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New Car For SWMBO (RX-8, or a ???)

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Bush Tucker Man:
Does anyone have any experience of living with one of these on a day to day basis?

SWMBO is losing her company car ('04' plated Mondeo Ghia TDCi) in July, instead they're offering a cash sum per year to fund your own car
A fuel card will be provided, the servicing costs are still under discussion as far as I know.


So, we've been looking around.
She had a short-list of possibles, it was so much easier, when she was told what she could have (ie; Focus or a Mondeo)

We've looked at;
Mazda RX-8
Ford Focus CC (in second place, at the moment)
Vauxhall Astra Twin-Top  (I'm not too keen, but she's test-driving tomorrow morning)
Renault Megane CC(?) (instant dislike to it upon a close inspection)
Volvo V50 (I like these, a lot, but she wasn't too keen. Sadly!)

I did also try to persuade her into a Ford Mustang, but to my disappointment, she's not too keen (the 4.6 V8 version would have been nice)



We test-drove a RX-8 (the '231' model) this morning, at the Mazda main-dealer in Wakefield.
We were both surprised by the ride over broken surfaces, it was a lot more supple than I certainly expected, no 'crashing' even over the very broken road surface I intentionally drove along.

Forward visibilty was good, if a little restricted for rear-seat passengers.
Very communicative steering, positive gear-change, quiet when at normal speeds.
It also picks up very quickly through the gears for overtaking (red-lined at about 8,300??)
A good turning circle, with decent mirrors - for reversing.


I think we're both quite smitten with it, plus we found an insurer that quoted less than £350 F/Comp for the both of us, with Business Cover included! :shock:



My only gripes are;
1. With the seat set correctly for me, the steering wheel was a bit too close, as it's not reach-adjustable  :undecided:
2. I doubt I could get my Cyclo-Cross bike in the boot :doh:
3. The potential cost of a replacement (correctly speed-rated) 225/45 x 18 tyres ("Ker-Ching!!")
4. The apparant 'thirst' for oil (circa 1litre/1000miles. Allegedly)


So, over to you........................... see the opening line.

Thrasher:
Fuel economy - or lack of it. I know 2 people with these things, and one of them reckons he's seen 13mpg ....  :shock:

Bush Tucker Man:

--- Quote from: Thrasher on June 06, 2008, 15:48:11 ---Fuel economy - or lack of it. I know 2 people with these things, and one of them reckons he's seen 13mpg ....  :shock:

--- End quote ---

The secretary at Amelias school has one & reckons on getting 22-25MPG, but it's like any vehicle really , it's all down to the driving style used, as much as the vehicle.

strapping young lad:
all i know is that the engine uses oil due to its unique design (not going to use its correct name for fear of giggles!)

mazda provides your first bottle of oil, maybe you can negotiate said replacement bottles :)

dont think it drinks it but it needs topping up at least every 1k miles i believe.

muddysteve:
can we even say wankle on here?  :-$

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