Hello, I'm a new user to this forum and this is my first post so nice to meet you guys . I'm 18 years old and looking to buy my first car for university use next year, my dad is helping me out financially so I've decided to get a used RX8 (budget is around $23-25k). Either a rx8 or a MCS because those are the only two cars that I like basically, and I picked the rx8. However, many questions arised when I did research on this car for daily driving, i.e: gas mileage and maintenance.

My dad also did some research and he argues that there are many problems with the rx8 reported by owners on the web, saying the engine frequently breaks down at around 55,000km and, quote, "a rotary engine cannot be fixed if there's a problem". Is there any truth behind that? And another thing is frequent oil change?

If you guys can provide me with some basic advice on how to drive and maintain a rx-8 it will be great. =p

My second concern is gas mileage, I live around Richmond Hill but I'm going to waterloo next year and I checked the car's hwy mileage is approx. 9.8L/100km, how does that compare to other cars? I know mini cooper s saves a lot more gas than RX8 so a mini might be more practical for me but I am in love with the RX8 >_<

Finally I just want to ask if this is my primary vehicle, meaning I will drive this thing daily, what should I expect my monthly fuel expenditures to be?

 

Why not get a brand new 2006 for $31,000!

I can hook you up.

 

BTW the new Renesis Rotary engines are very reliable.

Nothing like the 3rd Gen Twin Turbo RX7 units that had issues.

 

Hey Dave. You're still flogging the '06s?

Anzu, you can get that kind of mileage but it requires holding 100km/h on the 401 and getting passed by smart cars.
Get a Mazda 3 to drive until you graduate.
The rotary is plenty reliable but the RX8 isn't the car for a student; It's too expensive to run.
I spend about $3000 per year on gas (24K km total)

 

You live in the richmond hill area?

I could meet up with you in richmond hill an show you the car and let you know what good and bad....yes a piston engine is more reliable.....HONESTLY now....even tho i am a rotary fan boy/mazda fanboy....

i still believe i would get a piston if you are going to be a budget fixing something if anything went wrong..

i would suggest a mz3 or if u want speed...take a ms3 and you wont be dissapointed...

i get around 350km a tank.......thats 94 only from sunoco....AND its a 60L....

compared to my mazda3....gets 520kms and with 87 and its 45L

go figure....an rx8 is COSTLY to maintin

btw..what high school did you goto?

 

If you're living in Waterloo it's not a bad daily driver. There aren't many places to go to. To and from campus won't use much gas. But wouldn't you rather spend your money on booze instead of gas? though alcohol is pretty cheap there. Phil's on Wednesday nights has really cheap drinks. (Well at least when I was there) :-P

 

These guys are right man - I know you hate to hear it and probably will ignore the advice because - let's face the car is pretty damn cool and going to school and having this type of car would be a fun time. I loved my 8. BUT - it drinks more fuel than a private jet. When I went to school a number of years ago at age 18 I used some money I was left to buy an RX-7(8 is so much better than the 7). I was stubborn and bought that 7 because it was a fun car looked cool cornered amazing.

But I spent a tonne of money insuring it, and feeding it oil and fuel, not to mention more expensive tires than a normal car. You will need some expensive snows to be in KW through the winter. Your cash will go quick enough at school.

Buy one the second you graduate ! Something to aim for.

Lots of great cars to buy that won't soak up your beer money, and spring break funds. The Oakville Mazda guys are great - getting a 3 from them would be good - getting a used Cooper would also still be a cool car.

Good luck.

 

uhh..no thats exactly why you do not want an rx8...you have to ake sure you dont do shot distance drive.....to be honest...you ve got to take very good care of it....to have it be reliable..and you have to not find it a hassle ...i really suggest you look into something more economical...like

is250..
Mazda3..
350z
s2ks


but if ur really keen....go for it....and if you regret don't say we didnt warn u=)

 

I use mine to go to and from the GO station. I've had no problems. It's not like he'll be driving for only a minute...if you are you just walk to school.

 

but still...the car would drink up alot of gas that way......

 

There are several people here above 55000 km on their RX-8 without problems. I expect 200000km without any major issues.

If there is a problem it can be fixed. Its old thinking to replace the entire engine (which was a popular option in Europe a while ago). But no they can be fixed.

Its frequent oil fillup. Since th engine actually burns oil together with the gas you would need to fill it up with regular intervals. But if you are just driving the car normally then an oilchange / year (i.e. when you service the car) will be just as fine.

I live in a city area, and have to drive through the city to get to the highway to my workplace. Call it mixed driving with a bit more citydriving. I have 15L/100km on a good tank and i have been up to 18,5L/100km when only driving in city.

The on paper milage is an impossibility. Or takes a lot of dicipline and all fun out of the car. If i see a turn in the road, i floor it. And that of course consumes fuel.

 

It doesn't matter what car you own, if you drive it hard, it'll burn a lot more gas than the EPA estimate. The difference in fuel cost between a Civic and a RX-8 is $4 every 100km. I think people tend to over exaggerate the cost differential in fuel consumption. Sure you can drive a Civic and save a thousand dollars per year in fuel, but you're giving up 100hp and 95% in handling and steering response.

 

no one ever said on this post that were comparing how hard we drive to the EPA estimates....


its 4$ per 100km...difference...were only talking about gas here...sure i m not going to redo the calcs...i m too lazy i m stick with yours. but it all depends how muhc he drive...if he drives like 30k ayr...thats 1200yr EXTRA for fuel....sticking with ur $4 per 100kms...

now i could go on and on about how its really not suited for him as a FIRST CAR...and a DD in waterloo...

anyways I CAN TELL YOU I 'M BASHING THE 8....I LOVE IT=)

but then I would hate to DD it...i have a mz3 as for DD..

no one has gone over 100k without problems....vs other cars..(pistons) going over 100k and not even being scared....

 

I have 68,000km right now. I have had the car 21 months. I drive 160km a day commute also. I do all the regular maintenance and oil changes and have had no problem. I spend about $800/month on gas though. I average 11.6L/100km year around in mixed driving Oil changes every 6-8000km.

The renesis seems to ahve no reliability problems other than having the Cat recall done. And it can fixed just like any piston engine, you don't just throw it away if it breaks.

I would go more economical for University though. I had a 2001 Nissan Sentra SE and it used 7L/100 on average, cost nothing to repair and maintain. Plus by the time I put 140,000km I was ready to upgrade to a much nicer car.

 

I bought a brand new '06 never had any flooding issues and sometimes i move it out of my driveway for a little bit and forget to rev it and still never had any issues. I love my 8 and never had any problems most of those issues are from the '04 models but if you buy '04 make sure all recalls and TSBs are done. Its not going to give you gas mileage i think the saying goes that you live one quarter tank at a time.......also you will need to check your engine oil frequently as this car does eat engine oil

 

At 18 I owned a brand new 89' Z24. My advice would be to get a starter car then move up to the RX8.

I had 1 accident in my 1st year of driving not major but scary and wouldn't want to see you reck the 8 so try for a smaller car then after a few years move on up...

Knock on wood...that was my only accident!!

 

I agree with all the people here.
The RX-8 takes alot of money to run. More than any university student could handle.
I know you want a fast car right now, but I suggest you get an econo box. You're in University so you never know what extra expenses could come up.
I would recommend a Mazda3 as your student car.
Save the RX-8 for when you're older and out of school. This gives you a goal to shoot for.

 

If I can still remember my uni days, all I say is uni parking lots suck! Limited space and you can often find yourself parked next to some old japopy which often leads to door dings and worse if immature students decides to puke on your car.
The rx-8 is not great for student because it requires attention as in basic car maintenance. commuting from RH to Waterloo will quickly eat up your gas money... or daddy's gas money. In which case of the latter may not be your problem but may lead to less inheritance. LOL!!!
Be a smart kid, tell daddy to pay for living in Waterloo. get a bus pass, make friends after class vs. rushing back to RH each time. Res living in your first year is invaluable.