The Internet is Wrong - RX8 Reliability Testing

1 year of no mechanical sympathy, and you would think my RX8 would have gone thru 10 engines by now. turns out these cars are better than the internet said

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[donhaulsee]

$900 "Dead" RX8. $3000 in my rebuild with new rotor housings. Total $3900 reliable daily driver and fun car. Priceless!

[MichaelHybrid]

I've been dailying RX8s for the better part of 14 years. As long as you take care of them and drive em like you stole them they will take care of you.

[xenokyomi]

"Doesn't have enough power, can't have fun in it" Say that to miata guys lmao.

[enf]

You just made me burst out loud with laughter when you said about downshifting to 3rd with your finger ready to turn off ac to maximize power. I love your rotary content!

[darionfarina]

I’ve had my rx8 for over 8 years, put over 155k miles on it in my ownership(bought with 60k, now has 215k miles), rebuilt the engine at 193k because the car was auto and I had it out to do a manual swap. Still ran great too. Only car I’ve ever owned that’s never seen a tow truck.

[howardsmith]

My own RX8 is almost 20 years old and I've owned it for almost all of that time. Has never had any reliability issue. If it ever does, the car owes me nothing and I'll get it fixed.

[MasterResolve]

My SA was a model of reliability, for real. Dad bought new in 1978, became mine in 1998, put in over 300k with no rust (cali) and only one rebuild.

[psychicer]

I had my last track day of the year on Monday. I was going full send redline after redline every session. No cool down laps. And I remembered I should look at my Temps. Didn't even get passed 200 water/oil.
Started up every time. Drove it home.
Now i just need tires that grip so I won't slide around so much.

[jimlynch]

They get a bad reputation because a lot of people bought them new not really understanding them. Mines 138k gets 21mpg on the highway. Starts fine hot/cold after a new statter/coils/ tune up.

[jerryglennie]

Hey! Your not supposed to rev it before shut-off to prevent flooding. Your supposed to rev it to remember how long your day is to miss those SWEET exhaust notes!

[huffdesigner]

I bought mine for 800 and put a new motor and now has a 6 speed manual. It's just sitting at the moment but I'm so excited to get it out in the spring. I just want to make sure its good, before driving it again. The car is so much fun!

[ScottJ]

Thanks for strengthening my commitment to my 2009. Since I bought it near new and although I'm spirted I'm not quite THAT spirited so it should last a good long time. I mentioned many videos ago needing to fix the leaky pinion seal. Got that done a couple weekends ago. Feels and sounds like I got the preload back right and no leak after one test drive. Unfortunately I did have some leak from the transmission tail seal even though I changed it as part of the project. I'm hoping it was just a little spill over because I changed that seal without draining the transmission. I'll find out when we take it out to Church this evening.

[arborinfelix]

That looks like so much fun. For the last 7-8 years I daily drive an Rx-8 and this is something that I need to try one day. By the way nice camera angles.

[JustSimplyRobert]

Saying that the RX-8 is unreliable would imply that no matter how well you take care of it is not gonna last, thats not the case It's just high maintenance. My brother has an RX-8 Shinka and its his second RX-8 (first one he totaled drifting it), he says he will never own anything other than a rotary again and riding with him I kinda wanna get one myself. My theory as to why the RX-8 get so much hate and is seen as unreliable is because, statistically, 80% of people in the US don't actually service and maintain their vehicles like they are supposed to. Owning one does require an added degree of care and you really can't push things off if you want them to last. I currently have a 9th Gen Civic SI and a 6th gen Civic DX, but the RX-8 are fantastic and fun little cars and its definitely gonna be my next car when I am ready to buy another.

[jo-qpmz]

The radio fix is easy you take the faceplate off and adjust and clean the pins and align them gently or get a new junkyard radio and it plugs back in basically what happens is the pins get mushed up

[jacobreed]

I really enjoyed this video, audio and commentary. Almost had me subscribe! I’m a 46 year old guy that loves all vehicles. Loved my RX8 that I owned.Love the sound that your makes when at 8k rpm!
I agree everyone that enjoys driving should purchase a slightly used RX8. so much fun! you will love it- promise.

[Rollnfunka]

Thanks Rad. Just another video to make me want to get my RX8 on the road sooner!

[j_mars_cars]

5:30 ish when you are talking about the check engine light, hitting that bump and turning off ac to pass a Prius? I was like “someone cloned my entire being and put it in an rx8 instead of my fiesta” 😂😂

[highwaycultureracingchannel]

I love my rx8, there is something irreplaceable with that car..fyi i had 3 rx8 sofar...first two had to sell them due to go back to my country, last one sold because my friend wants it so bad....and im still looking for the 4th one...set my eye on spirit R..but lets see ..

[smiththers]

this makes me want an rx8 simply because its a TON newer than my vert and way less rust to deal with. the 6 spd makes it that much better too.