TheFallenAngel09

Alrighty I graduated from college a couple months ago and my grad gift is a car of my choice. Well I fell in love with the RX8 when I first saw one in 05 so obivously I am leaning towards that car. My budget is around 30 grand...obivously I can't buy it outright...but my gift is that they would cover the first 6 months of payments and my job I have now pays 35 a year so I figured a 30 grand car would be around what I can afford...(oh I don't pay rent or ultities so my income would go basically to the car) But there are two RX8's on Mazda's lot, both the R3 model(I don't plan on really toying with mods just yet :-)) And they are around 27 each both black so I those are my first choice. But I really do enjoy the Eclispe's torque and slightly better gas mileage...I know blasphemy. But also I've seen some 350Z's around here too. So basically my question to the forum is Is the RX8 that much better that I can ignore the poor gas mileage and less than ideal torque? I am already leaning towards the RX8 cause of how cool it looks...but any other advantages I should know about?

Symbioticgenius

Get a Z
/thread.

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

the eclipse has torque?

klanham08

If I was in your shoes, I would look into a 370Z. Don't get me wrong, I love everything about my 8, and I would love to have the new models.

But 370Z is amazing lol.

warren(silver-roxy-8)

test drive the cars, then make ur choice from there

Symbioticgenius

V6 = 265hp and 262lb\ft to be exact. but its still fail wheel drive.
I've driven the 4 version, and its nice, handles decent, fairly quick but its still fail wheel drive. I stand by my previous recommendation.
Z.

matter of fact, allow me to recommend the Chrysler Crossfire before Renesis SE3P does.

klanham08

I agree.....don't know why I didn't think of that first lol.

RxMadness

iTrader: (2)

you like the Eclipse... seriously?


I drove the I4 model while car shopping and thought it was one of the most miserable driving experiences in my life. I even planted the throttle to get back to the dealership and end the test drive faster. Too much plastic, poor visibility, more road noise than a Wrangler with the top down. Fail car man. Go do some more test drives and buy what you fall in love with, at the 30k budget I'd be looking at the R3, WRX, 370z, Gen Coupe and 'Maro.

RufusVonStorm

In your situation I would REALLY REALLY think about buying a gently used RX-8 rather than a brand new one. You'll save thousands and have a much lower payment.

Alexb

iTrader: (1)

IF you want to get an 8. I think the r3's come in white.. maybe not in america... but still if you can get white... do it.

I have a black car and not only do I think white looks better because of the contrast.. but also black gets SO DAMN HOT.

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

I just personally wouldn't buy a brand new rx8 but hey I guess somebody has to.

Symbioticgenius

well, mine was a friends car, with a little money in mods, all the difference I suppose.

There are 09's with less than 10k on the clock going for low 20's, R3's around 25. Now is the time to set foot into one. That's what I'm gonna do.

However, I recommend the Z for you.

DRFTGTO

Test drive, also a brand new 370Z starts at 28,000 and a very good 07 and above can be had for around 25k

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

The 370Z has thoroughly eclipsed (pun intended) the RX-8 with great handling and monster Hp & torque. About the only downside is poor rear-blindspot visibility and perhaps some ride comfort if you're more into GT. We all love our 8's, but if buying today .....

Heck, I had a first year Laser (Eclipse) back in '90 (June '89). Drove it six years and passed it on to my son who drove it another seven. Fun little 16v transverse 4-banger car then, that has matured well to the present. 20 years of continuous production says something.

CWP8

Whatever you do, please don't get an Eclipse. While my 8 was in the shop for the past two weeks, I had a rental '08 Eclipse 4 banger. It has the worst turning radius of any car I've ever driven... have fun making tight U turns. The interior looks, feels, and screams CHEAP. It was just plain bad. When I got my 8 back a couple days ago the difference in EVERYTHING... well I just can't explain. I missed her

But don't get an 8 because it "looks cool." Get one because you've researched the car (as well as your other options), driven the car, and fallen in love with the car.

Eish

In all honesty, the way the car looks is a novelty that wears off quickly if you are not satisfied with the whole package. If your really like brute force, you will never get over the low torque in the RX8. The 370Z looks good too, and it's quick off the mark. And it handles great too, but not as good as the RX8.

I don't know about Lotus, it is way beyond my price range and I don't know anybody who drive one....

cyclone1208

iTrader: (5)

Get a slighlty used RX-8....mod the hell out of it with the remaining cash u have........the end

DRFTGTO

Does it have to be brand new? If not consider the a GTO maybe, much faster and better fuel economy

ken-x8

Better at what?

IMHO, you have to want a rotary engine for an RX-8 to make sense. When I went car shopping, I was not seeking a rotary. In fact, I didn't even know about the 8 until I uncovered it while researching what was available. Once I learned about it, that it had a Wankel was a huge plus. But if my reaction had been neutral, I'd have gotten something else.

Ken

chameleonGTS

It has already been mentioned here, but the single biggest advantage that the RX8 has over the Eclipse is that the RX8 is RWD and the Eclipse is FWD. It is possible to go fast and have a lot of fun in a FWD car but I personally would never consider a FWD performance car at this point in my life. The main advantage to the RX8 in general is the way it feels when you drive it. The refinement and the overall feel that the car gives you is the pure sports car feel I was looking for. Also In my opinion, the RX8 had the nicest interior of all other cars that were on my short list.

TheFallenAngel09

Thank you all guys I really do appreciate the advice, I was kinda hoping to shorten up my list of cars I like. Cause at one point I was reviewing and possibly looking and wanting more than 20+ cars. So I used to drive a Miata so I got used to a nice handling car and then got stuck in a four door Chrylser for college...so I think I've paid my dues in patiences with a boring...slow...poor handling...frequent break down of cars. But I do have two other cars that nobody seemed to mention the Impreza WRX STi and the Lancer Evo...but I have nixed the Eclipse, still the RX8 is at the top with the Z right behind I will eventually test drive and let you guys know what I thought...hopefully I will be apart of your club :D but any other things to say about the Evo and STi?

JinDesu

iTrader: (2)

STI is pretty devoid of most comforts. The only STI I know that has most of the creature comforts you can find with the 8 is the 2007 special anniversary one. That still sells for nearly 30k, and is pretty hard to find.

The Evo is also pretty lacking in amenities, but is better off. Both are ridiculously fast in the right hands, and having AWD can be helpful in certain locations.

CarAndDriver

Dont get a new 8, get a cheap low miles used one. The resale value is the pits. Then pocket the rest of the money.

chameleonGTS

The EVO and WRX STi are both pretty awesome and I highly doubt you would have any buyers remorse with either of those two cars. The STi is my personal favorite of those two. I have owned a Subaru Legacy wagon, a Forrester, and a 2.5 RS Impreza and they were all really good cars for me. I hope I don't draw too much wrath from the Mitsu fans for saying this, but I just think that Subaru is a better car company all around when compared to Mitsubishi. The reasons I choose the STi over the EVO are:

1. The Subaru brand
2. The engine - this is a Subaru win for me because of its somewhat unique boxer design that grants a low center of gravity, has more displacement, and awesome exhaust sound.
3. The transmission - The STi comes with a 6 speed. The EVO comes with a 5 speed. You can get a 6 speed in the EVO but its one of those boring clutchless computer controlled transmissions.

I test drove both of these cars and they are both a blast to drive. The main downfall of them is that the platform are the cheapest vehicles in Subaru/Mitsubishi's entire line up. Don't get me wrong, I think they are well worth the money; but the fact is that what your getting for that money is a cheap car with an expensive drivetrain. I personally don't care about being the fastest guy out there, I just want my car to be fast enough for it to be exciting for me to drive. I would rather have a little less performance for better perceived quality of the interior, ride quality, ect. Because of that, I passed on both the EVO and the STi. I hope this helps!

hkspoweredrx8

iTrader: (1)

clean...used...supra tt.