Maxda RX-8? Anything else?

m3csl2004

m3csl2004

m3csl2004

Associate
Joined
17 Jun 2005
Posts
622
Location
Sheffield
I've been looking at cars between 3K-4K without huge insurance bills. I won't go over 8000 miles a year so consumables are not a massive concern.

This seems a good budget for MK3 Mondeo, or a focus, 05-07 with sub 60K on the clock and mid kit levels. Same with Mondeo equivalents like the mazda6.

The thing is, I have no family to think about and I won't need a hugely practical car for the foreseeable future. As such, I have also been looking at Celicas/Coupes and the odd hot hatch, nothing really takes my fancy. A Hyundai coupé is still a Hyundai coupé after all is said and done. Celicas in my price range seem to be a little older/higher mileage than I want.

Noticed the large amount of used Mazda RX-8's selling for my budget, 05-07 with between 30K-50K on the clock. These seem too good to be true? I know they drink petrol and oil, but from what I can gather they are reliable if looked after? My insurance on a Mondeo is around 800 - on the rx-8 more like 1300, I would be willing to pay that.

Any RX-8 drivers? Why would you not buy one? What would you buy?

Oh - forgot, don't think a csl is on the cards. :p

TL;DR

3-4K budget for fun car, sub group 16 insurance, 8k miles a year.

Why are RX-8s cheap? What else should I be looking at?
 
As above they have numerous potential issues, tend to use a fair amount of oil (to the point where you notice it financially) and are very heavy on fuel for the performance output - particularly the 190ish bhp version.

Whilst i'm far from a fan of the Hyundai coupe, if you're just after something with coupe looks but a semi-reasonable amount of space in the back they aren't bad, certainly comparable with the 140bhp celica which has it's own engine issues.

The 190 celica is a substantially better drive but again the engine needs to be watched, depends what you are really looking for I guess.
 
rodenal said:
As above they have numerous potential issues, tend to use a fair amount of oil (to the point where you notice it financially) and are very heavy on fuel for the performance output - particularly the 190ish bhp version.

They dont use that much oil maybe a litre every 1000-1500 miles and its cheap oil so not a problem, they do drink the fuel though i used to average 150ish miles to a full tank
Click to expand...

There not for normal people though, you really need to be clued up on the engines otherwise you will destroy it. Unless you specifically want a rotary engine i would look else where.
 
Last edited:
Out of the cars listed I'd probably go for a Celica. Given your criteria though, I'd be looking more at a Renaultsport Clio or a similar small hot hatch.
 
Just a thought, but what about approved used RX8's?

Maybe if its cheap enough and covered by warranty extensions if you needed, it might be an option?
 
I wasn't expecting everyone to say "yeah, go for it, we all have one!" - suffice to say I think can cross the RX-8 off the list.

I would not want a Clio - too small, not great value for money. It also seems difficult to find certain hot hatches that haven't been modified.

And the search continues...
 
How old are you willing to go? You're well in budget for a good celica gt4 - tend to be ok insurance wise and will knock your socks off performance wise if you've been looking at hyundai coupes etc. Will need looked after, but that doesn't mean they it will cost thousands a year to maintain
 
rodenal said:
tend to use a fair amount of oil (to the point where you notice it financially)
Click to expand...
Absolute rubbish.

Yes they do use oil, they do this by design. Plus its cheaper oil than most cars tend to use.
Unless they have a knackered engine they'll not use more oil than other performance cars. Compared to the cost of petrol you won't even notice the oil usage financially!

The oil usage is something that is always mentioned by people who have either had broken RX8s, or have just heard about them in the pub. Go on the owners forums and you'll see accurate information.
 
shoes said:
lol wut? Certainly not my experience of the GT4.
Click to expand...

That's because you quoted part of what he said then commented on it out of context.

He said:

rodenal said:
celica gt4 - tend to be ok insurance wise and will knock your socks off performance wise if you've been looking at hyundai coupes etc.
Click to expand...

I think a 251bhp turbo car is going to have slightly more of a performance factor over a Hyundai Coupe which range from 105-165bhp
 
R.e oil, fair enough maybe its when they're broken or beginning to break that they start to seriously eat it -i know of two that were using a hell of a lot more than a litre every thousand miles without any other (obvious) issues.

To the poster r.e celica gt4 performance, as above you decided to quote a section of what I wrote, can I ask why when my point was perfectly clear?

In any case they're decent motors, plenty quick enough for anyone who has been looking at hyundai coupes etc and well planted too
 
This has certainly perked my interests for an RX8. They're worth not much more than my 17 year old MX5.

I want something with a bit more space with bike carrying capability that's a bit newer and better built. The RX8 ticks all the boxes more or less. My CTR drank 1l per 1k oil wise, and the fuel economy is near the scale of that and my MX5 (which is shocking but then that's my driving for you).

Considering I was gonna go up the scale towards a Golf GTI Ed 30 nearer the 8-9k mark, the RX8 really has me curious even if I just run one for 12 months and lose £500 depreciation wise ignoring running costs. Hmmmm.
 
I have a celica, bought almost two years ago for £4200 with only 33k milage it has been bullit proof. Mine is only the 140 facelift model though, I'm not sure where you have been looking but £4k should get you a nice looking example, head over to celica-club.co.uk there are a few examples on there for just over £4k which are in very good condition.
 
The 190 celica is a substantially better drive but again the engine needs to be watched, depends what you are really looking for I guess.
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with the Celica engines? Timing chain issues?
 
Go read about them on the owners club forums. The pros and the cons.
I did, and went to a owners club event and chatted to the people there and shortly after, bought one. Still have it and love it.

You seem to have just looked at prices and gone 'ooooh'. If thats the case, then they're probably not for you. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom