View Full Version : Thinking of purchasing a 2006 RX-8, some concerns


yulandop
08-04-2009, 02:01 PM
hello, i'm new to the board.
I had a toyota MR2, and now i want to upgrade to the RX8, however my concerns are about the rotary engine.
I have heard stories about the frailty of the rotary engin in the RX8.
I usually put about 150-200 miles a day on my car for work, and this could be a major problem. Does anyone have any advice, or information on the engine?
Should i go for something else, is this car too frail for everyday driving?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

SayNoToPistons
08-04-2009, 02:05 PM
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alfy28
08-04-2009, 02:16 PM
hello, i'm new to the board.
I had a toyota MR2, and now i want to upgrade to the RX8, however my concerns are about the rotary engine.
I have heard stories about the frailty of the rotary engin in the RX8.
I usually put about 150-200 miles a day on my car for work, and this could be a major problem. Does anyone have any advice, or information on the engine?
Should i go for something else, is this car too frail for everyday driving?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

hmm i wouldnt want to put these type of miles on any sports car. probably best to get a econo car. but that is just my opinion.

expo1
08-04-2009, 02:19 PM
hello, i'm new to the board.
I usually put about 150-200 miles a day on my car for work,
If you work 5 days a week plan on refueling 3-4 times a week.

is this car too frail for everyday driving?
No, with regular maintenance this can be a fine daily driver. The engine also has a warranty for 100,000 miles.

cyclone1208
08-04-2009, 02:22 PM
you will get killed by gas......go hybrid

Bigbacon
08-04-2009, 02:23 PM
200 miles is almost an entire tank of gas for some people. You will be putting LOTS of fuel in the vehicle weekly.

77mjd
08-04-2009, 02:32 PM
With that kind of commute Ill assume its mostly highway driving, but even then, Id only expect 20-21 mpg tops so the amount you will have to spend on gas should definitely be taken into consideration. I have about a 40 mile round trip everyday for work and I think that is a lot.

ken-x8
08-04-2009, 02:34 PM
If you can afford the gas, and the annoyance of filling up every day (as opposed to every other day for an economy car) it will stand up just fine. I presume those miles are mostly highway? 200 stop and go miles would be a killer for any car.

2006 is a good year to get. Has the bigger starter, less fragile sun visor and heater knob, and comes with the rock screen in front of the AC condenser.

Ken

REsuperD
08-04-2009, 03:02 PM
for that kind of commuting miles, f*** hybrids, get a tdi. or better yet, keep the mr2 (unless you already got rid it), especially if it's an n/a

rx8phase1
08-04-2009, 03:06 PM
well if u do get it im selling my 06 black rx-8

NotAPreppie
08-04-2009, 05:58 PM
TDI FTW.

Except you'll pay for repairs out the nose when the warranty is up.

CarAndDriver
08-04-2009, 09:46 PM
Civic for sure.

laythor
08-05-2009, 01:15 AM
move closer to work

Gray06
08-05-2009, 08:07 AM
Honda

Hoss
08-05-2009, 08:30 AM
With that kind of commute Ill assume its mostly highway driving, but even then, Id only expect 20-21 mpg tops so the amount you will have to spend on gas should definitely be taken into consideration. I have about a 40 mile round trip everyday for work and I think that is a lot.
That is being generous...

cidvicious831
08-05-2009, 08:39 AM
yeah, stick with a toyota. mabe a camary. thats the car that i had and i gave it 270,000 miles and its still running. great car for a long commute!

ken-x8
08-05-2009, 08:49 AM
probably best to get a econo car
Civic for sure.
move closer to work
Honda

He said he's coming off an MR2. Give him credit for having a soul...he's just seeking info, not advice on how to make his life dull. ;)

Ken

expo1
08-05-2009, 08:52 AM
A beater might also be an option. Back when gas was over $4.00 a gallon I was also driving 400 miles a week just to go to work. I picked up a 2000 Saturn that gets almost 40 MPG hwy and just drove it to work 3-4 times a week. That was just enough to save $$ and lower the miles I was putting on my 8. It wasn't like I was doing anything fun sitting on the Garden State Parkway anyway.

alfy28
08-05-2009, 10:31 AM
He said he's coming off an MR2. Give him credit for having a soul...he's just seeking info, not advice on how to make his life dull. ;)

Ken

Its not that I am trying to give him a hard time. But if your driving 200-300 miles a day, a sports car wouldn’t be my choice for a daily driver. I would be looking at a mazda 3, or some car in that category. But like I said, that is my opinion.

Not sure how big his wallet is for gas. Guess I am just being logical . any how good luck tc.

nycgps
08-05-2009, 10:58 AM
Well, if you love the car, you wouldn't mind to refuel it every other day (it hurts I know ...)

but hmm, if Im you, I would get the smallest engine car I can find. a Honda FIT or maybe a Mazda 3 or a Toyota Yaris.

rodjonathan
08-05-2009, 11:08 AM
yea for a journey that long a smaller engine would be a good idea that being said i drive my 8 almost 150 miles a day and more on the weekends and i do have to fil up every other day (my driving is very spirited)

RufusVonStorm
08-05-2009, 12:43 PM
Agree with everyone else, get a small 4-banger for the commute and something fun for the weekend.

CarAndDriver
08-05-2009, 10:45 PM
Hyundai Genesis coupe.

blackenedwings
08-05-2009, 10:52 PM
Definitely get a cheap beater for the commute say 4/5 days of the week. Take your nicer car in on Friday and drive it around on the weekends. You wouldn't want to put that many miles on any sports car, and honestly the mileage is going to eat gas almost regardless of what performance car you drive. It's a rare performance vehicle you can get that doubles as an economy fuel saving commuter vehicle. I live 10-15 min from work so I don't mind commuting in my 8 most days, but I have a backup car as well for bad weather, or when the car is in the shop. For the ridiculously low prices you can get an RX-8 for now, its no big deal to drop the extra few bucks for a cheap reliable beater.

Symbioticgenius
08-05-2009, 11:16 PM
Toyota Yaris FTW.
I got one of them as a rental. I must say, that is one fun little, funny looking, 25 MPG Combined getting POS. I got 25 with my foot to the floor every step of the way.

Its actually pretty peppy too after a nice cali tune up. If it wasn't atrocious looking I would consider replacing the Altima with it. Dead serious

Just did quick research. its only 2300 lbs. thats lighter than a Miata... It felt light, but hmm. Kinda interesting considering all the new safety gear making cars heavy nowadays. Good job Toyota.

Starting Price. 12000
Just build a 4 door 5 speed with some nice add-ons for 19000.
Damn...
I can't believe I'm pondering this lol

User24
08-06-2009, 12:12 AM
No, rx8 is perfect for you.

Contrary to popular myth, it is not about the "twisties". That foolish talk comes from people who never race anyway, who are those posers kidding. Not me.

The rx8 is at its best in the long straightaway. As in, 100 mile stretches of road. At normal elevations, rx8 is the best long distance commuter car.

Smoothest feeling, best mileage, best running reliability--those 3 are realized in the long, long distance drive.

Just keeps going and going, long as you stay out of the Colorado mountains 14,000 feet.

Driving through cornfields, deserts, mountain passes.. as long as its not snowing there's nothing better than rx8. It's more like a horse or airplane than car, at these distances.

boizart1
08-06-2009, 02:22 AM
They can be reliable if well taken care of I think...but not really. Nothing like a piston engine, lets all be honest with outselves. They break even if taken care of. I wouldnt recommend it for u

ken-x8
08-06-2009, 08:32 AM
...Guess I am just being logical . any how good luck tc.

Logic is very often overrated. ;)

I think someone who's had an MR2 (or any sports car) and still wants another sports car knows what they're doing...or at least what they want. And can do the math on mileage, etc. Very different from the common first posts that go "I just graduated from kindergarten and have have earned some money on my paper route. Is the RX-8 right for me?"

Yul probably gets "Get rid of that Japanese toy and buy a nice Aveo" all the time from his mother in law.

Ken

yulandop
08-06-2009, 06:31 PM
Thanks, I guess my best bet is to take the advice of getting a rageddy 4cylinder to drive for work and have fun with with the RX on the weekends :)
The reason i chose the RX8 is the wife was complaining that my next car should seat 4 people.:mad:

The only logical choice was an RX8, or Infinity G-35. The G-35's are unreasonably high priced IMO.

So i opted to the RX8

tmak26b
08-06-2009, 06:53 PM
I traded in a 400HP Corvette and a 4.5L Q45 for a Prius & RX-8, can't win them all...