New to Rotary, new to the RX-8. HELP!
 

I have been considering an RX-8 recently, I have bounced back and forth from a 350z, SRT-4, WRX etc etc. I see used RX-8's going for roughly $20,000 with under 30,000 miles on them... it seems great because I love all the cars features, the back seats, the huge trunk. I am unsure about the reliability aspect of it however as well as scheduled maintinence and when certain things should be replaced compared to non rotary cars such as the 350z, SRT-4 and WRX. I am unaware of the life expectancy of these cars with there motors vs. normal cars. I knew a guy with a 1994 RX-7 TT and the mileage was 74,000 and he has had to do a lot of work to it to keep it going, I am just under the impression that these cars are a pain in the ass to keep up with and don't last very long. I would love to own one, I think they look sweet but I need someone to fill me in on the must know information about these cars and what to expect compared to another so I can think further into weather or not this is the right car for me. Thanks for the help.

If you take reasonable care of the car, and don't abuse it while driving it, it will last as long (or longer) as any of the other cars you are considering. The only things to keep in mind with a rotary (versus a piston engine) is that 1) you need to keep an eye on the oil level, as the engine (by design) will use some, and 2) go easy on it until it is warmed up. Beyond that, treat it like any other car, and it'll last just as long.

HTH,
Bill

How about gas mileage, I heard it was shitty. I am just trying to cover mulitple angles, pros and cons of rotary vs. piston engines. I called a dealer and he told me the oil changes are ever 7,500 miles and rotary is alot cheaper to fix because it has alot less moving parts. I would not beat on the car, just spirited driving.

Keep in mind that the turbo RX-7 needs some extra care. The RX-8 doesn't have a factory turbo, yet.
Also, the seals in the Renessis have been improved to address some problems seen in earlier 7s.

There are two main things you have to do as an 8 driver:
Check the oil every other fill-up. The engine design burns oil as a normal part of operation.
Don't start it and shut it off right away or it might flood. It has to warm up.

That's it, plus follow the regular maintenance schedule like you would with any car.

The 350z, SRT-4 and WRX probably are faster cars with harsher rides. They have their own strong points. The 8 is a great car for daily driving -- and fun. If you're looking for flat-out speed in a straight line, one of the other cars is probably a better choice. Me, I wouldn't trade the 8 for anything less than a Bentley Continental.

Mileage...is one topic you will find this site is FILLED UP WITH.

There are some cars that seem to have problems (13-10mpg city). These are very few but we have at least one person that has had this issue no matter what he did.

Then, most of the time, it's simply based on conditions and the driving style. The way you drive...is really the main factor.

On the window sticker when I got my 8 the EPA rated it at 18/24. Now, they also said they observed anything from 15/28 (that is as low as 15mpg in the city or as high as 28mpg in the highway)

Now, I have 1280 miles on my baby and so far I've gotten:

19.8,19.3, 18.9, 18.9, 19.2mpg (85% city, 9% fun, 6% highway)

My last tank I pushed my baby ALOT more than I ever had since I got her and she surprised me by getting 19.2mpg (with 75% city, 15% fun, 10% highway)

So, go search to get other opinions...but so far, IM REAL happy with the fuel economy...

I think people here are all over the map with their actual gas mileage -- and their opinions on it. I get 18 - 19 mpg, with a combination of city/highway, and, as you say, "spirited" (but not abusive) driving. I traded a V-8 4Runner in on the RX-8 (that was getting 15 mpg), so 18 mpg is an improvement for me. :D You will likely get better mileage out of a 350Z. That's what I was going to buy initially, until I actually drove one. The high door sills made the cheap-looking interior nearly claustrophobic, and the harsh, unforgiving ride made me immediately start looking at other cars. Once I drove the RX-8, it was all over with. I'm not trying to slam the 350Z, only saying that it wasn't the right car for me. If your primary concern is gas mileage, then you may want to look elsewhere. I wish I could get better gas mileage myself, but it's something that I'll live with due to the rest of the car being such a joy.

Bill

Yeah, fuel economy seems to improve over time. When I first got it I was putting in gas ALL the time (twice a week at the very beginning), but now I can stretch it to about 8 days without need for a fillup. The oil thing isn't too much of a problem either, just make a new habit to pop your hood and give it a check whenever you get gas, it's really not that bad. Just need to remember to keep a quart of oil handy for whenever you need to top it off.

I started a mileage spreadsheet and have recorded every fillup and distance since the first tank.

I am averaging 20 mpg.

I must be doing something wrong!

Yea, mpg really does depend on how you drive. When I'm mostly conservative driving, I can stretch out 60-80miles per 1/4 tank. If I'm doing more "spirited" driving, then that estimate drops to about 45-55miles per 1/4 tank. That's a non-scientific approach, of course, but take it for what it's worth. If you shift at the proper points (3500-3750rpm) and don't go above a certain speed (80mph?), your gas mileage will stand to benefit.

As far as durability, I've only got a little over 12,000 miles on my 8, but from what I can tell, my engine is holding up very well, especially considering I've pushed it hard numerous times. Someone here posted a video a few months ago of an RX7 owner who emptied out all the oil out of his engine, ran the engine to WOT, and it still didn't die out for like an hour or so.

There are lemon RX-8s just as there are lemons of every make and model. Overall, the fit and finish is excellent and the car is unique in several ways, first and foremost the power plant. It's also a joy to behold and to listen to. I won't tell you it's a gas miser -- it has a healthy appetite for hydrocarbons -- but I can tell you there's a good chance its guzzling tendencies will not matter one whit after you take one home and fall under its spell.

I average about 17 mpg while 'city driving'... which consists of about 3-4 miles of freeway and 7 miles of REAL city driving. I recently took a road trip to Atlanta and averaged about 22 mpg. I have, not once, gone below 16 mpg throughout the course of my ownership due to ANY driving habit I have exerted.

Notice that I bolded the 'TT' in quoting your comment.

Twin

Turbo

The RX-8 has zero (0) turbochargers. Therefore tremendously less heat under the hood; less stress on the seals; less stress on the oil.

Next, notice that I bolded '1994' to remind you that it was ELEVEN years ago! The engine design & technology in that car was even older.

If by 'these cars' you mean the 1994 RX-7 TT (which is the grammatical assumption), then you are correct: they are a pain-in-the-ass and don't last very long compared to others. If, however, you meant 'these cars' to refer to the RX-8, then explain to me how a fifteen-year-old twin-turbo car directly relates to the expected behaviour of a normally-aspriated, differently-ported rotary engine in the RX-8? You can get information about rotary engine longevity in general, but the particular data point you picked to compare it to is actually the least valid comparison.

If you want a fast matchbox buy an STI or LANCER EVO. Believe me that's an ugly looking car. If you want to be like everybody else buy a 350z or G35.

STI or EVO will give you problems in an a few years.Their engines are maxxed out.

350z and G35 just to many people own those car.

You clearly know nothing about those cars :rolleyes: