Talk some sense into me - Mazda RX8

[thornz]

Long story short, looking at a RX8 as second/weekend car.
Was all set for a 2 seater, but realistically on occasion will need a baby seat in the back, so the RX8 ticks these boxes.

Just cant decide if I go rotary or not, heart says yes, head says no.
Have looked into mechanical warranty's, and to my surprise you can get them for RX8s under the special vehicle category. Payout is up to 8k max depending on plan, so on the face of it, there's an engine rebuild. Has anyone had experience with a claim like that on a rotary, TBH, seems a bit to god to be true?

I know they guzzle gas and not super quick, but its a none issue being a second car, I have a company car for daily driving, economical family car for 90% of wifes/family/city driving, and can take company wagon away if we need to load up for xmas holidays etc if I pay petrol costs.

Can anyone give me feedback on why I shouldnt buy a RX8? They seem a bargain for a great handling sports car that can seat 4 if needed.

[MAC_HATER]

Whatever you do

DONT buy this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =990765307

Its ticked up to the eyeballs, Im helping a friend looking at buying his own RX-8 very soon, and he was looking at this one, 1x purchase of a carjam report later set off all the red flags for "matched security interest" and some phone calls later with the Credit union on the report, it is indeed collateral for a loan, so run away!

Otherwise If my friend buys one in the next week or 2 I can let you know more about it all then haha

[DRFTIN]

sounds like you've got the reasons not by buy one covered so if you can handle those things then they're probably a good option

[Dell'Orto]

FD can fit a baby seat, and are superior in every way, shape and form to an RX8

[Al]

I've got one. While I like it, the lack of performance does become tiresome when you have 500hp fuel consumption for 200hp performance.

It handles, brakes and drives nicer than anything I've ever driven. Probably the easiest car to ever drive 'fast' .Seats four adults in comfort. Looks quite nice too. Even stock. IMO as soon as you start changing wheels and put body kits on they look really tacky.

I wouldn't have another one though. They are still better than a 350Z.

[Pelo]

Whatever you do

DONT buy this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =990765307

Its ticked up to the eyeballs, Im helping a friend looking at buying his own RX-8 very soon, and he was looking at this one, 1x purchase of a carjam report later set off all the red flags for "matched security interest" and some phone calls later with the Credit union on the report, it is indeed collateral for a loan, so run away!

Otherwise If my friend buys one in the next week or 2 I can let you know more about it all then haha

Should we all spam the seller with "Is there any money owing?" questions?

[KwS]

whats the big deal with "running away" from cars with security interest? As long as the finance company gets their money and the interest is lifted, there is no issue. Sometimes you can send the money to them direct instead of relying on the seller.

Ive purchased a couple of car with money owning and havent been bitten yet. The trick is knowing its on there in the first place.

[Bling]

The trick is knowing its on there in the first place.

Nail, head.

The problem is that too many people don't do basic checks. If someone has large loan on a car like that though, i'd consider them to be less likely to have the money to look after a car properly. That's just my view though.

[92mr2paddy]

only downside im aware of and the reason my mate got rid of rx8 is that when u start it cold and turn it off before its warm it will flood and near impossible to start again unless ur battery can turn it over for 5-10minutes, i reckon that is the stupidest thing a 'new' car can do and would personally not get one simply for that reason.

[1I1]

only downside im aware of and the reason my mate got rid of rx8 is that when u start it cold and turn it off before its warm it will flood and near impossible to start again unless ur battery can turn it over for 5-10minutes, i reckon that is the stupidest thing a 'new' car can do and would personally not get one simply for that reason.

This alone would drive me crazy. Flatmate has one and its a nice car and all but sucks when you need to move it out of the shed and the two options are push it or start it and leave it idling for 10 minutes (add in a loud exhaust and the second option isn't the best unless you hate your neighbours)

[Al]

If your car floods easily there are two issues.

The first is your ignition system is on it's way out. The second is that your engine is on the way out.

I cannot flood mine. I have tried on multiple occasions to flood it by starting the car, driving out of the garage and then turning it off.
The thing fires up better than cold!

Oh and I'd probably sell mine too if you wanted thornz. I'm local too, PM me if you want to have a look.

[Pelo]

only downside im aware of and the reason my mate got rid of rx8 is that when u start it cold and turn it off before its warm it will flood and near impossible to start again unless ur battery can turn it over for 5-10minutes, i reckon that is the stupidest thing a 'new' car can do and would personally not get one simply for that reason.

Apparently there is an official trick to prevent this:

The BEST way to prevent your car from flooding is to drive it around till it's warmed up. This means a ~5 minute trip. If you're unable to drive for 5 minutes, Mazda recommends you rev the engine to 3,000 rpm for 10 seconds, then switch the car off. As you turn the ignition key, depress the throttle so that the excess fuel is spun out of the engine.

[Al]

The holding the revs high when you shut the car off is bullshit.

They inject a truck load more fuel than a conventional engine when cold. It will still start if the engine and ignition is healthy. That isn't what owners with cars that flood easily want to hear about when they have spent several thousand dollars on said car though.

[thornz]

Had a look at a couple in weekend on dealer lots.
Surprised how useless the boot on them is. Add a stroller and it's all you could get in there.

Still like the idea of them, just may be a little to impractical as much as I don't want to admit it.

May change plan and look try convince wife a project car is a solid investment and hold onto the Subaru

[sergei]

My friend had one, got it rebuilt (couple of times?) then new coils fitted, ECU firmware updated (for ignition issues), starter replaced, these all problems at 80k or so.
I found the clutch pedal bracket to be very flimsy (lots of lateral movement). It was the higher spec as well.
Coils on these arc through the resin (probably because runs very rich on cold and fouls the plugs), it does not help that resin side is right against the metal bracket.

Basically it was piece of shit.

[MAC_HATER]

We picked up our friends one in CHCH in the weekend, its the first time I've seen one up close, and they seem quite cool, the startup sound is hilarious, its like nothing I have ever heard, there is space in the back for people, but not for long trips at all

As my friends one was cheaper, it had all the "usual" problems they have apparently:

Drivers tail light gets water in it cause the key barrel is in it
Engine mount(s)? replaced as they flog out quickish?
clutch engage switch replaced as it can die, as its the "engine start OK" switch when the clutch is depressed, it wont turn over if it doesn't see the switch activated

Otherwise its a sweet wee car, will be interested to see its long term fuel consumption as he continues to use it

[RS13]

Whatever you do

DONT buy this one

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =990765307

Generally I find that if they can't afford to rego it, they certainly can't afford to look after it mechanically. I'd stay away from that one for that reason alone!

the lack of performance does become tiresome when you have 500hp fuel consumption for 200hp performance.

Pretty much sums them up TBH.. the one's I've dealt with or been in weren't anything special.

If you want a rotary because you like rotaries, buy a batty.. infinitely better looking than the RX8 and far more lively to drive.

[Bling]

Just a shame the 7's are twice the price

[RS13]

Not if you import yourself, from what I've seen you can get a good one landed and complied for $8k upwards. Plenty turning up at caryards newly complied these days, although with the dealer tax added on!

[Bling]

Wow that seems cheap! I guess you have to know where to look. Might have to think about it next year...

/thread derail

http://page23.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/a ... o123430828
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