Car Advice: 2006 Mazda RX8 That Has Done around 110k

enzioFirenze on 04/04/2016 - 21:21
Last edited 10/04/2016 - 23:28

**UPDATE: I found a Skyline GT350 I like and has done around 80k on the clock. Looks like it's well maintained. Thinking of going for it.

Alternative Recommendations-: Nissan Skyline GT350/GT370, Mazda 3/6 MPS, Impreza WRX, Nissan Silvia, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lance Ralliart. Ideas and advises are welcome!

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at a 2006 Mazda RX8 that has done around 110k, engine hasn't been replaced but has been well maintained with service records. I'm just wondering whether it's a good idea to buy a RX 8 that's done 100k+ as it has a rotary engine. Anybody here have/had RX8? How is the car?

Any advise is appreciated.

PS: I'm interested in this specific car because it's available for a sweet price :)

Automotive Mazda

Comments

  • Marcsie on 07/04/2016 - 10:15
    +2

    10 years old and 110,000km ?
    Nah, get a Toyota 86,Manual,2012 model with low kms, more fun to drive :)

    • Anth0ny on 08/04/2016 - 10:11
      +1

      couldnt agree more

      • enzioFirenze on 08/04/2016 - 13:19

        I wish I could, a bit outside my budget :(

  • striker5950 on 07/04/2016 - 12:02

    just save ur self the headache and trouble and do not buy a rotary, plus it drinks like a v8, just forget it man, are you on your Ps? there are so many better options i can recommend.
    if you are on your ps, the s15 aus spec turbo, you are allowed to drive it on Ps. better car, way more reliable
    if you are on your fulls you have many other choices. but give us more info. you want NA, you like big engines? or turbo charged? you prefer awd or rwd?

    • enzioFirenze on 07/04/2016 - 18:21

      I'm on my fulls and I don't have a preference over awd or rwd but I'd like a turbo charged sporty coupe/hatch. What are your suggestion mate?

      • striker5950 on 07/04/2016 - 19:07

        and what is your budget?

        • enzioFirenze on 07/04/2016 - 19:23

          around 12-15k

        • striker5950 on 07/04/2016 - 21:41

          @enzioFirenze: in order of price lowest to highest, skyline r34 gtt/ skyline v35/ silvia s15/ lancer ralliart. fastest one is ralliart with a free etune that can be found online, its the fastest of the bunch, more practical, twin clutch tranny, turbo 4, awd. after an e-tune and boostpill upgrade it will rip from 0 to 100 in 4.7 secs and quarter mile sharp 13 secs. faster than a stock evo x

        • enzioFirenze on 07/04/2016 - 23:45

          @striker5950: thanks a lot mate, I didn't look into lancer ralliart at all, it's within my budget and not as expensive as Evo. I was looking at a Honda Civic Type R as well which seemed to be a good car. I looked into skyline v35 but they are all gray imports and figured it might be better to stay away (I did get a really good deal for a skyline 350GT).

  • Kranbone on 07/04/2016 - 13:49

    A friend had one which I looked after while he went on extended vacation. I found it comfortable (little sporty). Despite the small engine it wasn't very efficient. I was told to check the oil constantly and it only once needed a slight top up in the short time I drove it.

    • enzioFirenze on 07/04/2016 - 18:20

      yeah it;s supposed to burn oil ad have a crappy fuel economy, I'm prepared to look past that but don't have a spare 5k-8k lying around to do an engine overhaul :(

      • Kranbone on 07/04/2016 - 23:38

        I don't think it's a bad car but I think there are better alternatives (coupes with better economy and lower maintenance costs). I guess that's why some of these cars are so cheap to begin with.

  • alucard147 on 07/04/2016 - 17:52

    engine engine engine engine engine engine engine engine engine engine engine

    it's all about the physical design of rotary engine………the wear off like tyres…….and you have to replace them wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy sooner than normal cylinder engine…..

    • enzioFirenze on 07/04/2016 - 18:20

      that seems to be the general consensus :-o

  • Deviner on 07/04/2016 - 19:49

    Expensive to own, run, maintain … bad reliability, have to drive the absolute stones off it to get any power.

    Every time I see this debate, I just say get a 350Z or something similar - a lot more straight forward than an RX8.

    But if you're keen, they're a quirky little car that can be a lot of fun to drive and have a really nice interior (imo)… but you just need constantly be on top of the servicing and preventative maintenance or you'll get bit hard.

  • Nightstaar on 07/04/2016 - 21:24
    +1

    I have an 07 RX8. Everything you read about them is pretty much true. Mine is currently broken down in my shed needing about $3k of repairs and possibly a new engine at just over 100,000kms. I was stupid though and didn't check into the history of the car.

    Just be prepared for high maintenance cost, high fuel cost and putting time in to drive it. Everything I've read would suggest you'll need to replace the engine before 160,000km even with good service history.

    That being said, amazing car to drive and I would recommend it as long as you're in a good financial position. Get a compression test, drive it at his revs and red line it every time you drive. Any questions let me know.

    • supnigs super skids on 07/04/2016 - 21:40
      -1

      Takumi beat the fc rx-7 in the downhills. he is the best and does good skids.

  • striker5950 on 07/04/2016 - 21:43

    a good fix for the rx8 is swapout the engine entirely for something else, 2jz? rb30det?

    • supnigs super skids on 07/04/2016 - 21:55

      you could but those engines are much larger and heavier. you end up loosing the technical benefits of the RX8.

      • WT on 08/04/2016 - 11:42

        Not only that but the weight distribution.

  • turbo77 on 07/04/2016 - 22:30

    owned series 5 rebuilt engine and boxes , this was in the 90s. loved it to bits then sold it. owned a 06 rx8 was ok but didnt have the X factor. now own a mazda 6 mps.

    • reidy on 08/04/2016 - 09:09

      How do you find the MPS? I wanted to get one for so long. They're fantastic value.

      • enzioFirenze on 08/04/2016 - 20:13

        I searched through gumtree/carsales and only found few MPS cars. Looks like they are scarce.

        • turbo77 on 08/04/2016 - 23:48

          great handling not as good as say an evo8 or my15 sti i driven,but is an awesome daily for me and slight tune to my likes. there is a few outthere , i mainly ask the seller if i can take it to a local shop so i can have under it for worn cv's , ball joints leaks etc.

          full service is up so not sure how much i am up for.

  • robhung on 08/04/2016 - 10:57

    Highly highly highly advise against it and completely agree with all the comments already said in this thread. God, I wish I did my research before purchasing mine. Owned a 05' RX-8 for three years and it served me well for the first two, once it started to hit around 80,000km's though.. started to get a lot of problems. Had my cat-back clogged up and overheated which burnt and tore a hole in my interior. Continual spark plug replacements. Engine problems. Anything, you name it. Luckily was able to sell it to someone who really just wanted it as a car to thrash around on the weekends.

    Guarantee yours having done 100,000km's will have had problems already, and will give you plenty of headaches to come!

    That being said, it was a sweet ride for the times it did actually perform. Just don't use it as a daily if you need to get around.

    • enzioFirenze on 08/04/2016 - 20:12

      yeah I like the car, but not sure I could afford the costs down the line for now. May be later :(

  • squirellwing on 08/04/2016 - 11:25

    I had an RX7 and I can attest that rotary engine is a pain in the backside. Mate been working in Mazda dealership for 10 years. His take on rotary engine is "No one knows how a good rotary engine sounds like".

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