anyone ever driven a 6speed RX8? I was thinking about test driving one and maybe picking one up like 2004-2006 in the next like 6 months or so

what is everyones thoughts on this car??

 

I haven't driven one, but i've gotten a ride at an auto-x event.
Handle great, smooth engine, decently roomy inside.
Outside styling is iffy IMO and they're gas guzzlers. Get an S2000 instead.

 

Most people who've driven one of these along with a 350Z or S2000 say take one of them instead. Based on looks, available mods, and feel from just sitting in all of them, I would agree. These also don't have the best reliablity, and since used FD3S RX-7's are STILL more expensive than used RX-8's even though they're 10+ years older, that might be saying something. But do what you think's best Def. test drive all of the comparable cars first though.

 

didn the rx-8's have a full engine recall?

 

o here we go https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ht=recall+rx-8

 

I hate those cars. s2k or 350z ftw!!!!!

 

RX8s look decent but drive/handle like shit.

 

my boy has one and he gets like 14 mpg and burns a lot of oil too but they are fun to ride in

 

i agree with everyone else, rx8's suck

 

This still hasn't been moved/locked? !!

 

I have owned two different models of rx-7. The first was a 1979 with the
12a motor(1.2 liters,normal aspiration) and a 1988 with the 13b(1.3, turbo.) Honestly the 79 was my favorite of the two, I could peg the tach out in a donut on gravel and it didnt blow. They do use alot of oil. The oil port does not completely seal before the rotor gets to the intake side. I have driven a rx8, they dont compare in fun factor to the old ones, they are too heavy and more tame. I would definitely take a 350z over one. Actually, give me an evo or wrx instead...

 

FD RX-7 ftw

 

yeah... whats new

 

i've driven an automatic rx8 with paddle shifters, and it def handles better then his brother's 350z.
but rx8=drinks oil by the barrel and gas really bad mpg. the engine sounds cool though.

 

I had an RX8 and hated it. Funny part is that I test drove the auto briefly, and liked it on the test drive.

Ended up scooping up a loaded 2004 6-speed, kept it for about 4-5 months and put maybe 800 miles on it and sold it for the same price I bought it for.

I just didn't like it. Handled like it was on rails... but no power, burned oil, terrible gas mileage and didn't like the tranny.

Now, everyone is different, but I personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

I drove an 05 6speed and liked most of it.
Interior is nice IMO, seats are comfortable and the it feels nice driving it.
Exterior is not bad either, it looks way nicer if the car is lowered.
Handleing is amazing but the power is not there. Torque is not there which makes the car slow. Once you hit 5000rpm car comes to life but that takes a while.

 

Love the 8. Can't deal with the crap gas mileage and other engine issues.

If you are looking at one, steer clear of the 04s. With each year, they managed to get a little better with flooding issues. As far as engine replacements, there are some out there, but really not as many as you'd think.

Id say lease one, if you really want one.

...and to the guy who said they handle like shit. What were you comparing it to, an Elise?

 

do not like one thing about it. although if youre not a fan of evo / sti, chances are you wouldnt want to be caught dead in them...which leaves you with S2K, 350? if you are capable of fitting in an S2K, i highly suggest you take one for a test drive.

 

It is rated one of the best handling cars out there right now. Please don't respond if you have no idea what you are talking about.

KTHXBYE

"The small engine made it possible for Mazda to design a double-wishbone front suspension that plays a big role in the RX-8’s excellent handling. Gas shock absorbers are tuned to provide a compliant ride with responsive handling.

The gas tank is mounted ahead of the rear axle to keep the weight toward the center of the car, and that too, accounts for added agility. "

http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/MazdaRX8/

 

BTW, how much are you looking to spend? You may want to save a little longer then 6 months and get a pre-owned Lotus Elise.

 

Very capable car, when it actually runs. My buddy has one that has left him stranded twice. How does the engine FLOOD on a modern fuel injected car?

 

I thought this was locked?

I have driven the 6 speed RX8. It does handle, & it will move as long as the RPM band is kept high.

But from owners, they say it eats gas & oil, & in day to day driving is a slow car.

 

Like a couple of other posters here, I test drove and considered the 2005 RX-8 6-speed Touring (before getting my TL).

The shifter/clutch were among the best I've ever used and the handling was unbeatable, with a decent ride. The RX-8's interior was comfortable for me, the controls were easy to deal with and it was a pretty quiet car.

However, I decided to eliminate the RX-8 because there were a couple of recalls, including the ECU reflash, and there is little bottom-end torque. The car is capable of 0-60 in the 6-second range- if you drop the clutch and beat on the driveline up to redline. Otherwise, the RX-8 may feel like it's a slushbox TSX with a mid-8s/low-9s 0-60 because of the lack of torque in day-to-day driving. I'd say that the RX-8 is suitable to you if you like to stay above 4K RPM all day long (which I and most people don't, especially in congested traffic).

Also, a major complaint on the various boards and blogs was about the gas mileage- 18 mpg was deemed good, while many were seeing 14 mpg-17 mpg in daily use.

I haven't checked the repair history on the RX-8s; you might want to look at that to make a decision.

 

Topic was closed... but it was closed without an explanation and I didn't see any reason it should be locked, so I cleaned out the BS replies from when it was in Ramblings and reopened it...

 

I loved the RX8 on paper, thought it was unique looking, but completely lost interest after I drove one. Having owned a TSX and now a S2000, I know what a car with minimal low end torque feels like, the RX8 redefined what no torque really means, it makes all sorts of noise and revs but doesn't really seem to go anywhere fast. Compound that by the reputation the engine has, between oil consumption, horrible fuel economy and good chance of expensive maintenance makes this a car I would never consider owning. I'd rather have a Miata, for similar money if I was stuck on Mazda. But as others have said, look into the 350z, S2000 and even an Elise can be had for low 30's and as a weekend only car would be my choice in that price range.

 

The only good RX7 is one with a V8. Please save yourself don't get a RX8.

 

Gas mileage is terrible, poor reliability, and zero torque about sums it up.

 

Despite the fact that RX-8's are nationally destroying all competition in SCCA B-Stock autocross.

 

Great car on paper, not so much in reality.

I test drove one before I got my second TSX and I just could not justify the maintenance cost for the potential problems with the rotary nor could I really get the most out of the tiny trunk. Drove like a champ, but would have just been too expensive to own.

 

I've driven the MT one. It's pretty fun to drive...

but don't get it, IMO. Get yourself a nice 350Z over it.

 

perfect summarization. drive it in a casual atmosphere and you wonder why you are spending the $$ on gas and oil for a car like this.

only justification i could see for purchase is if you are a die-hard rotary fan with a (running) RX7 in the garage, looking to have the full mazda collection.

 

The one I drove was lowered, and possibly the setup wasnt great, so nexttime STFU before opening your mouth KTHXKBYE

 

http://www.supraforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=494967

 

damn hes gonna be pushing like 450hp +

 

 

Nice try. Post recovery FAILED.

 

hahaha

 

So did the OP say any drive a modified RX8 6 speed? Did you mention that it was lowered and the setup was probably crap?

So next time instead of just throwing out half the story and saying something that basically flies in the face of convention and common sense, maybe you should take your own advice.

 

To the OP, I've driven one and really liked the car (don't know if I'd buy one, and I'm a rotary fanboy).

The 2 things I didn't like about the car. The triangular shift knob felt very uncomfortable in my hand. That is an easy fix with a new knob. I also wasn't a fan of the gearbox feel in general, maybe it's because I'm spoiled with the MT's tha Honda as provided me with for years.

 

i've always thought it's a good looking car.

but everyone i know that test drove it ended up getting a Z.