Hi,
Call me self conscious but I want to know if anyone thinks this isnt a car for younger people. I am 18 and my parents are going to buy me a car this spring and I like the 8. However, I am wondering if it seems like to much of a 30 something car. Don't get me wrong, I think the car is sexy and I probably put to much weight in what people around me think, but I wonder if any other young people here can share opinions.
Also, please dont reply that I am a spoiled kid who should get a Civic instead of an 8.
Thanks

PS. What colour would you say is a "young person colour" and what is more "dignified and older"

This car the the type that the young people dream about and the older ones can actually afford. Go live the dream...im 21!

The 8 was design for the target audience who's in their 30's. That's why the proper 4 seater, as these guys would have a family by that age. But neverthless, I think a youngster would still fit pretty well in the 8 (image wise), cause the car has a sporty image, youngster can almost fit any sporty image type of cars. You might wanna chose a 'younger' color like the yellow or blue, if that fancy you at all. Hope you'd find the car that suit you!

I 23 and wouldn't even consider something else (assuming I was actualy in the market for a new car). The 4 seats are perfect caue you'll be able to roll with a few of your friends and share the fun!

I'm 24 and love this car. While I may be pushing your upper age limit, I'm still in school (albeit grad school) and not yet a working stiff. The thing that makes the 8 great is that not only is it a incredibly fun to drive extremely attractive sports car (I recomend the winning blue for a less conservative look), but you get to take 3 of your friends allong to boot. I'm guessing at 18 you're a freshman in college, and if you're school is anything like mine, having a car on campus is a luxery not enjoyed by everyone. Thus, the utility of the 4 seats and extra doors should not be underestimated. The more the merrier.

The main disadvantage of the 8 for someone at your stage in life could possibly be the lack of cargo capacity. Through my undergraduate days I and my friends were moving every year between dorms and apartments. However, somthing has to be sacrificed for style, performance, and enjoyment. I had the luxery of knowing people with vans/trucks so I got buy just fine with the civic I owned at the time.

What else are you concidering?

- David

im 19.....i was born to drive an rx-8.

im 19 and love the car.

im 16. Im probably getting the car at 17 or eighteen. I have considered a few other cars, namely the 350z and a Mercedes C43 AMG. WHile those two have some great features, they are all lacking in 1 way or another. The RX8 however, isnt. Definately blue, yellow or red. Good Luck!

Originally posted by iceman2cuol4u
Hi,
Call me self conscious but I want to know if anyone thinks this isnt a car for younger people. I am 18 and my parents are going to buy me a car this spring and I like the 8. However, I am wondering if it seems like to much of a 30 something car. Don't get me wrong, I think the car is sexy and I probably put to much weight in what people around me think, but I wonder if any other young people here can share opinions.
Also, please dont reply that I am a spoiled kid who should get a Civic instead of an 8.
Thanks

PS. What colour would you say is a "young person colour" and what is more "dignified and older"

Ummm let's see....

Age of the Solar System - 5,000,000,000 years
Me - 44 years

Still a pup.

Cars are like wine. Learn from others' opinions but when it comes down to buying - drink what you like and don't worry about the 'label'. What do you want from a car?

My decision was between an RX-8 and a Toyota Prius. That may sound crazy. My criteria is I want a car that is great at what it's designed to do.

I think it's a pretty upscale car for an eighteen year-old. I know you'd love it! It's hard to have a nice new car, though, especially when you're that young. Are you sure you want to always be worrying about a hot brand new car instead of just enjoying having your own car with a few more miles on it? This isn't an issue if money's no problem, but I worry about protecting my new 8 at the ripe age of 46!

18 and i rep it, HARD! lol

all jokes aside, its perfect for kids our age, as well as those that are older with families, but still young at heart
________
Ipad cases (http://accesoriesipad.com/)

22 and I love this bitch. Wouldn't want any other car. (this price range)

When I was your age (30 now) I dreamed I'd have one of these cars someday. I finally do, but it took a while. If I was 18 and was offered one fo these I'd be in heaven.

In other words, Hell yeah boy!

i'm 23 and I'm loving the 8

only cars that are for old people are the cars you wouldnt want to drive.

the rx8 is suppose to be a young person car but theres alot of senior citizens driving it, as seen by this forum

Originally posted by tribal azn2
the rx8 is suppose to be a young person car but theres alot of senior citizens driving it, as seen by this forum

dont' you remember the "how old are you?" polls?? like +30% of this forum's membership is 18-24 (or younger, but those're few and far between), with the remainder trailing off strongly toward the upper age ranges.

this ought to tell you more about the popularity of the car than just who owns it. i'm 20, and i've dreamt about this car, i freak every time i see one (i've seen 3 in person, albeit no closer than ~30' away each time).

besides that, if you wanna get a "PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!!" kiddy colour, get yellow. if you want a good colour, get black :P

I am 38.....think car suits all ages really! It's a class automobile...can't go wrong!

I think the 8 appeals to more people because its 4door 4 seat. More people need a practical car more than a true sports car and the 8 handles all of that work load. The Z with only 2 seats isnt very practical for most people and i actually see much older people (40's 50's) driving them around. Ive seen more 8's in one day than i have 350z's and they have all been younger drivers. Im 20 and about to get serious about getting my 8 for all the reasons above.

i'm 19 and i have a yellow rx8 with navi and its great car reguardless of the your age :)

I just turned 40 and bought the car for my birthday. This car appeals to all sexes and all ages. (Personally, I can't imagine affording a car like this when I was a teenager - so if you can, do it!) Some observations:

Two different friend's teenage (16) boys freaked when they heard I bought this car and begged to come see it.

My boss (42) and almost all my co-workers (27-40) made me take them to the parking lot to see the car when I bought it.

The auto store's stock boy and cashier (must be teens) asked if they could come out and see the car. The owner (older) didn't ask, but followed us out.

Two teenagers (one mustang, one Z) circled my car on the highway to view from all angles.

At the gas station and the grocery store I was approached by two different men 40s bordering 50s asking about the car. One said while walking away that he just found his next car.

Personally, I didn't go with the appearance package and the spoiler because it did make it seem more "Fast and the Furious" instead of "James Bond".

This car is for EVERYONE who appreciates a great automobile. It can't be typecast. Learn one thing from your 'elders', do what pleases you and don't worry about anyone else :)

Im 22. Got tired of seeing so many old ladies driving around in PT Cruisers. Sold the PT to my mom. Being an engineer, Im at work all the time, so driving to and from work needed to be a little more fun. The G35 coupe was my first choice, but the dealer wouldnt go lower than sticker. Including the rotary accent package and the spare tire that the salesmanager did not see, i got this car for about 200 over invoice. Definately a head turner. Seems like it could reach the younger crowd on price alone. I just like that i can put golf clubs in the trunk, something the PT could not do.

Eric
black, black-red leather, nav, 6disc, spoiler, app package

ironically, my first car was the rsx (age target 16-21) yet i only saw old women driving the car. the 8 fits young and the old perfectly

We are all young on here!

LOL

According to the first marketing I read from Mazda the RX 8 target is primarily males 30-45 or family rearing age who want a sports car but can't justify one.

That said

I do not have a family and many on here don't either. There are also female owners. Some people want a back seat but prefer coupes to sedans. This car gives rear access without that crappy coupe seat maneuver.

Most everyone on here wants a sports car - many an RX7. Road and Track says its on the way and has a pic of it in the Sept issue.

What age are pick-ups for?
What age are mustangs for?
Corvettes?

I think it is for whoever wants one. In FL in my area there are MANY cottontops riding around in Miatas, Vettes, Mustangs. I think it is great. Now the ones in the swaying Buick Roadmasters with a maxiumum velocity of 20 mph are another story.

Cars are a machine that some view as a mode of transportation period - the owners of the base model civics, accords, sentras, GM, etc, while there are others that view a car as an instrument to use and express and tend to be interested in performance characteristics. Oh and thene there are those that no nothing about cars but have a wallet with unending cash flow - 7 series, Jag, Mercedes. My summation somewhat flawed but general in nature.

I'm impressed with the architecture/suspension & handling. (age 58) And then it's the value vs. the competition. Why wouldn't that appeal to all ages.

I wanted an RX7 when I was 25-26... couldnt get a new one and I could finally afford it, RX8 comes out 4 years later, so I now have one. Being a 30 year old probably means I wont ride this car as hard as the cars I owned when I was 18-22, but I love my 8.

It's not an old persons car? NARP owners would be a rarity... any out there? (probably trying to figure out how to post :) JK).

you shouldn't worry about what others think so much
test drive and see how you like it

im 20 and work hard for my car....and it's worth it.

im 18 and ill never own the car, but its such a nice car :D.

24 and love the car!!!!

Originally posted by umpuck
im 20 and work hard for my car....and it's worth it.

I with you! I'm 20 and work hard to pay for my baby. She's worth every hard-earned penny!

I'm 19 and feel very fortunate to be able to have one and very blessed. I have a red one, and it definately attracts attention. However I would suggest a different car maybe with less hp so you dont kill yourself. I know of many young people that have killed or seriously injured themselves and others because they were not 'ready' or responsible to handle the car. With more power, control must be maintained... Also you are very likely to crash or have some idiot at school hit you when you are just beginning to drive. But if you really have your heart set on the RX-8 go for it. Don't forget insurance!

Personally, I didn't go with the appearance package and the spoiler because it did make it seem more "Fast and the Furious" instead of "James Bond".

I think you hit it on the head RedJade with this comment. Younger people - fast and furious, neon lights, glitter speckled wipers, etc. will love the car as do the sleek Bond "older" types.

After reading all of the replies on here, I would say that no one under 25 should get one. Keep the insurance low...

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though:

Just watch out with the cellphones. We had 3 SERIOUS accidents this week involving cell phone drivers - they just ran right into the back on two of the wrecks and another ran the light and plowed right into TWO cars!

im 17 and i love my baby! thanks to my mom and dad! haha dont worry guys...not spoiled, just a senior in high school who worked his butt off to earn this freaken car. haha

yea man this car is awesome. im 16 with a red 6speed 8. i must warn you tho, if your friends are taller that 5ft or have long legs they wont liek the back seat. ive got a lot of complaints from them about sitting in teh back but i could care less. THE CAR IS SWEET.

i actually think this is most definitely a car for we younger folk, not the older people. It's like the WRX, if I saw some 40 year old guy getting out of one i would just laugh and go why why why?

I am only 15 years old and really do love this car. It will be quite a while before I can own one, due to the insurance system in the UK. However, I did hear about a 19 year old with a Pulsar GTI-R with a reasonable insurance premium..:D
They color I would go for would be the Yellow or the Winning Blue which is personally my favourite. Also, no I wouldn't put 6 foot wings and vinyl graphics on my car the only thing I would have would be the Mazdaspeed spoiler and maybe neon undercarriage lights.

Horde,

While you may laugh at someone 40 getting out of an RX-8 I would have to disagree.

The car's marketing graphs indicate primary buyers - male 30-45.

In my opinion, a teenager driving around in a $30K car is somewhat scary. I know, blah, blah but seriously think about it. Most accidents are in the pre 25 age range and that is why insurance is so high for that age group - especially male.

The RX8 is actually marketed as a sportscar that can haul around a family per se.

The RX8 is no more a car for a 16 year old than any other group outside the market target - say 85? First of all, how could a high school student afford one themself? I am not saying that younger people should not like the car. I just don't know how a person under 20 or so could own one without spending their entire paycheck to keep up with the payments - making it more difficult to own.-----I met a kid just out of H.S. last summer with a brand new yellow Corvette selling real estate in a model home. He was so proud of the car as he should be (showed it to us) but WOW. His insurance was over $4000 and well, we saw him around APril this year - got rid of the car, got a truck "too much" he said. That's my point.

Originally posted by h0rde
i actually think this is most definitely a car for we younger folk, not the older people. It's like the WRX, if I saw some 40 year old guy getting out of one i would just laugh and go why why why?

Lmao :D But I felt that way too when I was 18.

Some day you'll be that 40-year old guy. Do you plan on becoming less cool by then? Buy your beige Volvo now and store it in the garage so you'll be ready :)

I'm 1 1/2 and I love this car!

Oops, I just pooped my diaper!

Originally posted by Lex
I'm 1 1/2 and I love this car!

Oops, I just pooped my diaper! :D

LMAO! hahaha you win!

Originally posted by Lex
I'm 1 1/2 and I love this car!

Oops, I just pooped my diaper!

Ok, should we start a thread - "1st baby conceived in RX-8" ?

Include pics.

Ummm... of the baby

:p

Make the thread sticky.

Geez! somebody stop me!!

Practicality is the key issue. Surfboards and mountain bikes don't mix with the 8 too well.

If you're the whimpy indoors bookwormy type, any car (8 included) will provide the A to B service - maybe not with a cello though.

More robust and functional cars are practical for kids that have friends, plays sports, etc.

In the years to come, I'll advise my kids towards a first car that's practical for their lifestyle first, finances second and ego last.

Was reading this thread recently based on a search and thought the dialog was far too amusing...then saw the post by lex and almost lost it laughing! Haha, thanks mate, glad that someone sees the real issues! :D

My decision was between an RX-8 and a Toyota Prius. That may sound crazy. My criteria is I want a car that is great at what it's designed to do.LOL, mine was the same. Both cars take it to a extreme in their own way and both are technically special.

Now about being 18 years old and driving an RX-8 ... this car would probably have killed me if I had gotten my hands on it at that age (I'm 36). Or maybe it wouldn't because its in-built security stuff is far superior to anything in the cars I drove when I was young (mostly FIAT Panda).

If you were my son - no go, because I'm still working on mastering this car myself. On the other hand, todays sport stars are more likely to be 18 than 36, better reflexes and the like.

My word of advice: Get the car, but spend some money on driver trainings. They may seem expensive, but they're not compared to the car and especially not compared to your life. The car feels secure but it ain't above certain speeds, Training will not neccessarily make you a perfect driver but it will show you how easy control is lost and this knowledge is pretty much essential.

It's never the car that's dangerous, it's always the driver.

Oh, puh-leez. Wait until you're over 40, and if you're drivin' around the family minivan, I only hope I'm around to laugh at you. I'm definitely over 40, look damned good in my RX-8, and have more fun driving this than I've ever had driving any vehicle. I totally agree with AQA101 - if I'd had this car at 18, I'd either be long gone or still in jail for all the speeding tickets!

My 3 year old goddaughter loves my car so much, she peed in it ..

Unfortunately SHE wasn't wearing a diaper!

Thank god I was letting her drive, so it just went thru that nifty hole in the drivers seat!

I'm 1 1/2 and I love this car!

Oops, I just pooped my diaper!

I'm 68, retired, and doing what I love best.... driving my 8 through the mountains, cruising the coastline. My grandkids (8, 10, and 12) love it. The 10 year old Granddaughter says I'm younger than her Dad! I know my auto decisions should have been whether to buy a Buick Regal or a Park Avenue, but I never was one to fit in mold.

Damn, now which knob is the nitrous and which is my oxygen? Oh hell, their both good!

When I was in high school I drove a 280ZX turbo then a 300ZX turbo. The only problem was they were 2 seaters so you couldn't bring enough friends along for the ride. When I test drove the RX it reminded me of those cars and was way more fun to drive than the Mustang GT's I've owned. You are never too young or old for an RX-8. Probably the "older" or more "stately" looking colors would be the titanium gray or the silver. For a younger driver, I'd go with one of the brighter colors.

I am 26 and don't own a RX-8. But I think it matches any people from 18 to mid-thirties. So don't worry too much, drive it and enjoy. I see old people driving Scion, I see young man driving Lexus GS, and RX definitely looks younger than GS right? Anyone can drive any car if they don't care what other people say and think.

I started auto-x'ing at 38 in a turbo GTI and bought my '8 three months ago. And guess what? I took second fastest time of the day at a local auto-x today on the stock tires. I'm 42 and still learning car control.

In an earlier post somebody mentioned that the younger 18-20 year old "Racing Stars of Tomorrow" have better reflexes and such. That is true but most of those racers have been racing karts and such since they were 10 or younger. I think they learned car control before they were 16. I'm not saying that a 22 year old will not be able to handle an RX-8, but an auto-x or two will definately humble you and show that you are not the great driver you thought you were.

when I could afford my first cars. MG Midget...death trap, Fiat Sypder...death trap, Alfa Sypder....death trap, Porsche 911 Targa....death trap (at least the way I drove it!)

I think the 8 is a great car for a "young person." It's fun, exciting, manageable, and safe. I also like the fact that you CAN'T pile in 15 "freinds" into the car on a Friday night and cruise around. Plus, a car of this stature for a young person would bring a sense of pride and respect for the automobile. Hopefully it would be a good lesson in responsibility, especially if they paid at least a portion of the vehicle cost.

My needs for the car were simple....how could I get a car that would provide daily thrills (ala my old FD) and still have the practicallity for a small family. Simple choice for me, so I guess I fit right into Mazda's marketing (30-45 w/ family in tow.)

My hope is that my daughter gets this car when she's ready...MS body, RB suspension and exhaust and anything else that gets done over the coming years, (maybe even FI :D )

30-something is old now? Geez, thanks a lot! I'm 31. I wonder if they'll let me park my 8 at the nursing home.

Dude, im 20 and i LOVE this car. I test drove the 8, s2k, sti, 350z, 330ci. I didnt like the handling and feel that the sti and 350z had, but the other 3 were great. Honestly the s2k has a more sport car feel to it when driving (as well as more power :p ), but the s2k also felt a little harder to get to oversteer (which i like for some reason). I finally decided the 8 over the s2k and 330 simply for the feel when I drove it, as well as saving $1000 a year for insurance compared to the s2k :D .

TRUST ME, i made the right choice. This car is EXACTLY what i wanted, plus it came with added benefits!!! GIRLS!!! I dunno what it is about the 8 but girls love it. Ive met 2 new girls so far due to this car ( ive had it for a month and a half now). THEY were the ones who started talking to me! Buy the car, treat it well, and it will get you what u want. That is ALL. :cool:

I wish I could afford it at your age! If you can get one, DO IT!

Hi,
Call me self conscious but I want to know if anyone thinks this isnt a car for younger people. I am 18 and my parents are going to buy me a car this spring and I like the 8. However, I am wondering if it seems like to much of a 30 something car. Don't get me wrong, I think the car is sexy and I probably put to much weight in what people around me think, but I wonder if any other young people here can share opinions.
Also, please dont reply that I am a spoiled kid who should get a Civic instead of an 8.
Thanks

PS. What colour would you say is a "young person colour" and what is more "dignified and older"
dude.. I think I am young ppl too..=P just 20. haha.. o well. 8 by her look is a very young ppl car. and also it's very "sharp" and cool. so.... but there has a thing .. it's what kinda young ppl u talking about. if it's a young ppl like when i was 18!! 8 is absolutely not my type. " a young ppl eager for speed. and winning." but I am 20 now. everything has changed. if i still is 18. evo will be my favor car. or.. Sti. and maybe i will buy a 2-hand miata and do a heavy mod.
the good thing about 8 is it can hang out more firends. then u got to univ u will know hang out some firend's importances. that's the reason I change my s2000 to 8.
and here is some advice .. if u got budget like around 20k~30k there are 3 car is not worth to buy 350z/g35 Rsx type-s. civic si . u might ask y? it's for different reason. just don't buy it.. if u really want to know y. ask me later i will tell u .