Mustang GT vs. RX-8.....can't decide which to buy
Happy Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Atlanta
I would never drive the RX-8 this fast, but I believe it tops out at around 150 mph,
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
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From: PA
My friend and I swapped cars (my RX-8 and his Mustang). Here's what I thought (https://www.rx8club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61568):
The thing about the 8 is it has this difficult to define quallity about it... a harmony, like it was carved out of a single block of goodness, rather than being a collection of parts bolted together. Everything about it feels effortless, smooth. It's a feeling that you appreciate even more as time goes on. Not that the Mustang felt crude - on the contrary, it's a very nicely done car. But IMHO, it's a notch below the 8 in that particular quality, which has become my top priority.
An old friend of mine just dropped in to show off his new Mustang. Naturally, we swapped driving each others cars.
I expected: heavy clutch, loose suspension, tons of torque, neck-snapping power, vague steering, etc., etc. How wrong I was!
First off, it's very comfy with nice visibility. It didn't take long to find a nice driving position. Good wheel, shifter, and pedal placement. Heck, I could even heel-and-tow the dang thing, which was surprising for a car I'd been driving for all of 30 seconds.
The retro dash I could do without. Cute and clever, yes, but not easy to read. I actually gave up after awhile and just prayed I was under the speed limit. I'm sure you get used to it.
Nice, NICE engine sound. Obviously totally different than an 8, but a nice, deep, throaty rumble. Not obnoxious whatsoever - just sporty and pleasant. Just enough to make you smile when you get into the throttle and tempt you to do it over and over, lol.
The acceleration is very good, but not neck-snapping like I expected. It's progressive and linear, and not the torque-monster I feared. Very controllable, easy to play with, and not intimidating when simply backing out of a parking lot. It just pushes, harder and harder, with a nice soundtrack accompanying it. It doesn't feel THAT much faster than an 8, though I realize it is.
I didn't like the shifter though. It's very vague with long throws. It works, and I'm sure you get used to it, but I'm used to the snick-snick shifter of the 8. Still, the clutch was light, and the throws are lighter that the 8, so it's not so bad.
The handling was good, much tighter than I expected. I wouldn't call it "nimble," but it's predictable, almost tossable, and definately amusing to play with. I never felt like it might get away from me (though I wasn't pushing that hard). No slop to the suspension.
Probably the biggest surprise was how good the thing looked. At least in black. I've seen pictures, and a few on the road, and didn't like the retro look all that much. But up close in person, this thing looked great... very clean lines, very muscular, and almost similar to a Z in some ways - but without the Z's overdone gangsta-wannabe look.
Overall, I was seriously impressed and surprised. For anyone looking for a fun RWD car, it's definately worth a test drive. Definately not the crude muscle car I expected.
Oh, he liked the 8 too. Typical comments you'd expect: it feels lighter and more nimble, shifter is more precise though notchier, slow at first but builds speed quickly, slightly better ride, but more body roll. Different, but fun too.
I expected: heavy clutch, loose suspension, tons of torque, neck-snapping power, vague steering, etc., etc. How wrong I was!
First off, it's very comfy with nice visibility. It didn't take long to find a nice driving position. Good wheel, shifter, and pedal placement. Heck, I could even heel-and-tow the dang thing, which was surprising for a car I'd been driving for all of 30 seconds.
The retro dash I could do without. Cute and clever, yes, but not easy to read. I actually gave up after awhile and just prayed I was under the speed limit. I'm sure you get used to it.
Nice, NICE engine sound. Obviously totally different than an 8, but a nice, deep, throaty rumble. Not obnoxious whatsoever - just sporty and pleasant. Just enough to make you smile when you get into the throttle and tempt you to do it over and over, lol.
The acceleration is very good, but not neck-snapping like I expected. It's progressive and linear, and not the torque-monster I feared. Very controllable, easy to play with, and not intimidating when simply backing out of a parking lot. It just pushes, harder and harder, with a nice soundtrack accompanying it. It doesn't feel THAT much faster than an 8, though I realize it is.
I didn't like the shifter though. It's very vague with long throws. It works, and I'm sure you get used to it, but I'm used to the snick-snick shifter of the 8. Still, the clutch was light, and the throws are lighter that the 8, so it's not so bad.
The handling was good, much tighter than I expected. I wouldn't call it "nimble," but it's predictable, almost tossable, and definately amusing to play with. I never felt like it might get away from me (though I wasn't pushing that hard). No slop to the suspension.
Probably the biggest surprise was how good the thing looked. At least in black. I've seen pictures, and a few on the road, and didn't like the retro look all that much. But up close in person, this thing looked great... very clean lines, very muscular, and almost similar to a Z in some ways - but without the Z's overdone gangsta-wannabe look.
Overall, I was seriously impressed and surprised. For anyone looking for a fun RWD car, it's definately worth a test drive. Definately not the crude muscle car I expected.
Oh, he liked the 8 too. Typical comments you'd expect: it feels lighter and more nimble, shifter is more precise though notchier, slow at first but builds speed quickly, slightly better ride, but more body roll. Different, but fun too.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
i'm still amused when n00bs come in and bitch about gas mileage above all else... lol
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
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From: PA
And don't forget you MUST check the RX-8's oil level often (every other fuel fillup is the recommendation I believe), and will be adding some now and then.
I just read a thread where the woman stated she wouldn't have bought the car had she known this, so...
I just read a thread where the woman stated she wouldn't have bought the car had she known this, so...
Originally Posted by alderran
No the concern is compare a Mustang to an RX8. The Mustang has a bigger engine and is heavier yet it will beat you by a lot and gets better gas mileage. No one is bitching abotu gas mileage above all else. I just can understand his concern why pay more for gas to get less acceleration. Doesn't make sense.
makes perfect sense to me :p
Registered
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Chicago
Originally Posted by storemannormin
Don't buy the mustang its todays K-car they are everywhere...
I'm not saying that 8 is automobile nirvana in the looks department. But it is different.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I was in your same boat when I bought my 8. I drove the Mustang -- hated the handling, swerved all over the road, felt like I didn't have a back end, but I like the power under my feet. I drove th 8 -- loved the ride, hugged the curves, felt like I owned the road. IMO, when it comes down to it, no matter what you do to the car, if it handles crappy and feels crappy, it's going to be a crappy ride. Knowing nothing else about the 8 other than the test drive, I bought it one week later and I love every minute I'm in the car.
Registered
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 656
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From: California
Originally Posted by Alchemy
Gas Mileage: This really bugs me about the 8......it gets significantly worse gas mileage than the GT (by 6-7 MPG from what I read on here) without even matching the performance numbers! The GT looks like it could realistically get 20-22 MPG highway while 16-18 MPG is more accurate for the RX-8 from the info I gathered on this website.
And now that I'm beginning to see '05 Mustangs just about everywhere, I'm even happier with my decision to go with the RX-8.
1.3L
Better than you
Joined: Jun 2005
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True, but the Mustang is designed and assembled in the US. I'm not at all saying that I dislike foreign cars (I currently drive a Maxima and I'm on the verge of buying an RX-8), but all things being equal I'd rather support American workers
If all things were equal, then I'd agree. But they're not.
If you want what everyone else has, get the stang.
People overexaggerate the quirks of the rx... I love mine.
Has the whole shit.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,772
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From: Orlando, FL
To put it simply:
The RX8 is a driver's car. It's for people who enjoy driving for driving's sake and can deal with a lack of power and a quirky engine.
The Mustang is more of an everyman's car. It's easier to drive fast and it's more traditional, but it's not quite as fun to toss around and play with.
As far as the gas mileage issue, it's a rotary. Rotaries are inherently relatively thirsty engines, but I think they're doing a pretty damn good job for being the ONLY people developing such an engine. If you find 15-20 MPG and throwing 1/2 quart of oil at it every few thousand miles, then you might want to shift your focus to the 'Stang.
Good luck with the hunt :D
The RX8 is a driver's car. It's for people who enjoy driving for driving's sake and can deal with a lack of power and a quirky engine.
The Mustang is more of an everyman's car. It's easier to drive fast and it's more traditional, but it's not quite as fun to toss around and play with.
As far as the gas mileage issue, it's a rotary. Rotaries are inherently relatively thirsty engines, but I think they're doing a pretty damn good job for being the ONLY people developing such an engine. If you find 15-20 MPG and throwing 1/2 quart of oil at it every few thousand miles, then you might want to shift your focus to the 'Stang.
Good luck with the hunt :D
n00b
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,487
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From: Bay Area, CA
i never even considered the rx8. I was looking to replace my 540 with something else, i got addicted to 300+ pounds of torque. Mustang and g35/350z were on the list. I ended up at the mazda dealership accross the street from infiniti after i couldn't get a sales person to help me (at infiniti). I hoped in the rx8 to just do it for comparisons sake.... SOLD.
Sure it's slower then my old 540, but that's about it. Brakes, handling, appearance, fit and finish, they all just sucked me in. Before i knew it was signing the papers, all it took was one drive.
I guess what i'm trying to say is go for whatever car gives you that feeling. Dont worry about silly things like gas mileage and seat folding. Remember most of the time you will be DRIVING the car, if you dont like driving it then whats the point.
Sure it's slower then my old 540, but that's about it. Brakes, handling, appearance, fit and finish, they all just sucked me in. Before i knew it was signing the papers, all it took was one drive.
I guess what i'm trying to say is go for whatever car gives you that feeling. Dont worry about silly things like gas mileage and seat folding. Remember most of the time you will be DRIVING the car, if you dont like driving it then whats the point.
Registered
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Milwaukee Wi.
Your wrong about two things, On a recent road trip My rx8 averaged 23mpg with a tail wind and 22mpg against the wind. I drove the car normal speeds with some bursts of excelleration. I also out ran a 2004 Mustang GT from 50mph on the highway. They are'nt that fast. Just quick off the line. Lots of torque in them GTs.
n00b
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,487
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by Roaddemon
Your wrong about two things, On a recent road trip My rx8 averaged 23mpg with a tail wind and 22mpg against the wind. I drove the car normal speeds with some bursts of excelleration. I also out ran a 2004 Mustang GT from 50mph on the highway. They are'nt that fast. Just quick off the line. Lots of torque in them GTs.
CAW CAW
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Toronto
Originally Posted by theclaytaurus
The whole "buy American because it's patriotic" only promotes passive engineering. There's no need to take risks because Sue-Ellen and Jim-Bo will buy it no matter what..
yup
Originally Posted by cleoent
the mustang was in neutral or was a v6, you aren't getting away from a 300hp, 300+ pounds of torque machine anywhere, especially the highway.
Oh, and of the 05 Stang owners I have talked to, they are all in the 17-22mpg range - not any better milage then the 8.
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From: Milwaukee Wi.
Originally Posted by cleoent
the mustang was in neutral or was a v6, you aren't getting away from a 300hp, 300+ pounds of torque machine anywhere, especially the highway.
n00b
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,487
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by Roaddemon
Ha, Ha You don't know your specs. 2004 GT stang has 260hp and 310 tq. Believe me that's what it was and a manual at that. The RX8 six speed can out run them for sure from a highway speed although it's a close race. The Stang also handles like a tank compared to the 8. It's your money, The stang is a low end muscle car outdated but cheap.
If you'll notice the post above yours it says i didn't read the 04 part. This whole entire thread is comparing the rx8 with the 05 mustang, why on earth would i think someone would post about blowing away an 04
My bad for not reading the post clearly. Your bad for being just plain dumb
Registered
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Milwaukee Wi.
Originally Posted by cleoent
HA HA you dont know how to read...
If you'll notice the post above yours it says i didn't read the 04 part. This whole entire thread is comparing the rx8 with the 05 mustang, why on earth would i think someone would post about blowing away an 04
My bad for not reading the post clearly. Your bad for being just plain dumb
If you'll notice the post above yours it says i didn't read the 04 part. This whole entire thread is comparing the rx8 with the 05 mustang, why on earth would i think someone would post about blowing away an 04
My bad for not reading the post clearly. Your bad for being just plain dumb
n00b
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,487
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by Roaddemon
C'mon now, you posted that while I was writting my post. No ones dumb here. Just bad timeing.
But you are still silly for posting about 04 mustangs not being fast when we're talking about the completely different 05's in the thread :p