nightfli

Ok I am not an owner yet, but it has been my dream car ever since i first laid eyes on the '01 RX-8 Concept. (and yes, it has been a long 10 years in that regard!) I have done a fair bit of research on the RX-8 so I understand most of the 'quirks' of owning one.

My question for now is, if you are looking at spending $15-20K anyway, is it better to go with a low-mileage '05 to '08 model or go with (as I understand it, the less problematic engines of) the '09 + model?

I realize I may have to wait a few months, as most '09s I have seen are right around if not above the $20K mark. Aesthetically speaking, I prefer the looks of the '05 to '08s. But it seems from what I've read Mazda made a fair bit of adjustments to the '09 engines so that that model would possibly have a longer life straight from stock, than the older models.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

for better engine reliability (possibly. Unconfirmed) and longer warranty, get 09+

For modding purposes or future FI, get 08-

edit: if you go for a series 1 (04-08) get 06+

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Engine wise the 09+ have many improvements over the 03-08 Renesis. However, if you get a low mileage 08' you have a 8 year 100k warranty on the engine so................


Choose for yourself.

oltmann

S2s will become much more attractive if they ever get the Axial Flow shifter. That is the one mod I would suggest to any owner, whether or not they are interested in mods, and it still isn't available for 09+.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

At this point, we can only speculate as to the engine reliability of the '09-later models. The question then becomes whether or not you may want to re-flash your PCM. If so, seek a 2006-2008 model. If not, seek a 2009-later model.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

Like CRH said, with an S1 you have some more flexability with mods and tuning, you can flash the ECU, commit maps, and there is a pretty large community of boosted S1's that have gathered a bunch of experience over the years.

Really depends on where you want to go with the car. At the moment the S2's are looking pretty reliable, but dont plan on doing too much tuning with them just yet as there really aren't many vendors that have cracked the ECU / not a big enough market yet for them to profit off of it.

For what it's worth, I have had mine for about 1 year and have had no problems and nothing but great experiences.

ZumnRx8

Turbo or Supercharger- 2006+
Stock with minor bolt on upgrades (flywheel, clutch, header, mid pipe, exhaust, intake) 2009+

My nephew has an 09 and dynoed at 180whp stock, some S1 8s need a coulple of bolt ons, an AP tune and run a race pipe to even get close to that HP.

I can only imagine that an S2 8 can get 190whp+ with some NA bolt ons listed above.

Beefy98

If you prefer the looks of the S1 then get that. Get an 07-08, one owner that can show proof of oil changes, I mean u still have the 100K motor warranty..I'm not sure I'll ever get used to some of the styling aspects of my S2, or the horrendous oil changes, but I love the car nonetheless.

Beefy98

check this one out..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...item3f090ef2ad

Beodude

iTrader: (3)

I like series I, so I say go for that. More mods, and you can premix to help keep the engine alive. If you get an 08, you'll have plenty of warranty left too. Personally, I can't stand the look of the series II for some reason. Maybe it's because like the OP, the RX-8 (series I) was my dream car?

rx8r3mike

i think a R3 looks better than any other RX8 made. but the non R3 is not that great to look at.

terch1

iTrader: (2)

As others have mentioned it depends on what route you want to go with the car. '09s and on have very little options available as far as aftermarket parts go. So if you plan on modding the car go with the series I. I have test driven the '09 and like the feel of my modded '05 better.

nightfli

Thanks everyone for all the advice

I know what I want: Silver, manual, fog lights, sunroof, low miles. I guess I will just have to weigh the pros and cons of s1 vs s2.

I was talking to a fellow car-lover at work today, he's an avid admirer of the RX-8 but with kids doesn't feel its too practical. But he did pose a question that did make me wonder -- why don't we see many RX-8's on the road? (I don't know if I can/should say where I live, but it's in a major city, in a major metropolitan area.) I mean it's not like it's only been produced for a couple of years -- it's now on it's 8th year. And it's in current production.

Also -- over a year, what can I expect to pay for maintenance and repairs, in comparison to an Accord? (assuming both cars are in relatively good condition, and haven't been abused or anything.)

rx8r3mike

there are a lot of people who don't believe in the rotary engine. more people would want "normal" engine car. by it being rare is what makes the car that much better.

Bladecutter

There are actually quite a few of them out on the road, and you will start noticing them more now that you have one. That's just the way it is.

As for why they aren't as popular as Camry's and Accords, that's simple:

Gas mileage is poor in comparison to the Accord or Camry.
Doesn't hold as many people as the Accord or Camry.
Not as much leg room as the Accord or Camry.
Suspension is stiffer than the Accord or Camry.
Engine is less reliable than the Accord or Camry.
RWD makes it harder for bad drivers to drive in bad weather than the Accord or Camry.

So that makes the RX-8 a fringe market car.
Welcome to the Fringe!

BC.

rx8r3mike

why would you compare a rx8 to a car like that? compare to it other sports car. there are more accord and camrys than most sports car other there lol.....
reasons why the rx8 is not as common as other sports car, like 350z, 370z, mustangs, camaros STis, etc.... is because of the engine.

it uses as much gas as a v8, lacks Torque. is not mod friendly, like a v8 or v6 or turbo v4. things like that is why people stopped buying the rx8 years ago.

yes the car is cool, and the engine does have some cool things about it, like 9k+ redline, light weight. sounds great too the car handles like a dream. but whats a great handling car without the power needed when you are not taking a turn? people want the whole package. power and handling. just to note, i love the rx8. but thats why people do not buy the car.

Bladecutter

I didn't make the comparison, Nightfli asked that very question, and I answered it.

As for the cars you compared it to, the RX-8 beats them all in agility and handling, but when it comes to raw power, that's where every one of those cars takes the lead.

Its up to the individual person to decide if they prefer raw power, or fantastic handling. Some people live in areas where handling does them no good (Florida). Other people live in places where a well handling car is a prized possession (Colorado).

I live in the latter, and I have mountain roads aplenty, plus I also have several fantastic road course tracks to spend quality time on.

Plus, it seems that the little rotary engine doesn't suffer as badly to altitude power loss as a piston engine does, from my couple of jaunts well above 10k feet so far. I can't wait until Squaw Pass (Colorado 103) is clear from top to bottom, so I can give her a proper test.

BC.

rx8r3mike

well you make good points. and they are all 100% true. but again back to nightfli question. he was asking why don't we don't see many rx8s on the road. and the answer is that "most" people want raw power. they want to go fast in a straight line. i had a 09 r3, i know these cars are a joy to drive. but most people looking to buy a sports car are not just looking at handling and agility. a lot of people do not have the mountains you have. i sure don't! i live in michigan, the road here are not sports car friendly.

i give lots of respect to rx8 owners because its a real drivers car. but i was bit by the HP bug, and needed something more a little more power under the hood. i will never forget the car. it was a joy. but in the end i sold the car because of its engine. and that the reason why you don't see as many rx8s on the road.

nightfli

Interesting, that is true. I've thought about all the oiling the car aspect (ha) and the mpg... but i still love it. As it says in my signature, I've loved it (and it's been my dream car) ever since I saw the '01 RX-8 concept car. I sent away for the mousepad, and still see the damn thing every day... sigh lol... but I still want one!

What do y'all think of this one? Is it a good deal? Just not sure it's worth the trip up to Dallas. It's not the color I want (silver) but the 'winning blue' is still sharp! Plus there's been a lot of after-market work done (that I won't have to worry about!). (Why does it remind me of the Fast & Furious?!

Here is the link:
http://www.sewell.com/web/used/Mazda...ition_id=10426

rx8r3mike

looks good. but i have zero experienced with buying rx8s. unless its a new old. i never looked into it. good luck what every you decide !

Romboter

They need to drop that price by $2-4k in my opinion for an '05

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

The 8 is also a relatively egoless car - rather the opposite of Porcshe/BMW/Benz/Audi. A lot more people seek the approval of others more than they seek to walk their own path. It's also much more demanding of the driver to drive well/fast. How much skill does it take to push down with one's right foot? On the track it's been shown a bizillion times before how well the RX can do against vastly higher-powered competition. On the street, it's seldom possible to use 238 hp sanely, much less 450 hp. More fun to drive a "slow" car fast than a fast car slow.

supergoat

Though the changes a minor, I MUCH prefer the Series I interior, though I do like the Series II front and rear.

So a Series II with a Series I interior would be my ideal car.....or a Series I with a Series II front and rear...oh the possibilities are endless!! Well, actually I guess there are just 2. Two possibilities.

jrx13

I'm not trying to start any argument or anything, just curious (me being an S2 owner and probably biased!), but what are the S1 interior differences do you prefer? I think the only thing I didn't care for in the beginning was the steering wheel, but it has grown on me.

The S2, I like the padded armrest on the door panels, the piano black trim, the aux input in the center console. I also prefer the seats upholstery trim better (talking about non-r3 model). I did not really care for that big plastic fake cover on the rear of the front S1 seats.

I'm not sure what other differences there are, but curious if someone could point them out.