Rx-8 advice

Author
Discussion

Greggbb

Original Poster:

77 posts

138 months

Friday 12th October 2012
quotequote all
I think I am going through an early mid-life crisis. Having spent the last 10 years driving Saab 9-3, BMW 3 series coupes and Volkwagen passats I have purchased a TVR... however, it really isn't a good everyday car. I like the RX-8, and I am looking for some advice.

1. What should I look for on 2nd hand models?
2. Common faults?
3. Tax band
4. Is it a good choice? My job means I used to drive over 30k miles, this is now down to pottering around.
5. Why are they so cheap 2nd hand?!

Thanks guys...

Gregg

JB434

178 posts

147 months

Friday 12th October 2012
quotequote all
Greggbb said:
I think I am going through an early mid-life crisis. Having spent the last 10 years driving Saab 9-3, BMW 3 series coupes and Volkwagen passats I have purchased a TVR... however, it really isn't a good everyday car. I like the RX-8, and I am looking for some advice.

1. What should I look for on 2nd hand models?
2. Common faults?
3. Tax band
4. Is it a good choice? My job means I used to drive over 30k miles, this is now down to pottering around.
5. Why are they so cheap 2nd hand?!

Thanks guys...

Gregg
1. Not my area, engines are the big fault with these things.
2. Engines, rotaries are pretty high maintenance, if it has low compression that usually means it needs a rebuild.
3. Extremely high I believe, I've forgotten the cut off point but I believe the earlier cars are about £250 a year and the later ones about £400.
4. Well, you're the only person who can answer this question. Low mileage will lessen the effect of the MPG and maintenance requirements.
5. In a word, the engine. High tax rates, low MPG (low 20's? Although the MPG does apparently stay about the same whether you're hooning it or just pottering about, in fact I believe it's good for the engine to hoon it about and use all the rev range) and the rotary maintenance requirements; You do need to stay on top of the routine maintenance.

Personally, although I do like rotaries (and want to stick one into an MX5 hehe) they're not really worth the hassle in an everyday car.

vrsmxtb

2,002 posts

155 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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Try searching in General Gassing (this is the MX5 specific sub forum), but almost every RX8 story I've heard has ended up in costing £££ in one way or another, either mechanical or depreciation etc.

robsa

2,254 posts

183 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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Absolutely brilliant cars if you can afford the petrol. I had one and nothing went wrong on it. The problem with them is they were sold as a mass-produced car anyone could drive, but in my opinion they are a specialist car and so when Mrs Jones buys one she floods it all the time, doesn't check the oil regularly, doesn't rev it when warm etc. Then someone else buys the car and shortly after it dies.

I bought mine very carefully and questioned the owner (it was 1 owner) and I could see it had been correctly looked after. And mine gave me no trouble. I would have another in a second if I could afford it and didn't have a company car.

Tax is high after 2005 I think, otherwise its £220-ish. Get the high power model and they all come with leather and xenons. Beautifully made, and amazing to drive. If you can afford it get the R3.


eth0

4 posts

138 months

Monday 15th October 2012
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I currently own an R3 and I love it, it's a beautiful car, you get A LOT for what you pay for. I can't compare it to much as it's only my second car but the various reviews I've read where they test super-cars daily said it handles like a £250k car, it really is that superb.

1. The RX8 owners club buyers guide will answer most of your questions: http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php...

2. As for faults they are just like any other car, you need to look after it properly. The only thing different I do with my R3 to any other car is check the oil every other fill up, it does use more than a normal car but it definitely doesn't _drink_ it. I've had it for just over 10 months and I've used under 8L of oil, that's including an oil change! As for petrol you'll probably average around 20MPG although 26MPG isn't unheard of.

3. The tax is the killer, £480 for 12 months. If you get the older model (2004/2005) it is only £240 for 12 months I believe.

4. Yes, don't think, just buy one! :-)

5. I think mainly because of the tax/petrol and they've got a bad reputation but they just need looking after, like any car. It's recommended to replace the plugs, coils and leads at ~28k and you MUST keep the oil topped up - most people don't which ends in killing the engine.

Make sure you 100% get a compression test before you buy, check out the owners club forums for more info. If you can afford it get the R3!

jamhow79

61 posts

171 months

Wednesday 17th October 2012
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I work at a car supermarket in yorkshire and every one thats ever come in has been fooooooooked !!! Engines are a time bomb unless maintained 100% and, in my experience, very few of the people who bought them knew how to maintain them properly.