Yakooza

Given that the car is nicely taken care of, how reliable is the Rx8? From the reviews I read, it seems that the 04/05 models seemed to have a lot of problems.

I really want to make this my first car, but my dad is really bent on cars with good reliability.

If I get an 05 Rx8 say with 60,000 miles, will maintenance be a problem? And how many miles are Rx8s known for reaching?

Cf05

possibly...

you need to do a lot of research on it, get maintenance records, take care of it yourself, mine is an early '05 with 60k+ and have had no problems whatsoever.. *Knock-on-wood*

DarkBrew

First, the 04 and 05 models are the oldest RX8s in NA
Second, there were teething issues with early production (mostly the 03 build dates) but almost all were addressed fully or at least partly by TSBs.
You must be an informed shopper - read the forums!
You must check compression before you buy ANY RX8
You must get maintenance records.
Mine is 04 and has 82K miles and is nowhere near the top in that regard

Is this an economical car? No way in hell
Is this car reliable? Yes for a sports car.

BlackRX82006

iTrader: (1)

If the dad wants you in a reliable car, this is not the car for you.

Yakooza

I don't really care for what my dad want's as long as I can convince him to get this car for me. I'll probably get a job and pay it off myself anyway.

I just don't want something that is going to give me a lot of problems.

And fuel economy is for pussies

But if I can't get this car, I'll be going with a Mazda 3.

BlackRX82006

iTrader: (1)

Stay on top of oil changes, coolant flushes, tranny fluids, diff fluids, air filter, cabin filter, top off the oil at every gas fill up, premix, replace your coils & spark plugs when they go bad or buy the BHR ignition system, and remember to not shut the car off cold. Also, be aware of the chances of walking out to your car one day, turning the key, and your car cranking but not starting. This car will eat you and your paychecks as a snack if it hates you.

TacoMan

how old are ya anyways?

Yakooza

Thanks guys. How much will all this maintenance cost over a normal car anyway? I don't mind the low mpg and the premium fuel but if I have to constantly change broken parts, not cool. Frequent oil/filter changes, whatever. Just nothing major.

And I'll be 17 or 17 and a half by the time I get a car.

mrinno

I've had my car for 2 years. '04 everything worked fine until a month or so ago, where my fuel pump's tip cracked. But besides that, Im very happy with it.

Bluerenesis

Not too parctical considering you may be paying around $3000+ a year on insurance. Young kids like to joy ride so you would be spending about $40 a week or week and a half on gas. Dont forget that some rx8s even well taken care of can have an unsuspected issue arise. Go with a Mazda 3 and buy some fun performance mods for it along the way. If you buy this car, you most likely will be almost all work no play to afford it.

mesaboogie

iTrader: (1)

I also have a 04 rx8 and it hasn't given me any issues. I really love the thing. But then again, i maintain it very well and always stay on top of its maintenance. The thing with the rx8 is you really have to know and "listen" to your car. The 8 is more meticulous to care for than other cars. Once one thing starts going wrong with it, you pretty much have to fix it, or else more things will start to go wrong and you will end up hating the car and spending all of your money. Also, being mechanically inclined or knowing how to research DIY forums helps

Some prices off the top of my head of what i paid...

ignition coils (replace around 20k) = $150-180 depending where you get them
spark plugs (4) = $20 a piece
wires (NKG) = $26
OEM air filter = $25

Those are the things you change the most. But do some research. Browse the vendors section and see how much things cost. Browse the forum in general just to learn about the car. There is a lot of stuff to learn.

Also, depending on where you are from and if you plan on driving it year round or just summers, you have to factor in a good set of snow tires. And i dont know if this is the case for you but if you dont know how to drive a manual and you want a manual rx8, its not the car to learn on. Just my $.02.

Sorry if that sounded negative. It really is a great car, but you have to want to read about it if you're going to own it. At least in the beginning.

Yakooza

Oh that sounds good!

No thank you, your post is rather encouraging.

I know how to drive manual, but I never practiced it. But really, I'm a fast learner and I don't care how hard you tell me it is, It won't bother me and I'm going to try anyway.

If this is a car I'm going to be driving for at least the next 5-8 years, then I don't mind spending 11 grand for the car. So if your suggesting I get a beater as a first car, I rather not.

What my friend's dad did is buy her a manual 2004 Mini Cooper S . And then bought her a cheap 95' C class Merc. Shes only able to drive the Benz until next year. Shes only 16, but her family is quite well off it seems. Since I don't have that option I would prefer just getting a nice car as a first. I trust myself not to **** it up.
I drive relatively safe, and I can do the regular maintenances myself. I'll learn to drive manual, get a job to pay for insurance and gas, and I think I'm set.

I just wanted to know what problems I might face if I get this car.

Its just that I want a car that looks sweet, is unique, and is fun to drive. You know, something that when someone sees would say "Oh nice car bro". This is it. I'd hate to drive the typical Honda or Toyota.

calenlas

$40 a week on gas? I spend that every three days. Of course I drive almost 100mi/day commuting and tooling around. But hey, if you're gonna drive 100mi/day, why not enjoy every single one of 'em?

Yakooza

**** gas. My sister got a 2009 Honda CRV. 18/24 mpg. No ones complaining. And I probably won't be driving too much.

Just a few miles to school, back. To work and back, probably in the city, and then going out/cruising about.

And I'll probably live on Campus when going to a university so I don't have to drive 30 miles front and back every day.

Bluerenesis

Well it looks like you already have your mind set. It is a great car but like I said, you may have to grow up more quicker as far as the term, more work no play.

Yakooza

I want to get a job car or not. At part time I'm thinking I'll make around $500 a month.
I'm sure that's enough for liability insurance + gas + occasional oil changes

Hell doing stupid surveys online I can make $120 a month. Enough for gas or insurance at least. Just gotta get daddy to approve car...and wait a year until Senior year..

What bothers me about the car is the reviews given here.
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/rx8/200...eview.1...html

I saw a lot of reviews down rating the car for its reliability and saying that their Rx8 has to be constantly repair.
For example

BlackRX82006

iTrader: (1)

You're only going to get liability insurance??

Yakooza

For a car under 10 grand, it makes perfect sense. I trust myself not to total the car in an at-fault accident.
Otherwise, I'm paying like $3000 a YEAR for insurance. Drive the car for 3-4 years and you will have paid more for insurance than the car. Oh gee, I can buy a two Rx8s with that much money.

BlackRX82006

iTrader: (1)

Be sensible about this. You're 17, in high school, first car, sports car, teenage hormones, the need to show off. Don't skimp on insurance, but if you do be sure to pack extra lube when you realize how hard you shafted yourself when **** hits the fan

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

**** it, dont bother trying to talk him out of it. let em do what he wants. Darwinism in action. Consider it cleaning out the gene pool

Bluerenesis

I have put my 2 cents in. It your life. Its not practical but oh well.

Yakooza

Ay foo, I GOT THIS! :D

But hell if it was up to me, I would be getting a motorcycle.

mrinno

$500 a month? Who can survive on that?

ken-x8

If you're worried about that kind of thing, find the automotive issue of Consumer Reports and see how they rate the 8 as a used car. Their statistical results tend to be more meaningful than trying to work your way through a bunch of individual opinions.

Ken

Yakooza

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...mazda-rx-8.htm

It got a pretty bad score, but all for the wrong reasons. 52/100.

They don't have a rating of reliability though...