Mazda RX8 - Any good?
Discussion
so its the new year and cash is tight and with a sprog on the way I'm considering selling my 4.3 TVR Griffith and getting an RX8 instead, now obviously its a bit more kiddy friendly ( actually having back seats etc) but I also need to raise some cash so how much will a good one set me back?
Bear in mind I've no mechanical fear and a have good garage and tools , crane press etc so maintenance , fault codes etc generally hold no fear.
your thoughts gents
Bear in mind I've no mechanical fear and a have good garage and tools , crane press etc so maintenance , fault codes etc generally hold no fear.
your thoughts gents
Always liked them but been put off by engine rebuild stories (not dissimilar to TVR scare mongering)
A Mate bought one and had quite a few problems, spent a lot of money and eventually unloaded it to webuyanycar.com as the dash looked like a christmas tree with faults. He said the mpg was shocking but the insurance was good (I think its only 1400cc?)to be fair he used independants to trace faults and wasted money on things that weren't required.
This months PPC mag has a buyers guide write up, they reckon the RX8 doesn't suffer the same rotor tip probs the Rx7's did, try and get a copy from WhSmith or Tesco.
Mags
A Mate bought one and had quite a few problems, spent a lot of money and eventually unloaded it to webuyanycar.com as the dash looked like a christmas tree with faults. He said the mpg was shocking but the insurance was good (I think its only 1400cc?)to be fair he used independants to trace faults and wasted money on things that weren't required.
This months PPC mag has a buyers guide write up, they reckon the RX8 doesn't suffer the same rotor tip probs the Rx7's did, try and get a copy from WhSmith or Tesco.
Mags
well the PPC writeup is what prompted the enquiry really, I'd imagine most stuff will feel slow after the griff, and I've had a cerb in the past ( thought it was great) but like I said I could do with raising some cash, so my thinking was sell the griff for about 10K buy an RX8 for 5-6K plus get a car my new family can all travel in.
anyway mpg? mag write ups say about 18-26 depending on how its used and the griff gets about that now so no difference in fuel cost, maybe in a few years come back to the fold (once the missus has learned to drive) always fancied building a tuscan with a V8 in it
anyway mpg? mag write ups say about 18-26 depending on how its used and the griff gets about that now so no difference in fuel cost, maybe in a few years come back to the fold (once the missus has learned to drive) always fancied building a tuscan with a V8 in it
We have the lower bhp one (192 ?) as it is child and wife friendly.
We've run it for 2 years, and only had one issue with it which Mazda sorted foc even though the car is 6 years old and out of warranty.
It is very different to drive and nothing like as involving as a griff but it is great fun.
We get low 20's mpg wise. £300 per year on servicing, cheap insurance.. They use a bit of oil but if you have a TVR you be used to at least checking.
Go and give one a go, or if you are near cambridge come and have a look at ours.
D
We've run it for 2 years, and only had one issue with it which Mazda sorted foc even though the car is 6 years old and out of warranty.
It is very different to drive and nothing like as involving as a griff but it is great fun.
We get low 20's mpg wise. £300 per year on servicing, cheap insurance.. They use a bit of oil but if you have a TVR you be used to at least checking.
Go and give one a go, or if you are near cambridge come and have a look at ours.
D
Hi Matt, sorry to hear that you are looking to sell the griff, don`t know much about RX8`s, a mate has one and loves it, but a little sceptical about how much room there is in the back though.Mat
Firstly congrats on the forthcoming addition to the Feasey clan.
Re the Rx8: No no no no no. I've driven several, Steve G used to run them for mazda in Fwoman & Britcar. Handling & brakes good. BUT totally lacking torque & very thirsty. My impression was 'is that it?' A bit of a sheep in wolf's clothing.
Firstly congrats on the forthcoming addition to the Feasey clan.
Re the Rx8: No no no no no. I've driven several, Steve G used to run them for mazda in Fwoman & Britcar. Handling & brakes good. BUT totally lacking torque & very thirsty. My impression was 'is that it?' A bit of a sheep in wolf's clothing.
Oh and they are dirt cheap.
Re the lack of power comment, I can sort of see what you are saying, the problem is that the power delivery is so odd, you have to rev pants off them, but that to me is part of the fun.
Re space in the back, the reason we bought ours is that it can take a proper child seat and adults in comfort in the back (unlike the cerbera).
I admit they are not for everyone, but don't slag them off unless you have tried one (blimey this sounds like I'm defending a TVR here!).
One thing I would say is that they have their quirks (the oil usage) so make sure you buy from someone who has a clue..
D
Re the lack of power comment, I can sort of see what you are saying, the problem is that the power delivery is so odd, you have to rev pants off them, but that to me is part of the fun.
Re space in the back, the reason we bought ours is that it can take a proper child seat and adults in comfort in the back (unlike the cerbera).
I admit they are not for everyone, but don't slag them off unless you have tried one (blimey this sounds like I'm defending a TVR here!).
One thing I would say is that they have their quirks (the oil usage) so make sure you buy from someone who has a clue..
D
Milky400 said:
Rubbish,
Thirsty, Slow and engine breaks very easily
And how long did you keep yours??Thirsty, Slow and engine breaks very easily
My wife has one (231) and loves it. We have had it for 3 years and have had no problems even though she does probably the worst kind of driving for that engine, ie lots of short journeys. Yes the fuel consumption is poor, but that isn't exactly a surprise (plus it is a 2.6l despite the press). The car has been completely fault free. As for slow, there isn't a great deal of torque below say 3k but then the red line isn't until 8.5k IIRC (I'm not allowed to drive it very often!), once you hit the power band then it feels fast enough for her.
MKnight702 said:
Milky400 said:
Rubbish,
Thirsty, Slow and engine breaks very easily
And how long did you keep yours??Thirsty, Slow and engine breaks very easily
My wife has one (231) and loves it. We have had it for 3 years and have had no problems even though she does probably the worst kind of driving for that engine, ie lots of short journeys. Yes the fuel consumption is poor, but that isn't exactly a surprise (plus it is a 2.6l despite the press). The car has been completely fault free. As for slow, there isn't a great deal of torque below say 3k but then the red line isn't until 8.5k IIRC (I'm not allowed to drive it very often!), once you hit the power band then it feels fast enough for her.
Edited by Milky400 on Wednesday 6th January 14:04
One thing to bear in mind with the RX-8 is that it is not very childern friendly in that the suicide style doors mean that the rear doors cannot be opened from the outside, not without the front door being openned first. Not normally an issue unless you have an accident and the front doors are jammed shut, there is no way to open the rear doors from outside.
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