Ok, i'm sorry if this is in the wrong topic or shouldn't be another thread. I'm new here and I'm considering what car to get for when i graduate from college in may. I've been dwelling for over a year now on the rx, s2000, or STi. The price range is the key here. I've pretty much decided against all other cars, and the s2000 and STi are quickly fading from the list. I wanted the STi until i found out about some detonation problems (seriously bad) and i learned that STi owners have to deal with a lot of nastiness from anti-STi people (mostly vandalism). The s2000 seems more like me, but I don't like convertibles.

Sorry for the ramble.. here's the question: What other cars did you consider/test drive before getting your rx? And what became the deciding factor?

I realize i'm speaking to a biased crowd, so I won't bother asking if it's worth it :p . I already have a 626 that i drove all through high school, and I've actually become sentimentally attached to it. It's a crappy car in terms of performance (and all my friends made fun of it), but the feel is nice, and it responds well. I also realized that it was reliable. I'm in the shop with it all the time, but i looked at the records, and apparently i just drive a lot, because they were all just regular maintenance.

I'm hoping that the rx-8 is just as reliable (testimonies?).

 

350Z, Passat WR8, STi, Evo, Chevy Duramax Diesel (don't ask)...

The 8 is the best OVERALL vehicle. Yes, that's biased...

 

The Infinity G35 came in second place to the RX-8.

The G35 is a very nice car, but it is more of a luxury car with some sports car attributes. The RX-8 is a sports car with some luxury car attributes.

The 8 is a lot more fun to drive than the G35 as well.

 

I don't like convertibles either so no s2000 for me although you can buy a hardtop for it but it's pricey. The sti is fast as stink, but come on now I need a car that looks like a sports car not a riced up econobox.
Have you test driven any of these cars yet?

 

Some light reading for you furby:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...9/page002.html

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...12_0403_three/

http://www.intellichoice.com/reports...66/section/all

 

^There are much more than that, check out the RX8 media news forum.

Never have I seen a car dominate comparisons in the media like the RX8 since the BMW 3 series of the 90's.

 

No, i'm still in the research part. just looking at numbers, reviews, pros and cons. ultimately it'll probably come down to a test drive. I did test the mazda6 when it first came out though, just to compare to my 626 for fun. If that's any indication of how the 8 is, my mind should be set (btw, during my test drive of the mazda6, i had a giddy smile on my face that wouldn't come off.... and that's just the 6!).

 

yeah, i noticed that too. I'm wondering how accurate those are though, which is why i'd like input from actual owners who get to play with the car day in and day out. unfortunately for me consumer reports hasn't done a long-term review of it (not that i know of at least), so i don't know if it will be reliable.

 

oh yeah, thank you guys/ladies for your input. :D

 

Best advice you're gonna get... just go down to your local mazda dealer, tell them the truth, or whatever, but go for a test drive. Do the same for any other cars you like. Dealers don't mind one bit. Might just as well get it over with now. Whichever you like best will stick in your mind, it'll just eat away at you til may or whenever you finally decide you've had enough thinking about it, then you can spend your cash.

If the RX is in your future, why not know now? Then you'll enjoy the board while you're waiting.

 

I have to confess, I'm new to the sports car world. I was considering another Honda Civic until I saw an RX-8, test drove it, and realize I've been dead for the last 10 years. :D

 

True. It's like the movie "matrix" when they free you from those pods... Might as well get the most out of life, so rev it up =)

 

I seriously considered BMW M-3, Pontiac GTO or wait for new Mustang. I really wanted that back seat for the kids, so didn't look at anything with two seats. No regrets at all on the rx-8.

 

In addition to the RX8, I considered the S2000, STi, C5 Vette, and 350Z, or dropping $6k into my Miata for a full turbo/clutch/brake kit. I test drove the 8 first, and that was the end of that... I sold my Miata and entered the rotary revolution. I've since driven the STi and 350Z- I like them a lot (as a second car), but not more than RX8. I'm not sure I ever want to be without a rotary-engined car now... it's like a drug : ).


Edit- I forgot I also thought about waiting for the 05 Mustang, but I didn't think Ford would be able to balance all that power with a good handling, balanced car. I still think it's a great looking car on paper though...

 

I had a 2002 Sentra for a beater, and shared a C5 Vette with my father...both have since been sold.

My considerations were:
1. RX-8
2. Save for C6 Vette
3. FD RX-7

I despise Nissan and would never consider either 350Z or G35C. I like both STI and Evolution, but not their level of sophistication.

 

Why do you despise Nissan?

 

I'm with red devil on the nissan thing too... i can respect their cars sometimes, but it bothers me that they all have the same engine. and the 350Z doesn't seem to carry on any of the classic Z.

 

I think they claim that they are going to build all out sports cars, then build bloated cruisers instead, and everyone is so caught in the Z nostalgia that they buy into it. I think the Z should be closer to a 2900lb curb weight. Instead they platform share and it costs them. If they were going to platform share the FM, they should have built it for the Z and then let everything else leach off that instead.

When the 350Z was coming out I remember reading in one of the major car mags an interview with one of the Nissan execs. He scoffed when the press asked him if the latest Z convertible would be competitive with the Boxster S, and then said it would be better. I don't think the Boxster S is anything great, but I do believe it to be much better than the Z Convertible.

I don't think Nissan has released a good sports car to the U.S. market since the 280Z. If they bring us a GTR and depending on its price I may revise my thinking.

 

Got ya.

Believe me when I say that I completely agree that a sports car shouldn't be a bloated pig, and shouldn't weigh much more than 2900 pounds.

It just seems that saying you "despise Nissan" was a little harsh. It's not like all their cars are crap, just bloated!

 

No, the Sentra was a good reliable car. I really have no complaints about it. And I think the G35 sedan is quite nice. But there should be no excuse why the 8 with its design and architecure weighs less than the Z/G35C. They had to compensate for both the four seat design and the lack of fixed B-Pillars, yet still pulled it off, and by Japanese testing built a very safe car. And the 8 comes with more standard airbags than the Z. Where is Nissan's supposed heritage and engineering prowess. I really think of the Z as more of a muscle car.

So yes, I despise them for running their mouths...and because I'm admittedly biased.

 

dont let that sort of thing sway you from your decision, get the car you want to get no matter what. dont let anything else get in the way...think about this decision, all are great cars...the fastest being the sti and the slowest being the rx-8.

 

yeah i know i shouldn't. but mainly the detonation problem is what worries me. The only thing keeping the sti in contention with the rx is the sheer performance. but if it has detonation problems, that engine won't last for long. I want a reliable car i can be happy with for years to come. so i'm hoping i can get some reliability reviews on both cars before the time comes for me to buy.

 

thats why cars come with warranties, as long as you dont abuse it, if it breaks your covered.