RX-8 - bargaintastic!
Discussion
I've noticed that there are quite a few RX-8s in the classifieds from 6k and upwards.
Now, I know they are thirsty and are no doubt going to be hit very badly by emissions-based road tax, and that people worry about the oil consumption and rebuilds on the rotary engine, but seriously!!
That's a 25k car that has lost 18k in 3 years!
How far do they go without engine rebuilds, and how much is a rebuild? I must admit, I am tempted after seeing Clarky's glowing review repeated on TG!
Now, I know they are thirsty and are no doubt going to be hit very badly by emissions-based road tax, and that people worry about the oil consumption and rebuilds on the rotary engine, but seriously!!
That's a 25k car that has lost 18k in 3 years!
How far do they go without engine rebuilds, and how much is a rebuild? I must admit, I am tempted after seeing Clarky's glowing review repeated on TG!
NiceCupOfTea said:
I've noticed that there are quite a few RX-8s in the classifieds from 6k and upwards.
Now, I know they are thirsty and are no doubt going to be hit very badly by emissions-based road tax, and that people worry about the oil consumption and rebuilds on the rotary engine, but seriously!!
That's a 25k car that has lost 18k in 3 years!
How far do they go without engine rebuilds, and how much is a rebuild? I must admit, I am tempted after seeing Clarky's glowing review repeated on TG!
They go as far as you treat them, they dont just need rebuilds every 60k as most people assume. they do however if not looked after. Now, I know they are thirsty and are no doubt going to be hit very badly by emissions-based road tax, and that people worry about the oil consumption and rebuilds on the rotary engine, but seriously!!
That's a 25k car that has lost 18k in 3 years!
How far do they go without engine rebuilds, and how much is a rebuild? I must admit, I am tempted after seeing Clarky's glowing review repeated on TG!
As an RX-8 owner, and member of the owners club (so I've met a lot of RX-8 members), I have to say the rebuild story is a myth - maybe you are thinking of the RX-7? There are quite a lot of 100k milers around now.
Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
One thing - make sure you get one with a full Mazda service history. If something goes wrong out of warranty, Mazda have a good reputation of making good will gestures towards repairs if there is any inkling of a part failing prematurely. But you do need that full Mazda history to get it.
Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
One thing - make sure you get one with a full Mazda service history. If something goes wrong out of warranty, Mazda have a good reputation of making good will gestures towards repairs if there is any inkling of a part failing prematurely. But you do need that full Mazda history to get it.
pixor said:
As an RX-8 owner, and member of the owners club (so I've met a lot of RX-8 members), I have to say the rebuild story is a myth - maybe you are thinking of the RX-7? There are quite a lot of 100k milers around now.
Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
One thing - make sure you get one with a full Mazda service history. If something goes wrong out of warranty, Mazda have a good reputation of making good will gestures towards repairs if there is any inkling of a part failing prematurely. But you do need that full Mazda history to get it.
I'm pretty sure he's thinking of the RX8. RX7 engines go forever Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
One thing - make sure you get one with a full Mazda service history. If something goes wrong out of warranty, Mazda have a good reputation of making good will gestures towards repairs if there is any inkling of a part failing prematurely. But you do need that full Mazda history to get it.
pixor said:
Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
I'd say that was a lot.The four runs a bar of boost from an oil fed turbo and sits for months before being driven hard. In 5 years and 30,000 miles, she's never used any oil. Ever.
The Alfa has italian build quality and doesn't burn oil either.
I understand that a wankel and piston engine are two very different things, but a litre of oil every thousand miles is a lot IMHO. If you did 20,000 miles a year, you're pouring a litre in almost every two weeks.
For the enthusiast that's ok. For most people, used to modern 15,000 mile (variable) service intervals, that's unacceptable.
For 6K, I'd have one. And then I'd try to turbocharge it....
Thanks for the replies!
Pixor, oil consumption doesn't worry me, I know that it's normal for the engines. I didn't know the rebuild situation, I know it affects RX7s so I had assumed it might RX8s too.
When you say Mazda history, would an independant specialist be OK? I have a morbid fear of main dealer servicing
If I needed a modern reliable car above all I would seriously be looking at an RX8 I think...
Pixor, oil consumption doesn't worry me, I know that it's normal for the engines. I didn't know the rebuild situation, I know it affects RX7s so I had assumed it might RX8s too.
When you say Mazda history, would an independant specialist be OK? I have a morbid fear of main dealer servicing
If I needed a modern reliable car above all I would seriously be looking at an RX8 I think...
NiceCupOfTea said:
Thanks for the replies!
Pixor, oil consumption doesn't worry me, I know that it's normal for the engines. I didn't know the rebuild situation, I know it affects RX7s so I had assumed it might RX8s too.
The main issues with the 7 are because very few are standard. I'm running 400-450 bhp on an engine originally designed to run 265!Pixor, oil consumption doesn't worry me, I know that it's normal for the engines. I didn't know the rebuild situation, I know it affects RX7s so I had assumed it might RX8s too.
NiceCupOfTea said:
When you say Mazda history, would an independant specialist be OK? I have a morbid fear of main dealer servicing
Mazda dealerships seem to be a cut above the norm - I've had great service there when I've had to take the 7 to them. Many 8 owners also find them to be very good.Don't worry about the petrol consumpion
and the oil is not a problem, just check it every other fill up, mine hardly uses any for the amount of driving I do in it.
Look after the engine and the RX8 will motor on well in the high miles, just make sure you get a fully serviced one and keep it up to date.Rebuilds are not an issue with the 8's
Most Mazda dealers are fine, mine is great(Harrogate)If you want more info check out the owners club www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk it's a great forum if your interested.
It's a bloody great drive too!
and the oil is not a problem, just check it every other fill up, mine hardly uses any for the amount of driving I do in it.Look after the engine and the RX8 will motor on well in the high miles, just make sure you get a fully serviced one and keep it up to date.Rebuilds are not an issue with the 8's
Most Mazda dealers are fine, mine is great(Harrogate)If you want more info check out the owners club www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk it's a great forum if your interested.
It's a bloody great drive too!
Edited by johnnygrunge on Friday 24th October 15:56
Mr E said:
pixor said:
Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
I'd say that was a lot.The four runs a bar of boost from an oil fed turbo and sits for months before being driven hard. In 5 years and 30,000 miles, she's never used any oil. Ever.
The Alfa has italian build quality and doesn't burn oil either.
I understand that a wankel and piston engine are two very different things, but a litre of oil every thousand miles is a lot IMHO. If you did 20,000 miles a year, you're pouring a litre in almost every two weeks.
For the enthusiast that's ok. For most people, used to modern 15,000 mile (variable) service intervals, that's unacceptable.
For 6K, I'd have one. And then I'd try to turbocharge it....
Had mine a month and its fantastic - the title of the thread says it all - they are alot of car for a bargain price.
Fuel - 20/24 mpg, only slightly lower than anything producing 230bhp such as a 3.0 V6.
Oil - Yes they use it, they are designed too to lubricate the tips, may cost you £60 per year.
Rebuild - A standard looked after engine should last at least 60K and all it should need is rotor tips, cost at dealers is about £400.
Bottom line, it may cost an extra grand a year to run than your average motor, but its not your average motor. Overall running costs are in line with simiar performance Audi's, BMW's etc. but several grand cheaper to buy.
You will not be disappointed.
Fuel - 20/24 mpg, only slightly lower than anything producing 230bhp such as a 3.0 V6.
Oil - Yes they use it, they are designed too to lubricate the tips, may cost you £60 per year.
Rebuild - A standard looked after engine should last at least 60K and all it should need is rotor tips, cost at dealers is about £400.
Bottom line, it may cost an extra grand a year to run than your average motor, but its not your average motor. Overall running costs are in line with simiar performance Audi's, BMW's etc. but several grand cheaper to buy.
You will not be disappointed.
Mr E said:
pixor said:
Also, oil. Mine uses less than a litre every 1000 miles. Is that a lot? Not if you drive most performance cars.
The Alfa has italian build quality and doesn't burn oil either.I understand that a wankel and piston engine are two very different things, but a litre of oil every thousand miles is a lot IMHO. If you did 20,000 miles a year, you're pouring a litre in almost every two weeks.
pixor said:
But you have to understand, it's not a piston engine, it's designed to use oil to lubricate the apex seals.
I understand completely why it does it, and it wouldn't put me off.It would put a lot of people off, and that's my point.
Mave said:
With respect, a lot of Alfas are burning quite a lot of oil;
The twin sparks certainly seem to burn some. Ours isn't a twin spark and has had a top end rebuild, which I suspect helped hugely.I know the old Civic Type Rs chew through oil as well - Honda say a litre every 1500 miles is acceptable consumption.
I bit a couple months ago and replaced the MX-5 with an RX-8. Never looked back.
I got a Tit Grey 35K 190BHP with fabric interior and BOSE for a little over 8.5K. There are cheaper cars out there but usually higher mileage or missing dealer stamps etc. This one ticked all the boxes for me and I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of ownership. Not had any flooding probs yet but if I do need to swap mine and the wifes cars around on the drive I just hold the RPMs at 4K and turn off the ignition. Not quite the 7K for 10 seconds thing, but at 11PM at night that would be quite unsociable. It has never faltered anyway.
I got a Tit Grey 35K 190BHP with fabric interior and BOSE for a little over 8.5K. There are cheaper cars out there but usually higher mileage or missing dealer stamps etc. This one ticked all the boxes for me and I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of ownership. Not had any flooding probs yet but if I do need to swap mine and the wifes cars around on the drive I just hold the RPMs at 4K and turn off the ignition. Not quite the 7K for 10 seconds thing, but at 11PM at night that would be quite unsociable. It has never faltered anyway.
ad551 said:
What are peoples opinions on the difference between the 192 and 231bhp versions? Obviously the 231 car has better top end but is it true the 192 feels more torquey?
People may say that but the 192 has a tiny amount more torque at the engine at slightly lower reves.Totaly utterly offset by the better gearing on the 6 speed box on the 230 (192 is 5 speed).
230 has more torque at the wheels in evey gear at every rpm than the 192.
Have to say LOVED mine , exceptional car for the money and I bought it new.
ad551 said:
What are peoples opinions on the difference between the 192 and 231bhp versions? Obviously the 231 car has better top end but is it true the 192 feels more torquey?
231 has 6 gears and revs to 9000, the 192 has 5 and revs to 7000, mine is the later and does fine for me,cross town traffic in the week and the twisties at the weekend. It has a bit more torque than the 231 but less revs and gears, not much in it really, depends on your driving style but you do have to wring their necks to get them flying........It's all good though
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