33 replies to this topic

[luke.]

I'd get the landy and get spare parts through me

[jonnyboy]

As Nev says the engines cant be "that" hard to change/repair yourself but the problem is a lack of wankel specialists. My Grandad had a rotary back in the day and the rotor tips were a service item (as they are now really) he used to drive it to a local place and they would slide the rotors out to change them in about half an hour but nobody outside Mazda these days knows what to do. The RX8 is a bloody fantastic car the handling is the best thing this side of an Elise derivative I have ever driven. Its that good. There has to be a business for someone here in sticking a decent engine in them. Reyland were on with sticking an Audi 1.8T into a rex and I actually emailed them to try to get a deposit down on one but I think they have had some problems or the first conversion has been stuck on the backburner as I've not heard anything for a while. If they ever properly do a conversion though I would be the first in the queue. Even when the engine in the RX8 is working its sh*t anyway.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

sticking a decent engine in them. Reyland were on with sticking an Audi 1.8T into a rex
Even when the engine in the RX8 is working its sh*t anyway.

Oh dear you really have missed the point all together haven't you?! The RX-8 wouldn't be the car it is without the rotary. It was a bespoke chasis built from the ground up and specifically designed around the rotary engine. The way the compact unit sits so low slung back behind the front wheels is the key to it's 50/50 weight distribution and thus epic handling. Trying to shoehorn a heavy 4 pot lump in there with a high center of gravity is seriously going to mess with the dynamics.

Nothing comes close to the characteristics the engine delivers. It's silky smooth linear power delivery, the sound of the unique turbine buzz engine note, the balance it provides and the way you can feather the throttle mid corner. It will happily sit at 8-9k revs all day long and infact benefits from it. Yes it has fcuk all torque but you don't need that when you have revs and your supposed to have to work the gearbox in a proper drivers car anyway. Much like our cars it's not all about outright pace, what it lacks in the power department it more than makes up for in its ability to embarress much more expensive cars in the twisties.

Edited by -Dab-of-Oppo-, 02 October 2012 - 08:04 PM.

[slindborg]

I did an activity day with some rx8's and they were all dog slow to the bend and nearly impossible to not spin by all accounts then rather sluggish on the handling course too. I'm no hero behind the wheel but even I managed to ruin them lmao.

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

I did an activity day with some rx8's and they were all dog slow to the bend and nearly impossible to not spin by all accounts then rather sluggish on the handling course too. I'm no hero behind the wheel but even I managed to ruin them lmao.

I would respectfully suggest that the drivers involved where somewhat lacking in talent then. Maybe they where used to driving with the not to intrusive (but still extremly nannying) DSC on, had turned it off for the first time and where taking to many liberties ? The RX-8 is one of the most neutral, progressive and predictable cars on the limit out there. If it had the power to overwhelm the rear tyres any half decent driver should find it fairly easy to regain a powerslide from full opposite lock. I'm not saying it will run rings around any similarly powered car but in the right hands it is a very capable machine.

The car is very fussy on tyre choice so that can also play a large part. (Standard fit RE040's for example are fine for dry fast road use but a bit skittish in the wet)

Edited by -Dab-of-Oppo-, 02 October 2012 - 08:27 PM.

[slindborg]

Walshy must be really sh*t then

[jonnyboy]

sticking a decent engine in them. Reyland were on with sticking an Audi 1.8T into a rex
Even when the engine in the RX8 is working its sh*t anyway.

Oh dear you really have missed the point all together haven't you?! The RX-8 wouldn't be the car it is without the rotary. It was a bespoke chasis built from the ground up and specifically designed around the rotary engine. The way the compact unit sits so low slung back behind the front wheels is the key to it's 50/50 weight distribution and thus epic handling. Trying to shoehorn a heavy 4 pot lump in there with a high center of gravity is seriously going to mess with the dynamics.

Nothing comes close to the characteristics the engine delivers. It's silky smooth linear power delivery, the sound of the unique turbine buzz engine note, the balance it provides and the way you can feather the throttle mid corner. It will happily sit at 8-9k revs all day long and infact benefits from it. Yes it has fcuk all torque but you don't need that when you have revs and your supposed to have to work the gearbox in a proper drivers car anyway. Much like our cars it's not all about outright pace, what it lacks in the power department it more than makes up for in its ability to embarress much more expensive cars in the twisties.

No people make too much of the rotary IMO. Its a gutless characterless piece of junk with no redeeming features at all. The RX8 isnt a particularly light car even with the rotary and its associated Mazda marketing BS. I had the 231 and even that was pitiful in terms of the engine. I refuse to believe that sticking a light pressure turbo 1.6/1.8 or 2.0 engine in there would harm the dynamics at all. If you can stick an Audi engine in an Elise without ruining it I'm damn sure you can do it in an RX8! If it ends up very very slightly nose heavy it will make it even easier to drift

[-Dab-of-Oppo-]

Walshy must be really sh*t then

Like I said many variables. What was his actual take on the car? If it was in the presence of VX220's you would hope that it did have tough competition and be shown up a bit to be the underdog. In that kind of company the perception of it being rubbish in comparison would be a fair one however drive another car with similar merits back to back to the same degree and in the same manner and the difference (or lack of) should be more clear to see.

Yes I know they are far from conclusive and should be taken with a pinch of salt but just looking at the posted lap times herehttp://fastestlaps.c...gear_track.html will be pretty indicative and tell you what the car can hold it's own against. Point five of a second off of a VXT for example on the Top Gear track. Only on circuits with larger straight sections favouring power does it fall back a little. Just goes to show poise and agility can win over muscle.

Anyway I am done defending and singing the praises of the RX-8. I sold mine as the cost of running the bastard thing was becoming crippling and it was in my case unfortunatly starting to show the signs of a premature demise. Neither of which blunted my desire to ever have another. It was for sure a love hate relationship.

Edited by -Dab-of-Oppo-, 02 October 2012 - 09:35 PM.

[hughcam]

I almosst bought one for 8k before the vx (thank funk i didnt). IMO it was the best all round car I have driven. Fantastic handling and I loved the revvy engine (the beep as you approach the redline was pretty sweet!) At under £2,000 its the bargain of the century. The interior is a lovely place to be too.

[Mike (Cliffie)]

I so nearly bought one of these new (in the days when I could afford to) at £25k and decided on the Impreza instead at £15k. Three years later I swapped the Subaru for the VX and it was worth £8k so lost £7k in three years, the RX8 on the other hand was down to £6k, a whopping £19k loss. For once I made the right decision.

[LazyDonkey]

When you are paying (I got mine for £1600 with 48k on the clock) less than 2k for a superb handling well weighted beast they look like a bargain. They are thirsty as FCUK though! (17mpg on a long run)

If it only owes you £1600 what's the worst that happens? Keep it until it breaks and then scrap it.

What would you get if you sold it just now?

[Rosssco]

Fit a 13B-REW and then you'll have a quick, excellent handling car, but still retaining its USP (and attrocious MPG)... I also considered one a few years ago, as I like the look of them, offer practicality and interesting packaging, and handle well (according to reports - haven't driven one). However, I bought a 350Z instead, which actually had significantly better MPG (and a nice V6)!

[Goosenka]

Sell it and get as much for it as you can

[TheRealVXed]

The car is very fussy on tyre choice so that can also play a large part. (Standard fit RE040's for example are fine for dry fast road use but a bit skittish in the wet)

"Skittish"?!?!?!? Understatement of the century!!!!!