If a complete stranger sees you step out of your RX-8, what group do you think they would pigeonhole under?

I will start with myself....

Usually when I step out of my RX-8, I am wearing a business suit and have my briefcase with me. Most people think the following (I am 30 something with thining hair, relatively average)...

"Mid level white collor who has done well, probably not married or recently married with small kids."

It's kinda of funny since sometimes I step out of the vehicle in some areas of town that are kinda shocked about me stepping out of an RX-8 (you actaully drive THAT). I guess they expect a more "hip" or younger person or more into bling bling (depends on the neigborhood I am in that day)

What happens to you...

I can only imagine what they think of me now. It's got to be very odd watching a 5 ft tall, 9 months pregnant woman pry herself out of a sports car. I do get a lot of "guess you'll be giving THAT up soon, huh?" comments. To which my reply is usually "Hell no. It has 4 doors and 4 seats, doesn't it?"

Normally, I can imagine they think I'm a freak, since I usually have oddly colored hair and I try not to wear anything hideously conservative (no offense). But I'm sure I'm not EVER what anyone's expecting to be driving this car.

single, well off, no children.

and only one applies to me, the no kids. but they would fit if i had to.

I can only imagine what they think of me now. It's got to be very odd watching a 5 ft tall, 9 months pregnant woman pry herself out of a sports car. I do get a lot of "guess you'll be giving THAT up soon, huh?" comments. To which my reply is usually "Hell no. It has 4 doors and 4 seats, doesn't it?"

Normally, I can imagine they think I'm a freak, since I usually have oddly colored hair and I try not to wear anything hideously conservative (no offense). But I'm sure I'm not EVER what anyone's expecting to be driving this car.


Good for you keeping your RX-8. Imange how much fun the baby will have ridiing in it!!!

If a complete stranger sees you step out of your RX-8, what group do you think they would pigeonhole under?
Kids are out of college, grown, married and I'm on my second childhood and doing some nice things for myself (for a change).

1.3L :D

What it says is:
Mature, single, well to do, individualist, auto enthusiast with a need for speed.

What it is is:
Older, married, one step ahead of the creditors, whose kids now drive their own cars so dad can have a sports car once more before they put him out to pasture (and whose wife allowed it)!

Well I don't own an RX8 but I could just imagine.....

In general, I tend to confuse the crap out of people car or no car.... I'm 5'10" 235lbs black male... when I'm not smiling, people think I'm some sort of hitman.... When I am smiling, people think I'm some sort of male bimbo... a MIMBO LOL

Then they get to know me and find out they couldn't be further from the truth


...so its hard to say what people would think of me in an RX8 LOL

they probably think.....MID LIFE CRISIS!! :D

My kid's friends see me and tell my kid that his dad is cool.
My wife sees me in the car and tells me I'm having mid-life crisis.
My friends see me and tell me I musta had a bad year, I didn't buy a Porsche.
Cops see me in the car and think: Was that a moving violation?
Mother-in-law sees me and thinks: Stupid idiot, he should have bought a minivan so he can taxi me around.
Everyone else just ignores me.......

Well i'm only 16, so most ppl are like "wtf that's your car?"

"guy with a quarter-life crisis :D"

Why does a man have to be going through a "midlife crisis" in order to enjoy a sports car? Older people like to have fun to.

I think that term is somewhat abused by jealous people

another Asian dude with a sporty japanese car

...i hope thats not what they think but im sure it happens, even though I love rice, im not a ricER.

another Asian dude with a sporty japanese car

...i hope thats not what they think but im sure it happens, even though I love rice, im not a ricER.
mmmm...rice :D

^^ Having a mid-life crisis ...

(Balding, 43 year old male with a lightning yellow RX8)

SC

"Hey you're too young to own that car! How old are you?" (I'm 23 but look 18)

"Um...23."

"Well how can you afford such a nice car?"

"Um...I'm an engineer."

"Oh."

< this actually happened at a gas station >

I probably look like a spoiled just-out-of-college female who got the car as a present from daddy and her boyfriend is jealous so he's been doing the mods.

When I step out fo my car at the local liquor store, the thugs hanging out with the wine-O-bag in hand thinks: "here comes the sucker-ass bitch, don't recognize where he's at. Lets jack him around the corner there....".

"What the heck?? Why isn't he driving a BMW???" Mostly from my colleagues...I work for BMW Financial Services.

In a parking lot full of fresh off the dock Bimmers, I park all the way in the back lot to avoid any "accidental" door dings. ;)

They probably think I'm some really rich guy.
usually I'm wearing jeans and a shirt, so I don't look the type.

At school people probably think "He's too cool for me." ;)

he must be compensating...

I have good taste:)

Normally, I get this from women that I meet for the first time (my friend filled me in about 3 women I met this weekend):
"He's single, dresses nice, drives a car like that, and has a cute dog. Either he's gay or taken."
Then when they find out that I'm single and straight they always ask, "What's wrong with him?"
Right now I'm not 'girlfriend hunting' so I think its funny.

Most first impressions are that I am a young business man who works long hours...that's because my car sits in the work parking lot from 6:30 AM til 7 PM daily.

im 21 year old student with a full-time and a part-time job, most of the time i 'dress my age' so im in jeans and a tshirt with some crazy saying or logo on it..lol.

"just another young kid in a sports car" is the feeling I think most people have. although I do get some older people saying to me that I have good taste in cars for picking out something so unique...im not sure if they mean just the style of the car, or the function (4door/4seater) or the whole rotary thing.

I used to have the miata, and that was totaly a track car that still had a licence plate on it for street use...people used to always thing that car totaly matched me. small, loud, fast and very aggressive looking.

Sunroof and windows open, music going at a volume of about 17 - I'm sure they figure "mid-life crisis". I just turn and smile, then smile even bigger when I leave 'em in the dust ;)

"What! what the hell is that young mexican doin w/ that car. You see i told you his parents are doing something illegal"

Lol i live in a stuck up neighborhood where were the only hispanics around so they all think we do something illegal (whatever happened to ppl working hard n jus making an honest living). Personally i think its funny but Im not gon lie yea my parents bought it for me ( I mean im only 20 turning 21 SOON :), so no one my age can afford a car like this).....I just busted my ass off at work and gave them all my checks to help them put a good downpayment and I will be helping them with the payments. Besides when i graduate from college i gotta take over everything dealin w/ the rx8

khtm's response + dazygirl415's response - mods and you get me. Im supposed to be a spoiled rich girl with a present from daddy, then they find out i bought it and that im 21 and they wonder how i can afford it and its because engineers dont do too bad...

ill prolly get to some modifications later on...just not quite yet.

"What! what the hell is that young mexican doin w/ that car. You see i told you his parents are doing something illegal"

Lol i live in a stuck up neighborhood where were the only hispanics around so they all think we do something illegal (whatever happened to ppl working hard n jus making an honest living). Personally i think its funny but Im not gon lie yea my parents bought it for me ( I mean im only 20 turning 21 SOON :), so no one my age can afford a car like this).....I just busted my ass off at work and gave them all my checks to help them put a good downpayment and I will be helping them with the payments. Besides when i graduate from college i gotta take over everything dealin w/ the rx8


What you mean? Alot of people 18-21 can afford a car like this....

"Hey you're too young to own that car! How old are you?" (I'm 23 but look 18)

"Um...23."

"Well how can you afford such a nice car?"

"Um...I'm an engineer."

"Oh."

< this actually happened at a gas station >



person Looking at KHTM: hey what's with all the camping gear? :D

person Looking at KHTM: hey what's with all the camping gear? :D:p

they probably think.....MID LIFE CRISIS!! :D


And it's the truth!!!!!!!!!! :o

I actually try to avoid getting seen by anyone I know cuz they all must think I'm rich, but I'm actually poor as a biznatch. All my friends laugh at me cuz I bought a Mazda over a Bimmer or a Benz, so I guess the RX-8 tells me that I'm poor man fronting to be rich, but too stupid to choose a Bimmer.

When I get out of my 8 people see a ridiculously thin, mohawk sportin, pierced and tattooed kilt wearing guy... I don't think they notice the car at all after I get out.

Non-RX8 Owners - I look like another asian ricer guy.

RX8 owners - I look like a guy that has lost all self control.

Im 19, Work for Mercedez, has a g/f, and live all on my own.... and guess what.... i pay for everything ...plus, im still going to school, dont i make you older 8 owners so proud... like an internet son lol

they probably think.....MID LIFE CRISIS!! :D

They can think that about me and they'd be RIGHT! :D

I never know what people think about me or who they expected to step out of the car. They're either not paying attention or focused on the CAR. I get lots of compliments, but those people are usually looking around or through me.

When I get out of my 8 people see a ridiculously thin, mohawk sportin, pierced and tattooed kilt wearing guy... I don't think they notice the car at all after I get out.

Can you elaborate on the kilt? I've never met anyone who wears them on a regular basis. I'm curious because I'm so out of touch with any pop or underground culture.

When I get out of my 8 people see a ridiculously thin, mohawk sportin, pierced and tattooed kilt wearing guy... I don't think they notice the car at all after I get out.


Oh lord, you just about gave me a heart attack- my ex-boyfriend was like this (thought it was my own fault for getting him involved in the kilt wearing) and all I could think was "OMG, what is HE doing on here!"


but you're in TN (and he is too much of a weenie to get anything tattooed or pierced, as I discovered when he threw a fit when I did), so I'm safe.

Drug dealer. People honestly think I'm a drug dealer.

When I get out of my 8 people see a ridiculously thin, mohawk sportin, pierced and tattooed kilt wearing guy... I don't think they notice the car at all after I get out.

thread is pointless without pics! :eek:

I had to wear a kilt during my bachelor party, but it was forced. I don't think I could do it everyday.

People usualy think that I am a snob for buying a car not many people drive and that I am trying to recapture my youth (I am 48) - then they ask me a hundred questions about the car - look perplexed and say tell me that I should have got a BMW - I'm inconsequential

I have no idea what people are thinking, since in 6 months only on person has asked me about my car, and that was someone who was thinking about buying one.

When I was in my late 20's, a 50-ish co-worker bought a Corvette after his kids graduated college, and I thought "mid-life crisis." Now that I have done the same thing, somehow I don't think the same way. I've always had sportier-looking cars (two Celicas, Corolla GTS, Civic Si), but was limited by finances, saving for my son's college education. Since that expense was out of the way, it was time to buy a car I wanted instead of one I had to settle for.

I guess I don't even care that much about what others think about my car. I love it, and that's all that matters to me. I'm sure all the Aztec owners would agree. :)

Can you elaborate on the kilt? I've never met anyone who wears them on a regular basis. I'm curious because I'm so out of touch with any pop or underground culture.

Most of my kilts come from a company I used to work for, http://www.utilikilts.com they aren't traditional kilts, they have pockets, aren't made from any tartans, but they are the most astoundingly comfortable things a guy can wear.

thread is pointless without pics! :eek:

Well all you had to do was ask :)

I don't normally get many pics taken of me, and this is one that was done for the company that makes the kilt in the photo, so it doesn't quite show me as I normally look, plus it was taken quite a while ago, but here you go.

http://www.utilikilts.com/media/fulls/01-f.jpg

Hmmm...

I think most the week they think I'm a young single guy who gave himself his first gift after finishing college. Maybe he is a little arrogant...but he sure has a smile on his face alot.

Strangers probably think I'm a man-hoe who is living it up out there. They probably think I'm just making it by so I could buy this car.

For my co-workers I think...they think I sold some drugs or something to be able to have gotten the RX8. The first comments I got when I drove to work were money related (Mr. Big Bucks, how much did that cost, nice car but how much do you pay?)

The cable guy at my house the other day said wow, walked around the car looking at it, and said: "I'll bet you got that before you got married". He was amazed that my wife "let" me get the RX8.

Finally, at the dealership the other day for an oil change a lady walks up to the service guy and tells him "that's a nice car".

Everyone who has talked to me...loves the car and those who know me know I love it too. They still probably think I sacrificed my first child and marriage for the car...but I did neither.

Well all you had to do was ask :)

I don't normally get many pics taken of me, and this is one that was done for the company that makes the kilt in the photo, so it doesn't quite show me as I normally look, plus it was taken quite a while ago, but here you go.

http://www.utilikilts.com/media/fulls/01-f.jpg

not everyday you see a man in a kilt, outside of scotland. I am sure that gets more looks than the car, it did for me.

not everyday you see a man in a kilt, outside of scotland. I am sure that gets more looks than the car, it did for me.

Kewl, but I don't think it would work with a 5'5" Cuban, balding, 30s something dude like myself.

However, I seem to be able to pull off loud tropical shirts... (when I am not in a business suit that it...)

They think, "Man, he must be intelligent since he bought an 8 instead of an STi".

im the early 20s financial yuppy type, i look the part constantly, and most of the comments i get are from middle aged guys at gas stations saying nice car as they disappointedly get back in their minivans .

I'm in my late 20's and I hit the gym frequently. With a clean shaven head and a nice physique (6'-0" and 180lbs), I think I portray a little bit of the bad boy image on my days off. :cool: When coming from work in business attire I also think that I portray a young and successful bachelor. :)

Spoiled 18 year old kid with wealthy parents (none of which is true)

You portray a bad boy image from shaving your head and driving an 8?

lol...

Are you 18?

If so, it must be your car or it 'is true' ;)

Either way, props for driving this car at such a young age!

Spoiled 18 year old kid with wealthy parents (none of which is true)

I'm in my late 20's and I hit the gym frequently. With a clean shaven head and a nice physique (6'-0" and 180lbs), I think I portray a little bit of the bad boy image on my days off. :cool: When coming from work in business attire I also think that I portray a young and successful bachelor. :)

Makes a difference when in your 20s or 30s with the bad boy image thing (can't really be a boy anymore ... but then I do own an RX-8 :D ). What shows my age is not my physique (I am in relatively good shape) but more my bit of hair on my head (salt and pepper) and the type of music blaring (mostly 80s music, techno stuff, old school rock, but NEVER rap or hip hop).

Being 5'5" and going totally bald would make me look like a beefed up mini me or a recent cancer patient (doesnt help that I have a baby face either).

Yep I tried the bald thing once and the it just doesnt work when you are under 5'8".

...most of the comments i get are from middle aged guys at gas stations saying nice car as they disappointedly get back in their minivans .

I get this one all the time, everywhere.

I have had more job site supers have this attitude. they think I must make a ton of money. I don't.

I would like people to say/think wow look at that hard working young guy with a nice car :D

In reality it goes something like this, since I am 23 but look around 19 I usually get the "aren't you kind of young to be driving a car like that"

Dun, Dun, Dun, ....Middle Aged Man.... Since I am going through a mid-life crisis, my wife said trade in the truck, for a 8... rather than trade in the wife for a 36-24-36....

Something about a 43 year old boy driving around in a Lightning Yellow 8 -- I get a number of stares.

i usually get the "what in the world" stares from older adults and the "go to hell stares from kids" because most people think that a teenager doesn't deserve a car like that...well hey i'm paying for it so i deserve every inch of it don't i?

Dun, Dun, Dun, ....Middle Aged Man.... Since I am going through a mid-life crisis, my wife said trade in the truck, for a 8... rather than trade in the wife for a 36-24-36....

Something about a 43 year old boy driving around in a Lightning Yellow 8 -- I get a number of stares.


the car will cost you a lot less than the 36-24-36 :D

they probably think.....MID LIFE CRISIS!! :DYep! That be the one! 53 and loving it! Best thing happened to me in a long long time. Even my the wife is enjoying me more. :D

the car will cost you a lot less than the 36-24-36 :DYep to that one too!

I'm a happily married mother of two (ages 5 and 3) and a corporate attorney, so I am usually wearing a suit and heels. I suspect that people think I'm either having an early midlife crisis (at 35) or divorced.

When one of my colleagues found out I was driving a manual transmission RX-8 (Shinka edition), he said that he felt he didn't know me. I thought to myself, "you're right!"

I'm a happily married mother of two (ages 5 and 3) and a corporate attorney, so I am usually wearing a suit and heels. I suspect that people think I'm either having an early midlife crisis (at 35) or divorced.

When one of my colleagues found out I was driving a manual transmission RX-8 (Shinka edition), he said that he felt he didn't know me. I thought to myself, "you're right!"

Haha! That's awesome. Oh, and by the way, Welcome! :D

considering there are 5 rx-8's JUST at my particular stagefield here on rucker.. it's fast becoming the "pilot's car"..along with the new mustang.

Since I live and work in Silicon Valley where $100,000 cars are all too common, I assume people think I'm one of the unlucky ones whose stock options didn't pan out (not too far from the truth, unfortunately!). The upside is that there are only a few RX-8s around, so if not the above, people wonder what the heck car I'm driving. <g>

gee, another gray-haired, mid-life crisis driving a sports car doing the speed limit in the right-hand lane. In a few more years he'll probably be in the left lane going under the limit with the turn signal on for miles.

gee, another gray-haired, mid-life crisis driving a sports car doing the speed limit in the right-hand lane. In a few more years he'll probably be in the left lane going under the limit with the turn signal on for miles.
I represent that remark! :o

Hahahha this is a funny thread. I must say that I enjoy the diversity (age, ethnicity, sex, professions, etc.) apparent in this thread. The RX-8 seems to be very succesful in attracting people from all walks of life and such. I guess the "zoom zoom" spirit does cut across people of all stages and ages.

My 8 gets me funny looks as it is pretty rare on this company's campus and many that have been here a few years drive vehicles that stir the soul far less.

The impression I'm most likely to give off is the young, sigh yes metrosexual , professional with the nice sports car.

The impression I'm most likely to give off is the young, sigh yes metrosexual , professional with the nice sports car.
That's me, but I'm comfortable with it. I usually get very positive reactions whenever I'm in the car. I usually have a nice button down shirt on with dress pants and am on my way to or from the office.

My friend was with me the other day and out of no where said, "I know I'm not cool, but everytime I ride in this car and hear that sound (purr of the rotary in the background) then I feel cool by association."

The kids in my housing plan always yell "Nice car!" as I drive by (I kindly rev it abit and they cheer and high five) while their parents probably think "Oh God".

This is a great thread so far :D

Kinda a mixed blessing though that the RX-8 isn't too popular. I think that many people still have a rotary engine hangup since.

A minus in conversation when talking to others about the RX-8 is comparing to other V6/8 engines and the liter ratio. People just can't grasp the concept of no cylinders and that 1.3 Rotary is equivalent to a 3.6 L V6 engine (btw, compare the 1.3 to a 3.6 L engine and the gas mileage is near par... esp if the V6 has turo added to it).

Nice to know that the RX-8 is loved by a diverse group of people. ZOOM ZOON :cool: :D

I think this is what they think of me:


Asshole is driving too fast, it is my sworn DUTY to pull infront of him and drive 10mph below the speed limit.

At 6'6'', 280, most people say- Aren't you a little bit to big for that car?! I usually just smile and say- Makes parking in tight spots a breeze, I just pick up one end at a time and plunk her down!

A minus in conversation when talking to others about the RX-8 is comparing to other V6/8 engines and the liter ratio. People just can't grasp the concept of no cylinders and that 1.3 Rotary is equivalent to a 3.6 L V6 engine (btw, compare the 1.3 to a 3.6 L engine and the gas mileage is near par... esp if the V6 has turo added to it).
People usually grasp it very well when i tell them about it. I always talk about how light the car and motor are and how such a small engine produces over 200 HP with 600 less moving parts. I know a guy who used to race rotaries and told me that they used to store the engines with the luggage underneath the bus because they were so small and they were so light that 2 guys would grab the engine, and carry it to the car. That always seems to intrigue people.

They always love/hate the fact that my insurance considers the car a 4 door sedan with a 1.3L engine and charges me accordingly.

I once was stuck behind a school bus making it's dropoff stops, a couple cars back in line. The kids in back of the bus were waving to the cars behind them. Eventually, a car would turn off, and the kids waved to the next car in line that pulled up, and so on. The waves were either silly (for kid drivers), or overly formal (for adults).

When I finally pulled up behind them, I got this... I dunno... sideways peace sign(?) type thing from them. Maybe it was a double FU for all I know, but I had to laugh, as it wasn't what I expected as a 41 year old. Whadaya know, I guess I'm "cool." Or phat. Or sick. Or whatever.

Otherwise, I tend to get the mid-life crisis comment a lot from people my age.

I am sure most people think that I am a spoiled kid (based on my appearance), but then I open the back seat and pull out my five year old and hopefully shoot down those false impressions.

I only say that because I get ID'ed when I buy lottery tickets. The legal age is 18 in FL, but I am 31.

Yeah, I know how you feel. I get ID'd buying Rated R dvd's at wal-mart.

I am sure most people think that I am a spoiled kid (based on my appearance), but then I open the back seat and pull out my five year old and hopefully shoot down those false impressions.

I only say that because I get ID'ed when I buy lottery tickets. The legal age is 18 in FL, but I am 31.

Personally i think its funny but Im not gon lie yea my parents bought it for me ( I mean im only 20 turning 21 SOON :), so no one my age can afford a car like this).....

Im 19 and bought it with my own money. But I live in the same kinda neighborhood so they think mommy and daddy bought it for me. I just laugh and retort with im sry im 19 and allready making more then you :)

Im 19 and bought it with my own money. But I live in the same kinda neighborhood so they think mommy and daddy bought it for me. I just laugh and retort with im sry im 19 and allready making more then you :)

Comments like that won't win a lot of friends. Might get you keyed too. Why not just respond with, I am very fortunate and appreciative of the fact that I can own a great car like this.

Im 19 and bought it with my own money. But I live in the same kinda neighborhood so they think mommy and daddy bought it for me. I just laugh and retort with im sry im 19 and allready making more then you :)

I was 20 and bought it with my own money last year.

I can feel this post starting to revert to the "be grateful, you brat!!!!" type of post.

If I was an admin, i would close this right now.

Hey guys, I started this thread so that people can appreciate other people's diversity, not bash it.

Let people speak their minds and be respectful but don't over analyze any individual's posting.

In regards to the first post by our 19 year old friend, I would say... good for him/her! Seems like he/she has worked hard so far. When I was 19, I came off as very arrogrant (much more than I would gather from the post) without realizing what I was doing. So don't be so judgemental.

In regards to the reply to the post by our 20 year old friend, to a certain extent, I agree with you, but if you have a problem with the original posting, there are tools in this site (such as report posting) that would be better for resolution instead of publically posting a reply. You could have also e-mailed the other member directly and discreetly point out how his/her's posting may be viewed.

Funny, from the original post, I didn't have a reaction to him or her boasting about making more money than someone else. Hey, I would be just as proud at that age. One thing to remember though is that good fortune doesn't always smile on you all the time.

It took me working crappy low paying jobs and buying Ford Escorts for many years before I was able to:

a. complete college (which I paid for myself) (13 year program I might add ... but dang gone proud of the fact that I have my BS in Mathematics and Computer Science)

b. worked up in career and now make a salary comparable to others in my profession and age bracket

c. paid off all of my credit card and school loan debts (about 40,000 dollars) so that I am no longer a slave to banks.

SO... I treated myself to an RX-8. (It was going to be a BMW originally but I am very glad it is an RX-8 instead :D :D :D :D :D :D :D )

Enough said...

James

It appears that a couple of posters are taking offense to my posting. That was not the intent. Just some friendly fatherly advice. Just re-read it if you think otherwise.

When I was in high school, I built several track and show cars from scratch on very low budgets. It never failed, on those rare occasions that I would drive one of my pride and joys to school, someone would show their jealousy and damage my car. There are always people that will get pissed off just looking at someone else's nice car. When you add attitude to the equation it can just make matters worse.

Single, 20-something, which would be true. After that I'm not sure, though I think it fits my personality pretty well and at least a few people who know me have said the same...

I think the car looks a lot more expensive than it really is for the most part, and it looks great. Accordingly, I get a lot of compliments on the looks of the car, both from onlookers and first time passengers. Seems like everytime I'm at the car wash someone says, "is that your car? it's nice/cute/cool/etc, what it is?" or if they know anything about cars "is that the one with the rotary engine?"
And then there's always a few of the "man I wish I could afford a car like that" comments mostly from people who clearly could have but had different priorities when they spent their $$$ on a car.