Test Drove an RX-8

[legion]

I test drove an RX-8 on Friday. I'm seriously considering getting one.

I've heard that you have to rev the engine to keep it in the power band, but I found it easier to drive than my old 951.

Like the Z3 I was looking at before, what should I look out for in an RX-8?

[Two Rivers]

If I remember the factory horse power numbers where in dispute and Mazda was buying them back. I guess the buyers were not happy with the power and torque so the ones that complained got out of them selling them back to Mazda.

I personally like driving them when they come in for service. The fuel mileage is not that great from what I hear. I know the older ones had terrible fuel mileage for the size.

[HardDrive]

I know someone who owned one, and she had constant problems. Something to do with fouling plugs/ignition system. After the third flat bed trip to the dealer, she dumped it.

[Rot 911]

I owned one for about a year. Manual transmission and the GT package. Fun car, but just never really excited me.

[ShakinJoe]

Legion,

They must get up to temp each drive. No 2 mile drives to quick mart or you will have issues. Gas mileage blows but thy rev like crazy.

[TimT]

I instructed a guy who had an RX-8 at Watkins Glen a few years ago.... We both got a chuckle coming into the pits when the MPG readout indicated an avg. of 8 MPG for a 30 minute track session...

Nice car, but lacking in the gonad dept..

[nzporsche944s2]

Very heavy oil consumption - something like a litre of oil every 1000 miles was considered normal

[TimNiceBut]

The oil consumption is normal, simply because there is oil injected to the combustion chamber to improve the lifetime of the apex seals. All rotaries consume oil, it's part of their charm (yes, I've owned several).

RX8s improved over time so it's a good idea to buy one that's as new as the budget can stand. From memory, Mazda has a 7-8 year/100k miles engine warranty, but you need to be able to prove that every oil change has been done according to the book. The earlier ones have well publicised issues with the coil packs, so check if those have been changed if you're looking at an early RX8.

As mentioned previously in this thread, do not under any circumstances turn off a rotary engine before it has had a chance to warm up. Due to the shape of the combustion chambers, they inject an ungodly amount of fuel when cold and the engine is guaranteed to flood if you turn it off after it's only run for a minute or two. Unflooding a rotary engine is not a fun thing to do, especially in a comparatively cramped engine bay like the RX8s.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a 2005 with 25k, it's a fantastic car. My only knock is that the back seat only has two seats, albeit they are pretty large. I have three kids, and being one seat short for the family has caused trouble a few times. My only problem - I can't find anything that I like better. Just for fun I've driven local BMWs, a Mazdaspeed3, a WRX, and some other interesting cars, getting back into the RX8 is always an improvement.

The car just feels right to me. Great seat, great layout, great shifter, great brakes, responsive and rev happy motor, great ride/handling compromise. It's just a lot of fun to drive. It's been dead reliable during my ownership, which is going on a year. I replaced the coil packs and spark plugs right after I purchased it, the early coil packs were known to wear out quickly and the new ones are more robust. Everything was under $200 and I've never had any issues with flooding, which is largely due to a weak ignition system or starter. Engine warranty is 8 years or 80k, I'm going to get a compression test on mine just in case next year before it expires, but I have no reason to be concerned. I'd put my oil use at probably a quart every 1000 miles, largely around town driving. As nzporsche noted they are supposed to use oil to help lubricate the apex seals, it's part of how the rotary is designed. MPG is mediocre, I get about 16 MPG in town with a moderately heavy foot, it's honestly my only knock on the car. Mine is stock except for a K&N panel filter, Koni Yellows, and I added a Bluetooth/iPod kit.

Frankly I can't say enough good things about it, they are fantastic cars and a great deal in the used market. The only real issue is the engine compression loss, which is most prevalent in the 2004 models but still occurs in the later Series 1 cars. If concerned you can always have a compression test done, but try to find a dealer familiar with rotary engines. It's a specialized procedure that is different than a conventional compression test. Otherwise they're really robust cars.

[Joe Ricard]

Had an 05 sport for 5 years bought it new with 7 miles on it. Left the dealer lot and jumped on the interstate 100 MPH in 4th gear for about 5 miles. Car was fast handled like my 928 minus the torque. shifted way better, Was actually faster 0-60 and a tick better in the quarter mile. amazingly the same MPG best part was all the little widgets in the mazda worked.

Yes the motor liked to get revved to red line under load once a week. So on ramps were the best part of the drive. It's actually a requirement to long engine life.

[onewhippedpuppy]

That is fun to note. RX8 motors that aren't revved often are subject to carbon buildup, much like the old 911s. Automatics are much more prone to the issue because they have a lower redline. The dealership commonly uses a carbon remover/cleaner kit before engine replacement, because carbon buildup can have similar compression loss symptoms. There's just something endearing about a car that REQUIRES you to drive it hard.

[johnsjmc]

My limited experience with a rotary says it,s alot like a light bulb ,runs great but can fail suddenly. I have dismantled a couple with broken rotor tip seals. The chamber walls are destroyed and can,t be rebored like a conventional engine. mazda exchange engines are your only alternative. Fuel mileage is terrible ,my 2012 F150 (5.0 v8 ) gets better at about 16 mpg around town

[onewhippedpuppy]

If I remember my reading correctly on the Renesis, it's the apex seals that typically fail. In most cases I think the engine can be rebuilt, but a Mazda reman core is often more cost effective. I get a consistent 16 MPG around town, and I definitely rev it when driving.

[fluque]

I had a 2004 RX8 and really liked the car. Drove it for 2.5 years without a problem and sold it because I moved.

Lots of fun and very practical. The downside was lousy MPG and cheap quality interior controls.

[johnsjmc]

The rotor tip seals fail and pieces are often carried around the chamber/rotor housing which scores the walls.This has been the failure mode for all the iterations of the wankel rotary. Tip seal materials have changed oil injection etc have helped but still when they fail not if. The chamber is not round but rather figure 8 shaped. It cant be over bored or sleeved like a cylinder can. Mazda exchange motors are available but expensive.
From an enthusiast standpoint they do rev like crazy ,are lightweight but gas mileage is awful.

[GH85Carrera]

The worst thing about any roatry is the engine noise. Even a Harley with straight pipes sounds better than a rotary. That is like saying brussel sprouts taste better than boiled cabbage.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

The worst thing about any roatry is the engine noise. Even a Harley with straight pipes sounds better than a rotary. That is like saying brussel sprouts taste better than boiled cabbage.

To each his own, I totally disagree. I enjoy the sound, and if I keep the car will probably install some form of conservative cat back such as a Racing Beat system. It beats the hell out of a 4-cylinder or V6.

[Amail]

Piston engines go "Boing, Boing, Boing" but the Mazda goes "Mmmmmm".

[legion]

I drove two more today. The first was a 2004 with 50k miles. Dealer was asking $12k. I really liked it.

I went off for lunch while the dealer pulled another 2004 RX-8 with 92k miles from a different lot. I was pretty sure that I was going to put in an offer on the first one.

When I got back, I was told that the first had sold while I was out. They were asking $7k for the second one. It was rough. The interior was trashed, there was oil all over the engine compartment, alignment was out, rust in the wheel wells, and Mitsubishi wheels!? The test drive confirmed my fears. Halfway through the test drive, the salesperson simply said: "You're not buying this, let's go back."

[onewhippedpuppy]

$12k? I already told you, I'd sell you my excellent condition 2005 with 26k for not much more.