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I LOVE the rotary engine, but I also love that is comes from Mazda. I have owned 5 Mazdas in my lifetime, and all of them were bulletproof. Probably the best cars I've owned, and that includes a couple Datsuns and some Honda products. I have yet to own a rotary car, but each time I drive one it is a magical expericnce.
Unfortunately the 3rd gen car was not bulletproof, and unless I could really afford to fix that car, I would never buy one. Again, that is one of my favorite cars ever, but I just don't think I'd ever buy one. Throwing money down the drain on repairs is not a part of me.
The rotary engine, combined with the fact that Mazda makes very good, reliable, well made cars is the reason I will buy a rotary. If we were talking GM quality, I don't think I'd get one, though I'm sure I'd still love driving it
I doubt I would buy any one car based on any one factor. I have only limited experiance with rotary, but that experiance has been positive. I felt like I was in a race car driving a RX-7, but I'm interested to see how the Regenisis will handle the weight of a larger car and a few more passengers.
Hey Styjan, for those of us who aren't completely converted, how about a mini-thesis on why you would. I would be interested to here it, seriously.
A Thesis. Wow! That’s a lot of pressure. Well, let me first say that I am by no means a hands on technical, mechanical person, but rather of the lay variety. I have owned a 1st & 2nd gen RX-7 over the span of 14 years and have driven the 3rd gen. My first exposure to the rotary engine was when I drove my step mom's 1985 GXL-SE. I didn't know much about cars, and I didn't know that it was a rotary powered car. I did notice that it sounded different and was very smooth (and very fun to drive.). I like the car so much I started to research buying one myself and started to learn about the rotary engine and how it worked. After that I was a rotor head.
I love how simple and power efficient it is and the beautiful wobble the rotors make as they spin in there housings. Also the fact the engine is so compact lends itself to allowing designers to be freer with the design of the front end. (remember the RX-01?). Another reason for the rotor love is my irrational attraction to things that are different. It’s not the best argument for the rotary engine and many people slam rotor heads for this very reason, but who cares, I like weird things.
All said, I truly believe that if as much energy, time and research that has been put in the piston engine went in the rotary engine, we would all be driving rotary powered cars.
That's why I like them and why I will be getting the RX-8.
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If it ain't a rotor, it ain't a motor!
The real problem I have been struggling with is I might not buy one because it has a rotary. I believe you but in reality not as much time an energy has been spent researching rotaries. I have heard several negative things by honest rotary owners on this board that concern me.
All the problems that you hear about are with 3rd generation RX-7s and they are all related to the turbo system (which I think had some to due with mechanical problems, but mostly with people not knowing how to drive). The truth is the the 13b is one of the most reliable engines around. As long as the water and oil levels are in check they will run forever.
Here is a little quote from the Star Mazda Racing Series web site about why the use rotary engines.
Quote:
It's no secret that the key to the Star Formula Mazda's affordability is the low maintenance powerplant. The legendary Mazda 13B rotary not only produces an effortless 170hp, but does so with bulletproof reliability. Its not unusual for the dyno-tested, sealed and rev-limited motors to remain in cars for three seasons without a rebuild. Compare the maintenance costs of a Formula Mazda engine to that of any other class and you'll realize why they've remained so popular.
I hate all the reliability propaganda that floats around the internet! Its not true.
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If it ain't a rotor, it ain't a motor!
Another reason for the rotor love is my irrational attraction to things that are different. It’s not the best argument for the rotary engine and many people slam rotor heads for this very reason, but who cares, I like weird things.
All said, I truly believe that if as much energy, time and research that has been put in the piston engine went in the rotary engine, we would all be driving rotary powered cars.
Boy do I hear you I am the same exact way. I like everything that is not mainstream. I hate practicly everything that is main stream. I have no idea why. I am just like that I am attracted by absract and different ideas of how thing should and do work.
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Why do I need a signature!!? just so that I can babble on about crap not many people care about.
readers of this you are now under the dreded "Eternal Bunny curse" you will become furry and bushy tailed in areas I'm not going to mention. ( Mu-ha-ha-ha)
I wouldn't buy a butt-ugly rotary-powered vehicle, but I don't have to worry about that, do I? This RX-8 has been occupying about 25% of my brain for the last month! I've had a love affair with my '87 TII for many years, but I can't wait to slip into an RX-8. I just hope I can fit OK - the 2nd gen cockpit was perfect for me (I'm 6'3"), but I couldn't fit in the 3rd gen. If the RX-8 doesn't have the headroom of a 2nd gen, I WILL be crying like a baby come September... or March 2003... or June 2003... well you know what I mean.
I have to admit, the rotary engine is the biggest attraction I have to this car. If the car had the same looks and specs, but with a piston engine, then I wouldnt buy it. I'm not saying its ugly or anything, just that I can think of better ways to spend $30k. In all honesty, I'm an American car supporter, but the sad fact does exist that the average modern Japanese cars do outlast most modern American cars, they get better mileage and they require less maintenance. This fact frustrates me because I know that there exists the intelligence and resources to make the best cars in the world here in America. And in the event there was an American car company that came out with a rotary powered car, then I'd probably buy it instead. However, the current absense of ingenuity in the American automotive industry has left me no choice. If I want a rotary powered car, I have only one option and it's from a Japanese car company. At least its part of Ford (though I'm more accurately a Chevy man).
Anyhow, I have a 86 civic, a 72 Chevelle and a 57 Chevy 4x4 truck, so if there was no rotary cars on the market to soak up my dollars, then I'd most likely dump the cash in to souping up the muscle car a bit more and just buy an economy car.
I would weigh all of the factors...
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