Mazda RX8/Chrysler Crossfire

Triamp9

Triamp9

Triamp9

Associate
Joined
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Posts
107
Location
Newark UK
Hi all,

I have a budget of around 4k and am looking around for something like the Mazda RX8 or the Chrysler Crossfire coupe to satisfy my mid-life crisis needs. I should be able to test drive both next week but am wondering what you guys would go for given my budget. Are there any others in a similar vein worth considering?

The Mazda is thirsty and quirky I know but I've seen some absolutely mint examples for around 3k with low mileage. I personally really like the look of the Crossfire but a decent example is looking to be around 4-4.5k.

If there are any owners of the above that could chip in with their ownership experiences I'd appreciate it.

Cheers,

T9.
 
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I'm not an owner, but the various threads I've read over the years point to the fundamental fact with the RX-8 that it's good fun if you know what you're getting yourself in to. The maintenance costs are likely to be very high, but if you can cope with that, then go for it.
 
I've always thought RX8s looked awesome and pretty much thought about buying one a while back, that was until I read some stuff about them on here and their engines made of cheese! lovely looking car, shame about the engines!
 
Triamp9 said:
Lol! Ok, any constructive criticism? What are its vile points? :)
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Nasty interior lifted from a mid 90s SLK. Poor dynamics.
Not a terrible car and I suppose it could be worth it if you can find one for not much money.

Surely an MX5 would be better for satisfying mid-life crisis needs?
 
What is it you want from a car? I ask because the crossfire and rx8 are very different from each other. The rx8 is a high revving and great handling car that wouldn't be out of place on the track and the crossfire is more of a cruiser type GT car with its 3.2 v6.

If your midlife crisis needs are for something a bit sporty then I think the Hyundai Coupe or Toyota Celica might be your best bet. If you want something that takes driving pleasure more seriously then it's got to be an mx5 or possibly an MR2.

Hope this helps.
 
Crizzy said:
What is it you want from a car? I ask because the crossfire and rx8 are very different from each other. The rx8 is a high revving and great handling car that wouldn't be out of place on the track and the crossfire is more of a cruiser type GT car with its 3.2 v6.

If your midlife crisis needs are for something a bit sporty then I think the Hyundai Coupe or Toyota Celica might be your best bet. If you want something that takes driving pleasure more seriously then it's got to be an mx5 or possibly an MR2.

Hope this helps.
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Thanks Crizzy.

I owned a Mk4 Supra which I liked abut 7 years ago and I thought from what I had read that the Crossfire might be in a similar vein. So, I think I'm really looking for something that will do A to B but have some 'squirt' for fun when required. The RX8 has caught my eye because they are cheap to buy (expensive to run I know), I like the looks, and despite their reputation for unreliability many seem to keep going without problems.

I can see where you're coming from about the Crossfire/RX8 being very different though. I'll check out the Hyundai and the Celica as well.

Cheers.
 
Does it have to be rear wheel drive?

But i'd echo the above, the Chrysler will most likely leave you wanting if you want some fun in the twisties, the RX8 would be better, but if you want a B-Road drivers car then ignore the MX5 is a hairdressers car view and go out and enjoy it.

That said i've never got over selling my Integra DC2, for real world performance on a blast across Northumberland and Scotland it'll destroy a lot of more expensive machinery.
 
I understand why you're considering an RX8.

I considered one for just over double that sort of money and still thought of them as good value. I liked the looks, they were rear wheel drive, I could get a low mileage and relatively new example. In the end I decided not to mostly because of the running costs and potential issues.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you've only got £3-4K to spend, is a car with running costs like the RX8 sensible? There's a reason you can get them so cheap!
 
Wink said:
I understand why you're considering an RX8.

I considered one for just over double that sort of money and still thought of them as good value. I liked the looks, they were rear wheel drive, I could get a low mileage and relatively new example. In the end I decided not to mostly because of the running costs and potential issues.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you've only got £3-4K to spend, is a car with running costs like the RX8 sensible? There's a reason you can get them so cheap!
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Thanks Wink and point taken!

But are you saying that there's no point buying the type of car that I'm looking for with my budget? The RX8 I have my eye on is an 07 with 46k on the clock and full Mazda service history. It's also well inside my budget and my yearly mileage will be low. My thinking is that the cheaper purchase price offsets the running costs. Buying any used car is a lottery I know and there's always a risk whether it's a Mondeo or whatever.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I need to think about this some more without getting too paranoid! ;)

Any more thoughts appreciated.
 
Sounds like two terrible choices there. They crossfire started out poor, the Mazda makes no sense, hell even my 'rebuild an m3' project makes more sense than those two. I can't see there being anything to gain with those cars

What about a tt and trying not to ruin it?
 
I don't want to put you off the RX8 as I think they are fantastic motors, but I also think they are fundamentally flawed.

The flaw? The engine. The whole point of an RX car is that they are powered by a rotary engine, something that Mazda seems to have a small obsession with. Granted they have had some motorsport successes using rotary engines but I don't think they work very well as a road car for the mass market.

As you've owned a Supra in the past I think you are a bit more of a petrol head than you came across in your first post. You are aware that the running costs are higher with the RX8 and are happy to accept that, after all running a Supra isn't exactly the cheapest thing in the world to keep on the road.

What bugs me most about the RX8 is the hassle it has the potential for. Do you really want to have to be mindful of moving the car a few feet if the engine is cold and having to rev the thing whilst your neighbours twitch their windows wondering why you sit on the drive revving your car? Or having to spend time trying to get it running or calling out the AA after forgetting to do so? (I'm not sure this is still an issue with later models?)

It also has the dreaded compression failure issue and most will advise you to get a compression test done before buying the car, again unneeded hassle. Should you buy the car and have a compression problem then you may need to get the engine rebuilt, something that is not supposed to be an issue with the RX8 as it has ceramic rotary tips, but there are horror stories to be found.

Another thing, the MPG is low but I don't think the fuel usage can be justified for the performance you get, I think the main benefit you see from a rotary engine is the way it allows the car to feel so balanced. The handling is sublime but is this really worth the trade off for the low MPG? Maybe on the track but on a public road? Some owners will obviously think so, I'm not so convinced.

Given the choice between the Crossfire and RX8 I would choose the RX8 every time, despite the fact that it's a high maintenance diva. If I had to recommend one to someone else though It would probably have to be the Crossfire, but with the proviso that there are probably better options out there depending on what you want from a car. If that makes sense...
 
Triamp9 said:
Thanks Wink and point taken!

But are you saying that there's no point buying the type of car that I'm looking for with my budget? The RX8 I have my eye on is an 07 with 46k on the clock and full Mazda service history. It's also well inside my budget and my yearly mileage will be low. My thinking is that the cheaper purchase price offsets the running costs. Buying any used car is a lottery I know and there's always a risk whether it's a Mondeo or whatever.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I need to think about this some more without getting too paranoid! ;)

Any more thoughts appreciated.
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If you're happy with the potential running costs/bills then it's your choice really. Generally people who would spend £3-£4K don't want, or can't afford the running costs you would get with an RX8 that's all.

Crizzy said:
Another thing, the MPG is low but I don't think the fuel usage can be justified for the performance you get, I think the main benefit you see from a rotary engine is the way it allows the car to feel so balanced. The handling is sublime but is this really worth the trade off for the low MPG? Maybe on the track but on a public road? Some owners will obviously think so, I'm not so convinced.
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This is another good point which I had though about writing. The performance doesn't really justify the running cost with the RX8 (in my opinion)
 
Crizzy said:
I don't want to put you off the RX8 as I think they are fantastic motors, but I also think they are fundamentally flawed.

The flaw? The engine. The whole point of an RX car is that they are powered by a rotary engine, something that Mazda seems to have a small obsession with. Granted they have had some motorsport successes using rotary engines but I don't think they work very well as a road car for the mass market.

As you've owned a Supra in the past I think you are a bit more of a petrol head than you came across in your first post. You are aware that the running costs are higher with the RX8 and are happy to accept that, after all running a Supra isn't exactly the cheapest thing in the world to keep on the road.

What bugs me most about the RX8 is the hassle it has the potential for. Do you really want to have to be mindful of moving the car a few feet if the engine is cold and having to rev the thing whilst your neighbours twitch their windows wondering why you sit on the drive revving your car? Or having to spend time trying to get it running or calling out the AA after forgetting to do so? (I'm not sure this is still an issue with later models?)

It also has the dreaded compression failure issue and most will advise you to get a compression test done before buying the car, again unneeded hassle. Should you buy the car and have a compression problem then you may need to get the engine rebuilt, something that is not supposed to be an issue with the RX8 as it has ceramic rotary tips, but there are horror stories to be found.

Another thing, the MPG is low but I don't think the fuel usage can be justified for the performance you get, I think the main benefit you see from a rotary engine is the way it allows the car to feel so balanced. The handling is sublime but is this really worth the trade off for the low MPG? Maybe on the track but on a public road? Some owners will obviously think so, I'm not so convinced.

Given the choice between the Crossfire and RX8 I would choose the RX8 every time, despite the fact that it's a high maintenance diva. If I had to recommend one to someone else though It would probably have to be the Crossfire, but with the proviso that there are probably better options out there depending on what you want from a car. If that makes sense...
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Lots of common sense in that post Crizzy.

Whilst I mentioned 'mid-life crisis' I don't think I'm of the pipe and slippers brigade yet. It's only a couple of years back that I was wringing the neck of an Aprilia Tuono. Bit of a 'mans' beast it has to be said and has been likened to riding a 'bucking bronco'. :). Given my budget, it seems that my initial choices are flawed and I will have to look at and think about those again.
 
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