shea82

So I'm looking at getting a new car in the next few weeks and was wondering some things.

I have had a MX-5 Miata for 7 years now. I do most of my own work on my car such as, installing a turbo, exhaust, blow up the engine, rebuild, and reinstall the turbo. Also, I drive at the redline 85% of the time, I go through tires like paper towels cause cornering with a Miata is way more fun than street light racing, and I speed cause I like being early.

First, yes, I know it doesn't get good gas mileage. I'm ok with it, because the only other car I would buy is a Porsche Boxster and with the RX-8 at 15-20,000 less, I figured I can pay for gas.

What about pre owned certified? I have done all my own work in the past, but I believe a preowned certified comes with a 10 year extended, which to be honest, appeals to me as I don't have time to work much on this RX-8 and need it for my daily driver. Is going to a dealer for a used one worth it to all of you? Or should I save the 3000 and take a chance with a private sale? Are there that many issues with the Wankel? Do you know the price for an extended warranty if I buy privately, is it even possible?

So I am just wondering what version I should get. I believe I'm right in looking at the Touring or Grand Touring, what do you think are there differences a sporting driver would care about? I would prefer the larger wheels and xenon that both packages come with so I don't have to upgrade later. Leather seats are also a must and I know they are only an option in touring.


I know it eats gas and oil, are there any issues(like my dads Porsche 944 in the 80's needed belts every 8k) or anything unusual?

Would you buy an RX-8 again? Or is it not a valid follow up to my favorite Japanese car the RX-7?

So in short, I'm keeping the Miata will probably strip it and turn it into a racer or at least destroy it in the process, and so I would like some information if you would be so kind.

The most important parts are the general issues from neglect if I buy non-certified, and then would it be better to buy certified and get an extended warranty? I have to do some traveling so the room and hardtop would be greatly appreciated over my miata or a boxster, so please tell me what you think. Thanks.

Mazda is the only Japanese company I like, and although I'd maybe think about an Audi TT or S4 or more likely the Boxster, I'd prefer to wait for a more serious purchase in a couple of years.

also, the 350z is not an option. f that noise.

shea82

also, i know it isn't a torque monster and all that, coming from a Miata, I doubt it could feel much worse.

Razz1

If you can afford the 09, get it.

shea82

What are the benefits beside being new? If I can afford the 09, and it is exactly the same as the 08, I think I would rather spend that 30k and get a Porsche Boxster, all things remaining equal. Are there performance benefits? Or just all stylistic such as in the pix I've seen?

How about lease, anyone get any good deals on an RX-8? Do they even lease them? Or is that a Mazda 3 type of thing.

robrecht

The '09 has some engine improvements: 2 extra oil nozzles for better lubrication to the center of the apex seals, bigger oil coolers, and a different oil pump and oil pan. Same power and poor fuel economy.

Styling wise, many don't like the other changes to the '09s. You'll pay a considerably higher price for a new '09 and can probably get a fantastic deal on a new '08 40th edition model, which is a beautiful package in my opinion. But if you buy used, you'll get a steal since these cars depreciate quickly. If you go used, probably best to stay away from '04s. There's a warranty extension to 60k on the powertrain and just announced yesterday a 8-year/100k warranty extension on the engine core so I wouldn't worry much about a certified used car from a dealer or buying an extended warranty.

It would be nice to have the '09 engine improvements, but low mileage used is by far the best value and you can better lubricate the apex seals by premixing--makes you into a real rotorhead quickly. Find a good mechanic to look it over first to give you peace of mind. If it's an early 2006 or earlier car, Mazda can tell you if and when it had the PCM re-flashed, which should give you some sense of how well the owner maintained it.

Also, the Touring models don't have leather, only the GTs, Shinkas, and the 40th edition model.

XlYesterdaYlX

this is totally off topic. But what in the world is a shinka.

robrecht

Special edition models.

rev44

There are plenty of cars I would choose over the 8 if money was no option obviously. But I can say that dollar for dollar there is not a more fun car. I forget about the lack of torque every time I tach it up in 3rd and hear what I call the wankel wail! I enjoy mine imensley. Best of Luck.

shea82

thanks, was wondering that as well. thanks for your post robrecht, didn't see that sticky with the update.

how is the suspension and such on the cars? hold up in standard ways? a friends rice'd out rx-7 had some issues with shifting at 110mph and wheelspin, but that was probably my fault.

rev44

Shifting at 110mph hour? I would hope it would only be 5th to 6th at that point.
I do not worry about wheelspin because I don't dump my clutch.

shea82

it had some extra parts, soooo, no, not 5th or 6th.

granted 110mph is the indicated speed.

REsuperD

fyi we just found out that warranty on all cars has been extended to 8yr/100,000 miles

if rx-7, namely fd, is your *favorite car* then the rx-8 MIGHT not be for you. it's not super quick off the line and it's not a street monster; 350z fits that bill a bit better but you're not into those (good!). the 8 does handle very very well and is quite a hoot of a fun car to drive. and if you like to drive at redline 85% of the time then you'll love it. but then again, if you're considering/comparing s4, then... tt's may be comparable to the 8 but the 8 handle better; s4, on the other hand, is a bit of a german muscle car, ie quicker & faster... the 8 is definitely more practical than a boxster, and i have a feeling you won't be able to work on the boxster yourself as much (unless you have a lift and a way to *remove* the engine). and boxster, well, boxsters are everywhere. it's like rich people's standard-issue sports convertible. the 8 is cooler =P

robrecht

Forgot to mention there's also some rear suspension tweaks on the '09 as well as a lower final drive on the MT models, which should mean a little quicker response off the line. There's also a sport model that comes with 19" gunmetal wheels and recaro racing seats.

daisuke

I know at least a few RX-7 purists who criticize the handling and power of the 8 and think it's not a worthy succesor to the FD... BUT the rx-8 isn't a proper 2 seat sports car, it's a true 2+2 with one foot in true sports car territory and the other one in the GT area. Gas mileage aside, this is a great car to just cruise in, the ride is like a dream for something that is meant to handle this well, so it makes a wonderful daily driver or long distance car. And it handles the corners like a champ, VERY fun to drive fast in the twisties, predictable handling too.

You sound like you have a good deal of disposable income when it comes to cars, so if I were you I'd go with a used car, you can get one with very low miles for less than 23k and then see how you feel about it. Then if you like it, use the money you've saved in not buying a new one (or a boxster) and invest it into forced induction, suspension upgrades or whatever you want.

Certified used is going to cost you about $1500 extra on top of the stealership comission, you're best off going with a really low mileage used one that still has the (now extended) original warranty, you'll save the initial depreciation hit on top of it all so that's about 5 grand in savings if you buy private. Have the compression checked at a dealership before you buy. They might run the engine cleaning procedure fore you, never hurts to find that out.

As far as issues go, the rx-8 is prone to overheating if you live in a really hot place like vegas or in the desert. There have been a problems out there and you should know how badly rotaries take to an overheat. They recently had the 16x out in vegas to test it, and it was overheating too.

shea82

So I test drove an 2008 8 and I have to say I am very happy with the car.

It has okay power, nothing like the 7, as one would expect, but i really felt a good pull around 6000 that continued almost all the way to 9000rpm.

Brought my girlfriend with me, she likes the car exterior and the engine, but she feels all of that with the interior is just too busy for her. Was expecting that, to be honest.

Overall the car felt great, and although it is much heavier than my Miata, it felt great on the corners I took. The engine was very smooth and I was impressed. The gear ratios are very different from my car, and I accidentally was in 3rd at about 80mph a couple times because I didn't even notice how the speedo until i shifted later.

So I do believe I will purchase one in the near future, still thinking about whether it should be a lease on an 08 or 09 or get a used 06 or 07.

Here is a question I had from the ride, it feels as though the HP takes a dive before 9000rpm. Is that a common feeling, or was this demo car a little off. I know HP dies around the redline, but I wasn't even at the warning bell and I felt significantly less powerful around 8200/8300rpm or so. Just wondering.

Love the car, now its time to figure out buy or lease and find a Grand Touring edition or 40th that I like.


Also, talked to my girlfriends brother in law who is the floor manager at the Mazda service at the dealer and I don't know if you all were joking or not, but he informed me to NEVER put 2 stroke in a mix with the gas. He's fixed 2 cars since the RX-8 has come out that have done that and had issues. So I don't know if people were joking or whatever, but that 2 stroke stuff goes into my scooter that I used to use for college, not the RX-8. Thought I would pass that along unless its me with the wool over my eyes.

shea82

does anyone have an RX-8 in Florida? I'm interested to know if the heat here is something to worry about. Our heat is latent with water (90% humidity is common) at around 95-100 degrees in the summer, so I've never had an issue with my Miata Turbo'd, because once at speed the air is pretty thick and very wet and cooling. Not the dry heat like the desert.

Thanks in advance.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

with the humidity you have down there, the oil coolers should do a fine job dissipating heat from the engine.

did you also know mazda just extended the warranty coverage of the rotary engine core of 2004-2008 rx8's to 8 years 100k miles? check with dealer to verify, i think it's an added bonus to look into one of these

shea82

thats what I was thinking. Would love to hear from someone in FL with an RX-8

I am aware, and when I told my g/f's brother in law he had no idea, neither did the salesman that pitched me, nor the sales manager.

I told them they may wanna do some research.

zeru57

In regards to your first question, I haven't noticed any kind of power drop off around 8200rpm.

In response to your second question, search the forum a little bit and you'll see a (small?) devoted following of premixers. Most use the Idemitsu stuff that is "specifically for rotary engine racing". Some people will say never do it, others will say it's invaluable if you take the car to the track (along with 20w50). Best advice is to use your own judgement. Anything specific he said regarding the issues?

If you read one thread, take a look at the expo's 100k engine thread. It has pics of a rebuild and lots of premix/oil talk that should answer a lot of questions.

Razz1

Get the 09

And yes, you need the Access Port from MM. The car runs pig rich and looses power early.