How reliable and economical is the Mazda RX8?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm currently looking at RX8s, with a view to possibly buying one, but i'm disturbed by the number of relatively low mileage cars that state things like 'new engine at x miles', 'fault code xyz hence price', 'very smokey engine, hence price', 'needs new cat', 'needs new airflow meter' etc etc. Are these cars really that unreliable?! It seems shocking to me that so many cars on Autotrader are advertised with problems - if you look at BMWs or Toyotas or similar it's commonplace to see cars with mileage well in excess of 100k, but no issues reported - what is it about the rotary engine, and the general build quality of the RX8 components that causes such a proliferation of faults?!
Secondly, can anyone advise what mile per gallon i'm likely to get out of one (in particular the 231bhp model, as that's what i'm primarily looking at) in everyday, A to B driving? I accept that during a spirited drive MPG will be low, but 20mpg (which i've seen reported) for general pottering about sounds dreadful! Also, do these cars drink just as much oil as petrol as some of the scare stories state?
These cars seem to sell well, if the number of 'sold via PH' tags in the classified are anything to go by, but it seems from the horror stories that these vehicles are part car, part grenade!?
Thanks in advance!
Dave
I'm currently looking at RX8s, with a view to possibly buying one, but i'm disturbed by the number of relatively low mileage cars that state things like 'new engine at x miles', 'fault code xyz hence price', 'very smokey engine, hence price', 'needs new cat', 'needs new airflow meter' etc etc. Are these cars really that unreliable?! It seems shocking to me that so many cars on Autotrader are advertised with problems - if you look at BMWs or Toyotas or similar it's commonplace to see cars with mileage well in excess of 100k, but no issues reported - what is it about the rotary engine, and the general build quality of the RX8 components that causes such a proliferation of faults?!
Secondly, can anyone advise what mile per gallon i'm likely to get out of one (in particular the 231bhp model, as that's what i'm primarily looking at) in everyday, A to B driving? I accept that during a spirited drive MPG will be low, but 20mpg (which i've seen reported) for general pottering about sounds dreadful! Also, do these cars drink just as much oil as petrol as some of the scare stories state?
These cars seem to sell well, if the number of 'sold via PH' tags in the classified are anything to go by, but it seems from the horror stories that these vehicles are part car, part grenade!?
Thanks in advance!
Dave
Personally I think that the prices they have fallen to make them a worthwile prospect.
If they did not use as much petrol and oil then they would probably cost a lot more on the used market.
So you save, or get a better quality car, with your initial money but it costs a bit more to run.
If they did not use as much petrol and oil then they would probably cost a lot more on the used market.
So you save, or get a better quality car, with your initial money but it costs a bit more to run.
Thanks guys. My current Celica T Sport only does 28mpg so 20-25mpg isn't that big a deal - I only do about 11miles each way to work each day. The oil consumption isn't a massive issue either, I can check the oil once a week and top it up - what i'm really concerned about is the prospect of a VERY expensive engine failure, which seems to be reasonably common with these.
That said, my Celica has 108k on the clock so one could argue that it's more likely to go bang that a 70k mile RX8. Then again, a T Sport engine is probably easier to come by, and cheaper, than an RX8 lump!
D
That said, my Celica has 108k on the clock so one could argue that it's more likely to go bang that a 70k mile RX8. Then again, a T Sport engine is probably easier to come by, and cheaper, than an RX8 lump!
D
Mad Dave said:
Thanks guys. My current Celica T Sport only does 28mpg so 20-25mpg isn't that big a deal - I only do about 11miles each way to work each day. The oil consumption isn't a massive issue either, I can check the oil once a week and top it up - what i'm really concerned about is the prospect of a VERY expensive engine failure, which seems to be reasonably common with these.
That said, my Celica has 108k on the clock so one could argue that it's more likely to go bang that a 70k mile RX8. Then again, a T Sport engine is probably easier to come by, and cheaper, than an RX8 lump!
D
I think figures banded about are 20mpg under normal driving. That said, my Celica has 108k on the clock so one could argue that it's more likely to go bang that a 70k mile RX8. Then again, a T Sport engine is probably easier to come by, and cheaper, than an RX8 lump!
D
I think the quoted oil consumption (about 1 litre/1000miles) is actually not that bad for the power. Indeed, my old Celica 140bhp managed about the same!
I suspect that a high percentage of these problems may be brought about by poor maintenance - my perception of the RX-8 is that it's fundamentally reliable, as long as it's been looked after. However they're now relatively cheap so may be falling in to the hands of people who skimp on maintenance? Just a theory.
I suspect that a high percentage of these problems may be brought about by poor maintenance - my perception of the RX-8 is that it's fundamentally reliable, as long as it's been looked after. However they're now relatively cheap so may be falling in to the hands of people who skimp on maintenance? Just a theory.
Hi Dave, I like to think I'm an informed PH'er when it comes to the Rx8.
I had one and ran it for 2 years, up to a mileage of 50,000 mls. I had minimal problems except a clutch problem that was incorrectly diagnosed. Engine was ok.
Oil consumption is no big deal, servicing is very cheap too.
The common problems with the car are as follows:
1. Many CATs need replacing after 40k (some last longer much longer), this is due to the fact that the car had to meet Euro IV so it runs very very rich on cold starts to heat the cat up. This is also one reason why MPG is bad. Solution to this is a legal high flow cat which can be had for £250.
2. Coil packs can also be a problem and have caused many people to think their engine had packed up, yet it hadn't.
Nevertheless, there seems to be a link between these and some engine failures. Faulty packs MAY have contributed to some engine failures.
3. Engine Failures - On the Rx8 owners forum around 30 members have had engines replaced, some had done over 100k others much lower. If you had FMSH and the car had few owners this was sorted out for free. IF not you were landed with the bill. On the otherhand their are cars on there that have done £120k and still going.
Lack of oil - this can cause engine failures, people not checking their oil properly. this is a problem on the rx8 more so than other cars due to its design it eats oil so the level must be checked every week. Top ups once a month if low.
Lack of care - the engine needs to be revved every day if people were not doing this it again can cause engine problems from carbon build up.
They are a steal at the price but if I was buying another one as a DD I would get a Mazda one and get a warranty with it.
They handle amazingly and I still think they look good, a velocity red with the body kit looks great imho.
I had one and ran it for 2 years, up to a mileage of 50,000 mls. I had minimal problems except a clutch problem that was incorrectly diagnosed. Engine was ok.
Oil consumption is no big deal, servicing is very cheap too.
The common problems with the car are as follows:
1. Many CATs need replacing after 40k (some last longer much longer), this is due to the fact that the car had to meet Euro IV so it runs very very rich on cold starts to heat the cat up. This is also one reason why MPG is bad. Solution to this is a legal high flow cat which can be had for £250.
2. Coil packs can also be a problem and have caused many people to think their engine had packed up, yet it hadn't.
Nevertheless, there seems to be a link between these and some engine failures. Faulty packs MAY have contributed to some engine failures.
3. Engine Failures - On the Rx8 owners forum around 30 members have had engines replaced, some had done over 100k others much lower. If you had FMSH and the car had few owners this was sorted out for free. IF not you were landed with the bill. On the otherhand their are cars on there that have done £120k and still going.
Lack of oil - this can cause engine failures, people not checking their oil properly. this is a problem on the rx8 more so than other cars due to its design it eats oil so the level must be checked every week. Top ups once a month if low.
Lack of care - the engine needs to be revved every day if people were not doing this it again can cause engine problems from carbon build up.
They are a steal at the price but if I was buying another one as a DD I would get a Mazda one and get a warranty with it.
They handle amazingly and I still think they look good, a velocity red with the body kit looks great imho.
Edited by Daz4m on Wednesday 23 September 11:10
Yeah that is a fair statement to make, but as a petrol head I enjoyed doing that. MPG is 18 in town 22 on mway but it used 95 ron.
I know have a BMW S54 engined car and that takes a bit of looking after too. Plus the servicing bills have tripled. On the upside I get more BHP.
M3 V8 is also on my wishlist.
I know have a BMW S54 engined car and that takes a bit of looking after too. Plus the servicing bills have tripled. On the upside I get more BHP.
M3 V8 is also on my wishlist.
Mad Dave said:
Thanks for the info Dazco. I think i'm going to give the car a miss - far too many foibles for a daily driver sadly 
I never meant to give that impression.I think it is a lot of car for little money. As regards inherent faults, I recently researched a good many cars and found that most of them have faults, luck of the draw I guess. Even a BMW 535d went off my wishlist because there have been issues with the auto boxes as the car approaches 100,000. Read about ANY Merc and you would not dream of buying one.
I think that the RX-8 could be a good prospect if your mileage was not massive.
dazco said:
Mad Dave said:
Thanks for the info Dazco. I think i'm going to give the car a miss - far too many foibles for a daily driver sadly
I never meant to give that impression.I think it is a lot of car for little money. As regards inherent faults, I recently researched a good many cars and found that most of them have faults, luck of the draw I guess. Even a BMW 535d went off my wishlist because there have been issues with the auto boxes as the car approaches 100,000. Read about ANY Merc and you would not dream of buying one.
I think that the RX-8 could be a good prospect if your mileage was not massive.
I looked at the RX8 before I bought the ST220 - great steer, loved the car, but couldn't get on with the need to rev to get the most out of it, so went for a lazy V6 instead.
oil usage is a bit of a myth, I can do 2000 miles without the need to top up
Petrol consumption is bad, I average 22mpg on mixed driving.
Reliability - I think a lot of problems are down to poor maintenance by both owners and the dealers, I have seen several cars that are "fully serviced" by dealers but have not had the necessary parts changed. I do wonder how many others are the same seeing as most owners will not know what to look for.
Mine has done 50k miles and the only issues have been a couple of snapped droplinks which is a problem on these.
Petrol consumption is bad, I average 22mpg on mixed driving.
Reliability - I think a lot of problems are down to poor maintenance by both owners and the dealers, I have seen several cars that are "fully serviced" by dealers but have not had the necessary parts changed. I do wonder how many others are the same seeing as most owners will not know what to look for.
Mine has done 50k miles and the only issues have been a couple of snapped droplinks which is a problem on these.
Every RX8 owner I have spoken to has praised the car and loved it. Got to be the best guide to if its any good. Though every single one of them have mentioned the fuel consumption though. But, its cheaper to purchase in the first place, so maybe this is offset by increased fuel use? Seems fair I suppose. Being a Mazda though, the rest of the car should be reliable though.
Time will tell, but I suspect that the usual high mileages and rotary engines issues will appear very soon...
Fuel economy poor. Oil consumption high.
There is also a chronic shortage of people/garages who actually properly understand these engines outside of the Mazda dealer network and are able to diagnose/work on them.
Fuel economy poor. Oil consumption high.
There is also a chronic shortage of people/garages who actually properly understand these engines outside of the Mazda dealer network and are able to diagnose/work on them.
off_again said:
Every RX8 owner I have spoken to has praised the car and loved it. Got to be the best guide to if its any good. Though every single one of them have mentioned the fuel consumption though. But, its cheaper to purchase in the first place, so maybe this is offset by increased fuel use? Seems fair I suppose. Being a Mazda though, the rest of the car should be reliable though.
It's such a likeable car, you just kind of fall for it when you own one. Just a difficult car to buy used if you don't know what to look for. A compression test is essential.
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