Going from a Chimaera to an RX-8?
Discussion
Hi there, I'm going to be selling my Chimaera soon and the current frontrunner to replace it is a Mazda RX-8. Has anyone here made the same change or gone to other way who could offer some comparisons between the two?. Obviously I know that from a driving perspective they are worlds apart, from the massive low down torque of a V8 to the screaming rotary in the RX-8 so I'm more interested in the general ownership experience. My Chim has been extremely reliable and I'm hoping being a Mazda that the RX-8 is as well? What are the general running costs like, servicing, maintenance, fuel consumption etc, significantly less than a Chim over the course of a year? It'll be mine and my partners only car so is it an easy car to live with every day even on the boring little trips to work and the shops?
I appreciate this isn't the best place to ask such questions so I'll be asking in the Mazda forums as well but I thought here would be my best chance of finding someone with direct experience of both.
Many Thanks,
Ross
I appreciate this isn't the best place to ask such questions so I'll be asking in the Mazda forums as well but I thought here would be my best chance of finding someone with direct experience of both.
Many Thanks,
Ross
Hehe yeah I kind of expected that comment 
It's not a change I'm making purely on desire, my partner and I currently run 2 cars, her fiesta and my Chim and due to circumstances we're going to change down to a single car and as much as I love the Chim we couldn't have it as our only car. The RX-8 seems like a decent compromise between having a daily driver with back seats and some practicality whilst still being a bit different and fun to drive. Well, that's what I'm hoping anyway 
It's not a change I'm making purely on desire, my partner and I currently run 2 cars, her fiesta and my Chim and due to circumstances we're going to change down to a single car and as much as I love the Chim we couldn't have it as our only car. The RX-8 seems like a decent compromise between having a daily driver with back seats and some practicality whilst still being a bit different and fun to drive. Well, that's what I'm hoping anyway Used to work for mazda and had rx-8's as company cars. Good cars. Slow though! Also will be less economical fuel wise than a chim. Never got more than 18mpg out of the rx-8.
However its a fun car. With the traction control switched off one of the easiest cars to power slide in. Handling is ok. very chackable. Dont think of comparing it to a chim in terms of speed though. Similar performance to your boy race hatch backs really.
Mike
However its a fun car. With the traction control switched off one of the easiest cars to power slide in. Handling is ok. very chackable. Dont think of comparing it to a chim in terms of speed though. Similar performance to your boy race hatch backs really.
Mike
i think the RX-8 is a great car. and quite quirky too.
But my only concern is that its a completely different driving experience to the Chim.
The Chim is a big torquey V8 with bags of low down power where the RX-8 with its rotary engine is low on torque and needs its neck wringing to get the power out of it.
Still fun.. just different.. and the two are very different from eachother
But my only concern is that its a completely different driving experience to the Chim.
The Chim is a big torquey V8 with bags of low down power where the RX-8 with its rotary engine is low on torque and needs its neck wringing to get the power out of it.
Still fun.. just different.. and the two are very different from eachother
I did Chimaera to Honda s2000
I miss the feeling of being "special" (yeah I know im special!!)
Its an event getting into a car like a TVR
The Honda (RX8) will do all that you require its just not the same.
Sometimes needs must (as with me) but I drove with 12 TVRs in convoy today and Oh boy did I want to be in a TVR.
Soon!!
I miss the feeling of being "special" (yeah I know im special!!)
Its an event getting into a car like a TVR
The Honda (RX8) will do all that you require its just not the same.
Sometimes needs must (as with me) but I drove with 12 TVRs in convoy today and Oh boy did I want to be in a TVR.
Soon!!
I love my Chimaera, everytime I have tried something different for some reason or other the new cars never seem to live up to my expectations and were not around for long before I resorted back to my old faithful, Rattles squeaks and all, you just cannot beat them.
In the last few years I have tried A new S2000, A Porsche Boxster and the latest was a 4.2 Jaguar XKR convertible, and can honestly say none of these cars, each costing 2 to 3 times more could match the TVR experience.
In the last few years I have tried A new S2000, A Porsche Boxster and the latest was a 4.2 Jaguar XKR convertible, and can honestly say none of these cars, each costing 2 to 3 times more could match the TVR experience.
ncs said:
Thanks for the replies so far, yeah I know it's never going to be as special as the TVR but unfortunately circumstances dictate that we need something cheaper and a bit more practical, believe me if I could keep the TVR I would and I'm sure that in the future I'll get another one. I'd love the Monaro but the initial cost is too much and I can't see it being any cheaper to run. Basically at the moment the options look to be some sort of hotish hatch (probably a Focus ST170) or the RX-8 and of those I'm guessing the RX-8 will have a bit more character? Any other suggestions at around the £10k mark for something fun but practical?
TheNewGuy said:
ncs said:
Thanks for the replies so far, yeah I know it's never going to be as special as the TVR but unfortunately circumstances dictate that we need something cheaper and a bit more practical, believe me if I could keep the TVR I would and I'm sure that in the future I'll get another one. I'd love the Monaro but the initial cost is too much and I can't see it being any cheaper to run. Basically at the moment the options look to be some sort of hotish hatch (probably a Focus ST170) or the RX-8 and of those I'm guessing the RX-8 will have a bit more character? Any other suggestions at around the £10k mark for something fun but practical?
Jag XK8, should get a nice '99 4.0 for that money, maybe a little bit more.
Im torn between an XK8/R and a Range Rover for a daily drive at the moment, I shouldnt do it really but Im bored of the diesel mini-cab.
TheNewGuy said:
Hi there, I'm going to be selling my Chimaera soon and the current frontrunner to replace it is a Mazda RX-8. Has anyone here made the same change or gone to other way who could offer some comparisons between the two?. Obviously I know that from a driving perspective they are worlds apart, from the massive low down torque of a V8 to the screaming rotary in the RX-8 so I'm more interested in the general ownership experience. My Chim has been extremely reliable and I'm hoping being a Mazda that the RX-8 is as well? What are the general running costs like, servicing, maintenance, fuel consumption etc, significantly less than a Chim over the course of a year? It'll be mine and my partners only car so is it an easy car to live with every day even on the boring little trips to work and the shops?
I appreciate this isn't the best place to ask such questions so I'll be asking in the Mazda forums as well but I thought here would be my best chance of finding someone with direct experience of both.
Many Thanks,
Ross
Rx8's are very very common around here , and they do have a bad reputation to eat oil and suck petrol , an S2000 might be better if you must !I appreciate this isn't the best place to ask such questions so I'll be asking in the Mazda forums as well but I thought here would be my best chance of finding someone with direct experience of both.
Many Thanks,
Ross
I'd go for the Honda over the RX8 anytime. I used to love those RX8s but once I'd driven one I was disappointed, not in the way the car 'went' but in the feel, sound and feedback. Just uninspiring and disappointing The Honda however. felt like a TVR made by a mainstream manufacturer.
The RX8 goes like stink and I was very impressed by a three lap ride I had around Oulton Park in one but I think the fuel consumption and maintenance would be too much. I've two friends that have had them both as new company cars one guy hardly ever saw his for the last 6 months of his contract and the other walked away from it.
The guy who has a Honda however swears by it, not at it.
Honda gets my vote.
Edited to add
Have you thought about a 350Z? Cracking car with a great engine.
The RX8 goes like stink and I was very impressed by a three lap ride I had around Oulton Park in one but I think the fuel consumption and maintenance would be too much. I've two friends that have had them both as new company cars one guy hardly ever saw his for the last 6 months of his contract and the other walked away from it.
The guy who has a Honda however swears by it, not at it.
Honda gets my vote.
Edited to add
Have you thought about a 350Z? Cracking car with a great engine.
Edited by V8 GRF on Monday 10th March 11:30
TheNewGuy said:
ncs said:
Thanks for the replies so far, yeah I know it's never going to be as special as the TVR but unfortunately circumstances dictate that we need something cheaper and a bit more practical, believe me if I could keep the TVR I would and I'm sure that in the future I'll get another one. I'd love the Monaro but the initial cost is too much and I can't see it being any cheaper to run. Basically at the moment the options look to be some sort of hotish hatch (probably a Focus ST170) or the RX-8 and of those I'm guessing the RX-8 will have a bit more character? Any other suggestions at around the £10k mark for something fun but practical?
Mazda 6 MPS
Only cos I have one, and are very good, and possibly are now in your price range.
If you want something no less economical than an RX8 but won't burn loads of oil and can do short trips (the RX8 shouldn't be used for very short trips) then consider an MG ZT260. I have one as my daily car (although I still have the TVR for the real fun) but the MG is amazingly solid, has excellent brakes, handles very well and, most importantly, has a nice big V8. Cheap for what you get -(I know you dismissed the Monaro but the MG for similar car is cheaper).
I have an RX8 for my daily drive and yes it's shocking on fuel. I do about 30k a year in it which is a lot of ££££ at 22mpg average, generally with it's neck being rung. But I love it, great drivers car keeping the engine buzzing at high revs, rear wheel drive and handles nicely, you can get the back end out with the traction on as there seems to be a time delay - inspires confidence and does give a smile. Some practicality as well for rear seat passengers but not so for the narrow boot opening. Oil usage is higher than people get used to, but I don't check it any more regulalry than my Tuscan.
Luckily I can have both, and still have a Tuscan as my toy. Had a Chim for 6 years and an S before that. Again, I love them, big smiles and obvioulsy a different driving experience. Wouldn't be without them whilst I can afford it.
Try an RX8 on a good long test drive with plenty of twisty stuff and see what you think. Honda S2000 gets rave reviews and is sworn by, by people who know. Again a long test grive required. A mate of mine sells them and has had many scary test drives (with the uninitiated) as they never fitted traction until recently, but I guess you'll be used to that after the Chim, but could be a factor for everday use - as I never really enjoy driving TVR's in the wet anyway.
Let us know how you get on - Dan..
Luckily I can have both, and still have a Tuscan as my toy. Had a Chim for 6 years and an S before that. Again, I love them, big smiles and obvioulsy a different driving experience. Wouldn't be without them whilst I can afford it.
Try an RX8 on a good long test drive with plenty of twisty stuff and see what you think. Honda S2000 gets rave reviews and is sworn by, by people who know. Again a long test grive required. A mate of mine sells them and has had many scary test drives (with the uninitiated) as they never fitted traction until recently, but I guess you'll be used to that after the Chim, but could be a factor for everday use - as I never really enjoy driving TVR's in the wet anyway.
Let us know how you get on - Dan..
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