Just FYI, If I could, I'd put a rotary engine in every thing I possibly could. I'm already making plans for such an event in the future. I'd never been around a rotary engine before 7-31-03 (my first test drive) and since then it's all I can think about.

This is the FIRST car I'd turn around and buy again. In fact, That's what I'm planning to do this December unless Mazda brings out another rotary car.

The majority of people on 3 or 4 engines were because of a poor reman that failed a seal within the first week. Seal as in gasket so the engine would leak oil or water.

Mike

One thing that you have to face with the rotary engine is that you have to know about the differences from a piston engine. The rotary is the charm of this car, sweetest engine I've ever owned, smooth straightline power to the beep. But it is different, it requires you to know how to maintain the engine, that is why the rotaries tend to attract us motorhead types. You just have to know what you are getting into, you can't no brain non-maintain and get away with it.

No you can't just get in turn the key move it 10 feet and shut it off overnight but even then it isn't a guaranteed flood. Yes, you need to check the oil and add regularly this isn't the go to the local oil change shop every 5K and fuggetaboudit in between. I'll stay away from the oil types debate, people have good experiences if they know what they are doing but I've used dino for 58K miles without any problems. Oh, and you need to replace the spark plugs two to three times more often. Yeah, I get gunk on the dipstick in cold weather and it is a pain to read the oil level then but I can't see a need to have the whole re-plumbing done when it doesn't affect the engine itself.

My 04 MT has had all the recalls performed, control module flashes, didn't need the engine mounts or the replaced control arms. No new engine either. I've had no engine problems at all and it runs strong. For all the "issues", the 8 is the most fun of a lot of fun vehicles that I've owned. I'm not denying that some folks have had problems, nor am I saying that they didn't properly maintain them. All I am saying is that Mazda has done right by us in standing behind the product. I'm not worried about the longevity of this engine.

i would agree with just about everything you said except this. don't get me wrong, you'd have to pry my cold hands off of my car to get it away but i wouldn't say that mazda has been great at standing behind the 8. in fact i would say they haven't but it's a great car nonetheless.

* waves hand across face *

You have nothing to worry about

* waves hand across face *

you will buy the rx8

* waves hand across face *

you can go about your business.

Im a female '06 owner,bought new, and am new to rotary, and have had NO issues. Mine has almost 11,000 miles and I've had her only 6 months.

Tip: my DEALER mechanic told me on the sly.....DRIVE HER LIKE YOU STOLE HER....most problems come from owners not really knowing the potential of this car and treating it like a piston engine. The Renesis is a racing engine.....remember that.

Take one out on a test drive and get a little wild with it and see what it will do...I did, scared the bejeesus out of the salesman......but I drove her home.....I guarantee YOU will be HOOKED....get a good warranty for a back up if you want,...and all the worries will go out the window...


I drive her aggressive, hit the Rev limiter at least once a week, and climb high elevations on a daily basis. Being female, and having my better half out of the country alot, I did take out the extended warranty. However checking oil, using proper gas, and keeping her on a strict proper maintence is on me. I take care of her she takes care of me.


My .2 ;)

Now those are the types of responses I expect from a community and not all this flaming stuff. I'm fairly new to the rotary but not new to cars and I am a bit dissapointed on how many people get offended when people ask questions. Very nice post rddragoness..

Get a Corolla.

people are offended because newbies keep asking the same dang ol' questions over and over again

the flaming comes in that these questions are asked on almost a daily basis. if people took a few minutes to do some searching they would answer their own questions. so when you see the same question over and over again and we live in a society where people want everyone to do their work for them then yes, you do get some flaming.

it's also a little tiring when people are looking for everyone to convince them of anything. i couldn't care less what someone else drives and am not going to make a decision for you or explain to you why i got and love the car. you're an adult - make an informed decision and stick to it but don't come on here and say prove to me why i should buy a car.

now where did i leave that darn soapbox?

BTW, i like the new signature (or maybe it's not new and i just noticed it)

100% agree.

Yeah, just had another burst of mpg and oil thread, didn't we?I had the same thought. I have that same thought pretty often (well, about as often as posts like this turn up), but when I have that thought I just close the tab and look for a useful thread or log off.Yeah, ditto, but it doesn't seem to help to say so. I think the presumption that a forum is a new member's person research and summary team is far ruder than the flame replies they often get. However, I tend to just browse off to other things and hope for a little internet Darwinism - they read the stickies or they don't learn. :Drooling_

I'm the founding member of the RX-8 Zero Problem Club.

Welcome.

Who's to say what overreacting is? Or what risks are acceptable?

You've gotten some good responses on reliability.

But, on a larger perspective, how tight are you on a car budget? You're buying used because you can't afford new, and you can't afford a big after-purchase surprise. Buying used always carries more risk than buying new. You've gotten advice to buy from a dealer and get an extended warranty - but that cuts some of the buy-used savings.

Life itself is a gamble. Life can also be dull if you look for the safest odds. You've got to ask yourself how much your passion for an RX-8 - or *any* cool car - balances your desire for safety.

FWIW, while the 8 has a unique engine, the things I worry about are common to just about all nice cars these days: headlight bulbs that are several hundred dollars a pop, $500 alloy wheels that ding a lot easier than $40 steel ones, electronic modules that can fry and cost hundreds (maybe a couple of thousand) dollars, low profile performance tires that cost double ordinary all seasons, etc.

Han Solo had it right when he said "Never tell me the odds."

Ken

Wow. If I ever buy a RX8, it's gonna have practically nothing to do with the rotary. Maybe I should reconsider. Oh well, I'll keep lurking this forum anyway.

The engine is an integral component to the car, the weight and positioning enabling some of the other highlights -> the perfect balance, the amazing agility, and the almost symbiotic driver-feedback and precision steering.

....

life is a gamble, are you a risk taker? how is your karma?

the problem was an oil / epa problem... was solved on the first recall, but on some motors the damage was done.

beers :beer:

Thanks! I am one that has always told it like I saw it.

PWNT

The Miata is widely considered one of the most trouble-free cars you can buy. Still, Mazda had to replace the engine in my '99. The new engine was problem-free.

So… would you worry about buying a Miata?

nah...i'd worry and just not buy one if i were you.

You clearly are overly concerned with all the bad and have much disregaurd of any good points. Doesn't sound like the car fits you already :dunno:

Yes, and notice how they're not on car lots.

I own an 04 as well and it has been a great car. 35k on the odo right now. I havent had a single issue until today when I ran over a ladder that fell off the back of a truck (minimal damage). And yes, it is sunlight silver, thanks for asking...

I understand the frustration. :) I guess after I have been here a while I will get annoyed as well. I have searched for certain things with out being able to find what Im looking for but Im affraid to ask. ;) I will just ask a member at one of our local meets. :hahano:

The sig, thanks, I made it a couple days ago. Im glad you like it.

-SlipNslide1.3