cretinx

Chicks dig the RX-8

Most girls I know associate Mustang GTs with Mullets and Mustang V6s with secretaries.

TooBIG

Good topic.
MY last 2 new cars were Mustang GT's.
I had a 92 till 2001, then got a 2001.
Sold my 01 to a friend to get an 05 RX-8.
Yes, I miss the power. I have never really adjusted.
Especially when my friend keeps beating me in races.
But, I get more looks in 1 day driving my 8 than I did the entire time
I had both GTs.
In fact, I am shocked at how many people ask me about my 8
or just stare..

I love the new Mustangs.. and I think about getting 1 every day.
But then I pass someone who turns around to look at my car.. and it gets me through
till the next day.. haha

The 2006 Mustang GT500 may be the only thing to make me trade...
But, if the SC kits come out before the GT500, I will be saved !!

-B

rx8wannahave

YES...I have...

RX8

Pro: Sexy looks, nimble, rear seat comfort, quality interior & exterior, FUN to drive, fast-quick, rear doorlits makes rear entry much easier, 50/50 weight distribution, great breaks, very good handling, comfortable ride for a sports car, standard equipment list is great, rotary 9K engine, nice trunk size

Cons: Narrow trunk opening, just average fuel economy (sometimes less (but I average 19.2 city)), narrow door storage, occasional wind humming with ONE window open, door stop points seem off a little, need to remove the front bumper for most frontal mods (LOL), tranny at times notchy, interior easily scuffs, spare tire is optional (but they give you a tire sealant), lacks so torque (while it’s not as bad as a S2000 or low torque I-4’s)

What makes it special: It’s a VERY FUN to drive car that feels as if it’s connected to your nervous system. It uses a rare engine (rotary) that acts like a Formula car engine hitting 9K redline. It’s balanced as a TRUE sports car made to race (ON A TRACK) and enjoyed safely. Finally, it’s looks stand out and put other cars to shame.

05 Mustang GT


Pro: American V8 muscle, easy to make it look MEAN, seats are comfortable, ready to drag out of the box (ON A TRACK), bang for the buck in regards to power, outside interior quality is good, did I mention the AMERICAN V8 (LOL), fast-fast and can handle pretty well for a non-independent suspension car, small turning radius


Cons: Madona looks (sometimes nice…sometimes ugly), interior quality of a $10,000 car (at least the one I tried), rear headroom keeps your head attached to the rear window (unpleasant), uncomfortable getting to the rear seats, a little heavy (3500lbs…should have been 3300lbs), V8 fuel economy not on par with Chevy V8’s (it’s about average for a V8), designed to go straight not so much for curves

What makes it special: The American pony car king with a lot of history of giving common or average people the opportunity to experience a RWD sports car. (while it’s priced similar to a RX8 now…so it’s 3K too high in my opinion) Also, there is no rumble like that of a V8 which give you grins ear to ear.

I hope the best in your decision! Both cars have their good and not so good with the RX8 being more of a TRUE sports (as an athlete does good in all categories) car while the Mustang gives you neck snapping acceleration at a drag strip. The Mustang handles pretty well and with mods will handle even better while the RX8 was built for a race track out of the box and with mods it will reach near professional race car levels. Quality wise the RX8 take it but in 0-60 & ¼ mile the Mustang will eat the 8 by a 1 second (in the car world that’s huge…lol). Also with looks, while I understand it’s subjective, the RX8 is at another level that the Mustang can’t even come close to.

Again…this is MY OPINION, but as long as you love what you paid for…that’s all that maters! Any TRUE sports car guy/gal will love the good of all sports cars and wont hate one because it’s built by a certain company, has a certain engine, etc etc…I’m just glad they keep building cars for enthusiast like me and the other sports car guys out there!

I hope the best…test drive them both, and enjoy!

rx8wannahave

I just read what I said, please don't take the above the wrong way...I'm a common or average person myself, so I understand we all don't have money tree's in the back yard. What I mean is that it's an affordable rwd sports car for NON-RICH people...lol...

...like me...but I got my 8 for 25K...now that's a BANG FOR THE BUCK!

kraeji

I wish I could buy both

Razz1

It's just the same old Mustang. Nothing different from the ones I've owned before.
Just a cosmetic make over and bigger engine.

Yes, they have improved the handling but............

I love my 8 !

twisty7867

Having driven both a 2005 Mustang GT and an RX-8, there are definite advantages to both. I find the seats to be far more comfortable in the Mustang, and there is the obvious 300 HP It is also available in better colors (yellow!).

The RX-8, however, is generally less expensive, has a far better warranty (5 years vs 3) and most importantly, the steering, clutch, and transmission FEEL much better, more precise.

Ultimately, drive them both and you will figure out which is better for you.

bmkarr

ive driven both, and personally i prefer the 8. which is why i bought it. my dad has the 05 GT and that car is amazing but i like the sleek look of the 8 and the fact that i can take him in the turns. My dad loves his GT tho, but he always gives me complements on my car. if your a rally type of guy go with the 8 and if your the Drag kind of guy go with the GT. good luck on the call, both are great cars

SINISTER

Whelp, I wouldn't exactly consider myself an authority...but I do own them both. I have had 97,98, and 2000 GT's and a 99 cobra and the 2005 has greatly improved. BUT...I prefer my 8, except when the pedal is down. Heres why..the gt's handling has come a long way..but not far ebough to deal with the rx. It fells clunky and it floats...BAD. I have to think about driving it...the 8 seems like it anticipates where I want to turn or drift w/ just a minor flick of my wrist. The gt's manual tranny is less precise...and when I have been driving the 8 often and get into the GT, I grind reverse alot trying to get into the non-existant "sixth" gear . Some of my gt's handling issues may be that its a convertible and it has less body/frame ridgidity. The "shaker" 500 sound system cant compare to the bose in the 8. But maybe the shaker 1000 can. I get more looks in the 8. The stang has less of an "electronic" feel...I like the 8's gadgets much more. I think the 8 is more comfortable and better at restaining you, but the gt is a bit more acceptable on long drives. The 8 sits lower & gives you a "part of the road" feeling. The gt, like I said, floats and sways. The 8 gets more comfortable to handle the faster I go..over 100 in the gt gets worrisome and scary. I have seen 130+ in the 8 and never even broke a sweat. The gt's wheel wells are so big, & wheels are so small that it looks like its all tire. And it doesnt "feel" like 300 hp. Your at the 6k redline so fast that if your not watching, you'll bounce off the limiter. My last car was a Lightning and that FELT like 400hp. Also, I dont think the gt looks sleek...it seems rather big & bulky. And it looks EXACTLY like the 60's version, for the most part. It makes me worry that ford designers are lost for ideas. The longer I look at it the more I feel like ford should send some big checks to the children/grandchildren of the original designers of the 60's 'stang..because they totally ravaged it. The overall driving experience and asthetic (visual) value go to the 8. But, the problem is the aftermarket system will embrace the mustang much better than it has the 8, and all above mentioned issues will have options to vastly improve them, or obliterate them all together. Best of luck.

mkaresh

I'm new to this forum, but this thread really demonstrates that people here aren't just some clueless teens yappin about their rides. Some excellent comparisons, especially by dreamer and sinister. (I'm choosing to ignore the borderline tasteless comparisons to women.)

I've driven both, and reviewed them for epinions. Search "2004 RX-8" and "2005 Mustang" and my reviews should be at the top of the list. I should have a review of the 2005 RX-8 out later this week.

I'm one of two people who manage the autos category at Epinions. I encourage people here to post some reviews over there as well. If you do let me know, I'm make sure your reviews get noticed. Epinions pays royalties based on some complex secret formula, but don't count on earning more than a few dollars. Better than nothing, but not much better.

Now about the two cars. As others have said, two very different animals. To me the Mustang is a car that anyone can understand the appeal of and enjoy, even people who don't have a clue about cars. As others have said, it excels at what it's trying to be. My review gave it top marks for this reason. It's just not me.

The RX-8, on the other hand, is a car for true enthusiasts, those who understand and can appreciate fine handling. All the better that the car lacks in the grunt department. This serves to single out those who truly understand the car from those merely in a sports car for looks and horsepower.

I currently own a Protege5 based on similar logic. Much less grunt than, say, a Sentra Spec V. But then you can't change lanes with a stab at the throttle, either.

Want something in between the RX-8 and Mustang? Still can't decide between the two? Then I'd suggest the 350Z or G35 coupe.

khtm

Why would it be any different than your 2004 review? Are you going to write about how cool the flip-out key is?

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

I've been in the '05 Mustang assembly plant.... My money was better spent on the RX8. Until you see how some of the plants are operated, and the number of cars that have been pulled off the line for repairs and QC checks, ...well you get the picture. The first time roll off stats are allot better at the Hiroshima plant than the Detroit plant.

mkaresh

Won't be much different.

But I've taken two more test drives. One of the test drives, where the salesman simply handed me the keys, included my favorite set of curvy roads. I've driven dozens of different cars on these same roads, so this enabled me to better evaluate the car. Also, I drove the car back-to-back with a Honda S2000 both times. This really put some things in perspective.

Once upon a time epinions just listed models. Then they decided to list models by model year. I protested, because this would have the effect of burying still relevant reviews. People shopping for a new car tend to only read reviews of the latest model year, even though the previous year or two might be essentially the same car. I wanted to instead list cars by design generation. But I lost.

At the same time, posting the same review under all relevant model years is frowned upon.

Put it all together and I'll have a different review this time around even though the car hasn't changed.

TODreamer

I was going to ask you to elaborate, but realized that you are probably still in the midst of writing your review. Once its done can you please post it here? I am interested in reading it.

Thanks

mkaresh

Not in the midst, haven't started yet.

Key points I'll make:

I don't care that much about midrange power if an engine is willing to rev. As many others have pointed out, if you like torque you won't like the RX-8.

The roads I drove the RX-8 on this time around have very uneven concrete pavement. In a couple of the turns the concrete slabs don't line up well, which upsets the average car a great deal. Nothing has handled these roads better than the 2006 330i. Astounding ride-handling balance in that car. But the RX-8 comes close. Driving the RX fast on these roads could hardly have been easier. Very good precision, composure, and balance.

The Honda S2000, in contrast, was much more tiresome and difficult to drive quickly on these same roads. I know they redesigned the suspension for '04 to reduce the rear end's propensity to step out without warning, but it still does it. Though easy to catch, this behavior isn't confidence-inspiring. Stability control would help. The Honda's firmer, busier ride gets tiresome quickly. This ride might be worth it if the car's handling was significantly better than the RX-8's, but it isn't. If anything I have more fun driving the RX-8, even on smooth roads. I suppose its a matter of personal taste, but I like the Mazda's quicker turn-in.

I've never driven the G35 coupe, but compared to both the S2000 and the 350Z the RX-8 rides so much more smoothly and quietly. Looking at the road tests the objective noise levels in the Mazda aren't low, but subjectively it's very quiet for a sports car.

But then there are the seats. The Honda has wonderful seats. They feel more substantial than those in the RX-8 and provide better support. Jumping from the S2000 to the RX-8 really made me wish the latter had equally good seats.

In other areas as well the Honda felt more substsantial to me. Especially the interior trim and door hardware. I suppose some of this is the almost Benz-like ultra-solid feel you get when you close the door in the Honda--a pillarless design will never do well here. But in general the Honda struck me as a car that would hold up very well over the years, while I have concerns in this area with the Mazda.

This last bit mattered more to me when I was thinking of a sports car as a toy that I'd only drive infrequently, and thus I'd want to be able to hold onto it for a long time. With the RX-8, though, I'd be able to drive it at least half the time. So long-term durability becomes less of an issue.

dmp

I'm thinking, if I had to do it over again, I'd have got the Mustang.

mkaresh

Care to elaborate? I'm actually surprised that so many people cross-shop these two cars. They seem so different to me.

On my price comparison site the RX-8 is most often compared to the 350Z and G35. Nothing else met my report threshhold. To investigate further I lowered the threshhold. Other cars included in at least five comparisons with the RX-8: 3-Series, S2000, MINI, RSX, and Impreza (includes STi).

Care most often compared to the Mustang: 350Z, Scion tC, Corvette, RSX, Accord (probably the coupe), Impreza, and G35.

The two lists clearly have some overlap, especially the Nissan products. Which supports my earlier post: if you don't know whether you want an RX-8 or a Mustang, you probably want a 350Z or G35.

dmp

The more I see and read of the new Mustang, the more I think I could have been very happy with the car - if not the very cheap-looking interior, the handling, and power for sure.

guy321

I agree with you for sure!