Here's Why You Should Buy The 'Unreliable' Mazda RX-8

The Mazda RX-8 is a car people avoid like the plague, but based on the evidence in this video, it's a car that deserves a second chance!

Thanks to Rotary Revs for the expert advice!

Huge thanks to Dan Shipman (aka Dr. Frankenrex) for providing us with his car.

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[mcfriendzzone]

Dan: Don't rev too much
Alex: Ok
5 min later...
Alex: Listen to the sound at 9500 rev!!!

[ernierobinson]

Funny thing is that this is a rotary and you HAVE to rev it high to prevent carbon buildup

[wall]

12:03 the damn thing winked at me. Sold.

[xPandaProz]

Every RX8 owner have extra engine oil in the trunk 😂

[mrawesomelemons]

No one will probably read this but as a RX8 owner I just wanted to tell people this:

- This car has an amazing engine. It is not unreliable IF it is well looked after!
- Read and read and read before you buy it! This car is like walking on glass but if you put your time into it, you will be rewarded. Just read into every aspect of the car and how to care for it.
- Find out what to look for before buying one. Nice one's start around 5k.
- It actually isn't technically front engined but mid engined! The big transmission tunnel Alex talks about houses the engine too. It sits behind the front wheels.
- Mileage is poor! Keep that in mind.
- Parts are expensive. Depending on what it is of course. But don't expect a good engine to cost 500 bucks, this is not your granny's Golf.
- There is not much torque down low so think before challenging your granny in her Golf.
- These engines love to rev (and so do we!), they actually need a good rev to keep the carbon buildup away!
- It is a head turner. The car looks wide and low, it's awesome!
- The rotary community is awesome, join the rotorheads!

[TheGardenSnake]

I remember being so excited about this car before it came out. Was a bit of let down but I still thought it was cool Mazda brought a rotory out again. You knew it would be the last time so it had a cool factor for that alone.

[jacobf.]

"It sounds so good at 9000 rpm, just listen to... *ding*"

[klummster]

“Yeah the RX-8 is awesome!”

Takes literally over 4 minutes to talk through all the typical failures and warnings...

[JerryC]

Take care of a rotary and it will take care of you.

[NOTAMV]

All cars have problems,
this car has all problems.

[Happymali]

I've had a look at a few, but the problem is that a lot of second or third owners bought them as "cheap exotics" or "low budget sportscars" and let maintenance slide or straight-out mistreated the car.
So a lot are in a condition where you can expect "backed up" repairs or hidden damages.

[CarrotsWithLegs]

This is the closest thing there is to the old top gear on youtube

[iLupi]

Because rotary, and if well maintained it should be reliable. Plus good looking! Looking forward to this video and series. That RX-8 sounds great!

[VaclavM]

The owner talking about reving the engine up to 9k rpm and a bad fuel economy with one breath got me xDDD

[AutoAgitator]

Alex, in the CLIO SPORT vs FIESTA ST video you said "...so come 2017 I will be buying a 182 or a 172...". There's not much time left now!

[NotAud]

As an RX-8 owner, I really appreciate this video and find the accuracy in the information you present honestly astonishing. It's amazing how many untruths and falsehoods are spread about this fun little dorito-mobile. Truth be told, I'm simply in the honeymoon stage after a full engine replacement, but I've never driven anything like it, and it never fails to give my passengers a smile every now and then. That to me, along with the fact that I'm driving something endlessly more unique than the copy/paste Porsche/Maserati car parades I pass on the way to work, makes the maintenance and cost worth it. You never appreciate a car as much until you're actively working on it yourself, and trust me, this car will make you appreciate it.

[Rob-vvyn]

Owned a Mazda r100, rx2, rx7s2, rx7 turbo2 all were were really painless and reliable, all were raced, and hill climbed, and drag raced.

[laurennicole]

I will NEVER get rid of my rx8.
It's almost impossible not to smile while driving it! I remember when I got it, other Rx8 drivers and myself would wave at each other as if to say "Hi! I Know you're having as much fun driving your Rx8 as I am mine!"
It's a Rotary thing; most wouldn't understand... mandatory mods.
It's a lubrication/temperature game mostly... completely worth it. But if you aren't ready to become an enthusiast and put serious into it, yeah I wouldn't. Much Love to all my Rotary Heads!
#ZoomZoom ❤💜❤

[Ichibuns]

TIP: When you drive a Rotary forget everything you learned about driving. Don't shift at 1500-3000 RPM. These engines thrive at high RPM. You really do need to take these on the open roads and hammer it. Unlike a reciprocating engine. It'll last longer this way. At low RPM they build nasty Carbon due to the oil it burns. The only way to keep the carbon from sticking is revving the living S**T out of it. It is not a city car

[superthierry]

“You’ll need a modest trust fund, for not if but when something goes wrong” .🤣🤣🤣 I’m sold