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

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
[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.
 
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...
 
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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.
 
RX8's own...
..shares in Shell.

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

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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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