Is a used Mazda RX-8 still iconic? Or just a ticking time-bomb...

I have always loved the RX8 and same thing with the RX7 best performance cars ever

Just plan to motor swap it for a rebuilt rotor or a regular motor. LS swaps are common for this car. A good truck block can be found for $500. then go from there. Its not that big of a deal. I looked at 16 of them a few years ago in my area in the US. And all of them were not well taken care of, majority of them didn't even start when I went to look at them, all of them needed a new motor LMAO. Two of them had catalytic fires. One at a gas station LOL. No one tells people how to maintain these cars, they have to be warmed up before moving and they have to be red lined to clear the cat. oh and premix the gas. That's it if want to keep the rotary. I love the look of these cars , but I don't like rotaries, I will eventually get one and put a honda motor in it with a turbo. Unreliable to reliable over night.

it's fine owned it for 17 years, check out my 8

Hello from Athens, Greece!
I got a new RX8 in 2006 and this car is absolutely fantastic.
Today the car's clock is 200.000 km and still runs like hell. I haven't made rebuild (yet)
Things I like:
- Perfromance
- Overall driving experience in open roads (don't use this car on a daily basis if you live in crowded city)
- Breaks
- Rear wheel drive
- Gearbox (especially 3rd gear)
- Engine sound
- Driver's seat (yes, I DO like it)
- Width of the car
- 50-50 weight
- Low cost of proper maintenance

Things I do not like:
- Fuel consumption (but it's not an everyday car)
- Some plastics are not so good (but not so much as described in your video)
- Paint quality
- The cost of the possible engine rebuild is an average of 3.000 euros. A brand new rotor engine costs 4.500 euros

What broke in 17 years of use?
- Radiator (cost 150 euros)
- Heating system (cost 150 euros used, the new one costs almost 800 euros)

I do follows the manual's directions absolutely.
- Oil change (Amsoil 5-30) every 10.000 km (cost 80 euros)
- Air - cabin filters every 10.000 km (cost 40 euros)
- Coils every 40.000 km (Hitachi coils cost 280 euros)
- Spark plugs every 20.000 km (NGK 4 pieces cost 120 euros)
- Break pads (front-rear) cost 200 euros
- Tyres set last for ~ 40.000 km cost 500 euros for a decent choice
- Dont' forget to maintain your air condition system at least once a year, cost 30 euros
- Oil consumption between services 1-1,5 liter cost 20 euros

Some quick tips:
- You have to redline the car (it is the only car's manual that describes this)
- You have to wait 2-3 minutes before you start to drive it
- Do not redline it until the car is well warmed up
- Wait a minute before you shut it off
- Never never never (I mean never) shut the engine if the engine is cold
- Check the oil level every 3.000 km

This is my RX8 dear aussie friends. If my engine fails, I will put a new one on the car.
And remember, this is NOT AN EVERYDAY CAR!!!! And NOT AN AVERAGE CAR!

The only problem with this car is gas mileage, that's it, people need to understand that if you buy this car, it's like buying a v8. (And good maintenance of course)

well i like the look of it better than the 350z. The z looks like a bar of soap. Rx8s aren't the best looking car ever but I like it well enough. I'd buy one cuz it's nicer than a zcar inside. Rides better so passengers won't hate my car. Fast enough. Handles great. Not perfect but probably cooler than other options for the price for me.

I reckon they should have put the Mazda Speed 6 drivetrain in these instead. Sacrilegious to the rotary enthusiast but would have added reliability, performance, fuel economy and trick AWD system with LSD.

Does this video even make sense? I mean haw can you not buy a ised rx8 there arent any in production anymore so every rx8 is used. Or am I trippin

These are high maintenance like he said, but only in the sense that they are unforgiving when it comes to skipping out on maintenance. You're not doing much extra tbh. Was my first car. The dash crack is a thing. I was fortunate not to have the other issues mentioned in this video. DO join a rotary club & forum. Engine wise: way cheaper to rebuild than a piston, and much quicker turn around. My current car is now the FD RX-7, and I miss my 8...its abundance of cupholders...balance... usable backseats...6 speed transmission. Rotaries just need someone who will fix something before (check 'reliability mods' in a rx8) forum or when it goes wrong... not months down the line. Will buy another one. Great car Good video ❤. Cheers

Your reviews have been amazing. Was pleasantly surprised when I saw you guys had one for the Mazda RX8, this has been by far the best review I've seen on this car. I've found myself drawn to it since I discovered it but the unreliability and the amount of care it needs does turn me off a bit. One thing your video has helped me make my mind up about is, I will only buy one if first, the seller can guarantee the car has been taken good care of and secondly, if I can find a garage that can take good care of it for me.

Had no issues with our 130,000km 40th Anniversary Edition.

I think if you keep the renesis stock and service the car, it's awesome. If you want to cram boost or port the engine then expect more issues.

I've driven lots of different cars over the years, and the RX8 is definitely one of the best handling.

In a perfect world it would have a tad more power and engine sturdiness, but it ain't bad. I don't think I'd want to drive it as a daily, but for a bit of fun from time to time it does the job. Think of it as a more sporty MX5 with a rotary.

rx8 are very cheap here in nz so I'm surprised when you said that 03 rx8 costs just under 20k when I'd find listing for one around 6k. Very informative video overall, still gonna get one xd

dont ask how but, my rx8 gets as low to 8l/100km when driving daily and up to 20 when driving at night XD

Yes an Australian one thank you you would not believe how many Yankee ones are on here

before watching, let me guess the answer: Yes if you're an engineer

I got one for $7500 and it's great fun to drive! Looks 😎 too

All Rotary engines don't last a long time, because of the huge rpm, polar opposite of. Diesel

The rx8 is the perfect car for the street.

Here's a tip: get the best shell you can for the lowest price. Order a new Renesis from Mazda for €5500. Mate the two and you've got a brand new car. It's what I did, and I firmly believe it's the most cost effective way. If done right you'll spend less than buying a low mileage car, and your's will outlive those expensive 8's by a long shot if kept properly.

Been a great car for me, swapped gutted, all that. 👍🏻 don’t buy a bmw, it’ll break down more than a RX8…

I have one. I don't use it as a daily car because you need time to warm it up and cool it down properly. Also you need to change the oil every 5000km. But if you take care of him it is an awesome car.
I did a lot of track days and since now 0 issues. All the rx8 that the people they speak shit about always is the same reason. They don't know how to use a rotary engine.
The only issue in this car is the fuel consumption

Why didn’t they just keep old body style? The S2K never changed and the NSX never changed and they always stayed phenomenal looking

warm her up before you get on the gas hard, but when its warmed up you can rev it all day. Just use conventional oil so it burns and doesnt get gunked up. Premix. and drive it hard.

The rx8 has one of the most rigid chassis ever created, rivaling Koenigsegg. It has one of the best side impact crash ratings. It's the best family sports car ever fucking made!

Iv owned a 2004 mazda rx8 brand new out of dealership...why? I wanted a car to beat the mustang. Then ran into such much problems..car flooding..week starter..its not a normal car.the dealership doesnt tell u about how much effort it takes to keep it dialed in...its not a daly driver...u cant just jump in and move it ..say if ur cars in the way please park somewhere ells...nope u gotta warn it up...drive it around the block...red line it high rpm....then find a parking spot....if not ur floded.

I drive mine for almost 8 years as a daily driver and I am very happy with mine

i dont know if anyones gonna see this but early last year (may sometime) i got a black 05 grand touring kit. 86k kms on it garage kept! I live in Canadas fun little rust belt so thats a pretty big deal. 8k cad and it blew the cat on the way home lmao. Put a straight pipe in place of the cat and removed the air pump and have no other mods. Been so rewarding so far! ive put on about 5k kms so far. Lovely car
Ive also got a 2000 legacy blitzen and 03 Sonoma S15 and both have broken done more!

The clutch pedal bracket is going to snap, needs to be welded.

1/3/24 There is a Black one of these on the side of the Highway {abandoned ? } Southbound opposite Maitland Pool.
AMAZINGLY STILL IN ONE PIECE.

Can you review mahindra Scorpio?

It's comparable with the subaru engines that blow the gasket and other stuff anywhere from 5k to 100K km

You know who fits good in the back. Kids! My kids love "daddies fun car!"

LS swapped RX-8 best thing ever.

Nice Holden in the back

Just picked up a 2004 Rx8 with 67k miles for 3k US.

He’s reviewing a crappy worn out rx8. Don’t pay too much attention to this guy. It’s a great car and most fun driving machine you’ll ever own.

My god, in Germany they are so cheep hahaha but really a great car if you want something diffrent.

So...
If i got an offer to buy a RX 8 for 12'000$ with 130'000km(13'000miles SI-miles not Murican miles) on it... Should I but it or not?

my 2005 GT eats fuel to the rate of 20 to 30l/100 damn 550 hp 13b rew swap

the design - the wrapping rear window in particular - and the rest - is one of the best modern cars. Look again from the rear - awesome. Front - also very nice.

the opinion about the seat was a surprise to me because im most comfortable in my rx8 even compared to my 2012 dodge challenger which also has leather seats i long the seating position and style

RX8 is a ticking time-bomb and still iconic. 🤙

20,00$??? I see them on marketplace all the time for 1000-4000

Jackson David Lewis Ronald Lewis Daniel

always love your reviews, i watch them just because i like cars haha. Im not sure i agree with you about cheaper aftermarket wheels being linked to cutting corners.

Iv been racing cars as a hobbyist for about 20 years. I can tell you that those cheep wheels are fine for most driving, 20+ laps of Wakefield, not so much.

I've got one no problems for a year lots of fun to drive

I still have mine purchased new 2006. Apart from coolant level sensor and the sunvisor/passenger airbag cover splitting, I've had no problems. Starts right up hold or cold (4 seasons). Just changed 5W-30 oil every 2.5k miles, oil filter every 5k miles, and ignition coil/wires every 12k miles. Premixing with Royal Purple/Idemitsu the whole time. On my second set of tires. Paint still fine (wax twice a year). Headlights need some polishing.

So, Interesting = shit?