Buying an RX-8

[Leeman]

Hi,

Firstly....I would just like to say what a great site !!!!....Extremely informative, full of great advice and above all.....it is free !!

Anyhow, I currently own a Calibra (and have done for my sins for the past 7 years) but am looking to change my car due it it getting a little old and frail.

I fell in love with the RX-8 from the moment I saw it advertised, but have one major issue before parting with £22,000 - FUEL ECONOMY......

The car looks great, performs well and is relatively cheap to insure.....it\'s just the running costs that worry me (with a mortgage hanging over me and the prospect of getting married in less than 10 months time, you\'ll appreciate my concern).

I have always carried out any car maintenance myself (let\'s face it.....you don\'t need a degree in quantum physics to know your way around a Vauxhall !!), so in a nutshell my questions are as follows :

1. Just how good/bad is the fuel economy ?
2. How reliable are rotary engines ?
3. How are Mazda service prices ?
4. How easy/cheaply can spares be obtained ?

I am 99% of the way to walking into a dealership and placing my order (although I am not looking forward to waiting 3 months to obtain this lovely looking beast)......my driving destiny lies in your hands, any information would be greatly appreciated.

Lee.....

[Martiny]

Hi Leeman.

Here are my answers:

1) The Fuel economy I think will realistically be around 20-25mpg, once run in.
2) The engine should last ages, 3rd Gen RX-7 have a mystical myth that they expire at 60k miles. Even if they did, removing the Turbos has to extend that to well over 100k, dont you think? There is a 1st Gen owner in the US who managed 450 000 miles!
3) er -  thought you were going to do that yourself, I do all my own, so cant really help you on this one.
4) Spares are relatively easy to obtain for the RX-7 ( and my MX-5, and 323). I would not say they are cheap, but then, Mazda being the most reliable car in the Uk, WHAT spares??? Hardly ever need em!  :-))

Friend, I am on my 10th Rotary now, if you dont expect 1.6 economy, then you\'ll be thrilled with this car!

[hat-astrophy]

Hi

Just got my 8 last Friday .. haven\'t stopped grinning since ... i asked about servicing costs and my dealership said that it would be every 9000k or 1 year and would cost the same as my 6 - about £100 ... not bad at all.

*small devil on shoulder

GO ON YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO !!!!

[RobDickinson]

1. Just how good/bad is the fuel economy ?Depends on driving. Urban 19mhp, highway 23mph+. I get 20-21ish. I havnt seen any real numbers that have the 231 at over 24mph. Published figures are ATM a joke.
2. How reliable are rotary engines ? I expect this to be very reliable, but there has been cases of oil injector faliures in the US which killed the engine.  Mazda offer 3yr 60k mile warrenty anyhow.
3. How are Mazda service prices ?Dirt cheap compared to all the competition.
4. How easy/cheaply can spares be obtained ? ATM not easy. There isnt a lot of inventory on spares, should change fairly quickly.

[Leeman]

Well, the deed has been done...........my car is on order and I can\'t wait (god only knows what I am going to do to make the next three months fly by).

230 Titanium........I WANT IT NOW !!!!!!!!

It seems that everybody has the same opinion on these cars :

 - They look great
 - They perform well (even if a little juicy)
 - They look great
 - They are great value for money
 - They stand out so much on the road
 - Did I say they look great


....I think I shall be steering clear of this site until I take delivery of the new car - I find it extremely difficult looking at pics of your lovely motors whilst waiting for mine.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you in the very near future - Thanks again for your invaluable advice.

Lee...

[Martiny]

Its got 2 VERY important features, too.

1 Rotary Engine.

2 Rear wheel drive.


I am not in the new car market, so will have to wait till some used ones come up in a few years time. But I definitely see one in my future.

[weasley]

Originally posted by Martiny
2 Rear wheel drive....

...with LSD!