I know there have probably been a few posters like myself, but for those of you who have "been-there, done-that", please bare with.

I am a couple of days away from making a purchase on an intended RX-8. I do have a few questions however that have been running through my mind since the consideration of the purchase came about. If any of you care to respond, I'd be much appreciated.

My Choice first.
RX-8 - Tit Grey - Grand Touring Package - Appearance Package - Rear Wing Spoiler - Side strakes.

I've negotiated approx. $2000 off MSRP and the dealer will be making about $800 over Invoice plus his backend money. I know most won't let the dealer make over $500 but I really don't have the patience to negotiate further. I'm ready to buy.

My first question is perhaps expected. Those of you who have purchased an RX-8 recently, once you did the deed, were there any regrets after the purchase? Any..."I wish I would have" things that came to you after you took the car home?

My second question is again, perhaps something that has already been responded to a number of times. But since I haven't been around this long and the threads go by quick,...humor me.

The RX-8 seems to be considerably less of a machine than it's turbo-charged Ancestor the RX-7. Style wise I think it's just about equal. I like the beefy muscle car look of the 8. However, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think I read someplace back in 95-96 that the Turbo-charged 7 was like the fastest mainstream production car on the market. Why would Mazda take a seemingly large leap back with the 8? It's 238hp is considerably meek compared to many of it's contemporaries. I'm sure they are looking to sell us all this model and then in a couple years come out with a turbo-charged model and make us all want to trade in (I hope I can be happy with the regular 8 so I don't get caught in this marketing trick) but it just seems....wrong for it to be seemingly inferior to the 7. Anyone care to give some insight?

Thanks in advance.

No regrets.

I think the leap backward on hp in general is to increase reliability.

Yeah the turbocharged rotarys had huuuuge problems.

Go see all the colors in person.... don't take photos or net pics as representative of the true color....

sounds like your getting it all but the Navigation system...when I bought my first one I regretted not getting the Nav...so i made sure on the 2nd one I got it...there's a whole thread on here on that subject...even though I dont use it much i'm so glad I have it...just one of those little things that ads to my happiness with the 8

Glad to meet a new owner....

I would look twice at the spoiler option, maybe try a test drive with one on - the rear visibility is already poor, and the spoiler sits right in your rear view mirror field.

I agree that the 'strakes' are an essential with Titanium.

The comments on horsepower lead me to believe you would not be completely happy with the normally aspirated '8', and would blow a gasket (and a load of resale value) when a supercharged one becomes available (as it will). You might be better to wait for the next RX-7......

S

imo
the rx8 is not a rx7 replacement.
it is a new rx model with comfort, room, and reliability in mindand keeping the rotory spirit.
when the rx7 comes out again even more hardcore and targeting a narrower market.