Thoughts on RX-8?

[Babalouie]

Interesting...there's HEAPS of them for sale, lots with under 10,000kms on them, and the going rate seems to be about low to mid $40k's for a car with under 25,000kms. But like Rowds said, there doesn't seem to be any reliability issues with them...I'm a bit of a rotary virgin, is it one of those cars which is finicky about run in and maintenance, etc so it might be worth it to buy a new one just so you know it's done right?

Also from the googling I've been doing it seems that trad mods like intakes and zorsts do SFA for the RX8, which is great I guess because it means I save money

[Puff_Datto]

Go a new wrx.... cheaper, looks better, more room, faster

[trent from punchy]

but understeer sux and the rx8 has personality

[rj-astra]

well, one mag did a long term test...

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=9838

[fro]

I've driven Rowds RX-8 a couple of times now, and it's a decent steer. It's not overly powerful, but its powerful enough to feel like it is actually responding. The DSC is a little invasive for my liking, but if I had the means, I'd happily own one as an everyday car. But I haven't really test driven one "in anger" either, what with the "I just prnaged your nice new car" factor...

With kids, though, I'd be looking elsewhere. Getting smaller kids in and out could be painful. Once they were old enough to get themselves in and out, it wouldn't be as much of a problem.

[Zac]

Rowds is a pretty open minded bloke, but if he owns one then thats good enough recommendation for me

[rowdytoot]

Babs-I think there are heaps for sale because 1) llease is up OR 2) most are 2nd cars - hence the low K cars coming up as people upgrade/switch to something else- one of the RX-8 club guys in adelaide has done 4000 km in 2 years- he's got 4 other cars to choose from... all of which are pretty nice- these are the ones you wanna look for- enthusiast owners! probably a mid 40s guy, with a family who wanted something for the weekend...

It's not that finicky as I see it... you just drive nicely til it's warm, then give it a flogging basically we took it pretty easy for the 1st 500 km - kept revs under 7 grand, and not too much full throttle work!, then started to get up it more and more by 1000 km- which is a free oil change! Now when I drive it, I just let it warm up for the 1st say 10 minutes - rev's under say 5 grand, then I'll happily give it a pasting to 9 grand- and the mazda dudes recommend you do regularly! Sure OK! :D

Oil consumption seems to vary- if you get an O3 build car, make sure it's had the oil pan sensor mod done under warranty. Our car uses not much oil at all- it gets an oil change every 6 months, and I've added maybe 100 - 200 ml between services
(probably about 4000 km) other guys seem to add 100 ml every 2 tanks (700 km)

Apparently the only thing you need to watch is a very very slight risk of flooding if you start the car, move it say 10 feet out of the garage and shut it down cold- it'll be tough to restart apparently if it does at all- I haven't experienced it, and I haven't worried about it either..

If you want to do the zort purely for the note - www.hymee.com.au is your answer- cheaper than the Jap brands, and by all accounts quality is awesome as is the note!

I'd look at 04 build cars, because they are less likely to be affected by the lower control arm recall (apparently they found a coupla cars in Nth America that had cracked control arms around the balljoint and are replacing all that batch of control arms) if they are affected at all- I don't think ours will be and it's a March 04 build.

Rowds

[Cplus]

Rowdy is a kept man - he doesn't own anything :p

[rowdytoot]

Rowdy is a kept man - he doesn't own anything :p

:rotflol:

if only it were true Clive, if only!!!!!! :D I still haven't worked out why am I up at 6 am everyday to go bluddy work ?? sleep is amuch more productive use of my time!

Rowds

[Captiva Fan]

well, one mag did a long term test...
http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=9838

So did Wheels; they were unhappy to hand it back after the 9 months (9 months = long term, apparently).