Should I get an RX8?

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Right so I'm 25 and have spent too much of my driving life in FWD hatches. So I've decided it's about time I learnt to drive properly and bought myself something RWD. I'm really looking at spending up to 6K. It needs to be reasonably powerful, keen and sporty with a bit of an edge but easy to cruise in day to day. I also want something less than 10 years old and I'm not a fan of convertibles.

I run a Saxo VTS for track use so I don't want something that's really raw, I also don't want something which has really high running costs or poor reliability as I don't want my track funds to get eaten up by it.

So after thinking about I'm torn between an RX8 and an E46 330CI Sport. Finding a manual 330 with reasonable mileage is hard and the same money gets you a much newer RX8.

I'm actually a fan of how the RX8 looks, I've always quite liked them and I get the impression that they are a well a balanced car to drive. The only sticking point seems to be the stories of worryingly high running costs.

So is an RX8 really that bad and am I missing a much better car?

[moribund]

RX8 ticks every box you've mentioned - even tax on pre 2006 models is not so bad (shame mine is 2006!).

The issue is that 20mpg is normal. Only you can decide if this is a problem or not. It certainly feels painful at the pump when comparing with a 40+mpg car, but for me over a year it's less than the price difference between an RX8 and a similar age/condition competitor such as a 350z, plus nothing else similar has 4 seats and a 9000rpm red line

Edited by moribund on Monday 16th August 01:15

[moribund]

Oh and for rwd balance its excellent. Unobtrusive stability control is great for everyday use but it will drift with it off.

[Wadeski]

I'd be tempted by an S15?

[Opengate]

Wadeski said:

I'd be tempted by an S15?

Would be too expensive I think?

[Jimbeaux]

Get a 2003-4 Z4. Skip the rotary high reving fuel thirsty rice burner.

[redtwin]

If you got one you would have to cancel your membership here.

You need to decide which you value more.

[300bhp/ton]

PetrolHeadSeb said:

Right so I'm 25 and have spent too much of my driving life in FWD hatches. So I've decided it's about time I learnt to drive properly and bought myself something RWD. I'm really looking at spending up to 6K. It needs to be reasonably powerful, keen and sporty with a bit of an edge but easy to cruise in day to day. I also want something less than 10 years old and I'm not a fan of convertibles.

I run a Saxo VTS for track use so I don't want something that's really raw, I also don't want something which has really high running costs or poor reliability as I don't want my track funds to get eaten up by it.

So after thinking about I'm torn between an RX8 and an E46 330CI Sport. Finding a manual 330 with reasonable mileage is hard and the same money gets you a much newer RX8.

I'm actually a fan of how the RX8 looks, I've always quite liked them and I get the impression that they are a well a balanced car to drive. The only sticking point seems to be the stories of worryingly high running costs.

So is an RX8 really that bad and am I missing a much better car?

I personally like the RX-8, I like the look and the fact it's a 4 door RWD alternative to a Focus ST.

But my issue with the car is quite simple. It has 1960's big block V8 style fuel consumption. While people will claim better, I'd personally budget for 15-20mpg. Then anything better would be a bonus.

And in return for this monumental thirst you get only 230hp and not a lot of torque. So it's not that fast either.

Then if you add in the fact that the engine still carries several suspect reliability issues and is rather specialist, so you know if it does go wrong, it's going to cost.


For £6k, well if you don't need the space then a tidy MX-5 (maybe with a turbo/blower) might be a lot more fun.

I'd also say a Wedge TVR, ok it'll be a little fickle and like some TLC. But it's good old engineering, so cheap and easy to maintain. They sound great and will hold their money.

Remember RX-8's have been plummeting in value since the day they were launched. Only hopefuls beleive it'll stop. But I tell you, go look at how much an RX-7 is worth. Gen 1's, despite being a classic hailing from 1979 are worthless (£200-1000 tops). Gen 2's struggle to better £800-1000) and even the gorgeous latter curvery turbo's aren't worth a fortune. The RX-8 WILL drop to this level of value circa £1k.


As I've mentioned on other threads, £6k will get you a Camaro or even an earlier Mustang. LS1's should be in price range, so you could have a car making 100-120hp more than the RX-8 and still return 22-26mpg and it'll be just as fun to drive.

Nissan S14 200SX might be another option, and various BMW's, although you're already looking at them.

I do agree though, an RX-8 is infinitely more interesting than a 330 though.

[deckster]

PetrolHeadSeb said:

I'm actually a fan of how the RX8 looks, I've always quite liked them and I get the impression that they are a well a balanced car to drive. The only sticking point seems to be the stories of worryingly high running costs.

So is an RX8 really that bad and am I missing a much better car?

Ignore the nay-sayers with no actual experience...

I've had mine for 6 years and it's been one of the most reliable and cheap-to-run cars I've ever owned. Servicing is very reasonable even at dealer rates and it's only ever had one thing go wrong that actually cost me money; yes, fuel economy is poor but I can live with that. Added to that, it still puts a smile on my face every time I get into it; it's a joy on the B-roads, a pussy-cat around town, and the engine is never less than silky-smooth no matter what you do to it. Plus I can get the whole family in there, with enough luggage for a week away.

It's honestly a mystery to me why people are so down on them.

[aeropilot]

Jimbeaux said:

Get a 2003-4 Z4. Skip the rotary high reving fuel thirsty rice burner.

Yup.

I had a test drive of one ages ago...... very nice chassis, but let down by a vile, torqueless engine..... IMO..... and thats before you take into account the horror stories about running costs.

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Hmmm 20 MPG is quite low given the performance on offer and yes the depreciation problem does concern me a little, I'm not put off yet though.

I personally wouldn't go for an MX-5, I don't really like convertibles and although they're really good to drive, I personally, am not so keen on the image. Z4 is again a convertible and prices seem to start around 7K, coupe's even higher, so that's out.

300bhp/ton - I fully expected to see an American alternative posted by you never really been a fan of yank tanks, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to try one if I find one on my travels.

I am slightly bemused at how much dislike there is toward RX-8's. Truth be told, if I had more money I'd probably go for a 350Z, but as I haven't, the RX-8 still seems a good alternative.

[kambites]

PetrolHeadSeb said:

I am slightly bemused at how much dislike there is toward RX-8's. Truth be told, if I had more money I'd probably go for a 350Z, but as I haven't, the RX-8 still seems a good alternative.

I think, rather unusually for Pistonheads, it's the economy thing that does it. The cost of fueling it just isn't in line with other cars of similar performance.

It's a shame really, because in just about every other way, it's a fantastic car.

[130R]

Honda S2000?

[aeropilot]

PetrolHeadSeb said:

I am slightly bemused at how much dislike there is toward RX-8's.

Why.......?

This is Pistonheads...... and the RX8 doesn't have any

[PetrolHeadSeb]

130R said:

Honda S2000?

I do really like these actually. Although they're convertible I would be tempted if I could find one with a hardtop. The only thing that really goes against them is no back seats. I rarely use them in all honesty, but it's still nice to have the option.

I wonder whether a good one would be a little out of my reach too.

[useyourdellusion]

PetrolHeadSeb said:

130R said:

Honda S2000?

I do really like these actually. Although they're convertible I would be tempted if I could find one with a hardtop. The only thing that really goes against them is no back seats. I rarely use them in all honesty, but it's still nice to have the option.

I wonder whether a good one would be a little out of my reach too.

I'd agree with that to be honest. I have been caught out a couple of times with the Boxster in this respect.

[Chris71]

There are a lot of RX8s around, so condition will vary. Is £6k addequate for a good 230PS one? (Genuine question, not stirring)

They do seem to be more troublesome than most piston-engines and the fuel economy is pretty attrocious, so I'm not sure about the ownership prospects, but they're a hoot to drive. The lack of torque is overstated (really not a problem), the balance and body control are excellent and it's addequately quick.

A friend who has one reguarly sees under 20mpg without even completely caning it. If I could live with that I'd be very tempted, because the rest is rather good for what it is and how much it costs.

If it was me I'd go for the smartest S14s you can find (driftier, less hassle to maintain, less thirsty) but I agree the RX8-hate is a little overstated on here.

[busta]

Seems funny people worrying about 20mpg in an RX8 when Imprezas and Evos are no better and hot hatches like the Focus ST aren't far behind. Unless you're doing a lot of miles a year I wouldn't worry too much. Nothing that fits your criteria will get any more than 30mpg.

[braddo]

And don't a lot of RX8 owners report that fuel economy doesn't vary much - something like a range of 17-20 mpg no matter how hard or gently you drive it?

Fuel economy for enthusiastic driving might therefore not be much different to lots of other cars (e.g. like WRX/Evo/Focus ST already mentioned, and 300bhp/ton's Yank V8s) - it's just that there is much less mpg benefit to driving an RX8 gently.

[Chris71]

busta said:

Seems funny people worrying about 20mpg in an RX8 when Imprezas and Evos are no better and hot hatches like the Focus ST aren't far behind. Unless you're doing a lot of miles a year I wouldn't worry too much. Nothing that fits your criteria will get any more than 30mpg.

I know what you mean when people argue 29mpg versus 30, but we could be talking 10mpg difference between an RX8 and an E46 surely? True, you have to keep it in perspective, but it's no longer splitting hairs. That doesn't make the beamer better, but it does make it a consideration.

Open it up to (FWD) cars like the Octavia vRS and you could be looking at an even bigger difference. Up the budget and you could get an S1 Elise capable of nearly 40mpg driven gently.