(EDIT: asked one of the admins about where to post this, but never got a reply, so I'm posting here. Hope I'm in the right place.)

Hello everybody.

I'm well known to be quite a jerk, so please have some consideration for what I am about to say, thank you.

I'm planning to get an RX-8.

Reasons FOR getting an RX-8:

IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!
Cheap.
Goes like stink.
Proper 4 seater.
UNIQUE (think Renesis, damnit!)


My criterias for cars have always been the following three things:

RELIABILITY
RELIABILITY
RELIABILITY


I've always driven Toyotas, and am currently an extremly satisfied owner of a 6th Gen Celica (the one with the buglike headlights).

My fears and doubts about the RX-8:

* Lack of experienced service personnel, especially where I live.
* (Extremly?) High consumption - am I looking for 15lit/100kms (very reasonable for a sports car) or even more?
* Weird stories I read in here and there about Wankels HATING stop and go usage - like constant turning off and on the engine, etc
* No spare wheel - BIG no no - I puncture at least two tyres every year - would not make it far without a spare one.



All in all I've test driven a Nissan 350z and can't say I hated it - I loved the looks, and the growl of the engine, but did not find such a hulk torquie enough and felt way too small inside the car.The Mazda is way ahead in looks and comfort and if I will drive a gas guzzler I might as well try that out while I'm young and gas is "only" 1 euro / liter. I'm no speed freak, and much more interested in rock solid handling than max velocity. AND A COMFORTABLE RIDE.


Say the word, brothers, sisters and both.

 

Some one correct me if I'm wrong here but I believe that you could get an actual spare tire for the RX- 8 if you wanted one. Most came with the "fix a tire" kit to save space and weight.

As far as reliability goes, if you do proper maintenance you should not have issues.
The rotary is rare and people [most people] tend to take what they know about cars and apply that to the rotary which is not always the right thing to do.

It sounds like the RX-8 would be right for you but in the end it's up to you.
I think however if you are looking for the RX-8 to be like "X" you'll nine times out of ten walk away a bit let down.

These car are in class by themselves.
Not saying better than or faster than... but different in a good way.

Good luck in your search.

 

Here you go on the spare
http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ctVehicleRX8#3

 

I'm not sure if it meets your criteria.

Lack of service personnel in your area? You make the call. It wouldn't bother me. As long as you or someone else can change the oil regularly, you're in good shape. Remember, you also have to check the oil every other fillup, and possibly add some. The engine consumes oil by design.

I get 18 miles per gallon, consistently. Many people get less.

Turning the engine off and on is slightly tricky. It is not advisable to start the engine, and then stop 30 seconds later while it's still cold. For instance, if you had to move it in your driveway. I usually let it run for five minutes, then turn it off. However, my wife has turned it on and off several times, and it has never flooded, luckily.

Correct. No spare tire. It seems like you can buy one as an option at the dealer, though. If not, I'm sure you could buy one in the aftermarket.

My car is only 1.5 years old with 13k miles or so. It's been quite reliable. But then again, I think almost any car is reliable if you take care of it.

 

One more thing that might you out.
http://www.vimeo.com/2351138

 

Sorry but i have to say

this is not the car for you
this is not the car for you
this is not the car for you

 

Why not? Just take care of the car properly.

But if you found the 350Z not so torque-y, then this car is definitely going to disappoint in that matter.

 

Alright, thank you so much for the info so far!

* oil usage - this really is no hassle for me.
* engine flooding - unfamiliar with this (sorry...). Could I please get more info about this phenomenon, how to prevent it and how to cure it?

Second thought:

Contemplating buying a possible lemon - really really cheap used RX-8 so that I wouldn't have to sell my current car in case I decide the Mazda is not the girl for me. Would this be a wise thing at all, and if I'm in the market of purchasing a 2nd (or 5th) hand vehicle what should I specifically watch out for? Like this one for example.

 

you will need patience with the 8 as far as oil consumption along with other minor things, but you can be sure that this machine will put a big smile on your face..

 

I agree with Psychofox.

This car isn't bulletproof like the celicas.

Most sports cars aren't.

Not even the 350Z (shocking, I know)

The only sports cars I can think of that fit your biggest criteria, reliability, would be a Honda S2000.

As much as RX-8 is made out to be the most unreliable thing to ever be created on the face of the earth, one must consider that most cars in the sports car segment, have less than average reliability rating (powertrain, drivetrain, electric components, etc) when compared to all other segments.

The price of owning a sports car goes beyond how much you pay for the car itself. It often includes extra cost in maintenance, gas, wear and tear parts, and the potential non-warrantied repairs.

Go on any car boards, and you'll find problem/warranty threads everywhere. Sports cars aren't meant to be built as bulletproof daily drivers, and engineering marvels that produced the ones that is problem free for the entire life of the cars, is beyond the expectations, and should never be the expectations.

But all said and done, researches and surveys have found the honda S2000 is the closest thing to bulletproof for a sports car. I would truly recommend it to someone who has reliability as their biggest (or only) concern.

 

If the 350z didn't have enough torque for you, this car has even less at the low end. Once you rev above 4000rpm, it's like a miniature rocket ship.

The FUN factor of this car makes up for the lack of low end torque. It corners like no other. That's what sold me.

If you want to race people in a straight line, this is NOT the car for you. If you want to race people around curves, this IS the car for you.

In terms of reliability, it doesn't have the same record as Toyota and Honda, but this car is more exotic when you consider that it has a Rotary engine. There's nothing out there that sounds or feels like it.

Just take care of it, use the proper oil (something more viscous than 5w20), change the fluids at least as often as the manual says, and you should be fine. The car requires a little more care than some, but it's worth it.

This video and test driving the car are what sold me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA

This video explains how the engine works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-MY-LwmEWI

 

BTW - That car BEGS to be driven. There's nothing like hearing the "beeeep" once you hit 8500 rpm.

There's also an important saying about this car: "A red line a day keeps the carbon away!"

 

JUST DO IT!!!!

You will not regret it. Even if the 8 does have little issues here and there the pleasure of owning and driving such an awesome car will surpass any doubts you're having now. But you're right to research. I personally have had no problems at all and I drive mine round like I just stole it (well not all the time although wish I could) LOL.

Got my velocity red in 05 and getting the new R3 in crystal white pearl this weekend

 

if you have doubts about it buying a certain car, then the car is not for you. hate to be blunt about it, but buying car when you constantly worrying abotu if this car is going to last you long enough wouldnt be a enjoyable experience. but that is just my opinion.

 

The earlier RX-8 could flood cause troubles with restarting the engine and in some cases meaning a trip to the dealer.
Cars made after '05 had new starters and stronger batteries to help deal with that issue.
I'm not sure but I believe they [Mazda] made some updated to the ECU to help as well.

If it were me I'd buy an '06 or later but updated 04's and 05's can be fine too.

Look at the video link I posted on how to deal with a flooded engine.

I have moved my car twice while cold and [shames me to say this] I stalled it twice while cold and my car never flooded.

Flooding can be an issue but sometimes people make it seem like if you look at an RX-8 it will break down on you...
Like this is the worst car on the planet.
It's not.

 

This is proving to be a great discussion, people either say DO IT or say STAY THE **** AWAY!

Reliability for me has a lot to do with UNWANTED surprises. Like hopping in the car and it won't start. Like taking a sharp turn and hear something snap. If it is MAINTENANCE I'm fine with that. Add oil every 500kms, no probs. Drive above 4000rpms to feel the surge, no probs (hello it's a wankel!!!).

On the other hand my city has minor floods, a couple of them every year. Just a few days ago I was driving home through a huge rainstorm and saw cars queing up in the right lane. There was a large pond, about 50 meters long at ~15cms deep (from what I could see) of water on the street. All the drivers stopped their cars and were too scared to drive through. I did not even slow down, just went on ahead with 40km/h and **** the bad weather.

It has a lot more to do with can it take the punishment on the road than worrying about if I will have to change part X, Y or Z today or some other day.

I have my heart set out for the 8 but I still think that if I am well informed, know which one to get, and how to treat it right we'll be best friends for years to come.

 

Admitting you are a jerk takes some *****. I have to give you that.

The flooding problem: I am in South Africa, we have mild weather here (sunny hot summers and coldish winters), I have tried everything to flood my car and I have failed. I have read other forum posts and tried it in winter (the coldest was about -4 degrees celcius at 4 am. I start the thing, i switch it of within 10 seconds repeatedly. I pump the accelerator a few times (no I didn't pump it too much, maybe five or six times) I start it and stop it and start it and stop it, the car just kept obeying the commands. Before I screw the starter and Whatever else. So, in my books, the myth is BUSTED!

 

^ you tried to flood your car?

 

i can see you really want one don't you???

the engine flooding has already been answered, i have never had the problem once with my 04 even though i didn't know until the other day! of how to make sure this didn't occur.

the flooding in your area should be no problem either, just drive a bit slower through the water or take a detour lol.

and why do you think something will snap when you go round a corner??

when you get a car anything could happen, new or second hand, but mazda is one of the most reliable makes, they really take care in putting these cars together. just try to make sure you get one that has had a caring owner, which is most of us or buy new with a warranty like me then there are no worries.

the only worry i have with mine is where to park it so no-one bashes the door in car parks. got my first dint the other week, only tiny but i was gutted :o(

 

Hey, maybe he's part of Mythbusters over there

 

if you do get an rx8, be sure not to get an AEM or mazdaspeed cold air intake. it sucks up air a lot lower than the stock airbox does and if you're worried about water, don't go that route.

 

you could always try searching!!! since every single thing that u want to know is already been talked about and can be found by using the search function!

but from the sounds of it if you are looking for a torque monster this is NOT NOT NOT it...handling yes....

 

Do you have evidence of water issues with the MazdaSpeed intake?

I just bought an 05 that had one installed and it has been running fine.

Any threads you can point me to would be appreciated.

 

Can't point out a thread, but I did read that too. Both the MS and the AEM (they're actually very similar) have their intakes lower for colder air intake. This puts them pretty low to the ground, supposedly 5-6 inches off.

 

as jindesu pointed out, it's a matter of functionality. the MS (which is just the AEM with a MS logo) CAI adds the tubing that extends the filter down much lower than where the stock intake grabs its air from. it is really most affected if you go through a deep puddle and some have been affected going through car washes. i'd have to search for the thread but am too lazy.

EDIT:
okay, so i'm a sucker and searched for AEM + car + wash. here is just one of the threads.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=aem+car+wash