illuzionz

i am 16, an seriously considering an RX-8, i really dont know to much about it, but can you owners give me the basics and the -main- reasons for me to get this car. My parents are wanting me to get something a little bit cheap, such as an RSX Type S, but...the RX-8 is sooooo sexie as i see it. but can someone also breifly explain the rotary engine and how it works, thx, it would be very much appreciated.

Consideration:
Black - 6Speed Manual - Cloth Interior(Leather gets to hot)
thats about it for now.
any suggestions?

thx, the new guy

GiN

...This sounds like trouble...

My first suggestion would be to go out and buy a beat up first generation (1979~1985) RX-7 and some shop manuals. Then try to restore the car to good working spec and drive it around. That total investment doesn't need to be any more than $1500.

As for the "rotary engine" aspect, does it really make a difference at this point if you don't know much about "piston engines" either?

TheColonel

My suggestion is to drive something you won't be upset if you wreck for at least a year or two. I'm 20 and I'm going to be getting my first new car (RX-8... duh) next month. You'll be glad you didn't get a new car when you misjudge the distance to that other car in the rear mirror while backing up or when Big Billy Joe Bob slams the door of his rusty 73' Chevy into your door or when Spike Brianson doesn't like that you were talking to cute little Suzzie and so he keys your car and kicks the fender in...

High School is no place for new cars...

Also, it's best to learn to drive on a tamer, yet capable car. You might want to look at Acura Integras. There are nices one's cheap and they're very forgiving when you're inexpierienced. I know mine served me quite well.

Youngkyun739

I am also 20, and I will say at 16... I was a fuggin idiot about cars. I tried so hard to rice up my accord that I ended up blowing out 3 shocks and messing up my headlights trying to black it out.

The MPG on the rx8 i bet would put a large dent in your social life. But i dont have an rx8 yet, so I cant say for sure :D

Honestly, go get a civic/accord/rsx/integra, preferably used. you will mess up your car, dent it, scratch it and forget to get oil changes. It's a given. you cant beat the mpg's on those cars, espcially when yer a starving college student

but I doubt you will listen to anything any of us say, because I wouldn't have either if I could have gotten a rx8 at 16. Enjoy that rx8 :D

Feras

iTrader: (1)

another kid without any experience wanting a taste of what real driving is, i can't blame you for wanting one, however i can say that i dont want to see anyone under 20 driving a car like the rx8. especially for example on those cold winter mornings where you wont see the patch of black ice as your zoom zooming along trying to impress a cheerleader and since you have no idea how to control a RWD you're going to hit someone like me on the way to work, and i will be majorly and genuinely pissed because i worked long and hard in college to be at the top of my game so i can get a job making enough money to afford a car like this on top of all the other pleasures in life...but chances are you won't listen so i ask this question:

if daddy is going to buy you what you want anyway, why dont you just get on the waiting list for the lotus elise or get him to spring for a porsche? trust me all those jerks in HS who can't afford an rx8 are going to be that much more impressed and jealous with one of these.

sorry to sound sarcastic, but hey he's a kid he needs it

Mr M

Why is everyone telling this person not to buy an 8? Because he/she is 16? The only difference between buying a car like this at 16 and at 36 is the extra knowledge (and maybe income) of the 36 year old. Which is why this guy/girl is asking you!

Go ahead and buy an 8 if you can! It is great to drive and looks nice. Probably a little expensive to run around town (highish fuel consumption), and a little cramped for long trips (although nobody on this forum has complained yet). You will love driving this car, no doubt about it.

It needs attention though. You must keep a close eye on the oil level (rotaries inject oil into the engine for lubrication), and because it is a rotary you have to watch out for the dreaded stalling/flooding. Basically, it is a great car for enthusiasts - learn about the car and you will be able to drive with a lot more peace of mind.

If you are looking for points to convince your parents with:
1) The rotary engine produces the power of a 2.5 liter engine, although it is only 1.3 liters
2) The rotary engine is super smooth, because it is, er, rotary
3) The rotary engine has about half the components of a normal reciprocal engine - less parts = less to break/wear out
4) The rotary engine uses basically the same type of engine management system as reciprocal engines, it is not a pile of new, unproved technology that might break at anytime.
5) The engine is tiny, and light, meaning it can be placed further back in the chassis resulting in excellent handling
6) Still on handling, it has state of the art multi-link suspension
7) It has Electric Power Steering, which means no power steering fluid hoses to burst or fluid to top up (cheaper maintenance)
8) It is safe, 6 airbags, a crushable aluminum hood to absorb cats/dogs/people you inadvertently run over, strength in the sides equivalent to a normal passenger car, even though it has no B-pillar
9) Sales are on a roll! This may mean expensive insurance, but should also mean good resale value.
10) With an 8 you will become a member of the Mazda family, Mazda6, Mazda3, Miata, RX-8 - they are a different type of people, in a good way!

Go for it!

zoom44

hey kid welcome!

start by reading the little things thread that should give you alot of good reasons to buy the car. also to help convince your parents check out all the safety features of this car.

also read this new thread where people are discussing having just test driven the car. if that doesn't convince you- nothing will.

spike9mm

if you want to know a lot more about how cars work, try going to www.howstuffworks.com and do a search for rotary engines and normal engines. they explain in plain english how everything runs. also, btw, i am 18 and i am loving my 8. i pay for my own gas and insurance which is quite a bit for this kind of car, but definitely worth it. definitely go for it man, but just remember to take good care of it, meaning make sure to take care of the engine and not just giving it a carwash every week.

Jailbreak'74

I hate little rich kids.

illuzionz

well thx 2 everyone for ur replies, i have been driving for almost 3 years now, since i have had my permit since i was 14. I haven't had any accidents yet. But most of the cars i have been driving have been autos, i have expirience wit MTs. I have the occasiional stalls, but after 2 or 3 of them im good. I test drove the 8 a few weeks ago and only stalled once, so I dont think i'll mess it up too bad. but i am also curious on what packages you have, an how much u paid for it. Like compared to the actual retail did you try to bargain down, and how much?

thx, the new guy

Feras

iTrader: (1)

hey! nothing wrong with being a rich kid, its a matter of being a spoiled rich kid. My dad rolled in the money but he never let me see a dime because i had to learn the value of money and earn responsibility to get priviliges, and in all honesty i wouldn't have wanted it any other way...id be pissed at the spoiled ones who ruin things for everyone else

Feras

iTrader: (1)

i got a touring with appearance spoiler navigation listed $33330 i got it for $30183 (invoice was 30300). Bargaining is key, these guys know you're gaga for the car, i threatened to walk a number of times to get my way. There are quite a few good books on negotiation, one by a guy named Richard Shell (forgot the name of book) but i got that one at school and that helped me out...just make sure you are ready for this car, there are quite a few intangibles (get the TCS and DSC for sure) after the price is negotiated, this baby requires an upkeep of sorts...my suggestion is get a lesser car until you're out of high school, and pay for everything in that car (gas insurance repairs etc) before you go to the 8, gives you a good idea of how much more to expect to pay with an 8 and its a good life lesson on responsibility and ownership...(geez i sound old fyi im 22)

Mr M

Regarding negotiating a deal, simply getting a quote/estimate from two or three dealers first (face-to-face) is usually a good idea. Then you go back to the guy you like, and ask what he can do for you. That usually sets up a good relationship between you and the salesman, because you came back to him!