2006 RX8 Prodrive PZ

[wjb]

Thought I'd post up this Mazda RX8 PZ I bought last week (03/05/16). Been thinking of getting one for a few years, I've always liked the RX8, but was put off a bit by the usual internet/pub horror stories.

I've played it safe the past couple of years with a Bmw 320d, that's gone now (almost) so it was time for something a bit more exciting.

I know the RX8 has a bad rep on here, and I agree it's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me!

The PZ is my first rotary, but not my first Japanese performance car, I've had a quite few, my top 3 being Celica GT4 ST205, Impreza Prodrive RB5 & Evo 8 FQ300.

I'm really enjoying it so far, had a little clean and tidy yesterday, she wasn't that bad inside to be fair, could still do with a proper valet though and the bodywork is a bit rough around the edges too, but I'll sort that out later.

Some pics;

















Like I say she isn't perfect, but seems like a decent buy so far, one of only 800 made so quite rare on today's roads.

Getting booked in for a check up asap.

Edited by wjb on Monday 30th May 12:25

[wjb]

Cheers guys, it's a great car, handling is excellent, and more than enough power for a road car.

It starts hot/cold so no real obvious engine worries, but it's booked in for a service, comp test and health check at RX8 specialists rotary revs, I'll take it from there.

Edited by wjb on Monday 9th May 16:26

[wjb]

Cheers guys, and yes I'm a member over on rx8oc

[wjb]

DMN said:

Looks very good.

As above make sure you pre-mix with some two stroke oil in the petrol tank. About 100-125ml per tank. Also I've read that cataclean is good for cleaning soot out of the engine. Do not use redex or anything else, apparantly only cataclean will do. Something about other cleaners damaging other components.

Have a read here for info about compression: http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php...

Good thread that, certainly does dispel some of the myths.

[wjb]

Yep, aware of the flooding issues, I've not had any probs so far with it though, my wife did ask me to move it off the drive so she could get the x5 out, imagine my horror!

I managed to squeeze the x5 past

[wjb]

Robbins said:

Nice car and welcome to the Rotary fold!

I thought all Prodrive PZ RX8s were black? PZ is the Mazda paint code for black on RX-7s so assumed it was the same for RX8s?

Cheers mate, didn't know about the paint code reference.

There were 800 prodrive pz's made, 480 in brilliant black, 320 in Galaxy Grey.

Only 516 taxed on the road according to "how many left"

[wjb]

Stokemon said:

I purchased my RX8 in December and I'm absolutely loving it! Took me 2 years to convince myself it was a good idea, and I wish I'd just got it then.

Horror stories just haven't happened, keep it maintained and like any car it will run like a dream. Avoid turning off cold at all costs, know where your nearest petrol station is at all times, and hit the beep at least once a day :-)

The reason for the pz name is pretty rubbish really. P for prodrive, z comes from the addition of the oz wheels.

Mine is a winning blue 192 (I'm only 23), I really wish they made the PZ in winning blue.

Nice one, glad you haven't had any problems, me neither but it's only been a week and a bit!

Winning blue is a great colour, my neighbour has a vxr in a similar blue so that ruled that out!

I test drove a 192, they're a great car to be fair, hard pushed to tell the difference in normal driving with a 231.

Did a load of short trips in the PZ yesterday, about 10 hot and cold starts at shops & petrol stations (obviously) she didn't miss a beat.

Booked in for service on Tuesday.

Edited by wjb on Friday 13th May 10:01

[wjb]

andyastrasri said:

I really enjoyed my RX8 231, at the time I was covering 500miles a week to and from work, it was costing me a packet in fuel, on a not particularly enjoyable commute

I always felt a bit like I was sitting on a financial ticking time bomb, especially combined with my mileage (my car had covered 63K), so I moved my car on after 5 months of ownership

I really enjoyed the experience and am glad I have ticked the rotary box now

500 miles a week is some going in a car like an RX8, I only do about 100 miles a week, and there's only a tiny bit of each journey that has some traffic, nice benefit of living in the rural north

Hopefully I can keep her for a long time, I actually look forward to driving again now, which just didn't happen in my old BMW.

Edited by wjb on Friday 13th May 17:45

[wjb]

andyastrasri said:

Have you read up about adding some two stroke along with fuel ?

DMN said:

Looks very good.

As above make sure you pre-mix with some two stroke oil in the petrol tank. About 100-125ml per tank. Also I've read that cataclean is good for cleaning soot out of the engine. Do not use redex or anything else, apparantly only cataclean will do. Something about other cleaners damaging other components.

Have a read here for info about compression: http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php...

I picked up some Castrol Power 1 Racing 2T to premix today.

[wjb]

Clean bill of health at Rotary Revs!

[wjb]

Cheers guys, it's my daily so I'll be enjoying it regularly

Fuel consumption is poor, there's no way around it, never had an M3 but you're doing well if you get 300 miles out of a tank.

It's been great to own for past couple weeks, so far so good.

I love the way it looks inside & out and with 231 hp it's plenty quick enough for the road, the handling is superb, and I love the sound of the Rotary engine (and beep).

I think the horror stories are kinda deserved, you can't treat it like a normal car because it isn't. You shouldn't drive 2 mins to the co-op, or run it for a year between services without changing the oil, or move it off the driveway and back on then switch it off.

These are the simple things the general public assume that you can do with any car, and rightly so, it's just you can't do those things with an RX8, or problems are going to arise.

I'll try to keep this thread updated

[wjb]

Mechanical work done;

Compression Test: both rotor's good compression.

60 point health check (no issues)

Service as follows;

Spark plugs replaced: Premium NGK Iridium
Engine Oil change: Millers Oils Trident 10w40
Belts replaced: Water pump, alternator & a/c compression belt.
Oil filter
Air filter
Washer fluid
Wipers

Receipts of previous maintenance work in the last 12 months;

New cat - April '16
D585 ignition coils - Nov '15
New battery - Nov '15
4x Avon Zz5 tyres - May '15
Front & rear discs & pads - April '15

[wjb]

Right I've brimmed the tank.



Let's see how bad it is

[wjb]

giveitfish said:

I started a trackday with the fuel gauge looking like that and ran out before the end of the last session

8mpg.

Haha, I fancy it will do better than that, not much mind, but better

[wjb]

Fastdruid said:

Ours averaged about 16mpg in normal use.

Good on fuel they are not. Still miss it though.

I recently sold my 320d which did over 50mpg easy, I only do around 450 miles a month though so I was happy to swap the diesel for something less frugal, but more interesting.

[wjb]

Fastdruid said:

Ours did about that which was why it wasn't too bad, it's not a car to do 25k pa in. We only sold because of child #2 coming along and it's not really ideal for a two year old and a baby and wanted a car with 4 proper doors. The replacement car only does 18mpg!

Looks nice and clean.

My son's 7, and we have a 4x4 for family duties which is why I got the green light for this!

[wjb]

Fastdruid said:

It's still going strong somewhere.

We'd probably not go "back" to just another RX-8 now the children are older but I'm quite tempted to buy one with a knackered engine, build a locost out of it and get the engine rebuilt. So what if it only lasts 40-50k between rebuilds, at 2k or so a year that's 20 years worth of use! Hell at 5k it's a rebuild every 10 years which really is not the end of the world.

They are really good cars when properly looked after, practical (ish) and great fun to drive. Would definitely rebuild mine if the worst happened.

[wjb]

Gonna try and paint the exhaust shrouds.



They need doing!

[wjb]

One month update

I've had the RX8 PZ for 4 weeks now, used it pretty much daily, it hasn't missed a beat, no issues whatsoever.

Performance and handling is spot on, I love the sound and power delivery of the Rotary, I wouldn't want it any faster or louder

I haven't got any mods planned, but would like to address the following:

- Small crack in front bumper, either replaced or repaired, plus dints and scrapes on arches repaired, along with a couple of spots of rust around rear brake light. Then a paint detail.

- Exhaust shrouds restored to black, exhaust tips polished.

- Brake calipers repainted in black or silver

- Leather restored on drivers seat.

- New Prodrive/PZ badges for rear spoiler.

Think that's it for now

[wjb]

themanwithnoname said:

Love it, gutted that I chickened out back in 2007, something I may have to revisit at some point.

I chickened out in the past too, but I think now is the time to either buy a cherished example, or rescue an unloved one!