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Mazda RX-8

  • 13-11-2009 11:59am
    #1
    techdiver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,291 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I need some advice here. What are the views on the RX-8? I have test drove the 1.3 rotary engine 231bhp model recently and liked it, but I've heard some negative things regarding oil and fuel consumption.

    Can anyone shed some light on this especially if you are a current/former owner of one?

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,858 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    We've never had a thread on this before have we? :D


  • #3
    techdiver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,291 ✭✭✭techdiver


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    We've never had a thread on this before have we? :D

    I've tried searching for RX-8, but the search function is mis-behaving.


  • #4
    Atomic Pineapple
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,272 ✭✭✭✭Atomic Pineapple


    it uses oil by design to lubricate the rotor tips, you use mineral oil instead though which is cheaper than other oil.

    as its a rotary engine it will be very thirsty, sitting in traffic is very bad for it but on longer drives it improves.

    make sure you read up on the car and how to maintain it, you can flood the engine if you switch it off without letting it heat up.

    http://www.irishrotary.com is a good forum


  • #5
    techdiver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,291 ✭✭✭techdiver


    betafrog wrote: »
    Yup to be fair to the OP, searching for RX8 RX 8 or RX-8 yields no results...

    techdiver, have you been in/driven one yet? One of my favourite interiors of all time...

    Yea, I took one for a test drive last weekend and I liked it. The interior is lovely and it is quite practical for a sports coupe (which would keep the other half happy as we currently own a mondeo). My only doubts are to do with the consumption of oil and maintenance as I'm not engine savy...... yet:D

    So far I tested a TT (loved it, but pricey), the RX-8, Alfa GT (was serious fun, but I felt it lacked quality), Peugeot 407 Coupe (quite good, not as fun as the others but a good car none the less), and a BMW 3 Series Coupe (didn't like it at all really). All of them were 07 or 08 except for the GT which was a 06.

    That's where I am so far. The front runners are the TT and the Mazda.


  • #6
    Mr Benevolent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,456 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    What I love is the way that Mazda INSISTS that you thrash it every now and then to ensure maximum performance and economy :D


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  • #7
    Eoin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,263 ✭✭✭✭Eoin


    Just FYI - three letter search terms are excluded from the search, so search for "Mazda RX8" with the double quotes, and you'll get better results.

    Here are some links. The last one looks to be the biggest thread, so might be worth reading first:

    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055647120
    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055598480
    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055564504
    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055557174
    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055366529


  • #8
    The Recliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,630 ✭✭✭The Recliner


    I currently own an 06 RX-8 192bhp

    I absolutley love it and as you mentioned it is surprisingly practical

    They are so much fun to drive, honestly I don't think you would regret it if you bought one

    They are heavy on petrol, average around 25mpg and I don't do much city driving

    Other than checking the oil every now and again and topping it up every couple of thousand miles there is no extra maintainence required

    Do read up on them though, engine flooding is a worry but if you are careful and don't start it move it and stop it you should have no worries, the engine just needs to warm up a little before being stopped

    I am thinking of changing mine currently but for no other reason than the girlfriend is looking to get her licence and she finds the RX-8 a bit scary to drive


  • #9
    Graham_B18C
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,620 ✭✭✭Graham_B18C


    The Recliner wrote: »
    the girlfriend is looking to get her licence and she finds the RX-8 a bit scary to drive
    But...the sound of that engine is the nicest thing in the world...it would lull a baby to sleep!!!


  • #10
    The Recliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,630 ✭✭✭The Recliner


    Grahamo999 wrote: »
    But...the sound of that engine is the nicest thing in the world...it would lull a baby to sleep!!!

    Don't get me wrong, she loves the car too but it is a bit too quick for her compared to what she is used too

    It does make a great noise though


  • #11
    fletch
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,423 ✭✭✭fletch


    I wouldn't have thought it would be scary to drive in fairness....I've driven one before (231bhp) before and unless you thrashed it, it was very easy to drive...


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  • #12
    The Recliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,630 ✭✭✭The Recliner


    fletch wrote: »
    I wouldn't have thought it would be scary to drive in fairness....I've driven one before (231bhp) before and unless you thrashed it, it was very easy to drive...

    They do take off fairly quickly and are a wide enough car so if you haven't that much driving experience I can see why it might be an issue

    The steering does have a tendency to tram line also

    Saying that she used to drive a Primera so the size of the car shouldn't be an issue

    Anyway I am happy to try something new so it isn't an issue for me to change the car


  • #13
    techdiver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,291 ✭✭✭techdiver


    fletch wrote: »
    I wouldn't have thought it would be scary to drive in fairness....I've driven one before (231bhp) before and unless you thrashed it, it was very easy to drive...

    From my limited test drive experience I tend to agree. It is quite smooth and reserved at low revs, it only turns "evil" when you put the boot down.:D


  • #14
    The Recliner
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,630 ✭✭✭The Recliner


    techdiver wrote: »
    From my limited test drive experience I tend to agree. It is quite smooth and reserved at low revs, it only turns "evil" when you put the boot down.:D

    I would say that the clutch is very heavy and it is a pain in the arse in city traffic

    They also tend to chug quite a lot in first gear when going about town at low revs

    Minor niggles and more than made up for in the fun factor


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