Good morning! On today’s Shitbox Showdown we’ve got two neglected, busted sporty cars, three decades apart in age. Which one will make you want to revive it? I guess we’ll see.
The final tally from yesterday’s weird yellow cars wasn’t quite as lopsided as some of you might have guessed. Yes, the VehiCROSS won, and yes, it was a landslide – but not a shutout. As of this writing, ninety-five people would rather have the bizarre little British kit car. Actually, make that ninety-six…
Faithful reader SAABStory seems to know me well:
Can’t wait to see Mark’s comment on picking the Banham instead.
Yes, I am indeed picking it. Why? Spite. That’s all. Pure, unadulterated middle-finger energy. You all picked on that poor little car so much that I feel honor-bound to vote for it. What can I say? I like underdogs.
Anyway, let’s take a look at today’s offerings. I don’t know what it is about sporty cars that makes people want to neglect them, but it seems to happen time and time again. Give a car swoopy styling and a little bit of power, and it is doomed to suffer, especially at the hands of second and subsequent owners.
Neither one of these was really meant to be a sports car, despite their styling, since the original purchasers of both chose automatic transmissions. And both appear to have been ignored and left to their own devices, and have suffered for it. Both could benefit from a true enthusiast owner, who would be willing to set things right.
2011 Mazda RX-8 – $5,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.3 liter two-rotor Wankel, six-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Slidell, LA
Odometer reading: 170,000 miles
Operational status: Was running great, now won’t start – seller says it’s flooded
I remember the hoopla surrounding the Mazda RX-8 when it was introduced. Rotary engines were back, and better than ever, Mazda claimed, and installed in a swoopy new body with trendy clamshell-style doors. Reviewers loved it, fans drooled over it, and then the other shoe dropped: Somehow, the new “Renesis” engine was even less reliable than earlier rotaries. Apex seals and side seals were short-lived. Catalytic converters clogged, sapping power and making the seal problems worse. The bloom was off the rose before too long, and the RX-8 gained a reputation for trouble that even this improved later generation couldn’t overcome.
The seller claims to have put over 100,000 trouble-free miles on this car in the past five years, a claim which I take with a grain of salt, knowing the reputation these cars have. The flooding issue, from what I have read, seems to be related to weak ignition components, which is common in these cars. The seller says the spark plugs are new, but how old are the ignition coils? They work a lot harder in a rotary than in a piston engine, and some sources say they should be replaced every 30,000 miles as a preventive measure. There’s a chance this car could be a couple hundred bucks in parts away from purring like a kitten again.
Cosmetically, it’s in pretty good shape. There’s a decent-sized ding in the driver’s door, but you can probably live with it. And I don’t see any signs of rust, but since it’s a Gulf Coast car, you should check underneath to be sure. The interior looks pretty good, too, and I have to give the seller credit for this artsy shot:
That’s from the back seat, looking through the rotor-shaped hole in the driver’s seat headrest. Good stuff.
1981 Chevrolet Corvette – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 350 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Laramie, WY
Odometer reading: 23,000 miles
Operational status: Not running; needs fuel system work
The original working-class sporty car, the Chevy Corvette, went through some tough times in the late 1970s and early 80s. It still looked the part; the muscular C3 body style, based on Larry Shinoda’s Mako Shark concept car, wore its five-mile-per-hour bumpers a lot better than some other cars did, but for quite a few years, the Corvette was all show and no go. This 1981 model managed 190 horsepower from its 350 small-block V8, which was actually an improvement over a few years earlier, but it still sounds awfully sad by today’s standards.
This particular car can’t even manage that – it does not currently run at all. We don’t have any information other than that it’s a “fuel system” issue. Luckily, the fuel system in this car consists of a mechanical fuel pump, a Quadrajet carburetor, and some electronic controls and emissions equipment that you can probably get rid of in most places in a car this old. Drop an aftermarket carb and intake on it, or just yank the low-compression 350 altogether and slip something much more potent under that long hood.
It’s hard to tell what condition the interior of this car is in, and this dark, grainy mess is the only photo we get. I have a sneaking suspicion that the 23,000 mile figure is accurate, and that this car has just been sitting around for a long time, in which case the interior would have suffered all the effects of age, but not much wear. It might be a bit of a time capsule in there, once you get it all cleaned up. Of course, it’s a time capsule from one of the least desirable eras of Corvette.
Chevy added this bubble-back window to the C3 in 1978, adding some much-needed cargo space, but then didn’t actually make the window open until the year after this one. You’ll still have to cram stuff in behind the seats. And yes, it is beige – but I see this as an advantage. Build up or swap out the engine, and you’ve got a sleeper that no one would suspect.
Yeah, I know – two cars that would be a whole lot more interesting if they were stickshifts. But these are what we’ve got, sorry. But hey, there’s a rotary and a V8 to choose from, so that’s not all bad, right?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Gaaah. Worst Vette in the worst color vs.worst Mazda rotary. Going with the C3, but unenthusiastically. It would at least be a fun rolling restoration that wouldn’t break the bank, and the automatic makes sense for one of these.
I generally like Corvettes, but the later model year examples of the C3 are generally considered worst of the breed. The RX-8 has basically one known problem to deal with; the ‘Vette, an unknown number.
While I appreciate the RX-8 I have an odd love of third gen Corvettes. 74-77 is my sweet spot but I still like the bubble backs. Based on doing absolutely no research I assume that many kits exist to easily drop a modern engine and transmission from another GM product to liven up the car. I also assume it isn’t hard to make it handle better.
Nope-ing out two days in a row. It’s kinda entertaining, let’s see if we can keep this going.
I don’t dislike the C3, but that’s not my ideal spec for one. I’d love to learn more about the Dorito engine, and what better way to learn than to buy a broken one. It might end up being a decently fun car to drive when it’s fixed, being a Mazda and all. I haven’t actually driven an RX8, but I’d give it a gamble over a C3 Vette, which I have driven a couple of, and also wrenched on, like, engine out sort of wrenching.
I’m going with the Corvette, although it seems a bit shady. The Craigslist ad shows a picture of the VIN plate, but it appears the VIN plate is not located in the car. That strikes me as odd, but maybe there is a good reason for that? Also, the license plate of the car appears to have a registration sticker from 1993.
In general, the Corvette seems more like an abandoned car than a spectacular barn find. I also worry about title issues with a car that has sat this long. I wonder if the seller actually has the title to this vehicle?
Another thing: the ad states that the odometer rolled over, so the car does not appear to have 23,000 original miles, unfortunately.
I still think it could be a nice car with a bit of effort, though, and I have always liked the C3 for some reason.
Disco Vette for me. So much better looking than the homely RX-8.
Buy both and put the Renesis in the Corvette.
The RX8 in general seems like a car which doesn’t seem worth the trouble to me. The supposedly excellent dynamics might be enough to offset the problematic Renesis, but I was always disspointed by the looks. This car did not have the looks to be a compelling follow up to the FD Rx7 which is a gamble I may actually be willing to take (it’s been on my automotive bucket list for some time now). Ultimately 5000 is too much for this example, maybe a running manual RX8 but not for this one
The Vette on the other hand, while being my least favorite generation of vette, I have no doubt that you could be doing smoky burnouts in no time for not much money, heck I bet all the parts needed are in stock at your local autoparts store. Worst case scenario you end up buying a complete new 383 for a few thousand and have a fun reliable 400+ hp.
I’ll take the Vette!
That Corvette is barn find-grade, for better or worse. It really appears to have been stored for 30+ years… Rear license plate from 1990, and those 80s tires… Will be proper Project Car Hell, but a fun recommissioning project for someone.
I bet the Vette will be up and running for less than the $1500 price difference. After that, you’re just making it better!
Vette for me! New Balance shoes are super comfy! Get off my lawn!
I’ll take the Vette because I flipped a coin.
And this is where I’ll just drop in the obligatory ‘oh Hi Mark’ reference.
My daughter is currently infatuated with Corvettes. She already has a C4. Picking up a cheap C3 for her would be a great way of passing on our long-standing family tradition of having too many project cars.
I’ve driven an RX-8 exactly once. The stick shift is superb. Makes the automatic all the more disappointing.
Slidell, LA- was it flooded or FLOODED. Makes a big difference.
My assumption is less “flooded” and more “grenaded, but seller says it’s just flooded to justify the price”
I’ve had two RX7s, and I love a Wankel.
But the RX8 has too many doors. I know the rear doors are tiny, but that’s like having a small tumour, size it less important than the fact they exist at all. If they had been a 2-door I’d have bought one, or several, by now.
Do I hate extra doors enough to pick a beige auto Corvette? It seems that I do, but I’m not happy about it.
This was only made hard by the fact the RX-8 is an automatic. I still voted for it. There’s so much content out there about fixing and maintaining the Renesis engines now I don’t think there’s as much to fear as there once was.
I’m taking the Rx-8, even though I know it will be a shitshow. See, I’m a middle aged white guy. If I take the vette, well I’m not sure I can handle the stereotypes and assumptions that come with that. Also, I only own one pair of New Balance shoes, and they aren’t even white. I don’t think I am allowed to take the Corvette
Lesson number one for buying an RX-8, if it ain’t hot starting, walk away. Could it be ignition and flood, sure. Seems fishy though. Because at 170k and no mention of replacement motor, those apex seals left the chat about 80k miles ago. I bet compression would be around 1 whole bar.
Its been a very long time since I drove an RX8, but the best thing about it was the manual transmission. An auto in an RX8 is a hard pass.
I’ve always loved the look of this version of the Corvette. I’m sure it would be easier to get running and stay running. Beige vette it is.
I love rotaries. I OWN a Series 2 RX-8. The chassis is excellent, the engine (specifically the Series 2, which has almost no parts in common with the one that garnered the poor reputation) is excellent, the brakes are excellent, the looks are… OK… I’d take the ‘Vette here. Wyoming is dry, Louisiana is salty. They’re both broken, and frankly the Corvette will just be easier to get running. S2 parts are hens’ teeth, and everything you can find is special order; Vette parts are by the dozen at every FLAPS. If I had them in front of me, and could inspect the RX-8 for rust, and turn the key nub to deflood it and confirm the seller’s story, I might take the RX-8 if everything else checked out, but that’s not the case here. Vette.
“Flooded”, huh? If it’s flooded with gas, a few minutes later the gas evaporates and it’s no longer “flooded”. My BS meter is pegging on 100%.
There are cheap aftermarket parts to rebuild anything on that Vette that needs it. De-malaising that motor is also easy as pie. Vette all day.
Louisiana, they meant flooded with water.
Exactly my thought. When somebody from Louisiana tells you the car won’t start because it was flooded, odds are they aren’t talking about the fuel delivery system.
RX-8 owner here. Flooding is a thing with rotaries. When they’re cold, they have to fuel like crazy because there’s so much surface area sapping all available heat. Additionally, they’re turning slowly before they start, giving the fuel more time to cool. A lot of it deatomizes and falls out of suspension (go to YouTube and find the slow motion Wankel video, and you’ll see what I’m talking about). It can’t evaporate either, because at least one rotor chamber is completely sealed by the housing at any given time. It’s not enough to get hydro locked, but it definitely makes starting difficult.
The part about one side of the Dorito trapping gas so it can’t evaporate makes perfect sense.
Normally I’d pick RX-8 over a C3, but I don’t think a running 170k mile automatic RX-8 of any year is worth 5k, and certainly not 1500 more than a C3. Add to that the fact that a C3 has the potential to be a lot spicier for the same end total investment, and I’ll take the vette.
In this comparison, the Mazda is a better car in almost every way, but that C3 has a significant edge in a one….overall cost of ownership.
To be sure, the RX8 is a cool friggin’ car, but how cool is it hooning around corners at godawful RPMs just knowing that you’re driving a vehicle that was produced in limited numbers which are ever dwindling. Any repair is going to reflect that right now, and availability will not get better in the future.
Or you could just slink into that beige vette, pop the T-tops, throw in a Van Halen cassette and know that you have a virtually unlimited supply of parts at relatively low prices to do whatever you want to your ride at any time you choose.
Mmmmmm…..Doritos!
30 years?
Crap, typo in the headline. RX-8 is a 2011. I’ll see if someone can fix it.
Mistakes happen! Just make it a 2001 RX-8, no one will notice.