Hello everyone , I'm new and have questions about the car , before you go "oh **** another 16yr old asking reliability questions." Stop cause im not 16 I'm 22 and I have more to ask than reliability
Quick backstory , my fiance is pregnant and I basically have 8 months to trade my current baby for another car and the rx8 has been an option (along with an 05 merc , and 2 audi's)
I need something with four seats as Im currently driving a Chrysler crossfire which has been amazing to me so far baring the decent 23mpgs I get.
I have some basic questions which I'll prolly do some more searching later for more answers and opinons

How reliable is the rx8 overall?
How friendly is the rotary motor to normal bolt on mods?
What are some common issues these cars have?
What is flooding? (Been seeing that a lot while searching)
What's your averages on mpg?
Are the back seats big enough for a baby seat?
I'm 6'2 am I too tall ?
And What years are more prone to issues?( I'm assuming the first two model years?)
Sorry for all the questions , I just have to consider a lot for a future car , definitly don't wanna end up with a mini van Lol

Thanks in advance guys

 

Get a WRX wagon. Or a Ms3. Rx-8's get horrible gas milage, are best with stock engine(besides tune) unless you wna spend alot of money, and you you probably wont fit too well in it. As for flooding and other issues, check out the thread "how to start your car when your car wont start". I would link it but its stickies in i believe the troubleshooting forum

 

I personally love wrx wagons, with the right wheels and mudflaps they look awesome. And as amazing as they are stock, they just beg for mods.

 

its not as good as a miata, or the older Rx7's (79-85), but its not as bad as say an Audi/vw. with the Rx8 you get to skip the timing belt/waterpump/valve cover reseal, and just replace the engine.

the engine is pretty maxed out from the factory, so more hp is hard to come by

coils, catalytic converters, engines. lots of horror stories on here, but i think you'll find the average car hasn't had the hood open between now and the time the regular warranty expired

basically for a couple of different reasons there can be too much gasoline in the engine, and it won't start. the rotary is more prone to it than a piston engine, but if you let the Rx8 warm up it won't do it.

this is one of the 3 major flaws in the car, mileage is 16city/20highway.

yep! normal humans too. the Rx8 is actually very practical and useable, and FUN

no, but you might want one with no moonroof

yes the first 2 years (04/05) have more issues. Mazda has updates for almost all of them, however the dealerships were spotty about doing them. they can be done after the warranty period of course, it just costs money, vs a later car would have everything already.

 

See my signature. One thread covers the basic questions about ownership, another covers the modding questions

This is probably not the best car for you given the circumstances. Priority is to your fiance and the baby. The 8 has the seats to handle the needs there, but it needs a focus you probably won't be able to put on it.

 

I actually love the wrx wagons but not latest model (too much $$$) I actually like the earlier generation that had a counter part in saab the 92x aero but finding one that wasn't owned by a teenager and already treated like the city streets were a race track are hard to come by , basically I want a stock one or one with only suspension mods if i even bothered to look
I'm a little turned off by the mpg's and lack of mods that won't destroy the motor in 5000 miles
I already read the mods sticky after I posted this
But thanks for the info guys , Im actually surprised I wasn't flamed immediately , a good friendly forum is hard to come by ( my first car was mkiv gti and 70% of the guys over a vwvortex are a little rude just saying >.>)