Buying an RX8
 

Hi Guys,

After months of deliberation and test driving 350s, Rx8s, golf gtis and Evo 8s Im in the market for an RX8 04-05 with around 20-40000 kms on the clock (the RX8 worked out to be the best overall package).

Got a few queries some of you might be able to help me out with.

I have been looking for a while, and have noticed that the prices in SA, NSW and QLD are up to 5k cheaper than Vic for the same type of RX8.... anyone know why?

Everyone I know has warned me not to buy one saying "high fuel prices... they use too much blah blah blah" is the fuel consumption really that bad? Enough to warrant not buying one?

Do you really get better fuel mileage driving them hard?

Thanks guys,

Squiddy,
I bought my 2005 (complied Dec 2004) only 3 months ago & have kept a careful tag on the fuel consumption. Averages out at about 14l/100km with a mix of some highway and mostly town work. The car has less than 3000km on the odo so the fuel consumption should improve a little with a few more km.
The consumption really goes up though if you use it hard around town.
Its a sports car so you should expect it to use more fuel and cost more to maintain than a Korean shopping trolley.

Check out the .au site there are a couple of 05's on it for sale now that look like decent prices.

https://www.rx8club.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4354

It is not a Prius so don't expect to get great fuel consumption, that goes for any sports car.
Figure 14 to 16L per 100KM is average you are going to get unless you do primarily highway then you can get 12L/100 if you baby it.

Monte

Buy one and damn the torpedoes! :)

The above posts regarding fuel consumption are about right depending on how hard you stand on it around town, etc but only you can decide what you are comfortable with, not us.

If it helps, 911's are more fuel efficient...:lol:

Not the GT2 Revolver! :naughty:

Aston is worse! I did 20L/100km on those combined :lol:

EVO will have same mileage. I was told Golf GTi DSG is doing less than 10L/100km consitently.

Make sure all the recalls are done, get an expert to have a look.

PM me if you have any question.

I suggest Promaz in the northern suburb (Thomustown) or Racing Project (Mitcham).

My mechanics Nelson in RP has seen all our cars (4-5 RX-8) from stock to fully modded haha. I have gone though the whole problem with our cars with him. He is aware of most issues. We can have a look with our limited knowledge. Simon in Promaz however is the best rotary head in Melbourne but simply checking 2nd hand cars will undervalue his ability IMHO

There are over 297:Eyecrazy: RX8 'S For sale at Carpoint .com.au with few punters wanting to buy at the present moment you should pick up a good one at a reasonable price :lol: :lol:

Cheers
Michael

my gf just bought a new GTi.. HID, sunroof and leather.. is a nice little car.. quite comfortable inside and has more features compare to the 8.. such as heated seats.. optional sat nav.. mp3 ... .. its got very nice acceleration .. and makes a distinctive "pop" sound while changing gear hard.. .. the DSG is very fast and smooth.. but a problem i figure was while cornering.. the sitting position is way too high .. no match for a sports car with near 50:50 weight and sit down low..

Ok.....

For a standard Rx8... what could I beat in a straight line?

350? wrx? ... what about a Golf gti?

I know its not a straight line car but Im guessing I wont be able to beat any of the following:
350z - 2006 >
Wrx - 2000 >
ss - 2003 >
xr6 turbo 03 >
mazda 3 mps

I've driven an Rx8(04) and 350z (03) and the rx8 felt faster (though the the 350 didnt sound like an electric car).

Also what about interior wear? Ive noticed they changed the leather from the ribbed condom look to smooth leather in 05.... Does the old style leather wear faster?

you don't buy rx-8 for its straight line capabilities, you buy it for it's marvellous handling through the twisties. So I guess don't worry about it :)

Forget about TLGP's - you'll get hammered by everything you listed.

This is not a street racer's car. It's ideal for track days and Sunday morning twistie missions though AND will keep the wife happy because you can fit rugrats in the back when necessary.

Pretty much all the cars you listed would beat an RX8 in a straight line due to the lack of torque, although it should be able to beat a Golf GTI 0-100 (Wheels mag, Motor mag, google stats). Other cars it'll beat include Integra Type R's, most V6's and possibly an S2000.

On the track it's a different story, which is where this car really shows.

I haven't lined up against my mate's Golf GTi but by my ever so accurate butt dyno, I would say his car is marginally quicker than mine in a straight line. Awesome car through teh twisties too, I reckon he could give me a pretty good run for my money but then again I am not the best driver out there.

All other cars listed there would totally destroy the RX8 off the line.

As for consumption I average 14-15L/100km pretty consistently, mainly in heavy city traffic. In a few weeks I am moving a bit further out of town so I wonder if the freeway driving will lower consumption although I doubt the difference would be significant considering 3500 RPM at around 110km/h in 6th.

Buy the 8 - it's an awesome car regardless of the lack of torque. I have driven just about all the cars mentioned above including a highly modded Evo 8 and nothing comes close for driving pleasure. If fuel consumption is going to be the deciding factor then IMO you should really look at Corollas and Swifts instead.

....couldn't have put it across any better....http://www.jk-forum.com/images/smilies/clap2.gif

A couple of things that don't get mentioned all that often.

Compared to the cars you mentioned the Rx-8 has suspension.
I mainly use my car to navigate winding mountain roads quickly and safely. Some of these roads are b-grade. Combined with seats that don't cause kidney damage the RX-8 is by far the best for a long trip on ordinary roads.

I drive it as fast as I legally can and get between 400 and 450 km on 95 E10 fuel. Still better than a V8. Consider that the #1 selling vehicle in the country (the Hilux) gets similar consumption on diesel and you don't feel like such an environmental vandal.

Although if I lived in the city I would probably buy a 3 SP23. A friend just bought one and it might just be the perfect city car.

Torque is only an issue from rest if you use the gears correctly. I only stop once during a trip. Road noise annoys me more.

In my opinion the interior of the 8 is in another league to its competitors.
Makes a difference if you spend 9 hours in the car.