £1k and if the motor is crap spend another 2 and you've got a cracking car.

Or go crazy and drop in an LS lump

[lilwashu]

Engine rebuild is usually 2.5-3K and is the cure for hot start problems. The rev to 4k thing is for if you have to shut the car off cold.

[Salesy]

Plenty of haters and their rumours of the cars being utter nightmares are unfounded.

I picked a PZ up last year to use for sprinting and have not regretted it. The car is an absolute tool on track and until yesterday unbeaten in its class. Driver error and over exuberance got the better of me and i only lost 1st place by 0.27s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SzvsXloMI0

This was todays effort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AQhT67NTY

The PZ is the one to get as the suspension set up is superb, but it falls into the £500 VED category. Fuel consumption is late teens to mid 20s, oil is minimal.

Best thing is 9.5k redline and that BEEP

[probedb]

Talk to actual owners and the owners clubs. PH forums are not a lover of the car. People expect rotaries to be exactly the same as pistons and then cry when they don't do regular maintenance like checking the oil etc.

[Joeguard1990]

It's a drivers car. Problem is people buy them who assume that they can just drive it until the next service is due... Not true.
You need to be on top of the oil and make sure it never runs low (use what all the specialists recommend - 10W-40)
Just make sure you get the car compression tested before you buy it. You want something showing at least 7's all around on both rotors, otherwise budget 2K for a rebuild.
Engines last just as long as piston ones if cared for.

[Phil Dicky]

Shame you didn't post 2 months ago, you could have had my car for 3.2k, full re build 12 months ago, sports exhaust and new coil packs.
My view point after 3 years, top car and far more nibble than my old Cerbera..until a straight came along ..very thirsty, not very good for more than two people if your as tall as me anyway...just don't flood it, as I did a few times

[Vocal Minority]

I am thinking of getting one as a hill limber/sprint car - so not a daily!

Whilst I get the 'do a compression test', whilst it sounds a silly question, how?

Are there people who will come to the car, or do I need to persuade the vendor/dealer to let me take it to a specialist?

[rotarymazda]

Vocal Minority said:

I am thinking of getting one as a hill limber/sprint car - so not a daily!

Whilst I get the 'do a compression test', whilst it sounds a silly question, how?

Are there people who will come to the car, or do I need to persuade the vendor/dealer to let me take it to a specialist?

Its not a normal compression tester. Its Mazda specific, giving readings for each rotor face.

Mazda and rotary specialists will have them. I get mine done at a specialist every few years when it's in for servicing.

[Emeye]

rotarymazda said:

Its not a normal compression tester. Its Mazda specific, giving readings for each rotor face.

Mazda and rotary specialists will have them. I get mine done at a specialist every few years when it's in for servicing.

How much does it cost?

[Vocal Minority]

So the short answer is I have to persuade the vendor to let me take it for a test!

Good to work on the persuasion skills I guess!

[cocopop]

The compression tester isn't a big bit of kit, if you can find someone that has one and is local to you, I'm sure they'll come with to view for a few quid.

Get on the owners club and ask there.

[e46m3c]

i thought the rx8 was a great car to drive. However the impending doom of the engine, constant oil top ups, CEL's on hard track abuse (once stopped in the pits for 30 mins rather than whilst driving which was odd), temporamental abs sensors, lack of steering feel, total lack of torque and appauling MPG meant it only last 2 months.

Couple of trips to angelsea and croft and bedford were still fun though.

Think i would prefer an s2000. Much better mpg and reliability.

Rx8 with an m3 engine would be fantastic (or just buy an m3)

[Joeguard1990]

e46m3c said:

i thought the rx8 was a great car to drive. However the impending doom of the engine, constant oil top ups, CEL's on hard track abuse (once stopped in the pits for 30 mins rather than whilst driving which was odd), temporamental abs sensors, lack of steering feel, total lack of torque and appauling MPG meant it only last 2 months.

Couple of trips to angelsea and croft and bedford were still fun though.

Think i would prefer an s2000. Much better mpg and reliability.

Rx8 with an m3 engine would be fantastic (or just buy an m3)

Lack of Steering feel?
You had the wrong tyres on it

[micron750]

I've just swapped my Scooby with a 192 Rex and I totally love it,the handling is just awesome ok its not as quick but makes up for it in other ways, I have a toyo sport system with decat omg does it sound nice and you get the odd popping on change up.
Tbh I took a huge risk with 66,000 on the clock no hot start issues the history limited but only had 3 owners but thought what the heck all seemed ok drove superbly and everybody loves it especially those suicide doors lol.
The downside it is blinking thirsty,can be easily flooded if you don't abide but the advice given by many not too shutdown when cold [although there is a way round it] but being before 06 the tax isn't that bad nor is the insurance I already done some homework decided it was for me I'm hooked,the other problem the mrs also likes it but isn't so keen on the start up so doesn't drive it very often thankfully lol.

[vernz]

I had a brand new 192bhp model in 2006 and drove it for three years and put just under 60k miles on it. With my 50 mile round trip to work I averaged 25mpg and on a run could squeeze 30 mpg. The car never missed a beat in the whole three years.

Checking the oil every other weekend is key and be prepared to go through litres of the stuff. Overall these cars are great, brakes are brilliant, handling is very good and the interior is a step up on other jap cars.

Man maths bit....based on 10k miles per year I think with petrol, road tax and oil, you would be spending around £1000.00 more per year than a similar powered hot hatch and considering this is a pucker rear wheel drive coupe and as long as the purchase price reflects the extra costs then I'd go for it.