Tell me about RX8s (231BHP)

ramirez · 1 Nov 2008 at 23:38

I wouldnt worry about reliability with the RX8, I have some colleagues who work at a rotary specialist near Chester (lindop bros') and they have seen RX8's with over 150k on them still producing linear compression values across the board.

These may become very good value in the next year or so as the old wankel scaremongers talk down about them when 100k+ RX8s become more common (which frankly is a good thing as i'd love to pick one up once i start to sprog. and coupes are less family friendly!)

The 2nd gen RX7's (non turbo) are usually good for at least 100k+, so I think Mazda must have made some decent strength tips on the RX8 (a long time coming.) We haven't seen many RX7 FC's with 150k+ though so that's unlikely.

Beta · 2 Nov 2008 at 17:53

Nickg said:
celica t sport 190? great handling, 31-32mpg ~, doesnt drink oil etc. still has a nice high revving engine, look great in black, especially the GT kitted versions.

I've had a celica 190 for a couple of years now, great car, great chassis, loves B roads, but I don't think it'll feel quick enough for Eidolon coming from an MR2 Turbo and then a 111R.

Same engine as a 111R, but in a heavier car will probably feel sluggish.

vila · 2 Nov 2008 at 22:01

ramirez said:
These may become very good value in the next year or so as the old wankel scaremongers talk down about them when 100k+ RX8s become more common (which frankly is a good thing as i'd love to pick one up once i start to sprog. and coupes are less family friendly!)

Theyre very good value now - take a look on autotrader prices start at £5k

Rava Benitez · 22 Dec 2008 at 22:17

vila said:
Theyre very good value now - take a look on autotrader prices start at £5k

unbeliveable.

Looking at them now got about £7-7.5k (+trade in) to spend. Some great deals starting at around £7990 ticket price for 231 models less than 30k on the clock - from a main dealer!

UltimateBadger · 22 Dec 2008 at 22:40

eidolon said:
Well I went out and drove a couple of these today. I was very impressesed with the amount of goodies you get for the money, the handling was very good, steering was sharp and engine was smooth but I think they all seem to suffer from the same problem, the right hand side pedal doesn't seem to do anything. I pressed it at 2000rpm and nothing. I pressed it at 4000rpm and nothing. I pressed it at 6000rpm and I *think* I accelerated a bit, but I can't be sure.

+1

A colleague has one at work and I've driven it a few times. I think they're great looking, nice interior, good seating position and a nice whine/buzz from the engine. But ultimately let down by a lack of pace - prob. down to the engines' low torque. The fuel economy, or lack of, is the killer blow for this car. For the mpg people have been reporting I would want a lot more go for my dough!

rypt · 23 Dec 2008 at 04:52

probedb said:
Get an RX7, much more fun....and faster

The RX8 has a fat better and stiffer chassis

Matblack · 23 Dec 2008 at 10:15

I test drove one of these and really didn't like it, I found the lack of torque very noticeable and the lack of comunication form a torque/ bhp curve even worse, being reliant on an annoying beep to tell me to change up doesn't allow me to engange with a car. I drove the 231 baack to back with a MINI MCS and they were like chalk and cheese neither are 'standard' engines with the Wankel in the RX and the Supercharger in the MCS but one seems designed to need constant work to get the best out of it and the other has enough torque to give you a relaxed drive and to burst into life when you need it to.

Just not the car for me and like others say the fuel economy is the killer blow, I couldn't even get from Kent to West Wales on a tank where as I can get 35mpg on the motorway with my MINI JCW. This isn't an advert for the MINI by the way just a bit of comparison

MB

Defcon5 · 23 Dec 2008 at 11:44

What and when in peak torque on these?

Dogbreath · 23 Dec 2008 at 13:51

228bhp at 8500RPM and 156 lbft at 5500RPM. For comparision an EP3 CTR manages 145 lbft, and weighs 150kg less.

Gaijin · 23 Dec 2008 at 14:39

Lots of talk about the ceramic tips being the wonder reliability ingredient of the RX8, but lets remember that it's not under boost, which is a rather significant factor when it comes to rotary engines and prolonging their life.

Xellos · 23 Dec 2008 at 16:35

I love my RX8 to bits, more fun than my previous than my EP3, may not be as fast in a straight line but beats it on corners.

I test drove many cars before deciding on the RX8 and my old EP3 these included the Focus ST, Leon Cupra, Clio V6, Lotus Elise. I found none of these to be better even if they have more torque. IMHO i prefer to rev 8000RPM + than have power & torque to 5000RPM then nothing after that...

Simon · 23 Dec 2008 at 16:37

Dogbreath said:
228bhp at 8500RPM and 156 lbft at 5500RPM. For comparision an EP3 CTR manages 145 lbft, and weighs 150kg less.

S2000 makes it peak torque of 151 @ 7500 rpm lol

Cosmic182 · 23 Dec 2008 at 16:38

i had a 192......there cheap for one reason, work it out, heres a slight hint

there ****

merlin · 23 Dec 2008 at 16:39

Raced an RX8 with the Teg out of the traps.....erm, I mean booths, per M6 toll. Left it for dead.

Weak car.

Stephen B · 23 Dec 2008 at 16:53

merlin said:
Raced an RX8 with the Teg out of the traps.....erm, I mean booths, per M6 toll. Left it for dead.

Weak car.

I even out-dragged one in an FN2, which every EP3 driver will testify to as being comparitively ****

Xellos · 24 Dec 2008 at 06:51

Stephen B said:
I even out-dragged one in an FN2, which every EP3 driver will testify to as being comparitively ****

must have been a 192 or something cos my m8s FN2 falls behind by second gear, also
http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php?page_id=compare&car1=458c153cd96a5&car2=46040ec30a4d9

Stephen B · 24 Dec 2008 at 09:46

Xellos said:
must have been a 192 or something cos my m8s FN2 falls behind by second gear, also
http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php?page_id=compare&car1=458c153cd96a5&car2=46040ec30a4d9

nope it was the 231, fastest laps is more a reflection of balance and handling than raw speed and the RX8 is simply much better on a track

NightShadow · 24 Dec 2008 at 14:17

The RX8 really isn't blisteringly fast from the standstill, it's not easy to get a good launch without trying to kill the clutch. You really have to be in the right gear if you want to go anywhere fast aswell. I think some of this is down to the fairly long gearing (will do indicated 69 in 2nd and 95 in 3rd) and low tourque. The new R3 version has a different gearbox borrowed from the latest model MX5 which apparently makes it much better off the line etc.

NS

Scuzi · 24 Dec 2008 at 14:23

The RX8 isn't blisteringly fast in any scenario.

Vanilla · 24 Dec 2008 at 21:32

Ahh Scuzi, back so soon with the snipes. I was starting to think you didn't hate the RX8 any more, you know, given this thread has been on the front page for at least 2 hours and hasn't had the divine pleasure of your posting.