Mazda RX-8. Do I Take The Plunge?
Discussion
Alright guys,
I'm new on here! How u all doing?
I've been looking at getting an RX-8 for about 6 months now, and they are bloody lovely and a LOT of car for the price...however I know that a lot of the go tits up with the rotary engines they've got.
Was looking for other peoples opinions on whether it worth spending 4k on something that is going to blow up. And if anyone else has one, their opinions on what to look out for and how to make it "not" blow up!?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Cheers
Steveo
I'm new on here! How u all doing?
I've been looking at getting an RX-8 for about 6 months now, and they are bloody lovely and a LOT of car for the price...however I know that a lot of the go tits up with the rotary engines they've got.
Was looking for other peoples opinions on whether it worth spending 4k on something that is going to blow up. And if anyone else has one, their opinions on what to look out for and how to make it "not" blow up!?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Cheers
Steveo
Used to have an RX-7 so I have experiance of wankle Rotary Engines but not of RX-8's
I did much as you, thought it was a lot of car for very little money and took the plunge hoping it had plenty of life left in it.
Bought it at 70k miles, engine went at 72k miles.
Learnt an awful lot about rotary engines as I pulled it out of the car stripped it down, replaced all the seals and tips and rebuilt it.
This is a very big job and requires access to precision engineering measurement equipment.
It could be done in your garage but with out thoroughly inspecting and meauring all the ring squares, centre and end plates, rotors and the eccentric shaft you could just be refurbishing junk.
Oher than regular oil and filter changes there really isn't anything you can do other than not drive it to extend it's life.
The engine will go and it will easily cost as much as the purchase price to replace or repair your engine.
Also of note is the oil consumption of these engines, 1ltr per 600-1,000 miles in the RX-7 and the fuel consumption 14-20 mpg.
Those figures really don't stack up with the cars performance. The car may have a healthy sounding bhp figure but they are very torque poor.
With Rotary engines it's not just a case of interweb hysteria they really are ticking time bombs, some last longer than others but when it needs a strip down it will cost you big.
I did much as you, thought it was a lot of car for very little money and took the plunge hoping it had plenty of life left in it.
Bought it at 70k miles, engine went at 72k miles.
Learnt an awful lot about rotary engines as I pulled it out of the car stripped it down, replaced all the seals and tips and rebuilt it.
This is a very big job and requires access to precision engineering measurement equipment.
It could be done in your garage but with out thoroughly inspecting and meauring all the ring squares, centre and end plates, rotors and the eccentric shaft you could just be refurbishing junk.
Oher than regular oil and filter changes there really isn't anything you can do other than not drive it to extend it's life.
The engine will go and it will easily cost as much as the purchase price to replace or repair your engine.
Also of note is the oil consumption of these engines, 1ltr per 600-1,000 miles in the RX-7 and the fuel consumption 14-20 mpg.
Those figures really don't stack up with the cars performance. The car may have a healthy sounding bhp figure but they are very torque poor.
With Rotary engines it's not just a case of interweb hysteria they really are ticking time bombs, some last longer than others but when it needs a strip down it will cost you big.
First of all get on uk rx8 owners club loads of info on there. This myth of them eating lads of oil is rubbish I have one I check it every second fuel stop mine hardly gone through any. 2-3k you might get a good one higher budget better for one with great compression. If I was you and you can afford it buy one with dud engine but good body work and get a rebuild 2.5kish and get it ported. This way you can rest assured engine is good for a long while. The problem with the rx8 is you never know how the previous owners have looked after them so like starting with a new car if you go down the engine rebuild route.But if you don't want to go down that route try get the best you can for the money you have but any car you go see get a compression test its an absolute must with these cars. The compression figures should be high 7/8 anything lower then 6.8 a fail. Road tax pre 06 200 ish for the year 06 on 400 for the year. The mpg is never going to be great but porting the engine helps lots of people on rx8 club had it done. If you need any more help from me feel free to pm me
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