What are the running costs for a Mazda RX8?
Hey all, RX8 owners (or previous owners) preferably!
I’m looking at getting a Mazda RX8 as my second car.
I’m aware of the fuel economy, the rotary engine, the oil consumption, the do’s and don’ts etc…
Is £12,000 a year salary enough to run the car?
I can afford the car, insurance and tax (I’ve done my research on the car).
I’d just like to know people’s experiences of owning the car.
Thanks
I’ll be 19 with two years driving experience by the time I get my second car. Just looking for options currently and the RX8 is the most appealing for me (I’m a Mazda fanboy!)
Comments
If you really car about the cost of maintenance with the RX8 then you probably shouldn’t get one. Its not that the cost is high, its that you really need to take care of the car, the downfall of the rx8 and all rotary powered cars are the owners
Oh, im willing to take care of it! Im just doing my research currently.
I was under the impression that the costs were high tbh
RX8 owner for a bit over a year here!
Running costs arent good, but they arent ridiculous. Petrol is not great, expect 25mpg, but its still not too bad.
Oil isnt as big an issue as you’d think. 1 litre per 1000 miles for me.
If you buy a low mile one, it should be well-looked after, and even if the engine dies, its about £1500 to refurbish.
Coils can be expensive, but theres loads for sale on the internet.
Other than that, it is a typical japanese car, so tires and most parts are pretty cheap.
If you have space, i recommend doing what i did and buy a spare donor for cheap. A full car of spares can be yours for a few £100.
Any other questions just ask me :)
Oooh nice!!
No i didnt think they were tbh, may i ask how much? Per year.
Wow thats more than i thought for the mpg, ive been seeing 13-20mpg everywhere.
Yeah oil doesnt seem too bad tbh.
Im looking at buying a low milage one (max 40,000 miles)
Ah well thats not too bad then!
I dont have the space for another im afraid.
But yeah this has made me want one more!!
Sorry if this is reviving a very old thread! They can be expensive if not minded well. Never mind a full mazda service history as ive rebuilt at least 100 that had these and were all in terrible condition!! Do not buy non genuine coils as these are essential to the operation of the car!! Also good leads and plugs. And there are loads of fakes floating around so be careful!! Sports cat or decat pipe will also help engine life. Yry buy one from an enthusiast if you can because you know all the essentials will have been maintained properly. Budget up to 1k to do all these bits of you dont buy one with work already done. Best of luck as they are a fantastic car if you get a good one 👍
No worries man.
Your advice is very helpful! I’m still looking for a car (will be buying in a months time).
I’ve found a dealer that specialises in RX8s and test drove one there.
It struggled to start (had to wait 10mins for the battery to charge) but it was fine afterwards (hadn’t been run in 3weeks).
They’d replaced the coils and spark plugs and everything worked as expected.
It drove like a beauty and started easily when hot too.
I assume your advice applies to the 192? As that’ll be the one I get (can’t get insured on a 230 due to my age)
Same advice for either model man! Cold start like that sounds normal. Just be sure its a 69Amp or higher battery for easier starting. If it has a cat id recommend gutting it and/or fitting a decat pipe! Also premix good quality 2 stroke into your fuel when you fill up every time! Approx 1 to 2 mil per litre is enough. Also these cars have a tendency to flood if you start them move them and shut them off too quick! If you are starting it from cold you need to let it heat past the first notch on the coolant guage and then rev it past 4k rpm while at the same time shutting down the car! Pushes any unburnt fuel out of the housings.
Sweet!
Ah fair enough then, just concerned me a tad that’s all.
Shall do.
I’m aware of the flooding issue. I’d make sure to warm it up before shutting it off (although just gives me an excuse to drive it hehe ;))
Hey Dom! I’m looking at buying an RX-8 for my first car, have done a ton of research on it, absolutely love everything about it, minus the fuel consummption but that’s easy to look past, and am wondering your thoughts on the exact same question you asked a year ago? Saw this post and thought it’d be the best chance at getting an answer if you’ve kept the car for a year :)