I'm joining the RX8 life style. Caution? Encouragement?
Discussion
After having thought about it for a long time, I think I will finally get a RX8. It was not an easy decision, with all the discouragement you see online and knowing the reputation of the car. But it is perfect for me in so many ways. So I will give it my best try.
But searching for one is indeed a little scary. All the adds seem to read the same. All mention cold and hot start not a problem. But the cars have sometimes more than 100k miles and when I ask, it is still the original engine. There was one example with about 135K and according to the seller still the original engine. When I ask about compression they all say they don't know.
According to what I have heard an engine with over 100k if still the original engine, is probably living its last days. Would you buy a RX8 with that much mileage on if you know it's the original engine, even if it has a MOT?
The other discouraging part of the car's reputation is rust. I want this to be my everyday car. In winter they use salt here. I have been called crazy for even considering a RX8 as an everyday car for this reason. Is rust really that big of a problem with these cars?
Unfortunately the R3 was never sold here. I don't think any of the facelift cars were. Most of the ones for sale are between 2004-2005. Newest I have seen for sale was 2008. Is it true the 2003-2005 cars should be avoided? Most of them are the 192hp. I never saw a 231hp for sale.
Lastly, does anybody know a good RX8 forum or FB group which is more international? It would be great to interact with RX8 owners in the continent, where I am now. But still need it to be in English.
But searching for one is indeed a little scary. All the adds seem to read the same. All mention cold and hot start not a problem. But the cars have sometimes more than 100k miles and when I ask, it is still the original engine. There was one example with about 135K and according to the seller still the original engine. When I ask about compression they all say they don't know.
According to what I have heard an engine with over 100k if still the original engine, is probably living its last days. Would you buy a RX8 with that much mileage on if you know it's the original engine, even if it has a MOT?
The other discouraging part of the car's reputation is rust. I want this to be my everyday car. In winter they use salt here. I have been called crazy for even considering a RX8 as an everyday car for this reason. Is rust really that big of a problem with these cars?
Unfortunately the R3 was never sold here. I don't think any of the facelift cars were. Most of the ones for sale are between 2004-2005. Newest I have seen for sale was 2008. Is it true the 2003-2005 cars should be avoided? Most of them are the 192hp. I never saw a 231hp for sale.
Lastly, does anybody know a good RX8 forum or FB group which is more international? It would be great to interact with RX8 owners in the continent, where I am now. But still need it to be in English.
Edited by ZackM on Thursday 25th February 22:00
Thanks for the replies.
So you basically need to modify the car the make it more reliable?
The compression test is hard to do pre purchase, specially if garages can't do it and it needs 1 hour to do. So if it starts hot and cold, is it any help determining if the engine is good?
Is it true that the 2003-2005 cars should be avoided? Lots of them here are that. They never sold the facelift cars here. So they are all pre 2007 and most are the 192 hp engine.
For price, it's true that back in the UK they are cheap!
But here the situation is totally different.
Around here, cars of that mileage are about 8-12K Euros. For 3-4K you get cars which are above 100K miles. Although they do have a MOT. But that doesn't really guarantee anything in a rotary.
Since I was told that with RX8s the mileage says nothing, because even a low mileage one might blow the engine the month after, I would prefer to spend less.
I would actually prefer finding one with a blown engine for cheap. But you never see them. Because it is then more profitable to break them and sell the parts.
An engine rebuild here will cost around 4-5K. Found a person who rebuilds them for sale for around 3K if you give your broken engine in exchange. But it seems there is no warranty. It's just a single guy doing this on his free time, who says to have done it for several years now.
The support for these cars here are nowhere as wide spread as in the UK. They are actually very rare here. I have only seen one in town.
So you basically need to modify the car the make it more reliable?
The compression test is hard to do pre purchase, specially if garages can't do it and it needs 1 hour to do. So if it starts hot and cold, is it any help determining if the engine is good?
Is it true that the 2003-2005 cars should be avoided? Lots of them here are that. They never sold the facelift cars here. So they are all pre 2007 and most are the 192 hp engine.
For price, it's true that back in the UK they are cheap!
But here the situation is totally different.
Around here, cars of that mileage are about 8-12K Euros. For 3-4K you get cars which are above 100K miles. Although they do have a MOT. But that doesn't really guarantee anything in a rotary.
Since I was told that with RX8s the mileage says nothing, because even a low mileage one might blow the engine the month after, I would prefer to spend less.
I would actually prefer finding one with a blown engine for cheap. But you never see them. Because it is then more profitable to break them and sell the parts.
An engine rebuild here will cost around 4-5K. Found a person who rebuilds them for sale for around 3K if you give your broken engine in exchange. But it seems there is no warranty. It's just a single guy doing this on his free time, who says to have done it for several years now.
The support for these cars here are nowhere as wide spread as in the UK. They are actually very rare here. I have only seen one in town.
Neith said:
They're great cars and a lot of fun on the right roads, you just need to do the research beforehand as they have the potential to be a money pit if you end up needing a rebuild.
Do you mean if it needs an engine rebuild, there will be more bills on top of the rebuild and it will never be good again. Or you just mean an engine rebuild is expensive?Edited by ZackM on Thursday 25th February 19:31
WonkeyDonkey said:
If you can afford an R3 then they are the ones to go for. Top spec as standard and the engines longevity is slightly improved.
I loved mine, just couldn't stomach the running costs.
The lack of torque can be very deceptive though, I found myself doing 100mph+ on the motorway too many times due to it!
Unfortunately the R3 was never sold here. I don't think any of the facelift cars were. Most of the ones for sale are 2004-2005. Newest I have seen for sale was 2008. Is it true the 2003-2005 cars should be avoided? Most of them are the 192hp. I never saw a 231hp for sale.I loved mine, just couldn't stomach the running costs.
The lack of torque can be very deceptive though, I found myself doing 100mph+ on the motorway too many times due to it!
What do you mean the lack of torque can be deceptive? You mean it makes you accelerate too much? Because of the low torque, I heard they are not good in the city? That will be a bummer if true. As a daily driver it will do a lot of city driving.
Nickp82 said:
The engine starting instantly both hot or cold is a good sign but it does not mean compression is ‘good’.
The engine just ‘blowing’ is generally not common, what happens is the compression gradually decreases as apex seals etc wear until you get the well known hot start issue.
A good battery, starter and ignition can start an RX-8 hot with compression numbers down in the fours so if you bought such a car based on it starting fine hot or cold, you’re going to be in for a rebuild pretty quickly.
A compression test is an easy thing to perform and if you have slender girly arms like me, you can remove the plugs/leads and insert the tester socket from the top without removing any wheels.
Compression testers are available for £150-200 if you search so an option could be to buy one and do your own tests if one is not supplied by the seller.
That is not good to hear. I think it will be nearly impossible to find a seller who would allow me to take his spark plugs off to make a compression test. Even if I bring the tester. And I have very thick arms.The engine just ‘blowing’ is generally not common, what happens is the compression gradually decreases as apex seals etc wear until you get the well known hot start issue.
A good battery, starter and ignition can start an RX-8 hot with compression numbers down in the fours so if you bought such a car based on it starting fine hot or cold, you’re going to be in for a rebuild pretty quickly.
A compression test is an easy thing to perform and if you have slender girly arms like me, you can remove the plugs/leads and insert the tester socket from the top without removing any wheels.
Compression testers are available for £150-200 if you search so an option could be to buy one and do your own tests if one is not supplied by the seller.
So maybe apart from making sure the engine starts hot and cold, I could pay attention to see if the battery, starter and coils are new or even ask?
Neith said:
After a rebuild the car should theoretically be a safer purchase, but you can never be too sure. In fact, what some people do here is buy a broken RX-8 and rebuild the engine for peace of mind. It sounds like RX-8s are quite a lot more expensive where you are though, so this might not be an option.
I'm still not quite sure if you are saying a rebuild solves the problem or not. You seem to have said both in your reply above. 
But in case I would find a RX8 with a blown engine, as long as it looks in good condition in and out and no or little rust, could I buy it sight unseen? Since the main issue is off the table, which is the engine, as it will be getting a new one. Or is there any other major issue I have to pay attention to, even when the engine is out of the equation?
I ask because despite having very little chances of finding one with a blown engine locally, I could find one far away and just buy it sight unseen and have it shipped. I would be able to judge the condition of interior and body based on good photos. But that is about it.
This could open my possibilities.
Martin350 said:
A car with 100k+ on its original engine means it's been looked after and treated well.
That's an interesting way of looking at it and quite the contrast to the other opinions. Can we all discuss this? In a way, it makes sense. If it had not been well cared for it would have gone bad by now right?
Wadeski said:
See comments on the previous page about rust....you want to buy one problem to fix, not two...
In case the car has some rust, what is acceptable and what should I run away from?Of course it will depend on the depth of the rust. But are there any spots which if rusty I should just walk away? I guess some rust on fenders and the like it easily repairable. But are there an Achilles heel for rust with the RX8? For example in Alfa 159s, if the subframe around the engine has any rust, you should run as fast as possible away. Because those disintegrate because of the rust. They are notorious and infamous for that.
The good news is, it seems an unicorn has appeared.
I found a RX8 which on paper is the perfect car. Right color, top spec with nice interior and is even the very rare here stronger engine. It seems I could get it cheap enough to accommodate an engine rebuild too.
The bad news is, it apparently has some rust. But it is described as not bad. It also has a lot of miles. 135K
I feel like one of these won't show up any soon. So should I consider buying this? If so, any particular things i should pay attention to, apart form the already tips given here?
I found a RX8 which on paper is the perfect car. Right color, top spec with nice interior and is even the very rare here stronger engine. It seems I could get it cheap enough to accommodate an engine rebuild too.
The bad news is, it apparently has some rust. But it is described as not bad. It also has a lot of miles. 135K
I feel like one of these won't show up any soon. So should I consider buying this? If so, any particular things i should pay attention to, apart form the already tips given here?
Gary C said:
Personally, unless funds are really tight, I would look for a zero rust car in really really good condition and cross fingers about the engine.
Whats the budget ?
Funds are not unlimited. Whats the budget ?
But the main problem is more availability. Please remember, as I said I'm not in the UK, where you have dozens of them, for cheap, everywhere. This particular car for example is the only one I don't have to drive 2 hours just to look at it.
Also, it is the more powerful engine, which is very rare. Most of them are the lower powered engine. Then perfect trim, being the up level with leather and fully loaded and in the perfect interior and exterior colour.
Gary C said:
Look at it this way.
Buy one thats a bit tatty on the hope the engine is good but then you need to overhaul the engine, you have a tatty car with a good engine
Buy one with a really nice body, then if the engine goes, you will have a nice car with a nice engine.
BUT, if you are worrying about the engine before you have even bought one, are you going to be able to enjoy the car without always wondering and worrying ?
You might be better off with something else.
Well, I think worrying about the engine is the whole lifestyle with these cars? The engine needs a lot of attention right?Buy one thats a bit tatty on the hope the engine is good but then you need to overhaul the engine, you have a tatty car with a good engine
Buy one with a really nice body, then if the engine goes, you will have a nice car with a nice engine.
BUT, if you are worrying about the engine before you have even bought one, are you going to be able to enjoy the car without always wondering and worrying ?
You might be better off with something else.
As for the condition of the car. I won't buy it if it's truly bad. But for example, if it's rust around the brake light on the boot, there are dozens of RX8s being broke for parts. A boot lid is cheap and probably can even be found in the same colour too.
All together, given that they are hard to find here, specially for a good price, if the imperfections are not hard to fix, is it really worth passing on it because of it? The seller already told me the engine was rebuild about 20k km ago, or 12k miles ago.
I have also heard these engines are not that great for short trips all the time? But then heard there is a trick if you drive for short, you just need to set it to neutral and rev it to about 4K for about 10 secs and shut the engine off without taking the foot from the gas?
Much of my driving will include short trips. For example my kids school is only a short 1.3 miles from the house. I don't do the school run everyday. But at least once a week. Then to work is about 5 miles of city traffic.Takes me about 30 minutes.
Although on my way home I have the chance to take a longer way, with more open roads to enjoy the drive.
Much of my driving will include short trips. For example my kids school is only a short 1.3 miles from the house. I don't do the school run everyday. But at least once a week. Then to work is about 5 miles of city traffic.Takes me about 30 minutes.
Although on my way home I have the chance to take a longer way, with more open roads to enjoy the drive.
Edited by ZackM on Thursday 4th March 21:02
I went to see a RX8.
Cranked the engine and I thought it somehow sounded like a new starter. I asked and the answer was, yes, new starter. Wasn't an immediate start. But also didn't take long. Very loud starter though. This is the first RX8 I have ever been in. So maybe it is supposed to sound like that.
Left the engine idling for a while as I looked around the car. At first, no white smoke and engine running smooth. Then lots of white smoke started coming out and never went away and the engine after a bit of the white smoke show, started idling rough.
It was very difficult to see anything under the car. But there was something hanging from the engine and touching the ground. Looked like some sort of belt at first. Like one of those cargo belts one uses to tie cargo. Looked wide and flatter. But looking closer maybe some sort of hose. Don't know what it was.
It looks like the sills have been recently painted.
Cranked the engine and I thought it somehow sounded like a new starter. I asked and the answer was, yes, new starter. Wasn't an immediate start. But also didn't take long. Very loud starter though. This is the first RX8 I have ever been in. So maybe it is supposed to sound like that.
Left the engine idling for a while as I looked around the car. At first, no white smoke and engine running smooth. Then lots of white smoke started coming out and never went away and the engine after a bit of the white smoke show, started idling rough.
It was very difficult to see anything under the car. But there was something hanging from the engine and touching the ground. Looked like some sort of belt at first. Like one of those cargo belts one uses to tie cargo. Looked wide and flatter. But looking closer maybe some sort of hose. Don't know what it was.
It looks like the sills have been recently painted.
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff