I drove an RX-8 Today

[2o6]

6-speed, 98K. only $5900.


I want it, even though I'm pretty sure it's going to need a new motor very soon.


I fucking love this car. It's like a RWD Civic Si.

[68_427]

J35 swap

[MX793]

The RX-8 still ranks as one of the best cars I've driven.  Steering felt perfectly weighted and was communicative, suspension was taught but not harsh, shifter was very good, the engine note was great, the sight-lines were good...  If the rear seats had folded flat to expand the tiny trunk space, I'd probably have one now instead of the Mustang.

[2o6]

The RX-8 still ranks as one of the best cars I've driven.  Steering felt perfectly weighted and was communicative, suspension was taught but not harsh, shifter was very good, the engine note was great, the sight-lines were good...  If the rear seats had folded flat to expand the tiny trunk space, I'd probably have one now instead of the Mustang.

It's like a RWD Civic Si. It's not very fast, but it's very effortless. And the rear seats real people.


I really like this car a lot

[MX793]

It's like a RWD Civic Si. It's not very fast, but it's very effortless. And the rear seats real people.


I really like this car a lot

It didn't have quite the thrust of my Mustang, but it was brisk enough to be entertaining.  The torque curve was pretty flat, as I recall.

[Rupert]

The rotary would make me a bit nervous. I should drive one, though.

[Onslaught]

"I'm pretty sure it's going to need a new motor very soon."

What makes you say that? If something seems wrong then have it looked at before buying. If something is wrong then walk the fuck away and find another one. The one good thing if your'e an RX-8 fan is most other people aren't. So finding a great condition used one for dirt cheap is easy.

[Speed_Racer]

I've always loved the RX-8

[r0tor]

An engine compression test would reveal everything you need to know.

[2o6]

They only want $5990 for it

[2o6]

At 98K, and 2006MY, does this mean it's just barely still in that 100K warranty?

[Payman]

They only want $5990 for it

Sounds about right. If the engine is sound it's a good deal. I'd also be wary of the engine with 100,000 miles on it, but like the experts said, a compression test and a good inspection is all that's needed. I know of at least one (2005) RX-8 in the area with 260,000 km (160,000 miles) on it, original engine.

[Payman]

At 98K, and 2006MY, does this mean it's just barely still in that 100K warranty?

Wasn't it 100k or 5 years? If so, then no warranty.

[2o6]

Wasn't it 100k or 5 years? If so, then no warranty.

Eight years

[Onslaught]

Take it to mazda or a rotary shop and have the test done.
But really, cheap RX-8 are very easy to find. So easy I'm thinking
Of getting one as a track car one day.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I've always like the RX cars, the 8 is a fantastic bargain. I wouldn't give it such a backhanded comment by comparing it to a Civic Si.

[Onslaught]

Miata with a roof, back seats and trunk is more like it.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Miata with a roof, back seats and trunk is more like it.

I don't care for back seats in a sports car. So all that equates to is extra weight. I'd prefer a miata with a roof and a rotary.

[Onslaught]

I don't care for back seats in a sports car. So all that equates to is extra weight. I'd prefer a miata with a roof and a rotary.

The RX-8 isn't a sports car. It's a sports sedan. Some people, like me need the extra room but still want the sport part.

But yes, a coupe miata based RX-7 would be perfect.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The RX-8 isn't a sports car. It's a sports sedan. Some people, like me need the extra room but still want the sport part.

But yes, a coupe miata based RX-7 would be perfect.

"Sports sedan", you must sleep with that PR release under your pillow. It was a poor attempt at taking an impractical car and making it slightly more practical while alienating it's core(historic) customers and other sports car customers. IMO.

[Onslaught]

Actually Mazda calls it a sports car. But it's not a sports car because it has 4 doors and useable back seats. So it's impossible for it to be a sports car in my book. The only thing it can be then is a sports sedan.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Actually Mazda calls it a sports car. But it's not a sports car because it has 4 doors and useable back seats. So it's impossible for it to be a sports car in my book. The only thing it can be then is a sports sedan.

I agree, they should have made it an actual sport car without rear seats.

[SVT666]

Actually Mazda calls it a sports car. But it's not a sports car because it has 4 doors and useable back seats. So it's impossible for it to be a sports car in my book. The only thing it can be then is a sports sedan.

It's a sports coupe.  It's not a sedan by any means, and it's definitely not a sports car.

[Onslaught]

It's a sports coupe.  It's not a sedan by any means, and it's definitely not a sports car.

Don't see why it's not a sedan. It has just as much rear leg and head room as many sedans I've been in. Even more head room then some.

[Onslaught]

I agree, they should have made it an actual sport car without rear seats.

It made more people happy. But then I'd be driving around in a G37 S or BMW now.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Don't see why it's not a sedan. It has just as much rear leg and head room as many sedans I've been in. Even more head room then some.

Doesn't the old definition of coupe/sedan have to do with a solid/fixed B pillar. I guess since the 8 lacks that it would be considered a coupe.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

It made more people happy. But then I'd be driving around in a G37 S or BMW now.

I recall at the time it made alot of RX7 fans unhappy, so I don't know who it would have made happy. Probably the non buying media reviewers. I always thought all the mazda fans wanted a 2 door 2 seater, guess I misunderstood that for all these years.

[r0tor]

It made more people happy. But then I'd be driving around in a G37 S or BMW now.

Same here

[Onslaught]

Automobile magazine put it best I think.

"You'll never forget the one that broke your balls (FD RX-7) but the RX-8 is the one you marry.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'd gush over shit I'm never going to buy all day if I got paid to do it.

Sadly the rear seats and doors of the RX8 didn't translate into broader market appeal. They would have been better making it smaller and lighter without the seats, in the end I don't think it would have altered the history(sales and profit) wise but would have been true to being a RX7 successor.