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?

 

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".

 

Reading > you.

 

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

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

pics of cousin first
advice second

 

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.

 

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 ...

 

and they are sloowwwww

 

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/