rotor_dude
RMS Regular
Can anyone shed some light on this? Seem like a cheap fun rwd motor with a nice spec, but ive heard alot of horror stories about them breaking all the time etc.. wouldnt mind one for a fun daily but id like a bit of advice/info first. Any help would be appreciated!
no doubt get the usual rx8 haters replying lol
but here goes lol
might help, might not, better to talk in person
it all depends what you want the car for, like any car
if its for making money or getting your money back, dont bother, not big enough market here for that
horror stories, yes there are lots, but most are down to bad maintenance, cheap parts, ie oil, not fixing things or doing the upgrades needed,
like any car really,
they dont use as much oil as said, but yes do use fuel,
a rotary engine is different, by the time a piston engine has done one compression stroke, a rotary has done 1 1/2, hence why more fuel, more power, more heat etc
if your after a brilliant driving car that is non turbo and good power, there great, excellent track car
problem i find is people dont spend money on cars here, unless there going to get it back,
if its for fun, you dont get your money back as not the reason for it,
dont forget there a 25-30k new, new parts dont depreciate like the cars do, so you still be paying new prices, although alot of parts are cheaper now
engine rebuilds, problem is a "fully rebuild" is used very loosely here, its not what is really a full rebuild, its just a cheap built engine, most times using parts that shouldnt be reused, as they are on a fixed budget with prices, so corners are cut
also a rebuild is not a reconditioned engine, reconditioned engine is worlds apart,
also a modified engine is worlds apart, as built with better parts and modified to be stronger and more reliable but this costs more but then is better and lasts longer
people dont understand the difference and just want cheap, dont understand the difference between a professional engine builder with experience and knowledge who takes pride in there work and someone building engines for money, night and day
then put down people who actually have experience/knowledge and build decent engines and say there expensive, but there not, you need to know exactly what is being done to the engine before you jump to, its expensive
you get what you pay for
a decent rx8 pre 2009 is about 4-5k body and mechanical, below 3k and you'll spend 2-4k on it to bring it up to a decent standard,
note personally my standards are high and build for long term
but as said depends what you want it for,
if you just want a track fun car, then some cheap ones are good, but most youd spend can be 500-1000 or a bit more,
problem here is they are maintained poorly, use cheap engine oil and dont fix things, dont take to an experienced rotary engine specialist,
but also the service schedule i think is wrong, it should be 6,000mls instead of the 12,500mls in the service book, this longer service schedule and cheap engine oil has led to the main engine problems
also not getting the mazda upgrades done
but there are specialists that do other engine internal/external upgrades that help out big time also
like any car check car for rust and mechanicals, then get an engine compression test and find out as much history about service, engine oil used
rotary engines take alot of abuse, but because they rotate they build up compression, so when stripped can be in a bad state
after 2006 the tax goes up, but the cars are better condition, body and mechanicals, so the added tax is actually cheaper to pay, than pay for parts,repairs to an older model
if you want one for 5-10 years, get a low mileage ie 10-30k get upgrades done and have a good one for 5-10 years not worry about engine repair
get a cheap one and could be hit or miss, but probably end up paying 2-3k on it
to hard to explain over internet
i bought one with 60k on it, no upgrades had been done, all original, still going good,
spent 2k on, starter, battery, upgrades and R.A GM ignition coil kit and general maintenance, using castrol edge oil and have a great going rx8
still have body work and few things to do
it has great power and throttle response, start/stops hot or cold, dont need to worry about short moving and then not starting,
dont have to turn off with half throttle etc just like any other car
i got lucky, as most n.i rx8s are in poor condition
email/get onto Rotorworks Automotive for some advice and chat etc
Q - what do you want the car for ?
road car, racing only ? etc as what your after changes alot and prices etc
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