RX-8 as a track car?
Discussion
I know 'our man at the ring' has/had one but they do seem like a rather good option for a track day car.
Cheap to buy, RWD, reasonably power. Reliability is reasonable if you look after it (which a track car ought to be).
Downsides are that the fuel, oil and tax costs are high... but who cares if it's just a track car.
Am I mad in thinking about it? I realise that 'MX5' is the default choice here of course
Cheap to buy, RWD, reasonably power. Reliability is reasonable if you look after it (which a track car ought to be).
Downsides are that the fuel, oil and tax costs are high... but who cares if it's just a track car.
Am I mad in thinking about it? I realise that 'MX5' is the default choice here of course
If it's a track car, the fuel consumption will be (relatively) decent. It will certainly go through oil on track, but it likes the cheap stuff, not the refined unicorn tears that anything German likes these days. Tax isn't bad if you buy pre-2006. Standard suspension is maybe a bit soft for track work - Mazda offered a lower stiffer setup as an option, the Prodrive model has one as standard, as do the phase 2 (R3) cars and there are lots of aftermarket options.
MagicalTrevor said:
I know 'our man at the ring' has/had one but they do seem like a rather good option for a track day car.
Cheap to buy, RWD, reasonably power. Reliability is reasonable if you look after it (which a track car ought to be).
Downsides are that the fuel, oil and tax costs are high... but who cares if it's just a track car.
Am I mad in thinking about it? I realise that 'MX5' is the default choice here of course
I've often thought they'd be a cracking track car, especially if you picked one with a strong engine. The only other downside for me is the inability to put the roof down - makes you feel like you're going much faster but also keeps you cool on warm days Cheap to buy, RWD, reasonably power. Reliability is reasonable if you look after it (which a track car ought to be).
Downsides are that the fuel, oil and tax costs are high... but who cares if it's just a track car.
Am I mad in thinking about it? I realise that 'MX5' is the default choice here of course
Are there many aftermarket components (shockers, springs, cage) for the RX8?
Pretty sure the 231s also have a Torsen diff, this'll be great for sideways action on track - something missing in the MR2. Though to be fair, the MR2 is more about precision than hooliganism (both good).
I had an RX-8 a few years ago, one car I regret selling. Only done 2000 miles in a year so couldnt justify keeping it. I didnt lose too much as got rid just before the prices plummeted!
Fuel consumption I never found too bad on track, the rotary engine was strange in that it didnt matter if you drove taking it easy or foot to the floor, the consumption didnt change much.
I always added a little 2-stroke oil to every tank of fuel, well worth doing as it helps the rotor tips seal and reduces the wear on them.
Awesome car, had the Mazda lowering kit on mine as well and the handling was fantastic, even on track. I came from a Corrado VR6 that had a lot of track oriented mods before the RX-8 and the Mazda would have run rings round it.
Looking at the prices now, might get another as I never got the most out of mine. Petit Supercharger would be nice for it.
Fuel consumption I never found too bad on track, the rotary engine was strange in that it didnt matter if you drove taking it easy or foot to the floor, the consumption didnt change much.
I always added a little 2-stroke oil to every tank of fuel, well worth doing as it helps the rotor tips seal and reduces the wear on them.
Awesome car, had the Mazda lowering kit on mine as well and the handling was fantastic, even on track. I came from a Corrado VR6 that had a lot of track oriented mods before the RX-8 and the Mazda would have run rings round it.
Looking at the prices now, might get another as I never got the most out of mine. Petit Supercharger would be nice for it.
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