ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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dilemma time, what do I buyChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Aug 23, 2019 22:44:13 GMT
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People keep saying that rotaries are fragile - I had an rx7 on a Y plate that I used daily for a year. Only changed a water pump and always drove it hard - 12B with carb. SO much FUN! I suggest you ask luckyseven about his and maybe review the Car throttle RX-8 videos (that was on a 4 year old rebuilt engine that basically had 2/3s of it binned upon it being opened up). TBH I debated one before, but those two things have definitely made me want to try one rather than buy one. The fact that a friend of mine (and on here who I'll keep nameless) had one with OK compression, which is now on borderline rebuild compression after a rebuild 6 years ago from a very reputable source really doesn't help any arguement. Yes I could live in ignorance and palm it off onto the the next poor curse word, but that really isn't the RR way is it? . I'll say you got lucky . Back on topic. Out of your choices, it would be either the Boxster S. You get the noise, the sound and a decent parts network which you'll need on any old car. It's a car I've wanted for some time due to getting the balance right, but I've never been able to take the plunge due to taking an interest in other cars.
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I've just bought a Series 1 RX8 231. I absolutely love it. Paid strong money for it, but it's very recently had as much spent on it as I paid. But, given your budget, I would have ended up with a 350Z. The RX8 handles incredibly well, it's fairly comfortable inside, it makes a great noise, I love the styling, pretty easy to work on, there's parts available everywhere from breakers and with a bit of tweaking, flames. However. I've averaged 16-17mpg tank to tank. For the fuel consumption, this car should be fast. In reality, there are Fiestas that would destroy it in a straight line. Also, be aware models registered on a 56 plate will end up paying £500 a year road tax as opposed to the £250 (or something) of mine, which was registered with a week to spare! So that's all the R3 models with the extra engine tweaks and better interior out...
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
dilemma time, what do I buyChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Sept 1, 2019 17:09:57 GMT
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Not that I am trying to destroy the RX-8s out there.
A mate of mine had a 190 RX-8, which came on us on a roadtrip to Spa. When I went in it, I was completely underwhelmed. Sure, it was a nice place to be, and the engine sounded nice, but it only sounded nice once you wound it up. Otherwise, it may as well have been a 4 banger Fiesta. That's before I get to the performance. Compared to me 205 GTi 1.6 which at the time had a knackered dizzy, and alot of tools luggage in the back, the 205 destroyed in the power stakes. It pulled away without a thought and it went very well. Before anyone says I experienced a bad one as everyone does, It was a 2006 model I went in at 2011, and it was a sub 50,000 mile car.
I was unscrupulous here, but I used this information for when I sold my 106 GTi. Sure the decat and Janspeed system helped, but the guy who bought it had a 190 RX-8. I told him to keep his foot down in my 106 until 6000rpm on the test drive ; a rare thing for me to do! Sure enough, he quite liked how it moved and left me a deposit on the same day to buy it.
Maybe I've been unlucky, but rotaries are cool as hell, but in equal measure seem to be alot of work and alot of fuel for the effort. Christ, even my M3 can do 24 on country lanes and 30 on a run, and that's without much fancy technology engine-wise.
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Last Edit: Sept 1, 2019 17:14:40 GMT by ChasR
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