Mazda RX8

[Chris Doughty]

what are peoples opinions on these?

and also please state if your opinion is based on fact (first hand) or hearsay

[Lee]

They dont have engine braking as you change down due to the rotary engine.

My mate wrote his off 20 mins from the show room as he entered a roundabout. FACT

Good cars and price too :thumbsup:

[DCM]

I think they look fab, and you get to use the word Wankel in public lol

[ScottyP]

I haven't driven an RX8, but having owned a 6 for the past two years I can tell you Mazda build quality and reliability is excellent. Mazda know a thing or two about building good handling cars too, both front and rear-wheel drive.

Second hand reports suggest the RX8 is a great piece of kit. Biggest criticism seems to be fuel consumption. Expect a big fuel bill, especially if you intend to give it some right foot!

Cheers,
Scotty P.

[Lee]

i dont think chris would do that, would you??? :eh?:

[super__dan]

Guy in work has one, was much more impressed in the flesh than pictures, interior is very nice, feels like a sports car (tranmission tunnel). Rear seats only suitable for small children and only 2 of them as they are shaped (seats not children).

He says the fuel consumption is crap so if you're doing lots of miles be prepared

[Chris Doughty]

from my research it has shown that they like to drink fuel, and a bit of oil too, but I also read that you can drive them quite econimically (for that type of car)

I have test driven one a few year or so ago and it was frickin dialled, and the engine sounds completley unique and amazing.... 4 seats too...

[Lee]

I think it would be plain wrong not to get one chris, if you dont like it you could move it on :thumbsup:

Would it be in blue?:confused:

[Nick Goodall]

My mate owned one from new and to be honest i was never overly impressed.... It drank fuel as expected but the oil consumption is something you really need to watch - every month he was having to top it up which in this day can also be quite expensive along with getting about 14m/pg :)

I drove it a couple of times and the power delivery was a bit odd to get used to, and the noise never really got any more attractive as the revs increased (imho)....

They are one hell of a cheap car now though so if you wanted one as a bit of a toy and like they way they look i guess they're a good buy as long as you keep on top of the oil level and don't mind the expense i'm sure you'd be happy!

[bodgit]

first hand owners reports on parkers website

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/owners-reviews/search.aspx?range=173

facts and fiqures

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=452

[Chris Doughty]

thats pretty much what I am thinking Lee,

my current car (Smart Roadster) need to be Merc Dealer serviced and I get shafted every single time it goes anywhere near them

I am sure the extra fuel consumption of the Mazda will be less than the Merc labour costs :thumbdown:

and it has 4 seats for the whole 'team' to get in :D

and I am not that much of a fan of blue cars, I would have a pure white one with black wheels if I could...

[Body Paint]

Robo has one doesn't he? I think he is pretty much in love with his :)

[Chris Doughty]

Yes, I have all ready asked Robbo what he thinks to his, he has had it over a year and loves it to bits!

[Southwell]

MPG is the biggest bug bear, 23mpg max is what i hear.

[Chris Doughty]

first hand owners reports on parkers website

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/owners-reviews/search.aspx?range=173

facts and fiqures

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Summary.aspx?model=452

Thanks for these links! a very good read!

[peetbee]

and I am not that much of a fan of blue cars, I would have a pure white one with black wheels if I could...

But surely Blue is Better?:)

Checking the oil is the only bugbear with the RX8, I used to work with someone who treated it the same as a 'normal' engine and ran it low on oil a few times with expensive results (although she never admitted how much it cost). They are designed to use the oil this way though.
I didn't think that the mpg was too bad for this type of car.

[GRIFF55]

My mate had one, before he wrote it off! Very stong car i have to say, i was very impressed by the way the rear door/pillar held up in the rolls.
It was nice to drive and quite pokey. His only bug factor was the fuel and oil consumption. Warranty cover was also very good, so try and get one still under warranty if you can mate, that way if anything fails your covered:thumbsup:.

[millzy]

my wifes uncle has one , hes a doctor and uses it for house calls...to look flash!!
hes had it for over a 1 and loves it, not driven it my self.

Robbos one dose look good

[Chris Doughty]

I am suprised at how positive the feedback is to be honest.

I thought there would have been quite a few 'haters' out there.

[Spencer Mulcahy]

They are Wankle.LOL:thumbsup:

[Southwell]

I am suprised at how positive the feedback is to be honest.

I thought there would have been quite a few 'haters' out there.

Ok, they have no torque :p..........But that just means you can rev the nuts off it :thumbsup:

[jaysllim]

dude if u get one make sure its under 31k on the clock coz the reason they "drink so much oil" is because the centre bearing on the rotor starts to weep and pushes the oil out the back of the mounting and then it will colapse and then engine rebuild. i done three of them wen they first came out. we use diffrent chemicals to the japs in our petrol but the one chemical we do use eats the sheild on the bearing and hence making it seize/colapse. dude dnt want to put a downer on them they are gd cars just wait 6 mounth for them to finish the recall on them.it was a certan batch of bearings and they never concistantly used them just here and there thats y the recall been going on for the last 2 years

[Chris Doughty]

Ok, they have no torque :p..........But that just means you can rev the nuts off it :thumbsup:

to me, it felt like it has a 12.5mm sintered rotor in it as oposed to a 14mm sintered rotor.

not as much bottom, but rpm to the moon and back... ace! :thumbsup:

[Chris Doughty]

I think if I drive it smooth I might be able to get 10 minutes out of a tank... should only need 1 pitstop in a 20 minute main... :woot:

[millzy]

dude if u get one make sure its under 31k on the clock coz the reason they "drink so much oil" is because the centre bearing on the rotor starts to weep and pushes the oil out the back of the mounting and then it will colapse and then engine rebuild. i done three of them wen they first came out. we use diffrent chemicals to the japs in our petrol but the one chemical we do use eats the sheild on the bearing and hence making it seize/colapse. dude dnt want to put a downer on them they are gd cars just wait 6 mounth for them to finish the recall on them.it was a certan batch of bearings and they never concistantly used them just here and there thats y the recall been going on for the last 2 years

your ment to be in Poland

[mark christopher]

in the ford dealer i work in we also do mazda, asked the tecks, good car if you can stand the poor fuel and oil ecconomy, nothing major goes wrong, odd few engines and make sure oil cooler pipes have been done if out off warranty.
they are also a sod for flooding the engine, when it starts you need to get it warm, no stop starting or uve had it

[mark christopher]

double post

[Fiddybux]

I own one...have for nearly 2 years. Ace car. Best drive ever. Never put a foot wrong.

Yes it drinks a bit of oil. Yes it can be thirsty if you drive it properly - you'll get 14mpg - 17mpg ish. If you drive eco style, in low revs, you can easily get 25mpg. This doesn't bother me though. I don't do a huge amount of mileage and its a beautiful machine. The engine sounds and feels lovely.

Very progressive acceleration from the 231bhp engine (don't bother with the 192bhp version - not much different in economy for 1 less gear and less grunt). You get a nice kick at 4500 rpm and 7500 rpm as the injector valves open. Accelerates right up to 9000rpm and it bleeps at 8000rpm to tell you to change gear. Sometimes it feels like it will never stop going! Lovely!! :thumbsup: Limited at just below 10000rpm. Limiting is aggressive though as the engine will technically shake itself to bits beyond this point. :woot::o

RWD like a proper car and so can be "interesting" to drive. Has a very satisfying tuck in from the front-end and push-out from the rear in the bends. Beautiful. Traction control can be turned off too! :)

It's no match for M5's or Impreza's off the line, but then its not meant to be. This car is quick in the bends and the near perfect 50/50 weight distribution is to thank for that. It's torquey enough not to spoil enjoyment though.

Usual Mazda build quality - nothing to moan about there. Cars hold their value reasonably well too (as well as cars can in this climate).

The only issue that used to be a hinderance is that you had to let it warm up before turning off and this caused problems when just moving the car from cold, e.g. swapping cars on a single lane driveway. Now there is a shut-down procedure for cold engines that you can follow which solves the problem.

The final issue is road tax. Mine is £400 this year and will be £440 next year. If you can get over this then go for it. The way I look at it is this is one of the last chances average people will have at owning a sporty car, before the government and green police make it impossibly unaffordable to do so. This is why I bought the RX8 - so I can live the dream while its still possible to do so.

The new RX8 has slightly improved fuel economy and a face lift - looks even sweeter but is obviosuly expensive (25k ish from new??).

Rumour has it that there will be an RX9 by 2012 or so...maybe I'll have to get one of them. Looks amasing.

http://www.nextautos.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/coupes/revealed-2012-mazda-rx-9

This is supposed to be based partly on the fricking sweet Mazda Furai!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oEOHn7rspsk

Oh finally, check out the Top Gear review of the RX-8. This is what swung it for me. I thought, Clarkson rarely approves of an affordable car, so I went for it on his recommendation.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA

Don't listen to him concerning the "fussy" styling though. He's wrong there.

[Fiddybux]

in the ford dealer i work in we also do mazda, asked the tecks, good car if you can stand the poor fuel and oil ecconomy, nothing major goes wrong, odd few engines and make sure oil cooler pipes have been done if out off warranty.
they are also a sod for flooding the engine, when it starts you need to get it warm, no stop starting or uve had it

Not correct. If you observe the shut down procedure its fine.

[Chris Doughty]

I have read about the 'cold' shutdown procedure and it all makes sense.

thanks for the long informative post Fiddy :thumbsup:

I am also aware of the 'improved' oil cooling pipes and a few other revised parts that really should be in place.

[mark christopher]

I own one...have for nearly 2 years. Ace car. Best drive ever. Never put a foot wrong.

Yes it drinks a bit of oil. Yes it can be thirsty if you drive it properly - you'll get 14mpg - 17mpg ish. If you drive eco style, in low revs, you can easily get 25mpg. This doesn't bother me though. I don't do a huge amount of mileage and its a beautiful machine. The engine sounds and feels lovely.

Very progressive acceleration from the 231bhp engine (don't bother with the 192bhp version - not much different in economy for 1 less gear and less grunt). You get a nice kick at 4500 rpm and 7500 rpm as the injector valves open. Accelerates right up to 9000rpm and it bleeps at 8000rpm to tell you to change gear. Sometimes it feels like it will never stop going! Lovely!! :thumbsup: Limited at just below 10000rpm. Limiting is aggressive though as the engine will technically shake itself to bits beyond this point. :woot::o

RWD like a proper car and so can be "interesting" to drive. Has a very satisfying tuck in from the front-end and push-out from the rear in the bends. Beautiful. Traction control can be turned off too! :)

It's no match for M5's or Impreza's off the line, but then its not meant to be. This car is quick in the bends and the near perfect 50/50 weight distribution is to thank for that. It's torquey enough not to spoil enjoyment though.

Usual Mazda build quality - nothing to moan about there. Cars hold their value reasonably well too (as well as cars can in this climate).

The only issue that used to be a hinderance is that you had to let it warm up before turning off and this caused problems when just moving the car from cold, e.g. swapping cars on a single lane driveway. Now there is a shut-down procedure for cold engines that you can follow which solves the problem.

The final issue is road tax. Mine is £400 this year and will be £440 next year. If you can get over this then go for it. The way I look at it is this is one of the last chances average people will have at owning a sporty car, before the government and green police make it impossibly unaffordable to do so. This is why I bought the RX8 - so I can live the dream while its still possible to do so.

The new RX8 has slightly improved fuel economy and a face lift - looks even sweeter but is obviosuly expensive (25k ish from new??).

Rumour has it that there will be an RX9 by 2012 or so...maybe I'll have to get one of them. Looks amasing.

http://www.nextautos.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/coupes/revealed-2012-mazda-rx-9

This is supposed to be based partly on the fricking sweet Mazda Furai!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oEOHn7rspsk

Oh finally, check out the Top Gear review of the RX-8. This is what swung it for me. I thought, Clarkson rarely approves of an affordable car, so I went for it on his recommendation.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA

Don't listen to him concerning the "fussy" styling though. He's wrong there.
so how do you switch of your TC stage one or two?

[mark christopher]

Not correct. If you observe the shut down procedure its fine.
and 9 out of ten owners dont do it! or know of it. if not done i am correct and they flood and dont start!!


some more info

older models the right engine mount can colapse, causing bad cabin vibration

make sure pcm is on latest calibration.

on 6 speed (high power models) thier are axle hieght sensors (£400 plus) each which can seize up

if clutch is stiff will need new clutch

[Chris Doughty]

so how do you switch of your TC stage one or two?

I know how to do both.... and I don't even have one yet :woot:

[Lee]

so how do you switch of your TC stage one or two?


Is this a quiz? :confused:

[Chris Doughty]

Mark - do you have any good second hander RX8's in at the moment?

[mark christopher]

Is this a quiz? :confused:

Nope the "how" is not meant to be there, trying to do 2 things at once:blush: dread to think what message ive sent to fmc technical lol :cry:

Mark - do you have any good second hander RX8's in at the moment?

several, sales are doing me a list of what we got with specs etc. you at worksop sunday?

[Chris Doughty]

cool...

how far away are you? whats the postcode?

[James]

Hi Chris,

I had one on test drive 3 and a bit years ago when i bought the beema..

Both engines go well, they use a lot of fuel and a fair bit of oil im told, theyre kinda half practical and depreciated like a stone so from that point of view im glad i didnt buy one - However this does mean there will be some available at decent money now..Oh it handed really nicely too..

[mark christopher]

cool...

how far away are you? whats the postcode?
you at worksop sunday?

www.ringways.co.uk (http://www.ringways.co.uk) got few more than on web site to near new

[Chris Doughty]

thanks James, thats exactly my reason for looking at them.

they have 4 seats and yet still a 'sports' car
its RWD
its sounds ace
they are a very good price for what they are right now (second hand ones)

and the I filled up yesterday and only paid 99.9p :thumbsup: It was 118.9 at one point

[Fiddybux]

If you're ever at Southport or at the 1st new indoor event at Bury you're more than welcome to have a look at mine.

Russ.

[Chris Doughty]

you at worksop sunday?

www.ringways.co.uk (http://www.ringways.co.uk)

Doncaster is not that far...

[mark christopher]

chris got whats on web site http://www.ringways.co.uk/searchresults.php??Mode=0&Account=AETA97900&Make=MAZDA&Model=Any+Model&MinPrice=Any&MaxPrice=Any&Mode=0&BodyId=stock&CategoryExclusion=Any&AdvancedSearch=0&FinanceForm=1&SpecialOffer=Any&ExDemo=Any&FranchiseApproved=Any&Location=Any&Category=Any&MaxAge=Any&MaxMileage=Any&Colour=Any&Fuel=Any&Trans=Any&Email=&Search=Search&submit=Search&action=Search

and this 2004 54 reg 231ps 4 dr coupe, brilliant black 14000 miles (approx) full leather (red/black) integrated sat nav (mazda) high polished alloys (factory) £8995, think its due any time into stock if you want to know more ring paul fox 01302 517506 tell him you know me and want a discount!!

[Southwell]

Crikey, their cheap as chips now :o

[Chris Doughty]

chris got whats on web site http://www.ringways.co.uk/searchresults.php??Mode=0&Account=AETA97900&Make=MAZDA&Model=Any+Model&MinPrice=Any&MaxPrice=Any&Mode=0&BodyId=stock&CategoryExclusion=Any&AdvancedSearch=0&FinanceForm=1&SpecialOffer=Any&ExDemo=Any&FranchiseApproved=Any&Location=Any&Category=Any&MaxAge=Any&MaxMileage=Any&Colour=Any&Fuel=Any&Trans=Any&Email=&Search=Search&submit=Search&action=Search

and this 2004 54 reg 231ps 4 dr coupe, brilliant black 14000 miles (approx) full leather (red/black) integrated sat nav (mazda) high polished alloys (factory) £8995, think its due any time into stock if you want to know more ring paul fox 01302 517506 tell him you know me and want a discount!!

Hi Mark,

That one sounds ace!

[DCM]

chris got whats on web site http://www.ringways.co.uk/searchresults.php??Mode=0&Account=AETA97900&Make=MAZDA&Model=Any+Model&MinPrice=Any&MaxPrice=Any&Mode=0&BodyId=stock&CategoryExclusion=Any&AdvancedSearch=0&FinanceForm=1&SpecialOffer=Any&ExDemo=Any&FranchiseApproved=Any&Location=Any&Category=Any&MaxAge=Any&MaxMileage=Any&Colour=Any&Fuel=Any&Trans=Any&Email=&Search=Search&submit=Search&action=Search

and this 2004 54 reg 231ps 4 dr coupe, brilliant black 14000 miles (approx) full leather (red/black) integrated sat nav (mazda) high polished alloys (factory) £8995, think its due any time into stock if you want to know more ring paul fox 01302 517506 tell him you know me and want a discount!!

that will be £9495 if you do that Chris haha

[traffman]

I wouldnt worry about the oil consumption/checking , we have to do that with our type r all the time.

[James]

The one i had on test was from worksop from the main dealer..

[Fiddybux]

I wouldnt worry about the oil consumption/checking , we have to do that with our type r all the time.

I didn't realise that you Honda boys needed to do that too....just goes to show doesn't it!!!

It becomes habit before long...you just remember to check it every couple of runs.

[burton]

They do sound ace and there might be a few more on the market due to the car tax issue. Is the RX8 something that your really wanting as there are so many cars out there now. Alot now have lost more of their new money due to how the market is. It depends on what you want, I would suggest just test driving over cars for the same money and see how you feel about it then.. Also look into service and other costs.

[Chris Doughty]

I have been looking at various cars over the last 2 years or so, looking to buy on and off through out that time.

the RX8 does tick every box thats required, and if it turns out that I don't get on well with it, I will just sell it again, its not like I am buying new and loosing $$$$ just by driving off the fore court

[Fiddybux]

I get most of my RC gear in the boot and a gazebo in the back if I push the seat forward. I can then use the baby harness to tether the gazebo down so that it doesn't shunt around in the bends. Sweet!

[Nige55]

Ha ha, funny reading this thread as it's quite applicable to me ! i have one, and my dad has one. I could rave on and on about them, but I'm a designer at Mazda, so I'm probably quite biased ! But seriously, a totally unique car, sublime engine, looks wicked. Simply LOVE it.

[bodgit]

[quote=mark christopher;169559]and 9 out of ten owners dont do it! or know of it. if not done i am correct and they flood and dont start!!

for the owners who dont know and if they flood it I read that you can remove the green fuel pump 20a fuse turn the engine over to dispell fuel then replace fuse and start up normally

[Fiddybux]

I'd be interested to know if that worked? I can see how it might work.

The shutdown procedure involves holding the car at 4000 rpm ish and then turning the engine off...the theory being that any remaining unburned fuel is used as the rotors wind down.

[Spoolio]

Is the RX8 something that your really wanting as there are so many cars out there now. Alot now have lost more of their new money due to how the market is.

Slightly off topic but just had my shed MoT'd this morning and the testers new car was outside - R-plate BMW 328i SE Coupe, 96k miles, auto, full leather, absolutely mint, he gave £1200 for it. I'm seriously questioning the wisdom of ever spending more than a few thou on a car particularly at the moment (although if everyone agreed there would eventually be no used cars to buy as no one would ever buy a new one).

[bodgit]

I'd be interested to know if that worked? I can see how it might work.

The shutdown procedure involves holding the car at 4000 rpm ish and then turning the engine off...the theory being that any remaining unburned fuel is used as the rotors wind down.


It works on most cars ,home start showed us after my wifes car got flooded after moving it just out of drive and back in again , we could not get it started ,he did it in 2 mins He said the engine management system expects the car to be run so chucks in extra fuel for warm up but if you stop engine after just 20 secs the engines flooded

[mark christopher]

[quote=mark christopher;169559]and 9 out of ten owners dont do it! or know of it. if not done i am correct and they flood and dont start!!

for the owners who dont know and if they flood it I read that you can remove the green fuel pump 20a fuse turn the engine over to dispell fuel then replace fuse and start up normally

if it were that easy the aa/rac would not recover so many into us flooded!!some will go quick some can take ages

the fuel washes the oil from the rotor and then there is no compression, some of em take our lades up to an hour to get going depending on how much the customer/ recovery services have tried. when they do go after being flooded some serious shit comes out the exhaust.

as for it works on most cars thats mainy to do with the fact thay aint got a wankel engine fitted.

easy start, brake cleaner can work odd times but normally its a case of removing the plugs, cutting the fuel and cranking the beast over to clean out the fuel, re oil the rotor and then rebuild and try restarting