Informative video on the RX8.
A lot of useful advice, well done.

 

Good piece. Refreshing to see the truth about the car after so much negative and unfounded anecdotal internet notoriety. Also, notice the first time driver’s reaction to driving the 8. That unbridled joy Is something I’ve seen in many video reviews and, of course, countless articles by seasoned automotive journalists who’ve driven everything. We drive a very special car!

 

Fake coils cause excessive apex seal wear? Side seal failure is more of an issue I would say typically, but most people who don't quite understand RX-8's often think apex seal failure is the most common issue.

And I have never seen rusted oil cooler lines here, but I guess if you drive it in the winter up East it has been know to happen.

And bearing failure, while rare, is from an improperly balanced rotating assembly, I have seen it happen on well maintained cars that got 3000 mile oil changes using 5W-20.

I have also never heard of a broken rear coil spring on an RX-8 or a corroded steering joint.

But yeah RX-8's are fun to drive.


I also give almost zero credit to most "automotive journalists" when **** like this gets put out.

http://www.motortrend.com/news/possi...t-testing/amp/

 

There was a good bit of anecdotal information there, and the UK may well have different variables that cause problems North American models don't experience.
I thought it was well thought out and a good reference for possible new owners.

We know that reading the entire New Owner Stickies is probably uncommon.
Consider it the 'Cliff Notes' for the Attention Span Challenged.

 

every problem they stated are really UK cars focused, I heard that Mazda suggest different oils in US and EU, and in EU they suggest **** oil to be used that makes bearing failures more common thing here, and all the rust things are because UK is an island with rainy weather all the time 😄

 

SBG's 1GA ignition kit is also not a bad choice from coil upgrades.

In EU and Japan, Mazda recommends 5W-30, while in North America, they recommend 5W-20.

If you live somewhere hot, I can see why you would want xW-30 or even xW-40, but I think 10W is excessive. It just means more cold wear on startup since the oil flows more slowly. Go for 5W or 0W(synthetic only).

Rust is more often from snow, not rain. I get rain all the time here and there is no significant amount of rust. Snow in itself doesn't cause rust, either, but the salt we spray on it does.

 

I think the rx8 is probably the best car for the performance given the price.

I purchased a great chassis in CA for $1500, I had to drop a new reman engine in it for $2800. Parts are everywhere for this car and they are cheap. I picked up some used ohlins DFV for a steal, I purchased some advan RZII for a great price off a subaru, bought the Hankook r-s3 when they went on special. I also dropped in a series II trans, for a steal of a price.

I think this car is probably the best car you can purchase for the performance and price. There are obviously some "sweat equity" that needs to be put into the car but when its done.....its fun as hell. I had to re-solder and fix a lot of things on the car but man its fun.

I own a 93 rx7 as well and that car is also fun as hell. I actually prefer the rx8 over the rx7 I think now that it has the series II trans. The trans shifts like butter compared to the old broken one and the car handles about as well as the rx7 (rx7 is lighter and much faster but honestly I don't think its more fun).