Honda Cr-Z Or Mazda Rx-8

[cyberx]

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to buy a "Honda CR-Z" or a "Mazda RX-8". Need to know the opinion of the experts in here. Mostly i'm looking for the technical details, maintenance, service agents etc.. (specially Mazda being a Rotary and Honda being a Hybrid)

To be honest i'm already a bit biased towards the RX-8 cz of the looks, but iv heard and read maintenance is a problem. As for the Honda, im still doing my research..

I've read a past discussion on RX-8 in one of the forums. As i remember AndrewGTR's reply. But couldn't find a comparison of a CR-Z & RX-8 under search results. Sorry if this is a repost

Oh and btw guys this is going to be my daily driver (most probably).

Thanks in advance.

Cheerss!!

[terrabytetango]

Honda S2000, best of both worlds. Don't forget the hardtop either. Otherwise I would say the CR-Z because even though it is less powerful on paper, nearly half the torque will be available to you at 0rpm with IMA on Sport mode, allowing you to dart in and out of traffic easily. Plus don't forget the fuel savings.

[The Don]

  On 1/31/2012 at 10:15 AM, cyberx said:

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to buy a "Honda CR-Z" or a "Mazda RX-8". Need to know the opinion of the experts in here. Mostly i'm looking for the technical details, maintenance, service agents etc.. (specially Mazda being a Rotary and Honda being a Hybrid)

To be honest i'm already a bit biased towards the RX-8 cz of the looks, but iv heard and read maintenance is a problem. As for the Honda, im still doing my research..

I've read a past discussion on RX-8 in one of the forums. As i remember AndrewGTR's reply. But couldn't find a comparison of a CR-Z & RX-8 under search results. Sorry if this is a repost

Oh and btw guys this is going to be my daily driver (most probably).

Thanks in advance.

Cheerss!!

I think the point to note is this. If you are new to cars, the RX8 is probably not the best option. The Renesis engine does require more care but most importantly for the owner to keep a good eye on it and take preventative maintenance to ensure long life from the engine. Due to the design the engine does consume a bit of oil so oil starvation can become a serious problem if you don't keep an eye on the oil level. Also the power output curve is slightly different to the one you would get from a typical piston driven engine so you need to adapt your driving style accordingly. There are probably only a handful of specialists who actually know how to keep these engines going, so you will need to enlist the services of one if you have one of these cars (to be honest I don't know any myself). It is a lovely car though and hats off to keeping Rotary engines going.

The S2000 is bullet proof car so its lovely to drive and also easy on the purse and does not require a lot of maintenance. The CR-Z is a different breed though, fairly new car, Hybrid and while the reviews have been good it hasn't really developed a cult following yet.

Edited January 31, 2012 by The Don

[MasterDon]

I got to drive the CR-Z awhile ago.I was rather disappointed with it.It felt too lazy to me.Maybe I had my expectations high coz I was expecting it to be the next CR-X.Take a test drive if possible and see if it suites you.I too would go for the RX8 if given the choice purely on the way it drives and handles,but refer The Dons post which has some details of it's drawbacks.The S2000 is a best allround car as the others said but there are only 3 or 4 here.I think you can get a recon/as is S2000 or a MX5 down for the same price they are quoting for the CRZs.

[cyberx]

  On 1/31/2012 at 10:55 AM, The Don said:

I think the point to note is this. If you are new to cars, the RX8 is probably not the best option. The Renesis engine does require more care but most importantly for the owner to keep a good eye on it and take preventative maintenance to ensure long life from the engine. Due to the design the engine does consume a bit of oil so oil starvation can become a serious problem if you don't keep an eye on the oil level. Also the power output curve is slightly different to the one you would get from a typical piston driven engine so you need to adapt your driving style accordingly. There are probably only a handful of specialists who actually know how to keep these engines going, so you will need to enlist the services of one if you have one of these cars (to be honest I don't know any myself). It is a lovely car though and hats off to keeping Rotary engines going.

The S2000 is bullet proof car so its lovely to drive and also easy on the purse and does not require a lot of maintenance. The CR-Z is a different breed though, fairly new car, Hybrid and while the reviews have been good it hasn't really developed a cult following yet.

I wouldn't mind spending some quality time & money for maintenance if there is a particular service agent. but as you said im too having the same problem when it comes to enlisting specialists. iv heard the agents are doing a crappy job.

[cyberx]

  On 1/31/2012 at 10:46 AM, terrabytetango said:

Honda S2000, best of both worlds. Don't forget the hardtop either. Otherwise I would say the CR-Z because even though it is less powerful on paper, nearly half the torque will be available to you at 0rpm with IMA on Sport mode, allowing you to dart in and out of traffic easily. Plus don't forget the fuel savings.

  On 1/31/2012 at 11:14 AM, MasterDon said:

I got to drive the CR-Z awhile ago.I was rather disappointed with it.It felt too lazy to me.Maybe I had my expectations high coz I was expecting it to be the next CR-X.Take a test drive if possible and see if it suites you.I too would go for the RX8 if given the choice purely on the way it drives and handles,but refer The Dons post which has some details of it's drawbacks.The S2000 is a best allround car as the others said but there are only 3 or 4 here.I think you can get a recon/as is S2000 or a MX5 down for the same price they are quoting for the CRZs.

iv driven a MX5 (2005 soft-top) and loved it. was always a fan of Miata..('',)

do you get S2000 and MX5 hardtops in here ??

[terrabytetango]

The current generation MX-5/Miata/Eunos Roadster have a convertible metal roof, so no issues there. For the S2000, you'll have to find a hardtop in Japan. I only mentioned the hardtop because it adds to the look of the car.

Edited January 31, 2012 by terrabytetango

[The Don]

  On 1/31/2012 at 11:42 AM, cyberx said:

I wouldn't mind spending some quality time & money for maintenance if there is a particular service agent. but as you said im too having the same problem when it comes to enlisting specialists. iv heard the agents are doing a crappy job.

You can't rely on the agents to take care of an RX8. Best person to speak to is fellow forum member dilongt a former owner of an RX7. Most RX7s in Sri Lanka are either on logs or have had their delightful rotaries swapped for other engines. This is why I said you need to find a chap who really knows what they are doing with these cars.

[CARBON B4]

  On 1/31/2012 at 10:46 AM, terrabytetango said:

Honda S2000, best of both worlds. Don't forget the hardtop either. Otherwise I would say the CR-Z because even though it is less powerful on paper, nearly half the torque will be available to you at 0rpm with IMA on Sport mode, allowing you to dart in and out of traffic easily. Plus don't forget the fuel savings.

If only it looked as good as the RX8...

[cyberx]

  On 1/31/2012 at 1:02 PM, terrabytetango said:

The current generation MX-5/Miata/Eunos Roadster have a convertible metal roof, so no issues there. For the S2000, you'll have to find a hardtop in Japan. I only mentioned the hardtop because it adds to the look of the car.

if it's a MX5 or a S2000 i'm looking for a hardtop, cz i'v had baaaad experiences with softtops.

do you happen no anyone who's riding any of those ??

  On 1/31/2012 at 3:12 PM, The Don said:

You can't rely on the agents to take care of an RX8. Best person to speak to is fellow forum member dilongt a former owner of an RX7. Most RX7s in Sri Lanka are either on logs or have had their delightful rotaries swapped for other engines. This is why I said you need to find a chap who really knows what they are doing with these cars.

Thanx for the info "The Don". im too trying to locate a specialist or someone who knows what they are doing as you said.

[Straga]

  On 2/1/2012 at 11:47 AM, cyberx said:

if it's a MX5 or a S2000 i'm looking for a hardtop, cz i'v had baaaad experiences with softtops.

do you happen no anyone who's riding any of those ??

Thanx for the info "The Don". im too trying to locate a specialist or someone who knows what they are doing as you said.

My neighbour has a blue mx5 miata. I think it was a soft top but i will speak to him and see.

[LaZyBoY]

The RX-8 is the only one from these options that has use-able back seats. The MX-5 and S2000 are strict two seaters and the rear seats in the CR-Z are pretty much useless, unless you're a midget so the comparison seems a bit skewed, doesn't it?

[vishkid]

Good to see this topic - but I as many are baffled as to where the RX-8's (7's) are usually maintained .. specifically the engines. I know for a fact that Mazna don't get too many of those and nor does they claim to be a specialist on rotaries, so whom?

I too am more than a bit interested in the RX-8 but don't wanna take the plunge without knowing the support available.

Maybe I should call one of the RX-8 advertisers in AL for tips ..

[cyberx]

  On 2/1/2012 at 12:26 PM, Straga said:

My neighbour has a blue mx5 miata. I think it was a soft top but i will speak to him and see.

'Straga' appreciate ur support...('',)

  On 2/1/2012 at 4:49 PM, LaZyBoY said:

The RX-8 is the only one from these options that has use-able back seats. The MX-5 and S2000 are strict two seaters and the rear seats in the CR-Z are pretty much useless, unless you're a midget so the comparison seems a bit skewed, doesn't it?

True that only RX-8 got the practicality and cannot really compare one-on-one... but lets keep aside that and try to look at the "Fun to drive" fact and also the support available for maintenance etc..

  On 2/1/2012 at 5:57 PM, vishkid said:

Good to see this topic - but I as many are baffled as to where the RX-8's (7's) are usually maintained .. specifically the engines. I know for a fact that Mazna don't get too many of those and nor does they claim to be a specialist on rotaries, so whom?

I too am more than a bit interested in the RX-8 but don't wanna take the plunge without knowing the support available.

Maybe I should call one of the RX-8 advertisers in AL for tips ..

'Vishkid' - i spoke to 1 guy who had his rx8 advertised. he claimed that maintenance is done @ this Hill-Street place Dehiwala.

[MasterDon]

  On 2/2/2012 at 5:35 AM, cyberx said:

'Vishkid' - i spoke to 1 guy who had his rx8 advertised. he claimed that maintenance is done @ this Hill-Street place Dehiwala.

That would be Debug auto exclusive - http://www.debug.lk/...mple/index.html

[cyberx]

  On 2/2/2012 at 5:39 AM, MasterDon said:

That would be Debug auto exclusive - http://www.debug.lk/...mple/index.html

Yup thats the place 'MasterDon'.. you have any xp with them??

[MasterDon]

  On 2/2/2012 at 5:48 AM, cyberx said:

Yup thats the place 'MasterDon'.. you have any xp with them??

Nope.My one was maintained by a guy at Marawila...but the feedback I got from people I know who've used their services have been generally positive.

[zonda]

h

[cyberx]

  On 2/2/2012 at 6:33 AM, MasterDon said:

Nope.My one was maintained by a guy at Marawila...but the feedback I got from people I know who've used their services have been generally positive.

MasterDon, any advice from you if i'm going for a Rx8?? will i have to spend most of the time in a garage?

[MasterDon]

  On 2/2/2012 at 7:35 AM, cyberx said:

MasterDon, any advice from you if i'm going for a Rx8?? will i have to spend most of the time in a garage?

Sorry machan.My expertise is with the old RX7s.Infact I've only driven an RX8 for only for a few miles...so I have no real ownership experience.

Send AndrewGTR or Velocity a PM.Those guys have owned RX8s and will tell you whats what.

[The Don]

  On 2/2/2012 at 7:35 AM, cyberx said:

MasterDon, any advice from you if i'm going for a Rx8?? will i have to spend most of the time in a garage?

I haven't owned a RX8 either, but I think Mazda's focus when developing the RX8 was to develop a car where you don't have to spend a lot of time in the garage. Actually you shouldn't have to as long as you take care of it in line with manufacturer specifications and keep an eye on the oil levels regularly. The problem is when you buy a used car you have to consider how it was maintained before it came to your ownership.

Couple of my neighbours have RX8's and they are all daily drivers.

[CARBON B4]

Correct me if I am wrong , but theoretically the RX-8 is one of the few under priced cars in SL right ?

Since it comes under the 1300cc, the duty % should be equivalent to that of a 1.3 Swift, compared to a high powered 2000cc sports car. Or is there any other category/HS code since it has a rotary engine ?, I cannot recall.

[The Don]

  On 2/2/2012 at 10:08 AM, CARBON B4 said:

Correct me if I am wrong , but theoretically the RX-8 is one of the few under priced cars in SL right ?

Since it comes under the 1300cc, the duty % should be equivalent to that of a 1.3 Swift, compared to a high powered 2000cc sports car. Or is there any other category/HS code since it has a rotary engine ?, I cannot recall.

Yes, but apparently for custom duty purposes the engine sizes of rotaries and considered in a slightly different way at least in other countries. When racing it is doubled I believe. I am not sure what happened in SL.

[Straga]

  On 2/2/2012 at 5:39 AM, MasterDon said:

That would be Debug auto exclusive - http://www.debug.lk/...mple/index.html

Debug too is owned by a friend and i know for a fact that the garage is run by a serious racing enthusiast. He raced for the Colombo Night Races also. Plus i have seen all sorts of subarus, evos etc. So it shouldnt be a problem getting your car serviced there..

[Straga]

and about the miata, sorry ive been a bit busy these days man havent had a chance to talk to him.. Will let you know Asap..