Iloveall

Hi all, i am looking into buying a 2006 mazda rx8 i found at a used car dealer. First off i'm just going to say i just made this account today, but i have been on this website for a while. I have been looking around for a first car for a while and after someone told me about the rx8 i really liked it. (like everyone else does) So i researched a lot about the car and have been on this site looking at all the advice given for about 2 months. I'm 17 by the way and i checked that the 8 isn't a sports car on my moms insurance which she would be putting me on.

Anyway, the car i found is a 2006 rx8 for $10,000 with 68k miles on it. The only thing that scares me is the engine failures i'v heard. Even though i mostly heard about them on the 04's i was wondering if the 06's are a lot more reliable? I know about the changing oil about every 2500 or so and how to prevent flooding. I just don't want to buy a car and have to replace the engine, which would be a total waste of money. Also i am wondering if you guys would suggest this as a first car? Also i am a little bit confused on the 8yr/100k warranty. Would that cover the engine or only some parts?

Thanks.
Kevin

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

In all of your reading, have you found this thread?

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/

Engine failure is post #2,
flooding is post #2,
young owners is post #4,
warranty is post #7 with a link to the official thread with the text and details,
what to look for pre-purchase is post #6,
compression test details pre-purchase is post #6,
how to keep your engine alive is post #9...


It's almost as if someone else has asked all these questions before


The rest of the thread answers other questions you are going to ask...

simonmd

What he said ^^^^^^ but Welcome to the forum anyway.

I have to query how you define the RX8 as 'not a sports car'. A low slung coupe with over 220bhp that will do over 140mph and 0-60 in 6.5 secs is NOT a sports car? I find that suprising to say the least!

As for whether its a good choice as a first car, the main issue will be running costs. You'll be lucky to see 20mpg for a start but its very safe (a good line to tell your parents that!), practical as you'll be able to take 3 friends in comfort and easy to drive.

Before you buy though, you really need to find out if its possible to get a compression test and if thats ok, budget about $1000 for service items like new coils, leads and plugs.

Iloveall

Thanks!, both of you. I know it's a sports car but i am just saying on the insurance my mom has, she called her agent and they said the car can be put under 4 door sedan for less cost. I have my own job which isn't that far away and kept some money for the car. I also heard about the compression tests and i'll see if i can get that checked out. One problem i have is how my parents really like the car but if they hear something bad they freak out. I'll let them know how it's safe haha. The other thing they don't like is how it can't run that well at all in snow. And they tell me i'm not allowed to drive in snowy roads anyway so i don't see a point there haha.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

If you put high performance summer tires on your Mom's car, it would be complete garbage in the snow too.

It's all in the tires.

It's all in the tires.

I feel like I'm repeating myself there. My 8 has been my daily driver through 5 new england winters, including a big hill on the way into work. Winter tires all the way and only one in my office to never have to call out because I got stuck. They all drove SUVs and FWD cars with all seasons.

It's all in the tires.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

simonmd

And a light right foot. All RWD cars are going to be 'interesting' in those conditions.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Fortunately, the RX-8 has less torque at peak than most RWD V8s have at 1,500rpm, so it's quite a bit easier to stay under the torque threshhold. The RX-8 also has more rear weight than most front engine RWD V8 cars, due to better balance.

(3,500lb car with 60/40 weight balance has 1,400lbs over the rear vs the 8 at ~1,500lbs over the rear)