I have been lurking here for a couple months. It seems like a lot of people have had engines fail at low mileage (<50,000). Does this seem like a real problem with the rotary? About how much does it cost to get an engine replaced?

If the failures were all on modded cars or race cars, I wouldn't be concerned, but it seems like a lot of the failures are on cars that really shouldn't have engine failures.

I am planning to buy a new car this fall. The RX8 is at the top of my list, but there are four others on the list (driven all but one, they won't let me test a Speed3). I know most of the quirks that the RX8 has and I think am willing to accept them. I was thinking about getting a 2004/2005, but it seems like they have a lot of trouble. If I have to drop a ton of cash on an engine failure within a couple years of buying it, well, I am going to be pretty unsatisfied with my car. I can afford a new one, but I don't really want to pay $30k for a car.

 

when you lurk do you read the suggestion of "use the search button"? that will answer all of your questions.

 

all the engine failures are like less than 1% of the owners, you'll read about them hear but the reality is for every one engine failed there are 1000 running just fun.

Oh and no prob buying used, you'll get a much better deal. My 04 was bought in 05 with 17,000 miles for 21k.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Some engines have failed but it isn't prevalent. Usually the failures are related to carbon build up from a lack of revs. Others are the unfortunate lemons that every manufacturer manages to produce.
Yes the rotary needs to be driven hard. Search around a bit and you'll find out more...

Good luck

 

^too

 

I certainly have not seen a reliability problem with the RX-8. Mine just rolled over 40,000 miles and runs great.

 

I havne't had any reliability problems except the car used to not start on cold mornings ... that's been fixed for a while now.

 

No

 

Approaching 10,000 miles of use, no problems except the gas cap recall. Other than that, nothing to report in the way of a defect of any kind.

 

Forums like this are a clearinghouse for the disgruntled owner.

That said, about 1/4 of the '8s I have direct contact with have had their motors replaced for one reason or another (not including mine).
So, 25% is a bit more than 1%. The overall reality probably falls somewhere in the middle, which is still a lot of motor replacements.

 

I hate threads like this because they are just bunk - some tool from the outside posting crap.

 

Stew, you shouldn't talk about MM that way... Just look at his avatar!

 

Heh!

 

I really like the Honda Civic.

 

true, but you are in the climate region that was having failures.

 

lets see

Do a search and try to find out how many people on this forum actually have engine failures

Then do a search and try to find out who never had any engine problems. Remember, when someone didnt say anything, that means his engine has no problem, count that in.

In the end, SEARCH IS UR FRIEND.

(P.S: Like my, 05, never had any engine problem. idles smoothly at around 810-820 most of the time, even with A/C)

 

Don't forget about the Scion box cars; I hear their motors are fabulous.

 

The most common problem reported on this forum is the engine fails to make enough horsepower.

 

And a bunch of guys from the "inside" disregarding something that might really be a problem just to make themselves feel better.

 

I never had engine problems. And I treat my 8 like crap.....