The RX-8 thread on the FP has been interesting.

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
08/24/2019 at 21:55 • Filed to: Sigh

I went in there yesterday to share my thoughts on owning the last rotary car for 13 years. There are a lot of detailed and intelligent posts from people with more knowledge and experience than I. It’s a little bit celebration of a unique car, but dosed with realism about its foibles.

Of course, this being an Internet forum, there has to be a handful of know it alls who never had one but want to tell me what it was like to own my own car and how those things (some of which aren’t true) make it a bad car.

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DISCUSSION (75)

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 21:59

Ive always wanted one of these...but I’ve always been scared of buying one

Chariotoflove > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
08/24/2019 at 22:05

Understandable because the scary thing is not that daily maintenance is arduous or expensive. It’s how are the seals on the used one you’re looking at, and how old is the engine? To avoid with having to replace your engine, you need to take it to someone who knows rotaries and can do the right PPI, including a compression test.

jminer > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:07

I've always loved the look of them and they have been getting temptingly cheap, but they were probably all beat on at that sub $5k price I keep seeing them...

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:07

I feel like the moment, if ever, i seriously look at one...the seals will explode and my money will spontaneously combust

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:09

If I could have a third car right now, it would be an RX8 R3. No car has left such a lasting impression on me as an old Oppo’s 2004 RX8, even on the flat, straight roads of Florida . The Corvette is fantastic, and I plan on keeping it a very long time, but the balance of the RX8 is unmatched. The wankel just has so much character.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:10

I hate how the title of that article is worded.

The RX-8 didn’t kill the rotary . Emissions constraints did

Chariotoflove > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
08/24/2019 at 22:13

There are things you can do to minimize your risk, but just like anything else, nothings a sure thing when you’re flying without a warranty.

At least later models (with better engines) are pretty cheap.

Chariotoflove > jminer
08/24/2019 at 22:16

It’s hard to say. I feel like they’re kinda undervalued by the market for what you can get.

Poor_Sh > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
08/24/2019 at 22:16

I want one so badly. It and the S2000 are the only cars I actually grew up liking which feels so different from most Oppo experiences. But the S2000 has held it’s value way too well, and I’m as scared as you that it will just grenade immediately thus totaling the car.

Chariotoflove > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/24/2019 at 22:18

Total clickbait title. It plays into the biases of all the armchair enthusiasts who think they know about it and simultaneously irks the people who really know the car. Either way, it got people to click and comment. Mission accomplished I guess.

Chariotoflove > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/24/2019 at 22:20

You understand then. Two completely different driving experiences. That would be a great garage.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:26

I was a hairs breath from buying one, I think the car I was looking at already had serious engine issues and I wasn’t willing to take out a loan on that. I still loved driving it, the balance and brakes are wonderful, it should of been a turbo tho a bit under powered I guess I like my sports cars to have a bit more torque.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/24/2019 at 22:31

The torque is one of the biggest things to get used to over people’s usual experience.

I don’t blame you for being careful about the engine with no warranty. If I were looking for another one, I’d do a lot of due diligence on the engine.

phenotyp > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:33

I read through a bunch of the replies last night. It’s been 22 years since I had my FC RX7, and still love the rotormotor forever. I was pretty impressed by the number of real, thoughtful, and dedicated people who still drive and maintain them.

And I will forever and always want an FD.

And I still can’t even log in on mobile to Star the replies, like yours, that were worth it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:38

I needed a daily driver and I didn’t think the low fuel economy and having to drive at 7,000 rpm and above was a viable option in the long term.

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:54

Yep, sounds like the FP alright.

You loved the car. IIRC, right?

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:54

Yep, sounds like the FP alright.

You loved the car. IIRC, right?

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 22:58

Ive never owned or driven one but one of those cars with a 2.3/2.5 or similar with a turbo would interest me so much more for what I would want from it. And it’s always surprising to me that it’s not an easier conversion (as the rx-8 and Miata are pretty closely related) but people have as much or more luck with LS swaps that mzr swaps from what I’ve seen online.

Josh - the lost soldier > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 23:21

Unpopular opinion: I like the RX-8. Sure, I’d rather have an FD RX-7, but I’m not rich, so a nice SE3P would do me well.

In the lead up to buying my FR-S, I was considering the RX-8, in addition to the S2000, Evo X, and WRX STI. I had my eye on a decent-seeming RX-8, but I got the distinct impression t hat it had been ragged pretty hard. Considering I was coming off a less-than-well-taken-care-of WRX, I wasn’t willing to take the risk on my daily again.

They’re definitely nice cars and fun to drive as well. Maybe someday... (However, if I’m going rotary, I want to swap the JC Cosmo’s 20B into a first-gen MazdaSpeed3.)

Chariotoflove > phenotyp
08/24/2019 at 23:22

Thanks. My mom had one of the early FCs, and I got to drive it to prom. Such a sweet car. And it lasted a long time. When it gave out, it was electrical problems, not the engine.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/24/2019 at 23:23

I didn’t rev it that high in normal driving, but the mileage is daunting given that everything else has surpassed it since.

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW
08/24/2019 at 23:24

Oh yeah. It was a peach.

Chariotoflove > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
08/24/2019 at 23:36

I’ve seen LS swaps. I just never understood the point. The car is built around the engine, which gives it its special balance. Having never experienced a swapped RX-8, I won’t say that an engine swap is bad. I just imagine that it would take away what was special about the car in the first place. I guess if you really liked the other things about the car (styling, interior room, etc.)

MarquetteLa > Chariotoflove
08/24/2019 at 23:37

Yeah, the internet does not do nuance. ‘ It’s not an FD, therefore it’s garbage.’ ooooooookay then.

Chariotoflove > Josh - the lost soldier
08/24/2019 at 23:42

No t an unpopular opinion at all, if you’re associating with the right kind of people. :)

I never drove an FR-S. but I got the impression that it was a kindred spirit to the RX-8. It seems like it also has enough comfort and storage to be a good daily.

Chariotoflove > MarquetteLa
08/24/2019 at 23:44

I know the FD is supposed to be the pinnacle of rotary bliss, according to scripture, but I looked at one when they came out. Sweet for a pure sports car, but I wouldn’t choose it for a daily driver, and I was never the kind of person who could buy a $30k toy.

Josh - the lost soldier > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 00:24

I think the driving experience between the RX-8 and FR-S is similar: the RX-8 feels like it’s the faster car in a straight line and the FR-S feels more confident in the corners. However, the differences are so minute to the point where they may as well not exist. Both are great drivers cars, in my opinion.

Where the two differ is in character: the high-revving wail of a rotary is hard to beat. The FR-S’ boxer seems to have a bit more punch in the mid-range (around 4k-6k RPM), but once the Renesis is on song, it’s relentless.

Comfort, sure. It’s decently com fortable. Storage, well, not really. There’s not a lot of cubby areas around the cabin, but I realize a small car isn’t going to hold a lot. But, on a positive note, I can fit a 65" TV in the boot with the seats folded. But, I think the RX-8 is ultimately more practical than the FR-S.

Chariotoflove > Josh - the lost soldier
08/25/2019 at 00:40

Sounds like you chose a good car. Glad to hear you’re enjoying it.

The RX-8 was indeed practical, but fitting a TV of that size is a pretty good trick too.

Josh - the lost soldier > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 00:45

I love my FR-S. It always puts a smile on my face. I’ve never owned a car as long as I’ve owned it (six years and still going). I can imagine having an RX-8 would be an enjoyable experience as well.

glemon > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 01:02

As I posted on the big forum, I test drove a couple RX8s and loved them. When I first started looking they still had the extended factory engine warranty. I don’t mind checking the oil frequently, but the stories of doa cars on the forums, and all the replacement engine cars on CL and other classifieds scared me off.

I ended up getting a Lexus IS, which I really like, but I definitely would have pulled the trigger on the RX8 if not for the engine issues.

I had a first generation RX7 and loved it, my dad had an early RX 2 or 3, he loved it too, when it ran, he had a motor replaced under warranty too. The RX7 was a peach, I drove it from about 60,000 to 120,000 miles, starter motor and an idler arm were the only issues. I would get a first gen RX7 again, though I am thinking I would go GSL SE. Such a clean, classic look.

Chariotoflove > Josh - the lost soldier
08/25/2019 at 01:12

Kept me interested for 13 years.

Chariotoflove > glemon
08/25/2019 at 01:18

My cousin had a GSL. It was a sweet ride.

I think there are likely Renesis cars out there worth having, but I would certainly want a thorough going over by a shop that knows them before buying.

James K. > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 02:04

Just picked up my third rx8 s1 for while I do about 4 full weekends worth of maintenance on my daily (BMW 335D)... This one has had all the goodies added, coilovers, sways, intake (for noise),gm ignition, and cooling & omp & fans tuned. I thought stock S1's handled well.... This girl can eat, 2nd gear entry on 90* street corners, noooo problem in @ 45 out @ 55... On 320treadwear street tires! Gonna be sad to let her go once the BMW is done ... 138k on the chassis, 70 on the motor, great compression numbers still

Tony > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 03:27

I had one it coght on fire from wiring and then motor I never had to replace but coils I had to replace every other month they would stop working car will not start and I had a key problems then fuel pump leak then the computer system stop working cost me over 6k in one yrm on this car and I had the 2006 with only 110k miles on it

AdverseMartyr > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 03:42

As someone who could never afford one and thus never got to deep into learning about them - I was surprised to learn that a lot of the “problems” like the apex seals would do fine if you treated it a bit like a 2-cycle engine, and followed the proper care tips for a Wankel engine. Makes it a much better car.
On a side note, I have always found it sort of hilarious that in Japanese Wankel is just as likely to be written/ pronounced as Wanker.

AestheticsInMotion > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 04:53

They seem like one of the best values out there, assuming you do your due diligence. When a beat up 90's M iata with a blown engine is going for $2500, and an absolutely flawless late-model rx8 with a flooded engine is going for $1500.... Well. It’s a strange world we live in.

Do you have any pictures of yours?

Twisted.angel > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 07:24

Ive only owned 1. It was my dream car of old and she wasn't pretty and man was the repairs killing me but I got a taste of that 13b and the sound. That sounds I still hear in my head 1 ur after I sold her. Talked it over with a shop near me and a rebuild motor with a sport upgrade on the motor is about 4 grand. Also a hollowed out rotor. It pushed me to start my dave Ramsey plan. So after I get debt free I can pick one up with bad motor so very cheap. Put 4k into it and have a blast. Yes maintenance is not cheap and repairs as well. But if u take car of something u love it's all good. Start saving a month for repairs and u should be good. The driver seat along with the dash is set up like a cockpit. Its the only car I've owned where ot more fun to turn off the radio and listen to the motor

Tom > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 09:42

Owned one for 13 years. Mazdaspeed version 2. No major issues until now.

Khalbali > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 09:56

I kinda want one, and I was a Mazda tech for a few years, although it was long after the rx8 was gone so I only ever worked on a couple. They look great and I love the drive and if I'm able to move somewhere with better roads I might get one but it would be out of it's element here in the flatlands. Honestly though, I don't think I could ever buy a supposed good one, I feel like I would only buy one under the assumption it needed a new engine because most people just didn't know how to treat them IMO. So I'd be looking for a cheap good shell basically and if it drives, great, but I'd be planning on a rebuild anyways. I do kinda want one though, my NC was just too small for me and I do love rotaries, but where I live now I'd burn a whole tank of gas just getting to a good enough road to enjoy it, I do want to move in a year or so though.

just-a-scratch > phenotyp
08/25/2019 at 11:30

I c an’t login on mobile on the FP either. Not sure why.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 11:50

Well; yeah to me the proposition of an rx-8 is much more about 2+2, lightweight, rwd, affordable; and less about the high strung rev happy engine. And for a car to make sense as a backup to my car it should get good gas mileage; I don’t need two cars that get 17mpg combined.

@ratchet_girl > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 11:54

I’ve had numerous rotary vehicles. Currently have a 82 FB and a 08 RX-8. The RX8, after its 3rd motor on a 110k mile chassis is self explanatory (yes, I religiously maintain my rotarys, follow all the forums and heard countless stories of OTHER people who don’t have ANY problems because their doing it right) to my personal experience with the RX-8. However, all my 1st gen and second gen motors run to at least 200k with virtually no issues with regular preventive maintenance.

Kinja'd!!!

ChrisSixSix > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 13:56

I have owned my RX8 for ab out 4 years now. I love it and have never had any issues with it. Because of all the horror stories I have read, I have been extra vigilant with it’s maintenance, which is not a bad habit to develop, RX8 or no.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Josh - the lost soldier
08/25/2019 at 14:05

Will you be at the Oppomeet?

Nothing > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 15:12

My summary, as I seem to have to defend RX8 ownership most of the time. I had one, it was very fun. It was reliable. I had to have the transmission rebuilt under warranty. I monitored the oil and filled as needed. It was the development car for the Cobb Accessport tune for RX8s. It was lightly modified with stronger ignition coils, the AP tune, and a Mazdaspeed suspension with Racing Beat sway bars. Did I already say it was fun? AND reliable? I only, and I mean only, sold it because our twins were born, and I replaced it with a Volvo wagon.

Would I buy another one? Sure. I probably won’t as there are too many other fun cars to try out.

phenotyp > Chariotoflove
08/25/2019 at 15:20

Mine was an 86 GXL. God, I loved that car. First car I really wrenched on (full brake rebuild, plugs and wires, and exhaust stuff). Only thing that ever really went wrong with it was a slight driveshaft imbalance, pretty easily fixed.

Lost it to a 65mph 720 spin on an imperceptibly icy highway. Left front corner and right rear corner hit guardrail, and insurance totaled it. Broke my heart, and I blamed myself.

Charcoal grey with the maroon interior and bologna slicer wheels. Always respected Mazda for having directional wheels, and instilled in me a forever hatred of twisted-spoke wheels that don’t have lefts and rights so the spokes point the right way on both sides.

Josh - the lost soldier > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/26/2019 at 01:12

So far, that’s the plan.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Josh - the lost soldier
08/26/2019 at 06:29

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/discord-channel-for-the-oppo-meet-at-the-dragon-is-now-1837561992

ShitboxesAreBest > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 10:15

https://fresno.craigslist.org/cto/d/hanford-2004-mazda-rx8-original-owner/6954134955.html

Ive been eyeing this cause I wants me a 4 seater fun car because I have kids. But spinning metal Doritos scare me , especially when they’re that old. I’m thinking it’s smarter to wait a little longer and save up for a brz/Ecoboost mustang/fiesta St/ older Civic si/etc etc.

AkursedX > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 12:20

I posted on there too but my comment was too far down to really be noticed by anyone. But I really don’t worry about all the naysayers to the RX-8. It’s not for everyone, and yeah, the engine isn’t great but whatever. Ive had my RX-8 for 8 years now, have put over 45k miles on it and hundreds and hundreds of autocross runs and its just such a fun car to drive. And I love working on it and maintaining it too which is probably why it has treated me so well and still has rock-solid compression.

seoultrain > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 13:32

The LS is not that large and not that heavy. I'd love an LS-RX-8.

Chariotoflove > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
08/26/2019 at 13:47

Fair.

Chariotoflove > ShitboxesAreBest
08/26/2019 at 14:01

This is the car my dad has, although without the spoiler. With that many miles, it almost certainly has had its engine replaced, and likely under warranty, as Mazda extended coverage to those engines to 80,000 miles because of the seals failing (if not, it’s a unicorn) . Good news is the replacement engine is likely cured of the original problems , as they revised them to overcome the early issues as time went on. So, your concerns are justified, but if you wanted to go check it out just to see what you’re dealing with, you’d want to see the entire history of the engine in there right now, and get the compression checked as part of the ppi with a bona fide rotary shop (that is not the Mazda dealer, as I think most of the guys who really knew the rotary have faded away, leaving regular mechanics who just follow what their manual says ). Being sold by the original owner should make the service history easier to get.

From what my other friends have told me, the BRZ doesn’t sound like it would be as good of a car for kids and grocery runs, but those other options do sound like fun cars too. Either way, I hope you’re able to find something fun to drive. I believe having that while kids grow up is the best way for them to learn to love cars too , and then you have that to share with them.

Chariotoflove > seoultrain
08/26/2019 at 14:03

Well as I admit, I’ve never driven one. The car itself, aside from the engine, is genius in design, in my view. So, if it drove like you wanted it to, who am I to say you shouldn’t love it?

Chariotoflove > AkursedX
08/26/2019 at 14:12

I just got tired of reading know-it-alls on there who posted to me telling me why the car I drove daily for 13 years was bad for that, stuff that just isn’t true. I don’t tell BMW people or Porsche people why their cars are bad, even though I have no interest in them and read about their numerous mechanical problems , because I haven’t driven them. I should just bookmark your posts and post them without comment in reply when people say stupid things to me. Better yet, I should just ignore them.

My dad still drives his 2004 auto. He had to pay to replace the engine, and he’s having some electrical issues in the center console. But he’ll never get rid of it. He’ll never track or ‘cross it, and it will never see the inside of a racing course. But he is in love with the w ay it moves and purrs, and he is willing to do the easy little stuff needed to keep it up. That to me is the true heart of the enthusiast.

Chariotoflove > James K.
08/26/2019 at 14:14

Sounds like you understand this car. Glad you’re enjoying it!

Chariotoflove > Tony
08/26/2019 at 14:17

Fire! Oh no! I thought I needed new coils, and I would get the battery replaced because I started having issues with it not wanting to start. Turns out it wasn’t either of those, it was the engine itself losing compression. That was the beginning of the end. But it sounds like you had a harrowing experience all around. I’m sorry you had so much trouble.

Chariotoflove > AdverseMartyr
08/26/2019 at 14:20

That’s an apt characterization. I suspect once Mazda faced reality and started treating the Renesis like that, things got better for them. My rotary specialist in the area told me the earlier cars like I had do much better when he puts an extra oil pump in them.

I guess I have no problem being called a Wanker owner. :)

Chariotoflove > AestheticsInMotion
08/26/2019 at 14:21

They seem like one of the best values out there, assuming you do your due diligence.

This encapsulates exactly the used RX-8 experience.

I have lots of pics, but not here at work. I shall go home and dig some out. It’s such a lovely blue. I know you’ll appreciate it.

Chariotoflove > Twisted.angel
08/26/2019 at 14:25

You get it.

My local rotary shop told me they could get a crate engine for around $5k instead of a reman, if I wanted, although I don’t remember how that would work or what his source was. But my understanding is that even the remans you get now can be expected to last reliably for a long time. So, I like your plan. If you start off with a good engine, taking care of it really isn’t more expensive than a quart of 5W20 once in a while. Good luck!

Chariotoflove > Tom
08/26/2019 at 14:26

Fabulous, but uh oh, you aren’t having issues now, are you?

Chariotoflove > Khalbali
08/26/2019 at 14:31

My suspicion is that the mechanics that really know rotaries don’t really work at Mazda service departments anymore unless they’ve been there for a long time, as the cars are kind of fading away. If I were going to buy another, I’d get my local rotary performance shop to do the ppi. Those guys live and breathe those cars, and drive them themselves. I bet most all the cars still on the road these days either have new engines, if they’re late models, or most likely replacements. From what I understand, the newer ones they replaced with are much more reliable. So, I wouldn’t assume I’m buying a shell only. That said, even if you were, the prices all-in for doing that and getting the car up to snuff are not unreasonable for what you’d end up driving.

If you ever get to do it, you can bet I’ll avidly read about it!

Chariotoflove > @ratchet_girl
08/26/2019 at 14:35

I’m so sorry your RX-8 experience seem to have been cursed! We had one of the early FC RX-7s growing up, and that engine lasted a long time. When it died, it wasn’t the engine, as I recall, it was electrics getting too costly to repair.

I hope your current Renesis replacement lasts.

AkursedX > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 14:38

I’ve been looking for a winter beater and a backup auto-transmission car that the wifey can drive if need be and an automatic RX-8 is one the list. Fortunately I haven’ t been able to find one with good enough compression numbers (I have my own compression tester and bring it and the few tools I need to do one with me when I go look).

What are the center console issues? Cant get the heater to work?

Chariotoflove > ChrisSixSix
08/26/2019 at 14:38

which is not a bad habit to develop, RX8 or no

starred for this phrase in particular. I sold a Celica to a friend on this very forum, who got it for some teenagers as a daily. He later informed me they killed the engine for not putting oil in it. You can hide a lot of misbehavior in a piston engine for longer, but that doesn’t mean you should just because you can get away with it.

I’m glad you’re enjoying your car!

Chariotoflove > Nothing
08/26/2019 at 14:43

I probably won’t as there are too many other fun cars to try out.

Good for summer drives to the pool though. ;)

But yeah, after my 13 years, I traded it in rather than get a new engine, not because it wasn’t fun anymore or wasn’t economical to do so. I was just ready for another car experience.

Chariotoflove > phenotyp
08/26/2019 at 14:45

What a sad loss! Ours was an ‘86 in red, that orangish red that Mazda was doing at the time. My sister took ownership from my mom after I had already left home and had a Cutlass Supreme. She was good at taking care of cars. We all still miss it.

Chariotoflove > AkursedX
08/26/2019 at 14:53

The controls intermittently started blinking out on the display, and it’s been spending more time out than on as the last couple of years have gone on. When it does, the controls in the center stack don’t work for climate. So, he has taken to just leaving the AC on so it stays on regardless and the heater in winter. I suspect it’s the known issue with the plug behind it getting jostled loose, and I told him so. I found good Youtube videos about how to take the dash apart and get to it and sent the links to my dad and sister, but he just can’t be bothered I suppose, and Mazda wants to charge him too much just to look. He doesn’t like the Mazda dealer service in his area anyway. They tried to explain away his engine problems with old coils or something until just after 80k miles when he was out of the replacement window for warranty.

If he’ll let me, someday when I visit, I’ll crawl under there and take it apart myself, because it’s bugging my OCD a bit.

seoultrain > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 16:23

I’ve driven one, and it was one of the best cars I’ve ever experienced. The LS swap is not an improvement from a design standpoint, only a practical, realistic view where things like maintenance costs, low-end torque, and fuel economy enter the decision-making process. The speed is a nice bonus, as well.

AkursedX > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 16:30

I have read about that issue but have not suffered it yet. But I did have to resolder the pins on the control board of my climate control knob to get it to work again. Getting everything apart to that point isn't hard, but it is a bit tedious.

Chariotoflove > seoultrain
08/26/2019 at 16:33

i would imagine it has to change the character of the car, but that doesn’t mean the new character isn’t good, just different.

Chariotoflove > AkursedX
08/26/2019 at 16:34

It is, and I suspect it will take longer the first time around.

I had the issue in my car where the display started to blink out, and I could revive it by pushing on the unit . If I’d kept it, I’d have taken it apart and done the fix by now.

Khalbali > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 20:02

You're definitely right about Mazda techs, we barely ever saw them and when we did, we always replaced the whole engine, so not really different from any other car. My boss knew how to use the special compression tester and that was about it for rotary-specific knowledge. You could be right about a ppi, I'd definitely go to a rotary shop anyways though. I dunno, I'd still be nervous about it even with a clean bill of health, I feel like I'd rather have a bad one rebuilt for peace of mind. I know they can be reliable if taken care of properly, it's just one of those cars for me, I'd have a hard time trusting one unless I had the work done myself. But I guess there are good ones out there still, just not much of a gambler I think I'd rather take the safe road of buying a bad one and having it fixed at a specialist.

Chariotoflove > Khalbali
08/26/2019 at 20:07

Peace of mind is worth a lot. It’s hard to enjoy life without it.

Khalbali > Chariotoflove
08/26/2019 at 20:21

Yeah I’m never gonna have the kind of cash to just throw away like that, so playing it safe is kind of a must, a fun car of any kind is already a stretch, let alone a notorious money pit. It’s weird though, I know they can be reliable, i just don’t trust anybody else to have maintained one well. Its hard buying that kind of enthusiast car, I'd never buy a used wrx either.