ScratchMB

Hello, I am pretty new to the whole car part of life. I am only 20 and I got my first car about a year ago. I was looking to get a nice looking sporty car, and I found the RX8 and I love how the look top to bottom.
I researched more into the car and found out that it's a rotary engine and I looked more into that, and found out all the keeping up and stuff needed to maintain your engine.
Me being someone new to the whole car thing is it even worth it for me to get into the whole rotary engine thing, I only live 2 miles from my work but I plan on going on trips in my car every half year.
I am unsure if I should even bother getting into the RX8s cause I dont want to break the engine from not caring for it correctly, what do you exactly have to do to maintain it, or how much is it to replace it with a standard engine and is it worth it?

I looked up for a little bit on the car and I am aware that there are procedures to starting and stopping the car after use, but I really dont think it's going to be worth the time to do that for only driving 2 miles.

Any replies are well appreciated

Davs

My 2 cents. I love my 8. Even if at times she seems to have a mind of her own (in a good way). All I do for care for my 8 (besides normal maintenance) change the oil every 3k miles, check her oil every other fill up and top off if needed. I do premix a bit but it's not necessary for the most part. I bought the cooling fan mod to turn the fans on earlier to prevent overheating. My last engine lasted to 137k without special treatment and only died bc she had a coolant seal failure from over heating mid summer in completely stopped traffic. Not the cars fault. Engine actually still had great compression. Contrary to popular belief, I don't rev her to 9k every drive, and not that often in general tbh. I drive her "hard"ish everyday for a few corners omw home but not usually exceeding 7k. Also have a obd2 to monitor temps. She's been very great and reliable. Let the engine warm up before revving her or driving her hard, personally I never even free rev it. Also let it warm up b4 shutting it down. Shouldn't have problems flooding anyways but just in case. GET A COMPRESSION TEST.

Davs

Ps. Unless u got loads of cash or a great mechanical know how I wouldn't mess with trying to swap it out for a "standard" engine. I've been to many junkyards and have seen plenty original engined rx8 s past 200k miles. Even the automatics. Parts can be expensive to replace tho, so don't go thinking she's a straight line dragster or a drift missile from the get go. Modifying is also expensive. My 13brew shortblock just finished being put together 6k later if that says anything

Steve Dallas

Welcome to the forum.

If you have not already, read these threads in their entirety. This will give you a good overall picture of what this car is about and what the ownership experience is like.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...rx-8-a-233937/

No car likes frequent 2 mile trips, as the oil never reaches operating temperature. The RX-8 really doesn't like it.

Replacing the engine with a standard engine costs upwards of $20K, if you have a reputable shop do the work. If you have a less reputable shop do it, figure on spending twice as much as the quote and having it take twice as long as promised. In other words, it isn't really an option.

TheFirstValkyrie

Go test drive one or few. Really open it up, and see how it makes you feel. That's why we own them. The maintenence and care for rotaries (RX8 included) isn't as crazy or elaborate as it may seem. Basically, it's very much like any other sports car, except that you just need to stay on top of a few extra things to keep it healthy. But always remember that rotaries don't typically live long. 80k miles on average before rebuild. There are plenty of threads here on everything to help you keep it healthy and hopefully a long life.

I'd recommend against swapping for a "standard" piston engine. That's a huge chunk of change that could be used on maintenance for many years and the inevitable rebuild down the road. You'd be saving money keeping the rotary in there.

After you do some test drives and actually on the brink of buying, just be ready for the commitment it takes to keep a rotary alive and well.

tl;dr
don't buy an RX8 lol

mazdaverx7

iTrader: (6)

The Renesis 13B typically doesn't live much more than 100k miles, but some have gone much more if cared for properly. The older rotaries in teh 1st and 2nd generation RX-7 will last 150k or more without question. I've seen club members in an 84 or 85 GSL-SE having over 300k miles on an original 13B EGI engine. So research the 8 and why the engine fails and take steps to prevent engine failure.

gwilliams6

Ditto Mazdaverx7, all my RX7s (all three generations) with 13b engines (NA and Turbo) lasted well over 100k miles each,and had good compression when I sold them (even my track car). But sadly my first Renesis engine lasted only shy of 70k, before borderline low compression had me opt for a remanufactured replacement rotary. Some last much longer mileage, some even less. But like we all say, there are several important steps to helping your Renesis have a chance at a long life.

If you get the car, we can help you with commonsense maintenance and operating advice.

Read all the links that Steve Dallas posted.

jorlanjm

My daily driver 1990 RX7 GXL 5spd MT made it up to 210,000 miles before having low compression.... It was still running at 250,000 miles till i had a frame crack and it was deemed freeway hazard and i had to junk it...and drove a 2004 corolla and a 2016 prius after that...

Back in October 2016 I bought a 2nd gen 2010 RX8 GT 6spd MT at 52,512 miles cause i really miss the rotary engine...theres really nothing like it... The closest you can get to it drivability is the FRS/BRZ/86 then its still dont have the powerplant characteristics as the RENESIS engine.

of course i still want an RX7 FD3S but the RX8 has more versatility i needed LOL

gwilliams6

Yes, the FDs are super fast and handle amazingly. I had a red 1993 touring model FD and loved it, but like you said Jorlanjm, the RX8 has more versatility. I do regret not keeping my FD (divorce and all happening at the time). But I will keep this RX8 as long are there are parts available, hopefully for many, many more years to come.

wannawankel

Same boat for me - I bought the RX8 because it is an amazing sports car that met all of my criteria: great handling, 4 seats, daily driver capable, low price of entry, great support (this site! and rotards in the business of keeping us running), relative time/cost to maintain, and parts availability. I bought the Series 2 because I could afford it. Would I rather have had an FC or FD - hell yes - especially the FD. But the 2 seats and relative time/cost to maintain was a deal breaker right now.

jorlanjm

Well with my old 1990 RX7 GXL actually was a 2+2 but the back seats were not really that usable compared to the RX8.

Actualy I think the RX8 is the only sports car thats actually a legit 2+2 LOL