RX8 Reliability

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daan
That and older M3s over here tend to be driven by cocks. Or are a 318 or 320 with a badge...
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It is pretty easy to check if it is just a badge.

I hear of more problems coming up with the RX-8 on average than I do with E36 M3s. At least the USDM ones as they have the M50 based engine which doesn't require the valve adjustments.

And the power delivery in the RX-8 has always struck me as underwhelming. I just don't find "being unique" is enough to justify figures the Renesis puts out. Less power, much less torque, worse fuel economy, burns oil by design, the flooding, etc.

And a 6 year old RX-8 costs about 10 to 14 grand around here. My M3 cost me 6 grand. And you can get a really nice E36 for 10k.
 
Azuremen
And a 6 year old RX-8 costs about 10 to 14 grand around here. My M3 cost me 6 grand. And you can get a really nice E36 for 10k.
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US prices are irrelevant for this thread as the OP is from the UK.
 
Azuremen
It is pretty easy to check if it is just a badge.

I hear of more problems coming up with the RX-8 on average than I do with E36 M3s. At least the USDM ones as they have the M50 based engine which doesn't require the valve adjustments.
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Every time I am at a track day and an E36 M3 comes off the track, they're always clattering away. :lol:

And the power delivery in the RX-8 has always struck me as underwhelming. I just don't find "being unique" is enough to justify figures the Renesis puts out. Less power, much less torque, worse fuel economy, burns oil by design, the flooding, etc.
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I'm pretty sure Mazda designed and intended to sell the RX-8 to the Rotor heads that grew up and now have a family. It's hard to get an average consumer to see the car as unique unless they've been around Rotary powered cars for most of their life. I know that nobody in my family would buy one knowing about those problems, but I've owned several RX-7's and know the down side(s) to owning a Wankel. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives for me which is why I want one. :dopey:
 
What are these positives? I can think of the high rev limit and the unique sound but other than that, what is there? I've never had interest in rotaries so this is a genuine inquiry.
 
R1600Turbo
However, the positives far outweigh the negatives for me which is why I want one. :dopey:
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Let's see...

Pros:
  1. It's a Mazda :sly: 👍
  2. It's RWD 👍
  3. It's a Coupe 👍
  4. It has a cool key+keyfob 👍
  5. The steering and handling are one of the best ever in a road car--much better than the MX-5 in my opinion 👍
  6. It looks neat, especially in the black, dark grey and blue 👍
  7. Radio sounds good even on base models 👍

Cons:
  1. It's too expensive when bought new 👎
  2. It's slow--manual transmission or automatic they both are slow 👎
  3. It's not very comfortable on trips longer than 1 hour 👎
  4. The interior while looks good feels extremely cheap 👎
  5. It's not as economical or practical as most coupes in its class--rear doors aside the back is still tiny 👎
  6. The traction control comes on WAY too early and always at the wrong time--nightmare-ish in the rain 👎
  7. It isn't terribly reliable for the average person 👎
  8. Too much wind and tire noise 👎
  9. The engine and exhaust noise is an acquired taste--and I do not have that kind of taste 👎
  10. The B and C pillars give you the largest blind spot I can ever remember on a car that isn't a convertible 👎

Whelp, looks like the cons outweigh the pros on my side of the coin. I asked the wife last night if she would want to keep the RX after its paid off and still buy the truck she said: "yes, but you can install that Vette motor in it right?". ULTRA WIN! I mentioned to her a few months ago about how there are Chevy small-block V8 engine swap kits for the RX cars and she was all for the idea. :D
 
eSZee
What are these positives? I can think of the high rev limit and the unique sound but other than that, what is there? I've never had interest in rotaries so this is a genuine inquiry.
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From where I'm sitting it's high horsepower-per-litre....and that's about it. I'm also listening (or reading, whichever way you look at it) intently for the answer.

Rotaries are genuinely oddball and that's a good thing for cool factor, but like a matte paint job it seems you're paying a fair bit more dosh for quite a bit of inconvenience.

Also, I sat in the back of an RX8 back in 2005. And even though I was an absolute shortarse back then, there was a very pitiful amount of legroom, which is unfortunately the issue that plagues most-if-not-all 2+2 coupes.
 
I'm liking the rx8 more and more so it would be good to know more about it.
 
The technical selling points are the smoothness, the lightness and the high output for displacement/weight.

But really, you can get that from the right piston engine... Honda four-bangers do more with less headaches (okay, you don't get the smoothness part)...

The main selling point, really, is the experience. I've only ever driven rotaries a few times, and there's nothing quite like it. Nowadays, it's a unique experience that's as alluring as the rorty exhaust note of a carbureted classic sports car... only different.

Otherwise, you could get everything else the RX8 provides (excluding the suicide rear doors and back seats) in the new MX-5, which drives much better than the pre-facelift one, which wasn't quite as good as the NA or NB in terms of providing that "feel" that you get from a good Mazda sports car.
 
Was not a question actually, it was my opinion. Yours is of course different as you've only owned one Rotary vehicle and shouldn't even own it anyway. I come from many years of Rotary experience and happen to love them, despite their negatives, and would gladly purchase an RX-8 if I made enough money to do so.
 
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R1600Turbo
Was not a question actually, it was my opinion. Yours is of course different as you've only owned one Rotary vehicle and shouldn't even own it anyway. I come from many years of Rotary experience and happen to love them, despite their negatives, and would gladly purchase an RX-8 if I made enough money to do so.
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Question, statement doesn't really matter which. While I can appreciate your personal experience I do have my own as do others on this forum. I do love driving turbo RX-7's, I did mention that didn't I? I may have neglected to. :(

What good is it if no one posts cons on the ownership because EVERY car has cons of ownership? I understand I may have appeared to "insult" what you love in your eyes but that wasn't my intention. There wasn't anything personal towards you, him or anyone else. Some of what I posted is the truth and the rest is opinion. It's up to each reader to decide to ingest it. :D. I hope you don't get too sour of taste to ignore me completely as I find your posts to be worthwhile to read and reply to. :) 👍
 
This thread makes me want to get an Rx8 as my next car.

Well almost, I'd go with an FD if they weren't so darned expensive.
 
Thatman
This thread makes me want to get an Rx8 as my next car.

Well almost, I'd go with an FD if they weren't so darned expensive.
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Then would you put ghastly rims on that too?

/smart ass
 
daan
US prices are irrelevant for this thread as the OP is from the UK.
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For some reason I completely spaced on Dunc being in the UK. :dunce:

Or maybe I just thought it was about America. Because it is always about America:dopey:
 
The RX8 is truly unique.

Practically every other car has a direct competitor that it can be compared with. When the 8 was released, it was usually tested against the more expensive, more powerful, 2 seat 350Z. Not really a good comparison.

Top Gear tested it against the TT and Brera which are both saloon based (A4 and 159 respectively). The M3 has been mentioned here but again, it's just a tarted up saloon (albeit a very competent one.)

There are no other rotary cars. There are no other lightweight, 4 seater, sports cars. The RX8 uses a unique engine in a chassis designed especially for it.

I bought mine as it is a good handling, quick, practical car. The fact it is different was also important to me. If it means I need to pay a wee bit more to be different, then so be it.

JCE
It's not as economical or practical as most coupes in its class--rear doors aside the back is still tiny
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Last weekend we went to the Falkirk Wheel in my 8. "We" were me (6'2") driving, Famine (5'11" ish) in the front passenger seat, a very pregnant Mrs Famine in the back, and their daughter sitting behind me. So not "tiny" then.
 
niky
The technical selling points are the smoothness
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That would have been my first tick on the list too. There's a lot to be said for the smoothness and lack of vibration from a rotary. Benefits of something going around in circles, rather than many things reciprocating.

Not overly keen on the actual sound of them but it's certainly unique.

There's also a lot to be said for something with the ethos and layout of an MX5 but with room for two extra people. I don't personally need that extra room but it's nice to know Mazda sells sold a car that offered it.
 
I'm an RX-7 owner.

Mine is a 13b-powered first gen. It's been the most reliable car I've ever had. I've had it four years. No problems with the engine. It's never flooded. It goes through less oil than my 1994 Acura Integra. Gas mileage is about the only downside to me.
 

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