When I woke up, it was still there.

 

-double post-

 

I just got my 8 two months ago and love it. Like the car & driver (I think) article said, it's 100 hp. short of perfect. As for a new car, I won't consider anything until I see the 60th anniversay Vette in 2013. By then, Mazda may have a monster rotary motor and I'll get another 8.

 

8 till I hit the lotto, then I can pick up my...... BUGATTI........ **** my pants got wet.

 

Mine goes off lease in Sept. 08. I'll for sure keep it through the lease end, and am still enjoying it. That said, not getting another one. Time for something else.

 

A lot of RX-8 drivers really think about selling their cars when they compare daily driving performance vs. mpgs and maintenance routine with more stable engines.

In some ways the 8 is very practical race car handling, seating for 4 adults and options gallore. Pretty exterior design and highlight interior design.

In others its not practical or doesn't make sense, high revs and not much torque, A 1.3 engine and V8 gas consumption. Fragile interior buttons, visors and exterior lens.

Make you think sale, sale, sale the 1st chance you get!!! Until shift to 1st then to 2nd, ....

 

A lot of people means just you right?

As far as mpgs, you should have had an idea of what you where getting into. It is marketed at 18 mpg. I'm getting roughly 16 mpg. A little short of what I was hoping for, but it's slowly going up as I work at being smooth.

Sure mpg isn't great, but sit down and figure out how much extra it is costing you. Here I'll do it for you.

Lets assume 20,000 miles per year:

The Rx8 is marketed at 18 mpg that's 1111 Gallons of gas a year.

If you get 20 mpg (350z-ish) that's 1000 gallons a year.

111 gallons of gas at $3.50 (that's OVER current price btw) that's $388.50.

Now keep in mind the Rx-8 is usually a LOT cheaper to ensure and usually at least $1000 cheaper to buy in fact a quick search on edmunds shows the price difference to be more like $4000.

So, you need between 2 and a half years and 10 years to BREAKEVEN. And that Doesn't count insurance costs!

Even if you are only getting 16 mpg thats 1250 gallons a year.
250 + $3.50 = $875
You'll breakeven between in a little over a year and 4 and half years.
Again this is WITHOUT insurance costs.

It's when owners really don't think that they ponder selling.

What maintenance routine? A slightly shorter oil change period. Some people have to add oil? (I'm not one of them)

The engine is pretty stable. The majority of the problems can from the rough last minute flash to adhere to the new 100,000 miles cat law.

This has been fixed. While it still has problems, what car doesn't? The 350z has had it's share of engine problems.


Not only does this make it very, very practical it is the only "true" sports car in it's price bracket that is so.

(I have carrier 4 adult males [age 28-33] and 3 adult males [age 30, 33, 64] many many times, no problem) <Heights ranging from 5'8" to 6'>

I wouldn't say this makes it impractical. Funny, I can break the rear tires free pretty easily if I want too.

The breaking buttons was a mistake in early production. (Read early 2003) There is a TSB for em. For the rest of us it's a non-issue.

The Visors, some hate 'em, some love em. Mine seem solid as a rock. What Exterior lens problem, linky please.


Funny, I don't. But I do agree that I love driving my 8.

EDIT: Wow, I made a lot terrible grammar / spelling mistakes. Think I fixed most of them.

 

I've said it many times, but this is probably the single most MISUNDERSTOOD thing about the 8. Yes, we normally equate a small engine with good fuel economy, but in the 8's case, that is NOT the advantage of having a small engine. Instead of miserly gas consumption, we get great feel and handling. If the unique feel and handling of the 8 isn't important to you, then yeah, there's really no good reason to buy this car, IMHO.

 

let the truth be told the 8 is like a good beer(fill in)a good pair of jeans(fill in)and last but not lease your best girlfriend or wife.that said some could do without or maybe not.i made my choice even tho i am not married to it i love the way she moves,the way she handles and for the taste!i'll never tell i'm to damm happy to care!

 

that's the taste for gas you fools!!

 

Barolog Quote - A lot of people means just you right?

DonA - Look at the forums other then this one not all are as delighted with things the way we are here. Even on this forum you hear more complaints then not, but the car still gets above 75% satified drivers. Notbad but not good either. A lot Meaning more then Me.

Barolog - As far as mpgs, you should have had an idea of what you where getting into. It is marketed at 18 mpg. I'm getting roughly 16 mpg. A little short of what I was hoping for, but it's slowly going up as I work at being smooth. Sure mpg isn't great, but sit down and figure out how much extra it is costing you. Here I'll do it for you.

Lets assume 20,000 miles per year:

The Rx8 is marketed at 18 mpg that's 1111 Gallons of gas a year.

If you get 20 mpg (350z-ish) that's 1000 gallons a year.

111 gallons of gas at $3.50 (that's OVER current price btw) that's $388.50.

Now keep in mind the Rx-8 is usually a LOT cheaper to ensure and usually at least $1000 cheaper to buy in fact a quick search on edmunds shows the price difference to be more like $4000.

So, you need between 2 and a half years and 10 years to BREAKEVEN. And that Doesn't count insurance costs!

Even if you are only getting 16 mpg thats 1250 gallons a year.
250 + $3.50 = $875
You'll breakeven between in a little over a year and 4 and half years.
Again this is WITHOUT insurance costs.

It's when owners really don't think that they ponder selling.


DonA - Rationalize all you want a lost is still a lost, poor mpg is a lost and no low end torque is a concern of mines. And though you buy for less, remember this you also sell for much, much less after 40--50K plus mileages. The beforementioned 04 Nissan car with 40k miles in its Ethuasiaus form will still bring $18- $19k here in the great SW of USA. And still get 20mpg in cities - 28mpg on the hiway. You pay that for a 05 RX-8 with 18-20K miles with 40k+ miles you could get the 8 for $13-$14k. I still don't like V-8 consumption from a 1.3 liter engine unless it has the output of the last RX-7 turbo. Giving the 8 its due, the 8s engine is more maintenance free then the Rx-7 was.

Quote:
Originally Posted by donack456
and maintenance routine with more stable engines.

What maintenance routine? A slightly shorter oil change period. Some people have to add oil? (I'm not one of them)

DonA - Have you read your owners manual, if you don't top it off after 3k miles you are asking for trouble, but of course you are special your RX-8 probably has great low end torque under 35k rpms also.

He goes on - The engine is pretty stable. The majority of the problems can from the rough last minute flash to adhere to the new 100,000 miles cat law. This has been fixed. While it still has problems, what car doesn't? The 350z has had it's share of engine problems.

DonA - The engine is unique it is not as stable as Mazda-3, Mx-5 or Mazda 6. The 8s engine sounds like it has a turbine somewhere but its not as maintenance free, maybe its just Me. That is not blind to the truth and don't have to mention the Z-car, just compare Mazda's 8 with other Mazda cars. The Miata is still the best selling Sport car Mazda makes. The Rx-8 is the most unique.

We can go round and round but its just a difference of opinons. Except for the numbers!!! Numbers don't lie or make excuses.

 

Repeating myself: This has been fun so far, and I'm sure it will be fun until my lease is over, and at that point, the next car I get, which will be different, will be fun for me as well.

Cars are not forever, folks, unless it's a '57 Chevy or something.

 

thank you. someone finally said somethign smart...as for the guy that said he has a coffin for his rx8 and he wont die without it or something... get a life.

 

ugh...this has got to be the lamest thread ever...

 

I can afford to trade, but I haven't and I won't. At 3 1/2 years and 87,000 miles our relationship is as strong as ever. I love this car.

She is (obviously) my daily driver, weekend touring car, and long-haul cruiser.

 

Well if Porsche ever re-did the 928 I would get one in a heart beat.

 

and this must be the lamest, most useless contribution to this thread as well. congrats on post #999

 

Look, just sell the damn car.
After living without a rotary powered car since 2000 it has been hell on me. If the 8 got a best of 10 MPG I would still buy it because I love the rotary engine.
I can not say how long the Renesis will last but after 4 other rotary cars that were run like a T/F rail, i think it is as stable as any engine out there today.
DonA, your reply (if you don't top it off after 3k miles you are asking for trouble) is pretty much invaid seeing as that is when you change the oil. 5.5 qt's of the good stuff every 3k, no need to "top off"

Just my OP-ED.

 

i always wanted to get the 335i hardtop convertable!

 

The only reason I've even toyed with the thoughts of selling the 8 right now would be because I have 3 cars, and I'm trying to make a downpayment on my first house. Clearly, the advantage of an extra $600 a month, not to mention insurance money also, would make it easier.

...HOWEVER, i'm still fighting furiously to work it out to keep the 8. If I could afford it free and clear, i'd be a no brainer...it'd go into the ground under my ownership.