RX7 to RX8 (Hopefully)

[SleepyDude]

Hello Everyone, I used to drive a FD RX7 a few years ago and chatted on this site allot, unfortunately it became a necessity to sell it. After a lot of other cars I miss my rotary and its intoxicating high revs. I decided that although I would love another RX7, the RX8 may be a little more practical while still getting at least some of the fun, which leads me to a question that perhaps you guys might be able to help me with?

RX8 05< or RX8 R3 which is the better move?

I know there are a few of these types of threads but I have come to these conclusions and would love to know your thoughts.

RX8 05 <
Pro\'s

• Cheaper to buy
• Can buy a blown one and pay £3.5k for engine rebuild fixing any possible weakspots
• Cheaper Road Tax
• Less initial cost means more money set aside for any problems that do arise

Con\'s

• Older models have certain known problem areas
• Do not have the better gear ratio of the newer models

R3
Pro\'s

• Improved oil lubrication of tips
• Better gear ratio
• Nicer looks especially at the back (Personal opinion of course)
• Sporty(er) feel, with better suspension etc
• Could be last rotary production car produced making it a future classic? (I know mazda are still working on rotaries but financially for them it would be smarter to stick to the better known piston engines and with financial climate as it is I wouldn\'t be surprised if they did keep the rotary only in future concepts etc, just a guess though)

Con\'s

• Much more expensive to buy
• More expensive road tax
• High chance of it following suit of the mk1 rx8 and losing all its value in the next few years making it a sinkhole for my money

I am sure I would like one even though I have to admit as fun as it is it doesn\'t have all the magic of the RX7 its a nice safe compromise in everyday usability and fun sports car.

Any thoughts on what I have mentioned would be great! :cheers

[SleepyDude]

And I posted in the wrong section didn\'t I. Sorry if a mod can move I would be grateful.

[Will66]

Most of your pros and cons are right, I would say it\'s worth noting that all models of the RX8 suffer with poor coil packs, they have a limited life of about 30k and Mazda do not consider them a service item but they do require changing otherwise the catalytic converter will be toasted.  Also, Mazda specified 5w30 oil and 12k oil change intervals, the oil is too thin and the change interval too long.  It carbons up the motor and can knacker the stationery bearings on the motor.  10w40 and 3k oil changes helps out no end.

Worth bearing in mind that whilst the R3 has better ratios, the box doesn\'t seem to like being behind the rotary, a lot have failed synchros and required warranty rebuild/replacement.  Since it\'s now coming to the end of the warranty on most cars it\'s worth checking.  The Series 1 box is far more robust, mine has done 94k and is going well.  Also, whilst series 2 cars have more oil injectors it seems they are still failing with low compression although their higher pressure oil system should see them having better longevity of bearings.

[boosted]

Hi mate,

Ive owned both you dont say what you want the car for....weekend blast or a daily driver?

Even in mild tune my rx7 felt a totally diff car compared to my rx8 231...sort off lithe sports car compared to fast road cruiser.....

Both cars are bargains now its really what you want to do with it.

I loved my 8\'s drive refinement and gorgeous interior really is a special place to be but when it came to putting your foot down not a patch on the punch in the back from the rx7.

As with both cars recent rebuild or low mileage is paramount.

I think 7\'s have got to point where they really couldn\'t go any lower but 8\'s still tend to be spiraling downwards probably due to 7s now being in the hands of enthusiastic owners whereas the 8 is still in the mainstream and like you say if you factor in a rebuild then a bargain is to be had....plus when 7s go its usually a tip coming off and scoring housing etc 8 just seemed to be low compression so rebuild should be straightforward and cheaper....either way your in summit different and makes you feels good....

I bought my 8 03 231 with very recent rebuild for 2k !!!Owner had spent a fortune and just wanted out when another engine light came on....i took my scanner and it was only a lambda heater circuit....

good luck with your choice.

[AMH]

If you can afford an R3 I\'d go for one - they aren\'t that expensive now, should be able to pick a decent one up for under £8k. The depreciation is only an issue if you brought new.

[seanp]

^^^What she said^^^

Having owned both & taken the hit of depreciation (twice)!

Just check that the 5th/6th synchro has been replaced, and if in doubt also check the Gearbox and Diff oil for contaminants. Check for any other difficulties changing into 1st / 2nd / 3rd in case of potential issues there (remembering the gearbox is quite \'notchy\' anyhow, especially when cold).

[SleepyDude]

I had just about convinced myself a rebuilt older model was the best move. Sean and AMH why would you say the R3 is the definite choice? Any particular reason?

[Will66]

They\'ve both owned both types.  Provided you don\'t get caught with a duff gearbox it\'s the far nicer car day to day.

[AMH]

As Will says the R3 is worth the extra IMHO.

If you want to put an upgraded engine in then that\'s different but if you\'re just putting a new / rebuilt standard 231 engine in an S1 then personally I\'d rather get an R3.

The other option would be a newer S1, you can pick up a PZ for really good money now but I accept that they are the higher tax.

Regarding depreciation I recon my R3 is now worth less than I got for my 2005 192 three years ago when it was written off.

[SleepyDude]

I do like the idea of a newer model and they do look better Imo. I know you said its worth the extra but is there a particular reason for that? Better ride, better build etc?

Thanks for the advice! Always better to get the comments of someone who lives with it on a day to day basis, a test drive can only tell you so much.

@boosted TBH I would love another RX7 but although for now its just me and the wife having two extra seats is still really handy, i was always a pain only having two usable seats in the 7. I don\'t need all that power really, I will track allot less and use more daily then I did the 7 so 8 seems sensible.

[AMH]

Better ride, better build etc?

Yes both. :chat

I loved my old RX-8 and would probably still be driving it now. But the R3 is like they improved loads of stuff but didn\'t mess around with the essence of the RX-8 too much.

I\'m sure the guys can go though all the technical stuff and I did go from a 192 but it\'s just better all round. The only thing I miss is my heated seats. :Giggle

[seanp]

As Ann says - I think that the R3 is just generally nicer all-round than the S1 in terms of handling, and the different gearing etc. (Though if drag strips are your thing, the lower gearing means SLOWER times because an extra shift is required to 4th! :3gears-rh)

They are a veritable bargain at under £10K, and some below £8K now! :2eek

Of course, we still don\'t really know about whether our engines will all require a re-build within 10 mins of sending this message or years to come (did the oil metering changes affect the bearing wear?)...

Mine DOES have low(er than standard) compression at 30K, 3 years; as do two others I know of - at least one agreed a replacement engine with Mazda! I\'m not doing anything at the moment, because the results are consistent across all chambers and pretty even between rotors, and I have NO issues with hot-start or power delivery (that I can perceive)... As some have said - a low-speed compression test does not reflect compression when running at much higher revs, e.g. if the seals are a bit "sticky"!

A good PZ would be my second choice (higher tax bracket though) - but beware of lack of availability or replacement \'PZ\' parts including things like spoilers, wheels (and centre-caps), and especially the Bilstein / Eibach combo of shocks / coils!

Then again - given the choice now - if a "rebuild" is factored in - it would be difficult not to also include some subtle porting and performance mods... :burnout
If COST is your main issue - the this may be the clincher to stick with an older car + rebuild - probably easily achievable under £5K?! :Hammer

[Bazza]

And I want to go from my rx8 back to an rx7.

[m1tch]

Buy an FC, popups = win, FC has larger popups, plus you don\'t need to worry as much about emissions or the EU strangling all the power.