Bought With The Intention Of Reselling...But
07-21-2011, 11:16 AM
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Bought With The Intention Of Reselling...But
Alright.
I live in Ohio, my son and I have been looking at cars as he is almost 16, and I want to get him a car so that I can teach him everything about it, before he assumes full responsibility of it when he hits 16. We've been looking at Mitsubishi Eclipses, and the budget was around $12k. We have seen a few RX-8s while on our searches, but they have always been 13k+.
Anyway, we went on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island, and I wanted to look at some cars down there because they would have no rust from winters. That is when I stumbled across the RX8. I did my research on it, checked it out, found out as much as I could over a 4 day period, I decided to buy the car and drive it back. The owner of the dealerships 30 year old son had the car, and traded it in for a bigger, family car. The car has a carfax history of all the oil changes, etc. The car was in 2 accidents, 1 accident no damage was reported, another accident the airbags were deployed. The airbags were replaced and as far as I know that is all the "damage" the car had.
We got the car out the door for $9k. The car is a 2005 Rx-8 automatic, has 78k miles on it, the engine and gas tank were replaced 15k miles ago. It has an aftermarket K&N Short Ram Intake on it, as well as the factory intake.
I KBB'd it for private party in Ohio and it came back with $13k for good condition. However, on the ride home I really enjoyed the car, and so has my son.
The dilemma: I feel that the car might be too much car for any 16 year old. I trust my son, but I don't trust other people on the road. My son understands that I might sell it, so I am coming here to see your opinions on the idea of selling it for a profit and putting that money towards buying him a car.
If you'd like to know any more information on the car, go ahead and ask. And I'm not posting this here to get insulted or hear sarcasm, so keep that to yourselves.
I live in Ohio, my son and I have been looking at cars as he is almost 16, and I want to get him a car so that I can teach him everything about it, before he assumes full responsibility of it when he hits 16. We've been looking at Mitsubishi Eclipses, and the budget was around $12k. We have seen a few RX-8s while on our searches, but they have always been 13k+.
Anyway, we went on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island, and I wanted to look at some cars down there because they would have no rust from winters. That is when I stumbled across the RX8. I did my research on it, checked it out, found out as much as I could over a 4 day period, I decided to buy the car and drive it back. The owner of the dealerships 30 year old son had the car, and traded it in for a bigger, family car. The car has a carfax history of all the oil changes, etc. The car was in 2 accidents, 1 accident no damage was reported, another accident the airbags were deployed. The airbags were replaced and as far as I know that is all the "damage" the car had.
We got the car out the door for $9k. The car is a 2005 Rx-8 automatic, has 78k miles on it, the engine and gas tank were replaced 15k miles ago. It has an aftermarket K&N Short Ram Intake on it, as well as the factory intake.
I KBB'd it for private party in Ohio and it came back with $13k for good condition. However, on the ride home I really enjoyed the car, and so has my son.
The dilemma: I feel that the car might be too much car for any 16 year old. I trust my son, but I don't trust other people on the road. My son understands that I might sell it, so I am coming here to see your opinions on the idea of selling it for a profit and putting that money towards buying him a car.
If you'd like to know any more information on the car, go ahead and ask. And I'm not posting this here to get insulted or hear sarcasm, so keep that to yourselves.
07-21-2011, 11:43 AM
#2
I bought my car a couple months ago and it's roughly the same as the one you picked up. It's a 2005, 6-speed manual, Touring package, cloth interior, had 74k miles, had the K&N Typhoon 2, lowering springs, 19" rims and had one accident on carfax. Truck backed into it in a parking lot and the front bumper was replaced. I got it for $11,100 and it was in pretty good shape.
What kind of options does it have? Maybe we can help give you a more realistic price than KBB.
As for the too much car dilemma, that's totally up to you. I think that if you trust him to be a responsible driver, then it won't matter whether he's driving the 8 or a Geo Metro. Changing the vehicle won't change a whole lot about how irresponsible other drivers on the road can be. But then again I'm only 20, maybe some other members with kids can provide some more insight.
What kind of options does it have? Maybe we can help give you a more realistic price than KBB.
As for the too much car dilemma, that's totally up to you. I think that if you trust him to be a responsible driver, then it won't matter whether he's driving the 8 or a Geo Metro. Changing the vehicle won't change a whole lot about how irresponsible other drivers on the road can be. But then again I'm only 20, maybe some other members with kids can provide some more insight.
07-21-2011, 11:44 AM
#3
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It's a good first car to teach about maintenance, etc. But it can be problematic, especially the 4 port automatic usually because of the lower redline so carbon build up can be an issue if you don't rev it out every now and then. But if he is going to start with an 8, the 4 port lower power auto is probably best. He will still get the handling but not the extra horsepower. After 2006, the auto were a slightly detuned 6 port motor.
My son is 16, I wouldn't get him an 8. He is a good kid, well behaved, but lazy when it comes to chores. Lazy and RX-8 owner don't do well together.
My son is 16, I wouldn't get him an 8. He is a good kid, well behaved, but lazy when it comes to chores. Lazy and RX-8 owner don't do well together.
Last edited by 9krpmrx8; 07-21-2011 at 11:46 AM.
07-21-2011, 11:53 AM
#4
Rotary engines are definitely different from piston engines. If you or your son can keep the simple things in mind like fluid changes and regular routine maintenance with no plans of major horsepower upgrades it should be just like any other car. The mpg's will probably suck but the fun you can have in the car usually makes of for it at times - plus it's a pretty nice looking car for a 16yr old in my opinion. The only thing in mind would have to be the flooding issue (periodically turning the car on n' then immediately turning it back off for an extended period of time). But even that is a pretty easy fix (many forum members have experienced this and found easy resolutions that can be done by even those that are not mechanically inclined).
As far as it not being a safe car n' you fearing other motorists - the truth is, no matter what car he may get, there are going to be poor motorists out there. It really doesn't matter what car he may get, if a poor motorist is going to be poor around your son, the car he has will almost be irrelevant (unless he has an SUV or something). To the 8's defense...we do have a 5 star crash test rating so...yeah, in case something unfortunate were to happen, at least you'll know there's a good chance he'll be safe
as far as my opinion on what you should do goes...unless you want something more practical for him for college n' such or unless you can find a better deal on a 'better' car...the 8 should be pretty good to have.
anyways, hope this helps.
As far as it not being a safe car n' you fearing other motorists - the truth is, no matter what car he may get, there are going to be poor motorists out there. It really doesn't matter what car he may get, if a poor motorist is going to be poor around your son, the car he has will almost be irrelevant (unless he has an SUV or something). To the 8's defense...we do have a 5 star crash test rating so...yeah, in case something unfortunate were to happen, at least you'll know there's a good chance he'll be safe
as far as my opinion on what you should do goes...unless you want something more practical for him for college n' such or unless you can find a better deal on a 'better' car...the 8 should be pretty good to have.
anyways, hope this helps.
07-21-2011, 11:58 AM
#6
I would get something that is cheaper to maintain and that you could possibly work on yourself if issues arise.
Parts aren't cheap, maintenance isn't cheap. Get him something that can get beat up if need be because, you don't want to paying for stupid **** kids will do to the car. All it takes is some *** to put a nice key to the side and the car is ruined.
Least some little 4 banger can usually be repaired and worked on cheaply and if he is interested at all in working on the car himself, that would be a great place to start.
Parents ALWAYS say they trust their kids and their kid is mature but soon as you get him into that car and he is out with friends, all bets are off...Your kid just turned into the cool dude with a sports car and douchbaggery ensues.
Parts aren't cheap, maintenance isn't cheap. Get him something that can get beat up if need be because, you don't want to paying for stupid **** kids will do to the car. All it takes is some *** to put a nice key to the side and the car is ruined.
Least some little 4 banger can usually be repaired and worked on cheaply and if he is interested at all in working on the car himself, that would be a great place to start.
Parents ALWAYS say they trust their kids and their kid is mature but soon as you get him into that car and he is out with friends, all bets are off...Your kid just turned into the cool dude with a sports car and douchbaggery ensues.
Last edited by Bigbacon; 07-21-2011 at 12:01 PM.
07-21-2011, 12:00 PM
#7
It's a good first car to teach about maintenance, etc. But it can be problematic, especially the 4 port automatic usually because of the lower redline so carbon build up can be an issue if you don't rev it out every now and then. But if he is going to start with an 8, the 4 port lower power auto is probably best. He will still get the handling but not the extra horsepower. After 2006, the auto were a slightly detuned 6 port motor.
My son is 16, I wouldn't get him an 8. He is a good kid, well behaved, but lazy when it comes to chores. Lazy and RX-8 owner don't do well together.
My son is 16, I wouldn't get him an 8. He is a good kid, well behaved, but lazy when it comes to chores. Lazy and RX-8 owner don't do well together.
It's funny, I hated to clean my room or do any chores around the house other than yardwork for my house and my neighbor's, but when I got my 8 I have become addicted to cleaning and waxing it any keeping it in check with the proper maintenance
07-21-2011, 12:08 PM
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The Rx8 has (off the top of my head): Moon roof, premium audio, leather heated seats, power seats, spoiler, premium wheels. It isn't the Shinka, but I think it is the touring or sport package.
I feel my son would be capable of taking care of the car (with my assistance). So the more often maintenance isn't a problem, it is the cost of it. I don't want me or my son to have to start spending chunks of change on any car, not much more then just regular oil changes, checking fluid levels, etc.
I've read that you should check the oil levels every 2 or 3 fill ups, maybe if I compile a list of things to check regularly, give him a few days to look over it and give him a "test" to see if he truly cares about the car then it is a keeper?
Mazda: Could you explain please? If there was no other damage reported on the car fax, then I would assume nothing else was fixed, or replaced?
Edit: Also, the car has very dark windows, I'm not sure of the actual tinted percent, but I am in Ohio where tint is 50% max, in South Carolina it is 72% max, how do I go about making sure my tint is legal in my state? And what do I do if it isn't legal?
I feel my son would be capable of taking care of the car (with my assistance). So the more often maintenance isn't a problem, it is the cost of it. I don't want me or my son to have to start spending chunks of change on any car, not much more then just regular oil changes, checking fluid levels, etc.
I've read that you should check the oil levels every 2 or 3 fill ups, maybe if I compile a list of things to check regularly, give him a few days to look over it and give him a "test" to see if he truly cares about the car then it is a keeper?
Mazda: Could you explain please? If there was no other damage reported on the car fax, then I would assume nothing else was fixed, or replaced?
Edit: Also, the car has very dark windows, I'm not sure of the actual tinted percent, but I am in Ohio where tint is 50% max, in South Carolina it is 72% max, how do I go about making sure my tint is legal in my state? And what do I do if it isn't legal?
Last edited by Furious Porkchop; 07-21-2011 at 12:18 PM.
07-21-2011, 12:23 PM
#10
AirBags Deployed means the car took a good womp and there could be frame damage.
KBB is not a relyable place to price cars. They're prices are abit optimistic for the seller. NADAGuides is the closest to what the dealers will use to price cars.
Engine replacements are not that uncommon in these cars and Mazda did extend the engine warranty period for North America. The gas tank replacement was a defect recall.
KBB is not a relyable place to price cars. They're prices are abit optimistic for the seller. NADAGuides is the closest to what the dealers will use to price cars.
Engine replacements are not that uncommon in these cars and Mazda did extend the engine warranty period for North America. The gas tank replacement was a defect recall.
07-21-2011, 01:01 PM
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No, I didn't. I looked underneath the car, and as much as I could see there was no kind of damage to the frame. How come the carfax reports the airbags deployed but no other fixes to the car in the accident?
07-21-2011, 01:47 PM
#14
40th anniversary Edition
I have owned seven Mazda rotary cars since 1973, a RX3, two RX4s (sedan and coupe), all three generations of RX7; first gen, second gen Turbo II and third Gen. FD Twin Turbo. In 2008 I bought both a 40th anniversary edition RX8 and a 2008 Mazdspeed3 GT. I have driven unmodified and heavily modified cars on the street and track.
Looking back on my youth, as much as I would want to believe my parents did a great job raising me to be a good, safe and responsible person and driver, I pause at the thought of what could have happened if my first car had been a sports car such as an RX8, instead of the used chrysler sedan I was given. It is your son and your decision, but NO 16 yr old should be driving a car that can get you into trouble like a fast sports car, even an automatic RX8. I agree with poster bigbacon here, once he is with his friend the first thing they will ask him to do is show them what the car can do, and he will gladly comply. I am a career photojournalist and have seen countless "good" teen drivers wind up dead on the road. Two years ago I witnessed the results as three teens were killed in South Jersey when they crashed and burned in their RX8 , while out for a hot joyride. Despite the great handling and forgiving nature of this car, these young drivers lost control and died as a result, and no alcohol was involved. If he was MY son I would start him out in something less volatile and less tempting to go fast in.
Scientific study has discovered (check it out, it has been widely published) that the part of your brain that controls your cognitive ability to sense danger and react in a sensible controlled manner , is NOT fully developed until most people reach 21 or so, explaining why teens will risk life and limb just for fun ,believing they are invincible. Teens, even good teens will always push the limit, it is inherent in their nature.
I have driven over a million miles in my lifetime, mostly in rotary cars (on the road and on the track) with just a few street accidents and some minor track incidents. But if I had been given an RX8 when I was 16 years old, I would not be here today. Tomorrow is my 60th birthday, and I am here thanks to the grace of god and glad I didn't get a sports car at age 16.
Hey a teen can die in any car, and you can't be with them all the time as they drive, and you can't control other bad drivers. But be the great dad you are, love you son and don't give him that car. You may live to truly regret it. The parents of those South Jersey teens sure did.
couldnt find the article with that wreck from two years ago, but here is another involving teens and an RX8. If you search fatal accidents, RX8 and teens , there are too many.
http://www.tbd.com/articles/2010/08/...-say-2672.html
Looking back on my youth, as much as I would want to believe my parents did a great job raising me to be a good, safe and responsible person and driver, I pause at the thought of what could have happened if my first car had been a sports car such as an RX8, instead of the used chrysler sedan I was given. It is your son and your decision, but NO 16 yr old should be driving a car that can get you into trouble like a fast sports car, even an automatic RX8. I agree with poster bigbacon here, once he is with his friend the first thing they will ask him to do is show them what the car can do, and he will gladly comply. I am a career photojournalist and have seen countless "good" teen drivers wind up dead on the road. Two years ago I witnessed the results as three teens were killed in South Jersey when they crashed and burned in their RX8 , while out for a hot joyride. Despite the great handling and forgiving nature of this car, these young drivers lost control and died as a result, and no alcohol was involved. If he was MY son I would start him out in something less volatile and less tempting to go fast in.
Scientific study has discovered (check it out, it has been widely published) that the part of your brain that controls your cognitive ability to sense danger and react in a sensible controlled manner , is NOT fully developed until most people reach 21 or so, explaining why teens will risk life and limb just for fun ,believing they are invincible. Teens, even good teens will always push the limit, it is inherent in their nature.
I have driven over a million miles in my lifetime, mostly in rotary cars (on the road and on the track) with just a few street accidents and some minor track incidents. But if I had been given an RX8 when I was 16 years old, I would not be here today. Tomorrow is my 60th birthday, and I am here thanks to the grace of god and glad I didn't get a sports car at age 16.
Hey a teen can die in any car, and you can't be with them all the time as they drive, and you can't control other bad drivers. But be the great dad you are, love you son and don't give him that car. You may live to truly regret it. The parents of those South Jersey teens sure did.
couldnt find the article with that wreck from two years ago, but here is another involving teens and an RX8. If you search fatal accidents, RX8 and teens , there are too many.
http://www.tbd.com/articles/2010/08/...-say-2672.html
Last edited by gwilliams6; 07-21-2011 at 02:36 PM.
07-21-2011, 02:47 PM
#15
Rockie Mountain Newbie
Before you do anything, I would recommend taking the car to a body shop, and having the car looked over by professionals. Get them to look for signs of repairs, and what their opinion of the car is.
If the car checks out, then the rest of my post applies.
Well, when I was 17, my dad and I worked together to find the next car the FAMILY should purchase. Since I was 17, the choice wound up becoming a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix. After getting it, dad asked me what color it should be painted, and we went to a local paint shop, and after looking through all the color choices, I suggested Midnight Blue, and that's what it wound up being painted.
Granted the car was only the 231 Buick V-6, with an automatic, and wasn't very fast, I still pushed that car pretty good every time I knew I was in a safe place to do so. Did I mention that I grew up in the NYC area? Bit of a difference than someplace like the backwoods of Georgia.
Anyway, I learned several things.
Since it was the family car, I wasn't allowed to break it.
If I did break it, I had to fix it, out of my own pocket.
I also had to learn how to maintain it, too, and that came out of my own pocket.
If I couldn't fix a maintenance issue, I had to pay a mechanic to do it for me.
I never wrecked the car, though I did bump a barrier pole while backing up, that squished the bumper in a bit, but no damage to the body of the car. I spent lots of money on oil changes, plugs, wires, and etc over the years, and even installed a trailer hitch, and used the car to move from NYC to New Brunswick Canada in '94.
I was pretty much the primary driver of that car, and it survived me being a teenager, living in NYC, having my friends in the car with me, and going through many many years of use and abuse.
I was a responsible, but still a fun loving teenager, and having a sporty car worked out.
Honestly, if you can set some rules with your son, and he works at it, and can live up to FAMILY promises, it can work out well. Teaches him responsibility, and the value of many, many dollars.
The first thing you should put on the budget should be new ignition coils, spark plugs, and wires. Just buy them, and install them. The instructions on what you should buy, and how to install them are on this very site. Good introduction to the car.
After that, YOU should drive the car for a week, giving it a proper Italian tune up, over the course of a tank or two of gas.
Once that is done, I recommend taking it to a Mazda shop, and getting a proper compression test done, with the required tester.
If the engine passes the compression test, then you can hand the keys to your son.
And here's where you need to get involved.
Every weekend, you and your son should look the car over for damage.
If you see a new scratch, ask him for an explanation. If he hands you a load of bs, take the keys away until the next week, or until he has repaired the car to your satisfaction. If the accident was another person's fault, work with him and the insurance people to make sure your son doesn't get screwed over, because THEY WILL.
Good luck,
BC.
If the car checks out, then the rest of my post applies.
I feel my son would be capable of taking care of the car (with my assistance). So the more often maintenance isn't a problem, it is the cost of it. I don't want me or my son to have to start spending chunks of change on any car, not much more then just regular oil changes, checking fluid levels, etc.
I've read that you should check the oil levels every 2 or 3 fill ups, maybe if I compile a list of things to check regularly, give him a few days to look over it and give him a "test" to see if he truly cares about the car then it is a keeper?
I've read that you should check the oil levels every 2 or 3 fill ups, maybe if I compile a list of things to check regularly, give him a few days to look over it and give him a "test" to see if he truly cares about the car then it is a keeper?
Granted the car was only the 231 Buick V-6, with an automatic, and wasn't very fast, I still pushed that car pretty good every time I knew I was in a safe place to do so. Did I mention that I grew up in the NYC area? Bit of a difference than someplace like the backwoods of Georgia.
Anyway, I learned several things.
Since it was the family car, I wasn't allowed to break it.
If I did break it, I had to fix it, out of my own pocket.
I also had to learn how to maintain it, too, and that came out of my own pocket.
If I couldn't fix a maintenance issue, I had to pay a mechanic to do it for me.
I never wrecked the car, though I did bump a barrier pole while backing up, that squished the bumper in a bit, but no damage to the body of the car. I spent lots of money on oil changes, plugs, wires, and etc over the years, and even installed a trailer hitch, and used the car to move from NYC to New Brunswick Canada in '94.
I was pretty much the primary driver of that car, and it survived me being a teenager, living in NYC, having my friends in the car with me, and going through many many years of use and abuse.
I was a responsible, but still a fun loving teenager, and having a sporty car worked out.
Honestly, if you can set some rules with your son, and he works at it, and can live up to FAMILY promises, it can work out well. Teaches him responsibility, and the value of many, many dollars.
The first thing you should put on the budget should be new ignition coils, spark plugs, and wires. Just buy them, and install them. The instructions on what you should buy, and how to install them are on this very site. Good introduction to the car.
After that, YOU should drive the car for a week, giving it a proper Italian tune up, over the course of a tank or two of gas.
Once that is done, I recommend taking it to a Mazda shop, and getting a proper compression test done, with the required tester.
If the engine passes the compression test, then you can hand the keys to your son.
And here's where you need to get involved.
Every weekend, you and your son should look the car over for damage.
If you see a new scratch, ask him for an explanation. If he hands you a load of bs, take the keys away until the next week, or until he has repaired the car to your satisfaction. If the accident was another person's fault, work with him and the insurance people to make sure your son doesn't get screwed over, because THEY WILL.
Good luck,
BC.
07-21-2011, 04:19 PM
#16
40th anniversary Edition
Yes there are certainly many sides to the arguments pro and con here, and everyone has their own youthful driving experience to relate.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you both the best.
A rotary devotee since 1973, and still driving the heck out of them.
BTW, I also recently drove my 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 down to Hilton Head Island S.C. to visit an old friend. The drive back and forth from Southern New Jersey was a pleasure and certainly such a long drive home to Ohio , could and would make you fall in love with the RX8. It is a small world, as I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and still have relatives there I visit in my RXs.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you both the best.
A rotary devotee since 1973, and still driving the heck out of them.
BTW, I also recently drove my 2008 40th Anniversary Edition RX8 down to Hilton Head Island S.C. to visit an old friend. The drive back and forth from Southern New Jersey was a pleasure and certainly such a long drive home to Ohio , could and would make you fall in love with the RX8. It is a small world, as I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and still have relatives there I visit in my RXs.
Last edited by gwilliams6; 07-21-2011 at 04:55 PM.
07-21-2011, 04:55 PM
#17
Registered
I didn't have my first car until I was in my 20's. And it wasn't a sports car for sure!!
Peer pressure is real among young people and cars. Hopefully your son will be strong and mire mature than his friends.
Also, I echo the advise that your car should be inspected by a pro. Even though air bags can at times deploy under "minor" situations, you never know what could have happened to that car.
Peer pressure is real among young people and cars. Hopefully your son will be strong and mire mature than his friends.
Also, I echo the advise that your car should be inspected by a pro. Even though air bags can at times deploy under "minor" situations, you never know what could have happened to that car.
07-21-2011, 05:21 PM
#18
40th anniversary Edition
A good point. To be safe, whether you are going to keep the car, or you are going to sell it, you don't want any unseen frame damage or other mechanical problems to go unrepaired by a professional mechanic or licensed frame repairer. On one of my RX7s a seemingly small fender bender resulted in non apparent frame damage. My professional body shop laser-measured the frame on the car and found out it was bent. It required a professional frame repair to be certified for coverage by my insurance company.
You seem to have a level head about all this, and you came to the right place to get advice, and knowledgeable opinions. So I am sure you will do right by the car and make the right decision for your son.
You seem to have a level head about all this, and you came to the right place to get advice, and knowledgeable opinions. So I am sure you will do right by the car and make the right decision for your son.
Last edited by gwilliams6; 07-21-2011 at 05:30 PM.
07-21-2011, 05:40 PM
#19
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My 2 cents regarding young RX-8 owners (drivers) from my New Owners thread (https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/)
If you found found the pleasure of a well handling car, keep the 8 for yourself / away from him and get him a 1990-1996 Miata for a couple grand, let him use that for a time. 100hp from the NA is quick enough to be interesting for him, but not fast. It's small though, and not as safe as the RX-8 if it's in a collision, so that may sway your decision. Agreed with some of the points above. I've always thought I was a good driver, and when it comes to car control and reaction, I don't think I've ever been bad. But I made A TON of stupid decision at a moment's notice when I was a kid, and I come from a family of fighter pilots so speed just doesn't overwhelm me as fast as other people.
If I had an RX-8 as my first, or near first car, I'd probably be dead.
Young Owners:
(This was writen to one specific owner, but I am leaving it with the personal and targeted verbage)
A side note added: about a year after I wrote this to that specific owner, he totaled his 8. One of the best and most respectable kids to show up on the boards, and it still happened to him.
To be brutally honest though, we often make heavy attempts to steer kids (sorry, you are ) away from the 8 as a first car. First cars are usually neglected, abused, and/or wrecked. And we don't imply that it would all be your fault either. My first car lasted 2.5 months, ending it's life with an SUV landing on it's hood while I was stopped. **** happens. How prepared are you to lose a car that you will probably form an emotional attachment to? (it happens. Everyone either loves or hates this car)
Abusing the 8 doesn't have the same definition as other cars, but, with no real road experience, driving the 8 properly is insanely easy to land you in significant legal trouble. My first day driving my 8 I was up to 123 on I-70 winding through the mountains without any straights before I got woken up from heaven by passing another car like it was standing still, glanced down at the speedo and was shocked to realize how fast I was. Most owners have this same type of experience. If it happens at a bad point, you are talking arrestable.
Again, you seem smarter than most teenagers that come on here, and with the money saved up for it, more responsible and probably would take better care of it, but just some things to keep in mind. You can find a great Miata for a few thousand that will help teach you about maintenance while still getting the same handling without nearly the speed potential.
Regardless of your decision, I highly highly highly recommend you get to local SCCA autocross events. Seriously. Even 1 event will help improve your driving. Keep doing it for fun and education though, it's the best bang for the buck that you can have in your own car. Driver mods before car mods.
(This was writen to one specific owner, but I am leaving it with the personal and targeted verbage)
A side note added: about a year after I wrote this to that specific owner, he totaled his 8. One of the best and most respectable kids to show up on the boards, and it still happened to him.
To be brutally honest though, we often make heavy attempts to steer kids (sorry, you are ) away from the 8 as a first car. First cars are usually neglected, abused, and/or wrecked. And we don't imply that it would all be your fault either. My first car lasted 2.5 months, ending it's life with an SUV landing on it's hood while I was stopped. **** happens. How prepared are you to lose a car that you will probably form an emotional attachment to? (it happens. Everyone either loves or hates this car)
Abusing the 8 doesn't have the same definition as other cars, but, with no real road experience, driving the 8 properly is insanely easy to land you in significant legal trouble. My first day driving my 8 I was up to 123 on I-70 winding through the mountains without any straights before I got woken up from heaven by passing another car like it was standing still, glanced down at the speedo and was shocked to realize how fast I was. Most owners have this same type of experience. If it happens at a bad point, you are talking arrestable.
Again, you seem smarter than most teenagers that come on here, and with the money saved up for it, more responsible and probably would take better care of it, but just some things to keep in mind. You can find a great Miata for a few thousand that will help teach you about maintenance while still getting the same handling without nearly the speed potential.
Regardless of your decision, I highly highly highly recommend you get to local SCCA autocross events. Seriously. Even 1 event will help improve your driving. Keep doing it for fun and education though, it's the best bang for the buck that you can have in your own car. Driver mods before car mods.
If I had an RX-8 as my first, or near first car, I'd probably be dead.
07-22-2011, 12:13 AM
#22
King Dan
Join Date: Jan 2011
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ummm... The RX-8 has a 5 star crash test rating, and has an excellent crash avoidance score from consumer reports.. What other car would you recomend for under $12,000? I doubt very many would be as safe as the RX-8
07-22-2011, 12:24 AM
#23
I am not a father but I lost my father at a young age so I had to do a lot on my own...
My Rx-8 was my first car, I bought it myself, pay for everything myself, I've had it for over 2 years, was never in an accident. Now an Rx-8 6speed might have 238bhp, but it's rather slow compared to other cars and is actually a lot safer than 90% of cars on the road. I think it was the first car sold in the U.S to get 5 star crash rollover? Again, I do not know your son, but no matter what car he drives there's always a possibility of getting in a wreck.
As a side note, if the airbags were deployed, the crumple zones might not be at factory specs and could possibly be dangerous if an accident occurs in the same spot.
My Rx-8 was my first car, I bought it myself, pay for everything myself, I've had it for over 2 years, was never in an accident. Now an Rx-8 6speed might have 238bhp, but it's rather slow compared to other cars and is actually a lot safer than 90% of cars on the road. I think it was the first car sold in the U.S to get 5 star crash rollover? Again, I do not know your son, but no matter what car he drives there's always a possibility of getting in a wreck.
As a side note, if the airbags were deployed, the crumple zones might not be at factory specs and could possibly be dangerous if an accident occurs in the same spot.
07-22-2011, 08:45 AM
#24
40th anniversary Edition
Good post devtec. I agree.
Hey kingdan2 no five star rating helps when teens in RX8s plow into trees and the car burns to the ground, or crash head on into other cars at speed. As a news photographer I have seen the results. an RX8 is too tempting for teens to push the limits of the car and their young driving abilities ,especially with their abandonment of any caution while behind the wheel.
like I said above, if you search fatal accidents,RX8 and teens, there are way too many sad results.
Any parent giving their 16 yr old an RX8 is rolling the dice on their life. Let them get some years of experience first in a less volatile car. Help them live long enough to become the mature, experienced and cautious enough driver to handle all the capabilities of an RX8.
Hey kingdan2 no five star rating helps when teens in RX8s plow into trees and the car burns to the ground, or crash head on into other cars at speed. As a news photographer I have seen the results. an RX8 is too tempting for teens to push the limits of the car and their young driving abilities ,especially with their abandonment of any caution while behind the wheel.
like I said above, if you search fatal accidents,RX8 and teens, there are way too many sad results.
Any parent giving their 16 yr old an RX8 is rolling the dice on their life. Let them get some years of experience first in a less volatile car. Help them live long enough to become the mature, experienced and cautious enough driver to handle all the capabilities of an RX8.
Last edited by gwilliams6; 07-25-2011 at 10:27 PM.
08-17-2011, 08:02 PM
#25
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Yes, I am an anesthesiologist in a Level One trauma center. Seen things you can't believe. We had to take a teenager's dominant arm off at the shoulder joint the other day because of a car accident. Do not get this car for your son now. Maybe when he's twenty.