Mech_head

Just for kicks i asked my insurance agent what i would have to pay on an EVO and a STI. He told me i might as well get a vette cause it would be cheaper. But surprisingly my 8's insurance is quite affordable and the amount i saved on purchasing a low mileage used example more than made up for the fuel increased fuel costs.

It amuses me to see people go out and buy a different car so they can get better mpg and end up spending many many times more on the new car than what they will save in gas.

Big_Mike_4488

The insurance on my Speed 3 is slightly cheaper than that of my RX8. Though not by much. Just something to think about. But neither one will break the bank. With depreciation the way it is, I definately think a 2005-2006 RX8 for $17K or so would be a good buy.

T.T.

I'm starting to narrow it down to WRX vs. RX-8. As long as there aren't any large reliability problems, I can handle the problems myself. You guys are right, I'm straight out of college with a mechanical engineering degree. I don't really think the prices for maintainance/insurance for these cars will be so wild that I can't handle them. I don't live extravagantly. All I need is an HD tv, PS3, a computer, a car that handles, and a mattress and I'll be satisfied. Time to start test driving.

Big_Mike_4488

If you are considering the WRX I would strongly recommend test driving the MS3. More performance with a lower price tag. (Not to mention it looks better IMO. Cant go wrong with the 8 though.

T.T.

I mean yeah...it's still in the back of my mind. There just something about FWD...kinda makes me feel like a lower life-form. I admit FWD was taught me throttle control though.

kobe24mvp

I'd get the RX8 or the STi, but you cant get a used STi for very cheap, unless its beat up.. So yeah the RX8... actually those are all pretty sweet cars

kobe24mvp

yeah i hate front wheel drive.. after buying my 8 i dont think i could buy another FWD car. but if you live somewhere where it snows, an AWD car would be good, unless you wanna get snow tires.

Razz1

He's concerned about gas milage and all he has listed is sport cars.

Contradiction!

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

I dont know about the MS6... I was honestly a bit unimpressed... it had pickup, but not near what I expected. Might take well to aftermarket though, but I dont know too much about that for the ms6.

Big_Mike_4488

It's a tradeoff but well worth it when you consider the raw performance you get for the price. Not saying buy it, just saying test drive it. I think you will find that it is more fun to drive than a WRX. Hell I test drove an '05 STI from Carmax and I think the MS3 was still more fun to drive. Put a rear motor mount on the MS3 for $100 and it will feel just as planted to the road as any RWD car would. Anyway, don't knock it before you try it, all I'm sayin. Good luck!

T.T.

Gas mileage is a metric I listed, but it is not weighted as heavily as other things.

Triperformance

I mentioned before wrx's have gearbox issues, I know around 10 people who blew out 3rd and 4th gear.....if you get one keep that in mind, and it doesn't matter if you drive it like you stole it or just cruising, its a gear problem not a synchronizer issue so it will go out sooner or later. Like I said if you can afford a 6,000$ performance tranny to replace it when it happens go for it, if not prey its covered under warantee. The more I think about your choice between the WRX (standard or STI model) and RX8 I would go with the 8. As far as gas mileage goes get a Toyota Prius(low maintenance also by the way).

Ike

Yes, there are some gearbox issues, but it's not nearly as bleak as the picture you paint. I owned a WRX for over 3 years and was a member of the local WRX club. There were guys with all ranges of mileage and most of us autox'd, rallyx'd, and/or drag raced and every single person was on their original tranny. There are also countless people in WRX's that have over 100k miles on the original tranny. I can find you posts just like yours from other forums with people spewing the same kind of nonsense about the rotary engine. No need to be that guy.

nt5k

Even if the WRX doesn't shatter or explode in regular use, it's just a pain to live with period. The entire time I had mine, I thought I was driving a dump truck. I might as well have with all the double clutching i had to do. Getting into reverse was also a pain. Even though I never had 'issues' it just sucked to drive.

Razz1

A pain in the **** to drive and Butt ugly.

What a beautiful combination.

T.T.

So...you're telling me they shipped the WRX without synchros? Why would they do that? BTW I'm still only considering the 06-07 model years.

nt5k

Pretty much. I had an 02. I'm hoping the newer ones don't suck as hard. The 07 STi I tested seemed better, but not sure how that translates to the base wrx.

Triperformance

In response to my other post I'm not trying to be that guy but I'm stating that its something to think about. From the people I know who regularly drive their wrx or sti have lost gears but thats my experience alone. Their transmissions do have syncros but are clunky from what I have seen. Its still your call on which vehicle you want to select, just keep in mind the positives and the negatives of every vehicle you think about.

nranly

Saab 9-2X Aero?

mbrule6465

I was in your position last summer. I wanted a sporty, fast, fun car but also needed to use it daily. I did my research, created a list, and went out on test drives. I suggest you do the same. No one can tell you what you'll like, what suits your needs and your budget. I can tell you this however, I didn't get past the RX8 for obvious reasons....(you'll know what I mean if you drive one.) I actually never intended to buy an RX8 but I had to see for myself what it was all about. The car had an interesting reputation. On the one hand, the engine, which was praised initially, had begun to come under increased criticism due to flooding and poor economy etc.. so naturally I didn't want those headaches, however so much good press and praise was heaped on the 8 that I had to drive it. I've owned and driven a lot of cars in my 43 yrs. ( some of them sports cars ) but nothing I had ever driven compared with the RX8 ( my first test was in an automatic..no standards were available. ) Even the automatic made a great impression on me...mind you I had just driven a GTO (400 hp) and a Mustang GT (300 hp) on the same day. The thrill of driving each of those cars ( muscle cars ) was still fresh in my mind but neither had the nimble, light on it's wheels, balanced and composed feel of the 8. Sure the GTO and the Mustang GT ( along with many cars) are quicker than the 8 but the 8 has a special quality that is difficult to define. I quess for me it possesses that "total package sum"of excellence. It looks fantastic ( always generates interest and compliments) it handles like a race car, it's comfortable, rides fairly well, it's unique ( only rotary powered car in production on the PLANET ) it's practical ( room for 3 friends or family ) it's engaging and fun every time I drive it,( I can't imagine giving it up! ) Admittedly there are times when I crave a little more torque down low, so that's when I let it unwind a little...say...9000 rpms worth... and forget what I was missing. Read the owner reviews, (stay clear of the 04 and 05s if you can) and drive one for yourself.....I think you'll agree....The RX8 is a very special (in a good way) kind of car.

JRichter

LOL, good rules to live by! Someone with a mechanical engineering degree could really appreciate the engineering that has gone into the RX-8.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

have you considered the bmw coupes? you can get one used for low 20s - high teens.

xsnipersgox

one of the main reason i got this car... rotary is like sex to MechE XD

Ike

I've driven MT exclusively for the last 17+ years. I've owned and driven cars with great gearboxes and cars with horrible gearboxes. The earlier WRXs are somewhere in the middle but certainly not as bad as many people make it out to be. I guarantee you that any car with as bad a gearbox as some people in here are claiming would not be on C&D's 10 best a couple years running and not win all the comparos and awards that the WRX has.

The 06-07 gearbox is better than most, though not as nice as cars like the S2K and RX-8. It has more synchros than the earlier models and shifts much smoother. The earlier WRXs had problems with 1-2 when you hear about issues with the newer cars it's usually 3-4 and often involves cars with larger turbos and much higher horsepower than stock.

Mod the hell out of a WRX and you greatly increase your risk of tranny issues, the same goes for launching it regularly and improperly, not rev matching when downshifting, or slam gears on an upshift without knowing what you're doing. Do those same things with any other AWD car that had a good amount of HP and torque and you'll find the weak link in the drivetrain. The same goes for just about any car, but if you mess up with a RWD or FWD the tires are much easier to breal loose so they'll absorb more of the abuse.

Triperformance, if you have friends that have been breaking up the STI tranny (which I somehow doubt), tell them that they're morons and that they need to learn how to drive or go buy an AT. The STI tranny is about as stout as trannys get.

Mr. NiceGuy

GTI's, as well as most german cars have awful reliability. especially electric issues. Also very expensive to fix so I wouldnt go that route.

Sti's and Evo's have high insurance rates.

FWD is for girls in snowy climates, so count the MS3 and others out.

RX8 has the handling, the looks, the ROTARY (if u havent tried one u must, its pure sex above 6K RPM), and a very decent trunk. I have also transported a large TV that wouldnt fit in a large sedan's door opening but had no problem laying the RX8's front seat flat and flush with the rear and opening up the rear doors for a perfect fit. Amazing what this lil car can swallow.

As far as gas mileage goes...well...next topic lol

I was 24 when i got my 8 and i paid 220(full coverage) registed in Monticello, NY with a tainted driving record full of speeding violations. Not bad at all i think. on paper its a 4 door 1.3 liter. so its cheap.

Plus the 8 is pretty cheap to buy used for some reason.

Also, this car just connects you to the road like none of the others do, maybe an S2000 comes close but still that lil thing has no rear seats.

The clutch in the 8 is wonderful as well. Just drive one, you'll understand.