RX8 Purchase - Thoughts invited.

numnutz

numnutz

numnutz

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
762
Location
Berkshire
Hello,

Been offered first refusal on a friends RX8 after I expressed an interest if he sold it, it's a 2007 192 Nemesis Edition with 55K on the clock and FMSH. He's said I can have it for £3500. He's the original owner from new (and yes he's lost an astounding amount in depreciation)

I fancied an RX8 as it seems pretty good value for money with purchase cost, although I'm fully aware of the woeful consumption, thirst for oil and general issues around rotary ownership.

What are they like to live with day to day? What are the realistic running costs on one of these? Also, 231 vs 192, will I notice it?

Cheers
 
If I was paying for woeful fuel consumptionand oil use I would want 231hp. Just my opinion.

Also it's nearly a 40bhp difference so yeah I expect I would be noticeable :)
 
The price is pretty good for the age, but unless you really want one I'd not bother.
 
I think the price reflects heavily on the car here. It has much higher performance running costs for what it is.

Only really buy one, if that is what your after I think.

Not my cup of tea, but very much a bargain purchase price. But most definitely not a car that matches it's performance to running costs ratio...
 
I'm failing to see what contributes to the huge running costs other than poor fuel economy and the risk of needing some epic rotary rebuild. Is there just a lack of non genuine parts? Yes the road tax is £460 a year, but that's just a cost I'll factor into running.
 
I personally would leave it alone unless you really, really like them. It seems a good price as mentioned above but the 192 just isn't quick enough to justify the thirst and oil consumption.

Childish I know but I used to give one a good skelping on a regular basis in what was a 180-185ish bhp vr6 mk3. The rx8 simply couldn't live with it after about 40/50mph. I know nobody buys a car to do the traffic light gp but if you've got a coupe that looks like it should go, it needs to be able to do the trick when the mood takes you.
 
numnutz said:
I'm failing to see what contributes to the huge running costs other than poor fuel economy and the risk of needing some epic rotary rebuild. Is there just a lack of non genuine parts? Yes the road tax is £460 a year, but that's just a cost I'll factor into running.
Click to expand...

It's more a combination than anything else - the fuel economy is as bad as some seriously well powered bits of kit whilst you'll be buying good quality oil every month too, they aren't cheap to insure given the power on offer, tax is higher as you say and then there's the old scaremongering rotary problems
 
My other half has a Corrado VR6, so the comparison is somewhat disappointing. Coming out of my 200sx, I am starting to get the impression It won't have enough go to excite me.
 
numnutz said:
I'm failing to see what contributes to the huge running costs other than poor fuel economy and the risk of needing some epic rotary rebuild. Is there just a lack of non genuine parts? Yes the road tax is £460 a year, but that's just a cost I'll factor into running.
Click to expand...

It's not so much the absolute value of running costs (though they aren't trivial) but the ratio of running costs to performance which is a bit hard to swallow for some people.
 
And the corrado is a bit quicker than even my modified vr6 was too, think it's 190ish bhp compared to 170ish std on the vr6, though mine had manifold, exhaust, fast road cams, remap etc so was about 15ishbhp more (I didn't pay for this btw it was the previous, mental owner). I would expect a 200sx to absolutely monster any rx8, including the 230
 
numnutz said:
I'm failing to see what contributes to the huge running costs other than poor fuel economy and the risk of needing some epic rotary rebuild. Is there just a lack of non genuine parts? Yes the road tax is £460 a year, but that's just a cost I'll factor into running.
Click to expand...

You have answered your own question here.

I think the average MPG you can expect is 18-20. Which is outstandingly terrible for the performance figures it returns. Like others have said, it's drinks oil like there is no tomorrow, so expect high figures replacing that every other month. Your more than likely going to expect expensive repair bills with this being a "specialist" engine, if anything untoward happens. I also think paying the equivalent road tax to a Ferrari 458 Italia is somewhat embarrassing considering it's only an RX8...

Keep the 200sx, it's a much better car
 
Interestingly the 192PS version has slightly more torque than the 231PS version.

If I was going for an RX8 I'd want the R3 version, but they are 9K upwards. Still excellent value for money based on their age/spec/performance, as mentioned, it is the running cost that get you.
 
Unless you specifically want a rotary engined car i wouldnt buy one, and i have had two rx8s.
You could save some money and buy a pre March 2006 model and pay half the tax.
Costs i had were petrol, coils, spark plugs will set you back at least £100 every 3 years.
Oil isnt really a factor the good stuff for it is £18 ish for 5 litres and you will only use around a litre every 1500-2000 miles.
The key is the handling, you will get beat off the line by most cars with anything 1.6 and above.
There nice cars, but the RX7 was a much better car.
 
To clarify, the 200SX has already gone, it went a while back when I began commuting 200 miles a day. I've since moved, and now looking to make the switch back without getting another 200.

Running costs aren't so much of an issue if it's offset by a low enough purchase price, especially in consideration to open market value rather than mates rates. I know £3.5K is a bargain.
 
I wouldnt say £3500 is a bargain for a 192, i paid £3200 for my last 53 plate 231 with 37k on the clock. Be aware the coils tend to need replacing at around 30k, check for white spots on the bottom of them.
If the coils act up, the plugs dont work well or at all, you get wash out on the rotors and it causes wear, which leads to a drop in compression.
Before buying a rotary always get a compression test, your looking for 6 figures 3 for each chamber if i remember rightly anything 6.9bar and below is considered a fail and 8+ is good. Mine had 8.0 -8.2 across the board, large differences should also be considered a fail.
 
To be blunt you can get better cars for the same money with lower running costs, if running costs are not important to you I would look at an RX7 before an RX8.

The only reason to ever buy an RX8 in preference to a "better" car is because you specifically want an RX8 and will not settle for anything else, and no offence but you don't sound that fixed on it or you wouldn't be asking other peoples opinions.
 
robj20 said:
I wouldnt say £3500 is a bargain for a 192, i paid £3200 for my last 53 plate 231 with 37k on the clock. Be aware the coils tend to need replacing at around 30k, check for white spots on the bottom of them.
If the coils act up, the plugs dont work well or at all, you get wash out on the rotors and it causes wear, which leads to a drop in compression.
Before buying a rotary always get a compression test, your looking for 6 figures 3 for each chamber if i remember rightly anything 6.9bar and below is considered a fail and 8+ is good. Mine had 8.0 -8.2 across the board, large differences should also be considered a fail.
Click to expand...

Cheers good advice. £3500 seems cheap for a 2007 MY Ltd Edition (Ok, so it's colour and trim only).



ubersonic said:
To be blunt you can get better cars for the same money with lower running costs, if running costs are not important to you I would look at an RX7 before an RX8.

The only reason to ever buy an RX8 in preference to a "better" car is because you specifically want an RX8 and will not settle for anything else, and no offence but you don't sound that fixed on it or you wouldn't be asking other peoples opinions.
Click to expand...

Yep agree with that, I'm not 100% decided and it's good to take in other peoples opinions on the matter. I've got other factors to consider then just getting the best drivers car, 4 seats, modern safety features, partners preference etc. I'll happily welcome alternatives, but don't want this to be a spec me thread.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom