New-age Celica vs RX8

The RX8 always makes me a little sad. Brilliant looking, RWD, but I just wish they put a proper engine in it.
 
Diesel said:
The RX8 always makes me a little sad. Brilliant looking, RWD, but I just wish they put a proper engine in it.
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Hah, that is generally my view ... much to the annoyance of my mate who loves rotary stuff and has an FC RX7
 
The engine is one of the best and worst things about the rx8. It's really small and light enabling it to be positioned behind the front axels, meaning the weight distribution and balance are superb. The main reason this car handles so well is the engine. However, it does lack a bit of torque despite having a decent number of horses. You have to rev it hard to get performance from it. Add to that the horrible fuel economy (I got about 16mpg!!) and the compression issues, it just isn't a good choice of car.
 
I'd have a drive of both but I reckon i'd end up buying the Celica, a little bias because I have a Corolla with the VVTL-I engine and I really enjoy it, just got back from a short journey and because I dont get to put my foot down often I went the motorway route and had some fun and I forget how much fun it is but also the power is quite difficult to access. The Celica is a great handling car too, great seating position and lot of fun, never driven an RX8, love the way they look, love the rear doors but reliability and MPG puts me off, the VVTL-I engine is surprisingly good on fuel if you drive it conservatively
 
Firestar_3x said:
Is this even true anymore?
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IvanDobskey said:
It certainly is. My engine was just about ready to die and it only had 52k on the clock. Mazda just didn't want to know about it either, despite having a full zz+ warranty.

Great car to drive but the engine is an absolute nightmare!
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I imagine your RX8 was either one of the very early ones and the warranty was long gone or you/previous owners were not checking the oil (and topping it up) enough.

The ****el engines are fine assuming you appreciate they hate short drives and are designed to use a lot of expensive oil.

Even RX7s with two bloody turbos and a much older engine design could manage more than 50k if they were serviced.
 
bledd. said:
S2000?

Logical man step from MR2
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Have a drive first (like anything) and see how you get on, i can't say i was a fan of the power delivery and up to the high revs just drove like a 6 speed accord.

350z
TT (old shape)
Mk2/3 MX-5
Early Boxster
 
IvanDobskey said:
You have to rev it hard to get performance from it. Add to that the horrible fuel economy (I got about 16mpg!!) and the compression issues, it just isn't a good choice of car.
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I contemplated with getting an RX8, now personally i can live with the MPG but its the value for money that really lets it down, for that sort of return you'd expect a 300bhp engine at least.
You just seem to get all the downsides of a performance car with none of the upsides.

As for the Celica, i cant help but put it in the "My first coupe" Hyundai Coupe league, the low end models really ruined the Celica image for me :(

Personally i'd be looking further afield for your MR2 replacement :)
 
aproctor said:
I imagine your RX8 was either one of the very early ones and the warranty was long gone or you/previous owners were not checking the oil (and topping it up) enough.

The ****el engines are fine assuming you appreciate they hate short drives and are designed to use a lot of expensive oil.

Even RX7s with two bloody turbos and a much older engine design could manage more than 50k if they were serviced.
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Mine was an 04 plate car bought direct from Mazda as an approved used vehicle. It had full service history and was in excellent condition. It came with a full years zz+ Mazda warranty.

I was continually fobbed off by Mazda despite taking it to several different dealerships. It wouldn't start from hot and the compression figures were very low on one rotor. Their fix for this was to change the starter motor which only masked the problem. They even tried fiddling the figures on subsequent compression tests by using a battery booster pack!

All in all it was not a good experience. I'll never buy another Mazda that's for sure.
 
How about an Integra DC2?
If it were me and out of those 2 cars then Id go for the Toyota cause I wouldnt be able to justify the running costs of the RX8. Both cars are good in their own way.
 
RX-8, beautifully balanced chassis. The speed doesn't really warrant the running costs though.

Celica is pants IMO. The engine is pants, and it looks pants. There is also zero head room in the rear.

Although id look elsewhere, maybe at a 350Z, S2000 or RX-7.:D
 
ubersonic said:
Guys hes said that the choices are between a Celica or a RX8, so.... hes prob gonna buy a EK9 without seeing it :P
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That sounds EXACTLY like what I'd do tbh, say I want this or this ... then get something entirely different lol
 
Janesy B said:
Who buys a Celica or RX-8 for rear head room?
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Probably nobody, but it's still a crap engine, and it looks rubbish. I just pointed it out because i remember being in the back of my dads mates 140 version and im 5ft 8 and had to lean to the side lol.
 
Smokey26 said:
Probably nobody, but it's still a crap engine, and it looks rubbish. I just pointed it out because i remember being in the back of my dads mates 140 version and im 5ft 8 and had to lean to the side lol.
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Rubbish engine?
The 2zz is the 190 is a GREAT engine.

Hell even the 1zz as in my MR2 convertible is a decent engine
 
Smokey26 said:
Probably nobody, but it's still a crap engine, and it looks rubbish. I just pointed it out because i remember being in the back of my dads mates 140 version and im 5ft 8 and had to lean to the side lol.
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If the engine in the Celica is crap, what does that make the RX-8 engine?
 
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