I've got about 10k saved and willing to take some payments for a used 04 RX-8 with around 20k miles.

I've only had 2 cars in my past. A jeep and an Infinity G20t. I'm wanting to get a 2d couple and I love the look of the mazda and like what I've heard about the rotary engine.

But I'm concerned if it's a car for me. I'm not most knowledgeable guy when it comes to the ins and outs of a car, especially one like the Mazda.

Is the Mazda something that a basic driver can handle, maintenance wise, or am I better off with something like a used Infinity or Hyundai?

 

How old are you?

 

I'm 22.

 

you don't have to know the car in and out to own this. if you're willing to read a little and know what to expect (add oil, learn about flooding, etc.) you'll be fine.

but if you're asking the question, i would suggest getting something else so that you don't complain later that there is a milky substance on your dipstick. wait....what?

 

I've got one, bought it when I was 20 brand new. I think its a great car for a beginner.. Not too hard to work on, fun to mod and addictive to drive. Not over-powering either, so, chances are, unless you're a moron, you won't be fishtailing by accident all over the place :P

Didn't know much about cars before I bought this one, and I'll be installing a supercharger on my own (with the help of others) before summer

 

You'll be fine. You have experience in rear-wheel drive vehicles and you're old enough to not be a looney toon with it. RX8's are far from being ridiculously overpowered and are very forgiving dynamically. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

are you willing to add oil to the car every two gas fillups? Are you thinking about getting a autotragic or a manual?

 

^ I agree with Rootski & Tubingchamp.

Great handling with low-ish power equals a good first rear-drive sporting experience. Also, the 'nanny' of DSC will allow you to learn to drive smoothly with a minimum of scary moments.

As you gain experience, several others here have successfully campaigned in AutoX in near-stock configuration. Others have boosted power with Forced Induction at a reasonable cost.

Plus, IMHO - the car just looks 'right'.

Good luck.

 

Thanks all for the replies.

I'm wanting to get automatic. I can do manual, but I feel more comfortable with just automatic.

I don't mind having to read up on this car a little. Keeping the oil up shouldn't be a problem. The average is adding oil every 2 gas fillups?

 

^note that there are different engine configurations for the AT (read, lower power).

 

really? AT? keep reading a bit and see if you still feel the same.

also, you don't have to add every 2 fillups - you just want to check it and add when necessary.

 

Yeh, definitely recommend manual. I learned manual on the 8, and autotragic has a lot less power..

 

Thanks all for the help. I wanted to stay away from manual, but since there are quite a few of you saying to steer clear of automatic, I will surely stay away from that. Best to listen to the experts. =)

I appreciate the help greatly.

 

This car isn't much different than other cars, just reacts better to the usual maintenance. I got my first Rotary Engine when I was a little boy of 19. I had NO idea how a car worked at all, and I didn't even know how to drive stick until I drove it home the 1 hour distance.

Over the next year, I spent time reading up, learning and experimenting. I may not be the most knowledgeable person when it comes to cars/engines, but I feel if something needs done, I will save thousands of dollars by doing it myself.

If I can go from a 1990 Mercury Topaz to a 1988 Mazda RX-7 *A sports car...* then you shouldn't have any problem at all. Search the site, read the FAQs and spend a little time getting used to the car.

Take an AT and Manual RX-8 out for a test drive. Get a feel for both. MANY people have explained how easy it was to drive the 8 MT than other cars they have driven. If you have any further questions, just ask.

 

If you were 16. I'd say it's not the car for you.
at 22, you should have enough brain in your head to be fine. Just remember to check the oil frequently and keep it topped up when the dipstick shows it's low, change the oil every 3000 miles (easy to do yourself).

Get the MT. This is not the kind of car you want an AT in unless you have a disability and physically cannot operate a clutch; or you are going to spend all your time driving in the city and will never want to be doing performance driving (some people do get this car entirely for looks i guess).

the minor inconvenience of traffic on work days is 100% worth the control you get when driving down on back roads with the MT.

 

yes stay away from auto's especially 04's becuas the 04 auto's had trouble at least in hot climates...as far as maintenance goes if you can check oil and redline the car basically it's good....but before u buy i woujld HIGHLY recommend searching for awhile on these boards to find out problems about flooding and other things that are common with the rotary!

 

when i first got my 8 i use to check the oil every 2 fill ups.. but i never needed any. I need to add oil about every 1000 miles...

 

Owning a rotary in your early 20's is an amazing experience. You'll be hard-pressed to find an engine down the road that you bond with the way you do with a rotary. My personal advice: let the car warm up EVERY morning and change the oil often.

 

I'm not trying to bash on automatics or anything, but if I were going to get an auto I would a choose a different car than the RX-8. Maybe a G35 or a Subaru. It's not that the 8 is so terrible, it's that the manual is just so much better.

 

my opinion, the 370z has the best automatic right now for a sports car in this price range

 

That's my experience, too. And when I add oil, it's usually only half a quart.

Clem - there are only two quirks about owning a rotary. One is that you do have to check the oil. Not that often, but most other cars don't use any. The other is to not turn it off cold.

Everything else that's different is a plus.

Ken

 

I think it's a reasonably good car for an inexperienced but intelligent purchaser/driver. You cannot buy this car, forget or refuse to fill it up with oil, get regular maintenance etc and expect it to keep driving. You cannot go move the car in the cold and turn it off a few seconds later. There are a few basic, and not terribly difficult things to learn and keep up on, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist, just a responsible person. Unfortunately there are a lot of people that do not understand that, and blame the car for their shortcomings.

If you don't mind checking your own oil then the car is one hell of a ride. I'm seriously considering buying another RX-8 for my wife.

 

yeah normally i need to adda bout a qt every 1000 miles or so!

 

please dont compare the RX8 to a Hyundai... thats just wrong. If you are considering a Hyundai, then you will consider the RX 8 as expensive.

I have a hi power RX 8, and its beautiful... it has a service plan and warranties until 2012. so for me its very cheap (well... its free). Its also heavy on the gas. but its worth it. if you run a tight budget dont buy one, if you dont have a budget go for it. I hope that helps.

 

I appreciate all the quick and plentiful comments. I've started my research on upkeep of the rotary engine just to get familiar and think it will be a good car for me.


@ JRt, I never compared the RX8 to a Hyundai. I stated that if the maintance was difficult for an RX8 ( Which I've learned it's really not as long as you follow a few simple rules ) would I be better off with an Infinity or Hyundai. I used Infinity and Hyundai because besides the RX8 I was looking into the Nissan 350z or a Hyundai Tiburon GT for possible cars.