Mazda RX-8

bingy_burge

I would have the st220 but i have never driven rx8. Uncle has a 231 and it uses a 1litre of oil to 1000miles on average. He has a few niggles but buys new cars keeps the 5 years and starts again. Gets 20mpg going down hills coasting.

I have driven a few 220's and love em.

Not heard of major common problems and have been on st owners clubs for 5 years. Get a car with good history.

You can't judge a car based on a police car problems. Mk1 focus was the most reliable 3 year old car in germany in early 2000;s. I still had police one a week in for damaged gearboxs etc never saw a privately owned one with bent selector forks in the gear box! Alot of coppers are taught mechanically sympathy but there not their cars and in the heat of the moment they get hammered. Local merc garage is just as busy with local forces fleet of merc vans! Always at least two sat out side the service bay so are all mercs badly made.

Learn to rev match the ex met traffic man i know got to 190k on bmw without the need for a new clutch. Avoid stop start with my cars if I need to move them a short distance I avoid it or push em. I had a focus st from 30k to 85k never had a problem with it other than normal wear and tear. I used to let the oil warm up and spank it within reason following the mechnical sympathy I was taught on my advanced course. Just followed fords reccomendations for servicing and had 140+ out of it on the autobahn gps confirmed.