RX8 - any good ?

Author
Discussion

gazzab

Original Poster:

21,204 posts

288 months

Monday 9th August 2004
quotequote all
So are these cars any good? There are bits of the styling I like. The handling should be good. But that engine?
I have a P1, have had a cerbera and a chimaera - will an RX8 feel very slow and non-torquey?!
Maybe I would be better off with a 2nd hand 911.

Anyone got a view on the engines?

gemini

11,352 posts

270 months

Monday 9th August 2004
quotequote all
will seem as quick as Chimaera but youll have to stir the box

gazzab

Original Poster:

21,204 posts

288 months

Monday 9th August 2004
quotequote all
That stirring the box bit sounds a bit tiresome and peaky !! I just dont know if it will be like driving a washing machine!

gazzab

Original Poster:

21,204 posts

288 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
Hate autos - just dont like having to thrash in every gear. I like torque!

gazzab

Original Poster:

21,204 posts

288 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
Hate autos - just dont like having to thrash in every gear. I like torque!

PJLarge

480 posts

253 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
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If it's torque you're after move along now. I've driven the high power RX8 and was somewhat disappointed. It's a shame really as the rest of the car has a lot of potential.

Phil.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

260 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
Its quicker than it feels but after what you;ve had wont do it I bet.

For £22k new its by far the best handling and RWD new car with 4 seats - which is why I have one.

You only need to keep it above 5k rpm if you want to go - and thats easy, and the engine is luvvly at high rpm - not harsh like a piston engine.

It pulls at low rpm fine, but doesnt feel like a performance car until 4-5k at least. Unlike the turbo beasties the cars reactions are spot in instant and it turnds damned quick - considering the suspension is relativly soft its very capable.

Most early problems have been worked out now too - it still drinks a lot (21mpg av compared to 350z 23mpg recent mag long term testers) but it uses 95ron so cheaper than 97/98 and my first service was £63 at 12,500.

CAnt think of anything for around the price that offers anything close.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

260 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
gazzab said:

Anyone got a view on the engines?


Specificaly on the engine its a jewel, small light, 230bhp revs for ever and almost totaly liniar and completly smothe (smoother than a v12). Should prove incredibly reliable and easy to maintain to.

Down side is it drinks more like a 4.0 as I've said.

It uses oil too, mine used to use 1l every 2000 miles but is using less now since the last release of software for the ECU. (actualy less at mid/low rpm and more at high rpm).

The car as it is couldnt be built without that engine. Look at the 350z, heavier and only seats 2 in the same wheelbase - and is less balanced also.

gazzab

Original Poster:

21,204 posts

288 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
I have 2 small children so I want 4 seats. The cerbera was great but not useable every day (and cost £13K in repairs and servicing in 2 yrs!).
A 911 is expensive to buy AND could have big bills if unlucky. An RX8 hi power with leather and metallic is nearer £25K BUT costs nothing to run over 2 yrs AND I guess will not depreciate that badly as very popular. It is just that torque thing!!! EVO mag seem to be lowering their opinion as well though!!
What is the lead time for delivery of a new one!?!

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

260 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
lead time is 4 - 6 months if you cant find one floating round already to match your spec.

Dont worry about the torque, just go test one and see.

Its very practical, decent space in the rear seats but the porthole windows arnt great for visibility.

Has mazda's standard warrenty of 3 years 60,000 miles.

Leather and paint will be £23,800 or so. Loaded with stuff already, the Bose stereo isnt the best but decent and the AC isnt great but adequate.

Range from a tank (fill up is 53ish litres on a 61l tank) is 170 when screwing it to 280ish, I average 220ish mostly urban crawl.

gazzab

Original Poster:

21,204 posts

288 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
Thanks - will book a test drive.

Think I want black and black and the only xtra I guess is the leather.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

260 months

Tuesday 10th August 2004
quotequote all
gazzab said:
Thanks - will book a test drive.

Think I want black and black and the only xtra I guess is the leather.



Leather is £1500, paint is £300 (black is free I think), satnav is £1500, and theres a moonroof but I dont see the point - and it hits headroom.

Then theres a list of tarty up stuff, I only went for the strakes but theres all sorts of crap to bolt on.

CAn add a tape or minidisk to the stereo too, or swap the 6cd for a 1 cd mp3 unit.

Also theres a new dark blue colour coming out soon.

EDIT - and remember to screw it to 9.5k on the test drive, temptation is to change up way to early.

>> Edited by RobDickinson on Tuesday 10th August 16:27

kenco222

1 posts

242 months

Thursday 12th August 2004
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I agree with Rob wholeheartedly on all points!

I have had a velocity red + red/black leather since November last year, and it is spot on.

Starting to feel quicker now (6K miles), but sadly not really TVR/EVO pace IMO.

Great allrounder though.........

tuttle

3,427 posts

243 months

Thursday 12th August 2004
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Sorry to digress,but for £22k, you could have a very nice R33 Skyline GTR....4 good seats,Twin turbos,280+bhp as standard,bomb-proof engine,20+mpg,brembos etc.Just a thought.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

260 months

Thursday 12th August 2004
quotequote all
tuttle said:
Sorry to digress,but for £22k, you could have a very nice R33 Skyline GTR....4 good seats,Twin turbos,280+bhp as standard,bomb-proof engine,20+mpg,brembos etc.Just a thought.



And that comes with 3 year/60k mile warrenty, 12,500 service intervals and group 16 insurance?

Its a thought - but you can always get something quicker if you go 2nd hand.

The 8 doesnt excel at any 1 area- but for new at £22k its the best overall package , well I think anyhow.

Think I;d feel a bit of a maxxer in a skyline too - bot as bad as a scooby tho.

(edit , think the r33 is a crakin car tho.)

>> Edited by RobDickinson on Thursday 12th August 14:49

CraigAlsop

1,991 posts

274 months

Thursday 12th August 2004
quotequote all
gazzab said:
So are these cars any good? There are bits of the styling I like. The handling should be good. But that engine?
I have a P1, have had a cerbera and a chimaera - will an RX8 feel very slow and non-torquey?!
Yup, I reckon so. I also have a P1 & Chimaera & found it to be lacking in the torque department. Traction control I found very intrusive (although you can switch this off)
Lots of gadgets for the money though...

MattW

1,076 posts

290 months

Friday 20th August 2004
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In case you have not driven it yet it might also be worth considering a VW......runs for cover!

I drove the hi-power RX8 because I thought it was great and the wife made me test it against a VW R32 as she preferred that.

Have to say was disappointed with RX8 in terms of torque but I was happy enough as I like to hunt out the revs. The R32 however surprised me a lot, was not too bothered about it really, as it was just another Golf but with a body kit. That is until he stated it up! Sounded lovely (for a mass-produced four seater) and was amazing to drive, loads of torque and like no Golf I have ever driven!

Matt