RX7 vs RX8

[Paul 8v]

Appolgies if this has been posted before, as you probably know the "search" isn't working too well!

I've been looking through the classifieds and I'm noticing that the RX8's are actually not to dissimilar in price to RX7's, obviously they aren't quite as powerful as the earlier cars but they are a lot newer, is there a reason why they are so cheap, is it just that they're so juicy? Or is it that the RX7's are less common.

Also what is the handling like on both cars, compared to say a Skyline or a Supra? I would assume the Skyline and Supras were more GT in style but correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks

Paul

Edited by Paul 8v on Saturday 14th August 17:33

[Luke.]

You can't really compare the two to be honest. It's a bit like saying how does the MX5 and MX3 compare.

Always loved the shape of the RX7 though. One of the best. Just a shame you can't find a standard one for love nor money.

[ge0rge]

they both drink fuel and oil. One makes a lotta power and torque the other makes a fair bitta power and 0 torque. Ones beautiful (imo) ones ugly(imo) Id get a sorted or rebuilt rx7 in black personally...

[otolith]

The 7 uses the rotary's compact nature to maximise performance. The 8 is a much less obvious car, and a lot of people just don't get it. It uses the rotary to package four adults into a sports car weight distribution - it's front-mid engined but has proper rear seats.

[nottyash]

ge0rge said:

they both drink fuel and oil. One makes a lotta power and torque the other makes a fair bitta power and 0 torque. Ones beautiful (imo) ones ugly(imo) Id get a sorted or rebuilt rx7 in black personally...

Once again someone who heard in the pub they use lots of oil
Remember its not like a normal 4 stroke, more like a 2 stroke which is designed to use oil.
My Dad puts 1/2 litre in 1500 miles. I dont consider that too bad, considering its supposed to use it.
As said above, i wouldnt compare it with a twin turbo RX7. If you want to go fast, buy an RX7.

[Opengate]

nottyash said:

ge0rge said:

they both drink fuel and oil. One makes a lotta power and torque the other makes a fair bitta power and 0 torque. Ones beautiful (imo) ones ugly(imo) Id get a sorted or rebuilt rx7 in black personally...

Once again someone who heard in the pub they use lots of oil
Remember its not like a normal 4 stroke, more like a 2 stroke which is designed to use oil.
My Dad puts 1/2 litre in 1500 miles. I dont consider that too bad, considering its supposed to use it.
As said above, i wouldnt compare it with a twin turbo RX7. If you want to go fast, buy an RX7.

Big issue is the engines don't last long if modded especially. Those seals just wear out.

I wouldn't touch a rotary ever.

[Paul 8v]

I can certainly see what luke's saying about finding a standard RX7, I don't mind engine mods but I'm not big on the bodykits, it's already a good looking car that doesn't really need a kit to make it look nice, some of them do look OK but I'm allways weary of a kit as you don't know who's fitted it and if it's been done properly.
If I did own one it would be as a second car so the economy wouldn't be too much of an issue, I was thinking more of how it drives, I know you've said they're very different but how exactly? Which is the more nimble of the two, I'd prefer something quite responsive with really good handling.
I've also looked at 350Z'z but the prices don't seem to be going down too quick on those, there don't seem to be too many imports over here yet but I may be wrong.

Edited by Paul 8v on Sunday 15th August 11:26

[Evil.soup]

Paul 8v said:

I can certainly see what luke's saying about finding a standard RX7, I don't mind engine mods but I'm not big on the bodykits, it's already a good looking car that doesn't really need a kit to make it look nice, some of them do look OK but I'm allways weary of a kit as you don't know who's fitted it and if it's been done properly.
If I did own one it would be as a second car so the economy wouldn't be too much of an issue, I was thinking more of how it drives, I know you've said they're very different but how exactly? Which is the more nimble of the two, I'd prefer something quite responsive with really good handling.
I've also looked at 350Z'z but the prices don't seem to be going down too quick on those, there don't seem to be too many imports over here yet but I may be wrong.

Edited by Paul 8v on Sunday 15th August 11:26

The only way to compare the 2 with a non-biased result would be to take each out for a good 30min+ test drive. Personaly i would opt for the newer 8 but mainly for reliability and only if i had to choose one of them. To tell the truth i find the rotary a little pointless. It drinks the fuel and doesnt really go that quickly so what is the point of a 1.3 engine. Fair play though, some of the modified 7's are animals but rather highly strung! The 350Z, Evo or Impreza would be better jap purchases in my opinion.

[JontyR]

Opengate said:

nottyash said:

ge0rge said:

they both drink fuel and oil. One makes a lotta power and torque the other makes a fair bitta power and 0 torque. Ones beautiful (imo) ones ugly(imo) Id get a sorted or rebuilt rx7 in black personally...

Once again someone who heard in the pub they use lots of oil
Remember its not like a normal 4 stroke, more like a 2 stroke which is designed to use oil.
My Dad puts 1/2 litre in 1500 miles. I dont consider that too bad, considering its supposed to use it.
As said above, i wouldnt compare it with a twin turbo RX7. If you want to go fast, buy an RX7.

Big issue is the engines don't last long if modded especially. Those seals just wear out.

I wouldn't touch a rotary ever.

Maybe the rotary doesn't want to be touched by such an ill-informed person such as yourself?

Going back to the original point....they don't drink that much oil! I don't see on the Evo forum don't buy the evo because it drinks lots of oil....yet it does! I don't see on the Ferrari Forum, don't buy that 348 because it will cost you at least £2k to change the cam belt. So why does everyone play the same record?

They are designed to use oil...period! How else do you think they are going to keep the tips lubricated? It isn't like a piston engine that has the oil rings sat inside a huge pool of oil....they are in what is effectively the combustion chamber! If you are that worried about it, you can disconnect the oil metering pump and run premix instead! Much like you would a 2 stroke motorbike etc!

As for economy, so what? If you want economy then buy a Prius! If you want a car that get from A-B quickly then buy a sports car, of which the Rx is one of them. They have a classic shape, one that has been recognised the world over as being beautiful and timeless.

The engines don't blow up at a moments notice...only if they are built incorrectly! So it should last for a good 40-60 thousand miles. And given it is only £4k to have an engine rebuilt, that is quite cheap motoring given the type of car it is!

The car was originally £38,000 when new. It was a flag ship motor for Mazda and was designed to take on the Porsche's and Ferrari's of the time. And it did! And still does! It has a near 50-50 weight distribution on diagonals as well as front to rear, it is light at 1350kgs so is very nimble too. It develops 280bhp as standard, but has unlimited tuning potential, with cars running 500bhp without issue and on pump gas too.

The problem comes that it has fallen foul of becoming too cheap! You can pick up a basic one for about £2k. This then opens up the flood gates to having a load of ebay tat thrown on them, and home/inexperienced engine rebuilds which then causes them to fail after 10,000 miles. All this does is lessen the credibility of such an amazing car! It is very true, that it is hard to find a standard car.....if they haven't been modified in the vane hope of getting into this months Jap Mag, they are being stripped as the sum of their parts is worth twice that of the value of the car.

[GravelBen]

!

[otolith]

Evil.soup said:

To tell the truth i find the rotary a little pointless. It drinks the fuel and doesnt really go that quickly so what is the point of a 1.3 engine.

Packaging - they're light and very compact, which means you can keep the weight low down and far back in the car to benefit handling. Mechanical refinement - you really need a straight six for comparable smoothness to a twin rotor, which is obviously a much larger and heavier engine. This is how small the engine from an RX-8 is:

[GravelBen]

Compact yes (with weight distribution benefits as said above) but not that light IIRC when you compare the dressed weight with a piston engine.

[otolith]

Depends what you are comparing them to. They're not much lighter than an all alloy inline four of similar power like the F20C, though they are more compact and more dense, but you need to be comparing them to a six cylinder engine for refinement.

[Paul 8v]

Is there any truth to the hot starting issues or is most of it the aformentioned "pub talk"? If it is true I take it this affects the RX7 and 8?

[otolith]

Paul 8v said:

Is there any truth to the hot starting issues or is most of it the aformentioned "pub talk"? If it is true I take it this affects the RX7 and 8?

Poor hot starting is a bad sign - it tends to indicate poor compression.

[JontyR]

Paul 8v said:

Is there any truth to the hot starting issues or is most of it the aformentioned "pub talk"? If it is true I take it this affects the RX7 and 8?

Bit of both really....I guess it depends on which pub you hang out in

If it is having problems with hot starting it is quite often an indication that it starting to come low on compression. Usually one of the tips is starting to wear....or could be a side/corner seal.

Don't let the pub talk, or for that matter the PH regurgitated talk put you off. They really are a fantastic car! Just make sure you get a good one! And then leave it standard, or fit quality aftermarket parts that didn't come from eBay!

[David Wiltshire]

If you are really interested in one or the other join the mazda rotary forum you will get all the info you could possibly want there. As someone who has owned an RX7 now for over 2 years I can say regardless of budget, they are, when in tip top condition one of the most enjoyable cars to drive both on the road and track. As previously commented upon they need to be bought with great care but ultimately once you have had the engine re-built by a proper RX7 specialist and had the various polybushes/suspension upgrade done the car is without doubt very very rewarding to drive and the only car I'm likely to replace it with is the new GTR but that will be when my reactions get a bit slower and need clever electronics assistance, but for the time being I'll still enjoy having the big grin on my face that I get every time I take the car out.

[Paul 8v]

What are the RX7's like for handling? I've not driven a powerfull rear wheel drive car before, as long as they're not too twitchy it should be fine.
I saw one tonight in a white pearl with a black roof, was the pearl a standard colour?
I've actually seen a few since I've started this thread, someone is trying to tell me something!
I think in terms of looks and road presence it beats the RX8 hands down

[JontyR]

As standard the car handles well, but put a set of bushes, change the dampers, and do the brakes.....and you will have a car that will corner on rails and stop on a penny! Very capable out on track and they're becoming more popular choice of car to run on track and race.

[Paul 8v]

I saw another 7 this morning near brentwood, someone is trying to tell me something!
Now I just need to clear a space in the garage by selling my other car and find one that doesn't look like a barry's wet dream on the outside and has hopefully had a re-build recently!