Thinking of buying a Mazda RX8 but not sure how reliable and expensive to run. I dont do a lot of miles so will not be buying new. Anyone got any experience of owning one.Thanks.

http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=109401

Ive heard the low mileage rebuilds / maintenance on the rotary engine is somewhat pricey. Im sure someone will correct me soon!!!

Mate has one that I work on occassionally. He's always complaining about how much petrol it uses. I know it uses oil and the engine management sometimes has the odd fit. Parts are expensive around £50 - £60 a spark plug.
I wouldn't have one after witnessing its comparitive fragility.

Chap at work had one, lost money hand over fist on devaluation, you had an oil pot under the bonnet that you had to keep topping up (bit like a 2 stroke) and drank petrol like a fish...

He would not have another, although enjoyed the driving experience, especially the turbine smooth power delivery and hig revs.

My sis got a new 232 a while back, as said drinks fuel also the wankel engine dont like short stop starts ie start up from cold to put in garage will flood the engine!

All of the above, But it goes like stink. My son has a 2004, 170,000 km.
Here in Canada engine is still under Warrenty, they are putting a new one in this fall.
He reports fuel milage at the same rate as a Corvette Z06. uses a litre of oil every 1500 km.
There is one small niggling problem with startup, once it's started, don't shut it off within a few minutes (floods the engine) a short pull on a tow rope and it starts right up.
I did it once, pulled the car out of the garage and shut it off, wouldn't start 10 minutes later.

Best car i ever had however you will defo have to consider what kind of mileage you will do.

For example i put 60quid in the tank and was very lucky to get 250 miles out of her and that was 2 years ago. Didnt use that much oil but the main costs are petrol & car tax (thinks its over 400 pounds now). They are also withdrawing them from the european market in December due to them having 280co2.

Loads going cheap though at the mo - go for the 231 if you get one though as hold there money slightly better

Thanks for the replys, will have to consider carefully especially the high fuel costs.

Lovely car but if it were my money a 350z has to be a safer bet cost wise , relatively low tuned big six should last forever if treated reasonably . if you need the 4 seats then a much older BM likewise good reliable engine and lower running costs (fuel wise) if you are careful where you service it (just paid over £400 for full set of brake pads on an e91 at a main dealer) just won't look as sexy as an RX8