New Mazda RX8

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Stuart_D

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What do people think of the RX8? Good car/bad car?
It seems to be very well reviewed on whatcar.co.uk but wondered if any of you own one or know anyone that owns one if they are pleased with it?

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[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
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Have spoken briefly to an owner. Positives are the excellent drive and performance. Downsides are fuel economy as a result of the performance - look at no more than 20 mpg, lack of room in the back - its not a true four seater and oil usage - 1 litre per 1,000 miles is the norm and higher isn't unusual. It's such an issue he checks the levels every time he fills with fuel - and at 20 to the gallon no doubt this is quite often! I have also read that the engine must be allowed to get to operating temperatures before switching off to prevent unburnt fuel causing problems - bit of a problem if you need to move the car regularly or do quite short journeys.

I still like the look of them, but the 350Z wins the day for me, especially in the new Roadster format.
 
As an engineer I would never have a ****el (see what the filter makes of that) engine. There will always be problems with sealing the corners of the rotor to the casing and expect the values at 3 years to be very low because of this.

Low weght gives good performance but how many RX7s do you see now - other Mazdas seem to last though!

1.4 Petrol Special Edition, Ebony Black, grey leather, heated seats, climate, opensky, five spoke alloys for SWMBO (Replaced a 2002 1.4 Petrol SE) Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 iCDTi for me.
 
They have been trying to get the W****l engine working properly since the thirties, Suzuki (I think) claimed they had done it, but you won't see many now. Who can repair them? Very few technicians around. Wonderful idea, but seal problems (not the oink oink variety) with all attempts I believe. No doubt it will happen one day, after all the reciprocating engine is crude in concept. Ships have gone from reciprocating to rotary, back to reciprocating , and rotary again. After all that I would be wary of any W****l engine. I hope I'm wrong.
 
Cheap initial buying cost (compared to the same sort of performance and wow factor from something else) ofset considerably by the extemely high running costs... that is the verdict from nearly every long term test in every car mag I've seen (and look at most all of them). Only deep DEEP pockets need apply...

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

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I work with two guys who bought Mazda RX8's about eighteen months ago,from what they have told me the main draw backs are heavy fuel and oil consumption ,they also said that you have to sign some sort of form saying that you promise to check the oil level with every full tank of fuel.The first guy has to travel about 24 miles a day round trip back and forth to work, this he did for about 6 months then suddenly the Mazda disappeared and he started using his girlfriends Fiesta,the Mazda makes an appearance now and again ( not very often)I suggested that he might use it for growing tomatoes in as he hardly uses it.The car he part exchanged for the RX8 was a Mazda Rx6, which he used every day (the one with a V six engine)so the Rx8 must be really heavy on the petrol.The second guy only travels about 8 miles round trip.
They both love there cars and who can blame them ? I think they are gorgeous but it costs them a fortune in petrol and it aint going to get any cheaper ,as fuel costs start to rise the residual value of the Mazda I feel will drop like stone.
 
I think you only buy this car if you are looking at a budget total of £30000. So even though the RX8 is only about £22000 you will pay far more for running costs over 3 years. So that is where I see the extra £10000 going. Thinking this is a £22000 car (and about the same price as a heavily optioned MINI Cooper S) is a grave mistake to make in my view! The natural price competitors are actually CLK Mercs and 330Ci BMWs.

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183
 
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