Might be getting an RX8
 

so im wondering if i should get an RX8 or not because ive been told that its an amazing car and very fun to drive an i agree 100% , but i am interested in knowing if it breaks down a lot or has many malfunctions and if so, what is the price range in fixing said problems.

Nothing unusual. Most repair costs are pretty much in line with other cars. The engine has an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty. No timing belt, so you don't have that cost every 60,000 miles. Spark plugs are expensive ($80 for a set of four), and need to be replaced twice as often as those in ordinary cars.

The one nuisance thing about rotraries is that you should not turn them off cold, lest they flood. Whether that's a problem tends to depend on your parking situation.

I'll leave others to scold you for not searching. ;)

Ken

well thank you for not scolding me but what do you mean by "you should not turn them off cold"?

It means dont start your car and then shut it off real fast...this usually happens when your moving your car out of the way for somebody or something like that...just let it warm up then you can turn it off

Also dont buy this car if your wanting to beat every cobra, or camaro out there in a straight line...it lacks torque but handles like a champ...if you dont plan on modding it and just want to daily drive it, dont expect amazing gas mileage and check up on your oil more than normal

aight man thanks for info

I too am a potential buyer and I'm wondering - is the flooding only a risk when shutting the car off before it's at operating temperature, or is it a problem anytime the car is shut off shortly after starting it, even if the car was already warm? Like if you've been driving for a bit and the car's at normal temperature, then you park it for five minutes, then start it again and then turn it off a minute later.

An example being going to a store, buying whatever (five minutes spent parked), then hopping to another very nearby store (one-minute drive) and going there (parking again). Would the engine now be flooded or is it 100% safe as long as the oil-temperature gauge indicates the oil is warm by the time the car is turned off?

I'm pretty sure that it's only shutting off when cold that's a problem. It's because the mixture is so fuel-rich when cold.

Right...it's a cold thing. Combination of the mixture being rich and the chamber walls being cold enough for the excess fuel to condense.

BTW - the 8 has a water temperature gauge, not an oil temp gauge. But the water temp gauge says when it's warm enough to shut down.

Ken

if you have a shift-able automatic rx8, is it better to use the manual gear so you can rev the engine higher or does it not matter that much?

The car is fussier than most. It's also a LOT more fun and satisfying than most, even those with twice the horsepower. Generally I tell people that if you're a rotary or driving enthusiast, you'll have a better relationship with the car than if you are mostly concerned with total horsepower and 1/4 mile times. If you want something that you can just fill with gas and drive and not think about anything else, keep looking.

Maintenance prices on an RX8 is not bad at all, not to mention insurance is easier compared to some other vehicles. Try owning a Porsche or a BMW and Mazda parts will seem very affordable. Like Jetheo said, an RX-8 is not the car for you if you just need a form of transportation. It for the person who wants more than just the ordinary iron box on wheels. Test drive one and see how you like it(:

eh..

flooding only an issue when cold...but i've shut mine down cold and never flooded(knocks on wood)...just your basic maintenance...fine for a DD except for somewhat low gas mileage...but not terrible...

I've never flooded mine. My highway mileage is a tolerable mid-twenties (depending on terrain and weather). The only real challenge I've found is that if you have a very short commute of around 10-15 minutes you will eventually accumulate enough carbon to degrade your compression and make restarting when warmed up fully a pain in the rear. The fix is easy enough... take it out for a long road trip and run it out a bit.

I was thinking I was headed for a new engine but I transferred to a work site that isn't well served by commuter trains, so I started driving the 50 miles each way. When I thought to test the hat start issue after a week at the new site, I could shut down and restart without any issue.

It would help a little, but why would you want an auto? This car is worth learning stick for.

QFT :smoker:

It's not like an '80s vintage Maserati Biturbo that would foul it's plugs; but, some RX-8s will puddle unburned fuel in the rotor chambers, dissolving the oil film and reducing compression by compromising the seal integrity temporarily, making it a pain to restart.

I've yet to hear of a single RX-8 flooding with BHR's upgraded ignition coils, so it may come down to how good your ignition coils are.

If you do need to shut it down shortly after start, there is a procedure in the manual for reducing the risk. Just rev the engine to 3000 for 10 seconds and shut down. I can't really say how well that procedure works as my RX-8 has never flooded.