RX-8s ... what to watch for apart from engine issues?

[Chris71]

I'm contemplating a couple of options for my next daily driver, including the Mazda RX-8. I know the engine issues have been done to death, but how robust are they overall? Engine aside, could you be fairly sure of everything else being good to go?

[Chris71]

Nickp82 said:

Oh and I assume you're not doing high (or even medium) miles as fuel economy is er, not great.....

I'm doing relatively low total mileage, but usually in a few big trips - I might do 300 motorway miles in one hit and then nothing for a fortnight.

[Chris71]

Hmm, that's the thing. It's an outside option for me (really I should be getting a diesel not a 19 mpg rotary!) but I can expense most of the mileage I do, so might take a punt if I can find a good one locally. I do need a daily driver sharpish.

[Chris71]

Economy-aside, how do you find it on the motorway? I'm quite tempted by one as a daily driver that could also do the occasional B-road blast or track day, but it would have to be reasonably quiet and comfortable for long distances.

It's an outside possibility, but handy to know if a nice 230 PS example comes up locally.

On which note: Would you rather buy a low mileage one that hasn't been done or one that has a recon engine?

[Chris71]

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

This one's not far from me. Any thoughts?

It mentions bootlid rust. Also, isn't 50,000 miles or so the watershed point where things often need a refresh?

[Chris71]

Oh, there's another one in my neck of the woods!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Now that sounds rather promising...

Advisory for sill rust in the past. Safe to assume that's been sorted?

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 26th September 11:07

[Chris71]

Nickp82 said:

The Grey one is being sold by an RX8 OC club member so is a good bet, it's not cheap but has been looked after by the sound of it, there maybe a bit more info here

https://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.ph...

It's been street-ported so a bit of extra go in it too. Definitely looks a good buy which shouldn't require any excessive spend.

The question is, will the rust come back?