Looking at purchasing an RX-8
 

Hey, i'm 18 years old, graduating high school this year, and i'm looking to buy myself a nice car at the end of the summer. My parents aren't able to assist me in purchasing a vehicle, for financial reasons, so I must buy one myself. This doesn't bother me though, i'd much rather work for it, and truly appreciate the vehicle I buy. I'm going to be going to work full time this summer, making about 25 bucks and hour, 10 hour days, monday to friday, so I should have around $8K by the end of the summer (Taking into account of eating, and gas for my current car) There are quite a few nice, clean RX-8's in my area, for around 6-7 thousand. Most are 2004, with around 100,000 kilometers (62,000 miles). My insurance quote for this vehicle is around $150 a month, which isn't too bad considering i've only had my license for a year. I've never had any tickets, or accidents so far, so I consider myself a responsible driver.

I'm just wondering if the maintenance costs are as ridiculous as some people say. I've heard some people say they're not much more expensive then a normal piston engine, and others say they're extremely expensive, and to only buy them if you have deep pockets.

Secondly, what should I be looking for condition wise when I go to look at one, I know I should have a compression test done, but is there anything else?

Thirdly, are rotary engines difficult to work on? Say if the apex seals blew, would I be able to strip down the engine and replace them myself easily, without needing to take it to a rotary specialist? Providing the blown seals don't wreck the housing.

Finally, on average, how much do you spend on gas a month, as a daily driver?

Cynical, are you in Canada? Your fuel is expensive compared to the States, so think hard about whether or not you can stomach 16 US MPG on 91+ octane. It seems that the EPA mileage numbers are fairly accurate for most: worse than 16 MPG driving hard, 16-18 MPG driving mature in the city, and around 22 MPG on the highway driving conservatively.

Have you driven one? I think that, ultimately, to make the car worthwhile, you have to love the character of the chassis and powertrain and the way it all works together to create an amazing enthusiast's driving experience. This helps make the associated costs and risk fade in comparison. It's almost like owning an exotic in that regard. People continue to buy used Boxters and Caymans, Italian exotics, and classic cars for similar reasons--despite gravely expensive potential issues.

Yes, I am in Canada. Fuel here isn't too bad compared to other provinces. Right now, gas is about $1.40 a liter (About $6 a gallon, rough estimate) for 91+ Octane. I am in love with this car, I have been ever since I was a little boy. I remember my dads friend had one, silver, 05 GT, and I've adored this car ever since. I do tend to drive a little on the hard side, not idiotically, but I like to hit redline a few times a day, doing nice pulls on empty streets. Gas money won't be a huge issue, since I make a nice hourly wage, but it's going to take some getting used to. I currently drive a Toyota Yaris hatch. Cute car, awesome on gas, around 35 mpg, it has less then 100hp, but handles pretty well. I've always wanted an RX-8, and was fascinated with the rotary engine, and how much power it has, considering its a 1.3. I know it's not a super fast straight line car, but where I live, it's ALL turns, so it's perfect.

Also, some of the side roads here tend to be pretty bumpy, any idea how the RX-8 handles bumpy roads? I assume I'll have to baby it over the bumps, but I could be wrong.

1) Read this if you haven't, several of your questions are answered there https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

2) Maintenance is entirely reasonable IF you shop for parts smartly and do all the work yourself. The RX-8 is easy to work on. If you pay someone else for parts and labor though, you will pay through the nose, to the tune of 3 to 10 times as much for any one job. Many RX-8 owners become self-made mechanics as a result of this huge division in cost.

3) When you calculate gas costs, increase the final amount by 30-50%. You won't want to, but you need to. If you like the car, you will find that you will detour more often, go out driving more than needed, etc...

4) Read this if you haven't: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

I haven't read that yet, so I'll go do that now. I know a nice bit about working on piston engines, but not a whole lot about rotary engines. My dad has been a mechanic for Toyota for the last 20 years, but isn't that familiar with rotaries either. I'm sure I'll be fine with the maintenance, considering there is a plethora of online guides. Thanks a lot.

For a rough estimate on fuel cost, I do about 80 km's a day M-F and I get about 300 - 350 km's to the tank. A fill up runs me about $80, and that's usually once a week. I do tend to drive country roads home for the fun of it.

I ended up on some Texas roads last night with far more rapid elevation change than I was comfortable with at the speed I was driving and the chassis took it like a champ. I was far more disturbed than the chassis. The car just keeps giving and giving as you ask it for more. It's a wonderful-handling driving companion for the twisty roads that you've been blessed with.

I sold my 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 to get my 2009 RX8 R3. Some of my mazdaspeed friends were like arent you going to miss all that torque? I was like nope once you get it up in the power band its just fine. Not to mention it handles way better than the speed 3 did.

Mike

As far as bumpy roads -- I drive a 2010 R3 and the chassis is so well tune, even stock, that the car is more supple over bumps than most econo-boxes. Strong, subtle and supple.

Yeah, I was looking at a speed 3 aswell. I had friends tell me to buy a speed 3 because they're a lot faster. They may be faster in a straight line, but they're ugly, turn like boats, and they're fwd. Go on any curvy road, and all the speed 3 will see are RX-8 taillights.

i'll sell you mine....let me know!