Opinions on the RX8???

Greeney · 06-10-2007, 10:56 AM

Okay, so next year im going to college in Florida, I have always loved the RX8 and they are relatively inexpensive (plus why not go RWD when I can right?) I have never driven one, or a stick for that matter but I know 6spd is needed in that car. What are your opinions on it? Other suggestions?

adr · 06-10-2007, 12:12 PM

I'd get one if the gas price is around $2.
It is amazing that a My co-worker's 6 spd RX8 can't never get more than 16 mpg (80% freeway)....

zenmaster · 06-10-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeney

Okay, so next year im going to college in Florida, I have always loved the RX8 and they are relatively inexpensive (plus why not go RWD when I can right?) I have never driven one, or a stick for that matter but I know 6spd is needed in that car. What are your opinions on it? Other suggestions?

Mazda has made the RX-8 one of the best sports cars in that class. I wouldn't know a better alternative for the money. The light weight of that car (ony 2888lbs) makes it much more agile than most cars. Turning radius is insane at 17.4'.
For comparison, the Corvette Z06 turning radius is 19.7'. And the 335i turning radius is horrible at 39'.

RX-8 stopping distance is incredible: 110'. This is better than the BMW M3 @ 112ft, Corvette Z06 @ 116ft.

Plus it has real back seats if you need them. I'd call it a true sports car. Go to the dealership and drive one.

Str8EJ · 06-10-2007, 01:04 PM

you're heading off to college?
get a roadster.
my recommendation: s2000.

zenmaster · 06-10-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Str8EJ

you're heading off to college?
get a roadster.
my recommendation: s2000.

The S2000 is $6k to $8K more, which might be a consideration?

Greeney · 06-10-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenmaster

The S2000 is $6k to $8K more, which might be a consideration?

I want to save money, but still have fun thats what lead me to the RX8. The problem is none of the online reviews outline the car so much so why not go to an awesome car forum?

sflgator · 06-10-2007, 01:14 PM

RX8 is slow, with very low TQ; it handles well, but it's not really that fun. You'd have a lot more fun in a much faster and decent handling Nissan 350Z.

zenmaster · 06-10-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sflgator

RX8 is slow, with very low TQ; it handles well, but it's not really that fun. You'd have a lot more fun in a much faster and decent handling Nissan 350Z.

But if you are comparing cars in the same price range, I don't think there is a better bang-for-buck choice than the RX-8. But I could be wrong.

Str8EJ · 06-10-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenmaster

The S2000 is $6k to $8K more, which might be a consideration?

buy one used (?)

i'm guilty of a honda bias.

nevertheless, if you're young, no wife, no kids...lucky to have one worthwhile companion to sit shot-gun, why not be impractical while you still can be?

i drove a civic coupe, which i still own, when i was in college. good memories with that car.

regardless, have fun with whatever you end up purchasing.

Buffalo_Bush · 06-10-2007, 04:38 PM

new york to florida? will a roadster be a problem getting stuff down there. i do not know what your situation is, just something you should think about. oh yeah, the 350z is cheap and fast.

Greeney · 06-10-2007, 05:23 PM

Well it looks like used RX8s go in the low 20s, speced new how I like it is around 35, (grand touring with nav and sirus.) its a trade off as far as I know, the older ones went through a pretty big recall, but they are an amazing value.

vAnt826 · 06-10-2007, 05:56 PM

Honestly, I'll look at a 350z or an S2000 before I even look at a RX-8.

S2000s out handle them, out accelerate them, and out 'fun' them.

350z out accelerate them badly, have much better exhaust note, and can come in vert if you need it to be.

The RX-8 is the only car I have known to have the whole engine recalled. That pretty much killed it's value. It also burns alot of oil and gets dissapointing gas mileage.

zenmaster · 06-10-2007, 08:40 PM

Greeney, I'd list out your criteria, otherwise people will not know how to help you decide.

If cost is not a factor, then of course the S2000 or 350Z are more fun to drive, but again, you'd have to pay $6000 to $8000 more! For this difference in price, you could buy a supercharger or turbo kit (300 HP), among other options, and blow those two cars away. In fact, the performance would be equivalent to a 335i with a Turbo Tuner.

uhaulball · 06-10-2007, 08:55 PM

greeney! my friend has a stick RX8 and he beats my 330xi steptronic. in other words, it is NOT a slow car... its just slower relative to the 335 of course... get a manual rx8 and u will love it!

takedown8 · 06-10-2007, 09:05 PM

Why can't you take your 330xi down there?

I recommend getting an '03 Z4. I'm biased of course, but you can get one for a good price, and it's really fun.

I'm surprised to hear all you Bimmer owners recommending everything but Bimmers!

mayanh8 · 06-10-2007, 09:28 PM

Though I don't like the RX-8 at all, they have dropped the price on them considerably. You could probably leave a Mazda dealership with the car you want for 28k.

Caster · 06-10-2007, 09:36 PM

I think its a pretty cool car, I've never driven one, but my friend just got one and he seems to like it.

Greeney · 06-10-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhaulball

greeney! my friend has a stick RX8 and he beats my 330xi steptronic. in other words, it is NOT a slow car... its just slower relative to the 335 of course... get a manual rx8 and u will love it!

How big is the boot??? And I think I need to go do the dealer to go drive it... They will never let me though its a pain in the ass...

btw, I cant take my 330 down there #1, because Its a lease with 10k a year, and I already have 13,500(9 months)... #2, im obviously not down there the whole year so when I come back home what am I supposed to do? #3, I have the money (I think) so I want to get something fun RWD and a coupe. Preferably relatively affordable and relatively practical basically a great all around fun car, and thats what lead me to the RX8

FirstClass · 06-10-2007, 10:43 PM

Forget practicality. Get a used Elise. They can be had for the price neighborhood you have in mind.

sflgator · 06-10-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstClass

Forget practicality. Get a used Elise. They can be had for the price neighborhood you have in mind.

Although the Elise is one of the most fun, best handling and best sounding "affordable" sports cars, it's truly a weekend driver; not good as a daily driver. My bro has a modded Elise with an intake and NOS, but he only drives it on short errands and on the weekends...it's by no means his dd. The car is much more like an oversize go-cart (and handles like one too

)...it's very harsh, very loud and extremely tight inside (you have to enter butt first, then swing your legs in last

). A pic of my bro's Elise below...

Greeney · 06-11-2007, 09:47 AM

Yeah, im not going to get an elise haha.

SpecC · 06-11-2007, 10:48 AM

rotary engine, four doors, looks of a coupe, flashy colors, fun to drive
i assume this car is reliable because it's japanese, but i know these rotaries have tendancies for recalls
what more can you ask for in a car that price though?

06-10-2007, 10:56 AM	#1
Greeney Brigadier General 230 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	Opinions on the RX8??? Okay, so next year im going to college in Florida, I have always loved the RX8 and they are relatively inexpensive (plus why not go RWD when I can right?) I have never driven one, or a stick for that matter but I know 6spd is needed in that car. What are your opinions on it? Other suggestions? __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
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06-10-2007, 01:04 PM	#4
Str8EJ Master of Ceremonies 1 Rep 111 Posts Drives: '07 328xi Jet Blk/Blk/6Spd Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NoVirginia iTrader: (0)	you're heading off to college? get a roadster. my recommendation: s2000.
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06-10-2007, 01:14 PM	#7
sflgator Major General 166 Rep 5,389 Posts Drives: '09 MB C63 AMG & '08 MB GL450 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. iTrader: (1)	RX8 is slow, with very low TQ; it handles well, but it's not really that fun. You'd have a lot more fun in a much faster and decent handling Nissan 350Z. __________________ \|2009 RENNtech MB C63 AMG \| Black/Black Leather/Black Maple \| Premium II \| MultiMedia \| iPod \| \| TeleAid \| Charcoal Filter Delete \| BMC High-Flow Air Filters \| High-Flow Secondary Cats \| Clear Side Markers \|
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06-10-2007, 04:38 PM	#10
Buffalo_Bush Private First Class 21 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 07 E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	new york to florida? will a roadster be a problem getting stuff down there. i do not know what your situation is, just something you should think about. oh yeah, the 350z is cheap and fast.
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06-10-2007, 05:23 PM	#11
Greeney Brigadier General 230 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	Well it looks like used RX8s go in the low 20s, speced new how I like it is around 35, (grand touring with nav and sirus.) its a trade off as far as I know, the older ones went through a pretty big recall, but they are an amazing value. __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
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06-10-2007, 12:12 PM	#2
adr Handy Armani 11 Rep 59 Posts Drives: Honds Element Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I'd get one if the gas price is around $2. It is amazing that a My co-worker's 6 spd RX8 can't never get more than 16 mpg (80% freeway)....
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06-10-2007, 05:56 PM	#12
vAnt826 Major 66 Rep 1,417 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle iTrader: (3)	Honestly, I'll look at a 350z or an S2000 before I even look at a RX-8. S2000s out handle them, out accelerate them, and out 'fun' them. 350z out accelerate them badly, have much better exhaust note, and can come in vert if you need it to be. The RX-8 is the only car I have known to have the whole engine recalled. That pretty much killed it's value. It also burns alot of oil and gets dissapointing gas mileage.
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06-10-2007, 08:40 PM	#13
zenmaster Brigadier General 1582 Rep 3,888 Posts Drives: '17 M2 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Greeney, I'd list out your criteria, otherwise people will not know how to help you decide. If cost is not a factor, then of course the S2000 or 350Z are more fun to drive, but again, you'd have to pay $6000 to $8000 more! For this difference in price, you could buy a supercharger or turbo kit (300 HP), among other options, and blow those two cars away. In fact, the performance would be equivalent to a 335i with a Turbo Tuner.
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06-10-2007, 08:55 PM	#14
uhaulball Brigadier General 203 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	greeney! my friend has a stick RX8 and he beats my 330xi steptronic. in other words, it is NOT a slow car... its just slower relative to the 335 of course... get a manual rx8 and u will love it! __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
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06-10-2007, 09:05 PM	#15
takedown8 Major 57 Rep 1,068 Posts Drives: 2005 BMW Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Why can't you take your 330xi down there? I recommend getting an '03 Z4. I'm biased of course, but you can get one for a good price, and it's really fun. I'm surprised to hear all you Bimmer owners recommending everything but Bimmers!
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06-10-2007, 09:28 PM	#16
mayanh8 Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: DE iTrader: (0)	Though I don't like the RX-8 at all, they have dropped the price on them considerably. You could probably leave a Mazda dealership with the car you want for 28k.
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06-10-2007, 09:36 PM	#17
Caster Lieutenant 28 Rep 597 Posts Drives: 06 SG 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: LA, Cali iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I think its a pretty cool car, I've never driven one, but my friend just got one and he seems to like it. __________________ Graphite E90 325i / Navigation / Premium / Xenon / LUX White Rings / 15% Tint / Blackline Tail Lights
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06-11-2007, 09:47 AM	#21
Greeney Brigadier General 230 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	Yeah, im not going to get an elise haha. __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
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06-11-2007, 10:48 AM	#22
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 306 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	rotary engine, four doors, looks of a coupe, flashy colors, fun to drive i assume this car is reliable because it's japanese, but i know these rotaries have tendancies for recalls what more can you ask for in a car that price though?
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