Hey All,

I'm involved in a bit of a debate on www.performanceforums.com (as usual!) about the RX-8 vs the new MPS 6 thats coming out next year, and looks like it will be priced somewhere around 50- 55 K at my best guess ie. just under the base RX-8.

I think the main difference is that the MPS 6 will compete against Liberty GTs, XR6T Falcons, Accord Euros, SS Bommodores, WRX's and the like,whereas the RX-8 competes against, primarily the 350Z and other more overtly sporty beasts.

So it comes down to this: what did you folks as current RX-8 owners cross shop against ? Either within or outside of the 57- 62K price range

Why did you choose the 8 over the other cars??

Our criteria were simply : 4 doors, sporty/high performance manual, good image/style/ interior etc and under 70 K..

Only one car did the business.. :D

Rowds

 

Well I shopped for Lotus Elise, 350Z, S2K, Z4, S3, 147 GTA, WRX STi, recently Crossfire, and want to try the EVO 8 but it is butt ugly

 

My closest contender was the G35C. I quickly ruled out all cars with only two seats (though if I would go that route, I would prob choose the S2000). I wasn't much into WRX or EVO's.. I'm just too young to be riding around in an Infiniti...

 

I looked at the Liberty GT, Eunos i300 and BMW 325ti, and 350z in 2 door. The Euro Accord is also a 'nice' family car with some driveability

But the 8 has a special charisma so much better than any of those

 

for me there was only one 4 door sports car...that really looked and felt sporty...Rx8

 

I was going to buy a mini cooper s. The drive is nowhere near as good, overall performance was gutsy but not amazing, although i didn't try lift off oversteer!!! harmon kardon stereo was very mediocre. But packaging is really good and build quality solid. After a drive in the rx8 though i was sold!! Wish there was a SP version though with firmer suspension, slightly lighter, noisier and no power steering. Can always wish!!

fatmarco

 

i was looking at the lotus elise 111s (but thats over 100k).

Then i checked out random cars like S2000, 350z etc.. but nothing came close to the 4 seater and a few other features.

 

A new 325i to replace my previous e46 325i. The 8 is darn near as practical, but more focussed, faster, more involving and more characterful. It packs a pile of interesting, leading edge technolgy for very little money - think carbon fibre composite prop shaft, all alloy double wishbones, rotary power, aluminium bonnet and door panels, ultra low and midship mounted engine - the list goes on. It's also absolutely UNIQUE - there's simply nothing that looks, or drives, like it anywhere. In the end the decision was realy quite simple.

 

i needed a back seat no matter what. I looked at the Acura TL and the Nissan Maxima. I liked the Accord coupe but that is what i have been driving and i was ready to be done with it.

greese

 

I had only considered Falcons, did not enter any other showroom...

Alfas are crap, $150,000 BMW's look the same as five year old $30K ones, Subaru's are well built (but ugly), Holden's are the enemy, and everything else has two doors.....

In the end the hot Falcon's "felt" too slow, handled poorly in comparison, and did not get past go when it came to quality and fit/finish....

I needed a fast furious fabulous family four door....and Cousin It can fit in the boot.....

Gomez

 

I considered the G35, 350z, Dodge Viper GTS, Saleen S7, Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo, but opted to go with the best and stylish car.

 

the only reason i sold my other vehicle is because i had to get me one of those rx-8's. (or i'm a sucker for good marketing) my other car was only 1 1/2 years old and 15,000 kms. so i guess you could say it was love at first sight

no other vehicle has it's unique looks, four seats as well as great performance.

didn't look at other vehicles....didn't need to

 

For me the only other car that came close was the Alfa 156. This was partly because of my Italian background. Others I considered were the Integra Type R (hate the styling) and Accord Euro (refined, not much excitement).

In the end I went with my gut feel and went for the 8. It was the only car that felt awesome to drive and it 'fit me like a glove'.

I'm happy with my choice, no sorry, in the end there was no choice.

 

I love hi revs and natural aspiration on the engines of my car.
Previous car was a DC5 Type R which I owned for 2 years so naturally looked at another Honda to satisfy my craving for revs.

The S2k was getting a bit old since it first came out in 99 and I wanted something that had a fresh and unique design, so I went with the RX8.

Also looked at a BMW 320ci and a 350z, but both didn't stir the loins when I took them for testdrives and was left disappointed.

Even considered the Alfa 147GTA but rotten resale and Alfa's sketchy history of quality turned me away.

Very satisfied with the 8 after test driving it. It was unique, fresh, slightly technical advanced and somewhat "quirky".

No regrets apart from my colour choice.

 

lol well compare the ferrari enzo $1 million AUD to a $62000AUD RX8 i think the RX8 is a good pick. for your moneys worth.

Vafunculo :D dove in italia?

 

Calabria mate!!! The capital of the "testa durre" (hard heads)

 

I might be considered pretty narrow minded...

I considered keeping my 13sec, 235rwkW SS

I considered a Monaro, and a Clubsport. But not all that much.

I really wanted an RX-8. And I have owned Mazdas in the past, so was already a happy customer. Simple really. Still smiling

I don't drive fords (funny hey?)(except a GT40!)
I don't drive toyotas (except for some strange reason I am interested in a Prius, not for it's crap performance, but for the technology. I won't be lining up to buy one though, Whew!)

Sometimes I think I am a little too religious :p

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

unlike most people here the back seat was a bonus. my criteria was a small light car with good performance, looks and luxury. I looked at s2000 (ugly in my books), drove a WRX (if it wasn't for the turbo and awd I wouldn't poke them with a stick), and even considered a clubsport or xr6 T (I hate falcodores big and heavy). I was dreaming of a FD rx7 I wanted turbos I didn't fit in them and after a test drive thought the 8 was just as good if not as extreme as the 7.

 

The Chrysler Crossfire was quite nice, I would've liked to have tried the manual, Dad said the ride wasn't as nice as the 8, but I didn't notice that much (probably age difference The BMW dealer tried to get a good deal on an ex-rental Z4, which are a really nice drive, with a 'hoon button' which stiffens up the steering and gear ratios. In the end he couldnt match the price.. I think the rx8 is great value for money.

 

Same where abouts in Calabria?

I forgot to mention that i was seeking out a few Bmw's and the Monaro aswell. But still doesnt match.

 

I've only ever had mazdas and been very happy with them. I wanted something more practical to replace the FD so the RX8 came out at the right time. Intention was to get rid of the FD for the8, but when push came to shove I had to have both so i kept the FD and bought the 8.

Also considered a 350Z but didn't like the look of the car or the interior. Also considered a monaro, but hey it's still a commodore. Ultimately will be getting a maseratti or an M3 once the house is paid off.

 

What NickG said.

:D

 

Catanzaro!

 

My mum is from there my dad further south.

Where in Catanzaro (my nonno was from a place called Tropea "beautiful beach indeed") ask your parents if they know of it.

 

nojooc

Dont talk about Alfa's like that there are Italians in the forum that will get you in BIG TROUBLE!



Regards
Phillip