dentist

im off to test drive both coupe and cab TT, audi cab and Z4 3.0 tomorrow (all available in a week at certain dealers) and if i like im buying .... the Z4 now has more bhp than the rx8 and who knows so may a smart by the time the rx8 is delivered!
ive just had enuf ...late delivery and nightmare residuals (see what car residual calculator - 7.5 grand after 3 years)
very disapointed

shahpor

I would say that is a little too early to write off the 8 altogether.

Things look bad in the forum at the moment, but these things happen.

I think that power figures are important, but how the car drives is far more important.

The fact that we can't drive one is very frustrating, but for me that is the ultimate deciding factor.

I wouldn't put too much faith in what whatcar say regarding residuals. It is too soon to say and sometimes Whatcar just talk crap!

Having said that, I do like the Z4 and would consider it as an alternative but I can't afford it, so it is not a problem for me.

I think it is a case of everyone for themselves and if you really do like one of the cars you try, then if it was me I would probably go for it.

Shahpor

Lensman

It's £8,650 after 3 years actually. This is a very estimated predication (and quite old). It matches the deprecation of the 350Z quite well and it's not too different (based on the initial cost) from the S3 and the 330Ci. In other words I defy you to find a car that won't lose that kind of percentage unless you're buying a Ferrari, Porsche (not the Boxter) or Mercedes (etc).

Lensman

I take that back. Check out the depreciation on these cars, especially the Ferrari. Still think the RX-8 is a bad investment?

shahpor

Hey Lensman,

Those are pretty cool graphs.

Where did you get those figures from?

Thanks.

Shahpor

Lensman

I followed the www.whatcar.co.uk suggestion and clicked on 'depreciation index' on the right. These are very dodgy figures but illustrate the point. Now I just wish I hadn't seen the possibility of a 4 year old Mercedes S500 for £24K... So tempting.

MarkW

Wonder how accurate these are?

If I could find a 2 year old Boxster 2.7 for just over £24k I'd be interested.....

Mark

Lensman

just checked www.autotrader.co.uk and it's nearly true. There's a 2000 model S500 with 44K miles for £26,950. Good grief! The Boxter stat is a little optimistic: lots of 2001 cars for £27K.

shahpor

Oh dear.....

Why do I hear more cancellations coming on? :D

Shahpor

dentist

sorry but my patience has run out.......
feel quite sad tho )

thepenn

Hi Guys, I was at the Company Car in Action. I spoke to the Mazda UK Used Car Manager about residuals. He informed me that whilst current predictions by CAP were 44%, they were now re-evaluating to a better percentage following a presentation.
He also told me that they would increase prices by between £500 to £1000, this would also improve residuals.

I saw the car again, I've accepted the delay and look forward even more to getting it.


tit, hi power, leather

tinck

God its a bit late, but I thought I'd post my 2 pence.

Depreciation percentages are a complete waste of time, imho.

What you need to look at is the actual amount of cold hard cash you are losing over that period of time.

e.g. A £10,000 car that holds 50% after 4 years retains £5,000, (my maths work for the time of the night) thus you lose £5,000.

A £12,000 car retains 55% after 4 years and therefore costs £6,600 losing you £5,400 etc

Looking at Lensmans figures for the 189bhp

Mazda you lose £12,820 in cash
Nissan you lose £14,675
BM you lose £14,843
Audi you lose only £11,065. Drawback is that everyone thinks you've got no personality!!!

And for the BM and Nissan you pay more in the first place so your loan interest is higher.

So look at it this way, and we're all laughing.

dentist

just cancelled my order and bought a 3.0i Z4 which i get next week....... someone else cancelled their order and i arrived at the dealer at that exact moment.
i feel relieved but dissapointed the rx8 had loads going for it
any offers for R8 RXB

ramsayn

I'm gone too.

Lot's of reasons. Late delivery, wanted mine on the 1st Sept, new plate last of the summer, not late Oct, first of the ice on the roads.

Depreciation is a big worry, I've worked hard to get a large deposit and don't fancy it dissapearing after only 2 years. CAP may increase their predicted values but does anybody think they will hit Porsche or even Audi TT values ?

Performance and equipment worries are also rising. 250 was a lot 228 is almost 10% less. People pay an awful amount of money to get that 10%, I mean Mazda charge you £2000 for 39 bhp. And why doesn't the UK get cruise or a trip computer even as an option.

I'm just back from my hols in the USA and actually got to see a RX-8 parked up in San Francisco. Next to the Z4's and 350Z's driving past I'm affraid it looked a little plain. It was Red with Red Black leather. I hope it was a hard used test car cause the interior was coming apart already, the Rotor emblem in the passenger headrest had popped out exposing foam and burst leather.

Final straw was this weeks first drive in Autocar. It wasn't exactly a 5 * review.

Sorry but it looks like my money is heading to the Porsche garage for a Boxster S. And before anybody complains about the price difference, I'm being offered a monthly lease cost of only £30 a month more than the RX-8 on year old 3000 mile Boxster S.
Okay the deposit is higher but at least I've a good chance of getting it all back.

For those sticking with it, hope the car is everything you wanted it to be.

Lensman

I can't blame you for cancelling and I hope that the number of cancellations is provoking Mazda's interest as to why. Did they ask you why when you did the deed? However I have to disagree with the statement quoted above. I've seen all three cars (as did anyone at the MotorExpo in London) and the universal opinion was that the RX-8 was the best looking of the three. It was permanently surrounded by onlookers whereas the Z4 and the 350Z were struggling to attract viewers. I stood within sight of both the Nissan and Mazda for a long time so I know this is true and I wandered past the BMW at regular intervals and it wasn't arousing much interest. There's no way the RX-8 can be described as 'plain' in my opinion (and it's not purchaser bias because my options are still open). It's a really good looking and differently styled car. Best of luck with whatever you choose to live with. Check back here later in the year to see what the real story is.
It's very likely that the RX-8 you saw in SF is a pre production car but nevertheless I'm concerned about the damage you noticed.
Finally, why do you see the Autocar review as definitive when it appears to be the one review out of many that has any negativity? Couldn't IT be the anomaly?

ramsayn

Hi Lensman, all I can say about the look of the cars is that I agreed with you that the RX-8 was the best of the 3 until I actually saw it in the real world. Not on a show stand, magazine article or promo video. On real streets surrounded by real cars it just doesn't stand out the way I expected it too.

Just my opinion but got to say my travelling companion took one look at the Mazda and asked why was I even thinking about it.

As for my faith in Autocar, as far as I'm aware it's the first review of a European spec car on European roads. Everyelse has driven American or Jap on the track or in the States.

Plus the fact that they haven't steered me wrong with any of their previous tests. Suppose Car, What Car etc will have their views in print soon anway for comparison.

I'll keep checking the site to see whats going down, plus I'm trying to blag a lift off Kef when he picks his up to see what I missed out on. Never know, maybe pick up one of the unsold 3000.

Lensman

Well I saw it in a small field surrounded by various other cars and bikes with the 350Z on a stand in the distance. It sure as hell stood out there. I totally discount magazine articles and videos anyway because the car only 'works' in 3D. You know, I feel like the only UK person fighting in the RX-8's corner these days. Has it really come to this? The number of European posts has bombed and the general vibe about the car is dismal. So much change in a week! And I don't think that AutoCar was the first Euro review, I think that this
was.

sixspeed

I'm still with you Lensman!! :D

Pah... the more cancellations there are, the more exclusive our cars will be (wonder how many Z4s there'll be around in 18 months time!).

I'm not worried. I want this car (though the only deciding factor will be when I get to drive one - but I don't expect it to disappoint!).

Also, the Mazda dealer i'm buying mine through (the largest in the South), is very positive about the way the '8 will sell once they hit the roads.


-andy-

GarySargent

We should get the addresses of everyone cancelling and then when the RX8's arrive we can all go past their houses tooting the horns :D