MAZDA RX8 2004, 2005

[RAFFI]

Is rotary engine reliable, cost effective on maintenance and practical for winter condition? Mazda Rx-8 is fun to drive, but would you keep it for 10 years?

[amorak]

hahaha to all those questions.

[amorak]

Engine is not as reliable as a gas engine, it is a RWD lightweight car so it won't be great in winters unless you're very familiar with RWD, and I don't think this is a good long-term car.

[The General]

The RX-8 is a great driver's car. However, if this is to be a long term purchase, I would store the car during the winter and buy a beater. This would be the best way to keep the mileage down and ensure rotary long life...

Rotary engines are known for pumping oil and amorak is right, you will need to buy 17" or 18" winter tires and wheels and perhaps need a refresher course on RWD snow drifting.

[woohoo!]

I would personnally lease an RX-8 before buying it. That rotaty engine scares me too much maintenance-wise.

[Pritch]

Ive heard horror stories about those wankels

and as far as im concerned there is a reason there arent more of them.

Ill take my engine with pistons thank you, though I diasgree with winter storage in general for a "nice car", especially a new one. Call me insane but Id rather a rear driver than a FWD in the snow anyday. I just drove 30 mins home in an SRT6 in nasty freezing rain with "all season tires" and had no trouble, just watch your driving, and slow down, and above all else...RELAX

[The General]

I diasgree with winter storage in general for a "nice car", especially a new one.

Why is that?

I would do it not to have to rustproof a car, not buy winter tires and to protect it from salt and calcium. I would have to buy a winter beater (like a 240SX :lol: ) for a couple grand... but at least I would not have to care about what happens to the car.

[Pritch]

:cry: winter beater? you leave my baby alone!

The reason I say that is one of personal opinion. I think most people get too wound up and excited over winter driving. A lot of people go around "OMG im gonna crash, OMG BLACK ICE" and I just relax and enjoy it. The 240 does well, and even if not "rust proof" cause its old, most new cars have corrosion warranties.

I prefer RWD in the snow too for the extra degree of control. Though I would like a winter beater and to store the 240sx, Ill still drive it.

[apl16]

. :lol: ......i'm not scared of winter. those two days of snow we get, i stay home. its just too scary driving around here when it snows. lotsa folks with big 4x4 SUVs that don't know how drive them. some don't even know how to engage the 4 wheel drive system. a drive on the sea to sky in icy conditions is suicidal

[Pritch]

Just yesterday went through a massive blizzard, one of the worst Ive ever seen in a Crossfire SRT6 on the way down through the"Snowbelt" and back up through it in a charger RT. Neither had snowtires

both were comfortable doing it. Charger especially impressive.

Stay home? BAH!


(really wishing you could kill chryslers traction assist completely though.)

[abzpete]

Slight change of subject - what's the better option - RWD with snows or AWD with all season radials?

Thanks,
Pete.

[The General]

Slight change of subject - what's the better option - RWD with snows or AWD with all season radials?

4 winter tires on whatever you drive. Ever think about how you are going to slow down when the 4-season tires are frozen at -10 degrees?

AWD, RWD or FWD, it does not make a difference.