A car I never think about: the RX-8

"CB" (jrcb) 05/07/2019 at 23:48 • Filed to: The torque of a whipper snipper but the horsepower of also a whipper snipper

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But you know, I think it’d be a neat car to own. Not for long, but I grew up thinking these were super cool.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CB 05/07/2019 at 23:57

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I came close to buying one, but I bought a mazda3 instead. I made the right decision.

Chuckles > CB 05/07/2019 at 23:58

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I think about these a lot, but mostly because my neighbor has one for sale sitting in his driveway with multiple flat tires.

CB > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/07/2019 at 23:58

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Absolutely. But some bad ideas are strangely alluring.

Nibby > Chuckles 05/07/2019 at 23:59

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flat tires are the least of that car’s issues

LongbowMkII > CB 05/07/2019 at 23:59

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The R3 looks so good

CB > LongbowMkII 05/08/2019 at 00:00

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It really does.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:01

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It's a pretty nice looking time bomb

smobgirl > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:01

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I know full well why you never see them, but they’re getting rare to the point where I’m more likely to see an Elise than one of these. Definitely a car where the idea was better than the execution!

Chuckles > Nibby 05/08/2019 at 00:02

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Oh I know, I haven't even been tempted to see what he's asking. It's just a car that I can't forget about because I see one daily. 

CB > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 05/08/2019 at 00:04

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Dunno, at least it’s a time bomb you expect.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:09

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And you complain about your ST's reliability. You'd be in a world of hurt!

CB > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/08/2019 at 00:10

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Yeah, well... yeah.

bob and john > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:11

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I feel like I would actually have good luck with one of these. my habit of redlining every gear on on ramps works well with these.


basicly, drive it like its a sportbike. 

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:16

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I test drove one once and I loved it. I'm always tempted to get one with a bad engine and replace it with a rebuild. I think I would only be out a few grand when things went south. Might be worth it.

ToyotaFamily > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:21

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My friend bought one of these and it went 3 weeks til the engine decided to blow up. Sure looked great though. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:22

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If I had torque maybe...

David Baker > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:26

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I want to buy one with a blown engine (common on CL for under $5k) and swap a LS3 in it. Sorry d orito guys

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:31

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I thought about buying one on several occasions. Then I came to my senses. 

Nothing > CB 05/08/2019 at 00:34

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I liked mine. Three mostly troublefree years, transmission rebuilt under warranty. I’d own another. My car was also the Cobb test car for the RX8 Accessport, 21 dyno runs on one day. Fun times.

gettingoldercarguy > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 05/08/2019 at 01:03

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I hear these make great track cars however.

Nauraushaun > CB 05/08/2019 at 01:19

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I’ve been thinking about these more lately. I see them on the roads. I appreciate their wacky rear windscreens and how they’re such an earnest attempt to make a four door sports coupe.

Sometimes I hear them making rotary noises

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > CB 05/08/2019 at 02:11

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I’m thinking that the oh-so-common LS swap might address just about all of the downsides of this vehicle. Or, if you’re feeling a little crazy, how about the turbo engine from a current CX-9/Mazda6? Pretty much the same HP but I’m sure it has a ton more torque.

and 100 more > David Baker 05/08/2019 at 08:38

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This is probably the most sensible move. I’ve seen so many on CL for please-just-take-the-damn-thing prices and low mileage, and you know it’s just on its third bag of Doritos and the owner can't stomach a fourth. Swap with something cheap and reliable.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Nauraushaun 05/08/2019 at 08:40

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Would those noises happen to be “tick tick tick BOOM”

Chariotoflove > Nothing 05/08/2019 at 08:55

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Hear hear. 

CobraJoe > CB 05/08/2019 at 09:39

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I think about them often.

An RX8 in great condition with an engine that’s losing it’s seals is a $2k or less car around my area, and I think it’d be a great candidate for a V8 swap.

Plus, It’d be a perfect “family car” for me.  I rarely carry the kids, but those half rear doors look amazing for car seats.  

Nauraushaun > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 05/08/2019 at 18:15

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NO! I mean HIGH REVS!

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Nauraushaun 05/08/2019 at 18:58

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...before the engine blows itself to hell, yes I know

Nauraushaun > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 05/08/2019 at 19:08

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That sweet middle ground before the inevitable happens :)

Gotta have the lows to enjoy the highs, etc