Hi, I plan on buying my first car with a budget of 15000$. I found a 2005 rx-8 gt with 80000 kms on it. He recently got the spark plugs, plus 4 brand new coil packs and just had the catalytic converter replaced, which was under warranty by Mazda, also had all 4 brakes done, pads and discs. Supposedly, anything that had to be taken care of in the car was done by Mazda. I plan to drive this car everyday from home to school and back. I plan to drive it a bit during the weekend if I want to go out with my friends. I don't know how to drive a manual yet but my dad will teach me. I also plan to drive it during the winter( in Montreal). For the same purposes, school and going out. My school is a 15 minute drive and downtown is 20 minutes away. I want to know what type of maintenance I will have to put up with. Costs, precautions, and different things I will have to do to keep this car going well and keep it in a good condition. Knowing the use I have planned for this car, would it be a good car to get. I don't want to be told that a Honda or a Toyota would be better. I know this. I want to know of the rotary engine will be a pain in the butt to maintain. I really want to know what I will have to do to take care of this car and if it's really worth the while. Is this rx-8 the right car for me?

 

Buy a civic.

J/k.. have u read up on the rotary engine? What do u know about it? That'll let u know if its the car for you. Spend some time reading this forum, it has A LOT of info on the car/maintenance.

 

nothing really you need to worry about really if the previous owner has done all of that.
check oil regularly, red line a day.
winter driving you need winter tires at least.

 

What about the oil refill every 3rd time you fill up? And redlining once a day. Turning the car on for 5 minutes everyday.

 

turning the car on once a day is not neccesary, although you will want to lol.

 

After you check your oil a few times... you will know how often to check it.
Each driver is different and each car is different.
Take it to the track and you will add a quart in a few miles.
It's designed to burn oil.

 

a quart in a few miles thats a bit exaggerating on the track.

 

Honestly I don't think the car is for you because as a student those mpg, extra maintenance will add up and you are better off getting something else.

 

Not at all... if you don't believe me read the racing forum.

 

If its their first car with a budget of $15k, I don't think gas mileage/maintenence cost is a concern. Although as a first car, an RX-8 seems way too nice, especially since they don't know how to drive stick. Plus winter driving for a new driver seems sketchy in a rear wheel drive car.

 

IMHO, it's better in the long run. Maybe not for a normal person who regards a car as an appliance to get from here to there. But for an enthusiast (a given for a young person wanting an RX-8) a rear wheel drive car will be a much better learning experience. If they survive that first winter they'll understand driving in snow.

When I learned to drive, rear wheel drive was pretty much all there was. We all learned.

Ken

 

I dont think you said how much you are spending on the car......... but don't spend all of your money on any car. Make sure you have in your budget gas/maintenance insurance etc etc. It is always possible something can go out with any car you buy so make sure you leave 1k in the bank for repairs.

 

It's a great car. But please do your homework and be prepared for maintenance and fuel mileage costs. Good luck.

 

hello im buying my first rx8 its a 2004 with 140km on it, i take care of what ever i get but im not to sure of the rotery engine and how it works im at 17 and this will be my first car and i hear things about how you have to rebuilt the engine after so many km's nad how do you tell if its gt im a noob sorry guys some help would be very much grateful

 

if you could send me a private message it would help alot explanning everything thanks Cheers~

 

Try reading this thread, and asking questions there for what might not be answered: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

It's specifically for new owners.

 

My first car was my rx8 too, but I'd have to say with gas mileage and maintenance, it can cost a lot. Also, since you live in Canada and you're going to use it as a daily driver, with rwd and a 6spd, it might not be the best thing for you because of the snow, especially since you can't drive a manual transmission yet.

 

It took me one whole day to learn how to not stall the car with the clutch... And I stalled many many times. It took me one whole year to learn to not stall at all in everyday driving (hills, snow, etc..). I don't think you'd want to do that to an rx8. Stall on some other car till you're confident, then drive the 8.

 

Really? I've only stalled a manual 2ce. The first time was when I put it into 3rd instead of first (almost got it going too) and the other was sitting at a light and turning around (let go of the clutch). When you start out let the clutch out slower, if the rpm go up too much you downshifted into the wrong gear, rpms go down too much you upshifted into the wrong gear. Pretty much if something funky happens hit the clutch and try again.

When you start out on hills just use the hand brake, practice starting fast on flat surfaces and gradually start doing it on small hills, then larger ones.