RE: Mazda RX-8 - The Final Countdown
Monday 10th October 2011
Mazda has revealed its final run-out special RX-8, of which it plans to build 1000 units before the car is finally axed in its home market in summer next year.
Spirit Rs will also feature tweaked suspension, upgraded brakes and 18-inch gunmetal alloy wheels.
Mazda RX-8 - The Final Countdown
Last 1000 RX-8s for sale in Japan - then the rotary motor will be no more (for now)
Called the RX-8 Spirit-R (in homage, we're told, to the final edition of the dear-departed Mazda RX-7) the car will be available in either six-speed manual or automatic forms and buyers will get unique badging, unique head- and taillights with black bezels and red brake calipers, while the interior is distinguished by special 'Spirit R' Recaros and piano black transmission tunnel trim.
The new car will go on sale on 24 November, which still (just about) counts as the 20th anniversary of the Mazda 787b rotary-engined car's Le Mans victory.
After the Spirit-R, however, Mazda will no longer have a rotary-engined car for sale - nor any firm plans to build one in the immediate future - though it claims that "rotary engine development will continue".
Discussion
The RX8 is a car I like, different and fun i find it very sad that it is not to be replaced. This also marks the end of the rotary engine.
Mazda has proven that Rotary engines work. From the first Cosmo throught to the RX8 they have proven these are very good engines, they won Le Mans with them. I hope a new RX modle comes from Mazda in the future. A sad ending for both the RX brand and rotary engines.
Mazda has proven that Rotary engines work. From the first Cosmo throught to the RX8 they have proven these are very good engines, they won Le Mans with them. I hope a new RX modle comes from Mazda in the future. A sad ending for both the RX brand and rotary engines.
Well I like the RX8 (obviously 
) and it's a shame to see it go, but it's an 8 year old design now - Not many designs get that long these days, so it's had a good run.
It's a shame that the rotary isn't going into a new 7, 8 or something different because, whatever people say, it's good to have variety in engine designs and the rotary is, if nothing else, different!
The big killer has been the fuel consumption as you say (the oil, however, is a bit of a myth - Many 16V engines use more and more costly stuff too!).
M.
) and it's a shame to see it go, but it's an 8 year old design now - Not many designs get that long these days, so it's had a good run.It's a shame that the rotary isn't going into a new 7, 8 or something different because, whatever people say, it's good to have variety in engine designs and the rotary is, if nothing else, different!
bmthnick1981 said:
But aren't very reliable? Have a look at the number for sale in the classifieds / on ebay that need new engines...
One out of 201 in the classifieds at the moment... The big killer has been the fuel consumption as you say (the oil, however, is a bit of a myth - Many 16V engines use more and more costly stuff too!).
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Monday 10th October 10:56
marcosgt said:
Well I like the RX8 (obviously ) and it's a shame to see it go, but it's an 8 year old design now - Not many designs get that long these days, so it's had a good run.
It's a shame that the rotary isn't going into a new 7, 8 or something different because, whatever people say, it's good to have variety in engine designs and the rotary is, if nothing else, different!
The big killer has been the fuel consumption as you say (the oil, however, is a bit of a myth - Many 16V engines use more and more costly stuff too!).
M.
3 on ebay needing new engines, and 5 on there listed as having new engines. ) and it's a shame to see it go, but it's an 8 year old design now - Not many designs get that long these days, so it's had a good run.It's a shame that the rotary isn't going into a new 7, 8 or something different because, whatever people say, it's good to have variety in engine designs and the rotary is, if nothing else, different!
bmthnick1981 said:
But aren't very reliable? Have a look at the number for sale in the classifieds / on ebay that need new engines...
One out of 201 in the classifieds at the moment... The big killer has been the fuel consumption as you say (the oil, however, is a bit of a myth - Many 16V engines use more and more costly stuff too!).
M.
Edited by marcosgt on Monday 10th October 10:56
Weight and size wise, what other engines could one put in an RX8 without ruining the beautiful balance of the chassis? I know the Rotary is both relatively light (?) and low in the car so would not want to ruin the cars chassis balance. Boxer? LSx? BMW S6/Merc V6?
I quite fancy an RX8 as a practical, stylish coupe type car but the MPG and potential for expensive rebuilds is off putting as they are currently.
I quite fancy an RX8 as a practical, stylish coupe type car but the MPG and potential for expensive rebuilds is off putting as they are currently.
JoeFrost said:
Weight and size wise, what other engines could one put in an RX8 without ruining the beautiful balance of the chassis? I know the Rotary is both relatively light (?) and low in the car so would not want to ruin the cars chassis balance. Boxer? LSx? BMW S6/Merc V6?
I quite fancy an RX8 as a practical, stylish coupe type car but the MPG and potential for expensive rebuilds is off putting as they are currently.
The same thought crossed my mind too. LSX is obvious - as it get's put in everything. I quite fancy an RX8 as a practical, stylish coupe type car but the MPG and potential for expensive rebuilds is off putting as they are currently.
quick google found Hinson LSx RX8
Handling is the question.
A previous poster summed it up well, ie they last if they are treated properly and not like a conventional engine.
I was told by a main dealers that you should rev it upto 3k then turn the key. Also, they hate been switched off when cold, a number of failures have been caused by being used for short journeys without giving the oil chance to warm up.
I was told by a main dealers that you should rev it upto 3k then turn the key. Also, they hate been switched off when cold, a number of failures have been caused by being used for short journeys without giving the oil chance to warm up.
hebbhog said:
A previous poster summed it up well, ie they last if they are treated properly and not like a conventional engine.
I was told by a main dealers that you should rev it upto 3k then turn the key. Also, they hate been switched off when cold, a number of failures have been caused by being used for short journeys without giving the oil chance to warm up.
...and that's the problem, it's a mass market mainstream car that needed too much care and attention. Plus I've noticed that due to their low price a lot of how can you put it, 'dubious' people seem to own them now (i.e. baseball capped 'yutes'). Shame, as they are good cars and I very nearly bought a 231bhp one a few years ago. I was told by a main dealers that you should rev it upto 3k then turn the key. Also, they hate been switched off when cold, a number of failures have been caused by being used for short journeys without giving the oil chance to warm up.
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