Now, before we start I haven't lost the plot - not totally anyway.  Stories that start with 'I have a friend who.....' are often about the OP, but this isn't me.  Honest. 

 

I have a friend who is very close to buying an RX8.  I've pointed him in the direction of these two threads,

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/297131-mazda-rx-8-why-so-cheap/page-2?hl=%2Brx8#entry3626947

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=828459

 

He is dead set on getting one and despite my reservations he's still 90% down the route of handing over real money for one.  He's found this one

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/rx8-red-six-speed/1073668952

 

and even though the owner is stating that there are things wrong with it this isn't putting him off. 

 

I have no room to talk really as owning the VXR is also financially dubious to anyone with an ounce of awareness of what things cost.  Tax, fuel, and maintenance bills are all quite steep but I'm still very happy with my decision and don't regret buying one.  If I'd listened to Mr Clarkson I would have believed that the Vectra would throw me into a ditch on the first corner.  However, after quite a few spirited drives I'm happy to report that he was talking absolute carp and that the VXR is actually a well balanced car and can be hustled along a twisty B road quite nicely.

 

So, apart from what the doom mongers say about the RX-8 can anyone offer a different perspective on the ownership experience?

 

Any advice is welcome as long as it's relevant to someone about to pay good money for one.

 

Cheers,

 

Andrew.

I'd rather not. Expensive, lacking reliability, need almost 24/7 care. Finding a good one is like finding a virgin in Tipton. 

Shame really because I'd have one if they weren't so fragile.

Really love the design. 

We took one in at work, sent it straight down to the auction.  Any car that has such a complicated starting/stopping procedure is going to be a pain.

A friend had one new back in 2004. I used to love going out in it. I was 14 at the time and it was first time in a sports car as such. He sold it after a couple of years though. 

 

Having said that, I think I would still go ahead and buy one. BUT, I wouldn't spend more than I could afford to loose. Once they drop below the £1k mark then they become more justifiable. 

The engine only lasts 60k miles before the rotary tips wear out. That engine will need rebuilt shortly if not straight away by a specialist.

I would only consider a low low miler or one thats had the work done by a reputable company.

They are also slow and shocking on fuel. Id give them a miss

****el......no more need be said

Damn swear filter

So, for similar money, what can be had?  He needs a minimum of 4 seats to transport their children, he does low miles and wants something reasonably quick.  The budget it a max of £2.5k.

Civic type r ep3

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201407105715746/sort/default/usedcars/make/volkswagen/postcode/st163jg/keywords/gti/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/golf/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/2500/radius/1500/page/1/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles?logcode=p

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201309248936016/sort/default/usedcars/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/xsara/page/1/radius/1500/keywords/vts/price-to/2500/make/citroen/postcode/st163jg/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles?logcode=p

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/peugeot/306/peugeot-306-gti-6-16v----------------1999/2477723

Thread a few months back on the same subject, there was a fair bit of for and against on it

I keep looking at them myself as they can be bought for under a grand.

The first thing I would do is ditch the engine and put something more reliable in it.

I believe there are a few options.

There's one around here with an S2000 engine in it. The original engine went bang at 75k.

Just a bit too 'special'.

Not sure what went wrong with the rx8,but wasn't the rx7 much better reliability wise?

This tells what went wrong,  & in World Regions & Countries where the Government & the Law & Civil Law was going to cost them.

they did the right thing,  amazing how they get on with things before the court actions begin.

 

Just like the VWG & other Manufacturers have to.

Except In the EU Region, that just does not happen, because the Manufactures tell the Governments what is the right thing, Corporation Profits & Emplyment.

touch us and jobs will suffer..

 

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/extended-warranty-for-renesis-rotary-engine.html

Edited 19 July, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

Aren't the yanks keen on installing Corvette LS engines in them?

500hp should make em go.

Aren't the yanks keen on installing Corvette LS engines in them?

500hp should make em go.

I know it's common to install the SR20. The LS01 is a much longer engine, so I'm not sure how they would maintain the CG/handling.

Yanks, I said Yanks. They only go in a straight line, and then only for a few seconds.

Yanks, I said Yanks. They only go in a straight line, and then only for a few seconds.

Just had a look at the Hinson website and they have done it. They sell a kit with the mounts.

http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/s-1156-mazda-rx8-2003.aspx

Thanks for the input so far folks. 

 

The engine swap idea is intriguing but not sure he'd want all that faff.  If it were me then I'd be looking at either Big Jase's suggestion or the Pug that sparks03 found.  Mind you, reliability is needed so maybe the 306 is a bit of a wild card despite it being a well known drivers car.  Quick too if I remember rightly.

 

There are a few Type Rs out there for less than £2.5k but are probably a bit leggy with high mileage.  However, the engine should still be good and it'll only be bolt on bits like brakes & shocks that need attention if the Honda reliability is to be believed.

 

Keep the suggestions coming...

If it's a toy, fine. If it's got to tick the family, reliable and economical boxes, run a mile.

 

Engines wear out. Not sure how they do that these days, but the RX7 used to have the same problem. If left too long, the rotor tip remnant would wear the hard coating off the engine walls. At which point it's essentially scrap. Positive side of it was the engine was light and compact.

 

To me, I'm glad Mr ****el did the work he did but unfortunately, his engine design is an interesting toy rather than a serious alternative to reciprocating engines.

A trusted friend who has owned a long and varied line of cars warned very seriously off the RX-8 for its reliability. I know few other people who can talk with as much common sense and detail about the different motors they have owned. She switches around quite a lot as enjoys trying different cars out, keeping hold of cars for one or two years at most usually. She had an RX-8 for just 6 months before moving on. Laregly, she quoted reliability issues as the main problem, but she also said she never got used to the rear suicide doors - something she just couldn't live with - and couldn't justify the 20mpg economy for it's performance.

Still a very different and fairly attractive car on the road, especially with a  few minor styling tweaks, but she put me well off them.

Mine needed nothing bar coil packs in 6 months of ownership.

Lovely car, quite tiring to drive at times due to lack of torque (sure a 1.2 fabia or something would be just as bad, but compared to the 330d that replaced it...).

Didn't warrant the running costs for my commute for the level of fun offered sat in a queue of traffic on an a road.

As a second werkend car though they're a bargain.

I'd rather not. Expensive, lacking reliability, need almost 24/7 care. Finding a good one is like finding a virgin in Tipton. 

 

Where's Tipton?