Help Please Rotary's RX8

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cybertech, Jan 31, 10:25pm
Please views on the rx 8 mazda rotary I am having a midlife crisis and are considering buying 1. What do you think of them and what should I look out for Thanks in advance.:-)
fiatracer, Jan 31, 10:27pm
I like them, but couldn't own one. Cool to take for a spin, but I quickly tired of serious lack of torque. Hopeless economy [petrol AND oil], below average reliability/durability.
fiatracer, Jan 31, 10:28pm
by all accounts you can get 20+ mpg if driven VERY GENTLY. But, because there's no torque, you need revs, then expect 15-18mpg.
moosie_21, Jan 31, 10:28pm
For the price of a newish one you could buy a twin turbo with A LOT more power. If you're having a mid-life crisis that is what you want!
smac, Jan 31, 10:32pm
Never ceases to amaze me people who complain about lack of torque in a rotary. Like a car that will pull 120kph in 2nd gear can be a bad thing.I had my fun :)

But anywhoooo, as above, buy a Honda S2000 instead.
foxdonut, Jan 31, 10:37pm
+1

I've never heard anything good about the RX8, except that they go well if you retrofit them with a 13b Turbo.
fiatracer, Jan 31, 10:41pm
and that has what exactly to do with torque!
fiatracer, Jan 31, 10:43pm
some are getting retrofitted with Lexus V8s - gotta be a good idea. Actually, even a good inline 4 or light V6 would make it a good car - better economy, torque, without upsetting the balance [one of the key factors in why the car is so much fun - like MX5s]. Perhaps Nissan SRDET or similar.
jason18, Jan 31, 10:44pm
XR6 Turbo would be a fun midlife crisis car.
smac, Jan 31, 10:45pm
Absolutely nothing. My point was, complaints about torque are missing the point of the car.
fiatracer, Jan 31, 10:46pm
fair enough opinion - then the "point of the car" is what ruins it for me. shame, otherwise I think they're cool
moosie_21, Jan 31, 10:46pm
+2, my choice!
bitsy_boffin, Jan 31, 10:52pm
Buying an RX8 for sporty driving!Make it the 6 Speed Manual (Type S), or don't bother, the 6 Speed has a lot more power.

And make sure it IS a 6 speed manual, there are some real dolts advertising these things who think that 6 speed means 5 forward and 1 reverse, or just lie through their teeth advertising as a "Type S" (I've even seen autos advertised as Type S).

If you're in for just cruising about then (aside from an RX8 maybe not being the right tool for the job) then the lower power autos would be OK.
incar., Jan 31, 11:12pm
be prepared for engine overhaul, most loose compression 40-70k
fordcrzy, Feb 1, 12:11am
buy a 2006+ MX5 instead.much more fun
ralphdog1, Feb 1, 12:20am
OP, what is your budget, and does it need to be a 4 seater or would 2 be enough!
phillip.weston, Feb 1, 12:36am
that needs to be de-riced!
richardmayes, Feb 1, 12:37am
Fortunately most Jappers come equipped with good gearboxes, making enormous bottom-end torque unnecessary in a small-ish car.

The looks of the RX-8 are definitely growing on me.

But I would still rather have an S2000 than an RX8.
cybertech, Feb 1, 12:59am
25k 2 seater would be fine
but not a mx5
fordcrzy, Feb 1, 1:02am
if you dont want a mx5 then have a look at a S2000. much much heavier than a mx but still fun.
fiatracer, Feb 1, 1:04am
I recommend you put aside your prejudice. Not going to argue about early mx5s [I've had 2] but recently drove an 07 NC model and it's a bloody good all round car. Slow! No, not with 170bhp and six speed. Good handling - well, not as pure as the early cars, but pretty good. Fun! You bet!
mike107, Feb 1, 1:09am
Honda S2000!
fordcrzy, Feb 1, 2:43am
++1 go and take a 2.0l 6speed manual mx5 (2005+) for a spin down a country road then come back and tell us that its not freakin awsome
ralphdog1, Feb 1, 2:52am
Own both an Mx5 and an S2000 (haven't got round to selling the former)
Both fun, but in different ways. To sum it up in a single sentence theS2000 has snot, the MX5 has finesse.
Go and drive both, and decide for yourself.
If you have not driven an MX5 at least give one a chance, ignore all the prejudice. Had 8 years of fun in mine, and never have given a single hair cut.!
When I have finished with the S2000 an NC MX5 will be on the cards.
hrt, Feb 1, 4:02am
Have had an S2000, currently have an RX8 and have driven too many MX5s. S2000 was fun for a thrash but got rid of it for the RX8. The Mazda is actually practical and still quite nice to drive (Type S), good open road, can put more people in it, goes just as well. Cant stand MX5s (personal preference). Drive each and see what you think, everyone will be different.