Mazda RX8 - buy one or not?

[Fat Tone]

Discuss.

I've wanted one badly since they were invented. It is a really good coupe and I can still squeeze the clubs in, and the family if forced.

[Kooldino]

They're good cars all around. Personally, they don't have enough power for me, so I'd have to wait for the Mazdaspeed version before I'd seriously consider it.

The only real downside is the mediocre fuel economy. Other than that, it's quite the unique car.

[Paddy]

wankle hehehehe

[Mehen]

not saying whether you should get one or not, but if you do, get a black one

[cjolley]

You didn't give an option for "Ugly"

Besides, the engine is a wanker.

[RichL]

If I had the free cash, parking space and my own petrol refinery, I would
It's a clever design (love the suicide rear doors) with a screaming engine and apparently a fun drive.

If it needs more power, I found some nutters (Austraaaalians) who had wound nearly 300bhp out of the engine.

[Kooldino]

They have turbo kits that add up to 100whp to them.

[ZokesPro]

I want one of these so bad! It's such a weet car.

Apparently it's quite balanced and the engine.. I love it! Love the sound it makes too.

GET ONE NOW!!!!

[Jon P. Inghram]

I wonder how well rotary engines handle N2O? All bottle, no throttle!

[Kooldino]

Not sure about N20, but FWIW, the rotors are forged, so they can handle some abuse.

But hell, I'd go turbo before I ran funny gas.

[Lizzard[MPE]]

buy it.

[agallag]

Yeah buy it! They're a little quirky, but there's nothing out there even in the same class. Very unique and cool vehicle.

One thing I heard from a Mazda service guy, don't ever let the engine run for LESS than 4 or 5 minutes. That apparently floods the engine very badly. They had a guy who wanted to move the car from one side of his driveway to the other, and the car had to be towed to the dealer for three days to dry it out. Weird.

[ZokesPro]

Yeah buy it! They're a little quirky, but there's nothing out there even in the same class. Very unique and cool vehicle.

One thing I heard from a Mazda service guy, don't ever let the engine run for LESS than 4 or 5 minutes. That apparently floods the engine very badly. They had a guy who wanted to move the car from one side of his driveway to the other, and the car had to be towed to the dealer for three days to dry it out. Weird.

That's when you rev it up high (4-5000 rpm) then shut the engine off immediatly. Flushes out the cylinders. It's supposed to be a alcohol funny car trick, cause apprently alcohol fuel contains water that can damage the cylinders if it's shut off from idle.

[Fat Tone]

Mazda are doing 0% interest at the moment, but that really means 50% deposit, pay the rest in 12 months (or give it back or whatever).

Used prices are starting to drop e.g. 18months old for £14k (new is ~£21k), so I reckon as soon as my youngest starts school ( = no more nursery fees) this should be a goer

For now, I have to continue dreaming...but thanks for the encouragement