Love the 8, but scared to get one.
 

Hi all, please dont flame me for asking questions, which Im sure has been addressed already.

Im finally getting ready to buy a new car. I test drove the 350z and the rx8. Definately prefere the 8, but its uniqueness that I love is also what I fear.

I know the 8 is pretty reliable as a daily driver, but what if I plan to track it once in awhile? If something does happen with the engine, whos gonna fix it? If I recall, mazda dealerships arent the best place to go.

My friend whos an amatuer race car driver whos opinion I respect says that he has seen numerous 8's on the track breaking down.

I know its unrealistic to expect an engine to be bulletproof, but a regular engine can be fix at any local mechanic. Rotary's on the other hand.....

Anybody take their 8's to the track regulary? How durable is the rotary?
by the way, I love the rotary engine, I just want it to last for a long period of time.

once u mod any car the reliability goes down period so maybe thoose track cars are modded who knows, if you want someting unique and very comfortable to drive around and once in a while go to a track or something get the 8 its not designed to be babied so ull be alright to beat on it once in a while

There is a whole section of the forum where people talk about their track days. You should probably read that. :spank:

As far as repairs, it depends on your dealer but there are plenty of good ones in most areas. You can find reviews of the Mazda dealers all over the site too.

If you're going to ask questions that have already been answered you may as well be very specific instead of generalizing a lot of things that way people can give you better answers. Like specifying where you are located for a start.

^:iamwithst

Maintain it and feed it oil and all will be well.
I think that occasional track time will help blow any carbon out of the ports.
You'll love it so much you'll wonder why you had any doubts.

Thanks for the replies you guys. I know my question is probably been asked a million times before. Im familiar with the maintenance required for the car, but I just needed some assurance on the whole reliability issue. I love the car, I just want it to last. Anybody here have one with over 100k miles on it? Just out of curiosity.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

i think there are a few close to if not past the 100k mark by now
i'm at about 50k with no major problems. engine feels better than day 1.

Breakdowns on the track are common no matter the make or model. Racing is incredibly strenuous on a car regardless of class... look up your average race times and count how many times you see "DNF."

Other than small niggling problems....18 track days last year...and no problems.

This engine actually runs better after a track day...it cleans it up and it runs like a dream for a couple of weeks...until the around town style of driving gets it a bit gummed up again.

When you race at a track, all bets are off. I've seen 'vettes blowing up their engines or even reliable subarus breaking their driveshaft at launches. Anything can happen at track events.
You are better off renting Caterham Super 7 for track days. way more fun while clothed.

"Love the 8, but scared to get one."

... then don't get one.

Get a Camry.

Buy a Hybrid Camry.....

LOL - Tell him to quit playing video games - :banghead:

heh...

I can't count how many times we've had our DE Rx-8s at the track, and neither of them have had any serious engine problems. In fact, the majority of the mileage is probably from track events. They've both been run HARD (between 3 or 4 of us sharing 2 RX-8s) at the same HPDE. I've been to 15 or so in the past year alone. Now that I think about it, once you count my brother and my father, we've got close to 70 track events between the two RX-8s (one of them has the large majority of those under it's belt).

I can't think of any other car you can buy that will consistently last any longer than most RX-8s do. Just do your regular maintenance, check your oil frequently, and you're RX-8 will run with the best of them.

word to your mother

It depends on what Mod you're talking about

Im doing Radiator upgrade right now(too much sun outside Im just taking a break) tell me how does that lower the reliability of the 8 ? even on the track.

I've never been to a track, planning to try it this summer, but I think every car will break, no matter which brand. and ask your friend to count the total number of *break downs*

That's your user name? Seriously?

hah, that must be a pain, make sure you save it in the browser

if you're worried about durability then you likely can't afford the gas mileage ...

Get a minivan.

You're Jamaica us crazy!

Not to be insensitive, but...grow a pair and get what you want. I've seen lots of cars break down too, does that really mean anything?

Here:

http://www.trust1.com/backs/trucknuts2.BRASS.jpg

You owe me $19.95 plus tax...I take Paypal. Keep this up, and I'll put you in my "Hall of Shame" thread...

It's a great car. Just buy the damn thing!