Mazda RX-8 or Toyota Celica?

[FlaryBartender]

Mazda RX-8 or Toyota Celica? My Wife is turning 24 in November 15. Few days ago she got a drivers license but she does not own a car yet. She loves old-school-ish sport cars like these two which i mentioned. I want to gift her one of these two cars, BUT i do now know which car as a first car for a girl would be better and less expensive.
I own a chryssler Crossfire and she wants something similar.
I just simply do not know which car would be better as a first car for her.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I like the RX8, however, I would never own one.

Here are some of the reasons:
Poor reliability and many mechanics do not work on them
Oil is constantly burned by design
Poor fuel economy and emissions.

Toyota makes some of the most reliable cars out there, so the Celica will last awhile. Also, most of the newer Celicas will be fuel-efficient and more practical.

 

[FlaryBartender]

I like the RX8, however, rotary engines are plagued with reliability problems and most mechanics will not work on them.

The Celica will run forever and probably be more practical, assuming its not like a 70s model or something.

So you also think Celica? I was thinking about Celica also. Rotary engine is a pain in the <Mod Edit> to fix, too expensive but I like the body of Rx8 more than Celica has.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I added some reasons above you might want to consider.

The RX8 does look good and would likely be more fun than a Celica, however, I would never buy one for your wife who I assume is using this as a commuter car.
Your wife may not be too happy if her car leaves her stranded or is always in the shop.

The Celica is likely a better car for your wife.

What model year are you considering?

 

[vMax]

I have owned two RX8's and they are absolutely fantastic to drive with stellar handling and great fun to push and remarkably quite practical with space for 4.... The most recent one was the RX8 R3 (the last of the RX8's) which also just looks great and had most of the issues ironed out....but, you have to keep on top of maintenance!!! You must check the oil as it use oil to lubricate the seals. Also if you do buy one make sure you get a compression check done....this is critical, if it has good compression you will have a great RX8..if not you will be in trouble....Finally nothing better than reving all the way to 8500 to 9000RPM's....

Though if it is not going be revved out every now and then by your wife, the Celica will probably be the better and safer option....

 

[mymutter]

Just ask yourself, do you want it to get you to work or school everyday?
If yes, then get the Toyota.

If you go to RX8 forums, many have when they had their engines replaced as their signature. As good as the car is to drive (yes, I have driven one), it's not a reliable one.

 

[Azzyasi]

For non petrol-heads mechanically inclined, stay away from the rotary engine. It needs extra TLC to keep it running.

Celica, MX-5 Miata, honda s2000, with conventional engines are more reliable.

Celica in particular has the very durable engine of corolla with sleeker lines on the bodywork. In some opinions it's less of a sport car.
Same with MX-5 - ordinary engine that is mass produced to be reliable cheap and nothing too complicated.
S2000 is real sport car with it's dedicated sporty engine.

For a sport car to be reliable and low maintenance you need such a car that uses a run of the mill engine used in a plethora of other family cars. Like celica or mx5

 

[SystmOveRide]

I've always loved the rotary engine, but I don't think it's worthwhile to have one as a daily driver. I've always fantasised having an RX7 as a weekender, or even putting a 13b into my mx5 as a project.

But would definitely get a Celica over an RX8, I don't doubt the fun or extra modding you could get out of an RX8 (if you're so inclined to be that way), but I think the more efficient choice is the Celica, especially as a first/sole car she owns. There's nothing wrong with old Toyota reliability, when I grow up a little more I have also considered importing a Toyota Crown at some point, just a nice luxury Japanese car with an engine that'll keep going as long as you give it the usual maintenance.

 

[SamuelStevenson]

I've daily driven a Celica for a few months. Rather boring/standard to drive if I'm being honest, I found my old Ford Focus SVT (ST170) far more enjoyable. Mechanically it's still a Toyota, so it's reliable . Drive isn't too stiff so it would actually be okay as a daily driver.

I imagine you've already looked into an mx5/miata? Commonly recommended for good reliability and being RWD can be an absolute blast to drive.

 

[DylanXXX]

I agree about a Mazda Miata, this is the best car in this class. The RX-8 is cool, but the rotary engine does not last long (

 

[bit_user]

I imagine you've already looked into an mx5/miata? Commonly recommended for good reliability and being RWD can be an absolute blast to drive.

Yeah, not enough miata/RWD love in this thread! On that note, BRZ might be worth considering, if in your price range & the insurance isn't too bad.

Obviously, RWD is a liability for slippery roads, if you live where that's an issue. For best results, get a separate set of both summer + winter tires. While it's a minor pain to swap twice a year, you get double the life out of them. So, in the long run, you're not really spending much more on tires. Definitely get a second set of wheels, if you go this route. You don't want to actually mount + balance 2x year, and you can use cheap, steel wheels for winter (or keep OEM for winter and get a nice set of summer wheels).

If you want to stick with FWD, then maybe Acrua RSX would be an option? I don't have any experience with them, however. Or Mini's, though they might be a little more of a maintenance liability (still, shouldn't be as bad as the RX-8).

 

[hbutty]

Rx8 was actually my first car believee it or not, I had always liked them but I would never own another. Roughly a litre of oil a week i was putting in it, bad fuel economy for the power it produces, slow, not many modifications to improve power other than expensive turbo/supercharging and finally my engine blew after about 10months lol. it may be a very good looking car but i would not reccommend wasting your money

 

[bit_user]

So you also think Celica? I was thinking about Celica also. Rotary engine is a pain in the <Mod Edit> to fix, too expensive but I like the body of Rx8 more than Celica has.

Hey OP: so what did you get? How does she like it?

 

[dwilson7725]

I'm no expert by any means, but here's what I've heard. (Take this with a grain of salt because I haven't confirmed these things). RX-8 engines are very unreliable and will cause lots of problems.

RX8 - good points

• looks
• exclusivity (...ish - compared to a Celica anyway!)
• handling
• practicality. I have a 3 year old and a six month old, and the four of us went away for a week self-catering in the RX8.

Bad points

• fuel consumption. The handbook lies, badly. Expect low twenties if you drive it like a nun, low teens if you hoon everywhere. 18 mpg is about average for me.
• oil; it's a minor pain to check it every other fillup but it's not really a big deal.

I've heard preludes get stolen quote a bit so look into that. Celica may be pricey on insurance as well.

 

[Hayden011]

Mazda RX-8 or Toyota Celica? My Wife is turning 24 in November 15. Few days ago she got a drivers license but she does not own a car yet. She loves old-school-ish sport cars like these two which i mentioned. I want to gift her one of these two cars, BUT i do now know which car as a first car for a girl would be better and less expensive.
I own a chryssler Crossfire and she wants something similar.
I just simply do not know which car would be better as a first car for her.

Rx8 bro... not sure why even consider celica

 

[bit_user]

Rx8 bro... not sure why even consider celica

Depends on how much someone is just buying on the basis of looks and cares about reliability.

There are some people who only want a "sporty" car, without the downsides of having an actual sports car. There's nothing wrong with that - just different priorities.

That said, I have a good chuckle when I see a Celica or other FWD car with a loud exhaust and ridiculous body kit. All bark and (practically) no bite.

 

[punkncat]

I have owned quite a few Mazda rotaries over the years. The Renesis engine is easily among the most dependable of that design but it isn't really a type of car/motor you want to wander into uninitiated. Short story is that Toyota Celicas have been among the most reliable and bullet proof cars ever made and RX are pretty much on the other end of that spectrum. Do yourself and the wife a favor and go for the Toyota.

 

[bit_user]

Toyota Celicas have been among the most reliable and bullet proof cars ever made

How do the BRZ or FR-S compare, on that front? Those are at least RWD.

If someone wants a good-handling & reliable Mazda, I'd say get a Miata.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

How do the BRZ or FR-S compare, on that front?

They are decently reliable from what I hear, however they do have a lot of Subaru guts, like the boxer engine for example.

 

[bryanc723]

Celica for sure, but get the AWD turbo version. Then let your woman drive your pos crossfire.
The RX platform is a car for tuners and mechanics. No theoretical rev limit and the ability to swap motors at a whim are fun ideas. But not practical.

 

[bit_user]

Celica for sure, but get the AWD turbo version.

You mean the one from the late 1980's?

I wonder if one that's in good condition isn't a collector's item, by now.

 

[bryanc723]

You mean the one from the late 1980's?

I wonder if one that's in good condition isn't a collector's item, by now.

I think they stopped making them in 92ish? But yes. I haven't even priced them in a long time but I know you can find a good running 300zx with turbo awd for around 20-20k lol

 

[bit_user]

I know you can find a good running 300zx with turbo awd for around 20-20k lol

Uh, 300ZX... you mean like this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_300ZX

Cool idea, but they were never AWD. Maybe you could find an older 350Z for not too much money.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Honestly the newer 2ZZ equipped FWD celicas were nice cars

 

[bit_user]

Funny thing is that OP made all his posts in the space of about 1 week, last November. He has probably now forgotten all about this site.

Oh well. I just wonder what he ended up doing. He splashed up his profile page rather nicely.