suzukisteve

Are the R3s worth paying over blue book for?

I have never owned an rx8 before, but am looking to buy an r3 due to the fact that it is has a second gen motor and is basically the last rotary car (and I think it looks the best).

Most if not all of the R3s I have looked at are priced at several thousand about nada and kbb value. Do any of y'all think they are worth the extra dough? I know someone will say, "Well if it is worth it to you," but I do not want to make a bad purchase based on emotion.

Basically are the r3s worth it or should I stick with the base sport model? The rx-8 has to have the weirdest market of any sports car I have looked at.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Worth is subjective. The value of R3's is **** so don't over pay. But it is the best of the RX-8's you can get IMO. But it depends what you expect from the car, performance wise an R3 doesn't offer anything over the "lower" model 6 MT RX-8's.

djgiron

I would be surprised if you couldnt offer far less then what they are asking. I walked into the Lexus dealership I got my 09 GT from (12k miles) and offered $5k less then they wanted and they jumped at it. People do not usually buy the 8, so they are happy to get them off their lots.

delhi

It depends on what you want. The R3 is better in the sense that it has the sexy 19" wheels, Recaro racing seats and aggressive body kit.

Worse in the sense that it lacked the sunroof which many including myself enjoys. Also the Recaro seats are not comfortable for plus-sized drivers.... wearing winter jackets. And it is not heated nor powered. And some folks prefer leather.

jorlanjm

I got my 2010 GT RX8 back in October last year with 51,254 miles...now im at 59,102 miles...

I originally intended on getting the R3 since it has the 19" Wheels and slightly different front end.

But I needed something I can also use as a daily driver so comfort was in my mind too...the 19" wheels and Sparco seats are good for performance track days but long driving the 18" wheels and the more cushioned stock seat on the Sport or GT will give you more ride comfort...

In the end I got a GT since its more like a fully loaded setup compared to the R3...plus the GT has a sunroof thats pretty nice when i go out on dates with my wife LOL.

tgaffner

IMO it is not

TC4Tay

Over blue book, no. I paid $6k for mine. Even if it were in perfect condition with low miles, over paying is not worth it.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Asking price and fair market value are different things. Trust the KBB.

acroy

My R3 story:
I wanted an RX8 since they were announced, 2002ish. I never buy 1st year, and seldom new, so waited until used values started dropping. Then engines started blowing up, so I waited and waited.... and waited......
Went through several FC's and a C5 Vette.
The S2's showed many improvements and prices got reasonable. I was torn between Sport or R3. Lux does not matter to me, it is not a dd; it is a toy for me. So GT, leather, sunroof etc didn't matter.
I drove several, and finally decided to pay the premium for the R3. I really like the wheels and other small changes, it is the 'best' of the RX8's. A few reviews like this one helped pushed me over the edge.
The Best-Handling Car in America for Less Than $100,000 Comparison Tests - Page 6 - Car and Driver

And I asked the same question here:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...not-r3-260586/

I figured, I've waited a long time, I'm going to do this once, and do it 'right' otherwise I'd always regret it. So I found a cherry low-mile one owner R3 at a Merc dealer in FL, flew out and drove home.

No regrets. If I keep it forever, it'll always be one of the most special RX8s and other enthusiasts will appreciate it as well. The car is a joy to drive, and gets many compliments. I like having it in the garage. If I sell, I'll ask a premium for it, and wait for the right buyer, who will be motivated the same way I was.

I had a similar experience with FC. I wanted a special one, so held out and found a 1990 GTUs, one of the rarest and 'best'. When I finally sold it, it took literally 10minutes on FB for a guy to offer what I was asking, over double the value of a 'normal' FC.

Is it 'worth it'? define 'worth'. yes for me

New Yorker

pistonhater

I think you will be extremely dissapointed trying to repeat what happened with the FC if you sell your RX8. I seriously doubt you will get double its value as you did when you sold the FC.

There rx8 has never been and will never be the iconic sports car that the RX7 was. People pay big money for RX7s in good condition. I just don't see that happening with the rx8 at all.

acroy

I've gotten double or more kbb on the last 3 cars I've sold. All a bit older, higher mileage. All were cherry, meticulously maintained, nicely modified. The right car for the right buyer.

but to re-iterate, the R3 is a toy, not an investment

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Double the "normal" value on an FC = $1,000.00,

speedieone

I bought an R3 with 24K miles last fall and absolutely love it. Best handling car I have ever owned. That said I would not pay over KBB. The R3 is the most rare of the RX-8s accounting for about 1.3% of total US sales (23% of Series 2 sales). I would not buy one however expecting to see an increase in value. I would expect prices to level out in the next 3 years with an increase sometime after that. Its potential as a future collectible will be based on it being the last rotary powered car made . I agree that RX-8s will never see the same increase in price as RX-7s. Investment wise I see the rankings as follows: FD, SA22C/FB, FC, RX-8.