Slight difference in running costs though! Most of the Mazda is fairly reliable.

E46 is more practical (folding seats) but probably still too big n' heavy for the roads round here. The Mazda is like a bigger MX-5 - great if you like really handly cars.

 

except I would not put any money on a rotary past 60K miles....

if power isn't everything, then I wouldn't disagree they can make a good buy

but they really aren't that fast, so if you like to feel you are in the top 15%, forget it

I remember when they came out, and the tossers telling me how they would hold their value

 

I owned the best one they did the rx8 pz and now i own the gt 100,and imho the s2 is miles better without repeating most of above problems they have, there's no where near the excitement the s2 brings end of.

 

That's all true enough.

I think the tossers were probably confusing %age loss with absolute - the car was something of a bargain against the competition, so it could only plummet by 22 large or something. But very little actually holds its value any more.

There are a few tidy ones on PH for silly money. Probably worth a try for a laugh.

 

I agree

the funny thing is the number of people that can't see it

wishful thinking/purchase justification I suppose

we heard the same cobblers about the GTR, even before the 3K excess, duff gearbox, pedestrian ski ramp etc

 

I can't argue with those prices but I won't something that is going to be hassle free and cheap to run.

I don't mind topping up oil and using lots of petrol but would not really want the risk of other expensive problems or running costs.

How much have you spent on your M5 for example?

 

Has to be able to accomodate 2 kids.

Apart from that, the world is my oyster... for £8k that is!

Current favorites are:

- Mazda RX-8
- Legacy 3.0r
- Mondeo ST220

Any other suggestions to consider?

 

Coming from your Lotus, I'd say only the Rex or a DC2 'Teg!

 

They're relatively slow in my experience. One mate of mine had a low power one and it was barely any faster than my ex'sGolf GT TDI. Another mate had a high power version and my S2000 would eat it for breakfast (0-100 in 18.1, standing .25 in 15.3). Both were very thirsty (made my Jag S-Type R look economical) and used inordinate amounts of oil.

However, as others above have said they're handle quite nicely and the ones I've been in were nicely trimmed.

So, if you can handle the depreciation (which if you pay peanuts for one won't be an issue), the fuel consumption (which you say you can) and the alleged unreliability issues then they're quite an interesting choice.

 

cheap to run will be true IF the engine stays sound

if not, there will be a big bill

and if you buy the Mazda at a silly price, there will be lots of depreciation still to come

I will do a running report on the M5 shortly - it is comimg up to 4 years in my ownership

it had mega bucks spent on it under BMW's warranty in the first twelve months or so

aside from that, routine servicing, a clutch (which I regard as an expected expense whenver I keep a car for more than a couple of years) and tyres (also unavoidable), it hasn't had more than a few hundred pounds spent on it

other than a £60/twenty minute diy fix heater sensor NOTHING has failed

but you pays your money and takes your chances if you want top performance