by "JeepJeremy" (jeepjeremy)
Published 02/22/2017 at 12:42
by "JeepJeremy" (jeepjeremy)
Published 02/22/2017 at 12:42
No Tags
STARS: 2
Why are these so cheap? I am finding them for sale at a $3k to $4k price point and in great (seemingly) condition.
Are these undesirable? Unreliable?
I was under the impression that they are fast and great cars.
What says Oppo?
"greasemonkey235097" (greasemonkey235097)
02/22/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 3
Does not qualify for a daily driver, the engine needs more care and love than a new born.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
02/22/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 5
>fast. lol.
They are unreliable when you consider the average driver who would have bought this, and then the 2nd owner kid who bought it for looks or perceived performance and didn’t do any maintenance whatsoever. Insert apex seal joke here. Also if you start it and kill it before it gets warm, it can flood and not start again. So don’t teach anyone to drive stick in one.
Treat it well, check the oil and top it off every time you get gas, change fluids when you should, and actually maintain it, and it will last just as long as any other vehicle. Most I’ve seen in that price range have apex seal issues, but the rest of the vehicle is in good condition.
If you have the money and really want one, I say go for it, and use another couple thousand to completely go over it and do any preventative maintenance you can find. Shouldn’t give you too much trouble.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
02/22/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 13
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
02/22/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 1
They are awesome. I had a 2004 that needed a transmission rebuild (under warranty) and that was the only issue I had. I had it for about 3 years or so, and sold it when our twins were born.
People that scream about reliability issues haven’t owned one.
If I build another track rat, I’d bypass the Miata and get an RX8.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
02/22/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 3
As a former owner, I agree, and I thank you for not using hyperboles, since the internet seems to go like: omg those rx8s are so unreliable, they eat apex seals like fat kids eat cake lol !!!11!one!
Truth is, it’s a great car, but not an everyday car. Especially if you drive a lot.
"marshknute" (marshknute)
02/22/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
If you get more than 30K miles out of an engine, consider yourself lucky.
The Rotary is easily the least reliable engine ever put into a production car. You need to do stupid procedures when you start or turn off the engine, otherwise it’ll flood and you’re up shit creek.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 17
Proud owner here of one in just that blue. You just pushed my button.
They are great cars. They suffer from a stigma that has reached meme proportions in car culture. People will tell you the Renesis Rotary will break down within 60K miles, when the apex seals will magically go wherever the other sock in your dryer went. They’ll tell you they drink gas like a Mack truck and even more oil than gas. For good measure, they then throw in that they are gutless on the low end with no torque. Consumers have been spooked into believing it’s a finicky, unreliable sports car.
This is all BS. Compression issues were fixed in most of them with a warranty engine replacement. When shopping early model years, make sure you confirm that. They get reasonable city mileage for a sports car in the early 2000s (I usually get about 16) and high 20s on the highway. You put in an extra quart of oil every month or so, and you’re fine. Don’t turn them off cold. That’s about it. Oh, and they have all the passing power you could want. If you need more torque, just rev the thing over 3000 rpm, and it goes like a bat out of hell.
It’s been my daily for 12 years.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 1
I drive mine every day, all day. It’s been my daily since 2004, in all weather or road conditions.
"jimz" (jimz)
02/22/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 7
it’s fuel economy is not “reasonable” when it’s matched by a Mustang GT which weighs 800 lbs more and has twice the horsepower.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/22/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 1
Not slow, but not terribly fast either.
Mazda build quality, but inherent problems of the Wankel engine.
Etc. If you have the money to keep it up it’ll be great.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 0
Thank you!
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 1
A Mustang GT manual from 2004 gets 17/25 on 260 hp. That’s about 30 hp more than an RX-8 manual from that year and almost identical mpg to what I see from mine. Sounds pretty comparable to me.
"AkursedX" (akursedx)
02/22/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 1
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-mazda-rx-8-one-of-the-best-worst-cars-a-buyers-g-1759904335
I wrote this article and it provides a decent primer about what you’re in for with RX8 ownership.
They aren’t for everyone and they are a car that requires a fair bit of attention and knowledge of it to run properly. They are also relatively slow in a straight line and 20mpg is an exceptional tank of gas.
That said, I find the RX8 provides me with more smiles-per-mile than any other car I have owned. I love the sound of 9500RPMS while carving through corners like few other cars can.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/22/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0
This car for me is like the City of San Francisco. I love going there to visit and vacation, but I would never ever consider living there (or owning the car) due to it’s numerous quirks.
They are a wonderful driving experience that is marred by an engine with no torque and other issues that would keep me away from it.
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
02/22/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 1
Adding an entire quart of oil every month? That would be the equivalent maintenance of a near dead piston engine.
Just comparing apples to oranges, you can get 10 MPG more with a piston engine with higher power, and not have to add oil. I’d personally love to own a rotary one day...but I can understand it isn’t the right choice for almost everyone.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
02/22/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 4
Engine requires extra care, people don’t give it the extra care, peoples cars break, people brand car as unreliable.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/22/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 1
I think your points are spot on, I love the car too and would have bought one if I didn’t have a stop and go commute. You also have to be dedicated to driving the car properly and keeping up with maintenance. Newer cars have become so reliable that most folks don’t bother to check the oil anymore and cannot be bothered to do things like warm up the engine.
"JeepJeremy" (jeepjeremy)
02/22/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0
It seems like an awesome car. Just not sure if it is really what I’m looking for
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 0
That’s worst case. With my normal daily city driving, I end up putting in an extra quart once or sometimes twice between oil changes. Whereas that would be a sign of serious problems in a piston engine, the rotary is designed to mix oil with the fuel. It’s normal. So, I just keep a case of 5W20 in the garage. No biggie; it’s cheap.
Yeah, you can get more power with higher mpg now. But remember, in 2004, when this car came out, it was competitive in hp and mpg with other sports cars. It hasn’t kept up with the times, but it hasn’t been in development either. This is still a 2003 engine. And at the prices you find out there, it’s a bargain.
But you’re right. It’s not the right choice for many, especially for those like my MIL, who buys whatever Camry is on the lot because they just go without thinking. You have to love your RX-8, or it won’t love you back.
"Master Cylinder" (mastercylinder28)
02/22/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
When my 944 gives me sass, the project car that comes to mind as its replacement is an engine-swapped RX-8. There’s a kit to drop in a GM LFX V6 in place of th Renesis. It’s not exactly cheap, but when you can get a whole RX for under $5K it gets more and more tempting.
I haven’t quite given in yet, though.
"SkyNet" (skynet-z28)
02/22/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 0
One of the better cars I’ve driven.
I have wanted one for quite some time. The primary reasons they are cheap IMO is they are slow, unreliable, and have bad mileage. That said, I still want one badly.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 0
You’re right, and it’s a shame. If people learned to take care of their cars like the days when you had to or you risked getting stuck somewhere, then their cars would last longer and work better. I will say that the car is fine for stop and go commuting, but this is where the low torque really exposes itself. If you need to get off the line expeditiously, it could get frustrating.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 13:39, STARS: 1
It may not be. Definitely do not buy without a good long test drive.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/22/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 1
I found it’s lack of torque to be one of my major deciding factors. At the same time I drove a Mazda 3 and found that it was about 90% of an RX-8 and seated 4 comfortably and had a large trunk. Since I have two kids and outdoor hobbies the 3 just made more sense.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
Yeah, an RX-8 is remarkably practical...for a sports car. But it won’t beat a 3 in that department. When I need to haul people or big stuff, I use the wife’s minivan.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
02/22/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
Back in 2008 I was looking to replace an NB Miata with something more practical for year-round driving in Wisconsin.
I came very close to buying a brand new 2009 RX-8 which had many thousands of dollars of incentives. I loved the handling but felt the power and practicality were a bit lacking so I ended up with a CPO Mazdaspeed 6.
RX-8s are fun cars for sure but you do have to drive them like you’re wringing their neck a little bit.
"gawdzillla" (gawdzillla)
02/22/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 1
not that r3
the r3 is still 10k mininum ... i want a damn r3 in that color
"Mr. Plastics powered by GreyGoose" (greygoose)
02/22/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 0
Yeah, I think the reason is that they’re known for not being too reliable. You have to watch the oil temps, and make sure they don’t consume too much. People generally don’t pay that close of attention to that stuff, so they get labeled and needy and breakdown prone.
"JeepJeremy" (jeepjeremy)
02/22/2017 at 15:51, STARS: 0
You are correct. I didn’t choose the correct gen picture. Thus revealing even more of my ignorance about that vehicle
"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
02/22/2017 at 15:51, STARS: 0
Anyone know if the ubiquitous LS will fit, and if there’s a kit? At that price point, it almost doesn’t matter what you think of the rotary, it’s disposable.
I know someone’s already said there’s a V6 kit, but V8s are more fun
"MoFinWiley" (MoFinWiley)
02/22/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 0
your fanboi is showing...Warranty ENGINE replacements due to a widespread issue...how do you get to “This is all BS”?
It goes from “suffer from a stigma” (your words) to “warranty engine replacements” (also your words)...It’s sound more like suffer from bad design.
I liken it to 911 apologists...It may have Porsche a long times to come to their senses, but when they really wanted the car to perform, they made it mid-engine.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
02/22/2017 at 18:17, STARS: 0
Thank you for your constructive comment.
The early production Renesis engines had a flaw that was fixed and replaced under warranty. This eliminated the problem. The Renesis engines are not inherently unreliable in the same way that an engine recall issue on Toyota engines does not mean that Toyota’s piston engine designs are inherently unreliable.
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
02/22/2017 at 20:28, STARS: 0
Try starting it hot, that’ll give you an idea of the motors health. They do usually go around 40k, rev it to 7k or so and shut it off while it’s up there, helps burn leftover fuel and keeps it from eating at the apex seals.
"Racin'Jason001" (racinjason001)
02/22/2017 at 21:53, STARS: 1
I made a post that included an owners thoughts via Youtube a few months ago: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/what-is-it-like-to-own-a-mazda-rx-8-here-are-some-fact-1787556721