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

I’ve had a few rotaries over the years and its an obsession, keeping everything in check when it comes to maintenance keeps everything doing its job. I think the problem is that the RX8 was sold to many ordinary day to day people who knew very little about how to live with a rotary and so things get skipped and overlooked adding to issues surrounding this car. If you know the rotaries you know what to look for and know how to care for it, what it likes and then you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic drive. Don’t use semi syn or synthetic engine oil (unless you’re premixing) use mazda’s rotary oil, premium fuel, give her some curry regularly, keep all maintenance up

It’s important to point out the best part of a rotary’s unreliability is they don’t spontaneously combust like, say, a boxer. They break very, very slowly. As the seals wear, they burn more oil and slowly move compression. Over thousands of k’s before they just run terrible or don’t even start. But you have plenty of warning. That’s a compelling advantage because, anecdotally, I’ve never heard anybody ever stranded by a rotary engine failure. And if they were, it had been on borrowed time for quite awhile.

I have owned six Mazda rotary cars since 1973, one RX3, two RX-4; all three generations of RX-7 including two turbocharged and one modified to race, and a rare 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8 (only 1000 made in North American configuration) which I still have in pristine condition since I bought it new in 2008. I have easily driven more than one million rotary miles on racetracks and street. I have been as fast as 190mph on the banking on the track with my modified racing RX-7 built by Racing Beat. Yes they take better care, and I have always done pre-mix in my fuel to keep those engine seals well lubricated, but the driving rewards are worth it IMHO. Yes my RX-8 is on it's second motor (replaced under Mazda warranty for marginally low compression numbers). Did a clutch replacement during engine swap. I am still on the original transmission and differential with no issues whatsoever (yes that is 14 years folks). I have upgraded the cooling system, upgraded the water pump, added the Mazdaspeed cold air intake, updated the starter, BHR ignition, BHR clutch pedal, lower temp radiator thermostats, lower temp oil cooler thermostats, a performance catalytic converter and mid pipe, added the factory Satellite radio kit , did all the recalls, including replacing the Takata airbags, swapped in the better Series Two Mazda fuel pump, replaced one center console cover, replaced the rear taillight gaskets. With the millions of smiles on my face and heart pumping rides my rotary cars have given me on the track and on the street, I would not trade any of those experiences for anything, and I have owned and driven fast piston engine cars also including my modified 310 HP, 320 ft-pounds of torque Mazdaspeed 3 GT. which easily did 160mph. The RX-8 with its Renesis engine does require more maintenance than the RX-7s did with their 13B normally-aspirated and turbocharged rotary engines. But the RX-8 has a more comfortable and accommodating interior and street ride. I am a 6ft 4 in. and 250 pounds bloke, and easily find a great driving position and have driven the car across America with complete comfort and no fatigue. My RX-8 paint, dash, interior, and moonroof all are still in excellent original condition. Yes my car is garaged . You still can buy a used RX-8 for decent money (even with an engine in need of replacement) and fix it up to be a top and fun performer for less money than many comparable sports cars that deliver only half as much fun, really. And top-maintained RX-7 and RX-8 do fetch more than original price. BTW the RX-8 was named one of the Ten Best Cars in the World for multiple years in it first years of release, and was named Sports Car of the year by many automotive publications and critics. My RX-8 still puts a big smile on my face every time I drive it. Worth its keep. I have garnered race trophies with my RX-7, and garnered car show trophies with my 40th Anniversary Edition RX-8. Oh yes as I live near Dallas, Texas, USA. I live near a great rotary shop, Rotary Performance in Garland, Texas, and they and I take great care of my car, no worries. Cheers

I bought a s1 rx8 with 145ks on it for 8k aud three years ago and still a blast to drive and by watching this video i can say that the hate for such underrated car is insane 😤

I have a white 2009 RX-8 GT S2 and it has been such a joy to own, 76,000 miles with great compression, starts up instantly hot or cold. Perfact black leather interior, fully loaded and everything. Drove it home for 11 hours from Sacramento to Vegas and it was great

My mate has had one for 3 years, uses it daily and maintains it himself. Never had one issue. He doesn’t try and outthink Mazda, and sticks to the servicing to the letter. Keeps all fluids to spec.

RX-8 owner, here. Your car can be reliable. Just don't skip services or use cheap parts. Ever. And upgrade a couple of components. That's about it. Most of your problems with the rotary engine will find their roots in the holy trinity: Ignition, Lubrication, cooling. Keep those three in tip top condition and you'll keep your engine happy. It's that simple. Fit upgraded coils and leads and change your spark plugs every other year. That alone will go a long way. Change your oil every six months to avoid having dirty oil being injected into your combustion chambers or get a Sohn / Clean Oil Feed kit installed. Premixing will definitely not hurt and may actually contribute to keep your engine cooled and lubricated. Finally, upgrading the cooling (larger capacity radiator) is not a bad idea if you're going to drive that thing in a hot climate or hard. Engine and diff mounts can perish but there are aftermarket kits that will literally outlive the car. Gearbox synchro can be notchy if they've been abused or filled with the wrong lubricant. That's about it. Two services a year, only use approved lubricants and don't cheap out on parts. And your car should in theory give you plenty of miles worth of smiling. Will the engine last as long as a piston engined car? No. So treat this as a consumable and budget accordingly. At some point, your side or apex seals will reach a wear point where you'll lose a lot of compression. that or your rear stationary bearings are gonna give up the ghost. Either way, you'll need a new engine or a rebuild. Just prepare and budget for it. A good engine that is well maintained will last you between 60,000 miles and 90,000 miles. Some people get less. Some people get more. My first RX-8 got to 90,000 miles before needing a rebuild. My current one has less than 60,000 miles on the clock and still has great compression. Finally, only let rotary specialists work on your car. If you want a fun nimble and great sounding car to play around or compete, the RX-8 is for you. But you'll need to be ready to shell money out for a couple of upgrades and regular maintenance. She's a fickle mistress and if you cheap out in her, she'll make you regret it. If you want a cheap run around car, stay away from the RX-8.

I had an 05' 4AT RX8 that i bought for $7500, I managed to daily it for just over a year before compression issues, Did the usual coil pack replacement and plug change pretty quick, S1's (in my opinion) survive a decent amount longer if pre-mixed (i used idemitsu) as they only have 2 injectors per rotor for lubing up the corner of the apex seals while the S2 had 3 that included the center which made them live longer. the CATs also take the motor as the rotary loves to clog the converters and choke the engine. The SSV valve that opens the ports up to more air throughout the rev range also can have issues stopping the car from revving very high. Also the engine mounts can cause staling somehow when the fail (i had to do mine). The early factory starter motors are underpowered which start to show as compression drops. So getting a newer higher power one will help with those cold and hot starts as the motor ages leading up to rebuild. Also id like to mention even though yes the auto is objectively worse, i think mazda programmed it well. (as long as you never leave it in 'D') It holds what ever gear you have selected and wont force a change and will even let you drop down to first almost anytime below i think it was 60kph. Also how smooth the engine is meant i have left it in 2nd on the motorway with the shift buzzer going off at least once. (pre-catback & loud music), Its was definitely a money pit, but i only regret selling it when the money ran out. The electric power steering connector could have issues from coolant dripping onto it. but that's almost a non issue. Also from my experience the factory thermostat opens way later than id like, You only have a short window of that temp needle moving and the rotor housings been warped and needing rebuild, I was going to combat this with a mishimoto racing thermostat that opened earlier, but i heard those could get stuck, so i just went with one that just opened more than the factory one too be safe. In the S1 autos, the right paddle shifter can end up not working. but that's not a huge issue as the left paddle is also a 'shift up' while it has thumb shifters for 'shift down' If left in 'D' it wants to shift up as early as possible and just feels so awful to drive, so mine basically live in 'Manual'. Most of the common issues have been remedied by the RX8 community or have some form of solution to it within the aftermarket or just specific maintenance that helps prevent the issues. Going into ownership of one is very daunting. But if you look in the right places and talk to the right people its a-little easier once you start to understand the cars and why people love them so much while also willing to sink money into the rotary engine. If i could straight swap my IS250 for another RX8 i would in a heartbeat, i love my IS series. but it just doesn't affect me the same way my RX8 did. Its the car that showed me what people meant when they say a car shows emotion. the moment i can afford the cost of entry and the cost to keep one again, i am getting another, despite its flaws. Its just such a wonderful car that gets plenty of somewhat justified hate. But its also misunderstood just as much. Its quite literally. Just build different.

Great video guys . Biggest take home is buy one with strong compression so engine is in good shape. Then keep fresh oil up to it every 3-5k, they need good oil to burn to keep the seals lubricated (if not premixing) keep it cool, keep ignition coils & plugs strong (they go through coils and the rotary especially needs strong spark) and ditch the factory CAT converter, and redline frequently to keep carbon deposits at bay 😅 Other than that it’s an amazing drivers car, addictive and razor sharp handling chassis with Mazda’s best high revving, most powerful and intoxicating NA rotary engine ever made!

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!

I also owned a 2006 Relevation model RX8, and it was an amazing vehicle (albeit a little under powered). It's handling and prowess inspired me to upgrade. I now pilot an R35 GT-R. Thank you RX8 you are an awesome starter sports car (keep the oil topped up).

My 40th has done 196k on the original engine……the only money I have had to spend was coils, solenoids, brakes..the 8 is a reliable car if you look after it

I have owned my RX8 GT since new in December 2011. Great car and the most sought after model. GT comes with Recaro seats, Forged (BBS)19 inch wheels, lower bilstien suspension, foam filled cross member, updated engine, extra chassis bracing over the standard S2 and Luxury models, Xenon lights and upgraded exhaust. I haven't had a single issue with mine save for a seized front caliper that was changed under warranty and the CD Stacker no longer functioning. Multiple track days and plenty of cruises through the hills. Such a great car that I really cannot fault. Been one of the most reliable cars I have owned.

The RX-8 is definitely an underrated car and I don't think they should be so hated (even though the RX-7 was better)... If you want to get into the Rotary scene, this is the entry level car! Great video!

Love my RX8 108k miles I’ve been daily driving it since 82k (3rd owner, 2nd owner was female from 16k miles) This car is not for people who don’t plan to spend time under the hood

I've had a series one since 2017, bought it from a family who build rotary engines for a living so I got it rebuilt as part of the deal. So far it's still running perfectly although I do stick to the rules regarding fuel, premix, maintenance etc. No plans to get rid of it anytime soon.

Still more reliable than a Jeep.

S2 2011 owner. Had it now for three years. Only needed usual 5000k service ($300). It is a second car and used twice a week. Great car and every time I think of selling it I go for a drive and cannot bring myself to let it go. Compare engine rebuild costs to a mini's gearbox or jeep engine which are known to fail. Or the electrical issues of BMW's and Merc's. All cars over ten years struggle. The only question is do you enjoy the struggle.

I know the variants are vast, but there’s a simple rule. Get a series 2. When they facelifted the vehicle they fixed a vast amount of things. It’s not just a cosmetic thing. Many mechanical components were redesigned. The 8 got a bad wrap because a lot of people don’t fall under the meticulous care department. Even in series 2 trims, it requires a certain amount of TLC. I managed to find a series 2 R3 in 2018. Got it for a steal and only had 52k km’s on the clock. It’s my daily driver. Absolutely love it! 👏🏻😎

Great job again guys! I've been considering this car for sometime so its good to see more content (specifically is Aus) to weigh up the pros and cons. I personally think it looks great. I think it's unique and brilliant in that you'd never expect it to be a four door! I'd definitely be looking at the series two and, sick escort in the background! Lovelove Hobart

awesome video mate. just found your channel recently and have to admit, impressed with the quality of the content you put out. one thing i would mention in the series 1 8's is their abysmal starter motors which almost don't have enough power to kick over the engine. people might superficially think their engines are getting low on compression or their battery is weak - it's the starter. the 2.2kW starter from a series 2 flicks these things on faster than you can say rotary another thing as well is the factory fan setting. the highest fan setting doesn't kick in until over 100 degrees celcius which is just way too high for these motors. mazda botched the absolute heck out of when the fans should be kicking in. a great reliability mod for all owners is an upgraded thermostat and oil thermostat as well for the oil cooling system. keen for more of your videos, keep up the great work

I had a first gen rx8 a few years back. It was a great car - a real drivers machine - The last rotary engine car ever. I really miss it sometimes - despite its build quality issues and mechanical anxieties - taking it down a twisty road is one of the best things ever. Its a shame that the side port 13b didn't like turbos - turbo rotary engines are some of the most potent power units around - light and powerful - with a wide powerband. If this was turbo charged like the FC/FD rx7 - or could have been - these would have been the car of the decade and a coveted classic. Instead Mazda cheaped out - and it was all a bit half-backed.

I love this channel. Definitely under appreciated car channel

I owned and drove 3 RX7's regularly over the course of 30 years and the closest I came to a breakdown was a ruptured clutch slave cylinder hose which I patched and made it home. Otherwise it was normal maintenance, oil, coolant, plugs, tyres, a battery or two, and a relay for the horn. Meanwhile my mum's Focus had a water damaged ventilation fan motor from a leak due to a design failure, a failed alternator, a failed a/c compressor, failed tail light assemblies, failed HT leads, a serious rocker cover oil leak, a blown power steering hose, instrument cluster gremlins, bonnet latch/lock failure, a B pillar water leak, and other minor trim issues all within 6 years and before reaching 100,000km.

Sums it up pretty good i think,although i own an second gen with recaro seats that will solve a few of the problems mentioned. If you keep you maintaince up to date they are very reliable(comming from a +10 year rotary driver)

Original owner of a 2005 rx8 with almost 60k miles. Had been good to me so far over 18 years. Everything stock. Only problem I ever had was I had to replace an ignition coil. Just don’t shut it down while engine is cold, red line it on every trip, and check the oil every so often to top it off.

Glad to see your subscription base is increasing quickly, as it should, coz you guys provide awesome vids!

The equation is simple, if you like it, cool, don’t buy it as your only car. Have something as else as a safety net, or catch public transport. If you know that it is unreliable, don’t rely on it.

You’ve reviewed all my cars I own now. NA mx5, g3 wrx, rx8 and v6 amarok. Pretty good reviews, I don’t disagree with much. You missed a lot of problems with rx8 haha but I still love my 8. The seats are amazing, except slippery. Gearbox to die for. Not sure why you couldn’t get comfortable in the seat, I find it the best seating position out of all my cars. Very low and aggressive feeling.

I bought one. And it was the best decision I made. Got a well maintained Series 2 manual for $15k last year. It’s a car like no other, very unique turns heads wherever you go.

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.

Ive had 2, the first an 05 model many years ago that suffered compression issues from 50K, and the second an 04 model with 29K on the clock and minus foggy headlights I haven't had a single issue over the last 3 years. One bonus to point out is its one of the only 'sports cars' thats easy to live with if you have little ones, my son loves it and the suicide doors are awesome for this.

I had so much fun driving that car. The balance was outstanding and the steering was amazing. The high revving rotary engine was a pleasure to drive. If the maintenance is kept up it will last a while. I bought my used 2004 RX8 from an owner who was an engineering student who studied the rotary engine while in college and decided to buy one herself so she had complete maintenance records.

I have a 2004 Series 1 RX8 with 190 000km on it and its pretty great. There are definitely a few questionable areas and quality issues that let the car down. There seems to constantly be new electronic issues such as the ABS module dying, no traction control, power steering is playing up, the boot doesn't always open. Then there is the weak 6 speed gearbox which is joke as the car makes less torque than a well tuned lawn mower. Most of these are small but all told they do add up. I've had other cars with similar age and KM's that seem to have faired way better even though they where cheaper back in the day. I would say for a prospective buyer be prepared to deal with a somewhat needy and sometimes temperamental car. With a bit of love, compassion and regular maintenance they can be very rewarding. It is hands down the most fun car I've driven and the handling is just phenomenal. the chassis is super responsive and the car feels playful and light. I love the way the power comes on and revving it out to redline makes me smile every time. the car is engaging and communicative and just a blast to drive. I probably wouldn't have it as my only car though because they need some loving to keep them fresh.

So let's be real here,12.8l/100 ain't even close. Give them a flogging and it's 20l/100kms. That Barra/LS territory without the torque and with petrol at $2.20l it's gonna hurt. I still think they are friggin awesome. Good on you redriven for reviewing things that aren't particularly mainstream 👍

19:25 "this thought..above and behind my head"... there's those mushrooms again. great callback.

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!

Ah, the RX8, it is a gorgeous car and the engine is fantastic albeit drinking oil at an alarming rate...they also needed a very particular procedure before turning them off after being used but.....BUT it can be over come! Those in the know buy a good one with the usual knackered engine and then sent it to one of the various RX Specialists who fit a significantly upgraded brand new engine...now your RX8 will run reliable for well over 100,000 miles. Sure it's expensive but you'll have bought the car for peanuts!

Great video ... I think you could have added a star to that last statement though about "should you buy one?" ... IF you can get it cheap enough and you either a) have the money already set a side in your budget or b) start saving right away for that inevitable rebuild. You can still get into one well under US$10k with a fresh motor. After that you've got a pretty decent car. I drove mine for 12 years before it's rebuild @ 127k miles, have fixed all the little problems that (honestly) all cars have, now it's pretty darn solid. My point is, bank the money for a rebuild and go in with eyes wide open and you'll have a good time .. also it's my daily driver.

Great work Morris and the team, kindly can you guys do Q and A video from viewers comments. This will be much appreciated

Apex seals do not fail in Renesis engine. There is no boost to detonate the engine. What fails is tiny side seal spring due to trwpped exhaust heat or carbon lock. That will throw side seal everywhere and damage everything including Apex seal. Your mechanic has no idea what he's talking about. Upgrade the coils to Black Horse Racing. Make sure catalytic converter is not already clogged from worn out coil packs. Make sure coolant passages are not clogged by corrosion. Rebuild engine when in doubt to save parts that can be salvaged. Buy series 2 for better oil injection design, improved transmission, better interior. For series 1, switch to clean oil feed to inject premix instead to crank case oil. For series 2, drain oil from both oil coolers every oil change. For both, install mesh guards in front of oil coolers before rock hits block airflow fins. On all used cars, change engine coolant, transmission fluid, and differential fluid using quality fluid. Remember to use fluids from Ford dealers or GM dealers. Mazda dealer will give you differential fluid for your transmission with synchros.

Fair review from an owner. If you know how to look after these they are amazing and rewarding. Either get good at working on these or pay someone else to do it. Its a specialist car for the right person. Bring on 9K rpm if you can drive. Yes it has stuff all torque, just drop it down a couple of gears.

I have an RX8 and am dailying it, 132K KMs with no rebuild, worst problem is fuel economy, and some starting issues due to compression, but goddamn I don't regret it at all! Also quick safety note, in the event of an accident, rear seat passengers need to wait for the driver to unbuckle and open before being able to leave the car which is a genuine concern.

This is my first car, it blew up, but I love it so much that that rebuilt it myself even if it costed me near 7000$ to rebuild, and I did everything myself. Everybody says it is a bad car, according to me it is the most fun car you can own for your money, but I know that most people dont know how to drive a rotary so they blow them up, and blame the car for blowing up.... in reality these cars can be very reliable(the motors can last up to 300 000km, if you treat them right!

Iconic car. my son had one, needs lots of tender loving care, amazingly design engine, a highly tuned Rx8 is fun nimble car to drive. need to run special Rx8 oil, and warm motor before driving

Nice one AK ... would be interested to see a review on the Mazda 6 in the future

It’s a shame that this example is worn out but still appreciate that you did the review. I have Owned mine for 3 years so far. No check engine lights, no major mechanical issues, avg 13l per 100. The secret to them is change oil regularly and use them as a sports car should be used e.g weekend drives through the mountains. Daily driving kills these cars and I think it’s why a lot of them fail so early as mazda marketed them as the user friendly daily sports car. I agree some what with the seats. On long drives I don’t find it comfortable.

I’ve always wanted an rx8, I was a teen when they came out and I loved them. But as a “mature adult” I couldn’t justify the cost of ownership. I hope that people who have the money or time preserve these cars for future generations

Oooo now you have me craving a Honda S2000 review and how it compares to the rx8.

I had one. It was so bad. I loved it. I actually still want one.

My rules for buying an RX-8 are simple: buy only Series II for the reliability upgrades (although they are much harder to find) and get a compression test on the motor above all else.

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!

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

Classic unique car. Have previously been tempted.

Ah the good ol' meme on wheels, I owned a series 1 for a couple of years while I was on my Ps. Fortunately for me the car was very reliable, never had any engine issues and I was very meticulous with maintenance. Once you mess around with the exhaust and ignition the car does wake up a little more, kept up with ve sv6s for reference (once you realise you need to be in the lowest gear possible and redline the living crap out of it.) However the strong point with that car was handling, I had coilovers and sticky rubber, accompanined with a corner balanced alignment. My god did that thing handle like it was on rails, serious fun in the twisties. Night and day difference compared to the stock suspension. Hard to recommend this car unless you're a true fan and understand the shortcomings but if you get a chance to drive a well setup one, you won't be disappointed.

I just have some bad rust areas that I had to repair. It was a design flaw, water gets trapped in certain areas. Other than that it's been a solid car, I love it!

My suggestion for an episode would be the 1997-2005 Mitsubishi challenger I bought one recently and it's a great entry to 4x4 vehicles and can be picked up for under 10k easily

My 2005 Rx8 has 131,000 miles (210k). I drive everyday! Never had an issue. It gets a bad rap because most owners modify and beat on them. If u buy, make sure engine & exhaust are not modified. And keep up on reg maint. The coolest car ive ever owned, hoping rx9 coming soon!

I have a 40th anniversary edition in the UK and if looked after properly they are not that fragile. Use good quality oil changed regularly and checked frequently combined with premix oil in the highest octane fuel you can get then the car will reward you every time you drive it.

Great review on the oil guzzler! Btw do You guys ship merch to the land of bald eagles & Bacon?

I bought one new in 04 and drove it until it was totaled in 2018 (someone crashed into it while it was parked). I had about 100k miles on it, and in that time I did have one engine replacement (thankfully under warrantee) and a few electrical gremlins with the cruise control. Otherwise it ran like a champ. I loved the handling, but got a little tired of getting muscle car fuel economy with economy car torque. Replaced it with a 987.2 Cayman S which is better in nearly every way (as it should be). Still miss the feel of the RX8's shifter and the sound of the rotary though.

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

mine continues to run excellent everything is original I have not changed anything in it I recommend it after you respect the temperatures and the oil change will not be damaged

Can you do a video on the Toyota Blade Master. Its like a corolla but has a 3.5L V6 from the Lexus IS350, pretty interesting!

At least in the US the aftermarket for rx8's is pretty dry. Especially if you're in the market to swap the motor. Been working on an LS swap on mine for 2 years now, and most of that has been lead times and stripping the car. Mine always had issues missing and would fuel cut above 7k rpm if you sustained that (like I did with drifting it) didn't matter if I had new plugs coils and wires, didn't fix the issues. I've been told it could be oil blowback and that makes sense since I premixed the gas and the oil metering pump can be generous at times which im sure fouled plugs quickly. Throw a catch can on it, make sure you keep up with maintenance, and the key part of rotary ownership in general is before any performance modification upgrade your cooling system. Heat is the biggest killer of rotaries, so keep them cool.

Just find one with a blown motor, get it for the best price possible, and LS swap. You'll get all the great handling, it's faster, and none of the hassles.

Owned a 2008 RX-8 for around 3 and a half years. Never had any issues with the actual engine, but did have problems with the ignition HT leads perishing and subsequent catalytic converter failure. Mazda's service schedule for these was ludicrous, definitely service them every 6 months. I have to say, I loved my RX-8; it was an absolute blast to drive even though it never felt quick. Main reason I sold mine was the fuel bills from using it as a daily. Great car with a bad reputation, but I wouldn't have another as a daily. In the UK these are dirt cheap so you could buy one as a cheap weekend/track day car for virtually nothing.

I remember when these came out and my dad was looking for a new fast car, we test drive this and a similarly priced evo... we’re restoring the evo this year . My dad made the right choice

I bought an '06 Shinka for my first car. I love it so far, can't wait to start modding it.

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

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

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.

No matter how low km or how high compression the engine is, a rebuild is always needed to open up the exhaust port. Then there is the thinner and shorter apex seal, weak coil, non linear engine temp gauge…etc

Klopp does a great job describing the mechanical issues. Love the channel!

Actually the paint matching is a bad sign on the RX-8 lmao. It naturally fades differently on the plastic pieces, so having even pain might indicate a repainting.

"I wouldn't wanna be in the back seat for more than about 7 minutes." 🤣 The backseat is only good for a smoke 😝 Despite being about 10 years older, the Celica you reviewed seems in better shape than that RX8

Did anyone else mention to check if the clutch pedal bracket had snapped? That squeaky clutch sounds familiar ( just replaced one). The bracket is known to be weak.

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

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.

I bought a 2010 series 2 sport model from the original owner and he had it till 81k and only replaced only the cat. I have owned it for 3 years now and have put on 10k and have no issues at all. This my second RX-8, and neither one cost me a dime in repairs except maintenance. I paid 6100 US three years ago. Series 2 are the years you want.

This review is probably one of the best, more thorough reviews that cuts the BS and misinformation. Misinformation and the expectations of the RX-8 to supercede the legendary RX-7, on top of the much lower price tag and less caring average owners, has led to the RX-8 being thrown under the rug. It's a great car, and I love my 2011. Many of the points and highlights, as well as the downsides and problems, are quite accurate without going into too much detail as to why each individual problem exists and how to fix them. Unsurprisingly, such detail would drag a video on for many hours. You did miss a few minor details, such as that squeaky clutch pedal being a signature sign of the Series 1 clutch pedal failure. If you drive an RX-8 and you hear that squeak when you press the clutch, that is the sound of the mounting bracket fasteners wiggling and can just outright fall off during driving. Not good. The fix is to replace the clutch pedal, and there was a recall for this issue. Something that I believe you either forgot to mention or simply didn't experience in that particular RX-8 is that it is absolutely smooth to cruise around in! No engine vibrations, no road vibrations, and responsive controls just amazes many reviewers (and myself)! However, this smoothness can only be experienced when everything is working right. A bad O2 sensor or worn suspension will let those vibrations start and ruin the silky, creamy driving sensation.

Been wondering, is the automatic more reliable than the Manuel for the rx8? Seems like it for some reason

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.

As an RX-8 owner i can say that in reality it only one mechanical problem - brakes. Specifically - brake pads. Mine wear off so fast from all the speeding i do that i'm getting tire of replacing them each month

I had a kuro from new and it was awesome for the 2 years I owned it 👍

I rebuilt my series 2 engine at 48k miles, just to make sure, and it was pristine inside other than lots of carbon due to synthetic oil and cheap gas.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of the squeaky clutch

106k, 07 with no issues, a few track days, autox after 85k miles

The website is actually very good, and I like what y’all have going on with it, but there needs to be VASTLY more cars on there. I’m not sure if it’s new or something but when I search for my car which is fairly normal and don’t see it pop up, it’s fairly disappointing

This has pretty much confirmed what I've heard about the RX-8 from people I've spoken too including one of my cousins who's older brother had one he was repairing and it ended up as an expensive lawn ornament in his back yard. He no longer has it mind you but that's a completely different story lol. Props too you Adam mate for some how managing to contort yourself in to the back seat of the RX-8 considering even gumby would have trouble fitting in it lol 😆. There was a rumour floating around that Mazda was looking at relaunching the RX-7 and RX-8 but having them as an electric car using the Wankel rotary engine. Don't know if that's still on the cards or not anymore. An idea that I had for a couple of videos if you're interested is the top 5 automotive designers and the top 5 cars that they designed. A good video as always guys and congrats on nearly hitting 72k subscribers 👍. Have a good weekend guys and I look forward to next week's videos as always and I'll have too order the limited edition shirts you've released as well now lol 😂

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.

Please do a review on the 2019 Toyota Corolla!

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

Was that a Focus you were in when discussing the Safety features? Is a Focus Redriven episode coming out soon!?

Great video but pricing estimation is so wrong at 19:50. Its more like half that

I've had one for 5 years now, very accurate review. Seats are crap but I don't agree that they are as unreliable as stated. I'm at 150k on original engine with okay compression. You missed the cool flip up GPS option. Did you picked the worst one you could find? Buy one because rotary 😎

boss had an rx8 and it caught fire driving on the motorway

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

There's not a single mention of all the preventable maintenance / upgrades you can do to make these incredibly reliable. (Get rid of the cat, BHR ignition, good plugs, pre-mixing, redlining it consistently to burn off carbon, in S1s not flooring it at WOT in a hard turn with low fuel (it'll cause a lean out condition and likely result in engine damage)) I don't think I even heard one mention of a compression test prior to buying eh? Sigh, just another video painting in the RX8 in a "meh" light due to a lack of research.

So wished it was a normal 4 cylinder, I like the look of then