Mazda RX8 - Any good?

[350Matt]

so its the new year and cash is tight and with a sprog on the way I'm considering selling my 4.3 TVR Griffith and getting an RX8 instead, now obviously its a bit more kiddy friendly ( actually having back seats etc) but I also need to raise soem cash so how much will a good one set me back?

Bear in mind I've no mechanical fear and a have good garage and tools , crane press etc so maintenance , fault codes etc generally hold no fear.

your thoughts gents

[sherman]

£8000 should get you a mint one privately or about £10000 for a trade one (both secondhand).

It will drink about the same amount of petrol as the TVR. The oil consumtion is not as bad as the claims.

The back seats come with ISOFIX already to go and the front pasanger airbag is able to be deactivated. The only thing is getting a pram/buggy in and out of the boot will probably be a PITA.

Also search for Rx8 on here as the topic has been gone over several times recently.

[968CSReading]

I have a 5 and 7yr old and while they do fit OK in the back (not much room behind me though) they dont like it much for long journeys because they cant see out the windows.

Its a great car and handles really well but coming from a TVR you will really miss the torque. I would suggest getting a drive in one and make sure you rev it all the way to the beep once warm. Make sure it has a full SH with all the recalls carried out.

MPG as you probably know is crap. Mine is mainly town and I get less than 20mpg. Oil use isnt as bad as they say, depends on the milage and type of driving you are doing.

Not much in the way of mods but well worth getting an after market exhaust to make it sound decent.

[David Wiltshire]

Have you had a look at the MRC website? If not there is a mine of information on these cars there with a lot of very helpful people there.

[jsr]

I've not driven a RX8, but i have passengered in a friends one (the higher power model). I have a Chimaera 400 and immediately noticed the lack of torque. There was no thrust in my back like the TVR.

We were not hanging about, but it was not as quick as the TVR. I really think you will miss the torque. I know i would.

Other than that, it was a nice car

[Lione1 Richie]

There is no 'kick' in the back - the engine just pulls smoothly and cleanly all the way ip to the 9,500 rpm redline. It's only when you look at the speedo do you realise how fast you are going as its so composed at speed (esp in the twisties). They are epic cars and am very please to have owned two of them so far

But Yes, if torques you're thing then they will not be for you, you have to re-learn how to drive to get the best from it and changing gear is the key, but then it is meant to be a sports car