oakleyfool007

HEy guys I posted a couple of weeks ago about my attempts at convincing my dad to let me get an rx-8. Unfortuantely he will not let me get a M/T so I have decided to look at some other cars.
(All used)
1-G35 sedan-Fastest on the list, nice car
2-Scion tc-Also pretty nice, low HP and TQ
3-Mazda 3-Dont know much about it
4-RX-8(auto)-I would only be able to get an 04 or 05 and obviously these have less HP and the MT is apparently the only way to go on thsi car
So let me know what everybody thinks...

lilring

iTrader: (11)

go ahead and get the AUTO RX8.. its still a fun car to drive and it will put a smile on your face everytime you drive it.. or if u want a car thats good on gas go with the Mazda 3. (MAZDASPEED)

xcxhxrxixsx

i have a scion tc as my daily driver . i put the trd supercharger on it still get the 100 k mile warrenty and its not a bad car with the supercharger .

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

I'm only 20 and I've got an ATX 05 8' as my daily driver.

I'd totally recommend it. It isn't as slow as everyone makes it out to be, and really that doesn't matter at all, because at the end of the day it still looks, handles, brakes and feels just like any 8.

Buuuut...if you're going to be supporting yourself on this, then you might want to stay away. Any rx-8 that you buy will require a bit more maintenance than any cars on that list.

We're talkin spark plugs, tranny flushes, 8-12 oil changes, rear differential lube, tires, etc yearly...depending on how much you drive

04RX8man

One if this is ur first car you need to search and see what other ppl that are getting their first car are pointed to do...2 the auto is really not worth it(in my mind some ppl will say different) just search around and you will find everything i need..

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

Get the Mazda 3.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

x2.

beers

Cubicle Dweller

If you were my kid, I'd get you the 3. Stick, auto, who cares, and it beats driving a Geo Metro or a bus pass. I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing I gave my 16 year old keys to any sports car.

snowflakes

iTrader: (4)

i'd say G35 even though alot of people has one but its still a really good daily driver~
Did you look into a Subaru Legacy GT(used)..?? not a bad price and its definitley a fun car to drive , and its paddle shifting with 3 different driving modes.

jlf12345

I second the mazda 3. Its a fun car to drive compared to most out there. I came from an '03 Grand Prix to an '06 Mazda 3, and kept the car. If you really want a stick, maybe you can convince em that a 5 speed, 4-door is the best way to learn to drive... if you can afford it, and cant give up the idea of driving an 8, look for an '06+ model if you can, but there isnt anything wrong with an 04-05 either

btw, my first car was a POS 1984 V6 convertible mustang automatic....

KoDeD

My first car was a honda accord 1998. I'd say go with the 3, it's probably your best bet (on that list) as a first car.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

mazda 3
RX-8 = not much fun.

greg985

I am not a fan of the Scion

bugster

g35>=rx8>3

SilverHokie

iTrader: (1)

Test drove a Mazda 3 with the GF the other day. Wasnt very exciting...and its hard to see in that thing. It has a blind spot worse than the 8 and thats saying alot.

I love the way G35's look...but you have to get an auto?

luis@championsmotorsports

all the options look great and im sure they are all good cars, the main thing is for you to be happy .....dont get one or the other and then wish you had that one or that other.does that make sence?

04RX8man

no sports cars should b bought with AT if you have to get AT the the Scion is the only one you should get...

flagella

getting an AT rx8 is pretty much pointless.

quazmosis

iTrader: (2)

Mazda would've made the AT if it was pointless. Mature will you?

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

^

Eh...whatever. I've got an AT, and I don't let comments like that bother me... To each his own. If someone feels the need to actively bash the automatic version of the rx-8, then so be it I guess.

Rote8

Hey, the Automatic can get more blower overdrive due to the 7000 RPM rev limit....

You do want to go F/I.... right?

exsequor

iTrader: (1)

Haha actually I do!

But that's gonna have to wait for $, warranty, and some current legal issues I just got into.

I love the car though, I really do. To me the power delivery is just fine, it isn't fast, but to me that's not the point. It's still just as every bit exhilarating to drive. Not to mention, I really don't think the speed difference between the two is as phenominal as everyone says. I realize the MT feels faster and is a 1-2s faster (or more), but to me that isn't huge

I've actually raced a silver MT rx-8 a couple months back with Washington plates. We were speeding from light to light (erm I mean, around the track), and when we both got stopped next to each other, he did a full clutch launch and smoked the tires nicely. But anyways, I was within 1-2 car lengths behind him the entire time. Infact when I shifted into second I could see myself catching ground on him.

It was really perfect, and I wish I had a video to show the comparison (we got up to about 100). I'm not lying when I say it was surprisingly close until I shifted into third (I've got the 4 spd ATX)

CaptainCanada

Man, I wish I had this dilemma on my hands. My first car was a 1978 Leyland Mini. You try rolling on 8" rims... When my dad let my drive his Saab 900 it was like a whole different world.

I really don't see what your dad has against you driving stick. It's a skill that you really should learn. Nobody likes to find out once everyone is drunk that the DD never learned to drive stick so everyone has to cab it.

That being said, if an automatic is a must you should go out and test drive some of the cars on the list you've got and see which one you like. Frankly I think Mazda got it right: There's more to driving than the feeling of being thrown back in your seat. That philosophy has carried over to their other cars beautifully.

I, personally, have enjoyed the feeling of taking a corner at twice the recommended speed and not even feeling like I should slow down(Don't do this. Seriously). The RX-8 handles like it's on rails. Don't tell your dad that though, he'll probably be worried you're going to go all "fast and the furious" on him. The 3 is also a wonderful car, and it's substantially less hard on your wallet (not to mention your parents worried minds).

Get the RX-8 if you don't give a sweet damn about the price of gas, since gas in America is still cheaper than it is anywhere else in the civilized world. Otherwise I'd say go for the 3.

Rhawb

Mazda 3, and try to convince him to let you get manual. It's not just a performance thing, you'll realize that it forces you to be a better driver almost immediately. Point out that it makes you pay attention to what you're doing - that's certainly what it did for me. Doesn't hurt that it would be cheaper too.

Plus, the 3 makes it VERY easy to learn stick, and it's a fun car without being dangerous for an inexperienced driver.

oakleyfool007

arite thanks a lot everybody for all the input. Im gunna take the advice and go test drive these cars over the weekend. I guess Ill just update the situation as soon as i go this weekend. Thanks again