Mazda rx8

graemer · 29 Jul 2010 at 20:50

Well I have finally decided to start looking seriously.
Off to see a 2.6 (231) on a 55 plate with 33k. The advertised price is £7400 from a dealer so I am hoping for some negotiation.
Now I am sure not everyone will like my choice but any one with advice on what to look for or questions to ask would be most appreciated.

Oh and I have a 2003 Volvo s60 with 28k to trade in. Any ideas what I might expect as part ex?

Witor · 29 Jul 2010 at 20:53

Couple of owners on here iirc...

Coco · 29 Jul 2010 at 20:56

Questions to ask:
Can I see the rear doors?
Does it really burn that much oil?
Can you say '****el' in a German voice please?

EDIT:
Even the OcUK swear filter hates the engine!

MikeHiow · 29 Jul 2010 at 20:56

I wouldn't buy an RX8 without getting Mazda or a rotary specialist to compression test it. The need for rebuild is pretty common, and a big factor when selling as its a £3k bill.

Other than that, check for corrosion around the fins on the wing vents and the wheels - its a common problem, but may give you some leverage on the price.

Sounds like a very reasonable price.

graemer · 29 Jul 2010 at 21:02

When you say engine rebuild do you mean a rebuild after x miles or are you talking about an engine fault that means failure is likely therefore a rebuild is needed?

MikeHiow · 29 Jul 2010 at 21:04

They don't suffer the same fate as the RX7 where it was almost certain to require a rebuild at around 60K. It is a lot more random on the RX8 and probably more down to how the car is cared for, although eventually inevitable. Some need a rebuild after 20K, others have made it over 100K.

Vanilla · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:15

Sounds a bit steep.

I just sold my RX-8 231, 04, 40k for 5k. I think you can do better......

loltim · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:18

Vanilla said:
Sounds a bit steep.

I just sold my RX-8 231, 04, 49k for 5k. I think you can do better......

Maybe you got ripped?

graemer · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:18

Now there's a way to bargain. I'm not wanting to buy tomorrow and it's the first one I have seriously looked at.

graemer · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:19

Vanilla said:
Sounds a bit steep.

I just sold my RX-8 231, 04, 40k for 5k. I think you can do better......

Did you like it when you had it and out of interest why did you sell?

Vanilla · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:20

Tim said:
Maybe you got ripped?

Edited my post - it had 40k, not 49k.

I was keen to sell as I was about to emigrate but my car was not the exception - lots of good ones out there for 5k on pistonheads.

Vanilla · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:25

graemer said:
Did you like it when you had it and out of interest why did you sell?

I sold as I was emigrating to Sydney. in fact i'm in Sydney now, landed a few hours ago! (nyah nyah Fox

)

I loved it. It had a bit of speed, handled like a dream, was smooth and had all the mod cons.

Only issues were:

1.) 20mpg. Be ready for this, I didn't care as I had a company fuel card but it would hurt paying 60-70quid for 200-230 miles.
2.) Flooding. Easy to avoid but can happen by mistake. It always sticks in your mind.
3.) Can be costly to fix. New coils for me cost 500 quid! If the cat went it would have been 1k+ for the cat alone! As they are such different cars you can't just take it anywhere, has to be a dealer or specialist.

turbotoaster · 30 Jul 2010 at 01:52

graemer said:
Well I have finally decided to start looking seriously.
Off to see a 2.6 (231) on a 55 plate with 33k.

its not 2.6ltr, its 1.3....this coming from a rx7 owner, dont believe what the dvla tell you lol

Matt82 · 30 Jul 2010 at 02:24

i was just about to say swept capacity = 1.3 but even thats not exactly right

the 2.6 part is due to the two power strokes per cycle tho so i can see why there is the discrepancy

Xellos · 30 Jul 2010 at 06:36

MikeHiow said:
They don't suffer the same fate as the RX7 where it was almost certain to require a rebuild at around 60K. It is a lot more random on the RX8 and probably more down to how the car is cared for, although eventually inevitable. Some need a rebuild after 20K, others have made it over 100K.

Mine was over cared for and still needed a rebuild at 43K...

Begbie · 30 Jul 2010 at 07:20

I don't see the appeal in these what so ever.

Well no thats a lie, they look great and I bet they drive really nice.

But they ain't that quick in comparrision to most hot cars out there, they are worse on petrol, they ain't exactly reliable, and they drink oil as much as they do petrol.

Seem like a bit of a money pit.

probedb · 30 Jul 2010 at 08:46

MikeHiow said:
They don't suffer the same fate as the RX7 where it was almost certain to require a rebuild at around 60K. It is a lot more random on the RX8 and probably more down to how the car is cared for, although eventually inevitable. Some need a rebuild after 20K, others have made it over 100K.

It's exactly the same, if you care for an FD and leave it standard then it'll last well over 60k, mine had 70k on it before I decided I wanted to start modifying.

To the OP, head over to either the RX8-OC or MRC websites. You won't get many people offering sensible advice, Begbie being a good example of what this thread is likely to turn into.

turbotoaster, yeah mine is an import registered as 1.3L too

Sin_Chase · 30 Jul 2010 at 08:51

Sensible advice?

Is it not well known they drink oil and have the potential to throw huge bills at you? I would thought being made well aware of that is good advice!

Begbies opinion is more than welcome tbh, and I tend to agree with a lot of what he said. Unless you have a 4 seat requirement there is much more of the same variety with less "cons".

I think they look great and can look even better with some tasteful mods but I think owning one would be a labour of love.

Relentless81 · 30 Jul 2010 at 08:57

If you really really really must have one of these, be prepared for big bills and running costs. I like the idea of them and they look great but i'd never own one there are much better options like the S2k unless you need 4 seats obviously

The Running Man · 30 Jul 2010 at 09:07

how does it compare to say a crossfire say for pricing? the xfire has a 3.2 v6 and does either 215bhp or 300bhp or similar?