mshea

OK, this is obviously a personal decision but some feedback from you gentlemen and ladies will help this old guys' perspective:

I have a '05 GT (VR) with 29k miles, Koni's, MS springs and with a trunk full of parts to be installed next week - MS CAI, MS exhaust, RB sways, Hawks, rotors. I truly love the car (even though VR isn't my personal style) - and most important....my 5 and 3 year old sons adore the car. Always garaged, full updates, etc. and in generally great shape. But I'm considering picking up either a '08 40th (love the colors and wheels) or a '09 R3 (not warmed up to the copy-cat aesthetics yet and don't like the colors).

Here's why: I honestly believe that 30 years from now, this car will be collectable. I say this as a nearly 50 year old car-guy who used to own and trash muscle cars (my first was a '69 Olds 442 Convertable back in '76), TR6's and later BMW's as a young kid and adult whose prices have all gone through the roof. Point is, what is collectable as an adult is likely what you fall in love with as a kid. RX8's certainly fit in that club.

With that in mind, instead of buying a classic BMW 3.0CS which I would crave but means nothing to my kids, I'm thinking about buying one of the new cars mentioned above and preserving it to enjoy over the next 30 years with my kids - or just keep the one that I have and do the same.

So my question to the forum, money aside, which car do you think best represents the 'Mazda RX8 legacy'? The R3 is a somewhat obvious choice although the '09 refinements in general look like more of a desperate marketing promotion to extend the brand life cycle; the Anniversary seems the classiest, if not a huge leap technically over what I already have - but I love the colors and wheels.

So what do you guys thinK?

1. Keep the '05 (paid for, road rash and all)
2. Buy the '08 Anniversary at a $6-8k discount and sell the one I have for whatever - perhaps put the boxed new farkles into the new car
3. Buy the '09 R3 (probably VR again)

Boom3k

how the hell do you start a thread!!?!
But keep your car. The new one has a slightly newer engine which might lead to unnecessary recalls.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

i say the anniversary beacuse:

1. your 04 is the worse production rx8 and will never be a "collector"
2. with only 29k miles you can still get you money out of it
3. you obviously dig the colors and wheels on the ann.
4. The 08 is the last year of the 'first gens' and the most mechanically safe
5. you will get raped on the new r3 price most likely
6. you already got all those new parts, put them on a "new" car :D

rddragoness

As a lover of collectibles, my first instinct would be to stay with the first gen 8. The R3 is a second gen model really. If you choose to go newer, I'd choose the 40th Anniversary. It's year and color specific, as well as being a SE, so it's limited. The suspension is different than the GT, but the r3 has the same one.

I've driven the r3. I do NOT like the moving rev limiter as she warms up. Nor do I like the differences in the stereo controls on the steering wheel. I would drive the 08, getting used to those controls, and then drive the 09. I found myself having to glance down at the steering wheel to find the correct control, when I've been driving the same car with the same accessories in the same place for 2 years. It's just the way they are designed. It doesn't work for me.

I think once you drive the 08, you'll see there really isnt any reason for the RB sways. The suspension is ungodly in that car, but it would be interesting to drive one that has both that and a sway. It's a mod I'm considering, since my shinka has the same suspension that the 40th Edition does.

As far as the 05..If your sons were getting ready to learn to drive, I'd say keep it, since they are your reasoning, but since they are babies, I would sell it. Of course you could keep it, and you and your wife both have one. It would make for some interesting fun taking little jaunts through the twisties with your children as they got older.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Get the R3.

mshea

Recalls??? How long have you owned your 8? TSB's are par for the course of 8 ownership. Mine has had them all. More won't matter.

Remember the question: price aside....which of the flavors best represents the 'RX8 legacy' - '05 VR GT, '08 Anniversary or '09 R3? In a tie, the '05 wins!

rddragoness

LOL.... Click on the category you want to make a statement or ask a question in. When that opens up, look to your left at the top of the page and click on the new thread button. It will guide you from there.

77mjd

If I was thinking 100% with my head, I'd just keep the one you have and just take care of it and maintain it the best you can. It makes the most "current" financial sense so you don't go losing money on "upgrading". Over the long haul, should this become a valuable collector item someday I'd say the 40th has the best chance of being worth the most since it is a somewhat limited edition. I'd just avoid the '09 all together. Dealers will probably try to rape you on them anyway just because of the cosmetic changes. Your engine has a 100,000 mile warranty anyway so I wouldn't pay for the one extra oil injector in the '09s. Now, should the rotary ever go bye bye again they could all be pretty valuable. Just look at how many people would love to get their hands on an rx-7 that is in good condition, especially the twin turbo. It is damn near impossible to find one.

Robonaut

I would agree that the Anniversary is probably the more collectible...

...unless gas prices cause Mazda to stop selling the RX-8 over here next year. Then the R3 might end up being more collectible due to being the "ultimate" RX-8 from the most recent model year.

Kryptyx

Just get all 3

but seriously, I would just keep the '05 VR. If your looking for it from a collector's standpoint then the 2nd gen ('09) wouldn't really be a prime choice. It would moreless then break down to your current '05 and the 40th. I would still suggest keeping the '05, mod it up and have fun.

kvndoom

Another vote for the 40thAE. It looks badass, and not a lot were made. That's 2 good ingredients in the "collectible" formula.

bsteimel

iTrader: (5)

i would say get the 40th for the more collectible value. If i was going to get one and wasn't focused on the collectible value like you are i would get the r3 only because of the added oil injectors with the updated engine.

put a poll in this thread

Detrich

good lord. has the 1st gen rx-7 become a "collectible" car yet? it's been about 30 or so years, right? daydream if you like. but, i'd say you're better off saving your money dude. don't your kids need money for college?

Revvittupp

Collectible- 40th anniversary....

Best decision, put the parts int he trunk on the car you already have... Your brakes are probably going soon, and you and yoru sons will have jsut as much fun with it for half the price, as I doubt any of them will be too collectible.

That said Detrich, the FD is basically collectible. An early 90's in good condition repeatedly sell for more then an 04 or 05 8....

jaderain

Hey, a good choice to have to make a decision on right?! I say keep the older car. I just got the 2008, and from what I hear there isn't a hell of a lot of difference between the cars. IF you really are thinking about getting another car so soon (yeah, I know a lot of people wouldn't consider this "too soon"), I say wait until Mazda puts out the new RX-8 with the upgraded Rotary--you KNOW this is coming, or, you could wait until they bring back the RX-7, then it would be a real difference. cheers.

delhi

I don't think any rotary cars can be considered collectible in the same sense as say an E-Type or Ferrari Dino. Japanese cars in general are lousy at this arena because Japanese car mfg treat autombiles like electronics. I suppose the bestest example will be the NSX. Even so I doubt it will reach the status as that of an AC Cobra or 959.
In this respect, to me the 40 AE is the very nice to have. R3 to me isn't all that. Certainly not enough to compromise on that plastic tacky add-ons.