Mazda RX-8 for my first car: Yay or Nay?

[Joseph F]

Hey, I was wondering if an RX-8 would be an ok first car once I have enough saved up for one. Why or why not?

 

[HAL9000]

Definitely, I had one for my second car, it's quick, easy to drive, comfortable and you can fit four people in it! It's brilliant, I miss that car every day. Get one. NB: It is not fuel efficient!

 

[Doppel]

Fun to drive, bad on gas, questionable reliability.

 

[mmntech]

Just keep in mind Wankel engines are pigs on gas and are prone to leaks. Seals go on them pretty quickly.

 

[Joseph F]

Any general figures on MPG?
Also, If I don't drive like a PCP-Infused Maniac would the engine still go up significantly faster than a Piston engine?

 

[HAL9000]

Any general figures on MPG?

17 / 21 as I recall... Put your foot down and it'll be 11 or less.

 

[Joseph F]

That's not too bad... Then again with the way Gasoline/Petrol prices are (and are going to be) it may not be the best choice.

 

[sdifox]

not worth it...get a mustang...Hal9000 is probably not using US gallons.

 

[MrWizzard]

Know a couple people who have had them.

They all liked them a lot, but in the end stoped driving them or sold them and didn't look back due to the MPG they got.....they are thirsty. Sure other cars get the same MPG but the other cars put out more HP too.

 

[HAL9000]

not worth it...get a mustang...Hal9000 is probably not using US gallons.

I'm not.

 

[MotF Bane]

You can probably find a better car for your money.

 

[Joseph F]

If I need a really efficient car I'll go with an old-school diesel Volkswagen Rabbit. (My Mom has claimed that hers got ~40MPG) Otherwise I'm trying to get something with a bit more horsepower. I'm very open to suggestions and if the price is right I'll probably get a Mustang as suggested. It's so hard deciding what I want. xD

 

[sdifox]

what is your budget? Are you looking at used or new?

 

[Joseph F]

As for my budget, I have absolutely no clue. probably not much more than $4500. And I'm definitely looking at used. (IMO there's no reason to buy a new car as it loses at least half of its value as soon as you buy it.)

 

[PhoKingGuy]

My friend gets 11 mpg combined on his, premium fuel required, about a 50/50 mix of driving.

Also, 1 quart of mobil 1 every 1k miles to top off, maint is hell, insurance is sky high.

He loves the stupid thing though.

 

[Joseph F]

^ FUUUUUUUUCK that. I suppose I'll get something more efficient until I'm rolling in dough. Suggestions, anyone?

 

[Obsy]

My friend gets 11 mpg combined on his, premium fuel required, about a 50/50 mix of driving.

Also, 1 quart of mobil 1 every 1k miles to top off, maint is hell, insurance is sky high.

He loves the stupid thing though.

My red '04 RX-8 :wub:

 

[Zivic]

if it were my first car and under 5 grand....

focus SVT would be at the top of my list

 

[zerocool84]

My friend gets 11 mpg combined on his, premium fuel required, about a 50/50 mix of driving.

Also, 1 quart of mobil 1 every 1k miles to top off, maint is hell, insurance is sky high.

He loves the stupid thing though.

Crappy gas mileage, not that fast, eats oil like no other, not cheap, the only thing going for it is that it looks good but other than that there's so many other better buys for the money.

 

[HAL9000]

Crappy gas mileage, not that fast, eats oil like no other, not cheap, the only thing going for it is that it looks good but other than that there's so many other better buys for the money.

It is quite cheap! Also it's quite fast, and it is a BRILLIANT drive.

 

[Doppel]

$4500 doesn't buy an RX-8 unless you are ok with towing it home and doing the engine replacement yourself.

The current one is rated at 16/23 or so. Their gas mileage is bad but probably much of that is how aggressive people drive them.

Just reviewed a bunch of these on autotrader. My word but their resale is just laughable. Miatas hold value quite well. Not these. Not at all.

 

[zerocool84]

It is quite cheap! Also it's quite fast, and it is a BRILLIANT drive.

It's not cheap, it's not fast, and you can get other cars that are MUCH cheaper that drive as good if not better. It handles pretty good but that's about it.

 

[HAL9000]

It's not cheap, it's not fast, and you can get other cars that are MUCH cheaper that drive as good if not better. It handles pretty good but that's about it.

I spent £4k on mine, it's 0-60 in 6.4s... pretty fast, pretty cheap.

 

[Joseph F]

DAMN! someone near me is selling a Mazda protege for $400 on Craig'slist... I could buy it now but someone is already going to buy it. (15 Minutes after it was posted...)

 

[bruceb]

I had a 1985 RX-7GSL-SE with the 13B and 5 speed. It went until 120K miles, trouble free, except for oil changes and plugs. Then it was stolen, so who knows how many more miles it had left in it. It was still on the original clutch and syncro rings. For rotary engines the only things you must watch are the Oil Level (check it weekly, you have trouble if you add more than 1 Qt every 1500 miles or less) and Never, Ever let a rotary overheat. It will warp the aluminum housings for sure. Change the coolant, T-Stat, cap, flush cooling system every 2 - 3 years.