Hi all,

So after a bit of thinking I thought it was time to get a car to call my own. I usually drove my mom's Camry or my uncles Corolla, but i want my own car now. But now I'm off in college and i feel its time. I'm 20 going to 21 in about 1/2 a year.

What I want to ask is this:

I've been looking around some used cars and a rx-8 is my price range. However, I don't drive on the freeway alot nor do i drove too much. Under 1k mile a month for sure. I also like the 4 doors ( I'm a bit sedan biased but the 8 is an exception). I'm not really planning to drive anybody cept for dates here and there but nothing too daily. I've always used an econbox so this will be my 1st "sporting" machine. I don't having racing in mind (I think drags are kinda retarded especially @ on the streets). Also, im not a car fanatic but i am willing to take care of this car. I'm aware of how much detail is needed and dont mind. To be honest, 1 of the biggest reasons i want a 8 is learn about the rotary engine. I live 6 miles away from the nearest Mazda Dealer. I also have 2 friends that have rebuilt rotaries so I think ill be fine. So mechanical issues are going to be too bad. All in all, I just want a fun, reliable, car that looks nice, but has practicality in its blood somewhere... so am i looking at the perfect car?

I have some addition questions that are somewhat answered on the forums but not completely.
quick addon question(s):

1) I will be getting an 06 w/ auto and i was wondering whats the mpg on that? Are there any flashes that improve mpg (i dont care if i lose some hp) I'm not too crazy about it but 20+ combined would be nice oh and im not heavy footed.

2) Must I redline at least once everytime i drive it? And is a lack of usage bad?

3) When buying a used 06 rx8 should i check for any noise, physical faults, etc besides making sure it has all the recalls done on it?

4) What are some flaws of the car?

5) 2006 clean title, 43k on it for about $14k asking

Thanks again for your time

 

1) mpg varies by owner and car. Some get 20s, some get 6... I personally get 18 75% city (MT, but MT vs AT wont matter much)

2) No, you won't need to every time, but it is good to get it up in the high rpms with load regularly. Besides that, keep up with maintenance.. might want to look into premixing.

3) The usual.. maintenance records.. compression check if you want to be sure, but it's still under warranty so.

4) mpg, straight line speed, fairly high maintenance

 

1: Count on 16mpg, not 20. With good coils, plugs, wires, compression, and a cobb access port running MM maps you might manage 20. maybe.

2:The engine needs to run through it's full rev range on a regular basis. Does that mean you HAVE to hit the redline every time you drive? no. But it also means don't putter around town all the time and never let the motor get above 4K rpm. It's not hard to get the revs up. The car practically begs you to wind it out.

3: Yes.

4: Gas mileage, Low end torque, quarter mile times, takes premium gas, nobody knows how to work on them, engine wont last as long as an accord, consumes oil constantlyl, sticky tires are expensive.

 

From reading your post I get the feeling you are not a huge car fan. You like the looks but your not really into cars. The 8 is a high maintenance biotch. The 8 may be to much for you to keep up with, not trying to be offensive but I wouldn't want you to spend over 14 grand on a car you dont enjoy

 

4) What are some flaws of the car?

For you, the main flaw is the AT. It's inferior in many ways to the MT version. If you really need an AT, I recommend looking at other cars. The 8 just isn't the right car for AT, IMHO.

Maintenance is no big deal, if you can handle checking the oil then you're good to go.

 

An Accord or Malibu for you.

 

yeah i would still try to steer u to the MT but I'm not here to say anything about what u like...the MT gets more horses but u seem not to care about that ....like everyone else said u dont' HAVE to redline everytiem but it def is a good thing to blow that carbon out of ther and for mileage u are looking about 15-18 mpg i'm pretty consistant on 17.7x and just started premix so we will see if it goes up any!!!

 

Thanks for all the imput so far.

I noticed that my real question isnt answered which is the paragraph above ><

I may not be a Huge fan of cars but will i appreciate the 8 if i get 1. The thing is I love handling more than speed so ZOOM ZOOM doesnt really appeal to me. But I'm well aware of the 8s appeal. Coming from a camry and corolla, the 8 will be handling heaven.

Isnt there a big difference in mpg between a 04-05 and a 06+ especially w/ AT?

thanks again

 

No, not much of a difference at all.

Go MT, it's more fun AND you get extra horses to play with(maybe cheaper too).

They both get the same fuel economy, which is bad.

 

if you get an auto try to find one that is an 06+ deff stay away from the 04 AT if you can

 

I would take a 350Z auto before an rx8 auto...........for sure.

 

hmm i know you dont like 2 seaters, but i would go with a s2k. by reading your post, it sounds like you just want to hve a fun car that is not high maintence. but maybe once you get a rx8, you might change and get addicted etc. any how gl, i hope someone here helps with your decision.

 

i dont want an s2k or a 350z no practicality, more seats are good have even if you dont use them catch me? =) , the only thing really putting me off is the mpg =/

 

That's what happened to me

Take the 8 for a test drive, see how you like it.


Personally, I get about 6-8mpg, city driving.. but I like keeping it above 5k RPMs.. Used to get ~19mpg. It's just so much more fun driving it hard (within speed limit obviously).

I got the 8 over other cars because:

a) I wanted more than 2 real/accessible/comfortable seats
b) I wanted something that was fun
c) I wanted more than 100HP

 

As long as you can afford gas, the poor MPG is really not something you ever think about. The car is just to much fun to rev up. I calculate my mileage solely to ensure the health of the car (the figure will change if something goes wrong).

 

If you read the stickies in the tech section that will help you alot. Also a test drive is your best friend.

 

Gas is cheap but if you are doubting getting it because of the MPG u better get soemthing different...seriously...you will not get anyting good.....17 with keeping it cooll....i spirited weekend drive and see that go down below 10 easy!!!

 

I get you on the back seats, but the middle console runs all the way to the back and up so you cant do what you think

 

6-8mpg...wtf....that cant be right....i drive like a bat out of hell every where i go and i still get 17-18mpg

 

I'm doing a constant 120-150miles per tank

 

Wow, do you ever take it out of first gear? Maybe something's wrong with your car. I get about 200 miles on a tank, and I rev it every chance I get.

 

I'm in 3rd or 5th most of the time actually, going along at 4k-5k RPMs.. The only thing I can attribute it to is going to 5W30.

 

you have an 09....hmmmm

 

No point in getting the 8 if you want an AT, IMHO. Car is at its best with a manual. Maybe a Honda Accord V6 or Altima V6?

 

I completely disagree. I have an AT and it is the most fun car I have ever driven. If Horsepower is not a factor to you and you prefer to drive AT get an auto. I Love it.