RX8 Good Cheap Track Car ???

[SLW79]

Looking for a cheap rear wheel drive relatively quick track car to have a play on Donnington Park. The RX8's seem really cheap eg) £1600 for a 54/55 plate with 60k miles. I know they have the rotary wankel engine but apparently these are more reliable if driven hard?
Any feedback would be much appreciated
Steve

[Fastdruid]

Fuel consumption is meant to be relatively good on track.

[SLW79]

Yea economy is poor but shouldn't be an issue on the track

[Gilhooligan]

I'd be wanting a compression test done at that mileage.

[vanman1936]

Tempted by the same - giving an MR2 Turbo a go in the same vein.

See for post in line with your thoughts http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=119...

[Steve H]

I've never been that impressed by RX8s for reliability or track use. If you want cheap RWD it's tough to beat an E36 beemer.

[wackojacko]

Steve H said:

I've never been that impressed by RX8s for reliability or track use. If you want cheap RWD it's tough to beat an E36 beemer.

Indeed, there's a reason why E36's, Mx5's and MR2's are so popular.
Cheap, parts are plentiful, mods are all well documented and they don't have to be rebuilt very often


I would like to test drive an RX8 now to see if it can change my mind about that engine. When I last drive one.... Wasn't my cuppa tea.

[Fastdruid]

SLW79 said:

Yea economy is poor but shouldn't be an issue on the track

No, I meant its actually the same as and in some cases better than comparable cars on track.

Essentially what everyone is normally comparing is 'crusing' mpg, which the RX-8 is a bit pants at. Flat out mpg (eg on a track) is something totally different and the RX-8 isn't bad.

[chongwong]

If this dudes warranty rings true, this might be worth a look?
offer asking price on the condition he taxes it for you?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

[fushion julz]

Steve H said:

I've never been that impressed by RX8s for reliability or track use. If you want cheap RWD it's tough to beat an E36 beemer.

If you budget is really only <£2k and RWD is a must then:

I'd recommend either, as above, a cheap E30 or E36 BMW (325 or 328) and some suspension mods and a lightening regime or an MX5 and a similar spend...
MR2 is a reasonable call, too.
Probably a few others, too:
Alfa 75 (if you can find one) comes to mind, too.

On a track, power is not the most important thing and you would be better off with the lightest car you can get...cost of tyres, brakes, etc will be less than on a heavy car, every time.

[chris7676]

fushion julz said:

cost of tyres, brakes, etc will be less than on a heavy car, every time.

Not every time, Elise tyres & possibly brakes will be more than MX5 mk1 or MR2 mk1 ones

[fushion julz]

The cost of purchase *may* be higher for a particular car (Elise, say) over another (MX5), but the wear rate on a lighter car will always be less.

[braddo]

wackojacko said:

Steve H said:

I've never been that impressed by RX8s for reliability or track use. If you want cheap RWD it's tough to beat an E36 beemer.

Indeed, there's a reason why E36's, Mx5's and MR2's are so popular.
Cheap, parts are plentiful, mods are all well documented and they don't have to be rebuilt very often


I would like to test drive an RX8 now to see if it can change my mind about that engine. When I last drive one.... Wasn't my cuppa tea.

I too would like to try a RX8. I get the impression they are far more suited to track work out of the box than an E36 (better brakes, suspension setup, balance and shell rigidity).

Whereas the mods for an E36 track car can get quite long it would be interesting to see how a RX8 would compare with just some quality track-biased suspension and a geo.

[Phil Dicky]

I've got my eye on the RX8 race series starting through 750mc....cheap cars to buy and a hoot to drive, I need to get race again but through cheaper routes....( I know no form of racing is cheap )

[velocgee]

i did a number of trackdays days when i had my Rex and though i can't compare to other cars i found it very good on track. a good example, with correct alignment (go to WiM)& a full set of Hawk HP+ pads is a very, very good track car.

[Dakkon]

Also look at Dale Lomas's experiences of running an RX8 at the 'Ring

[e46m3c]

how is the rx8 on the track? i too am looking? is it powerful enough to steer from the rear and give a good FR experience?

i too have my eye on the 750mc. I have emailed them but not yet received reply. I was after the spec list for the series and what spec the competition and laptimes they are running. Problem with open series is lots of money can get spent.

Anyone compared RX8 to an M3 on track (i know different league but also different league of cost).

[SLW79]

I just watched an old top gear where Clarkson tested the rx8 on a track and said it was great fun - quick too at the top end! Might just buy one, sell all the bits on eBay and see how she performs.

[Phil Dicky]

SLW79 said:

I just watched an old top gear where Clarkson tested the rx8 on a track and said it was great fun - quick too at the top end! Might just buy one, sell all the bits on eBay and see how she performs.

Just what I'm doing.....I'm going to race it as well...why not try that?