Advice on buying Mazda RX-8

[yie_zhyper]

Hello there..
i'm a newbie here..
just wondering that i can get some advices here..

i'm planning on buying a Mazda RX-8..
so, could any of you tell me things that i need to know about this car?
i know that this car runs on rotary engine..
need advices on maintenance and etc..

does it worth the money i'm spending on it..??
does the car performance is really suits it's prices..??

 

[csl]

RX8 Club Malaysia

Do not buy if you budget is just ngam ngam pay the installment. Plenty people did that and proven that the ownership not gonna last long.

 

[Autopiazza]

Yup, the engine oil also different, u can't just simply use those on market like other cars.
If u r really serious bout purchasing this baby, maybe u should make a call to this guy in this link below

http://www.zerotohundred.com/newforums/cars-for-sale/401972-wts-blue-mazda-rx-8-for-sale.html

 

[BLaCkHoWLiNG]

don;t buy?

 

[ixeo]

I second that advice. Don't buy.

 

[K2 stanley]

Not don't buy just that if u buy Rx8 u must have the passion on the car n rotary.
Like me n my bro said she's our second wife, need attention, need care and just meet at the weekend.
Once u knew her well, u will hve great fun with her and how sexy she is.
Anyway this is just my personal view.

 

[Jaymz]

1) Cost maintain this machine?
Idemistu Rotary oil cost 58-68 RM per bottle (1 Quart, 0.94L), you need 5 bottles each service, 4 for engine, 1 for top up.

Gear oil depends on brand, you need about 4-5 bottles.. about 150 RM max.. change every 20K KM..

2) How to maintain? Same like normal engine?
Warm up your car before driving.. if forced to drive cold engine.. keep rev below 2k..
Normal engine? no..

check engine oil at approximately every full tank of oil.. or everytime..
check radiator level..

all these before driving.. :3

3) How about labour charge? Workshop?

Different area charges different price.. where are you at?

4) How about spare parts?

Tons of spares and aftermarket ones.. price wise are the same as evos and subarus

Well.. it is expensive for non-car lovers.. its like any other car.. just a bit more delicate.. its got a higher temp engine bay compare to others.. with all the right mod = no problem.. which this is what everyone dont understand why we need to mod to get the issue solved.. and we often question ..isit because there is a flaw in design? Well not all cars are perfect..and thats why there are aftermarket products that brings the stock model to another level..

PPle always question..Why spend so much on mod.. why not just buy a ferrari or lambo.. then no need to mod jor.. ans: Not everyone can afford ma.. and bullshit if they dont mod.. surely will buy rims.. surely will buy turbokit for ferraris.. surely will buy bigger BBK.. same shit la.. confirm will mod this and that..

So what attract you most on a RX8? Looks? mobility?

RX8 is underpowered as the base model do not come with turbo.. but a tuned NA 13B rx8 street car can do 2:37 on SIC.. and 1:50s on Pasir Gudang.. so it proves its drivability :3

Advantage
1) Looks good..exterior and especially the interior..
2) Well balanced car..

Disadvantage
1) Not enough torque.. Max power comes in only at 5000 RPM..

---------- Post added at 09:07 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------

If you wan straight power and good corner speed.. go for Subaru ba.. :3

alot of pple say subaru got no looks.. but.. if you invest in widebody kit.. no one will say no looks :3

 

[huakenny]

the main problems always appear is

EPS aka power steering issue
Water Temp sensor issue
VDi,SSV and Secondary air injection issues

these are what i met most of the time

and dun forget the engine overhauling too

 

[6UE5t]

...

[/COLOR]If you wan straight power and good corner speed.. go for Subaru ba.. :3

alot of pple say subaru got no looks.. but.. if you invest in widebody kit.. no one will say no looks :3

Better yet, get Lancer Evo if you want power and cornering speed plus practicality of a sedan and much better look than Impreza or RX8 IMHO (but again looks are subjective). :)
Anyway back to the original question, since it's a rotary engine, not many workshops can service and not as reliable as regular engine. IMHO the only positive aspect of the RX8 is that it's a good handling RWD car and got nice interior, but that's about it.

 

[Jaymz]

Its a reliable engine.. the only issue we have are the owners.. alot owners cant be bothered..

Mazda's rotary came to fame when 787 won LeMan 24hr.. so what is reliability.. anyways.. thwe whole point is the owner :3

 

[6UE5t]

Still not as reliable as normal engine since it's more 'sensitive' to detonation/knocking so the tuning and fuel quality are more critical for rotary engines. They need to be rebuilt more often than normal engines.
CMIIW though since I'm not a mechanic, let alone a rotary expert. :)

 

[pwhyze]

Shorter maintenance interval doesn't mean it's less reliable, just that it's more 'delicate'. Reliability is defined by how well the component performs under the specified condition for a specified period of time. For an example, let say a rotary engine needs rebuilding/overhaul at 30k km interval. If the engine didn't suffer any problems up to that specified measurement, then it's a reliable engine. A rotary engine needing repairs twice during that 30k km is just as reliable as a normal engine that breaks down twice during it's own specified period (let's say 100k km).

The issue here is, a rotary operates under a different condition compared to a normal engine, therefore it has a differing set of 'standards'. Maintenance is key. You don't treat a dog the same way you treat a cat.

Ask yourself why an RX8. Does the rotary engine factor comes into it? If it doesn't, better look elsewhere is what I would say.

 

[zuruzuruz]

is it true or is it a myth that RX7 > RX8? if that's so, what's the main reason? Is it because uncle wankle died before he managed to complete his design for 13B?

 

[kariayam]

Maybe cost of rebuilding rx7 is a lot cheaper than rx8 and perhaps cheaper compared to all performance car in the same class..spend 4k-5k,u'll get a refreshed engine with new performance apex seals for rx7...
What else to expect with that amount? Maybe only top overhaul for piston engines? :wavey: hehe

 

[6UE5t]

Shorter maintenance interval doesn't mean it's less reliable, just that it's more 'delicate'. Reliability is defined by how well the component performs under the specified condition for a specified period of time. For an example, let say a rotary engine needs rebuilding/overhaul at 30k km interval. If the engine didn't suffer any problems up to that specified measurement, then it's a reliable engine. A rotary engine needing repairs twice during that 30k km is just as reliable as a normal engine that breaks down twice during it's own specified period (let's say 100k km).

The issue here is, a rotary operates under a different condition compared to a normal engine, therefore it has a differing set of 'standards'. Maintenance is key. You don't treat a dog the same way you treat a cat.

Ask yourself why an RX8. Does the rotary engine factor comes into it? If it doesn't, better look elsewhere is what I would say.

Well if say a rotary has to be rebuild every 30K while normal engines can go up to 100K before needing rebuild than IMHO still rotary is not as reliable as normal engines. If it's designed to only last to 30K then my argument is that the design is not as reliable as normal engine design. The way I see it, in the end the numbers does not lie, as simple as that really, especially since people has the choice to buy which one, so it still can/has to be compared to other available choices. I also never said it's not reliable, slightly different meaning there. :)
But again of course comes back to how ready the prospective owner is to maintain the car. Once you commit to buy it, you also commit to follow the way it should be treated/maintained. Do not expect to maintain a Merc like a Perodua. :)

 

[K2 stanley]

Well if say a rotary has to be rebuild every 30K while normal engines can go up to 100K before needing rebuild than IMHO still rotary is not as reliable as normal engines. If it's designed to only last to 30K then my argument is that the design is not as reliable as normal engine design. The way I see it, in the end the numbers does not lie, as simple as that really, especially since people has the choice to buy which one, so it still can/has to be compared to other available choices. I also never said it's not reliable, slightly different meaning there. :)
But again of course comes back to how ready the prospective owner is to maintain the car. Once you commit to buy it, you also commit to follow the way it should be treated/maintained. Do not expect to maintain a Merc like a Perodua. :)

Brother there are plenty of Rx8 owner clock more than 100k without rebuild. The person who always rebuild the engine is either they dunno how to take care rotary or their sifu does not know how to build it probably. 'KNOW HOW' is very important my fren.
If u r comparing Rx series with others then u shouldn't get it. Once drive it then u will knew the fun of it. I do agree she need more attention compare with some brand.

 

[pwhyze]

Well if say a rotary has to be rebuild every 30K while normal engines can go up to 100K before needing rebuild than IMHO still rotary is not as reliable as normal engines. If it's designed to only last to 30K then my argument is that the design is not as reliable as normal engine design. The way I see it, in the end the numbers does not lie, as simple as that really, especially since people has the choice to buy which one, so it still can/has to be compared to other available choices. I also never said it's not reliable, slightly different meaning there. :)
But again of course comes back to how ready the prospective owner is to maintain the car. Once you commit to buy it, you also commit to follow the way it should be treated/maintained. Do not expect to maintain a Merc like a Perodua. :)

I never implied you said rotaries are not reliable. I was trying to show the real definition of reliability. Like I said, just because it needs more regular maintenance, doesn't mean it's not reliable. If it was designed to last 30k km, at that's how long it actually last, then it has fulfill it's expected operation period. Therefore it's reliable.

Now, if 30k km is woefully short compared to a normal engine's 100k km, then it's more a question of fundamental design deficiency instead of reliability.

I'm not saying that rotaries have shorter life cycle, just that they need more 'care'. So why some people choose rotary? Well, same thing..why Ferrari is sticking to normally aspirated V12 when others are going turbo? You can answer that yourself

 

[6UE5t]

Brother there are plenty of Rx8 owner clock more than 100k without rebuild. The person who always rebuild the engine is either they dunno how to take care rotary or their sifu does not know how to build it probably. 'KNOW HOW' is very important my fren.
If u r comparing Rx series with others then u shouldn't get it. Once drive it then u will knew the fun of it. I do agree she need more attention compare with some brand.

I also never said RX8 engine has to be rebuilt every 100K km, did I? :)
I know that 'know how' is important in maintaining anything. But needing more attention to me means it will not last without that extra attention, hence not as reliable as more conventional engines in my book. :)
And yes I will never get an RX8 or even the legendary RX7 because to me I do feel I have to compare with others when I want to buy cars, and I'd rather go with other more conventional choices despite the good handling of the RX8. Btw I'm not the one who's thinking to buy it in this thread though. :)

---------- Post added at 12:08 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 12:03 AM ----------

I never implied you said rotaries are not reliable. I was trying to show the real definition of reliability. Like I said, just because it needs more regular maintenance, doesn't mean it's not reliable. If it was designed to last 30k km, at that's how long it actually last, then it has fulfill it's expected operation period. Therefore it's reliable.

Now, if 30k km is woefully short compared to a normal engine's 100k km, then it's more a question of fundamental design deficiency instead of reliability.

I'm not saying that rotaries have shorter life cycle, just that they need more 'care'. So why some people choose rotary? Well, same thing..why Ferrari is sticking to normally aspirated V12 when others are going turbo? You can answer that yourself

Well like I said above, need more care in my book means it would not last as long without that extra care, hence not as reliable. I guess we just have to agree to disagree then on the definition. :)

 

[Jaymz]

Hmmm.. Heated conversation..

Stock 13B-REW.. if I blew it.. I will rebuild it again to Bridge Port..
13B-REW Bridge Port.. if I blew it.. I will rebuild it again to 20B N/A..
20B N/A.. if I blew it.. I will rebuid it again to 20B Turbo..
20B Turbo.. if I blew it.. I will rebuild it again to 26B N/A..
26B.. By this time I think 20 years would have passed.. kakaka

Oh yeah.. Im on 13B-REW Street Port..going bridge Port once I blew it.. hmm might take 2-3 years i think..

 

[pwhyze]

Haha..sure. Just keep in mind that reliability is also an engineering disipline (Reliability Engineering), therefore it has a specified engineering definition, in which I have described as best as I could in my earlier post...Cheers.