I am thinking about buying a shinka and I have a few questions. I have been reading that people are having a hard time making horsepower with the 8. Is this because the motor is new and we have not learned how to take advantage of it yet, or is something else wrong? If I get one is there anything I need to watch out for over time? What is the most miles you have seen a rotary have and still be viable?

I know that some of these may be hard to answer at this time. Thanks for helping me make this decision.

 

Maybe rx8club.com needs to put up a "myth busting" front page.

1. To make power in any hi-winding engine, you need to run up the revs. Flog it. They like it. Ther's power, but you need to go get it. Just tapping the gas pedal in 6th gear isn't gonna do it, this isnt a long stroke torque monster. You need to row the gears in this car -- and that's part of the fun

2. Don't overheat (ever) or ping a rotary. Both are fatal. When it gets to be That Certain Age, go through all the cooling system and replace anything remotely questionable. If you by an 8 that won't be an issue for quite a number of years.. but eventually, like any other car, the hoses and waterpump will need attention.

3. I've personally had a 13B engine (1984 Rx-7) at 170,000 miles. Sold it because the rest of the car was going, but the motor was still great. There are many that have exceeded 200,000 miles and way beyond.

4. Make sure it's always got oil, and top it off when 1/4 - 1/2 quart low. On a Renesis that's about 1 quart every 4000 miles or so. At least on mine. All rotaries regardless of make or vintage use oil by design to lube various things in the chambers.

5. Like any engine, don't rag on it til it's warmed up proper.

Other than that, the rotary will spook you at first with how smmmmmoooth and linear it is. Like a jet. :D

 

when i was buying my 8, i talked to a lady at the dealership that brought her 8 in for a scheduled oil change. she had hers for a little over a year and had over 33k miles on it, and loved the car. and her car before that was an FC that she drove until the motor died...278k miles.

 

HOLY COW!! That is encouraging.

 

HAHA, very nice. Keep it for life!

 

Yes, we need a myth busting thread for all new people to look at. However, there is a RX-8 FAQs section to read. I bet half of RX-8 drivers don't even know how to drive this car properly. I know I didn't for the first few months of ownership until I spoke with my dealer who told me if I didn't mind losing gas mileage, to drive my 8 in the higher rpm range. I felt uncomfortable driving an engine at 3500-4000 rpms in the city but realized that is where this car's engine is happiest. My gas mileage of course has decreased but that is not a big deal to me since the 8 is my weekend/after work car.

I keep my in-town driving around 4k and when I need power, it's instantly there. My 8 is a different vehicle altogether since I changed my driving habits months ago. I don't associate this car as being anemic power-wise anymore.

....I love her....