Thinking of getting a RX8!

deadeye187

As the title says i`m thinking about getting a RX8, have been for a while now. Can anyone advise me on the in & out of owning one.

PS. thinking about buying up north, has anyone done this?....Is VRT in the high bracket?

Also what is the ride like, for passengers in the back?



Thanks

bazz26

Why would you want to import one of these when they are dirt cheap down here these days?

Also search the forum, there are a number of RX-8 threads.

Max Power1

Agreed, not worth the hassle of importing when there are sub 4k examples going here.

To answer the thread. "Thinking of getting an RX8" .... DO IT!:D

thecomedian

As above, there are loads down here that will be cheaper.

deadeye187

Ok lad thanks for the this,
.

I was looking for rx8 threads could not find any!

I`ll look again

deadeye187

Found the rx8 thread, thanks again lads


Please feel free to delete this threads mods!

bazz26

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=85135163

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=83396820

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=74123123

My advice is do a bit of homework first around prices/running costs and common issues, this will give you an idea why you shouldn't even have to consider importing one.

iremex

I have one. A 2007 192bhp. Really fun car. Never gives any real hassles and it is not nearly as bad at they make out regarding oil.. Fuel consumption is a little high but that's to be expected. The car likes to hover around 5k rpms but such fun to drive.

At around 60,000kms the spark plugs need to be replaced (you might get away with a clean) but cost around €350

Also I had the sensor go on the water bottle (needed a whole bottle as sensor is built into it - €250)

Madza also had a problem with some of their alloys. They started to flake on all four alloys at the same time. Madza did confirm it was a problem with their 3rd party supplier and replaced all 4 alloys free of charge (2years after I bought it)


as with all cars, tyres really affect the car.i had Bridgestone OEM which I replaced for Michelin pilot supersports.. Car is so much better for it. Quieter, grip, stopping.. Everything is vastly improved.

On Saturday I am trading it into an audi dealer in Dublin. if you want to have a test drive I would highly recommend it.

deadeye187

iremex wrote: »

I have one. A 2007 192bhp. Really fun car. Never gives any real hassles and it is not nearly as bad at they make out regarding oil.. Fuel consumption is a little high but that's to be expected. The car likes to hover around 5k rpms but such fun to drive.

At around 60,000kms the spark plugs need to be replaced (you might get away with a clean) but cost around €350

Also I had the sensor go on the water bottle (needed a whole bottle as sensor is built into it - €250)

Madza also had a problem with some of their alloys. They started to flake on all four alloys at the same time. Madza did confirm it was a problem with their 3rd party supplier and replaced all 4 alloys free of charge (2years after I bought it)


as with all cars, tyres really affect the car.i had Bridgestone OEM which I replaced for Michelin pilot supersports.. Car is so much better for it. Quieter, grip, stopping.. Everything is vastly improved.

On Saturday I am trading it into an audi dealer in Dublin. if you want to have a test drive I would highly recommend it.

Thanks for this man, reading about them makes me want one so bad...going for a test drive in one saturday..........cannot wait!

iremex

I am sure you will enjoy it.
Audi north Dublin will have my one if you are looking to see the difference tyres make with the other ones you test drive.!

Also be aware that madza do a kind of electronic service logbook so make sure they have a printout of it.

Max Power1

I was looking at this one as the garage is almost across the road from me

When you can buy an rx8 with fsh for 5950 odd, I think it doesnt make sense to bother importing.

Ardennes1944

Id love to buy one and put an M54 engine in it, or even a 2.0 turbo would do!

Max Power1

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

Id love to buy one and put an M54 engine in it, or even a 2.0 turbo would do!

This will end well

Wouldnt mind putting a large diesel with a large turbo in it. Perhaps the 5.0 v10 VAG unit (from the Tourag) but I'm sure it wouldnt fit :P

felimd

iremex wrote: »

At around 60,000kms the spark plugs need to be replaced (you might get away with a clean) but cost around €350

:eek::eek::eek: 350 euro for spark plugs??? They saw you coming:

http://www.jp4mance.co.uk/products/1/Mazda/_/2698/

ARGINITE

iremex wrote: »

At around 60,000kms the spark plugs need to be replaced (you might get away with a clean) but cost around €350

Normally at this point the coils need to be changed too (can be confirmed if you check the Long Term Fuel Trim and if it's near 10% then coils need to be changed). Make sure you get genuine Mazda coils and not ebay specials or you can go for the up rated kit from Rotary Revs

iremex wrote: »

Also I had the sensor go on the water bottle (needed a whole bottle as sensor is built into it - €250)

Can disconnect sensor and just check coolant level weekly, lots of guys on the UK OC do this.

Read the buyers guide before buying

MetzgerMeister

I used buy all my service items and more from www.rotaryfx.com in the US. They have both the standard NGK plugs for $80 (per set) and the Mazda-branded ones (exact same thing) for $140.

I have a huge post in one of the threads, can't find it right now but if someone would do me and the OP the courtesy of finding it, i'll buy you a house

ION08

Max Power1 wrote: »

I was looking at this one as the garage is almost across the road from me

When you can buy an rx8 with fsh for 5950 odd, I think it doesnt make sense to bother importing.

Whatever you do, dont even bother with the anemic 192 version like the one above (you'll also be missing out on Xenon, 6 speed, aluminum pedals and in most cases heated leather seats!)

felimd

ION08 wrote: »

Whatever you do, dont even bother with the anemic 192 version like the one above (you'll also be missing out on Xenon, 6 speed, aluminum pedals and in most cases heated leather seats!)

Disagree totally. There's very little between the 231 and 192 on the road in real driving conditions. Have you driven both?

ION08

felimd wrote: »

Disagree totally. There's very little between the 231 and 192 on the road in real driving conditions. Have you driven both?

Whats there to diasgree on.

The price difference between 192 and 231 is trivial and regardless of how good you think the 192 is , the 231 is better!!

+40BHP , 9500rpm redline, 6 gears, Xenons.

And yes I have driven both and owned a 231! ... The 192 is a complete compromise, there is not 1 reason to choose it over a 231, yet ive given 4 good reasons to choose a 231 over the 192

felimd

ION08 wrote: »

Whats there to diasgree on.

The price difference between 192 and 231 is trivial and regardless of how good you think the 192 is , the 231 is better!!

+40BHP , 9500rpm redline, 6 gears, Xenons.

And yes I have driven both and owned a 231! ... The 192 is a complete compromise, there is not 1 reason to choose it over a 231, yet ive given 4 good reasons to choose a 231 over the 192

When I was buying mine it came down to a 2007 231 with 50-something thousand miles or a 2008 192 with 14 thousand miles. I drove both and chose the 192. Anemic? Whatever you do don't buy one? Rubbish. Those silly comments are what I disagree with.

MetzgerMeister

To be honest, it's very good to have the 6th gear on the motorway. Also I know that if I went for a 192, I'd always regret it and I'd keep saying "should have gone for the 230".

The only thing I didn't like about it was the fact that it didn't have cruise control. Very very few of them did which is why I wanted cruise when I got the 6MPS.

ION08

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Also I know that if I went for a 192, I'd always regret it and I'd keep saying "should have gone for the 230".

Nail on the head!

GL scrappy

Makes me wonder, why did they build the 192?
Did it offer any advantages other than a lower price when new?
Is the 192 engine more frugal? more reliable? lower emissions?

ION08

GL scrappy wrote: »

Makes me wonder, why did they build the 192?
Did it offer any advantages other than a lower price when new?
Is the 192 engine more frugal? more reliable? lower emissions?

Small bit more frugal (much lower redline and 4 ports as opposed to 6 on the 231) ... Apparently also a tiny bit more torquey (a negligible amount really) ... But if youre looking for better Economy and more Torque, youre looking at the wrong car altogether!

deadeye187

So what is the ride like for someone in the backseats?

ba_barabus

deadeye187 wrote: »

So what is the ride like for someone in the backseats?

I've never had anyone complain:P

ARGINITE

It's grand not very spacious but what would you expect.

deadeye187

Just the insurance to stop me getting one I think for sure!..........ooh man!

deadeye187

Just looking there and the RX8 seems much cheaper up the north, can get a 07 with alot less miles for the same price as a 05 down here!!!

Max Power1

deadeye187 wrote: »

Just looking there and the RX8 seems much cheaper up the north, can get a 07 with alot less miles for the same price as a 05 down here!!!

Including vrt?

ARGINITE

Beaten to it!

deadeye187

ARGINITE wrote: »

Have you factored in VRT into the price?

Ya, even with the highest bracket @ 37% it`s still cheaper. I doubt the car will be that high. Tried to find out the emissions for a RX8 (i know every car if different) just a ball park figure!

I found a 07 for £2650 with 45000 miles

ARGINITE

deadeye187 wrote: »

Tried to find out the omissions for a RX8 (i know every car if different) just a ball park figure!

It's in the highest bracket for emissions.

Link to car found?

Max Power1

deadeye187 wrote: »

Ya, even with the highest bracket @ 37% it`s still cheaper. I doubt the car will be that high. Tried to find out the omissions for a RX8 (i know every car if different) just a ball park figure!

I found a 07 for £2650 with 45000 miles

Omissions? Not many.
Emissions? Too many!

deadeye187

ARGINITE wrote: »

It's in the highest bracket for emissions.

Link to car found?

This is a different one close to the other one I seen....

Also its from a car dealer


http://www.usedcarsni.com/113404516

For Forks Sake

deadeye187 wrote: »

Just looking there and the RX8 seems much cheaper up the north, can get a 07 with alot less miles for the same price as a 05 down here!!!

This one: http://www.usedcarsni.com/113404516 ?

I'm sorry, but warning bells would be going off in my head. 05s and 06s are asking over £3k up there It seems too cheap, it may be fine, but an RX-8 is not a car you want to cheap out on.

deadeye187

For Forks Sake wrote: »

This one: http://www.usedcarsni.com/113404516 ?

I'm sorry, but warning bells would be going off in my head. 05s and 06s are asking over £3k up there It seems too cheap, it may be fine, but an RX-8 is not a car you want to cheap out on.

I defo won`t cheap out on one, I just want the very best for my money also the very best deal I can get.....I`m heading u north nways so when i`m up there, no harm to look

ARGINITE

I have seen 04 cars go for less than £2K in London with a fresh engine rebuild. But I have to agree that less than £3K for an 07 seems a little suspicious. Saying that if it checked out and passed a compression test than it's a steal.

The car you linked is a 192 and missing the heated electric seats for those cold winter mornings
It looks to be in good condition.

If your looking for a genuine car keep an eye on the for sale forum on both the Irish and UK OC.
Though the UK OC for sale forum is currently flooded with them.

deadeye187

ARGINITE wrote: »

I have seen 04 cars go for less than £2K in London with a fresh engine rebuild. But I have to agree that less than £3K for an 07 seems a little suspicious. Saying that if it checked out and passed a compression test than it's a steal.

The car you linked is a 192 and missing the heated electric seats for those cold winter mornings
It looks to be in good condition.

Ya that the big big draw back about the car, even if it was a good car. After reading all about it, and what you lot said I think i`ll have to go for the 230bhp......


Again going to london for one would be as easy as going to dublin or up north!

muckwarrior

deadeye187 wrote: »

So what is the ride like for someone in the backseats?

Obviously not as spacious as a family saloon but for a coupe it's excellent. Any time I've had passengers in the back they've been surprised by how comfortable it is.

MetzgerMeister

I must say, I'm very happy to see an RX8 thread in its 3rd page and the posts are still good without descending into a huge argument about flooding









Did I speak too soon??

Wheres My ForkandKnife

Rx8''s are going fot nothing but as others have said £3k for an 07 seems suspiciously cheap. When you take into account that he has to have a margin of at least £500 it would make me even more wary.

If it were my money and I was going to import it I would head across the water where there is a bigger selection. Bear in mind if you buy from a dealer you will know more about a rx8 than he will, and you will both know f all about the car in question so a compression test would be essential. If the car checks out, great I would prefer to buy from someone who knows the the car. That said, I bought mine from a dealer in the UK:-) but there was a lot better value across the water then. In 07 there wasn't one on a forecourt here for less than €25k. I shudder even thinking about it.

Whatever way you go, best of luck.

Wheres My ForkandKnife

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I must say, I'm very happy to see an RX8 thread in its 3rd page and the posts are still good without descending into a huge argument about flooding









Did I speak too soon??

And whatever you do watch out that you don't flood it:D

MetzgerMeister

If you're going to the UK, try to find a series II 2008 that was registered before July 1st. I nearly bought one of only 2 or 3 in Ireland a year ago but it was a private sale and it sold before I sold my MPS.

It's now living in Cork with a secondhand series 1 diff.

What an absolutely awesome looking car though!

choons

I'm looking at buying one this week so I thought I'd join the thread! Recently moved to the UK for work so It's more affordable here.

Looking at this one, Blue 2005 (192hp) with 52,000 miles - £2200

Insurance looks okay and road tax is negligable compared to Ireland :P

Ardennes1944

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

If you're going to the UK, try to find a series II 2008 that was registered before July 1st. I nearly bought one of only 2 or 3 in Ireland a year ago but it was a private sale and it sold before I sold my MPS.

It's now living in Cork with a secondhand series 1 diff.

What an absolutely awesome looking car though!

I see it around all the time

deadeye187

So going to look at a few RX8 on saturday, so compression test is must on my list of things to ask for.......what numbers are good on a compression test?...and what is ok to buy the car at?

ION08

deadeye187 wrote: »

So going to look at a few RX8 on saturday, so compression test is must on my list of things to ask for.......what numbers are good on a compression test?...and what is ok to buy the car at?

Expecting the seller to have a compression test ready for you might be a bit much to ask for.

You're better off, sussing the car out yourself, seeing if it has any hot starting issues and then if it seems ok and you seriously intend on buying it you might want to arrange for a compression test yourself for additional piece of mind.

As for compression figures, check the chart below:

deadeye187

Sorry I meant to say, if the car checks out and I want to make a deal, a compression test has to be in the deal before money changes hands..... nice one man,thanks for the chart ....

MetzgerMeister

There's supposedly only 2 rotary compression testers in Mazda dealerships in Ireland. It's different compared to a normal compression tester so make sure that wherever you go will have it there on the day.

ION08

Doesn't have to be an official Mazda dealer, you could also take it to Eddie Doyle who's a rotary specialist