2004 Mazda RX8 Test Drive

[IBrake4Rainbows]

It's certainly not going to be like a Cobalt in the sense you can just sort of leave it to self combust because It's going to do that a lot quicker than average.

But yeah, if the price is right and the condition is tip top I can't see why not. I personally think they are ugly as sin but what do I know, I'm just a design student.....

[Ferrer]

But yeah, if the price is right and the condition is tip top I can't see why not. I personally think they are ugly as sin but what do I know, I'm just a design student.....

That's not the problem. The problem is you drive a Volvo.

Then again I drive a modern BMW...

[Matra et Alpine]

1. How reliable is this rotary engine? The RX8 in general?
Generally good ... less moving parts ... BUT it needs to have been looked after. Used the CORRECT oil and all warranty work done. Sounds liek that one is missing the starter moter and ECU upgrade
2. Will a Ford dealership service it?
Badly If you can't get a Mazda dealer/specialist dont' get a Mazda.
Otherwise you'll get them wanting to change cambelts at 60,000 miles !!
3. Snow? (possible LOL's here)
Not on stadard 040s for sure
Hills and snow/ice are pretty much impossible on hte wide rubber and light weight. Needs judicial use of turnign off the aids to get started and then turning them back on to stop crashing
On decent winter tyres some members say it's "OK". In my opinion no worse than an M3.
4. What do you get in terms of economy?
Terrified ? Depressed ? poor !
Compared to US-based sports car probably not an issue, but relative to others over here it's atrocious
Track is about 8-10mpg. Motorway about 30mph. Town about 20-25.
BUT short start-stop city commute stuff and it'll average about 18 !
5. In terms of status symbol how many pairs of panties am I expected to drop in this thing?
If you wear panties then please don't get an RX-8. THe car already has a hairdressers rep
Fit a Borla exhaust, make sure it has lowered suspension and it definately attracts the right kind !!
6. How do you think it will be for commuting 50 miles/5 days per week?
Fine, many used regularly in the UK.
Just if there's no freeway in that you will find the consumption on the lower end. Of course what ACTUALLY happens is your commute will be 100 miles as you will seek out all the twisties and drive them energetically
7. Whats with taking so long to turn over? and the shaking?

See 1. Also, it's likely it was codl when turned off. There are specific instructions that prevent this.
The shaking might be the engine mounts. Not a cheap replacment as they are "special"

I left.

Best choice.
They don't know the '8 or you'd not have had any of those issues still present.

Right now the RX-8 can be found quite cheaply over here.
Is it not the same there ?
Wait, you'll find a better one than that.
Do NOT get an auto box. It removes most of the real fun of pushing an '8 fast

PM me and I can give a full list of things to check if you want.

[clutch-monkey]

i think they look good from certain angles, front on not being one of them. not sure on the noise they make though.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

That's not the problem. The problem is you drive a Volvo.

Then again I drive a modern BMW...

There is nothing wrong with an 850. It's a honest car that does exactly what it's supposed to.

They just forgot to take it out of the shipping container.

[Turbo.Jenkens]

Definitely look around for a better taken care of example. NA rotarys aren't as temperamental as there turbocharged brethren, but you can't just crank it up and drive it like a slowbalt. When I was doing research on FDs the most frequent advice was (if you can't maintain it yourself) take it to a rotary specific shop, or only dealerships that have been refered by another rotary owner. I'm sure this is a bit more slack for RX8s since they're current production. If there isn't a rotary shop in your neck of the woods go to the dealership and ask for the rotary guy. See how experienced he is and ask his advice on what to look out for.

good luck, these are great drivers cars with phenomenal brakes. If you ever feel a need for more power supercharge it .

You are aware this isn't a GM product??

[baddabang]

Definitely look around for a better taken care of example. NA rotarys aren't as temperamental as there turbocharged brethren, but you can't just crank it up and drive it like a slowbalt. When I was doing research on FDs the most frequent advice was (if you can't maintain it yourself) take it to a rotary specific shop, or only dealerships that have been refered by another rotary owner. I'm sure this is a bit more slack for RX8s since they're current production. If there isn't a rotary shop in your neck of the woods go to the dealership and ask for the rotary guy. See how experienced he is and ask his advice on what to look out for.

good luck, these are great drivers cars with phenomenal brakes. If you ever feel a need for more power supercharge it .

You are aware this isn't a GM product??

Really I though it was made by Pontiac?

[clutch-monkey]

well it's not like GM hasn't sold rotary powered cars before... looking at you, holden.
FI is okay if you want more power, the S/C kits are supposed to be good. but imo it comes with a higher cost compared to piston engines...but whatever.

[fpv_gtho]

You'd be happier with a manual.

Not only more fun because of the self shifter, but more powerful as well. About 170kW vs 140kW IIRC.

[Niko_Fx]

finally get to a portion exiting town. Two lanes at 55mph with almost no traffic. First gear up to 7.5K RPM and then I clicked the paddle. I've never driven anything with paddle shifters before so one could say I popped that cherry today. It did 100mph easily.

You probably drove the 200 or something hp version... the manual should be more impressive (unless they ever made automatics with the high hp engine).

[Waugh-terfall]

I wasn't even aware they did an automatic for the Rex...
Some specs:
UK-Spec
RX-8 (192ps) 6-spd / 26.7mpg combined cycle
RX-8 (231ps) 6-spd / 25.2mpg combined cycle

US-Spec
RX-8 (232bhp) 6-spd only / 16/22 city/highway
RX-8 (212bhp) AT/Paddle only / 16/23 city/highway

[Ferrer]

I wasn't even aware they did an automatic for the Rex...

They make them for Americans and Japanese who can't drive...

[coolieman1220]

They make them for Americans and Japanese who can't drive...

those are fightin words!