How much should i pay for a mazda rx8?

Is the Mazda RX8 worth getting?

• Hey, I am in the process of getting a new second hand car. I previously owned a Honda Civic GLi, 1997 (which was extremely reliable but was unbelievably boring I don't want to spend money making me look like a d**k head). I have been seriously looking at the Mazda RX8. I love the the look of the RX8 and have looked on many RX8 websites and YouTube vids. I would definitely buy the car if it had a straight 4 or V6 engine but am worried that i will not be suited for the rotary engine. I would like to know about these things before I even consider looking further into the RX8: 1. I have seen some forums saying that if the car is unused for a certain amount time it can cause problems, is this true? (sometimes my car sits in the garage for weeks at a time) 2. Other than fuel and oil, are there any other costs I should be worried about (is servicing expensive)? 3. Next year I will be in Sydney for a month or two, which includes sitting in traffic, crawling between stop lights but every few weeks traveling 300 Km (or approx. 185 mi), would that do damage or is that OK for it? 4. If I buy a Mazda RX8 would it be worth converting to LPG? 5. Say I am anal-retentive enough to check the oil every time i fill up, make sure the car gets revved to 9000 RPM daily and not turn off the car while it's cold. Is that all? Thanks for anyone who answers any of these questions. :) Cheers, Luke

• Answer:

  The RX8 is a great, fun car if you're prepared to learn about it's quirks...which by your Q#5 you already know much about. For the others: 1) I don't know where people are finding this problem. I owned an RX8 for 5 years. I stored it for 5 months each winter. I also had to let it sit for up to 2 weeks at a time occasionally if travelling for business. I *NEVER* had any problems starting the car after leaving it sit. It would start right up without a problem *EVERY* time. The only caveat I would add is if the car is going to sit for more than 2 weeks you should either disconnect the battery for put it on a charger before starting. Like many modern cars there are a lot of electronics drawing power while the car is sitting and the drain after 3 weeks or so will flatten the battery. 2) Fuel and oil will be higher cost than other cars. Rotary engines are not particularly fuel efficient. I usually got about 17 MPG (based on US gallons). Oil changes need to be more frequent than on regular piston engines (about every 3000 miles/5000 KM). Other abnormal costs will be more frequent replacement of ignition components (spark plugs, wires, and ignition coils). All other regular maintenance expenses will be the same. Take good care of the motor, though. Because of the very simple design any internal problems will almost always require an engine rebuild or replacement. Follow the items you list in Q#5 and you should be Ok. 3) Heavy, slow traffic can be an issue if it takes place in high heat if you use the oil specified by Mazda. 5W20 or 5W30 oil may not be good enough. At low rpm's in slow traffic the oil injection system may not provide enough lubrication on its own. I would advise changing to 10W30/10W40 for this period and pre-mixing 6 - 8 ounces of synthetic 2 cycle motor oil into a full tank of gas. This will give adequate protection. Also, if you're sitting/creeping along for a long period the occasional revving of the motor to inject a bit more oil wouldn't hurt. 4) I don't know if a rotary engine can be converted to LPG. They have been tested, with good results, with running on hydrogen. It does reduce power by about 40%, though. 5) Under normal driving I only checked my oil every month as the oil consumption isn't that high. I needed to add a quart of oil every 2000 - 2500 KM on my 8. YMMV. You've got the other items down pat so you'd be Ok.