Hello to all, I,m thinking about buying a mazda rx8 as a family runabout,now I,m wondering if any of you passionforders have owned one?.
I have heard that the fuel and oil consumption on them is pretty steep and I was just after real world advice,It will be mainly used by the wife (drives like a nun) and driven by me on weekends.
Realistic mpg figures and running costs please.many thanks,Darren.

 

drove one recently; they do drive well enough but i was a little disappointed in the performance to be honest

they can be a bugger to start; they use more oil than a cossie and eventually they will need a engine rebuild

personally; i think there are much better cars out there for the money you'll be spending

look at a lexus is200 sport or audi s3

edit: the one i drove was the lower power one

 

The one I am looking at is a 231 bhp model on a 04 plate for £5795.
The reason I am after one is because its one of the few cars me and the missus can agree on,and performance is not too important as I will only drive it 2 days a week,and I always have the cossie for thrills.

 

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/

Decent place to start your research.

Engines are more tempramental/prone to flooding, but when looked after can be strong as hell.

Dont buy one if MPG concerns you. My Rx7 was terrible on fuel. Single figures terrible.

 

I must admit fuel is my concern,I expect the cossie to return shit milage ,but if the mazda returns only about 20mpg (which is what I,ve heard) I will get no end of whinging from the missus.( as she buys her own fuel ) during the week.

 

well the 231hp version will be better than the one i drove

engine oil will need to be topped up every 1000-15000 miles, and you need to use a decent oil and you must not mix them. its there nature of design to burn oil

You will flood the engine and it will refuse to start for a period of time; these engine do not like very short journeys, you must get them up to opertaing temp before you switch them off, otherwise they might not start again. (for a period of time) - i dont think your mrs will like that

lastly; i dont believe the fuel consumption is great - but you dont buy a car like that for good mpg!

 

To be honest this car would be bought on looks really,as me and the wife have always liked them,but I was hoping that it could do 30 mpg for the wifes comute otherwise I may look for a civic type r,its just the 3 doors on the honda that puts her off

 

Around town, no chance of 30. On the motorway, maybe, depending on driving style.

 

my son had one for 7 months before it was written off.
he always complained about fuel consumption and difficult starting especially on the short trip from home to the petrol station before it fully warmed up. he often felt a tit stuck at the pump not being able to start it.
i believe there is an ignition and battery upgrade which helps improve things.
it handled pretty well too

 

Well I think the mazda is starting to sound like a pain in the arse,thanks for the advice guys, looks like I,ll have to think of something else,,,cheers for the help

 

My boss bought one for his wife and she loved it,but they only do 19 or 20mpg no matter how you drive them and his mrs only ever did short runs in it so was a lousy starter and used lots of oil to say it only did very few miles,he used to get me to take it home after work every now and then to give it a bit of a clear out and for 230 odd bhp i never really rated it but i loved it to drive.They sold it after a couple of years as it was to much hassle to own

 

Go for the Type-R dude. My mate is selling his Accord Type-R and its a minter. 2.2 VTEC with 4 doors and reliable as they come. Should be around the £4k mark.