As I said before, I'm no expert; but, I do understand how the engine works. I've been interested in them since they came to the U.S. in my younger days. In 1973, I was told I could have had a rotary in a Mazda pickup. I picked the four cylinder because the rotaries were having their problems. I have also read enough to know the transmission is not what fails, much of the time. Most of the V8 swap guys buy cars that have blown engines, not blown trannies. I can't help but believe the blown engines were because the owners did not understand that one must check the oil, were agressive with the throttle to the point the engine gave up, or drove the car too slowly, much of the time. Even though the limit may be for the tranny, I can't say I've read about one being bought with a blown tranny. Maybe today's engine is much better; but, the V8 RX-7 guys have no problems finding cars with blown engines for doing swaps. Let's just say I'd be really reluctant to buy a used RX-7 from a youngster unless I was going to swap the engine, at some point. I know how I was when I was young. (naughty)
In the meantime, we'll continue to operate our RX-8 in a more conservative manner, based on several decades of driving experience, and feel better that it will last through our ownership. One thing that helps to give me comfort is the extended warranty we got on the core of the engine. Now, why would the company just put the warranty on the core of the engine and not the tranny? I would think that's because of the reputation of the engine, not the tranny. People are going to be more apt to buy a car if the thing they fear most is covered well enough. (naughty) Trust me, I did a lot of soul searching before I plunked down the money for my wife's car. She really likes it, in spite of the engine's reputation for failing.
Would you believe our local Mazda dealer quit selling RX-8s because they had trouble with them, when they first came out? They only sold a few and had to replace the engine on at least one. Not good. I think most of that has been ironed out, now; but, he still refuses to accept one from Mazda. If we need anything other than an oil change, I'll take it back to where we bought it because they still sell and service them. If memory serves me, I think that same dealer stopped selling RX-7s for the same reason.
As for the sports car thing, I love to stir the pot on that. You're right about the marketing folks. I'm surprised they don't call minivans sports cars. They already call four door sedans sports cars when they're clearly four door sedans. A nice suspension package and engine can make one sporty; but, not a sports car. Heck, I could call our Roush a sports car, by today's standards; but, it isn't. It's sporty, though. In our fleet of four vehicles, we have one sports car. That's the Miata. I'm going to stick with my story.
