Help me decide...Is the RX-8 worth it?
 

Well, I wana start out that I just turned 16 and got my liscence. Now, I don't know much about cars but I am starting to learn a lot. First, I want to say that the car looks beautiful. I saw the problems with Engine Flooding and thought it would be easy to overcome, simply don't make short trips. My brother (who works for a Mazda dealership) said that you may need to change the motor every 30,000 miles (if this is true that means I would have to change the motor approximatly 3 times before college). Gas mileage is pretty bad but I could deal with that. Do you NEED Premium gas for that? This car does have some good perfermance which is great for my first car. So I wanted to know if you guys still reccommend this car even though you need to change the motor supposidley. And yes I am new...very new so don't comment harshly please.

No harsh comments, except your dealer bro' is on crack.

Why not get a biodeisel VW that gets 40 MPG on french fry grease?

u dont need 2 change the motor.. thats ridiculous.... just read on the forums.. keep ur car in good condition... and u'll b running with 80k just fine....


well.. just let ur engine cool off a lil... so if u turn off ur car.. dont start it right away.. wait like 5 minz and it'll b fine.


it DOES need premium.. u can get away without it.. but residue builds up that screws up the car after a while.... premium is definitely expensive.. but worth it for ANY sports car.

Change the engine every 30,000 miles?? Mental note: Stay away from your brother's dealership. That is just plain WRONG information!

These cars are worth every penny.

First off, your brother doesn't know what he's talking about. You will NOT need to change the motor every 30K miles. Mazda would be sued by quite a few people if they mass produced a car with a lifespan of 30K miles.

Second, i'm not sure this is a car for a new driver. It's not balls out fast, but you can get bent out of shape quickly if you are inexperienced. Add to that a new driver will have high insurance on an already highish insurance car and you will be paying quite a bit.

Gas milage is what you make of it. We get 22mpg hwy in our RX8 cruising, about 19-20 in the city - however we don't rev it out to 9K at every shift point. That being said, 22mpg is not great, especially with gas prices like they are now and unless you plan on driving very little, you will be spending a lot of money on gas.

The car requires 93 octane. i wouldn't put anything less in ANY rotary. My FD takes 93 and so does the FE.

You won't want to hear this, but if I were you i'd look into getting a used car for your first car. Something that gets good milage, is reliable, and you won't care if it gets wrecked. And get something that is not fast. Trust me I was 16 once too and I'm amazed I'm still alive after doing some of the stupid shit I did - ironically enough in my BROTHER's 1984 RX7.

Your brother is full of crap. Unless, of course, you are the kind of driver that does awful things to your engine. Having to get a new motor to the tune of $5000+ every 30K miles is an unrealistic expectation for a car company to have these days.

I've been running 89 octane and my car runs fine.

If you can afford an '8, I'd jump on it. I don't doubt that it will be higher maintenance than your average Toyota and Honda but I don't see it being the nightmare that the earlier RX- series were or my '99 Passat was.

That said, and please don't take this the wrong way, I think the RX-8 would be a poor choice for a 16-year-old. You may be mature and a very conscientious driver (and if so, good for you!) but when I was 16, I wasn't definitely not a good match for this car. I thought I was a good driver but I didn't really start to calm down and not be and idiot until my early-mid twenties (23 or so). I think your brother looks at this the same way and that's why he gave you the "new motor every 30K" line.

I wish you the best. The RX-8 is a great car and I hope you enjoy it if you get it.

well, in japan, the law requires that all cars have their engines changed after 30K miles. (i guess they are all bastard children of al gore? lol) well, they don't drive as much as we do here, because they don't have as many open roads. and, air quality is a top concern over there. they have one of the higher life expectancies compared to the rest of the world. but, being egocentric americans, most of us didn't know that...

That is an urban myth

http://www.trustmymechanic.com/japanmotor.html

Well I know this doesn't say much but before I got my lisence, I drove 5 cars. When I took my drivers test (which I passed the 1st time) I took it in a car I only drove 2 times and did great. 1 week after my liscence, I drove 7 cars alltogether .But that is not the point. My insurance said I only need to pay 180 a month. I took a drivers ed class that is reducing that lower 160 a month. So really, this car is great on insurance for me. I also don't plan on driving tripple digits on roads yet. Luckly for me, there is an airport 45 minutes away where they let you drive around on a driving course which has no speed limit and nothing. A friend of mine offred a Civic SI which doesnt seem too bad either...but the looks on the RX-8 suck me in to wanting to get it.

P.S.: They told my brother that RX-8's engine dies within 30,000 miles so it wasn't him who orginially came up with that. :Eyecrazy:

Again, no offense but experience is gained in miles driven - seat time - not the number of vehicles you have driven.

You may do fine in this car, but it is a fairly fast car for a new driver. Just keep that in mind. If you do get it, i highly recommend joining your local SCCA chapter and start doing some autocross. The car will be doing what it was designed to do, and you will learn a boatload about how to control the car properly.

Like I said, I don't have plans on driving tripple digits on streets for a long long time. Just on some tracks like you provided (thanks by the way). So from what I understand, an RX-8 is very well worth its money? And my insurance will be low. Well anyways...thanks for all the help. :beerchug:

another noob converted to rotary luv ^_^.... the deed is done. ^O^

That's wack!!You need to set your brother straight.

When you buy it, make sure you fill out the dealership's ID-10T form for your first 3 free engine replacements.

Them ask them where the ST1 box is so you can carry it in the back of the car?

OH DAMN!! Im at 36k miles!! !I better take my car in for my new engine!

If you have to change the engine every 30,000 miles - the good news is that the warranty should still be in effect for the first changeout.

You don't have to make it up to triple digits to get yourself into trouble. The energy stored up in a 3000lb vehicle moving at just 40mph would astound you.

ok, $180/month for insurance is HIGH! $160/month is still high. i say get the civic si, which still may be too much car for you, but you'll be better off in it, and it'll save you on insurance. plus honda's hold their value well so after you're more comfortable you'll be able to get a good deal when you trade it in for something better.

i remember when i was 16 (hell i remember when i was 19, or when i was 2 weeks younger...) i was so reckless. i know you probably think because you've driven a few cars that you can drive anything, but that's not the case. i work for enterprise. every day i drive anything from a tiny chevy aveo to a 16 passenger van, and let me tell you, you can get in just as much trouble with an aveo as with an rx8, except the 8 will get you there quicker. time in the driver's seat is what makes you a good driver, not being behind the wheel of a lot of cars. knowing how a car will react to increased throttle, oversteer, understeer, skid, weather, ect cannot be gained in the time it takes you from getting a permit to getting a license. looking at what's going on around you while you're driving - seeing the accident that could happen up the road, the car cutting you off, the sudden stop - all this must be expierenced first and many times before you really develop a feel for how you'll react.

sorry for all the ramble. i just don't think this is the car for you or any 16 year old's first car for that matter. get a used car and autocross it for a couple years - gain some real driving expierence on the street and on the track, then you'll be ready. if it has to be a rear drive car, you can get an old 240sx MT for like $2500. it's a nice looking car, has good power and the feel of the power behind you. plus it loves to get sideways!

it's not that i don't want you to have an 8, i just want you to be ready for it.

I think your brother might have seen enough RX-8 issues that makes him persuade you against. Note that the 8 is fast but don't go racing with someone else coz its not one of the fastest by sportscars standards.

Well, the RX-8 is pretty slow.... so it could be a 'safer' car for him to drive!!! :P

I'm actually kind of in the same situation. Im 17 and I'm looking for a car and I stumbled upon the RX8. Love the looks and it sounds as if its a solid car to start off as a base to make into a fast car. The only difference is, I'm probably looking for a second hand one (probably 20k range) and not a brand new one.

But yeh now you guys making me reconsider.... hm.. Only problem is, I can't seem to find a decent car in the 20k range that has the looks and the speed like the RX8. :dunno: I mean I can get the WRX (which I really like actually), but there will always be this hint of dissapointment in me knowing that its not the STI :sad:

So I don't know. Oh yeh, FYI im definately going to take some sort of advanced driving school. I'm interested in taking part in drift comps (or some sort of racing comp). Which brings up another point I guess.. Is it a good car to drift with? Sounds as if it is because of the awesome handling. But then again I don't really know. All I know is that the RWD factor of the RX8 will do wonders :aroused:

*I just realised that I should add that I won't be racing or drifting in this anytime soon.. probably like 4-5 yrs, if that quick. Just making sure because I know that itll be stupid to do any racing in a new-er car.*

Okay thats all I think :p:

Thanks for you replies!

If you are gonna mod a car, the WRX will suffice. Why be bothered by the fact that its not an STI if you are gonna swap the parts out. If you are not modding I guess STI it is.

Thats a good point. But I don't know. I guess its just me, but it just makes me believe that my car is second best since there is a better version of this car :dunno:. I guess its more the "package" and "feel" rather than the speed that I'm reffering to and will be dissapointed with. yeh I know its stupidity but I'd rather wait till I have enough money and buy the real STI

yes its worth it