Mazda RX-8?

[TxMxT]

So thinking of getting a RX-8 and want to get opinions here.
My question is how reliable are these cars? (Any major issues/recalls/etc)
What are the maintenance requirements? (Oil,Tires,Premium?)
Actually how do you drive one. As I know you shift at higher rpms than regular teg and civics... Right?
Do you recommend? Why? Why not?
Thanks!

[eraser4g63]

I personally like them, they use oil but that is normal for them ( part of the lubrication process) i have not heard a whole lot about reliability issues. Of course the people that have heard form a friend of a friend that their grandma's other nephew's friend had a issue with his will come in hear and brow beat you about reliability issues with the rotary. I digress all around they are great cars and they are fun to wind up and sling around the twisties. I will warn you though that the rotary engines are very fuel thirsty.

[2.0lef_itbs]

let it warm up before you go drive it(makes the motor last much longer)
DONT START IT PULL OUT OF YOUR DRIVE WAY TURN IT OFF THEN WASH IT
I was at mazda and they had one there and they were towing it around the lot to get it started cause the motor got flooded and I asked how many they do and hows it happen?

they said people pull them out of there garage turn'em off and it floods the motor.

[TxMxT]

Hmmm... So you have to let the car warm up to drive and cool down, parked with engine still on before you shut down?
Yeah the Oil, and gas consumption is what would defer me from buying this car... especially in this economy.
Thanks for the replies.

[TxMxT]

Hmmm... So you have to let the car warm up to drive and cool down, parked with engine still on before you shut down?

Yeah the Oil, and gas consumption is what would defer me from buying this car... especially in this economy.

Thanks for the replies.

[eraser4g63]

The Cold shut off flooding issues are typical across the bored, from what I understand the later year models this issue has been handled with flood clearing like they did in the S5

[iEvo]

my g/f is obsessed with this damn car i personaly dont care for them but if done right u can make them look pretty clean

[eraser4g63]

They are a blast to drive, it is so much fun to run them to red line. Make sure you get the Manual because with the auto you loose a good deal of the already in sort supply Hp.

[Nismo]

^ 2x

[TxMxT]

Manual 6spd = Definitely
Anyone know about the insurance? I know a lot but... about how much?
Appreciate the info guys. Anyone has anything else to add please do.

[umairejaz]

They are dirt cheap.

[Andy_013]

I drove 09 rx8 today, it was kind of slow compare to other cars in its price range. but it was a blast to drive in turns.

[umairejaz]

^Drove*

[Andy_013]

^edit ftw,

[Jonathan12uiz]

I work for a mazda dealer. IMHO these cars are not for everyone. They are commonly purchased by teenage to middle aged women because the car LOOKS good. Then they don't care for it properly and they end up screwing up so much S***.

It is common for a rotary to use up a little oil. General rule for you would be for you to check your oil everytime you fill up on gas. Regular maintenance and clean oil through your rotary will do wonders.

As for the flooding issue that was mentioned here. Cold cutoffs are not the reason people are needing motors replaced. It wont make the engine last longer if you don't cold cut off, the reason you have to do it is because it is just prone to flood easily. 90% of the time that I hear a tow truck dropping a car of at the dealer during the winter time is because someone cranked it up then cut it off before the engine properly warmed up.
As long as the temp needle moves a little, you are fine. It doesnt have to reach optimum operating temp.

Yes rotaries are gas guzzlers, which is why I turned down a chance to get an FD RX7.

As long as you know what your are getting into and how to properly maintain the car. you will be fine.

[87 Turbo II]

Most of them are ragged on like crazy and not maintained well. The only way to ensure it's taken care of is to get one new. Also, as far as major recals, some models before 05 needed to have their engine's "tested". If it failed, they needed a whole new engine. Problem is, Mazda won't say what they test for aor what's wrong which is really scary as to what is wrong with those engines, and what is preventing it from happening again.

[auxiliary]

I had an rx-8 and the inside was nice but the car itself wasn't for me. I had mine recalled due to the cold start problem. Which is a pain in the ass. Someone wakes you up in the morning..."You parked me in can you move your car" I go down stairs...move my car and then go back to sleep, wake up and go to work only to find out my car wont run.

Mazda fixed it for free but told me it could happen again and there's no rhyme or reason to it happening.

I didn't like the power band of the car. I drove a wrx and a sr20 240 before I had the RX-8. I would look down and be going fast, but it didn't feel like I was going fast...if that makes any sense.

The car handled well for what you would think, I mean it's suppose to be a sports car. My 240 and wrx handled better in my thoughts.

Sold the car and bought an MR2. If it was me, skip the Rx8 and get something else.

[Five*Star*]

Pros: Unique, chicks love the RX-8, confident handling, insane brakes, lots of room, very friendly daily driver, the chassis holds up VERY well (mine has 90K and doesn't rattle or squeak one bit), very fun car to drive around town.


Cons: Engines go bad (BUT have 100K warranty), coils go out, plugs need changed every year almost, must add a qt. of oil every 1500 miles, transmissions won't take abuse (but work great if you don't bash through the gears), gas mileage is like a sports car from the 90's (18mpg).



I LOVE my RX-8 to death. It has plenty of power to sport around town. Believe it or not, I can do light throttle 3000rpm shifts and keep up with traffic NO PROBLEM... the 6 speed helps. Once you learn the car, you can make it go very fast. The brakes are INCREDIBLE!!! Cornering speed is awesome and sure-footed! This is truely a drivers car. If you can drive (I mean REALLY drive) then this car is quick. Always keep the rpms down below 4000 rpms till the temp gauge moves (just like you should with any engine, but more important here). Also, the transmission should not be spun up to high rpms until the engine is fully warmed-up. The 2009 engines AND transmissions are re-designed and supposedly MUCH better. I just put a 2009 transmission in mine.... BEEFY!

Great car, has its problems in the drivetrain, but HEY, it is a SPORTS CAR.


If you want one BUY IT. This car will not disappoint an enthusiast buyer. If you have enthusiasm for the car, the problems will not really bother you.

[Vteckidd]

I have a silver 04 GT 6 Speed with minor mods and 48k miles (still has 100k Mile warranty) with all service records im looking to sell so i can pick up a genesis.

[collins]

waste of a car. women like it cause its "cute." thats my opinion.

[Vteckidd]

ehh drive one.

Its not FAST at all, its fun. Its nimble, quick, well handling, revs to the moon. Its fun, and it looks good IMO.

Of course you have to have the 6 speed and sunroof and the bose like i do. Autos are crap