RX8 Pros & Cons
Discussion
After watching Jason Plato's item about budget sports cars on Fifth Gear recently. The RX8 has appeared on my radar of potential replacements for my current run-around Mk4 Golf GTi. I understand fuel consumption and frequent oil changes are two of the negative attributes of the RX8. However my annual mileage in the Golf is sub 4K so not too concerned with fuel economy.
I'm thinking at spending around 3 grand or under and looking for something with less than 50K on the clock. There seem to be lots around. So what are the pros and con?
I'm thinking at spending around 3 grand or under and looking for something with less than 50K on the clock. There seem to be lots around. So what are the pros and con?
you say you do sub 4k a year. Is that very rare longish journeys or many short ones. I read somewhere they don't like short journeys so much.
One thing to be aware of but I'm sure you already know, is that the tax band changed somewhere along the line and the price almost doubled.
I would really like an rx8 and do have the funds to run one, however I have really been erred on the side of caution with all the bad reviews. Shame really as they seem like a lovely car.
One thing to be aware of but I'm sure you already know, is that the tax band changed somewhere along the line and the price almost doubled.
I would really like an rx8 and do have the funds to run one, however I have really been erred on the side of caution with all the bad reviews. Shame really as they seem like a lovely car.
deltashad said:
There seems to be a huge consencous that the engine is more fragile than a fragile thing in a place where things are can be broken very easily on a regular basis.
Think theres a reason why the owners are giving them away in barter for 200 regal kingsize.
I see. So is that a perception or reality. Think theres a reason why the owners are giving them away in barter for 200 regal kingsize.
colonel c said:
I see. So is that a perception or reality.
I have no personal experience. A colleague had one. It blew up and he sold it for peanuts. I'm in a pub right now in the middle of a foreign country rapidly approaching non sense, so i may be talking naked truth or absolute b
ksBut i really like the rx8's. One of my cars is an mgf k-series. Its had a new engine. My lancias are always in for big engine repairs or a new engine.
I have a sneaky feeling the rx8 will be the same. If you like it enough then this should not put you off. I'm not happy about big bills but sometimes the rewards are worth it.
Just my thoughts. I could be absolutely wrong.
They're a victim of their own price really. If the engine fails at ~80k (apparently a proportion do), it's cheaper to buy another example than to pay £2k for an engine rebuild. Therefore the value goes down further as people think they all die at 80k.
If it was an e30 M3 then you wouldn't think twice about rebuilding the engine for £2k.
If you bought an rx8 for £1.5 and kept £2 aside for an engine rebuild when the time came, you'd have a properly sorted sports car for £3.5 k. Go on, do it!
If it was an e30 M3 then you wouldn't think twice about rebuilding the engine for £2k.
If you bought an rx8 for £1.5 and kept £2 aside for an engine rebuild when the time came, you'd have a properly sorted sports car for £3.5 k. Go on, do it!
HustleRussell said:
The engine is not only a bit fragile, but also wheezy and unrewarding to use in my experience. It makes a horrible noise. An LS3 would fix that, too though!
While ruining the car. Plus I don't know of anyone who's actually done it. Lots of 'oh it would be better with x/y/z' but nothing to be found regarding them. You either get the rotary or you don't. They are supremely smooth and responsive with an ace noise.. but if you like laggy turbo's with a mass of torque then you'll hate them.
colonel c said:
I see. So is that a perception or reality.
Given there seems to be a number of specialists who earn their living solely rebuilding rotary engines, it would suggest that the failure rate is significant. Buy one with a failed engine for £750 and get the engine rebuilt and enjoy.
Had a ride in one a few years ago. Didnt like it, too short of grunt low down and then a bit noisy and exciteable at the top end. Plus the owner told me she filled it with oil and topped up the petrol so all in all it was a no for me.
I think at that budget I'd rather have an MR2 mk3.
Not saying they will all blow up but just seems there are better options at that price point.
I think at that budget I'd rather have an MR2 mk3.
Not saying they will all blow up but just seems there are better options at that price point.
Haven driven one and thought it to be possibly the best steer I have had the pleasure to drive I plumped for a v8 MG. Still think they look good from most angle and seat four in comfort. I unfortunately do 40k a year and can only afford one toy my V8. I would if I only did the mileage you state and keep the V8.
I actually mentioned the possibility to my daughter of swapping her Fiesta ST for one only last night, selfish me!!
I actually mentioned the possibility to my daughter of swapping her Fiesta ST for one only last night, selfish me!!
This comes up endlessly......
They dont need oil changes any more than any other car, they just use oil as part of the engine process so you need to check it. My RX8 used no more oil than a few of my other cars and wasnt a problem.
If you want one get lowest mileage you can and buy from someone who knows what it is they have. RX8 forums perhaps? They cannot be used like a normal car in some respects - starting the car, moving it 100 yards and switching the engine straight off can cause flooding, and this is not good - the car needs fully warming up after a start, and given a good revving before switching off. They need revving fully as often as is possible otherwise the rotor tips can get worn, the cats can get wrecked. You need to keep an eye on the coil packs and replacement every 30k (I think) or sooner if you see wear on them.
IF you follow these bits of advice and the previous owner also has then you will be rewarded with a beautifully made car with handlind that is incomparable in it's price bracket (and fairly out of it too), but which has 4 proper seats, leather, xenon headlights, BOSE premium sound, gorgeous pod instruments which turn red at night, and a wonderful wailing free-revving engine.
If I could, I would have another in a heartbeat. Also keep an eye on the run-out R3s which are getting cheap now, they are even better and have tasty recaros in them.
They dont need oil changes any more than any other car, they just use oil as part of the engine process so you need to check it. My RX8 used no more oil than a few of my other cars and wasnt a problem.
If you want one get lowest mileage you can and buy from someone who knows what it is they have. RX8 forums perhaps? They cannot be used like a normal car in some respects - starting the car, moving it 100 yards and switching the engine straight off can cause flooding, and this is not good - the car needs fully warming up after a start, and given a good revving before switching off. They need revving fully as often as is possible otherwise the rotor tips can get worn, the cats can get wrecked. You need to keep an eye on the coil packs and replacement every 30k (I think) or sooner if you see wear on them.
IF you follow these bits of advice and the previous owner also has then you will be rewarded with a beautifully made car with handlind that is incomparable in it's price bracket (and fairly out of it too), but which has 4 proper seats, leather, xenon headlights, BOSE premium sound, gorgeous pod instruments which turn red at night, and a wonderful wailing free-revving engine.
If I could, I would have another in a heartbeat. Also keep an eye on the run-out R3s which are getting cheap now, they are even better and have tasty recaros in them.
Fleckers said:
i like the looks
not driven one
I am told that sticking a LS3 engine in them make them somewhat better
Not sure about this - one of the great things about them is that the engine is so small and tucks right up under the dash, giving them 50:50 weight distribution. A socking V8 is going to bargify it to a fair extent I should think! Better to turbocharge/supercharge one!not driven one
I am told that sticking a LS3 engine in them make them somewhat better
steven said:
Given there seems to be a number of specialists who earn their living solely rebuilding rotary engines, it would suggest that the failure rate is significant.
Buy one with a failed engine for £750 and get the engine rebuilt and enjoy.
This is what I would do!Buy one with a failed engine for £750 and get the engine rebuilt and enjoy.
Edited by robsa on Saturday 23 March 16:00
Fastdruid said:
HustleRussell said:
The engine is not only a bit fragile, but also wheezy and unrewarding to use in my experience. It makes a horrible noise. An LS3 would fix that, too though!
While ruining the car. Plus I don't know of anyone who's actually done it. Lots of 'oh it would be better with x/y/z' but nothing to be found regarding them. You either get the rotary or you don't. They are supremely smooth and responsive with an ace noise.. but if you like laggy turbo's with a mass of torque then you'll hate them.P.S. the LS3 remark was tongue in cheek because it had been mentioned already.
Edited by HustleRussell on Saturday 23 March 16:07
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