I'm in the market right now for a new car and I was thinking about an RX-8. I've always wanted an RX-8 however from reading countless threads, I'm getting a bit of a mixed review. My biggest concern is the engine flooding, which seems like the biggest issue.

From what I've read, you can't treat a rotary engine like a piston engine which essentially leads to the engine flooding I'm assuming. I've also read the flooding is common in the 04' and 05' models, and the 06'+ models are better designed? I'm currently looking at an 07' but I want to be well prepared before I even commit to the car. Does anyone know if the issue was remedied in later models or is it less common.

Also are there any modifications that reduce the likelihood of it flooding? I've read changing the oil to a thicker oil helps but voids the warranty and changing the spark plugs to after-market ones is a better choice as well. A lot of my info is speculative, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

yes, it's worth it.

 

The flooding issue is WAY overblown. in 04-05 models as long as you dont shut them off cold, you should be ok. There was an upgraded starter recall that fixed this problem for those year models.

I never flooded my 05 in 3 years of ownership and have accidently shut my 09 off cold. it fired right up.

like I said, as long as you dont crank the car, move it 3 feet and shut the engine down before the temp needle has a chance to move, you should be ok.

 

your question: "Is the RX-8 worth it?"
Answer: yes.



As for the rest of your post, let's see if I can help clear a few things up for you:
If your biggest concern is flooding then you virtually have NOTHING to worry about as this issue has not been an issue for almost 4 years now. Mazda updated the spark plugs, starter, and battery to virtually eliminate the issue.
I've owned my car since Sept 2005 and have NEVER flooded it.

Thicker oil won't void your warranty. Besides, the dealership can't tell the oil viscosity by just looking at it so don't tell them.

Also, OEM spark plugs are BY FAR the best plugs you can buy. Avoid aftermarket plugs, trust me.


now go pick out your new RX-8 and stop worrying so much.
Besides, even if you do run into problems down the road, this forum is an AMAZING place if you get to know it a little better and I'm certain we'll have answers for you to help you along the way.
If you familiarize yourself with the search feature of this site, you'll find that just about every topic possible for this car has been covered before.

 

Yes, it's worth it.

Thicker oil is well debated. I run 10-40 dino.

The stock plugs are the best, no need to run anything different.

As long as you don't shut the car down cold, flooding is a non issue. As long as you have good coils, plugs and wires, it shouldn't ever been an issue. The 07 you're looking at already has the upgraded starter.

 

Looks like it's unanimous: It's worth it.

 

So worth it.

 

Well looks like I'm getting an RX-8. Much thanks for the quick feedback.

 

You do realized that you just asked if the RX-8 is worth it to the RX-8 forum, a group of people who all bought RX-8s... I think most people on here are going to say its worth it since they all decided to get one themselves haha...... But yes, completely worth it. And by '07 the flooding issue was a lot better than it was the first couple years... Get one. As long as you read up on it and know how to treat it, you'll love it

 

Yes, it's worth it. The real question is whether you're worthy of one. Please submit your SSN and a DNA sample so we can do background and genetic checks.

On flooding and aftermarket "fixes." In the four years I've been hanging out here, the number of "Ack - I flooded it!" posts has dramatically diminished. Among those who believe that a stronger spark is the answer, there's the BHR ignition kit. I'm thinking of getting one just because it's cool and who makes it.

Ken

 

Absolutely worth it. I bought my '05 brand new and have yet to have any problem. Please realize that the "mixed review" you hear is the result of a small but highly vocal, highly persistent minority of people who can't say enough bad things about Mazda's marvelous little Renesis engine.

 

05 flood what?

people who flood are usually people who don't keep their car's maintenance up to date.

Im almost 60K miles, got my 05 brand new, never flood, even with the old engine that failed test it still start up fine and drives fine.

 

Take it from the guy whose RX-8 is sitting at the dealership with NO ENGINE. Waiting for a new one under warranty. Got an 04 with 50k miles. Car flooded the other day had her towed. THey did the deflood which is covered under extended engine warranty. To find out it had low compression.

MAZDA asked for all my oil change records I did on my own (they don't mind people working on their own car) they just want proof. They wanted dates, receipts of oil purchase. Nothing to do with what kind of oil.
The only way you can get iffy is not changing the oil. Luckily I did not have to show them my receipts because I could not find some $20 receipt paid cash a year ago for oil.

 

+1 i've never flooded mine.

 

Flooding is not really an issue. I've had an '07 for over two years now and it has never flooded. The real downside to the 8 is the amount of gas is drinks.

As for not being able to treat a rotary like a piston engine, that's true. Piston engines tear up when run at high RPMs for too long. Rotaries are the opposite, they love to be at redline, and it's bad for them if you *don't* rev the **** out of them.

Worth it? Yes, but it depends on what you want. Flooding is not a big issue though.

 

What are your goals? The Rx8 is awesome, but is easily outclassed by it's competition now. If you just want a cool car that's fun to drive with usable backseats, this one is good. The trunk really sucks. It's big enough, but the opening makes it hard to fit some things in it, (bike, tv, etc.) The cars I've been looking at replacing mine with are the Cayman S, 911, Elise and Corvette, which should tell you how much fun and capable the Rx8 is.

 

Yes, exactly. You can buy cars with the same or slightly better handling, but it will cost 2 - 5 times as much. In handling you're talking Cayman S, Elise, Nissan GT-R, Audi A8 as competition. The little 8 keeps some very exotic company.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-news-11/rx-8-vs-g37-vs-genesis-coupe-209863/

watch the video in that thread

 

I just got my first RX-8 on December 31st. Its a 2004 and so far I love it. So worth it.

 

You drive it and see if it's for you. I drove my first Rotary 40 years ago and have not looked back. I've watched it grow and change while putting over five hundred thousand miles on seven of them. I'm in my sixties and still today looking for a reason to take it out.....I think I need to go see what the fruit stand has......later dude.

 

Not to mention the most unique and exotic engine made....

 

That's the thing about the 8, the feel of it will spoil you for other cars. There are a lot of faster cars in its class now, but they feel like crap when you're used to an 8. You have to spend a lot to trade up to something that feels as good to drive.

 

Well stated.

 

As a new car - no, as a used car - yes, depending on the particular car and price.