Mazda Rx-8 What to look for when buying ??

Eliot · 29 Aug 2011 at 23:45

I have to say that while I quite like them, you can't pretend a rx8 makes sense in a way other than to own one because you like them, in any logical conversation that is subjective they would always come off badly.

There's plenty of 5 grand cars that can match or beat them in most areas, with less visits to shell.

MikeHiow · 29 Aug 2011 at 23:48

Eliot said:
There's plenty of 5 grand cars that can match or beat them in most areas, with less visits to shell.

Like?

Xellos · 29 Aug 2011 at 23:50

I had one, owned it for 2 years and had an engine rebuiled after 43K miles as the apex seals and side seals went and lost all compression in both rotors. Had steering rack replaced under warranty (didnt need to as when i part exchanged for the Evo it went again and found out it was the power steering ECU).
Other bad things were fuel and oil consumption, 1 litre of oil every 1k and 16-18mpg, my Evo gets more than that running 350bhp. And spark plugs are over £130.

The good things though are the handling (apart from in the snow) high revving smooth engine and they look stylish inside and out.

Hades · 30 Aug 2011 at 00:18

Rumour has it that George Bush invaded Iraq after he bought an RX8.

Eliot · 30 Aug 2011 at 01:06

I would imagine something like a Leon cupra r has very similar real world performance, better economy and the engine is going to require rebuilding either, theres a few 330is of similar age kicking about as well. Personally rx8s as "sports cars" don't offer enough over most hot hatches and large ish engined German coupes to be worth considering in a conversation where favourites and emotion are not permitted and a choice would be made on facts. I.e the only real reason to have one (imo of course) is because you like them.

hurfdurf · 30 Aug 2011 at 04:48

[TW]Fox;19946728 said:
Buy something with similar fuel consumption costs instead, like perhaps an AMG Mercedes or a perhaps a V8 Twin Turbo Porsche Cayenne.

What an odd comment.

RX8's own, and I am kind of gutted that I will probably never own one.

oO Stevie Oo · 30 Aug 2011 at 05:05

I dont know much about them but my mate has the Prodrive edition RX8,
They are nice to drive but I'm just waiting for it to break,
I dont think the rotar tips are as bad as they used to be on the older RX7's but the whole wankle engine is far from perfected so just expect problems.

Its more of a weekend 'now and again' car rather than a daily driver IMO...

MikeHiow · 30 Aug 2011 at 07:38

Eliot said:
I would imagine something like a Leon cupra r has very similar real world performance, better economy and the engine is going to require rebuilding either, theres a few 330is of similar age kicking about as well. Personally rx8s as "sports cars" don't offer enough over most hot hatches and large ish engined German coupes to be worth considering in a conversation where favourites and emotion are not permitted and a choice would be made on facts. I.e the only real reason to have one (imo of course) is because you like them.

If you appreciate the engine and the handling of an RX8, neither an LCR or 330 are going to be alternatives.

paradigm · 30 Aug 2011 at 08:04

hurfdurf said:
RX8's own...

..shares in Shell.

MikeHiow said:
If you appreciate the engine and the handling of an RX8, neither an LCR

The post was going so well here, I agree whole heartedly that you don't want the VAG typical numb handling and feedback of the LCR, but then

MikeHiow said:
or 330 are going to be alternatives.

Fail. A 330i would be fine as a comparison for an RX8. Yes this has been done to death, but having driven both, I'd put the slightly sharper handling (literally, slightly) of the RX8 as its ONLY plus point, at everything else, the BMW is vastly superior.

[TW]Fox · 30 Aug 2011 at 08:14

Although depending on which 330i you buy its likely to have as much of a thirst for oil as the RX8!

paradigm · 30 Aug 2011 at 08:15

[TW]Fox;19950367 said:
Although depending on which 330i you buy its likely to have as much of a thirst for oil as the RX8!

True. With an RX8 you KNOW it will use oil, with an M54 based car, it's a lottery

The Running Man · 30 Aug 2011 at 08:59

Okay ill throw an option out there. S15 import.

It wi match the running costs, maybe even be cheaper. looks immense, is rare has good handling etc...

paradigm · 30 Aug 2011 at 09:15

Not really a comparable option when a) a good one is the wrong side of £8k b) they feel cheap and nasty inside (like all 200SX's) and c) will be vastly older.

The Running Man · 30 Aug 2011 at 09:26

Don't get me wrong, it is older, but the prices have dropped somewhat fiercely lately I've seen some closer to 5k on the owners club. id prefer an older S15 than a 2 year newer rx8despite that i love the shape of the rx8 as well...

NathWraith · 30 Aug 2011 at 09:26

Everyone is ripping the fuel economy of the RX8 but my Supra does about the same and it's no quicker!

Eliot · 30 Aug 2011 at 10:40

MikeHiow said:
If you appreciate the engine and the handling of an RX8, neither an LCR or 330 are going to be alternatives.

Brings me to my point, the only reason to buy one is simply because its the car you want.
If someone says "i want a fast but practical car" its pretty unrecommendable in a market of hot hatches and 330is etc . If that's what you want.

pcoltrane · 30 Aug 2011 at 11:05

I don't get the negativity surrounding the RX8 on these forums.

As pointed out by Fox in another recent thread, one of the biggest costs of ownership is depreciation. Because new RX8s have depreciated hard, they make a good buy second hand. With most of the depreciation hit taken, you could probably end up with a newer lower mileage car than anything comparable, and/or it'll cost you less in depreciation by the time you sell it. If you don't expect to do high mileage, then it should offset the higher fuel costs. Overall the cost of ownership probably won't be any higher (infact could be less) than many of the alternatives!

So once you take the above into account, if you like the way the car drives and handles, it's certainly a decent option and not LOLRx8.

pcoltrane · 30 Aug 2011 at 11:06

Double post

Firestar_3x · 30 Aug 2011 at 11:16

pcoltrane said:
I don't get the negativity surrounding the RX8 on these forums.

As pointed out by Fox in another recent thread, one of the biggest costs of ownership is depreciation. Because new RX8s have depreciated hard, they make a good buy second hand. With most of the depreciation hit taken, you could probably end up with a newer lower mileage car than anything comparable, and/or it'll cost you less in depreciation by the time you sell it. If you don't expect to do high mileage, then it should offset the higher fuel costs. Overall the cost of ownership probably won't be any higher (infact could be less) than many of the alternatives!

So once you take the above into account, if you like the way the car drives and handles, it's certainly a decent option and not LOLRx8.

They haven't depreciated hard for the LOLZ, they have done so because no-one is willing to pay more for them, that's because it's a fundamentally flawed product that hardly anyone wants to buy secondhand.

pcoltrane · 30 Aug 2011 at 11:30

Firestar_3x said:
They haven't depreciated hard for the LOLZ, they have done so because no-one is willing to pay more for them, that's because it's a fundamentally flawed product that hardly anyone wants to buy secondhand.

How are they fundamentally flawed?

The relationship between prices and whether a car is any good or not isn't a direct one. So many factors come into play; badge, supply, hype (both positive and negative) etc.
The fact they are unpopular and therefore cheaper simply makes them a better buy.