Rotard

I've been lurking here and there for about a month now and I've really considered the rx-8 but it seems performance-wise the rx-8 can't stand up to vtech and the s2k revs to 9k as well. Gets better gas mileage as well :\ but I really like the rotary concept and the styling.. seems the s2k is the cross between rx-8 and mx5.. help me for I am a newby

mattrotary34

the new s2k's i think its 06'(ap2) and up only rev to 8k bc they have a bigger displacement than the earlier models (ap1)
ive owned both an s2k (ap1) and i now have an rx8......
maybe thatl tell ya something

SVgamer72

Unless you are on a race track, who cares how well the RX-8 "stands up to V-Tech"?

No matter what you drive there will always be something out there that is faster, or handles better, or looks better, or whatever. When you turn the key you are starting a machine, not a spec sheet.

Buy the car that stirs your soul and meets your needs. Not the one that has a better spec sheet, your friends "think" is better, you think will attract girls better, or for any other external reason. A confident adult makes their own decisions.

mattrotary34

agreed...

legendkurado

It all comes down what you prefer. Don't buy a rx8 just because it's a rotary, buy it because you like the car. The best way to determine what you wan tto buy is driving both cars and imagining which would be the better car suited for your needs. The s2k and the rx8 are very similar. As much as I love the 8 you can't really expect it to outperform a non compromised sports roadster. However with the s2k you will be stuck with a two seater, with almost no room in the trunk and interior. The s2k is barely faster, and both are costly to mod.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

umm, you can compare performance all day long, and while the 8 will hang w/ an s2k, the s2k will win every time. so it really comes down to 4 things:

1. do you want a gt or a convertible.
2. do you want/need the xtra space (8 has 4 seats and a pretty good size trunk).
3. i believe the 8 has more creature comforts (heated seats, nav option, etc.) whereas the s2k is more raw track car; which would you rather have?
2. the 8 has a more of a "feel" to it that 8 owners love - drive it and see if you love it too, if not, the s2k might be a better fit for you.

Deathcraft

If you're smart enuff, you should already know what majority of us would say when you asked this question on "RX8club" forum.

And if you're smarter, you would save urself from wasting some precious time asking the same question on s2kclub cuz you should know what THEY would say.

So...if you really need a non-bias answer, you should ask this on a mustangclub forum (sarcasm)..:P

Rotard

Thanks for the help, I've been leaning towards the RX-8 but my brothers a honda freak and always reminds me how dependable it is etc. Another thing he stresses that it's a Ford..

restiller

the best way to decide is a test drive. I tried the GTO and even though it has better MPG and HP than the 8, the GTO still felt too heavy and floaty for me. i was also considering the s2k, but i would have to sell my drumset.

if gas is an issue for you too, go for the s2k.

REsuperD

for me, the s2k is the kind of car that i'd have fun w/ for a while and then get sick of and probably ditch for something more sensible, useful, and comfortable...and then jump back into a sports car again after i get bored again (unless i have disposable $ to keep multiple cars around and running). on the other hand, the 8 is the best of both worlds. it's a high-strung sports car but also a relatively comfortable and usable car that i'd just hang on to

Evofusion

Its funny because I have an RX-8 and my best friend has an S2k. They're completely different, yet have so much in common. 2 passenger Convertible vs 4 door-4 passenger. Rotary vs the I4. Etc.

Ive driven both and I would understand why it would be a hard choice between the two. They both rev to 9k (ap1's do, anyways), they both suck at low end torque, and both are super fun to drive. Ultimately, however, it comes down to your priorities. The RX-8 and S2K were also my two choices, but I went with the RX-8 for the extra seats, but that was just a personal preference. I'm also a big guy, and the extra room to scoot the seat back in the RX-8 is a big plus for me. I have trouble getting adjusted to the S2000 as the seat doesn't scoot very far back.

Reliability definitely goes to the Honda, no brainer there, but the rotary isn't bad if you know how to take care of the engine. Heck, if I can do it, so can anyone.

I love the super smooth rev of the RX-8 all the way to redline, but hitting Vtec in the S2k gets quite addicting too, haha. The RX-8 is also relatively quieter on the inside compared to the s2000, but then again the s2000 sounds like a raw sports car when you really get on it.

Whatever you choose good luck. Test drive both and see what you like, focus on your priorities. OH! and if gas is in your list of priorities and its up there, don't think that the s2000 is super great on gas either, the little 2.0 and 2.4L engines love the gasoline - 18/24 for AP1 and 17/23 for the AP2, which could roughly be compared to the 3.5L V6 that the 350z has which gives 17/24 for the older models and 18/25 for the new ones.

Again good luck with whatever you choose and sorry my post was long. I'm here bored at work with nothing better to do

robrecht

^^^ I would think this would be the easiest decision in the world.

1. Do you want a convertible? 2. Do you need 4 seats?

A. Yes, No, buy an s2k, or better yet a Lotus Elise.
B. No, Yes, buy an RX-8
C. Yes, Yes, look elsewhere, but it won't be much of a sports car.
D. No, No, look elsewhere. Plenty of coupes out there or 2+2 types that don't have real rear seats. Personally, I highly recommend a Cayman. But if you really want a rotary, congratulations, and either get an FD as a hobby car or make due with what you have until the successor to the RX-7 comes out in 2010 or 2011 with the 16x.
E. None of the above. If can't answer these two questions yet, you gotta make up your mind before you consider buying a car.

ken-x8

It's not a Ford. Ford owns a substantial chunk of Mazda, and I think there's some badging action amongst their trucks, but the RX-8 is pure Mazda.

Ken

alexisthemovie

Okay first of all, what it comes down to is this, the RX8 offers 80% of the performance, but with 200% of the practicality. If it's going to be your only car, by all means, think twice before getting into an s2000. The RX8 can double as a comfortable daily and a fairly fun cruiser, although in my opinion it's more of a GT car than anything else.

The s2000 sucks to daily drive. It drones on the inside, even with the stock exhaust. The stock stereo is garbage, there's no storage space in the cabin, it's cramped. The seat is barely adjustable. The steering column ISN'T adjustable...

But, to some, just the sheer pleasure of driving one on a fun road is enough to be able to live with these nuances.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

^Well said.

JRichter

The Mazda RX-8 is pretty much 100% Japanese and 100% Mazda with Ford having no say in its specific development. Except for the MX-5, just about every other car in their lineup is a different story.

Evofusion

Funny, these are ALL the reasons why I didn't pick the s2000


Really fun though

Rotard

Good points!

briann

Go to an s2k forum and ask them too.
See what they have to say so you can get both sides of the story(:

dozer

iTrader: (3)

WOW...good points made from an s2k owner...constructive critism.....ive drivin both and both are fun to drive... i still felt like the rx8 was for me....just my opinion

Socket7

Get the 8.

nuff said.

Haze

Other than this has two 2. points, I think that this is the analysis. Do you want a drop top or do you want four seats? What do you want the car to do? I have a 2 seat drop top, and older Alfa Romeo, and although I love it, I could never use it as an everyday car. I just need to carry more than that, but if you're a young person it might be right for you for an every day car. They're both great cars. Figure out what you want and no one is going to be able to decide that for you.

alexisthemovie

Here's some more points to take into consideration...

When I was car shopping a few months ago, it was down to the S2K and RX8. I'm sure quite a few others have narrowed their choices down to these two as well. A good friend of mine is on this board and I've driven his car a few times and ridden in it a ton of times. After driving an s2000, the first thing you will notice when steeping into an RX8 is all the extra space. The s2000 steering feels sharper and as good as the RX8's shifter is, it's still a far cry (imo) from the snick snick of the s2000's. It's also noticeably faster, pre-vtec, and especially after 6000 rpm which is where both cars make their power. Lastly, don't forget that with one touch of a switch, you can give yourself millions of miles of headroom.

In the end, though, I feel that the RX8 suits me better. The S2000 has been my dream car for as long as I can remember, but it being my only car is extremely impractical, especially with the way I've modified it. The RX8 is a fun to drive GT car with it's own fair share of downsides. In fact, I would recommend trying out more cars than either of these and decide which suits you best. But I can tell you that one test drive isn't enough.

And that's the reason why I am on the RX8 boards; currently looking for an 05 shinka...

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

If ur over 5'10 and 190Ilbs, forget about the S2000 unless all ur gonna use it for is a weekender or for the track. I have always liked the S2000, both the styling and performance. Im much too big to fit comfortably in one (dont like convertibles so i would have to had the hardtop anyways), so it didnt really factor in to my choices back when i was car hunting. Had it been a bit more accomodating for a larger fella it would have been in my top 2 (with the 8 of course).

Test drive both of them thoroughly (and near their limits) and buy the one that leaves the most lasting impression on you.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

i love the s2k, but couldn't jump into it at the time because of insurance. I'm a small person and could live with a two seater and the trunk space. I usually don't have more than one passenger nor do i carry a lot of junk. But i just love my rx-8 too much now.