Impartial RX-8 Advice Required
Discussion
Hey all, I'm new to the forum. I joined here (as opposed to an owners club) becasue I was after some impartial advice about the Rex.
I have been looking around for a car with a budget of £7k and I just can't seem to find a vehicle in the same league for the same money. I'm 24 so insurance is going to hit hard at £1000 but I have budgeted for this.
Here's what I like about it:
Styling,
Performance,
Climate Control,
Heated Leather seats,
Cruise control,
Comfortable driving position,
and much more.
Here's the info I already know:
Poor economy,
post 06 is higher tax,
Oil consumption more than usual,
if you stick with Bridgestone tyres as recommended - tyres will be expensive.
What I want to know:
I literaly live 5 mins from work (1 song near enough), is this short distance going to effect the Rex (not giving the oil long enough to warm up)? Has anyone got any horror stories from previously owning a Rex? Are the new wankel's more reliable than the previous which required building often?
I have been looking around for a car with a budget of £7k and I just can't seem to find a vehicle in the same league for the same money. I'm 24 so insurance is going to hit hard at £1000 but I have budgeted for this.
Here's what I like about it:
Styling,
Performance,
Climate Control,
Heated Leather seats,
Cruise control,
Comfortable driving position,
and much more.
Here's the info I already know:
Poor economy,
post 06 is higher tax,
Oil consumption more than usual,
if you stick with Bridgestone tyres as recommended - tyres will be expensive.
What I want to know:
I literaly live 5 mins from work (1 song near enough), is this short distance going to effect the Rex (not giving the oil long enough to warm up)? Has anyone got any horror stories from previously owning a Rex? Are the new wankel's more reliable than the previous which required building often?
Renesis engine does not require a rebuild
Oil usage is not as bad as people make out
5 minutes might be too short a time for the rx8, you need to let it warm up or can risk flooding the engine (you cannot just "start and stop" the Rx8)
The standard Bridgestone tyres are crap, try Falken FK452s instead which are much cheaper and safer
It's a fun car, but might not be suitable for your short drives to work.
If you want further info, look on www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk
Oil usage is not as bad as people make out
5 minutes might be too short a time for the rx8, you need to let it warm up or can risk flooding the engine (you cannot just "start and stop" the Rx8)
The standard Bridgestone tyres are crap, try Falken FK452s instead which are much cheaper and safer
It's a fun car, but might not be suitable for your short drives to work.
If you want further info, look on www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk
Edited by Monki on Thursday 6th August 11:11
Thanks for your post, I feared that would be the case, ideally how long should a rex be run before its safe to switch off?
This isn't looking too good for the rex purchase. What type of car would be a more suitable alternative? I would like the same features of the rex but I dont want an older car.
This isn't looking too good for the rex purchase. What type of car would be a more suitable alternative? I would like the same features of the rex but I dont want an older car.
Maybe look at a Toyota Celica?
I think with the rx8, it's best to give it ten minutes to warm up properly as it has to overfuel on startup to heat the cat which dumps excess fuel in (thank you EU)
The rx8 is a fantastic car, but if it's such a short journey to work and you're not willing to take a more "fun" and longer route, it might be bad for the car
I think with the rx8, it's best to give it ten minutes to warm up properly as it has to overfuel on startup to heat the cat which dumps excess fuel in (thank you EU)
The rx8 is a fantastic car, but if it's such a short journey to work and you're not willing to take a more "fun" and longer route, it might be bad for the car
I do love the car and part of my journey involves a dual carriageway, it wouldn't be too hard for me to join the dual carriageway further on and get a little bit longer run.
I have been thinking about the Celica but inside seemed very bland in comparison. I have opened a new topic in general gassing giving my budget so with a bit of luck I should get some good suggestions there.
Thanks for the info
I have been thinking about the Celica but inside seemed very bland in comparison. I have opened a new topic in general gassing giving my budget so with a bit of luck I should get some good suggestions there.
Thanks for the info
Yes, the tax is £400+ post 06 but pre 06 its only £215ish.
I agree a 5 min journey is going to be harsh on any car but I do go to the gym most nights after work so worst case scenario It would only be the mornings that would be short and I could easily extend that for the sake of the health of the car.
I agree a 5 min journey is going to be harsh on any car but I do go to the gym most nights after work so worst case scenario It would only be the mornings that would be short and I could easily extend that for the sake of the health of the car.
What car have you got/had before?
Ive just recently sold my rx8 231ps (before that i had a 328i sport) and now have a 1992 v-spec mx5.
They are really good cars but you dont get the same sensation of speed as other cars because of the power delivery the rotary engine gives, its really smooth. Almost boringly so.
Im having much more fun now thrashing the mx5 around and it feels like im doing 100mph everywhere at much much slower speeds.
It just depends what you want in a car really.
Ive just recently sold my rx8 231ps (before that i had a 328i sport) and now have a 1992 v-spec mx5.
They are really good cars but you dont get the same sensation of speed as other cars because of the power delivery the rotary engine gives, its really smooth. Almost boringly so.
Im having much more fun now thrashing the mx5 around and it feels like im doing 100mph everywhere at much much slower speeds.
It just depends what you want in a car really.
It should be far enough to avoid flooding, but using it for five minute journeys will give spectacularly awful fuel consumption - low to mid teens. Not that five minutes at 15mpg amounts to a whole lot of fuel. To be honest, I'd walk or cycle that far, it isn't good for any car.
The engines don't need periodic rebuilds, but a few of them have failed at low mileage. Just make sure that it starts immediately both cold and importantly hot, and that when the engine is fully warmed it pulls smoothly all the way to the red line with no rattles or drop off of power.
The engines don't need periodic rebuilds, but a few of them have failed at low mileage. Just make sure that it starts immediately both cold and importantly hot, and that when the engine is fully warmed it pulls smoothly all the way to the red line with no rattles or drop off of power.
The oil is up to operating temperature within 4 mins. I know this because my work is also about 5 mins from my house and use the car to get there everyday but I do drive it for much longer periods on the days off 
.
I use toyo proxes T1r's allround and they handle brilliantly in all but snow.
The oil consumption is not bad it is only 1 litre of oil every 1500-2500 miles depending on driving style.
Servicing is quite cheap and is only needed every 12000 miles but once a year is recommended if you do less than that.
. I use toyo proxes T1r's allround and they handle brilliantly in all but snow.
The oil consumption is not bad it is only 1 litre of oil every 1500-2500 miles depending on driving style.
Servicing is quite cheap and is only needed every 12000 miles but once a year is recommended if you do less than that.
It's very awkward to walk to work from where I live, the connecting road to work is a dual carriageway and I dont fancy walking up and down that!
My current car is a Citroen Xsara VTR so the Rex is a massive improvement (different league even). I have test driven one and the lack of torque does make it feel slow, however I do like this about the car also, whilst a neck jerking car can be fun i can imagine it would also be annoying after a while too.
My current car is a Citroen Xsara VTR so the Rex is a massive improvement (different league even). I have test driven one and the lack of torque does make it feel slow, however I do like this about the car also, whilst a neck jerking car can be fun i can imagine it would also be annoying after a while too.
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