Rx8 as a third car?

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Justchris17
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Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

What’s people’s thoughts on the Rx8 being a third car do they need to be run regular to improve reliability? If I get one I will only tax during summer months and SORN the rest.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Rx8 And it’s a itch that needs itched but when I only had 1 car it was used for 250 mile commute and reliability issues scared me off but now it will only be for summer and weekends. My main car is 135i coupe and have a Mazda6 estate for the dog and tip runs. Can I possible have some pros and cons for this idea?
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by jaz1ee »

Running my 40th anniversary as a 4th vehicle for 3years
Can’t bring my self to part with it but only doing a couple of hundred miles a year. Stood for 6 months over winter so charged the battery fully and it started first time like I used it every day.
Spend more time tinkering than driving but it’s more fun than anything else you can buy. You can judge how good they are when you look at prices in other countries and work out they are cheaper in the U.K. than anywhere else on the planet. Should be a lot more money. Buy and enjoy.


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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Craig010 »

I run my RX8 as a third car, and it's fantastic. As long as you take care of it (give it a good battery, keep it serviced and use it as frequently as possible) it will be fine.

I think they're a lot more robust than most people (i.e. journalist's and the general public) give them credit for. I try to use mine at least once a week, but it has been left for three weeks before now, and was no problem. Just make sure you take care of it, paying attention to the rotary specific info out there (like pre-mixing and not turning then engine off until its warmed up) and I'm sure it will be fine.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Nickp47 »

A second/third car is ideal usage for RX-8 really, I don’t think not being run regularly will cause issues with reliability, it’s more not stretching its legs properly when it is used that is inadvisable.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by warpc0il »

Just keep an eye on things that suffer from age when you're not doing the mileage.

Tyres can crack, brakes can seize and brake fluid still needs replacing every few years. None of which is unique to rotary.

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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Nillbymouth »

It'll be no problem at all. I SORN mine end of October until April (May this year due to lockdown). Keep it on a CTEK charger and starts immediately, no issues. I only do about 2000 miles per year in it. An advantage of SORNing it means the tax is more bearable.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by ROTOR »

Just to add to everyone elses comments. My 2003 RX8 is my third car. Its with my son in law at the moment, but providing it doesnt present a major problem its too fun to swap for a few hundred quid!
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Dr. FrankenRex »

As above the RX8 suits the 'leisure car' use case quite nicely as it means that you're probably not using it for short journeys and when you do drive it you're going to drive it properly rather than pootling around town.

If you can store it inside when not in use then I'd recommend spending time to find the most-rust-free example you can find. Engines can be rebuilt easily and cheaply (relatively speaking) but rot is something that is a PITA to fix.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by R1DSO »

I run mine as a 2nd car to a big Land Rover and the RX-8 is surprisingly practical for a weekend fun car. That’s part of the reason I got it.

The benefit is the RX-8 gives you more excuses to drive it vs something like an MX-5. I can load it up with a pram, shopping and rear facing isofix baby seat and travel in comfort with the family in addition to having a very capable and engaging fast road and track day car.

Further to the preventive maintenance the car requires that’s already been mentioned, it’s worth dwelling on the start-up/shut off point if you’ve got a driveway or garage that requires shuffling cars around.

As also mentioned, you can’t just turn on/off the RX-8. You’ll learn from reading threads on here that turning off a cold RX-8 floods it, the “Mazda recommended” 4K revs cold shut off washes oil from the rotor housings needed for the car’s next start up and leaving the car idling to warm up isn’t advised either.

I keep my RX-8 in a garage, which I need access to from time to time for projects. Moving the car (a simple couple of mins job with any other car) always results in a more time consuming/fun drive around my village in the RX-8 :lol:.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Nillbymouth »

R1DSO wrote:
Tue May 26, 2020 11:40 am
I keep my RX-8 in a garage, which I need access to from time to time for projects.
If the car is SORNed then pump the tyres up to prevent flat spots and it'll also make it much easier to push the car should you need to move it
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by R1DSO »

Nillbymouth wrote:
Tue May 26, 2020 12:00 pm
R1DSO wrote:
Tue May 26, 2020 11:40 am
I keep my RX-8 in a garage, which I need access to from time to time for projects.
If the car is SORNed then pump the tyres up to prevent flat spots and it'll also make it much easier to push the car should you need to move it
Nope, tax is paid for for the year at the grand cost of £570 (or whatever the R3 tax bracket weighs in at :shock:).

My garage is so small it wouldn’t actually be possible to push the car in and out of it. The car fits with about 1cm to spare front and back and just enough room to get out on one side.

I use a combination of wall-mounted curved mirrors, garage wall padding and a wheel stopper to drive it in/out. It’s easy now that I’ve got it down to a tee and (for me) worth the effort to keep away rust. But, it does mean I end up taking the RX-8 for a short drive if I need to move it.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by GraemeC »

My RX8 is a second car and only used in the dry for fun!
I only do 1k to 2k miles per year and it spends most of its life in the garage hooked up to a CTEK battery charger. I might go two months between outings and I've never had any problems (its always warmed up fully and given a good thrashing when it is used)

Just make sure you check and replace items which can deteriorate with ago, no different to any other car that is used infrequently
Go for it, as per the other comments the RX8 makes a great second car! You wont regret it!
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by dac69er »

Mine is a 5th car so use it pretty infrequently.

As I only use it in the summer when it is dry it is far easier to ensure it gets a good run out so in my eyes does it more good than lots of cold starts and shorter journeys.

As long as you maintain it and store it somewhere decent, it will be fine :)
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

Thanks everyone! Glad to see my idea isn’t uncommon lol. I’ve heard stuff like running costs like low mpg, high tax ect is what drives price down cause a lot of people can’t afford it but that works in our favour I suppose because can buy a hell of a car for very cheap.

What’s the current rate for engine rebuilds these days 1500-2k?

Is rust and corrosion that big of a deal in these cars is it really common? My Mazda6 suffers badly especially on alloys but don’t care about that as it’s my workhorse/workpig taking the dog out and tip runs lol my Beemer and Rx8 would be my prides if I buy one.

What’s the current crack with coils these days remember reading something about them years ago but can’t remember and is revving to 4K prior to switching off a thing when it’s warm or just cold?

What’s everyone’s yearly running cost on their Rx8?
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

I mean it’s totally overkill having 2 cars since I’m only onshore 6 months of the year and don’t have a commute so lucky to do 5k miles a year and I’m wanting 3 haha but might aswell enjoy cars while I can suppose. My girlfriend is against the idea completely but it’s not her money and there’s worse things to spend money on lol
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by qwakers »

Justchris17 wrote:
Tue May 26, 2020 9:04 pm
Thanks everyone! Glad to see my idea isn’t uncommon lol. I’ve heard stuff like running costs like low mpg, high tax ect is what drives price down cause a lot of people can’t afford it but that works in our favour I suppose because can buy a hell of a car for very cheap.

What’s the current rate for engine rebuilds these days 1500-2k?
2k-6k(skys the limit actually if you want to go new everything) for a rebuild would be more like it....

Is rust and corrosion that big of a deal in these cars is it really common? My Mazda6 suffers badly especially on alloys but don’t care about that as it’s my workhorse/workpig taking the dog out and tip runs lol my Beemer and Rx8 would be my prides if I buy one.
its becoming the biggest killer of rx8's now

What’s the current crack with coils these days remember reading something about them years ago but can’t remember
RyanRotaryPerformance coils are currently seen as the best on the market
and is revving to 4K prior to switching off a thing when it’s warm or just cold?
never do that

What’s everyone’s yearly running cost on their Rx8?
not that much. take 2 engines out of the equation (long story) and all the mods and its been about 1k in trackdays fuel, tax and insurance.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

qwakers wrote:
Tue May 26, 2020 9:49 pm
Justchris17 wrote:
Tue May 26, 2020 9:04 pm
Thanks everyone! Glad to see my idea isn’t uncommon lol. I’ve heard stuff like running costs like low mpg, high tax ect is what drives price down cause a lot of people can’t afford it but that works in our favour I suppose because can buy a hell of a car for very cheap.

What’s the current rate for engine rebuilds these days 1500-2k?
2k-6k(skys the limit actually if you want to go new everything) for a rebuild would be more like it....

Is rust and corrosion that big of a deal in these cars is it really common? My Mazda6 suffers badly especially on alloys but don’t care about that as it’s my workhorse/workpig taking the dog out and tip runs lol my Beemer and Rx8 would be my prides if I buy one.
its becoming the biggest killer of rx8's now

What’s the current crack with coils these days remember reading something about them years ago but can’t remember
RyanRotaryPerformance coils are currently seen as the best on the market
and is revving to 4K prior to switching off a thing when it’s warm or just cold?
never do that

What’s everyone’s yearly running cost on their Rx8?
not that much. take 2 engines out of the equation (long story) and all the mods and its been about 1k in trackdays fuel, tax and insurance.
Thanks for the info. Where is the common corrosion points to look out for, is it really that bad it’s killing them?

How often do them Ryan rotary performance coils last?

Also how much are service kits for these?
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by New Duke »

Justchris17 wrote:
Wed May 27, 2020 1:43 am
Thanks for the info. Where is the common corrosion points to look out for, is it really that bad it’s killing them?

How often do them Ryan rotary performance coils last?

Also how much are service kits for these?
Yeah you can get a Ryan Rotary Performance rebuild and fitted for a smidge over £2k. You can totally go cheaper and go elsewhere but RRP set the bar these days.

The main corrosion point is the rear sills. There are other trouble spots but they aren't as easy to access on a used car viewing. Your best bet is a refresher through the buyers guide here: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=24047 and the FAQ here: viewforum.php?f=25

As a general rule of thumb, newer models that have been garaged can have little/no rust. Just depends on the life the car has had so far.

The RRP coils come with a lifetime guarantee. So fit and forget :thumleft:

You can buy a service kit for a few hundred quid from a specialist (like RRP) or a dealer. But honestly you're better off buying all the service parts and fluids yourself. Then do it yourself or take it to somewhere like Boston Rotary/Rotary Revs to do the work. Splash out and service/replace everything when you first buy the car... then it's just oil and spark plug changes for the next couple of years.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

New Duke wrote:
Wed May 27, 2020 3:19 am
Justchris17 wrote:
Wed May 27, 2020 1:43 am
Thanks for the info. Where is the common corrosion points to look out for, is it really that bad it’s killing them?

How often do them Ryan rotary performance coils last?

Also how much are service kits for these?
Yeah you can get a Ryan Rotary Performance rebuild and fitted for a smidge over £2k. You can totally go cheaper and go elsewhere but RRP set the bar these days.

The main corrosion point is the rear sills. There are other trouble spots but they aren't as easy to access on a used car viewing. Your best bet is a refresher through the buyers guide here: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=24047 and the FAQ here: viewforum.php?f=25

As a general rule of thumb, newer models that have been garaged can have little/no rust. Just depends on the life the car has had so far.

The RRP coils come with a lifetime guarantee. So fit and forget :thumleft:

You can buy a service kit for a few hundred quid from a specialist (like RRP) or a dealer. But honestly you're better off buying all the service parts and fluids yourself. Then do it yourself or take it to somewhere like Boston Rotary/Rotary Revs to do the work. Splash out and service/replace everything when you first buy the car... then it's just oil and spark plug changes for the next couple of years.
Thanks il have a read of buyers guide.

Lifetime gaurentee that’s decent i take it the price matches lol. That’s good Though.

I will be doing all work myself I was a mechanic by trade originally, I wouldn’t do engine rebuilds though don’t have the time for that, Was wandering what price of fluids were for these I always service my cars every 6k or 6 months whatever is first.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

How do they like being tracked I’ve read they like to be driven hard surely that means it would like track days or is that asking for trouble?

Also which is the best model, the R3, PZ ect or is there not much in it apart from aesthetics?
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by v-rex »

Mine is a 2nd car as well, a PZ version. The family car is a CX-5. Used mostly to go to karting events, and the odd mid-month drive to keep everything charged up. About 3000-4000 miles a year I reckon. Apart from one time due to a solar charger diode going the wrong way on me, never had a problem just getting in and starting, though as R1DSO says small moves are a bit of a pain and often I also go for a quick drive to get up to temp, if I need to move it. If you absolutely have to shut off cold ( less than 2 bars on the temp gauge) then the 4k rev before shut off is advised, else better not to when warm, and I think actually a bad idea as it washes away some oil that's added by the engine to help start it next time.

Cost is about 1k ( tax + insurance ) per year and then a bit more on oil and petrol. Also do make sure to add premix regularly as well, which isn't much extra cost and will help keep everything lubricated. I didn't for years but I'm a convert now!

Lastly rebuilds about £2k sounds right for a pure rebuild without installation. However bear in mind there are some good extras worth getting like refurbed housings which will add a bit extra to the cost but should give a better result, so worth doing imo.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Ainmhidh »

All that's been said so far. Don't drive it short distances - take it for 20 minutes or more to warm it up properly and it shouldn't flood.
As for model, it's a bit of personal preference really. The R3 is newer so they tend to be in better condition, but there were only ever 800 in the country (now under 500? on the road) so spares for bits that are R3 specific are harder to come by. Some of the earlier 2008/2009 R3s were susceptible to gearbox issues.
The PZ is mostly an S1 with some specific bits e.g. wing, wing mirrors, suspension.
Anything registered before March 2006 will be lower road tax (£250ish annual difference?) but will be older so have more opportunity for rot or tired components.
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by Justchris17 »

Why do 2008/2009 have gearbox issues I thought it was the same drivetrain for all?

Are any Models more or less reliable than the other?
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Re: Rx8 as a third car?

Post by warpc0il »

The R3 6-speed gearbox was developed from the MX-5, as it was cheaper to source than the 'box used in the S1.

The problem was that the MX-5 doesn't rev to 9k and the synchros weren't up to the job.
Later R3s had uprated 'box internals and many earlier R3 were repaired under warranty.
A low mileage 2008/9 R3 might not have been repaired and will fail.
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