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Author Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011  (Read 22700 times)

Offline Erik

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #20 on: April 23, 2011, 09:11:12 am »
Wow. I never felt that the RX8 was THAT slow. Maybe a lot of it is the incredibly fun engine, that just makes it a kick to drive. This is a truly special car that is worth any extra aggravation.

And aren't rotaries renowned for getting faster as they aged? Didn't Car and Driver or someone cut almost a second off the 0-60 in a long term test?
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Offline Railton

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #21 on: April 23, 2011, 09:24:13 am »
Quote from: Erik on April 23, 2011, 09:11:12 am
Wow. I never felt that the RX8 was THAT slow. Maybe a lot of it is the incredibly fun engine, that just makes it a kick to drive. This is a truly special car that is worth any extra aggravation.

And aren't rotaries renowned for getting faster as they aged? Didn't Car and Driver or someone cut almost a second off the 0-60 in a long term test?
Maybe it was an RX-7. Certainly the engines in the RX-8's didn't last long enough to prove that theory out.
Railton
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Offline Erik

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #22 on: April 23, 2011, 09:57:09 am »
Haven't totally lost my mind:

And ample hot air there was. Averaging just 19 mpg while moving a relatively light 3067-pound curb weight, our RX-8 expelled more gasoline as waste heat than other cars its size. Of course, some of the fuel's energy went to motion, and the RX-8's 238 horsepower and 159 pound-feet of torque gave it initial acceleration times of 6.6 seconds to 60 mph and 15.1 seconds at 93 mph for the quarter.

Racers say rotary engines get faster as they age, the engine's best lap always being the last one. The RX-8 didn't disprove the theory after 40,000 miles, cutting its drag sprints down to 5.9 seconds for 60 mph and 14.6 seconds at 96 mph through the quarter.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/05q3/2004_mazda_rx-8-long-term_road_test/performance_page_2
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Offline mmret

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #23 on: April 23, 2011, 02:34:14 pm »
Always felt this car needed the 2.3 turbo at least as an optional thing ... would take away what is probably the biggest stopper to more sales.
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Offline Erik

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #24 on: April 23, 2011, 02:37:34 pm »
A 2.3 turbo would be all wrong. Kinda like a 4 cylinder Corvette. An optional rotary turbo would have been fun tho.
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Offline 2JDM

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #25 on: April 23, 2011, 02:44:27 pm »
Quote from: mmret on April 23, 2011, 02:34:14 pm
Always felt this car needed the 2.3 turbo at least as an optional thing ... would take away what is probably the biggest stopper to more sales.

I agree. This car would be perfect for me as a DD, but the rotary issues are a huge let down. For a weekend car, it would be okay.
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Offline mmret

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #26 on: April 23, 2011, 11:13:04 pm »
Quote from: 2hondas1BMW on April 23, 2011, 02:44:27 pm
Quote from: mmret on April 23, 2011, 02:34:14 pm
Always felt this car needed the 2.3 turbo at least as an optional thing ... would take away what is probably the biggest stopper to more sales.

I agree. This car would be perfect for me as a DD, but the rotary issues are a huge let down. For a weekend car, it would be okay.

Quote from: Erik on April 23, 2011, 02:37:34 pm
A 2.3 turbo would be all wrong. Kinda like a 4 cylinder Corvette. An optional rotary turbo would have been fun tho.

Ah precisely why I said "as an optional thing" :) Don't want to upset the purists too much.

But hey with all the extra sales of the RX8 2.3T maybe they could fund a new RX7 project ;D
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Offline initial_D

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #27 on: April 24, 2011, 10:04:08 am »
Don't want an I4 Turbo in the 8, that is what a STi/EVO's are for, or the Hyundai GC, ...  I can work around the imperfections with the rotary engine.



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Offline Erik

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #28 on: April 24, 2011, 10:06:05 am »
Quote from: initial_D on April 24, 2011, 10:04:08 am
Don't want an I4 Turbo in the 8, that is what a STi/EVO's are for, or the Hyundai GC, ...  I can work around the imperfections with the rotary engine.




:iagree:
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Offline safristi

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #29 on: April 24, 2011, 10:16:03 am »
..seems like the ROTARY KLUB meeting has been called to ORDER :think: :nono: >:D.......why would i want "suicide " doors when I can buy another Mazda where the DOORS FALL OFF......signed Millie Safsilli :P
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CatsEye68

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #30 on: April 24, 2011, 04:38:43 pm »
The good news is that since few are driven year-round, they should be less susceptible to the body rust that inexplicably afflicts other Mazda models
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Offline TopGun

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #31 on: April 26, 2011, 12:06:45 pm »
Quote from: Black Hatch on April 22, 2011, 03:18:26 am
I thought I was just going to lurk in this forum but I can't help myself; I have to respond to this thread.
.....
Anyways the RX-8 is awesome coupe sedan extended-cab sports daily driver car.
Everyday I feel excited after a long day's work because of what awaits me for the drive home.

I too waited to see some of the comments before I weighed in...and I would echo Black Hatch's comments

My seat comfort issues were eliminated by adding some padding to the seat bottom - $300.  My steering issues (which have been major), have all been fixed under warranty, and I'm ready to tag the 1st dealer as not fixing the problem correctly the first time.

Other issues?  Nothing major....but no question that she's a delicate little lady.  People that wish to treat their cars as appliances need not apply - they will be hugely disappointed at the fact they actually have to check the oil once in a while and be aware of the machine's idiosyncrasies that some call character.

Oh sure, I've tried to replace the car...partly because I'm a car guy that would like to have all kinds of different cars.  However, I've still got it mostly because I couldn't find a car that drove that the RX8 does for anywhere near the money...to say nothing of the utility I get out of it.

You can get a new 2010 for ~$30,000...and it will come with an 8 year engine warranty on it...ask Railton about that one!
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Offline mmret

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #32 on: April 26, 2011, 09:28:21 pm »
Quote from: initial_D on April 24, 2011, 10:04:08 am
Don't want an I4 Turbo in the 8, that is what a STi/EVO's are for, or the Hyundai GC, ...  I can work around the imperfections with the rotary engine.





Ah but the RX8 has the best styling and the coolest doors out of all those. And possibly the best balanced chassis. Thats why I want a Turbo 4 in it... :(
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #33 on: April 26, 2011, 09:36:48 pm »
Quote from: TopGun on April 26, 2011, 12:06:45 pm

  People that wish to treat their cars as appliances need not apply - they will be hugely disappointed at the fact they actually have to check the oil once in a while and be aware of the machine's idiosyncrasies that some call character.



What about those who like to run their cars hard?  A bit too delicate for that?
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Offline TopGun

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #34 on: April 26, 2011, 10:38:39 pm »
Quote from: mmret on April 26, 2011, 09:28:21 pm

Ah but the RX8 has the best styling and the coolest doors out of all those. And possibly the best balanced chassis. Thats why I want a Turbo 4 in it... :(

The reason a Mazda turbo-4 isn't in it has already been addressed multiple times.  Now a flat-4...hmm...the Scion might be your best bet then...even though it's not as good looking.   ;)

That said, what "rotary issues" that you mentioned make it a show stopper as a daily driver?  Checking the oil every once in a while?  Having to blip the throttle before you turn it off?  Avoiding a cold-start/quick shutdown?  Mazda guarantees the powerplant for 8 years.  And even then, rebuilds aren't that expensive compared to a piston powerplant.

If it's fuel economy...or lack thereof, then I can't fault that.  However, you can buy a lot of fuel for the price difference of the competitively feeling cars.
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Offline TopGun

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #35 on: April 26, 2011, 10:52:28 pm »
Quote from: rrocket on April 26, 2011, 09:36:48 pm

What about those who like to run their cars hard?  A bit too delicate for that?

Ya I dunno rrocket.  I was kinda scared taking it to the track given the reputation, but it was fine...so far anyway.

They have won the Rolex 24 a couple of times...not an easy achievement given they likely had to stop for fuel about 80 times.   ;D
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #36 on: April 26, 2011, 11:16:08 pm »
Quote from: TopGun on April 26, 2011, 10:52:28 pm
Quote from: rrocket on April 26, 2011, 09:36:48 pm

What about those who like to run their cars hard?  A bit too delicate for that?

Ya I dunno rrocket.  I was kinda scared taking it to the track given the reputation, but it was fine...so far anyway.

They have won the Rolex 24 a couple of times...not an easy achievement given they likely had to stop for fuel about 80 times.   ;D

Yea...too bad it didn't have the same engine your car has though.  I thought you'd try to sneak that in.... ;)

Oh...and it has a tubular chassis...

That RX-8 has more in common to NASCAR cars than your RX-8.  It's RX-8 in skin only.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2011, 11:19:24 pm by rrocket »
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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #37 on: April 27, 2011, 01:31:02 am »
Quote from: TopGun on April 26, 2011, 10:38:39 pm
Quote from: mmret on April 26, 2011, 09:28:21 pm

Ah but the RX8 has the best styling and the coolest doors out of all those. And possibly the best balanced chassis. Thats why I want a Turbo 4 in it... :(

The reason a Mazda turbo-4 isn't in it has already been addressed multiple times.  Now a flat-4...hmm...the Scion might be your best bet then...even though it's not as good looking.   ;)

That said, what "rotary issues" that you mentioned make it a show stopper as a daily driver?  Checking the oil every once in a while?  Having to blip the throttle before you turn it off?  Avoiding a cold-start/quick shutdown?  Mazda guarantees the powerplant for 8 years.  And even then, rebuilds aren't that expensive compared to a piston powerplant.

If it's fuel economy...or lack thereof, then I can't fault that.  However, you can buy a lot of fuel for the price difference of the competitively feeling cars.

Pardon my ignorance but why blip the throttle before turning it off?
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #38 on: April 27, 2011, 01:50:47 am »
^^Prevents flooding next time on start up.  It purges the fuel before shut off.  RX-8s run notoriously rich when cold and can sometimes flood or be a bit miserable to start.
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Used Vehicle Review: Mazda RX-8, 2004-2011
« Reply #39 on: April 27, 2011, 02:11:19 am »
Here's Railton's RX-8, Snowy's WRX and GiantDwar'fs Miata







« Last Edit: April 27, 2011, 02:27:02 am by rrocket »
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