Mazda RX8

[Davey]

Hey all
Im thinking about buying a Mazda RX8, the high powered 231 version. However I have heard rumours about engine reliability, I know that the renesis engine uses a little more oil than a typical 4 stroke and has a higher fuel consumption but people have mentioned that the engine tends to wear its rotor tips down. Is this the case or is this caused by the owner not checking the oil level and maintaining things correctly?
Also im unsure as wether to buy new or used, obviously i would prefer used as its cheaper but i want to make sure the engine will be reliable, regardless of how much mileage has been done hence the above question.
Anyone who knows anything about these cars or any owners want to share there thoughts on this issue or any other problems I might encounter, please do.

Thanks

[vansboy]

The Rx8 is proving to be EXCEPTIONAL value, used - it was underpriced, new, to beat Audi TT & Nisan 350 anyway!

There are discounts & 0%finance on new, currently, where at launch, you'd not got any 'deals'.

The highish oil consumption, hasn't proven too much of a problem, from the reports I've read, so guess most owners were aware of the need to check regularly.

It still is one of the smartest cares around & another Moneysaver, ordered theirs a couple of months back, but can't find the post for it now - wonder how the purchase has worked for them??

Things I DON'T like..

If you can find anywhere for your left foot, without the impossing lump of transmission tunnel either pressing, or rubbing your leg, you'll be lucky!!

Specify a sunroof & it'll be too far back, 'cos the roofline won't take it far forward enough.If that makes sense!

& you'll be looking at leather option, on your model & it doesn't appear to be wearing well, on used examoles. This is apart from my opinon that leather is for wraping cows in - not sitting on!!

Get the accessories brochure & you'll spend enough to buy another car!!

Worst thing about Rx8...you can't buy it in Lightning Yellow any more!! If you do a google image search for yellow Rx8 you'll see some stunning examples!

If you can afford it GET IT!!!

As usual http://www.honestjohn.co.uk The Backroom - for all things motoring!!

VB

[Davey]

Thanks for the info. However since I've posted my first message this morning I've just been out for a 100 mile run in my dads new Astra VXR and thats only just complicated things now, RX8 v. VXR.
I reckon the VXR will be a lot cheaper to run than an RX8, my dads getting about 34 to the gallon, I've heard the RX8 struggles to do 25. Another plus the VXR has is that we know the guys at the Vauxhall dealers near where I live really well and my dad got £2000 knocked off the price of his car, think he paid about £17.5K
Im planning on buying between June and the end of August/early September so i've got plenty of time to research and take some test drives. I also have the money to pay for either car outright but i'd much rather get a 0% finance deal and keep the cash in my savings account earning interest.
Bloody Hell should ave just stayed in this morning instead of going out for a spin, then the RX8 would have been a definate choice then but now im not so sure

[Happychappy]

Hi Davey

The RX8 is coming down in price, below is one going through auction next week, full service history and a lovely car, the RX8 is certainly the better car, Vauxhall Ars@=le is cheap, but as it says? everyone has one :D

RX8
Registration AE54XXX
Registered 07-09-2004
Colour BLUE
Mileage 11,570
Equipment Air Conditioning
Location XXXXXXXXX Auction
CAP
New £21,902
Retail £18,095
Clean £15,900
Average £15,400
Below Average £14,750

Good luck

[Davey]

Yeah I guess you're right after all, whats the point in getting the same car as my dad.
One thing that really dissapointed me with the VXR is the interior, it looks like something thats been put together on blue peter, where as from what i've seen of the RX8's interior it looks well built and expensive, haven't been in one tho just from what i've seen in pictures. I'd have to find one with the seats, door panels etc all the same colour cos the 2 tone look looks a little tacky tho. I could just do with finding a used RX8 at a Main dealer and then seeing if i can get it on a %0 finance deal

[Paul the Painter]

Looking out at an RX8 right now, (not mine my step dads) it is on a company fuel card so don't care about fuel (he gets charged back at the fuel cost for an average 1.3litre car - don't you just love people who don't know about rotary engines!) Driven "enthusiastically" you can get fuel consumption to under 15 mpg if you try, normally around 25mpg, engine is fantastic revs to 9000 easily.

Given a choice the Mazda is a no brainer, it will hold its value better than the Vauxhall, quite a low roof so I would not have the sunroof, gear change can be notchy and clutch control difficult if changing gear before 4000 rpm, remember the car revs 50% higher than a typical engine so your gearchange points need to be 50% higher as well (this took a lot of convincing to my mother, but she has converted)

Ours is 18 months old no problems with leather, sat-nav great- xenon headlamps great, my advice get a 1 year old fully loaded one. difference in cost between hi and lo power ones not just down to engines, hi power also gets xenon lamps and 6 speed box.

If you are leaving the car for longer than a week, to avoid possible flooding problems on return, rev engine to 4-5000 rpm for 15 secs and hold then turn off without moving foot from throttle, this is a known problem that mazda are working on, it is due to the tip seals loosing their seal when left dry for a prolonged period.

Never had another problem with the car, and switching off the traction control is great fun! :D

Also IT IS REAR WHEEL DRIVE!! what are you doing thinking of getting something front wheel drive????

[Davey]

yeah i'd be going for the higher powered 6 speed version anyway even tho i've heard the 5 speed has better torque and seems to accelerate slightly quicker at low speed.
I take it to what you are refering about the engine tips is the problem i'd heard of and if thats all it is then its not really a problem, from what i'd been told they were wearing the tips when the engine was running causing all sorts of problems, seems on your advice tho not the case.
Chances are i wont be purchacing one till the end of August due to an upcoming court case but i'll definately be heading down to the mazda garage in town and showing my interest in them. I'll probably go high powered in winning blue and try to find one with a sat nav

[steve!]

Davey, driving coup!s is fun, but in terms of value, consider a Seat Leon Cupra/Cupra R. Especially consider it you're looking at the VXR. They come with a lot of extras, and the current shape of the Cupra R looks the badger's nadgers.

[Davey]

Nah im not into seats at all, drove a couple when i worked as a mechanic and they didn't impress me at all. At the moment the RX8 is winning the vote

[david29dpo]

my first car was a nsu ro80 which after 25000 miles was on its forth engine. there was problems at first with tip wear but have they cracked it now. then went on to mazdas. have nothing but praise to mazda for sticking with the rotary and making it the fabulous engine it is today. in comparison the piston engine seems crude! a little bird tells me mazda are running some mx5s with a smaller version of the rx8 engine without the superchargers at the moment, not sure if or when it will go into production.

[vansboy]

I would imagine the new Mx5 has to accomodate future engines, as it has now moved up market (slightly) to become more male purchasers consideration - rather than Hairdresser/lady drivers car ( Mrs V has one!!)

Certainly wouldn't be practical to adapt the Rx8 to top down motoring!!

VB

[tomstickland]

RX is a great choice IMO. Correct wheel drive, loopy rotary engine. Rotary engines have always struggled with fuel consumption, emissions and rotor tip wear. But the non reciprocating design is a brilliant idea. I'd advise trying both power models to see whether the extra power really is worth it - I'd doubt that there was much difference in the "real world".
Astra VCR or whatever is just another mainstream hatch with too much power for it's own good. Looks pretty good though I'll have to admit.

[nordberg]

What about a Celica T Sport? It has similar performance to the RX but with better looks (IMHO) and much more reliability.

I'm on my second Celica in 4 years at the moment. I considered the RX8 and took it out on a demo when I changed a couple of years back. I hated the sound of the engine and the complete lack of torque from it. I found the interior cheap and plasticky. I've read a few horror stories about worn out rotor tips and ridiculous oil/fuel consumption also. Also the emissions are diabolical if that makes any difference to you.

Go for a spin in the T Sport. They are seriously good value. The market for sports coupes is very good from a buyers point of view. I'm currently trying to sell my immaculate 2 yr old T Sport and I doubt I will get more than £12k for it (2 years ago it was a £21k car!!).

[Davey]

Actually had a look at one of those as a friend of mine has one but im not too sure if i like them or not. Of course being a Toyota it will certainly be reliable but im not too sure on the overall look of the car. If anything I prefer the older celica shapes (the one that was in sega rally) . So far the RX8 is winning the vote with the VXR a close second

[Monkeybutt]

How about a Cooper S, fantastic fun, high spec and relatively cheap if you can source a good demo.

My wife has one and I try to 'borrow' it at every given opportunity.

[Davey]

Thought about one of those too Monkeybutt, but the overall impression i get is that they seem to be a bit "girly", also what are they like for space? I suppose they're reliable being built by BMW but what are the running costs and price of spares like.
I have a 3 year old daughter that i see every other weekend so i need something that i can class as a family car even if i do go for something thats a little more sporty. Otherwise i'd maybe go for something along the lines of a Lotus Elise, Vauxhall VX220 or maybe even a Porsche Boxter if i could find one at the right price. Ideally I want to spend around 15k but im prepared to spend that little bit more if need be

[Monkeybutt]

My initial thoughts when my wife wanted one was also that it was a bit girly, I think the standard Mini is but get one with the supercharger on and it is anything but.

Reliability is excellent so far, fuel consumption around 25 - 33 mpg depending on foot heaviness :D

Majority of new models have Mini TLC, a voucher booklet that gives you free servicing ( incl parts and labour ) for the first 3 years which can be extended to 5 years for a small fee at any time up to the end of the 3 years.

Depreciation is good being BMW and we can easily fit our family in it relatively comfortably, our children are 12 and 8 and they have no problems.

We paid 15K for ours, fully specced up, leather etc and only 500 miles on the clock so in your price range.

See if you can find one for a test drive, you might be surprised, my other car is a BMW and I prefer the driving experience of the Mini.

[Davey]

Prestons BMW is only bout 20 minutes drive from where I am so I might head over there sometime and have a look at a few, thing is tho once i get over there and see all those lovely BMW's i'll be changing my mind again and wanting one

[Monkeybutt]

Once you talk to the kn0bhead salesmen you'll soon change your mind :D

Not aimed at any specific BMW dealers, just all of them !!!!

The Mini people seem a little less up themselves though !!!

[Davey]

Most salesmen are like that. If i go into a garage I let them talk !!!!!!!! for ages and come up with all the clever words, then just as they think the've impressed me I mention that im a fully qualified mechanic (gave it up tho, sick of crap money and taking chunks outta my hands), gets em every time and they shut up real quick.