Weekend Car Mazda RX8

tylerdurden82

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in buying a Mazda RX8. I know all about the pitfalls of fuel economy, lack of torque etc.

I drive to work and do about 500km a week. I would drive the RX8 to work on fridays and use it at the weekends.

There are quite a few on Carzone but some of the prices seem to be very high. I figured because of the recession, now would be a good time to get one. Has anyone any advice on buying one?

MetzgerMeister

Here's a post I made on a different thread and for obvious reasons, I'm copying and pasting it here due to laziness It's still relevant to this thread.


It's a great car but you really do have to be an enthusiast to own one. They are not for the fickle hearted, but by the time I sold mine, I had it set up like a normal car other than the mpg.

By that I mean it started first time every time with no hesitation at all. I did have trouble with this issue for a year and half of ownership but I sorted it myself. I did some research, bought all the parts I needed and fitted them myself.

2003, 2004 and early 2005 models came with crap starter motors. Mazda couldn't have done a better job at almost destroying the reputation of the rotary because of this. Once an RX8 has the upgraded starter motor, upgraded battery, ignition coils, HT leads and the hot leading plugs (RE7C-L), and has no compression issues, it will be fine.

A well looked after example will have very few issues if any. Your best bet is to buy one owned by an entusiast i.e. someone on irishrotary.com or the likes.

With regard to oil consumption, the harder you drive it, the more oil it will use. It burns oil as part of the combustion cycle in order to keep the rotor tips lubricated. When a rotary is starved of oil, the tips aren't lubricated and this causes them to fail hence compression issues. It's not what some make it out to be by saying "oh jaysus ya have to put more oil in than petrol". Simply not true. If you're looking at one and are wondering if it's been taken care of, the owner will keep a bottle of oil in the boot or in the boot access panel.

Try to get a compression test done on the one you're really thinking of buying. Drive a few of them and settle on the one you're happiest with. Thing is, there's only a few rotary engine compression tester machines in Ireland which all the mazda dealers here have to share as apparently, they're wicked expensive. You should book a few days in advance with your nearest dealer to make sure they have it on site when you show up.

They are very nice cars to work on, albeit a little cramped in the engine bay but once the engine is cold, nothing to worry about except if you're doing an oil change.

Unlike normal cars, the 8 uses 2 types of plugs - 2 leading (RE7C-L) and 2 trailing (RE9B-T). To buy them from a dealer is rape but I used get mine from the US for $80 + P&P.

I never bothered with calculating MPG when I had it, nor do I bother with the MPS. I just drive how I want and fill up when I have to. "It's nice to have money like that" you say? Well I don't, I just think that calculating mpg takes the fun out of owning a performance car. And if it's a performance car you're after you should get used to this way of thinking too.

The claimed figure of 25mpg is in a simulated environment. If you're expecting to get that in the real world with either the 192 or 232 models, stop thinking that right now

I must say, I really, really miss my RX8. The MPS is great but since it's a big saloon with a 2.3 piston engine, it's not as light or nimble as the 8. I miss not having to slow down in order to take bends

If you are interested in buying one, I would be more than happy to help by answering any questions you have.

Here's a video showing the difference between the original starter and upgraded starter. The starter used in this was manufactured for MazdaRotaryParts but the OEM Mazda one is identical:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt8_7dl98cY

smash

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Here's a video showing the difference between the original starter and upgraded starter. The starter used in this was manufactured for MazdaRotaryParts but the OEM Mazda one is identical:

That engine is flooded and that's why it wont fire properly, even with a standard motor it shouldn't start that rough.

MetzgerMeister

smash wrote: »

That engine is flooded and that's why it wont fire properly, even with a standard motor it shouldn't start that rough.

It's not flooded, it's the starter. When I replaced mine, I brought the original to a mate who refurbishes starters. He opened it up and said that the insides were totally burned out. Sub-standard material was used in their manufacture.

conzy

I was always fascinated by the RX8, the rotary engine is interesting and they are a great looking car. Hopefully there will still be some good examples around in a few years time for small money.

smash

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

It's not flooded, it's the starter. When I replaced mine, I brought the original to a mate who refurbishes starters. He opened it up and said that the insides were totally burned out. Sub-standard material was used in their manufacture.

It is flooded. Even the video is called "Mazda RX8 keeps Flooding".

I have an RX8 and it's flooded on me before. There's thousands of videos about it. Once you do the correct start up/shut off procedure then your car should be ok and avoid this. But that engine is definitely flooded.

MetzgerMeister

smash wrote: »

It is flooded. Even the video is called "Mazda RX8 keeps Flooding".

I have an RX8 and it's flooded on me before. There's thousands of videos about it. Once you do the correct start up/shut off procedure then your car should be ok and avoid this. But that engine is definitely flooded.

Think what you want but the term "flooding" is the main word associated with the 8 due to Mazda putting the blame onto owners and not confessing to installing sub-standard parts. It's this that leads to the flooding.

If the cars came with everything upgraded from day 1, this would never have been an issue.

smash

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Think what you want but the term "flooding" is the main word associated with the 8 due to Mazda putting the blame onto owners and not confessing to installing sub-standard parts.

If the cars came with everything upgraded from day 1, this would never have been an issue.

In that video, the 'upgraded' motor still doesn't sound healthy on that car. It sounds like the fuel lines were never cleared properly after a flood. Even with upgraded parts, the engine can still flood if not started or shut down correctly.

MetzgerMeister

smash wrote: »

In that video, the 'upgraded' motor still doesn't sound healthy on that car. It sounds like the fuel lines were never cleared properly after a flood. Even with upgraded parts, the engine can still flood if not started or shut down correctly.

It sounds alright to me.

When I upgraded everything on my 8, I drove it like a normal car. Didn't do any stop/start procedure, drove the nuts off it, turned it off and then on again straight away and there wasn't a bother with it.

As I said in my post, if everything is upgraded and there's still starting issues, its down to compression.

justsomebloke

OP do you currently have a 2nd car, if not the insurance for 2 cars may put you off doing this

smash

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Didn't do any stop/start procedure

Did you ever shut it off when cold?

MetzgerMeister

smash wrote: »

Did you ever shut it off when cold?

Yes and with no problems whatsoever.

jenizzle

There are a good few threads knockin' about here on them - here's one with loads of info: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=71102708

Prices on carzone tend to run on the high-side btw!

I own one at the moment, so if you've any particular questions, let me know.

Ardennes1944

I keep looking at them from time to time. Im not sure if i could trust any normal irish person enough to maintain it properly though, plus there seems to be a high insurance loading on them.

tylerdurden82

Thanks all for the information.

I currently drive a Mazda 3 1.6 petrol so I'll be using this for the bulk of my commute to work. It's been reliable as clockwork and I'm getting 43mpg but I just fancy something different at the weekends and the low petrol return doesn't bother me.

I have always liked the RX8 and have done a lot of reading on the Irish and English RX8 forums. Compression is a major worry. I know a lot of people don't bother/don't know about the oil and the regular topups needed. Trying to find a well maintained one would be difficult.

About the compression test being expensive - does anyone know how much roughly this would cost? Can Eddie Doyle in Bray do this compression test also?

Also I know about the insurance. I could put the car in one of my parents name and be a named driver. Would this get around the cost?

MetzgerMeister

tylerdurden82 wrote: »

About the compression test being expensive - does anyone know how much roughly this would cost? Can Eddie Doyle in Bray do this compression test also?

Also I know about the insurance. I could put the car in one of my parents name and be a named driver. Would this get around the cost?

A compression test is around €130. If you want to deal with Eddie Doyle, not only should you get him to do a compression test but you should ask him to look over any prospective buys.

With regards insurance, give First Ireland a ring before doing anything else.

tylerdurden82

So the compression test is quite expensive. It seems everyone that is selling their RX8 does not have the results of a compression test to help their sale.

MetzgerMeister - would you recommend Eddie Doyle over a Mazda dealer for the compression test and general check of the car?

I'm thinking of buying a 04 or 05. Prices are really varied for these years by people selling their cars - from 4,000 to 11,000. I'd say it's very difficult to sell this type of car in a recession so do you think buying privately would be the best option?

smash

tylerdurden82 wrote: »

So the compression test is quite expensive. It seems everyone that is selling their RX8 does not have the results of a compression test to help their sale.

Why would people get random compression tests if there's no need?

lex123

RX-8s are the busy
flashy and smooth 2 drive
if they are driven rite you wil have no bother with 1 they dont use as much oil as every1 says they do and if you want to treat urself at the weekend then driving around iin one of these is the way to do it!!
go for it sure!

tylerdurden82

Thanks lex123, that's the plan!

Smash - if you're selling an RX8, surely the results of a compression test would help your sale considering the amount of RX8s out there with low compression?

Viper_JB

tylerdurden82 wrote: »

Thanks lex123, that's the plan!

Smash - if you're selling an RX8, surely the results of a compression test would help your sale considering the amount of RX8s out there with low compression?

I'd find generally if people are selling they will not be willing to spend much money or time on the car, I'd say most sellers would be happy to bring it to a compression test on your buck though.

I've had my RX8 about 2 and a half years now I use it as my daily driver, it's an 06 - only trouble I've ever had was after 2 months the ignition coils went, was covered by a guarentee at the time so wasn't too bad (I was pretty pissed off at the time though), but it is something that would be worth checking along with the rest if buying one. I'm insured by 123.ie - cost me €460 with full no claims - so they may be worth a shot.

If buying one I'd avoid trying to find one priced especially cheaply, go for the one where the seller knows about the ins and outs of the car.

smash

tylerdurden82 wrote: »

Thanks lex123, that's the plan!

Smash - if you're selling an RX8, surely the results of a compression test would help your sale considering the amount of RX8s out there with low compression?

If you're buying an RX8 you look at service history and ask the seller about oil top ups etc. If they stutter or say "Sure the garage does that during the annual service" then just walk away. There is zero need for a seller to get a compression test for no reason, if there's a lack of compression there then the seller should have fixed the problem and if they haven't then walk away from the car. And as mentioned above, if you really want one then you pay for it before going ahead with the purchase.

MetzgerMeister

tylerdurden82 wrote: »

So the compression test is quite expensive. It seems everyone that is selling their RX8 does not have the results of a compression test to help their sale.

MetzgerMeister - would you recommend Eddie Doyle over a Mazda dealer for the compression test and general check of the car?

I'm thinking of buying a 04 or 05. Prices are really varied for these years by people selling their cars - from 4,000 to 11,000. I'd say it's very difficult to sell this type of car in a recession so do you think buying privately would be the best option?

I would go with Eddie Doyle before a dealer. Eddie works with rotaries every day. Dealers would only get the odd one every now and then and even at that, the mechanics very rarely know what to do.

I remember bringing my 8 to a dealer and talking to the mechanic. He knew feck all about the car and the problem. I was asking him to do a certain procedure and he didn't know what I was talking about :eek:

Atomic Pineapple

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I would go with Eddie Doyle before a dealer. Eddie works with rotaries every day. Dealers would only get the odd one every now and then and even at that, the mechanics very rarely know what to do.

I remember bringing my 8 to a dealer and talking to the mechanic. He knew feck all about the car and the problem. I was asking him to do a certain procedure and he didn't know what I was talking about :eek:

Do you know if Eddie still sells Rx7/Rx8's?

bugs

Eddie Doyle did offer me a decent alternative when i was looking, find one with a blown engine and he'd rebuild it for 3500 (or a price near that...).

I ended up buying one with a recently rebuilt engine, they do pop up and its worth piece of mind to know you're starting from scratch.

Bring any prospective purchase to Eddie Doyle, he can compression test it, check coils and plugs and give you a very good opinion on whether to purchase or not.

tylerdurden82

Thank you all for the advice, it's been very helpful.

I'll keep an eye out on Carzone and Irish Rotary for any well maintained RX8s! Once I get one, I'll post a few pics up.

MetzgerMeister

draffodx wrote: »

Do you know if Eddie still sells Rx7/Rx8's?

I haven't a clue bud. Give him a ring and see. I'll have an 8 if you're buying