Is an RX-8 worth for first car?
03-04-2019 | 07:18 AM
#1
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Is an RX-8 worth for first car?
So im 18 years old and im going to buy a new car soon and ive looked at a few cars but ive always loved an RX-8 and wanted one. I live in Australia and i can find a few under $10k with about 100k+ km on them. Ive read multiple articles and have heard that the engine isnt reliable and it would need a rebuild. Some of the cars already have new engines built but im not sure how long the engine would need to go for before it needs a replacement. This is my first car and i want to be sure of what im buying and if its good enough and reliable for a first car.
03-04-2019 | 07:35 AM
#2
The Blue Blur
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From: Green Hill Zone Running in Loops
first, welcome
second, read the new owners thread then read it about 12 more times No really, Read this!
third, how are your finances? they might be cheap to buy but they are a little bit pricey to keep on the road (93+ gas, constant oil changes, premix, regular gar maintenance, etc.)
forth, how long do you plan on having the car? is college in your future?
fifth, how much will a RWD sports car cost for a new/young driver on insurance?
sixth, NEVER GET ONE WITH OUT A ROTARY SPECIFIC COMPRESSION CHECK
second, read the new owners thread then read it about 12 more times No really, Read this!
third, how are your finances? they might be cheap to buy but they are a little bit pricey to keep on the road (93+ gas, constant oil changes, premix, regular gar maintenance, etc.)
forth, how long do you plan on having the car? is college in your future?
fifth, how much will a RWD sports car cost for a new/young driver on insurance?
sixth, NEVER GET ONE WITH OUT A ROTARY SPECIFIC COMPRESSION CHECK
03-04-2019 | 08:34 AM
#3
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I work at a restaurant so i make pretty good money but will be getting a better job. I wont be driving everyday, maybe 2-3 times a week.
I plan on having it for 2 years if i can keep it in real good condition. Will be going to university and will be going for police academy training to become a police officer.
Im not sure about the fifth question actually. I love the RX-8 and i would do anything for it but certainly want to avoid any engine breakdowns or cat failure.
I plan on having it for 2 years if i can keep it in real good condition. Will be going to university and will be going for police academy training to become a police officer.
Im not sure about the fifth question actually. I love the RX-8 and i would do anything for it but certainly want to avoid any engine breakdowns or cat failure.
03-04-2019 | 08:38 AM
#4
What am I doing here?
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 649
From: 2017 Miata RF Launch Edition
No.
This car is a bad financial decision for somebody who isn't financially secure.
Hell, this car is a bad financial decision for people who are financially secure.
I'm not kidding.
You don't love the RX-8. You can't because you haven't owned one yet. You might be infatuated with it but infatuations are really, REALLY, REALLY bad reason to make any kind of financial decision.
This car is a bad financial decision for somebody who isn't financially secure.
Hell, this car is a bad financial decision for people who are financially secure.
I'm not kidding.
You don't love the RX-8. You can't because you haven't owned one yet. You might be infatuated with it but infatuations are really, REALLY, REALLY bad reason to make any kind of financial decision.
03-04-2019 | 09:21 AM
#6
Correct. You might get one and be fine, but if you get one with problems then will the repairs crater your finances? Will you still have financial freedom after you've paid for the car, the insurance, the gas and the repairs?
03-04-2019 | 09:25 AM
#8
The Blue Blur
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From: Green Hill Zone Running in Loops
IF you buy one make sure that you have 5k+ (usd) in the bank for WHEN not IF the engine will need to be rebuilt
IMHO you should buy a cheap and reliable camery(or equal substitute) for college
buy a toy car after you are done with school and more financially stable
IMHO you should buy a cheap and reliable camery(or equal substitute) for college
buy a toy car after you are done with school and more financially stable
03-04-2019 | 09:33 AM
#10
The Blue Blur
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From: Green Hill Zone Running in Loops
six of one, half a dozen of the other
there is not solid way to say if the engine will last or not, way to many variables (engine rebuild quality, mods done to engine/car, premixing or not, regular oil changes, healthy ignitions setup, etc.)
I've seen engines blow at 20k miles and some that are still chugging along with 150k miles and above 7 comp numbers
there is not solid way to say if the engine will last or not, way to many variables (engine rebuild quality, mods done to engine/car, premixing or not, regular oil changes, healthy ignitions setup, etc.)
I've seen engines blow at 20k miles and some that are still chugging along with 150k miles and above 7 comp numbers
03-04-2019 | 09:34 AM
#11
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: Lynchburg, VA
You could always get it looked over. I would look for rebuilt ones, and make sure you have a compression test done if at all possible! Definitely read that forum post about new/possible owners. It will give you a realistic expectation of what to expect.
doing things yourself may push down the price quite a bit on maintenance, if you do it correctly. Honestly, that is what I have done. Before my 8, I had only done oil changes and brakes. YouTube and this forum have made it super simple and approachable.
If you don’t have steady income, I would say go with a reliable beater. Gas on this guy is horrible. I probably spend $150- 200 just in gas every month. I also daily it. You’ll want to premix as well, so you’ll have to be on top of everything. I should add that plugs, coils and wires are a maintence item you should change around 20k and it’s around $300-400 USD depending on how you shop. If you can, I would upgrade to BHR coils which apparently last forever (looking at that for when mine gets there)
All in all, no one can make the decision for you. Like everyone else has said, read that forum post about new owners and what to expect. Also, again, get a compression test.
doing things yourself may push down the price quite a bit on maintenance, if you do it correctly. Honestly, that is what I have done. Before my 8, I had only done oil changes and brakes. YouTube and this forum have made it super simple and approachable.
If you don’t have steady income, I would say go with a reliable beater. Gas on this guy is horrible. I probably spend $150- 200 just in gas every month. I also daily it. You’ll want to premix as well, so you’ll have to be on top of everything. I should add that plugs, coils and wires are a maintence item you should change around 20k and it’s around $300-400 USD depending on how you shop. If you can, I would upgrade to BHR coils which apparently last forever (looking at that for when mine gets there)
All in all, no one can make the decision for you. Like everyone else has said, read that forum post about new owners and what to expect. Also, again, get a compression test.
Last edited by HappyTriangles; 03-04-2019 at 09:36 AM.
03-04-2019 | 03:03 PM
#13
Smoking turbo yay
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: BC, Canada
The fuel price is bad enough, though, for a 10th Gen Civic Type R owner in Australia to whine at me.
Expect about 15+L/100km in city and ~11L/100km on highways.
Just get a Civic Si or a Miata and drive those as your first car. A lot more reliable, better on gas, and easier to work on.
Expect about 15+L/100km in city and ~11L/100km on highways.
Just get a Civic Si or a Miata and drive those as your first car. A lot more reliable, better on gas, and easier to work on.
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MoMacAttack (03-05-2019)
03-05-2019 | 12:09 AM
#15
Smoking turbo yay
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: BC, Canada
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MoMacAttack (03-05-2019)
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