Consensus?

I'm well versed in how a Wankel rotary works, the pros and cons. So lets skip that

Does anyone own one?

I have the opportunity to buy an '07 grand touring 6MT (white) for a very good price from a friend of mine. I'll be driving it this weekend, just curious what other people's experiences might be.

 

I don't own one, but I guess it would be fun to have for the right price.

You're going to be buying oil with the money you saved anyway?

 

My best friend's dad has a yellow '04 and that thing is a beast in the twisties. Do it!!!!

 

I've driven one. It's heaven on every corner but lacks a punch in the straightline. You can mod just a little to make it look very sexy too.

I mean I really liked it. My friend who owns it said he had not much complaint of it.

If you are getting a sweet deal from your friend, you should get it.

 

No torque and poor MPG. Other than that, it's a nice car.

 

Hi Ken

A good friend owns one. A great car that has given him no problems whatsoever. The only downsides seem to be it's thirst and lack of interior space. Surprisingly, they seem to have a rather high depreciation, but I suppose this makes them even more attractive when purchasing used.


Terry

 

highs: GREAT Handling.. light weight.. high rev... nice interior

Lows: horrible mpg.. no torque.. slow... bad resale value.. Rotary?

 

Horrible MPG and no torque.... Ken already said he's well-versed in the Wankel, no need to remind him, guys

But yeah, most common thing I've read is that they don't make close to even the advertised BHP that Mazda advertises, and as mentioned, they burn oil, so you will need to check on it religiously and top it off when necessary. Aside from that though, people like them so much that they deal with those issues. And plus, Jeremy Clarkson loved it so that means you can't go wrong!

 

I'd stick with your prelude...or you can give that to me

The RX8...Amazing balance. Great on a track, supposed to be VERY fun...burns oil, poor mpg, not much torque.

Ask JB, he owned one for awhile.

 

S2k>rx8

 

From what I remember, wind noise is quite loud at freeway speeds... I haven't been in one for 3 years. Definitely test drive it and take it up on the freeway for a while Ken!

 

It posted the same time as the 350z on TG. The handling makes up for the low torque I guess. Nice interior too.

 

Ken, I would take the extra money you would be saving and invest in an oil company like Shell, BP, and others because you're going to need it. They suck up oil like a porn star does with...., well you get the picture.

My friend in Miami has one, and told him about it. Just be sure to check the oil every other fill-up.

 

If the price is good and you like the way it drives then thats all that matters. They do have flooding problems though ( you cant start it and then shut it off right away, it has to be driven to burn the gas that gets poured in when you start it).

Very unique cars, I like them!

 

Bought one of the first RX8s in my city when they first hit the dealerships in '04. Complaints about low torque....well, that's true if you don't rev the rotary before takes off. Rev it up to about 3.5-4K RPM, drop the clutch and it's pretty quick. The rotary loves to rev. The car in general loves to be abused. It has a 9K redline (manual tranny) and loves to race towards it (and sounds great doing it). That in itself causes MPG to drop. Drive it like a granny and you can get acceptable MPG. But, where's the fun in that?

Mine used a qt of oil about every 1,500 miles. It's designed to do that. So, changing oil at 3K miles (which is recommended), you have to add one quart before every oil change. No biggy.

Manual trans is great....light and positive gear changes that you can speed shift easily. Again, the trans and shifter loves to be abused.

Handling is the car's forte. There's never been another car I've ever driven that handles as well.....NONE! It is so balanced, "tossable" and so forgiving. It does exactly what you want it to, almost telepathically.

If you're looking for a car that's relatively comfortable, has that great 9K redline, handles like a super car. the RX8 fits the bill.

If you're looking for something to do stop light races, you'll be disappointed.

Just a little care and feeding (checking the oil every other fillup) and they're hard to break. They love to be driven hard, too.

Actually traded it for a Mustang GT. While the Mustang GT was fast stoplight to stoplight, it felt like an F150 compared to the handling of the RX8.

Don't know why, but Mazda has updated mostly the cosmetics and auxiliary equipment since then. But, they haven't done much with the RENESIS Rotary to boost power. I've heard all sorts of rumors why they haven't. Don't know if their true, but I heard they couldn't pass U.S. emissions with a higher HP/torque rotary. I also heard that a planned turbo was put on hold because of the car company meltdown a couple of years ago.

Don't know if any of that is true. But, it seems like Mazda isn't producing that many of them these days given that I rarely see more than just a couple of new ones on my local dealer's lot these days.

Everyone I've known that's kept their '04s have now put close to, or over 100K miles on the car, with no real problems. Yeah, there's been little stuff here and there (the '04s were prone to flood, but I think Mazda fixed that), but nothing major.

 

My best friend emailed me a couple of days ago to advise that he's having the motor replaced in his 04 8. That said, he loves driving it but it's been the most harrowing car ownership experience he's ever had........and he's previously owned an 89 Pontiac LeMans and a late 90s Chrysler Concorde.

 

I did have an RX8 as a "weekend car" a couple years ago and honestly, I hated it. It was incredible in the twisties... but other then that it really wasn't any fun. oonowindoo hit the highs and lows on the head but forgot to add to be prepared to add at least some oil just about every fill-up as well. Oddly enough it also was a very tough car to drive smoothly with the manual. I have driven a ton of other manual cars, and for some reason this one just was not smooth at all.

All in all I hated it and sold it about 6-7 months or so after I bought it. Luckily I sold it for the same price I paid for it... so really nothing lost on that.

If you can get a really killer deal I'd say drive it and make up your own mind... but other then that it is not a car I'd recommend...

 

The RX8 is one of those cars that I think are pretty cool but would never own one. If you like it, I'd say go for it! You know its going to be a fun car even if it does lack in some areas.

 

Oh and for the record... I test drove the car and that was when I fell in love with it and decided I wanted one. It was also on a twisty section, so of course I fell in love with it. But once I owned it... I hated it.... so I'm guessing the test drive was way too short.

So if you are able to test drive it... take a nice long test drive, get on the highway, accelerate hard a few times, then think about it, then test drive it again another time, then make a decision.

 

drove one, 6mt GT, drove it pretty hard too and I didn't like it. Yea it handled great but it wasn't the car for me. I thought it was too slow and not enough fun. My 3G TL, a FWD family sedan gives me a better driving experience than a RWD "sports car".

 

One of the few cars I actually turn my head to look at lately since they are pretty rare. Sounds awesome with an exhaust. I love the looks, but I think its a high maintenance nightmare. If it's your friend selling it, maybe he wouldn't mind letting you use it for a whole day or maybe a weekend to see if it suits you.

 

I rode in a 2006-7 Mazda 8 and I thought it was nice. This particular one had the 6 speed paddleshifted automatic. I didn't think it was weak, but adequate at best. Engine noise is soo smooth its addictive. I'm tall and rode in the back for a while and I was comfortable for the 30 minute ride. His had an exhaust system on it and sounded good. Ride was kinda choppy though. I think his may have been lowered or altered. I liked it, but his check engine light was on and he said he has had a lot of small problems with the engine. I rode in it recently and the light was off and it ran fine.

He also said insurance is cheaper because its classified as a sedan. Don't know I that's true though. Just food for thought.

 

Really?? I thought RX-8 automatics are slower than Civic LXs.

 

This is true. Mine was insured as a sedan, and it ended up being the cheapest car on our insurance!


They are dogs. Not sure about now b/c I'm out of the loop... but the model year I had the manuals were rated at 238hp while the auto was like 197 or something. And in a car which has no torque to begin with, that difference was HUGE!!!

 

I think the first models (2004-5) were because they were 4A/T.

Not sure if it was 2006 or 2007 when they got the 6A/T. Acceleration is still no rocket, but the two extra gears help.

 

KEN--DON"T DO IT!

Keep your eyes on the prize and find your dream S2k, I guarantee you'll like it better. Sorry RX-8 fans, but the S is simply a better track car IMHO. Though there would be a fight between the RX-8 and S2000 in the curves.....on the straights, 9k rpm shifts would carry the S away from the RX in the straights.

 

Honestly, the S is only beaten by the 8 when it comes to the ability to carry 4 passengers.....even then I rather make three trips with the S.

 

I still want the S2K more at this point though, so no worries.

 

never cared for the styling personally... heck, I'd rather have a last gen RX7

 

i liked the rx-7 better, but i wouldn't buy one myself. But i did buy a car that is known to have ims issues that could blow a motor at any time.

 

Buy and FD RX-7 for cheap as possible and LSX swap it

 

Just chiming in...

The RX8 was one of my possibilities before resulting in my purchase of a 350z and I drove it several times.

As others have stated, low end power was not that great; you have to really hit around the 4k rpm range for you to feel any excitement; but once you do... I guarantee that it will slap a smile on your face.

Now, recalls and engine issues seem to have hit the 06's and before; if you're serious about this car, then look 07's and further.

The oil burning is a well-established reputation of this car; owners usually keep a bottle with them... and gas mileage? Not the best in its class either.

Again, handling was great... as in, hitting twisties at ridiculous speeds is what this car was made for.

Another plus for this car... is that it actually is a 4 door with rear seats (not the best room, but they are there) which will allow you to have more than one friend. S2000's, 350Z's... very antisocial vehicles. AWESOME cars... just impractical as a DD.

BTW, 350z is gone... got an RDX because of a new baby... see what I mean about two-seaters?

 

Well did you get it or not?

- Tyler

 

Tyler, No i havent (yet) How've you been man? PM me.

Drove it for just under 48 hours, loved every minute of it. Very tempting, I could easily keep it as a daily driver.