Topic: why are used RX 8 so .. inexpensive?

[aquadorhj]

you bums talkin about rear wheel drive magic etc etc had me looking thru local auto listings again.   

i won't be buyin anything this year, but just browsing.

one thing odd i find, even though Miata(was actually looking for miata) is cheaper new then RX 8, used RX 8s are really reasonable in price.

any owners care to chime in?    i am very intrigued.

[rrocket]

you bums talkin about rear wheel drive magic etc etc had me looking thru local auto listings again.   

i won't be buyin anything this year, but just browsing.

one thing odd i find, even though Miata(was actually looking for miata) is cheaper new then RX 8, used RX 8s are really reasonable in price.

any owners care to chime in?    i am very intrigued.

Cheap because they depreciated due to some issues with the engine...or future worries of same issue.  Also..no a good seller new or used.  So prices have to be low to attract any interest.  OTOH, the engines do have a very long warranty now, which is nice.

The RX-8 is not for everyone though.  Very neat car, handles great.  Peaky engine..no torque.  Burns oil.  Some parts can be expensive to replace/repair.

There are a few owners lurking about here.  TopGun and Railton will be along to chime in shortly I'm sure..

[articsteve]

Resellers don't want them.  They're time bombs.  Hence, the market prices them low.

[aquadorhj]

Thanks for the quick reply

If reliability is pretty good I may look into rx 8 NEXT YESR. or maybe gen coup.

[articsteve]

Excellent on the RX8.  We'll be waiting. 

[aquadorhj]

 

Excellent on the RX8.  We'll be waiting. 

The heck, arctic, u just called it 'TIMEBOMB' and now its excellent?   
I do luv the look of it though. ...

[rrocket]

^^I love the look of the RX-8 R3!!

[CatsEye68]

Excellent on the RX8.  We'll be waiting. 

The heck, arctic, u just called it 'TIMEBOMB' and now its excellent?   
I do luv the look of it though. ...

They are excellent timebombs. We love to watch the carnage unfold...

[1TSX]

They're so cheap that I wouldn't mind having one as a 4th car, as a summer toy...

[TopGun]

Cheap because they depreciated due to some issues with the engine...or future worries of same issue.  Also..no a good seller new or used.  So prices have to be low to attract any interest.  OTOH, the engines do have a very long warranty now, which is nice.

The RX-8 is not for everyone though.  Very neat car, handles great.  Peaky engine..no torque.  Burns oil.  Some parts can be expensive to replace/repair.

There are a few owners lurking about here.  TopGun and Railton will be along to chime in shortly I'm sure..

I will add to rrocket's excellent summation that mileage is not good.  Other pluses not mentioned - great shifters, sound good with an aftermarket exhaust, and are very versatile.  Their lightness and long wheel base means they don't need a stiff suspension, so they don't beat you up on the highway at all.  They also have a big boot, and the rear doors make it perfect for those of us that have kids that ride in the back.

If I had my choice, I'd pick a Miata for sure...but I wanted a longer-range family hauler.  However, (hoping TB is not in here!) I don't think there's much comparison between an RX-8 and a Genesis Coupe.  Having driven the 4 cyl GC, my personal impression was that the RX-8 is in a different league when it comes suspension tuning, steering and shifting.  Does an RX-8 make sense at MSRP - goodness no...but it sure made sense to me at the prices they sell for, and that you've noted.

Rrocket is so correct - they are not for everyone.  If you're the type of person that just wants to get in and drive a car...look elsewhere.  Check the oil every couple of fill-ups and you're fine.  And if the engine goes after Mazda's 8 year warranty - well...rotaries are pretty cheap actually...and then you can always put a turbo on it after that.

Instead of replacing mine, I've thought about just keeping it and using it for winter duty when I come across some coin and a car that is really special.  Railton used his RX-8 through several winters with much success.  Besides, winters in the RX-8 would give me a chance to feel what power oversteer is...because you don't get much with it in the summer.   

[Railton]

If you end up shopping one, look for one that has NOT been driven in the Winter. Like the Mazda 3's, they're prone to body rust around the rear wheel wells.
Another tip, try to find one where the owner has ben premixing. I know TG may discount this worry but I think it's a real. Oil is cheap insurance.
Remember that this car is more like a chainsaw with four wheels and you'll be fine. Premix, watch the oil and change the plugs (and coils) alot.
Railton

[Erik]

Another tip, try to find one where the owner has ben premixing. I know TG may discount this worry but I think it's a real. Oil is cheap insurance.
Remember that this car is more like a chainsaw with four wheels and you'll be fine. Premix, watch the oil and change the plugs (and coils) alot.
Railton

Just out of curiosity, how much oil did you add to them? Just add some with every fill up?

[TopGun]

Just out of curiosity, how much oil did you add to them? Just add some with every fill up?

1 oz per gallon...but it's really all over the place.  There is a 120 page thread on this in a RX-8 thread.  That's even more than the Regal thread!   

Although I should try it, I decided not to premix - if I get to 8 years and the engine blows up, then I'm good as I have not done anything to the engine that has not been recommended by Mazda and I get a new engine.  If I get to 9 years and it blows then...oh well...it's been freak'n 9 years man!!

If I were to track it more, then I would pre-mix.  The sentiment is that Mazda doesn't classify track use as "normal"...so their own oil pump would provide insufficient oil to the seals.

[initial_D]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another RX-8. Either an R3 for track/weekend purpose, or mod the current car for that purpose. I've spend over 14hrs in the 8 (driving to & back), and found it to be very comfortable. It is almost luxury sedan like on the highway.

I overlook all the minor so-call flaws in the 8, enjoy it as what it is and has to offer. Also owned an 90 BMW E30 325ix, with close to 300,000Km on the ode, it is also a high maintenance, with its age and mileage. But geewizzz, there is not too many cars like it on ice/snow/gravel, well worth the time and effort. 

Spend under $20,000 on the 8 total (include initial purchase) so far in the last years, and only fluids changes are needed. Our first CX-7 was leased for 3 years, and the lease payment in that time were over $24,000. I can see the value and better return on the dollar with the RX-8.

[articsteve]

The heck, arctic, u just called it 'TIMEBOMB' and now its excellent?    
I do luv the look of it though. ...

You asked why the prices were so low and that is the market perception on those unit.  But don't let that stop you.  PPL buy used Porsches left and right and most of those are time bombs.  Possessing a time bomb intensifies the ownership experience.  

[rrocket]

Just out of curiosity, how much oil did you add to them? Just add some with every fill up?

1 oz per gallon...but it's really all over the place.  There is a 120 page thread on this in a RX-8 thread.  That's even more than the Regal thread!   

Although I should try it, I decided not to premix - if I get to 8 years and the engine blows up, then I'm good as I have not done anything to the engine that has not been recommended by Mazda and I get a new engine.  If I get to 9 years and it blows then...oh well...it's been freak'n 9 years man!!

If I were to track it more, then I would pre-mix.  The sentiment is that Mazda doesn't classify track use as "normal"...so their own oil pump would provide insufficient oil to the seals.

If I had an RX-8 and it was a keeper, I'd have every rotary part coated in WPC....

[safristi]

 WPC............ Woman Police Constable................. ...'allo   'allo move along nothing to see 'ere.........she's  a nice lil mover and still looks good...touchy on the upkeep....just like a 60's Brit Sports Car..........serves them right fer ripping of the Elan with the Miata and making it bulletproof.....karma is a wonderful thang.... ......

[Railton]

Another tip, try to find one where the owner has ben premixing. I know TG may discount this worry but I think it's a real. Oil is cheap insurance.
Remember that this car is more like a chainsaw with four wheels and you'll be fine. Premix, watch the oil and change the plugs (and coils) alot.
Railton

Just out of curiosity, how much oil did you add to them? Just add some with every fill up?

Yup, filled up a few gas line anti-freeze sized bottles with low ash 2 stroke oil and dumped one in before filling the tank.
Railton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upeKwlrIybo&feature=related