Maxda Rx-8 opinions please

[Phantomph]

The last results I got in the search for rx-8 on here, related to topics from a long time ago.

I am considering an Rx-8 in the next couple of months (possibly for the new reg change after chrimbo), but I have to be honest and say that I am only nervous about one thing - the apparent fuel consumption.

Can anyone (owners) tell me if its as bad as they say?

How is the car after a few years of running?

Is it expensive to run (servicing, oil, tyres)?

Does anyone know what/if a replacement or facelift is due? I would hate to buy a car that was out of date 4 months after I bought it.

Cheers in advance.

P~

[Phantomph]

I am seeing quotes of fuel consumption of 19mpg. I know I like to put my foot down as much as the next guy, but a lot of my miles are a commute along a stretch of 60mph A road. My opportunities to open it up will be reserved for overtaking and the occasional joyride.

Brief story goes like this - was considering a TVR for the LONGEST time, but I know that I could not afford the general running of the thing. I have also been convinced (read nagged to DEATH) by the missus, that I need to have the ability to fit the kids in the back should it be needed.

I have narrowed my choices to a 231 RX-8, or a 2004 BMW 325Ci M Sport Coupe (needs a longer name ).

I have never owned a 'sports' car, so I am leaning towards the mazda, as it ticks all the boxes.

I just really want to have my eyes wide open going into this, as the last thing I want is to suddenly find out that servicing is expensive and often or such like.

P~

[Phantomph]

Cheers LA/Alex.

LA - you said that mpg does drop when idling in traffic - that implies it uses more fuel rolling along - is that because it requires a few more than 'usual' revs to get the thing moving?


I understand the oil use is a symptom of the way the rotary engine works - it 'sprays' oil onto the cog-things (technical or what) and that action in itself uses more. I may be VERY wrong with this, but thats what I have been told.

Its not the oil (or the fact that the dipstick and filler is apparently rather awkward), its realy just the unknown factors - fuel, servicing, possible facelift/replacement.

Is the Bimmer a really dull and middle-aged choice??

P~

[Phantomph]

19mpg does seem to be the expected - and i suppose that has to be the only down side.

TONNES of equipment with the only 'option' being added is leather.

Reading the What Car owner's reviews at the minute and i can only hope that its that age old thing where the only people who 'shout' are those with a problem, as they are not the most positive about the fuel consumption and after-sales of Mazda.

All opinions still welcome - although I suspect this thread will be long gone from the front page by tomorrow morning!

P~

[Phantomph]

If only I could borrow one for a week and see how I like it

LA, thanks for the post - makes for interesting reading.

I think what needs to be done is to test drive a 325Ci, then take a long tetst in the RX-8. You never know - I migh not like it!

I would not mind testing a few other cars, but nothing I can think of really ticks the boxes for the low 20k's.

P~

[Phantomph]

Rarley a truer word spoken. :thumbsup:

Also, is only a matter of months before BMW do a coupe version of that dog-ugly new 3 series, which is going to dent the residuals of the current coupe shape.

Just wish the mpg said 30 instead of 20 Ha ha. Can't have everything I suppose!

P~

[PhantomPH]

Thanks guys - great to hear from a few owners!

5 litres in 10000 miles in oil, sounds fair enough...but forgive my ignorance - is it special/expensive oil?

Otherwise, its just really deciding if I can justify the petrol costs. The oil/accessibility of the filler/dipstick is not an issue (I can live with that!).

Thanks again - all owner's experiences welcome.

anyone in this forum heard of any impending changes to the car?

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[Phantomph]

£65 for 12 litres is not bad for oil - £27 for oil every 10,000 miles hardly seems worth mentioning! I wonder why people comment so often about it. Perhaps they are the people who used to run Mondeos where the only time oil was mentioned was as part of an annual service invoice. :shrug:

I have been doing more research and I understand that the MPG improves slilghtly once a few thousand miles are on the clock. How does that happen?!??

P~

[Phantomph]

wanstead said:

...the ECU ‘learns’ your driving style...

What an age we live in. Like most things, I think there are benefits to ordering new - I would assume you get the most up to date ECU settings and all 'fixes' discovered during its short life will have been applied.

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[PhantomPH]

Thanks guys - looking like an almost definite. Just the choice now - do I wait until the new reg after christmas and a chunk of winter is out the way? So I can get a nice new car from spring.....

Thanks again.

P~