Mazda RX-8

KierNet

I was looking at random cars and car insurance, a friend has just got a RX-8, and it got me looking at quotes, I was amazed I could get one insured for around £700!

Are they any good? I had kinda picked the Mondeo ST220 as my next car, but not sure which one would be more fun (main reason I want one). Both give similar MPG I believe (not much xD), however the ST220 would be more particle (doesn't look spelt right?) due to its size. The ST220 is a bit more to insure (around £1,000).

It won't be for a few months that I can consider going to test drive them both, but wanted to know a bit about them.

Any other suggestions would be good as well, looking for something fun to drive, not fussed about speed, but would be a bonus...I'm bored of my diesel and being stuck at the lights xD.

harveybobbles

The Mazda will need an engine rebuild every 40,000 miles... Mondeo will be more fun and easier to sell on again.

funkycoldribena

harveybobbles wrote: »

The Mazda will need an engine rebuild every 40,000 miles... Mondeo will be more fun and easier to sell on again.

Agree.Plus low 20's mpg and never being able to sell it again,mondeo much better.

s_b

you both forgot to mention the non start flooding issue too:)

funkycoldribena

Theres also a non-start flooding issue also.

s_b

seeing as there is an echo
did i mention the plastic impellers on the st220 water pumps fail:eek:

grizzly1911

Shame though I had a friend who had an NSU back in the eighties, pristine condition.

It was so smooth, more turbine like, it was more than fast enough speed wise but can't remember what acceleration it had.

He mothballed it as a collectable soon after to preserve the engine.

he dropped a Ford Transit V4 into another, just for the car.:eek:

atrixblue.-MFR-.

harveybobbles wrote: »

The Mazda will need an engine rebuild every 40,000 miles... Mondeo will be more fun and easier to sell on again.

on what evidence is that based on.

as long as its topped up with good oil, had all the recalls done on it, starters are a bit iffy and coil packs go on them. warm it to temp before shut off to prevent flooding and the cat becoming ruined.

on the rx8's make sure that everything has been done as per servicing at the dealers recomendation. the renisis rotary engine should need any engine overhaul untill 150.000, dont forget this is not your average piston engine, its a rotary engine in the rx8.

asbokid

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

on what evidence is that based on.

as long as its topped up with good oil, had all the recalls done on it, starters are a bit iffy and coil packs go on them. warm it to temp before shut off to prevent flooding and the cat becoming ruined.

on the rx8's make sure that everything has been done as per servicing at the dealers recomendation. the renisis rotary engine should need any engine overhaul untill 150.000, dont forget this is not your average piston engine, its a rotary engine in the rx8.

owners of the rx-8 have to travel 40,000 miles to find someone willing to service it.

bigjl

I would personally take a car like an RX8 tp Mazda to service it but i am sure there will be specialists around but definately not an easy car to fix id the problem is engine related.

I would have one as a Sunday best car for low miles as they are stupidly cheap.

Not a car to use everyday though.

T
Rotary engined cars are very popular in Aus and NZ, hmm, a car that is available for pennies here that has a following in Aus/NZ i think i have just had a business idea!

Biketrials08

Remember the RX-8 comes in two main flavours the 189 and the 228bhp versions - note which one was used for the insurance quote (the difference for those interested is the inlet port set-up, 2 vs 3 ports). The stated mpg may look similar to the 220 but the real world mpg would be much different, with the Mazda using much more than the Ford. The Ford would be my choice (though true about that water pump issue) and if you really want a coupe the Ford Cougar may strike a better balance but is quite down on power compared to the ST220 and is an older car. RX8's are a bit of a depreciation disaster of late with high CO2 and therefore tax putting many people off.