I would like to share my last month with you all. I was in the market for a change in vehicles being that I have now been out of school and in the real world for over a year now and I was still driving a '94 Pontiac Sunbird I got my freshman year of college. I didn't know what I wanted but I was in the market for either a 2-3 year old 'nice' car or a brand new, less expensive car. My friend wanted to have me test drive the Mazda 6, so we went to the dealership to take a spin.

The dealer was kind of a douche and asked me to wait over 45 minutes while he was in the middle of another sale. I went over and checked out the floor model 6 and I was really impressed with what I saw. After a couple of minutes, however, my friends were no where to be seen. I found them looking at the RX-8 and it was the first time I had even known the car existed. We sat in it, walked around it, played with all the knobs, etc. and I started to become disheartened that it would be years before I could afford a car this nice. When I saw the sticker price, I almost s&*t myself. It was only about $2,000 more than the 6 and noticeably nicer. I ended up test-driving the RX8 and I hadn't been able to think about anything else since.

For the next 2-3 weeks, I did a lot of research on this car. I wanted to know about all the colors, options, prices, etc. and I created spreadsheets to figure out what I could afford. I also get the S-Plan through my work, so it made the price a little more bearable. I went back to a different dealership and test drove it one more time before making the final decision...

I picked up my brand new RX-8 this Saturday and it was one of the greatest weekends of my life. I got the Sunlight Silver 6-speed with Touring package, appearance package, rotary accents, rear wing spoiler, tinted windows, and 6-disc in-dash changer for a total of about $29,200 (after the $500 recent college grad discount). Thanks to driving a POS for the last year, I had enough built up to put $4,000 down and my APR is only 4.5%.

This is the biggest decision I've made thus far in my 24-year life, but it is definitely within my budget and I don't think I'll have a single regret. After driving it this weekend and seeing the looks I got and my friends faces when they got in the car (especially using the freestyle doors), I was ecstatic. Anyway, just wanted to thank everyone. I've read posts from this website for several hours throughout the last few weeks (don't tell my boss), and your input is what cemented my decision. Hope everyone is enjoying theirs as much as I know I'll enjoy mine. If anyone has any tips or advice to give a new owner of this unique type of car, please provide any input you deem important.

Terrapin

"Some rise, some fall, some climb, to get to Terrapin"
- Grateful Dead

congratulations. i hope that i can one day be so lucky to own an 8 one day.

Welcome to the Club.

Big decision you made -- have a blast with your new ride.

I just joined the club too and also graduated college. Reading your post reminded me of how I felt after I first test drove it!

Anyways, congrats to you again dude, I'm happy for ya!

nosubstitutec4s - don't worry, you'll get one someday!! hopefully soon!

Congrats on your sweet ride dude! I know just how you feel. It's a beautiful feeling having purchased something so... well... engineered, balanced and downright sexy. The best part is, the more you own it, the more it grows on you. I'm 7 months in to my ownership experience and I still can't wait to jump in it every day. You'd think the fun would have worn off somewhat by now, but I can tell you this car just keeps on giving.

Just try and stop yourself checking it out each time you walk away...

congrats!

Gratz! I'm 25 and did pretty much the same thing, but I landed a good job after 6 years in the military and was able to get one. Got the same discount as you too. Don't listen to what these old folks here say about us "young guys" shouldn't be able to afford it or respect the car. They are just jealous that they didn't have the opportunity when they were our age. hehe! Gratz!

At least you were in the market for a car when you made the purchase. I wasn't even in the market, but one test drive and I was hooked on the 8

heheheh, i'm 23 and just got out of school to.. Car is totally in my name (even the damn loan!) so it's mine. All mine!!!

Sorry i'm still a little crazy about buying this car. I just got it last tuesday and every single day has been better then the last because of this car.. Really weird feeling, I understand why there are so many enthusists. heheh and I to get odd looks from my friends.. My last car was an '89 Ford Tempo, hehehe it was a horrible car.. Anyways congrats and have fun!!!


MrJynx

Congrats on the car. It's cool to have the dough from your first job right after college to plop down on the car. It took me like 3 years after college and driving a used Hyundai Accent to save enough to get the car I wanted.

Welcome!

yes i hope to use the same grad deal this upcoming spring when i graduate...........assuming i have the job lined up........sweet

Originally posted by Terrapin
I found them looking at the RX-8 and it was the first time I had even known the car existed... I ended up test-driving the RX8 and I hadn't been able to think about anything else since.

It's amusing how many people "end up" taking a test drive when not really shopping for the car - and get hooked. I really think there's some sort of mind-control plot going on, lol...

I too was looking at the 3s and 6s, and really just sat in in 8 while waiting for the salesman. Then I noticed the nice interior. Then of course the odd doors... and whadaya know! Real humans can fit back there after all!

"Hmmm, honey? Can we just take the 8 for a quick spin after we're done with the 3 and 6? You know, just for fun?"

30 seconds into the first test drive, I knew we'd be buying it ;)

Congrats! Welcome to the fun.

I forgot to mention the funniest thing about the last test drive I took before buying the car. I took the car down a side road that had no outlet, so I had to pull into a parking lot and turn around. I pulled up to a curb and tried to put it in reverse. I did not know at the time that you have to press down on the stickshift to reach reverse and I had no idea how I was going to back the car up. My options were: 1) Run over the curb and potentially ruin the bottom of the car, or 2) Have my girl sit in the driver's seat and put the car and neutral and push it backwards. Well, like any of you, I opted for option 2. It was one of the most humiliating times in my recent past. My girlfriend was laughing hysterically from the car. Here I was, with the car of my dreams, and I was pushing it because I couldn't find reverse. Just thought you all might enjoy that mental image.

The first rule about the RX-8 is never test drive it unless you can afford to buy it, or you will be sorry :)

I test drove one just to see the rotary in action. I wasn't even looking to buy it. Big mistake. Two months later I still couldn't get it out of mind, so I went to the local dealership and bought one.

Originally posted by Terrapin
I did not know at the time that you have to press down on the stickshift to reach reverse and I had no idea how I was going to back the car up....

LOL, don't feel too bad, I needed reverse to back it out of the dealer lot, and it took me quite awhile to find it too.

Luckily, I had been test driving cars all week, and it seemed everyone had a different strategy for reverse... so I was used to looking for new tricks, lol...

I'm STILL getting used to the idea of... gasp... six gears!

Congratulations! I've got mine for 9 months. No issues what so ever. I am getting good mpg too 19-21 and I do step on it.
My story is somewhat similar. I got a job and was looking for a car. I focused on a used (1999) 328 is. Test drove some and wasn't that impressed, plus they were expensive as for a used car. Then I changed my mind and decided to go for a new one, not necessarily bimmer. I did not even think about rx8 since it was around 30K... I couldn't afford it... I thought. Well I went and checked the car I thought would be perfect - WRX. Drove it twice, checked it here and there. Seemed a little cheap and anemic. Somehow again I was not that impressed. I looked on the other side of I-20 and spotted a mazda dealership. I told my wife let's go and check out rx-8 (rotary was my religion) I know it is expensive but whatever. I drove it once and knew the price does not matter anymore. I bought it the next day. Silver, 6 speed, gt, rotary accents. Got a good deal too! I have never been more impressed with the car! Still feel excitement starting her! BTW I am 27 and that is my 4th car. (240sx, bmw 525-5speed, acura 3.0 cl, rx8).
Have fun with it!

Lets see some pics man.....After all, you know you dont deserve to own such a great car unless you share pics of it with us here on the board!!!! hehehehe.....I know I'd like to see some pics anyway!!!!

My daughter had just finished school (now a RN) so she took over her car payment from her dad and I. I was actually shopping for a bmw. Husband said he had a car to show me, took me to mazda dealer, and the rest is history. Was on my way home with sunlight silver 8 an hour later. Nicer looking than bmw z3, and lots less expensive. I love my 8! Enjoy!!