Well this might be true as i have heard stories of Rotarys breaking down after 100k km. Rotarys if driven with full care turn out to be one of the best motors. But one problem is that you need to have deep pockets to keep a Rotary maintained otherwise you'll end up blowing the precious motor. Like you have to change the Oil Filter monthly and as far as i know, only Hi-Octane fuel is recommended for them. You have to check your plugs, change your plugs after every 10,000 km, change your oil and put proper non synthetic oil every 2500km, and dont be a jack while driving it. Also engine flooding is to occur in rotary engines and to prevent this, all you have to do is warm up your engine to optimum level before shutting it down, observe the temperature gauge your needle should be between hot and cold. The spare parts of Mazda Rx-8 are also very costly. One thing people over here in Pakistan do with Rx-8 or Rx-7's is that they swap in a 2jzgte or a 1jzgte motor in it as its maintainance costs are less than that of a rotary. No doubt that they are able to take it to very high hp figures then by modifying which a rotary cant be taken to but it isnt safe because they mess up the power to weight ratio and driving such a car becomes dangerous. By the way, whats the price tag of a Mazda Rx-8 over there in SL?