are mazda rx8's as bad as people say?

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rotor_dude

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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 :grinning:
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 :grinning: 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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rotor_dude

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like most things in life, cheap is cheap for a reason,
i have found though, that the market and prices here in n.i isnt accurate,
a low mileage well taken care of rx8 is worth good money,
but very hard to get it as people wont pay it and dont understand the difference to a very good example which you wont have to spend money on and a poor/cheap example that needs money spent on, also the higher tax bracket ones are worth it, as better condition so less money needs spent on them
so the good ones you find have to drop there price to the cheap/poorly looked after ones to get noticed,
so there are bargins to be had. as any car, just get a pre purchase inspection done before you buy
 

Coog

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Who does the inspections and how much are they? Last time I inquired I was supposed to take it to a workshop for a compression test. I can't see many sellers being up for that even if the car was 100%. To me it seemed like a huge gamble which is what has put me off going for one so far.
 

2.2_Coupe

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Thanks for the tag, I've since stopped replying to most rotary based threads on here, as the ignorance is staggering. I will add though that after I dropped in a full built Rotechniks lump, Ive had zero hassle. 4 years of good times, and a bucketful of show trophys. The only downer is that I don't drive it on the road for the fear of getting it hit/stolen/wrecked, and I wont be showing it anymore due to trading at shows instead.
If my 8 gave me the butthurt that my v8 Merc is giving me, it wouldn't have stayed with me as long.

See attached pic of good times!
IMG_0367[1].JPG
 

Coog

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I actually thought the threads on here about them were some of the better balanced ones online. Pistonheads and the like are much worse and it's lots of "mates of mates" stories...
 

2.2_Coupe

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Its more the "you're talking nonsense even though you own yours and live with it" angle that you get on here.
I had mine out for a wee run to lunch over Christmas there - even coming from a 300 brake v8, I still cant help but smile when driving the 8
 

steelyblue

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Tbh im just after something to drift about during the winter. No interest in making money or anything, just something for some fun. I think i need to get a chat with @rotor_dude and work out if a cheap one is upto this task
 

gary87

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So if you buy a cheap one with a good history and it has a good compression test then you're on to a winner?

The noise that they make is exceptional!
 

rotor_dude

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^^^ bit more than just that,
most still need work, as most say nothing wrong starts fine etc, but they can be made to be far better and more reliable

but your chances are better buying one with good service history and using good engine oil
like the mazda recommended mazda oil or mazda recommended castrol magnatec 5w30 A1,
oil like halfords, car plan, comma, etc most likely end in engine problems
better if the oil changes are more regular ie every 6k, ones with 12.5k and once every 2 years etc maybe more likely to have engine trouble
(also can use castrol magnatec 10w40)

also, dont forget most pre 2009 rx8's need the mazda upgrades
also recommend the R.A upgrades
this costs money, but its insurance on engine life, also you wont waste money having little faults fixed all the time, which add up quickly and most times to more than the upgrade costs
do it once, do it right :laughing:

but you wont know really until engine/car has been checked over
but its not as bad as it may come across,

my rx8, didnt have good history, but who really knows as they done away with service books, which i think is a stupid thing, if its in service book then you know whats been done if its wrote in it lol
i didnt do a compression test or check the car over thoroughly, just a look at it on the ground and road test
not saying to do this, as always best to get it looked at, minimum compression test
just saying as there is alot of hype about them which most isnt correct,
but like any car you can usually tell a bad car/engine fairly easy
but a wide general view
if its hard to start cold and idles funny then mostly likely engine fault, but still can be external faults
if its hard to start warm hot, depending on how long it takes to cool down, most likely internal fault, but again most likely external parts faults,
if bad knocking noise that increase with revs, then most likely bearing has gone

but until its looked at, its just guessing, guessing is waste of time etc

recommend the Rotorworks Automotive RX8 Checkover - valuable information and you then know what needs done, im saying this so you get the best info on parts and work done to keep the car/engine at its best, using quality parts that have been tried and tested for many years
which will save you time and money/stress etc in short term and long term
not saying for a money aspect, its an enthusiasts aspect
contact R.A via email if any questions etc not through the forum please, not fair for forum
mods can delete above or incorrect stuff if required

reason being, as said a rotary does 1 1/2 strokes to a pistons 1 stroke, so it works alot harder, creates more heat,
as said b4, the oil system is the life blood of a rotary engine, it removes the heat via the oil coolers etc, hence why it has them, so it needs quality engine oil
the bearings in the rotary engine are softer metal, which requires oil pressure to keep them lubricated
cheap oil doesnt hold oil pressure when hot and doesnt lubricate well either
hence why so many engine failures, but also most dont check or keep oil level correct
keep it between half and 3/4 on dipstick
engine oil is cheaper than an engine repair, so why skimp out on it :laughing:
 
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rotor_dude

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was the ford V4 that much better lol
yeah even the rx2 and rx3's aswell got allsorts of piston engines, my old boss put a hillam hunter in an rx3 grrr lol
but they did actually have compression, apex seal problems
long term, the rx7 from 1978 12A was the first engine that had no issues, apex seals etc worked brilliantly
again depends how looked after etc lol
 
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cormac81

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Seen a early 80s rx7 on a trailer the other night outside Bleary, dont know if it was yours.

Buying a RX8 seems a real headache, a owner club/forum Id imagine would be a good place for one?
 

cormac81

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Just noticed the location on your profile and added 2 and 2 together and got 5 :pwas a dark blue/black colour
 

rotor_dude

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its not really a headache, its just the internet ****te makes it out to be
just common sense when buying a car thats a performance car just like a piston
 

pablo

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just had a rebuild = rebuild to sell = cheap rebuild most likely.

try to speak to who done the rebuild and see if they will stand over it and what was done etc.
 

da.murf

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Who does the inspections and how much are they? Last time I inquired I was supposed to take it to a workshop for a compression test. I can't see many sellers being up for that even if the car was 100%. To me it seemed like a huge gamble which is what has put me off going for one so far.

this is how I sold mine mate. @rotor_dude inspected it for a potential buyer. potential buyer paid for my fuel down there and paid for my lunch etc regardless of outcome.

IMO if a rx8 owner is confident on their car they won't have an issue doing this
 

Daz500

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Various Rovers &
Reyland do a kit so that you can drop in a VAG 4pot 20v turbo engine which mates to the RX8 gearbox. I'd still prefer an SR20 though
 

weeloaney

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Is there any rx8 men that know what there looking for that could take a quick look at one around cookstown area for me?

Obviously a few beer tokens will be thrown your way for the hassle.

Pm me please

Thanks Andrew
 

Coog

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this is how I sold mine mate. @rotor_dude inspected it for a potential buyer. potential buyer paid for my fuel down there and paid for my lunch etc regardless of outcome.

IMO if a rx8 owner is confident on their car they won't have an issue doing this

Pretty sure I saw your old one yesterday on the lisburn road. Was looking well.
 
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