I have a question or 2 for you current owners if you wouldn't mind. I have searchged the forums already and haven't found exactly what I was looking for so excuse me if this has been slightly covered before. Long story short, my current car is becoming a money pit, and with it approaching the 100k/out of warranty area, I am thinking of FINALLY going for what I have lusted after (on and off) since ~89, a rotary powered car. Obviously the RX-8 fits the bill.

I am curious thoguh regarding the options packages and pricing. At the moment money IS an issue, yet I want to have a sunroof (have had one on *most* of my cars, and love them) so that leaves me with either the Touring package or the Grand touring package correct? If I am to understand the heirarchy of the options packages, it goes something like this (Grand touring + ( Touring + (Sport))) in other words, GT is including T and sport, and T is including sport.

My question is for JUST a touring packaged RX-8, is $25k a decent deal (before haggling/trade)

And secondly, do those with the GT wish they saved money and got the T, or those with the Touring wish they wouldve sprung for the extra of the GT?

Thank you.

I got the GT and don't regret it one bit. If you are going to get this nice of a car, you might as well go all of the way. Just my opinion.......

Mine is the GT!! Love it. It's not a cheap option no doubt. However, I feel it is worth every penny. Plus...youre in Alaska!! You need heated seats!!

- Irish :cool:

GT is great.

The cloth seats are excellent too, so it's a matter of which you prefer. Make sure you get the sunroof and navigation if you want them, as both of those items are difficult and close to impossible to add later.

I chose the Sport model because I didn't want the sunroof and I wanted the lighter weight model. I need the extra headroom for my helmet (track days), and I don't use a sunroof often enough. Cloth seats are also grippier in the corners. So... if your tastes run toward the desire for creature comforts over what I find important, then go for the bells and whistles. The leather seats feel good (and they have more lumbar support), and heated seats are definitely great on a cold morning.

Good luck deciding!

Hmm, well my stance on it is that every car I've owned with a sunroof eventually started leaking and rattling. I live in Las Vegas, so leather was really out of the question in 100 plus degree weather. So for me, the sport package fit me nicely.

It really depends on what you like and don't like....do you like leather? Do you like the sunroof? Well go for it if you do...it doesn't make too much of a difference in payments anyway.

I did not want the sunroof, and I didn't feel I needed any of the extra bits, having been driving a car with all the bits previously... so I went for the "sports" package only (it came with the spare tire kit, too). Especially if $$ is an issue, if you can have the GT or touring for less nowadays, you can obviously get the sport for even less than that.

Yeah, I guess that is why I ended up asking the question, people either go for broke on the creature comforts, or nix them all and go for the sport package. The creature comforts are somewhat important to me having been use to them in my last 2 cars, (sunroof, nice stereo, cd, homelink, etc..) I like the open air cruising in the summer, so sunroof is a must, leather isn't AS imortant to me though. You are right about the cost not being TOO much more though .

Personally, I don't think the creature comforts are much different between the Touring and the Grand Touring - it basically comes down to the leather seats or not - and that is purely a personal decision. Me, I'm not a big fan of leather seats, and the cloth seats are very comfy, and grippy - they really hold you in the twisties. Visit a dealer and sit in both, and let your butt decide whether the leather is worth the extra $$ for you.

I'm glad I got the GT package car. I love the leather seats with the heaters.
Also, after having our 98 Trooper (wife's car) with Leather, heated mirrors, etc. I couldn't imagine getting a car without them.

I got the GT and don't regret it at all. (Heated seats :)

Heated seats are great! Here in Tampa it's dropping down to 80 degrees during the day, so it's a must have ;)

No leather for me thanks....

I was all for no leather seriously

then I had no choice but to get the GT and I have no complaints...I do live in MN though so butt warming is nice :) but not needed