Skip advert
Advertisement

Used buyer's guide: Mazda RX-8

The stylish Mazda RX-8 coupe is cheap to buy, but expensive to run

How much?

You can buy a non-running RX-8 for under £1,000, but there’s no telling how much you’ll have to spend to get it on the road. Put aside at least £1,500 for a 100,000-mile runner – although you’ll need more than £2,000 before there’s a choice of less leggy cars. At this level, there’s little difference in values between 190 and 230 editions, but newer 228bhp cars can be worth up to £400 more.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Trade guides go up to 2009, with cars worth under £7,000, but low-mileage 2010-registered RX-8s can still be priced at £13,000. A £4,000 budget buys a 60,000-mile 2004 car, with a 2008 car costing an extra £1,000. Prices vary wildly, though, so be sure to shop around.

Running costs

ModelInsurance groupFuel economyCO2 emissionsAnnual road tax
RX-8 1902726mpg267g/km£270
RX-8 2303025mpg284g/km£270
RX-8 Evolve3025mpg284g/km£270
RX-8 Nemesis2726mpg267g/km£475
RX-8 PZ3425mpg284g/km£475
RX-8 Kuro3025mpg284g/km£475
RX-8 R33124mpg299g/km£475

RX-8s need attention every 12,500 miles or 12 months, with a minor service costing £150, an intermediate one £230 and a major check £510. Some owners skimp on the latter – it’s when fresh spark plugs are required, at £80 apiece. The rotary engine has no cambelt to worry about, but fresh coolant is required every four years or 62,500 miles – and then every two years, at £122 a pop.

The air-conditioning needs recharging every two years (£80) and, at the same time, the brake fluid should be renewed – with the cost of this part of the service price.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,235 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,500 off RRP*
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,527 off RRP*Used from £11,890
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £14,850
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
20 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025
New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too
Audi Q3 - front

New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there’s a whole lot more too

Audi’s not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
News
16 Jun 2025