Hello everybody today i decided to test drive an 06 rx8 with 48.000km on it, It felt different from my GTi, when i started the car it took it like 1-2 seconds to start then i started to drive it this car is very small easy to drive and also felt little slower than my gti but still it was fast cause when i gave it full gas in 1st gear then quickly shifted to 2nd the rear end started going sideways little bit! well i really liked this car, no wind noise and so comfy on the inside so dark and nice but as i looked at the dash i saw check engine light and a light that looked like fence i was already done reading about rx 8 so i knew it was something wrong about the coolant so i checked it out it looked fine, So when i got back to the guy whos selling it i started asking him questions about rotory engines, I asked about check engine light that was on he told me it was something that came on because of the cats? i said okei and asked about the coolant he told be it is a common problem of o2 sensor in the rx 8 and most people disconnect it (Is that right?) he also started talking he told me this car isnt for people that "take good" care of cars because you have to know how to take care of rotory engine by that he means driving it to redline and checking oil after 2 full tanks of gas, not to start the car just to drive it for 2 mins and shut it down you have to drive it until it gets warm then i may shut it down, he also told me he replaced the spark plugs (Expensive) and he doesnt drive this car much cause he has little child and he uses his Mazda 6 for driving and the rx 8 sometimes when he wants to go sport, I really really liked this car but my GTi looks like new on the outside and this rx 8 had few scratches on left side on bumber nothing major and one on left back side im not sure if i want to trade my gti for rx 8 i love my gti (DSG) and i loved this rx 8 (6 manual) Would you guys go for it ?

My GTi is 2006 bonestock 2.0 Turbo FSi driven 124.000 km !! this rx 8 is 2006 6 speed manual, I know rx 8 has its problem like every cars have ! I know rotory engine will go strong for 100.000 km (correct?) if you know how to take care of it ! I drive my GTi hard ! but i want something that i can drive harder something that can i can take to redling and slide around corners but still go strong (Of course i would take care of it)

Can you guys tell me what you like about the rx 8 and what you don't like? I know it uses alot of oil and gas will it be alot more expensive to fix this car than my gti?

 

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...rx-8-a-233937/

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...llowed-208221/

 

About the coolant light: There is a problem with the coolant sensor, it is a common problem. I have the problem too and you can disconnect it but I haven't. Mine comes on and off. I haven't disconnected it because if it ever stays on then i know it needs more probably.

CEL: I would get it checked out at a shop before you buy it. Of course get a compression test and if it fails the test i wouldn't bother getting it.

Has the engine been reman'd?

I only have good things to say about my 8. It hugs the road nice and when i turn the tc off i can float around the road if i want to. It is super comfy and every time I look out my window I think to myself "That is MY car".

 

Already done reading all this haha.

 

Reman'd? From Iceland dont know what it means :p, But yeah they already took it to the shop to try to read the coolant sensor light, They didn't mention anything about compression test i will def get it to that if possible in my country :D

 

Take it in and get the CAT checked, get a compression test, then get a compression test. Did I mention a compression test?

 

An RX8 with a the engine light on? I'd walk away unless its VERY cheap. You mentioned youre from Iceland, is that where the car is? If so i'm sure there arnt many RX8s there and even fewer Mazda specialists! Did you have any trouble restarting the car when it was hot? If so, deff walk away.

As for would likes and dislikes, the big difference with this sort of car is it's clever, interesting and a true drivers car. The reason the back started coming round on you is no doubt you are used to front wheel drive. It's practical, comfortable, safe and not comon.

The guy is right, these cars need to be driven hard every now and again as this helps to stop deposites building up in the rotors, eventualy resulting in low compression and a potential rebuild. Thats why in markets like the USA, the auto suffered more from engine problems as most never got near the redline due to the 'box changing up early, as all autos do.

Things against are - Hight fuel usage, more regular maintainance required (although i see that as a plus point) and it's VERY easy to buy a duff one as if they havent been looked after properly, they can be very fragile.

 

Yeah Check engline light Yellow engine light in dashboard he told me it was cause of the cats? Yes the car is in Iceland.. You'll be surpiced how many rx 8 there are here it's alot ! When i started the car it was hot cause it was newly shut down it took it like 1 second to start

 

That is roughly 62,000 miles. That engine can last much more than that, but like you said, must look after it.

 

Get a compression test, there is no other way to know it's heathy. That check engine light is a serious cause for concern. No it's not normal to disconnect the 02 sensor, no it has nothing to do with the coolant light, if he's having cat problems, the engine may already be damaged.

 

So when i do compression test i'll get to know if the engine is damaged or not ?

 

If you had really read the links I gave you... You would know the answer to this.

 

I did actually haha ! But it slipped my eyes didn't notice it was more, Didnt see the rest (The engine failure story: and the other stuff more down) sorry about that ! :D

 

I've never owned a GTI but to answer one of your questions in your first post;
Yes I think the RX8 will be more expensive than your GTi

 

I remember when I test drove an rx8 for the first time.. I was 16.. Im so glad I didnt buy it then haha. Now Im 21 and I regret buying the car 90% of the time. I think, It would have been so easy to just get a civic and get good gas mileage and reliability. But then when I'm walking out to my car, all the regrets go away.
The only reason the 02 sensor should be throwing the CEL because of a CAT problem is if the CAT has been removed. If its still on, then it could be serious. My coolant light has issues also, not a big deal unless its actually leaking coolant. Get the compression test, call mazda with the VIN and find out the vehicle history. Dont drive it over 4k rpm until the car has warmed up, or risk damage. read up and have fun!

 

Compression is EVERYTHING with these engines, after all, there's not alot else to go wrong! Cats do fail and usually for a reason, ie, engine problems. A low compression engine wont burn as cleanly and the extra fuel/oil will block the cat. It may be simply that the ignition system needs work, coils are known to fail early and should be changed every 30,000 miles. Along with the plugs and leads, this may have caused the blocked cat and the engine itself may be fine. Only a compression test can answer this for you.

Either way, sounds like at the very least, you need a new Cat, coils, plugs and leads and that wont leave you much change from £1000 on their own.

The water level is simpler though, early cars had a float that would become porus and eventually not float properly, disconnecting the float sensor is the easy fix and it may have been this the seller was refering to.

 

Yeah i knew it would be more expensive but hope not alot but maybe it's worth it

 

Thank's :D haha Civics are boring :p only civic thats fun is type r !

 

Okei thanks will call the seller and ask him if i can take his car to compression test tomorrow :D

 

I like everything about it, and its unique in some ways. Anyway, if you think this is an expensive car to maintain, then your not ready for this kind of car. Just do your research first before you decide on getting one, good luck.