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

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Should I get an RX-8 for my first car?

  • Yes

  • No


Results are only viewable after voting.

Zivic

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2002
3,505
38
91
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.

crappy mileage is really the only drawback out of that list...

it isn't that fast, but it is fast enough. Besides, it is more about the feel and overall driving experience than just how fast the car is...

the rotary is designed to use oil.... is it a drawback that your two stroke snowmobile uses oil?
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
We don't have those, in the UK 6s or so is fast, under that is very fast, under 5 is mega fast.

Stock Neons, WRX's, Mazda 3's, and many others are faster than that, cheaper, get better MPG, and don't eat as much oil as an RX-8.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
crappy mileage is really the only drawback out of that list...

it isn't that fast, but it is fast enough. Besides, it is more about the feel and overall driving experience than just how fast the car is...

the rotary is designed to use oil.... is it a drawback that your two stroke snowmobile uses oil?

If there are other snowmobiles that are cheaper, faster, and get better mpg, then you are damn sure that snowmobile you're talking about is a dud.

There are so many better all-round cars for the money. If you want one then get one but it's definitely not a good buy for the cost.
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
Stock Neons, WRX's, Mazda 3's, and many others are faster than that, cheaper, get better MPG, and don't eat as much oil as an RX-8.

None of those are cheaper in the UK, also Mazda 3 is slower... except for the MPS version, which won't handle as well. Also we don't have "neons"
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
I voted yes but I didn't realize the gas mileage was THAT bad. I'd get a 2005+ manual transmission Mustang if I were you. Like the RX-8 it has a useable back seat, but gets better gas mileage etc.
 

KDKPSJ

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2002
3,288
58
91
Well, I am sure RX8, to be more specific, Wankel rotary is great. But there must be a reason why we only have one street car in the world with Wankel rotary and even that exclusive model is not sold well, don't you think?
 

Joseph F

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2010
3,522
2
0
I'd bet that all of the kinks that Wankel engines have could be ironed-out through engineering but I think that Mazda doesn't have the kind of money to develop a perfect Wankel engine.
 

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
12,028
2
0
Crown Vic/Marauder. Probably better mpg than a RX-8 and more room for fucking. :awe:

How old are you btw? Insurance will be a bitch on a sports car.
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
I highly doubt you could get an Rx8 for under 5 grand unless it was a salvage title, or it was broken, or it was stolen and someone is trying to make a quick buck.


A Protege is actually a pretty good choice. Fairly reliable, good on gas (trust me, you'll value this more when your paying for the fuel every 2 weeks), and reasonably fun to drive as well.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Oh I didn't see the $4500 part... you aren't going to get an RX-8 for anywhere close to that.

You're getting something from the 90s
 

Demo24

Diamond Member
Aug 5, 2004
8,356
9
81
I spent £4k on mine, it's 0-60 in 6.4s... pretty fast, pretty cheap.


I didn't believe you until I did an autotrader search, holy crap they are dirt cheap over there. I found a good number under 3k. Must be because it's so damn expensive to drive over there. I found a fair number under 10k here as well, resale has not been kind to these!
 

Joseph F

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2010
3,522
2
0
I'm 16 BTW. Didn't think of insurance... LMAO. BTW that tacoma was removed before I checked it out. FWIW I won't have $4500 ready for a long time. So more than likely I'll be driving a piece of shit until I have enough saved up to buy something decent.
 

punjabiplaya

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2006
3,495
1
71
I'm 16 BTW. Didn't think of insurance... LMAO. BTW that tacoma was removed before I checked it out. FWIW I won't have $4500 ready for a long time. So more than likely I'll be driving a piece of shit until I have enough saved up to buy something decent.

all teenagers should drive pieces of shit
 

KDKPSJ

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2002
3,288
58
91
I'd bet that all of the kinks that Wankel engines have could be ironed-out through engineering but I think that Mazda doesn't have the kind of money to develop a perfect Wankel engine.

Ironically, the biggest reason why Mazda doesn't have money to invest in Wankel was Wankel. Mazda believed Wankel and rotary would be the future of engine, and bet the life of the company to Wankel. IIRC, there was even a time that all of Mazda cars were rotary. And well, we know how it worked out.

Unless we find/invent some material that is strong, great heat-resistance and yet lightweight, don't bet too much on Wankel. Again, there are reasons why even Mazda is setting rotary aside. It's just good on paper... at least for now.
 
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HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
I didn't believe you until I did an autotrader search, holy crap they are dirt cheap over there. I found a good number under 3k. Must be because it's so damn expensive to drive over there. I found a fair number under 10k here as well, resale has not been kind to these!

Wow! That's insane, Yeah they are dirt cheap here, driving isn't that expensive. You require road tax, About 140 per year and insurance (Which for me on my RX-8 was £700) other than that, it's the same price as over there....
 

HAL9000

Lifer
Oct 17, 2010
22,021
3
76
I'm 16 BTW. Didn't think of insurance... LMAO. BTW that tacoma was removed before I checked it out. FWIW I won't have $4500 ready for a long time. So more than likely I'll be driving a piece of shit until I have enough saved up to buy something decent.

Get a different car.