RX-8 cost of ownership

[thevictor390]

I've been looking at cars for a few weeks, and have come across a nice 2006 RX-8, fully loaded, under 28k miles, in my price range. I know the fuel mileage is quite bad, but I can live with that. Any horror stories about the rotary engine? From what I have read, Mazda did an extended 8-year/100,000 mile warranty on it, which makes me nervous about reliability, but also means there is quite a bit of warranty left.

I drove the car and loved nearly everything about it (a bit of road noise), but it's more expensive than most other cars I've been looking at. Of course it's in a different league than most other cars I've been looking at (Chevy Cobalt).

Thoughts and opinions? Am I getting myself into something I will regret later?

[Mark355]

http://www.rx8blog.com/rx8-starting-...looding-issue/

If you start the car, you can't turn it off until it reaches temp or else the motor may flood and not restart. Could be VERY annoying if you just want to move the car a few feet (to pull it out of the garage for a wash for instance) or drive somewhere close quickly.

Personally, I'd stay away because the reliability is questionable.

[argatoga]

2006 should be good. The automatics were pretty bad (but why would you want one), but otherwise there are no reliability issues.

[LeVeL]

2002 WRX. Plenty to be found for under 10k. My friend just bought a *mint* S2000 with 42k on the clock for 10k. Those two are best in the price range, imo. I'd take either over an RX8

[thevictor390]

'02 WRX is too old, S2000s are amazing but unfortunately I need back seats.

besides, I'll have a Wankel

[LeVeL]

What does "too old" mean? You can find low-mileage WRXs for not a lot of money...

[thevictor390]

It means a lot of things. If I'm spending $10-15k I can get something much newer, with a warranty, lower mileage, fewer potential problems. This is why I am torn about the RX-8. The sensible side of me is telling me to get a new or 1-2 year old Cobalt or Tiburon.

[Mark355]

S2000s are amazing but unfortunately I need back seats.

If you change your mind on the s2k, let me know. I researched for a year before buying mine and know a great deal about them. Feel free to PM me.

[LeVeL]

It means a lot of things. If I'm spending $10-15k I can get something much newer, with a warranty, lower mileage, fewer potential problems. This is why I am torn about the RX-8. The sensible side of me is telling me to get a new or 1-2 year old Cobalt or Tiburon.

There's not much that's more sensible than a low-mileage Japanese sedan... Like I said, it is possible to find-mileage WRXs

[thevictor390]

Low mileage? 28k... check
Japanese? Mazda... check
Sedan? 4 doors... check

But seriously, I'm really not interested in a WRX of any age, much less a 2002.

[argatoga]

It means a lot of things. If I'm spending $10-15k I can get something much newer, with a warranty, lower mileage, fewer potential problems. This is why I am torn about the RX-8. The sensible side of me is telling me to get a new or 1-2 year old Cobalt or Tiburon.

A 2006 model shouldn't have any problems. The initial bad ECU was fixed by then. I never had an issue with flooding, but then until recently I had a carb'd 12a with a fuel pump switch.

The biggest problem I have with the RX-8 is the fuel economy isn't that stellar for the power it pumps out (which is why I am excited about the upcoming 16x). However I've heard fantastic things about its handling. Test drive one first.

[Whappeh]

I just got rid of my RX8. I was having a world of problems with it towards the end, but I loved it to death when it worked crisply.

I averaged about 14mpg (WAY down from the claim Mazda made), in fact there was a class-action suit against them because of the engine HP claims and MPG iirc.

[cxo]

RX8? Sure, if you drive like a granny.

[LeVeL]

RX8? Sure, if you drive like a granny.

Something tells me that its faster than your merc...

[GM_IV]

The sensible side of me is telling me to get a new or 1-2 year old Cobalt or Tiburon.

Don't bother with a regular Cobalt unless your getting a screaming deal on them ie. $5000 for a 2 year old one. An SS is a different story but I doubt they're cheap. I've read my company's prices for their current used cars...nearly all the 2 year old Cobalts and G5s could only manage to sell for $5000 CAD, $6500 for the 1 year old ones. As for reliability of a Cobalt...there are lemons out there, sometimes major problems but so far the most common issue is that cheap ignition cylinder which sometimes doesn't allow you to turn the key especially once they age. There are better sensible cars which are better at everything than the Cobalt/G5, I'd choose the Mazda 3 as my particular choice. The only one that's worse than a Cobalt, is a Dodge Caliber.

[thevictor390]

Yeah, those are just the two I've driven so far. There are some nice prices on Cobalts, but the car itself is nothing special. I've still got a few cars to drive before I start looking for a specific make and model. Mazda3 is on the list, especially if I can find a Mazdaspeed 3.

[cxo]

Something tells me that its faster than your merc...

I'd have taken offense to that, if for example my Merc was made after 2003 and was a "sports car".

But hey! my Merc is an entry level, 26 year old design, so I'm not gonna worry about it

[argatoga]

I'd have taken offense to that, if for example my Merc was made after 2003 and was a "sports car".

But hey! its an entry level, 26 year old design, so I'm not gonna worry about it

How is the RX-8 not a sports car?

[LeVeL]

the guy's a troll. Ive ran into him in a few threads already

[cxo]

How is the RX-8 not a sports car?

I was talking about MY car. Sorry for the confusion.

Edited previous post to prevent confusion