Hello,

I am thinking about getting a RX-8 but I have some questions if you guys are willing to indulge me.

One, how reliable are these cars and two what is the price on the up keep? Lastly, I assume because it is a rotary engine any and all repairs are generally relegated to the Mazda dealership unless you can find a experienced tuner?

Also how is tuning on these cars, easy, a gamble? I know the last gen RX-7 can be one of the biggest pains with tuning so I am hoping this one doesn't follow suite.

I appreciate any and all help.

holy cow, do yourself a favor and do a search before it gets too ugly. This is a great site with an immense amount of information...but you will save yourself a lot of grief if you search for the topic of your questions before posting them (for the most part, if someone has a question, it's already been asked!)

Overall though, they are reliable...and don't require much more maintenance than any other car you've owned. There are some great rotary mechanics around, too...Petit has a supercharger out that some of the members here have had put in...

I have 33K on mine and all I've done is oil,filters,tires, thats about it. Runs stronger then when it was new. Seventh Mazda Rotary and never been disappointed yet.

holy cow, do yourself a favor and do a search before it gets too ugly. This is a great site with an immense amount of information...but you will save yourself a lot of grief if you search for the topic of your questions before posting them (for the most part, if someone has a question, it's already been asked!)

Overall though, they are reliable...and don't require much more maintenance than any other car you've owned. There are some great rotary mechanics around, too...Petit has a supercharger out that some of the members here have had put in...
thank you for the response. I plan to keep the car naturally aspirated if I do get one. My only real question was about reliability and maintenance/upkeep.

I plan/hope to move to nashville soon and I don't think they have to many tuner shops I would trust to touch a import no less a rotary so what ever mods I did would be light (intake and exhaust probably).

Anyway I appreciate the information, I graduate in Decemeber, so as soon as I can get the heck out of south florida and on to a more affordable place I can then start looking around for a rx-8

thx again

when you do get it...you'll LOVE it

i don't find the maintenance any more onerous than my saab 92x aero.

.....oh and good luck on just getting intake and exhaust, LOL. Boy if i had a nickle for every time i heard that.........

South FL is a better place between your two choices to be if you want good rotary tuners/technicians.

to bad I hate this place with a passion other wise it wouldn't be a issue :(