Abe_Froman

iTrader: (5)

My 18 year old cousin really wants one but I'm really worried about the whole rotary engine thing. Shes looking to get a used one for around 20K. She also wants to get the 6-speed which she doesn't know how to drive yet. Anyone know about the car and its reliability?

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

How old is "she"?

She's going to have maintenance issues for the life of the car if she gets one of these. They eat a quart of oil a month, and that's "normal".

Allen-

Reading > you.

SpiderX1016

I'd tell her to pass.
Unless she knows how to change the engine oil or just add oil.

Shift_Acura

Everyone claims they are so unreliable, but there are so many on the road...

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

I would tell her and make her understand about the whole engine oil thing. I realize that you know that, but does she understand that she has to check the oil every other fill-up?

gr8ness97

iTrader: (5)

Yea, that car is a maintenance hog. I would tell her to steer clear.

phee

iTrader: (5)

pics of cousin first
advice second

mrmako

A rotary is a different animal than normal engines. Yes, burning of some oil is part of the package but is easily handled if you are good with a vehicle.

That being said, it's not a car I would recommend for an 18 year old. I'd say get a Civic, and call it a day.

TSX69

My brother had a 2004 & it has left him stranded on the side of the road @ least 3 times. He also had to have the whole engine replaced & as well as the AC unit - all under warranty but still ...

As soon as his 4 year warranty was up, he traded it in for a 2008 Acura TL upon my recommendation & so far has had no issues.

If I am not mistaken, the RX-8 had several issues throughout the years including falsifying HP & engine recalls. Sales have steadily declined over the years to RL levels ...

They make look cool but if reliability is an issue I would stay away ...

phee

iTrader: (5)

and they are sloowwwww

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Going to close this b/c there have been several RX-8 discussions over the years... including a recent one: https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/mazda-rx-8s-775127/


Here are some other, older topics:
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/rx-8-a-688561/
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/acura-tl-s-vs-mazda-rx8-381396/
https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/huge-mazda-rx8-recall-many-engines-may-need-replacement-346654/