I'm in the process of selling my scoob and browsing for new cars. The rx-8 has really caught my attention as something I might enjoy. I'm curious how it would compare to like an STi or EVO? I'm not in the market for either of those cars but am looking for something similar and cheaper. I've heard nothing but good things about RX-8s (other than a sometimes finicky, but otherwise reliable rotary engine) and am really looking forward to my first test drive.

I plan to mod it lightly(exhaust, intake and suspension mods), but what is the deal with the lack of power? Have they just not been around for long enough to yield any decent parts? It is going to have some semi large shoes to fill as my last car was a stg 4 rex, but I'd really be happy with like 260whp and the rest of my funds going into suspension. Is this a reasonable goal while keeping the drivetrain reliable? I'm just curious cause my rex is waiting a new tranny as we speak...

 

Do a search--it should help.

 

What makes you think you'd enjoy an 8!?! Power is the one thing the car's NOT about. The 8 is all agility, smoothness, handling, lightness and finesse. If you're into neck-snapping power—or if you don't know what finesse means—this car isn't for you. Probably one of the worst choices you could make.

 

exhaust and intake is not going to get you to 260 whp with this car. gains from those mods are minimal. you can put a greddy turbo on it and get the 260 whp with proper tune. there are some problems with the greddy turbo because it cant supply enough air into the engine and loses boost. if you did want some serious power mazsport has a turbo that is capable of 400 whp. make sure you get a good test drive. it doesnt have neck snapping power. its a nice smooth acceleration. hope you like the car.

 

I assure you that your just wasting your own by responding with "do a search noob". I've been reading this forums for a few days now and i just wanted to hear it from the horses mouth. I wish someone would have told me that the WRX tranny is made of play-doh when I asked what the car was like. I've been posting on forums for a couple years now so i know the "do a search" routine.

I'm not looking for neck snapping power, I want a decent handling, moderatly powerful car. 260whp is not exactly neck snapping, nor would I expect abrupt power from a rotary. I like the rx-8 cause the lines are amazing and mazda has a history of producing some of the best handling cars (i.e. the FD, miata etc.). They seem like a bit more out-of-the-ordinary than subarus, as I live in the NW where everyone and their mother has a wrx or sti with exhaust and aftermarket wheels.

And saying these cars "Aren't about power" defeats the point of doing engine mods in the first place, doesn't it?

 

The RX-8 isn't a mod-friendly platform with respect to power.

Mazda has done a fairly good job of tuning the intake and exhaust so you aren't likely to get anything extra out of those. There are no valves so going with different cams is impossible. Forced induction is an option but, as with most engines naturally aspirated from the factory, it's definitely the road less traveled. Add to that the relative rarity of the rotary engine and the picture is even more bleak.

If you are looking for something to tinker with, it's probably not the best place to start.

This is one of the reason that I bought mine; I don't want to tinker with it (intellectually). I know that if I could tweak it and gain significant amounts, I would definitely try and that's just not financially compatible with my life right now. But a car that was reasonably quick, handled well and was fun to drive (all subjective, I know) out of the box was what I bought.

Good luck with your search. I hope you find what you are looking for regardless of whether it's an '8 or not.

 

This topic has been discussed almost as much as the Mazdaspeed 8. Geesh!!

 

Take one for a test drive. If you like it but want to picture it with more power, find a meet somewhere and see if anyone is showing up with the mods you're willing to do (turbo, nitrous, tubonator, etc) and ask them for a ride. Ask beforehand of course.

As for 260hp, check around here - https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/

 

Yeah, I've been scanning that forum. It's looking like the car would be left mostly stock. 4 grand for 60hp is steep as heck, it seems like a swap would be almost more economical at that point. I think I could be happy with the stock power. Thanks for the replies, I need to go get a test drive.

 

Dude some people are so cold on this forum!! We don't want to give this possible convert an impression that our members are unfriendly and unhelpful.

After a test drive you will find out most of what this car is about. Even though power mods won't do much with this car, suspension mods will greatly increase the response and precision of the 8, which greatly enhances the already great "feel" of the car. This "feel" is usually what is missed from research and reading car forums. The steering wheel has just the right weight, minute wheel movements translate to precise changes of direction of the car, the road feedback is communicative, and the chassis has a good ride and is forgiving of mistakes. Also, the stock brakes are phenomenal (the same 60-0 as a Merc McLaren SLR!). All of this contributes to a car that is awesome to drive everyday (it's been 2 years and I'm still excited to leave work everyday to step into my car). Other cars may be monsters on paper which appeals to many, but this car is a monster in a more abstract way which not as many people discover. I hope you will discover this on your test drive and become an RX-8 convert soon!

 

Yeah, I can only find a few in my price range. I'm trying to spend like $15k, and I've seen like three in that range. One had like 23k miles too, I just don't have my financing worked out yet, and I haven't had a huge amount of time to go look.

 

To be honest, I'd stay away from trying to do any serious power mods - they usually just end up being a big money sink and nightmare. Exhaust if you fall in love with the sound, maybe suspension if it's too soft for you and a short throw shifter. You're set.

If you're not much one for the low-power, fun-handling type car, get away as fast as you can. Like everyone else has said - take it for a test drive, make sure you can whip around a few corners, then make your decision.

 

If you swap, look at the LS1/2...they don't weigh much more than the stock engine, but they put out a hell of a lot more power and they are MUCH more mod friendly.

GL with your search

 

Ja, great idea............. Take it for a test drive.

 

quit thinkin . . . and just get one. I love mine.
Power is not too good though. Unless you go FI, or even nitrous. But the car is not about power. It is all about balance. Power to weight balance, suspension balance . . and brakes that will smack your teeth on the steering wheel.

 

Make sure you get it up in the high revs when you test drive it, because that's where the fun begins (anything under 5k is just warming up).

 

When going on the test drive get rid of the sales person. That way you can enjoy it alot better , no one to control you. Like mention by Krankor get it over 5K and enjoy.

 

I've had two Subaru's (MY98 WRX Clubspec II and MY01 Sti) before my RX8. I must say, I love this car more than the Soobies. Drive one... I bet the minute you turn the steering wheel... you'll get hooked. The engine wail is also very addictive. It all comes down whether you get or miss what "zoom zoom" is all about.

 

yeah, I really need to go drive one. It also seems like a good way to avoid spending outrageous amounts of money on the car like I did on my rex. Man I need to go drive one.

 

I finally test drove one. I liked it a lot, it had a lot more of a sports car feel than even an STi. The STi has far more brute power, but this didn't feel like a rally car like my current car does. I just found out the trade in value of my rex is 18k, so I may just attempt for straight up trade unless I can get my car to sell for over 20k. I also drove a mini cooper S mc40 edition with the JC works package and it didn't feel nearly as planted or as fast as the 8. I'm getting one for sure. Just one more question. Reliability? Am I going to hate myself in 6 months?

 

Test drive it, Mazda gives you 25 bucks. link here...

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...?fromTool=home

Then you will come to the darkside...

 

I think if you get a new RX8 (leftover 2006 or 2007) with all of the most recent updates (ECU flash for increased OMP output) you are going to be fine as far as reliability goes. I have owned mine since this past December and already have 7000 miles on the car with no problems so far. I have taken the car on multiple 1000+ miles trips and find it to be a rock-solid ride.

As far as peformance goes, as long as you enjoy the car in its element (tight twisty roads) then you will be extremely happy with the car I think. Take it from someone who has owned modded WRX's and Evo's, the RX8 can be a satisfying car to own and drive even in stock form.

As far as modding goes, it is no different than many already sorted-out from the factory NA cars such as BMW MCars, the gains from bolt-ons are minimal. Like the M3 the exhaust/hi-flow cat or race pipe, intake, and an ECU flash can provide around 20hp probably. The other items (again similar items chosen by M3 owners) that really seem to provide an enhanced driving experience are a lightweight flywheel and performance clutch and PP, and short throw shifter solutions. Even though the RX8 handles great in stock form there are lots of great suspension options that can add an even greater edge to the cars handling.

Good luck with your choice...the fact that you enjoyed the test drive is a good indicator that the car might be right for you.

 

Yeah, I was talking to a dealership that is selling them, brand new (2007 w/ 0 miles I believe) for like $22,995. The trade in on my rex is like 18k like I said, so I could just finance the last 4k pretty easily (for the sake of credit) and be done with it. For some reason I'm not a fan of breaking a car in though, I was so tempted to romp around in my rex when I first got it (which I didn't, not over 4k rpms til like 1.5k miles, then 5k rpms til 2k) and I may be tempted to do the same in this car. I'd rather be able to get it and drive it without worry than have to sissy foot around until it's broken in. Not to mention summer is going to be here before I know it and when the mountains in Oregon are dry the roads are phenomenal.

Also, I tend to drive cars pretty hard. I like to think that most sports cars are meant to handle solid shifts and high rpms pretty often, do these cars tend to fall apart if you abuse em at all? I don't of course drive like that all the time, but I am 23 years old so I still have a lot of kid left in me.

Mods are likely to be some 'sport' coilovers (so they aren't spine rattling), wheels and tires (falkens of course), strut bars, short shifter, exhaust, chip and flywheel. I might do pulleys too, seem to be getting good reviews. Mainly just handling/driveability/sound type stuff. I'm not a huge fan of the batmobile-esque front air dam, so I might go with a different bumper and skirts to match. At that point the car would be even more fun to drive and something to call my own.

 

I wasn't planning on buying the car I was looking at, just driving it so I abused it a little bit

The salesman had quite a look on his face when I was powershifiting at 9k and launching it at the traffic control lights for an on ramp. It was quick tho, I liked it. I wish I woulda had a lot more room to play though, I imagine getting a good slip angle would be a blast in that car.

 

you'll get about 270-280 whp with a greddy turbo kit. with about 210 whp available at 3,000 rpm. drop in a larger turbo and you should be good for an extra 50 whp.

but it isn't going to come cheaply.