I currently have a 94 BMW 325i, modded fairly well. Sad part is, its rusting and maintenance is ridiculous. I've had the car for a bit over a year and have spent $2500+ in repairs for a car that I bought for 4k.

I figure I can put the money paid in repairs towards a car payment instead; which leads me here

I'm interested in the RX-8 because it's a true sports car that won't need all the mods for me to be happy with it. Now I've searched around the boards for a while and can't seem to find any major problems that Mazda hasn't fixed with a TSB.

BMW forums have thread after thread of what can and WILL happen but these cars look much more reliable.

So am I missing a dreaded issue or is proper preventative maintenance all I need to worry about??


BTW I'm looking for an 8 that is right around 10k with under 100k miles.

 

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I think you'll discover after reading a bit relability is ok, except for a few problems areas, mainly engine related. Typically everything will be ok, then the engine goes for some reason or the CAT dies. The CAT in a rotary has to withstand 1650 deg temps under load, so life can be a problem. The engine, well, has it's failure modes as rotaries do, usually seal related.

You most likely will get a good one and it's very reliable or you luck out and you don't. Either way, driving one is argueably worth the price of admission, even with the possible warts. Go drive one, judge for yourself - is really the only answer. For 10k you're looking at an 04/05 most likely - make sure it has had all service and TSBs done under warranty.