So I really do like the sound of the rotory engine but I've been browsing the forus and it seems that these cars tend to have a lot of problems. Do you think I would incur problems like new engines being needed or whatever? I am located in Northern NJ and if i do purchase to car I plan on putting a lot of miles on it. I like reliability first and formost. Thank you.

 

Remember that people are generally silent as long as things are ok. People only make noise when they have a problem.

I love my 8. I've had to take it in for some minor things. But I haven't paid a dime for any work done.

 

not the best car for heavy traffic & straight roads if that is what you will be doing

 

agreed

 

if you have an s2k the 8 is going to feel similar up here....trust me i live in east rutherford, nj....im 5 minutes from manhattan and i get caught in traffic often.....the clutch on the 8 is probably one of the easiest ones i have driven and it has never bothered me...every car has its fair share of issues....i am not going to get into a pissing contest over them but the 8 isnt as bad as most like to paint it to be......i would have no issues showing you mine locally if your curious

 

yea, definately. we should meet one of these days. I'm tired of my S2000, I'm always worried someone will slash my top and steal my seats. I'm planning on picking something up in like late april or beginning on May.

 

where in NJ are you?

 

Is this the only reason you are getting rid of your S2k? I just ask because from what I understand, the S2k is one of very few cares that people compare with the RX8 in terms of the driving experience. But if you just want a hardtop for security, go for it.

Disclaimer: never driven an S2k myself

 

I'm not sure I agree. I live in a big city in the NE USA and enjoy driving my RX-8 everytime I get into it.

 

I work in NYC 4x a week, and driving there is one of the hardest places. But I love taking my 8, the clutch is so easy to handle, your in control of the car the entire time your driving it in any type of traffic condition.

 

I have had my 8 for a year now and I love it. As long as you take care of it, it will take care of you. The people who bitch the loudest about the car more than likely falls into one of the following categories...

1.) Did not do research on the car and expected a 12 - 13 second car stock
2.) Never learned the meaning of the word "FLOOD"
3.) Tried to turbo the renesis and fucked the tuning up and blamed the car
4.) Never learned to care for the car and never checked the oil
5.) Complain about the gas mileage

Did I miss anything guys?

Also if your going to get the 8 make sure you do your homework. If you want a 1/4 mile car, the 8 isnt for you. It makes a kick *** autocrosser but not a car for the quarter. If you want that then your better get an Evo, STI, or 350Z. Be sure that you know that this car is not one you can neglect like a piston engine. You neglect it and it will **** you in the ***. One last note, I like to describe the car as a 4-6-8 configuration car.

Low end torque of a 4 banger
High end power of a V6
Gas consumption of a V8

Remember ---> Do your homework before buying.

 

Everything that was said above is completely true and you have to understand that first and foremost.

In my exsperience so far this car is just like any other import(quality import). the better you keep up on the maintenance the longer the car will last.
the car is simple to drive and response almost off of thought at times.
you take it on a winding road and there are few cars on the road that will come close to keeping up with it let along beat it. this has been proven by every major mag. (R&T for example). tested it against class competition, the 350z primarily. in a straight line doesn't have the raw power to compete from a stand still however the cones go down and the numbers go flip flop quicker than john kerry in a national debate
RX8 hands the 350z its *** and some. sk2 is close second .
in the looks department there is also that WOW factor that this car turns head like an exotic. seriously stock or kitted people WILL notice and Do admire it for it's gorgeous curves.
CHOICE comes down to what are you lookin for. straights or curves?

 

thing is - if you are not taking it to the' twisties' you may as well get a v8 american tank which would be quicker , just as hungry and be happy to cruise the freeways all day long.

 

8 is not my primary car and I live in NJ also. If you are going to have just one car highly recommend against it. It is a fun weekend sports car like any corvette, porsche, etc.. Not as pricey of course but if you are looking for something day to day get an Audi or small truck. Rather not see an 8 being used in that fashion anyway.

Time

 

You will get 16mpg in traffic, my fiance does it everyday.

 

Well if you browse the forums then yes, the 8 has lots of problems. And there's no such thing as global warming and the World Trade Center was brought down by the Bush administration using controlled explosives.

But if you were to spend more time researching objective sources and less time here in the Complaint Department, you'd find the 8 is thought to be more or less average in reliability (some say more, like Road & Track, which found reliability to be 'excellent' in their long-term test; some say less, like Consumer Reports, whose subscribers have rated the 8's reliability anywhere from 'below average' to 'average'.) Point is, the car is NOT the reliability disaster described in every other thread here.

Supposedly Mazda has had to replace about 1% of the engines. I'd take those odds if it were me.

 

I'm not using this car for straights or curves, I'm going to use it for what I use the S2000 for. My daily good looking driver that has a little umph on the highway when I need it. Something reliable. I'm not too worried about gas mileage as my M3 gets 15 local not in traffic and 20 highway thats not abusing it.

 

You will get about the same with the 8. If your looking for a daily driver just for the highway, buy a prius. The 8 is WAY to much fun to just use as a beater besides if your going to use it as a beater, its going to cost you a hell of a lot of money for work and maintance using it for that purpose. Would you buy another porsche or a vette and use it strictly as a commuter car? I think not...Buy something made to be beat up like a hyundai or honda civic / accord. I think you will be happier that way and so will your wallet.

 

So just buy a hardtop for the S2000?

 

That would probably be your best bet. I hate to turn someone away from the 8 but if your going to get it under the pretenses of using it as a beater... you would hate the car because its not meant to be used as a beater.

 

nice avatar :P

 

Thank ya