I'm seriously considering a new RX8. I test drove one yesterday and my wife and i both fell in love with it. It was Brilliant black with cloth seats and the sport package and a 6 speed. Which is Exactly how i would like it optioned. Right now I'm driving a 95 integra GSR that has seen a hard life.

Here it is if your intrested
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1262335

anyhow the integras stock motor and tranny are back in it which have 150k on them and about 300lbs of nitrous. THe car has no rear seats or carpet from when i used to race it. Now i'm thinking its time for a new car, so i did some test driving yesterday. Out of the 4 cars i drove the only two i am considering are the RX8 and a black SRT4. I'm not wild about theSRT4s looks but it sure runs well. Anyhow i'm trying to trade in my teg for $2500. THe Neon is listed at 22.5k but has been on the lot for about 3 months so i'm pretty sure i can get it down under 20k and with my trade in about 17-18k.

The RX8 was stickered at 26.5k and they were offering one day 4k discount. I'm convinced that if they can take the price down one day they can do it the next even if they do claim its a "one day only sale" So that would bring the price to 22.5 minus my trade and we are right at 20k. Does this seem like a good deal? I was suprised how cheap the RX8 is i thought it was closere to a 35k dollar car. Anyhow those are my two options. I'm leaning towards the RX8 heavily but i worry about its reliabiliy and longevity. I know my friends RX7s never made it past 80k miles without a new motor. Is there anything i should be aware of before i deside to buy this thing? And whats with the lack of a spare tire? Thanks in advance for any help you may offer.

 

From your post, it seems that straight line speed is a priority. In this case, the RX-8 is probably not for you. I'd say go for the SRT-4.

 

As for the reliability and longevity issue, as long as you take care of it, it shouldn't be a problem. The reason why the RX-7s got such a bad reputation (mostly heat related) is because of an insufficient cooling system as well as the turbo. Earlier RXs with N/A rotary motors have seen 100+K miles with the original motor. The lack of a spare tire is for weight saving and space saving reasons. There is a fix a flat kit inside the trunk, but you can purchase a spare tire with the mounting kit from Mazda.

 

I gave that spare tire issue a lot of thought before I bought my 8. One of my major considerations in car shopping was cargo space-- I was planning a big trip with my girlfriend involving lots of luggage-- so when I saw how much trunk space the spare tire kit took up, I thought "no way". I was a little uneasy about not having a spare tire, but then I thought about it. I tend to keep a car about 7 years, and during that time I average about 1-2 flat tires. So I figure there will be 1-2 times during my ownership of my RX-8 that I will have to call a tow truck rather than change a spare myself. You know what? That's not such a big deal. Certainly a reasonable price to pay to have my 8 and its complete trunk capacity.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

Straight line performance is no longer a big deal. There is no real racing scene at my new post. So i'm looking for something nice but still sporty.

Whats the deal with letting the car warm up and cool down before you drive it or turn it off? I just saw something about that in passing. Have people tried putting a turbo timer on them so the car will stay running on its own. How long does it need to warm up given your in fairly warm weather?

 

If performance isn't an issue, then the RX-8 is for you. The engine is naturally aspirated so if it does not warm up, it will flood and that sucks. The turbo timer I know nothing about b/c i don't have turbo. The engine will need to be at running temp before shutdown, i.e. the needle stops moving toward the H. But I wouldn't let it sit and run, just get in and go, because the 8 runs super rich at a cold start to warm up the cat to meet emission standards and that is another reason why it will flood.

 

I live 2 miles from work. I bike sometimes but otherwise i drive. So when i'm going to work ccan i just hop, fire it up, drive to work and then let it finish warming up before i take off? Or am i going to have to let it warm up in the morning before i leave?

To be more clear, is it
1) that the car needs to warm up before you drive it
2) it needs to cool down before you turn it off
3) it needs to be up to operating Temp before you turn it off

a turbo timer is just a device that allows the car to run after you shut it off (take the key out) for a set amount of time to help cool it off. So if #2 is the problem it would probably help.

 

BTW thanks for the help i'm sure this stuff has been covered before. I just want to make sure i understand fully. If i do #3 is correct and i can hop in fire it up and go, i just need to drive around long enough to make sure its warmed up before i turn it off.

 

No, I pretty much just fire it up & go. Literally the time it takes for my security gate to open up is about the time I warm it up. There used to be a flooding problem if you would turn it on/then turn it off, but with the new engine flashes that is no longer a problem. 2 miles is more than enough to warm up the engine. No need to let it cool down either. Just turn it off.

 

#3 isn't the problem, it's that you will find taking the long way to work is a lot more fun. :D

 

^thats awsome.

So if i can roll out of the dealer with a new RX8 for 20grand I should jump on it correct? I hope so cause thats the plan

 

I sure as hell would. I paid right at 28k for my 04 back in april of this year. With 8k saved, I'd definately have the turbo and lots of other goodies.

 

I would be on it like white on rice.

 

I may be ignorant here, I don't claim to be Mr. Knowledgeable on the subject, so take my views for what they're worth. But I too was a little concerned about this warm-up business, but I've found it to be Not Such A Big Deal. First off, I'm not entirely convinced that the thing needs to have gotten to all-the-way-max-the-needle-isn't-moving-anymore temp. If I've gotten it off of cold and a decent ways into the normal zone, I count that as Good Enough; so far I've had no problems. Second, I find that the car seems to warm up quite quickly, quicker than I remember other cars warming up. Of course, I haven't tried it in winter yet.

The result is, it seems as if the only things you DON'T want to do are things like move it a few feet in the driveway and then turn it off or go somewhere two blocks away and then turn it off. This is not that much of an imposition.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

So all in all i take it you guys are happy with your RX8 purchase? YOu dont seem to have any major issues. I can tell you this car will remain stock for a good while. Little mods here and there maybe but nothing under the hood untill the warrenty is up. I'm about to turn 25 and this will be the first car i've owned without 100k on the odo when i got it. I'ld like to take advantage of not having to pay to fix my car for a while.

Also how is mazda with you performing your own maintanence. I was a tech in various dealers for a few years and hold several ASE certifications, so i have a hard time with the idea of paying for an oil change, or to replace plugs or rotate tires. As long as i have my recipts from my oil and filter am i cool. I dont know if anyone has tried this yet, but i figured it was worth asking.

 

I am not happy with my RX-8 purchase.

I am ecstatic.

And my car is strictly stock, with no plans to change it.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

 

Well over one year with mine and I still adore it. Not a single problem to date. I've owned faster cars in the past, but none that I would classify as more fun to drive.

 

I'm extremely happy with my purchase.

SGT.Cap, just remember to check the oil level often. I perform most of the maintenance myself; as do many of the members here. Yes, just keep the receipts as proof.

 

I can't tell you what to buy but I can tell you myself and Kmg both went from an Integra to an RX-8 and we're happy we bought ours.

 

100k plus? more like 200k plus

well take care of TIIs and FDs last around 125, some FD's never make it past 70k before a rebuild. the renesis should do 150k i think, because the older less durable 13b's all last at least 150k if taken care of somewhat well, and the renesis is designed to be extremely reliable

 

First post here but....my FC (2nd gen RX-7) is at 165k and running strong. Get the RX-8.

 

From the looks of your DC2 ummmmm... BUY THE RX8 FAST!!! J/K. You'll love the 8. Don't expect it to slam your head against your headrest but it will out handle a lot of cars out on the road. I bought it mainly for it's originality and looks, not to mention the 2 rotors are a bonus. You'll love it.

 

There are many factors that can affect longevity (example: how well you take care of and/or maintain the car). I say 100+K miles to be on the conservative side. Yes, there have been many N/A rotaries that have seen 200+K miles.

 

The integra seemed like such a cheap car compared to the RX8 even when you look at the interior alone. The interior of the RX8 will make you feel so much better even before you start the engine --- which is something a lot of other 'similar' cars in our price range can't say. If you get the RX8 you will be happy. As long as you aren't all about straightline supremacy.

 

compared to what...those other cars with 1 rotor...