Mazda RX-8

Phils_debt

They also use a lot of oil and as mentioned the mpg is quite bad in them .

vikingaero

Actually a lot of the comments about the engine are wrong. The rotary engine used in the RX-7 was a pain and often wore out their rotor tips in 40K giving rise to a partial engine rebuild. The rotary engine on the RX-8 is the new Renesis engine with side port entry. I saw a recent buying guide in either Auto Express or Autocar in which a specialist said that he new engine is good for 150k+. The only issue was the litre of oil used per 2k and the need o be fastidious about checking the oil - if it used more oil than this then a software update was available to help cure it. If you have a healthy interest in ST220's or the RX-8 then you probably have the right mindset to own and maintain something that's a little left of field such as this.

They went on to say that the lower power car has far more low end torque and would be better if your driving is town based.

I also watched a repeat of Top Gear on Dave in which the RX-8 was featured and JC absolutely loved the car and it's oversteeryness. The lap time it posted matched the BMW M3.

skiddlydiddly

Best place to read up on RX8's will b their owners club-cars like this always have one.There you just search things like "engine rebuild" and will get a real idea of what to look out for.From what I've read about these(I considered getting one too, they are a bargain and was cheaper to insure than my family saloon) you have to be spot on with changing the oil or expect problems so a casual owner is more likely to have problems than they would with a normal car.
As they are rotary engines, if they do need rebuilding then it should be cheaper than a conventional build as there are less parts to go wrong, but then the chances are you will have to travel further to get someone reliable to do the work.

If you are into stereos everyone raves about the standard setup too.

cyclonebri1

Nice new for a year if you can put up with the fuel comsumption, after that you better have even deeper pockets, best avoided SH imho of course,

harveybobbles

s_b wrote: »

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

Most people who own/look to own an ST220 generally know about the impellor issue and get them replaced with a metal one.

harveybobbles

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

on what evidence is that based on.

Its common knowledge the engines are crap.
Our warranty company wont even let us put them on our policies.

s_b

harveybobbles wrote: »

Its common knowledge the engines are crap.
Our warranty company wont even let us put them on our policies.

quite correct
they are up there with other oddballs

vaio

is this not a case of apples & oranges?

Seems strange to be comparing a turbine smooth high revving RWD sports car with a FWD fat arsed mondeo with a big engine

bigjl

Obviously never driven a decent ST220 then.

Essex Coppers are still using 54plates, obviously more of a second fiddle since they got the new bimmers but still a comfy place to park your bottom in Recaro comfort with a nice smooth 3.0v6 engine that is also fitted to the Noble from what i remember.

Woody._2

bigjl wrote: »

Obviously never driven a decent ST220 then.

Essex Coppers are still using 54plates, obviously more of a second fiddle since they got the new bimmers but still a comfy place to park your bottom in Recaro comfort with a nice smooth 3.0v6 engine that is also fitted to the Noble from what i remember.

Did they build one?

One of the worst polce cars ever, shocking gearboxes, they were always prone to breaking.