foolsjoker

Hello, im new to this board but ive been apart of the eclipse06 board for a while now. I have a question I can only get information from both sides. Now i know that one really needs to see for themselves which they like best. But i would greatly like to see people opinions on what i should do. Im a 23yo college student, who is getting his 1st car. My price range is ~$25k , tried for an GT eclipse w/ pkg for $28k but my parents shot me down. So hoping that ~25 will be fine. Im debating on getting a automatic 05' RX-8 (no 06's made, right?) or getting an automatic Eclipse06 GT. Now the Eclipse would have to be bareboned cause msrp would start me at about $25k. And it seems the same is true for the RX-8.

This would be my first car, i am not employed at the moment. I am 6'2, and built like a linemen i guess. I love to drive, especially fast. But i need a car that can give me the power i want when i need it. I have driven a number of other cars, and most seem to sleep when i step on the gas. Also i need to be able to drive the car a distance when visiting my parents. Is the RX-8 comfortable for most of you on trips?

What is your guys average MPG, i hear its like 19!! which seems pretty bad, no offense. And i also hear the rotary needs a lot of maintainance, and eats a good amount of oil. What is normal for you guys to maintain your cars? Would i have to add oil when driving for longer then a few hours, everytime? Since this would be my only vehicle, i just want to know what id be getting myself into. I know a lot of ppl who are na sayers about the rx-8, and thats why i ask you guys for the truth.

I have a gf, and a bunch of friends who already drive. So im not terribly worried about rear passanger seating. But i do think i should take it into consideration. Also with luggage space, i see the eclipse having folding seats making the rear of it a much more accomidating space for luggage. What is your guys impressions of your ability to transport people, and to move stuff around in the RX-8?

Thank you guys for any help you can give me, i gave some personal info just so you guys might be able to get an idea of what i am like and what i would need to take into account. I know some of you may not like the eclipse, which is fine, i just would like to see your opinions as to why the RX-8 is better.

THANKS AGAIN.

Raptor2k

1). Automatic? No. You're going to be in a slow poser car if you get an automatic rx8. Buy the stick if you want to enjoy a sporty driving experience. With the stick, you can go from a stop to 60 in about 6 seconds (238 hp). With the automatic, you're going to be about 2 seconds behind (197 hp). Don't know how the drive stick? It takes a day or two to learn, and you won't regret it. Shifting through gears is what makes a quick car thrilling to drive.

2). The ride is quite comfortable. The rotary engine is quiet compared to the average sports car while cruising in 6th gear on the highway. The leather seats are comfortable enough.

3). I am getting about 16-18mpg, but I honestly don't care.

4). I add oil every 2000 miles or so. Not sure where you got the the 'add oil when driving for longer than a few hours' from. There's not much else to maintain...besides washing/waxing the car every week or two. Up until now, saying the rx8 require high maintenance is still a stereotype to me. And, it's a sports car. Maintenance and service intervals should be expected and performed.

5). The trunk is spacious. I recently fit in a large suitcase which was surprising to me. I don't get any complaints when two or three other friends come for the ride.

Now that I've answered your questions...here's the deal. The rx8 looks better and is way more exhilarating, in my opinion.

Test driving both cars will help you in your decision.

RX4life

i wont get an auto RX-8 or an eclipse, isnt the base eclipse a 4 banger??

you want fast then go with the stang, should be cheaper.. and comes fully loaded..for less than the price of an RX-8.. ( this is in Canada so ican only assume its the same for the States or cheaper)

unless you can afford a 6spd rx-8, its prety much pointless and a waste of money unless you want just a show car. simple!


eclipse and the RX-8 are 2 different cars anyways..try finding a used rx-8 that fits your price range...im sure you can get a used one for a lot cheaper.

Rotor Kreuzer

First off, get the 6-speed. I wish I had gotten one instead of the auto. If you still want an auto, wait for the '06 which will come with 6 gears to play with, and with the 6-port RENESIS as opposed to the 4-port ones in the current autos.

This is my first rotary and maintenance-wise, I don't think it's any different to other cars to be honest. You just have to keep an eye on the oil level. And you won't have to add oil after every few hours of driving, unless it was already depleted to start off with. I put in about 2500km a month, mixture of city and highway driving, and only lose about an eighth between the high and low markers of the dipstick. Yeah, I'm pretty much getting that mileage, but gas is cheap where I am.

Personally, I like having the extra two rear seats, you never know when you might need them. The trunk is pretty spacious, but I have to say the opening is pretty small.

Take your time and think things through dude. Hope this helps.

Chrisbert

Some other things to consider:

1. Insurance - RX8 is considered a "4-door" by most companies. My insurance dropped when I went from an 01 Acura CL-S to my 04 RX8.

2. Service - The 8 has had its quirks, most of which have been addressed by Mazda. My dealership experience with Mazda service has been very good. I've never owned a Mits, but I've heard some horror stories about their service centers.

Also, on the roominess. I moved to Austin from Atlanta. My company moved my belongings, but I needed 2 months worth of clothes and stuff for my Corp Apartment. I fit 2 months worth of clothing and supplies in the 8.

rodrigo67

ok, a couple of things

as stated above, do not get an auto 8, you will regret it. You can pick up a 6sp 8 with a few options in the 24K range. There are no 06's out yet.

For someone unemployed, gas milage may be an issue. The car gets anywhere from 15 to the low 20's mpg, with a whole tank getting you about 260 miles out of it. Since it takes high octane gas, depending on where you live, a fill up could run you as high as 40 bucks per.

The car is very comfortable and the back seats are usable even for adults if it isn't a long road trip.

I always hear from non members how much maint this car requires, but I have found it to be the opposite. Just like any high revving sports car, you should check your oil every 1000 miles or so. I have added 1 quart every 2500 miles. Thats it for maint. The only other real issue is be cafefull to not shut this car down when it's cold. other then that, I've had the car almost 2 years and haven't had one issue.

Second, the mitsu. I recently got a copy of motor trend and they have a car of the year article. Under the Kia rio I found the following:
"The four channel abs helped the Rio5 outbrake the mitsu eclipse GT V-6 by a foot. Even more impressive, it ( kia rio5)snaked through the slalom quicker then the eclipse".

The base mitsu comes with a 162 hp four cyl. and is as heavy as a full size car, corners terrible, and has less room then others in it's class. Taking that into account and that a Kia will run circles around you, you might want to consider something else.

If you want something sporty, good looks, reliable, back seats, quick, and under 24K, you might want to look at a Acura RSX type s. ..

dmorales

Test drive both and go with the one that makes you say, "Wow, that feels awesome!"

I test drove a used 350z and a new Rx8 when I was looking to buy. Well, the 350z I came feeling like that is some power in a car. Then a day or two later I drove the 8. I was like, "Wow, it feels like this car runs on magic instead of gasonline!"

I never a fealt a power delivery so smooth and refined. That's what sold me. It's a great car, but it's whatever you come away with feeling will satisfy you everytime you get in it.

Oh, and the Rx-8 handles like no other, and that is what makes driving fun!
________
Prilosec Injury Lawyer

playdoh43

sup, im also a 23 year old college student. Im driving/making payments on an Infiniti G35 coupe, so im not baised toward the RX8 and I definetly understand your situation.

frankly the Eclipse is a very unsporty car. for 25k im assuming you are looking for a V6 GT which is a decently powerful car with 260hp and lots of torque. And it looks pretty nice and sleek. That however is just about where the good things ends. Its one of the worst handling sporty cars out there. Not to mention its sort of overpriced for what it is. Its Front Wheel Drive, thus its prone to a large amount of under steer and torque steer. If you look into sports cars, you'll notice the good once are all Rear Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive. It makes a huge difference in terms of handling. To be honest the overall performance of Eclipse is simply pathetic compared to other performance cars in the same price range. Eclipse also gets very little respect and is often made fun of by car enthusiasts due to its lack of performance abilities.

RX8 on the other hand, is RWD and handles extremely well, its just overall a better car. It CAN be as fast as the eclipse GT if you are skilled enough to launch it at a high RPM, but realistically speaking for everyday driving, the acceleration is pretty bad compared to other performance cars. Your best bet is to go drive both.

Space and utility is about the same for both cars. If you go post this same question on a neutral car forum, I would bet that odds are people will recommend the RX8 in overwhelming favor.

I personally would look at the subaru WRX or Acura RSX or base Nissan 350Z, and used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, which out performs both the RX8 and Eclipse by a huge margin. Another very good option is a V6 Nissan Altima SE, which goes from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and is a sedan with planty of space and looks good to boot. The engine in the Nissan is way superior to the one in the Eclipse GT.

playdoh43

and yeah, if you can avoid it, dont get an auto. its really worth it to learn to drive stick shift, its much more fun and give you total control over your engine as opposed to automatic. I honestly think the eclipse is a big waste of money, its basically a Mitsubishi Gallant family sedan in a sporty body.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

If you really want an auto RX-8, I'd wait until the 2006 model year comes out because that will have a stronger engine than the current automatic 8. It will get the same 6 port engine like it's in the manual cars, with a somewhat lower redline.

Animagix

stay away from auto, you'll get laughed at by every rx8 owner and kids who think you're cool until they look inside your car to see an manumatic thing. j/k. to each his own, but get stick, please.

I'm 6'2" with pretty broad build (not fat) and I fit in the 8 perfectly, with sunroof and all. Some of my friends would rather picture me inside an SUV but I could care less, it's about what YOU want.

The rotary does require special care, if you treat it right (warm ups in the cold, adding oil, etc) then you shouldn't have any problems.

gas mileage is my only gripe but it comes with having a high revving engine. chances are you you'll shift above 4-5k more often than you think because its just fun. however, highway mileage isn't bad, its definitely night and day between city and highway.

I love my car till this day because its sexy as hell and it drives well. The mitsubishi eclipse has a nice v6.... that's all. My 8 has enough power for me and I don't need anything that's 0-60 in 4 seconds as the law doesn't let you cruise around at 150mph.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

wow, should you stay away from the automatic 8?

BoxerGT2.5

Get an 05 Evo. Problem solved.

playdoh43

a lot of mods and admins on eclipse forums dosnt drive eclipses. that should say something about the car. i know HK56 on the 4g forum drives a Z, and just about all the mods on club3g.com owns different cars. Normally on other forums, usually the mods drives that car for the forum.

guy321

Power when you need it: The Manual 8 has power and does not sleep when you step on the gas.. PROVIDED: You shift and keep the revs above 5k. If you are cruising at 80 on the highway and need a quick boost to 100+ You may need to down-shift to 3rd to get rocketlike accelration.. (i've never done this, but so I've heard!!!)

In 5th/6th you will accell enough to pass people, it isn't turtle-like, but it isn't fast.

I've driven the 8 on numerous trips from FL to VA, and find it very confortable until about 7 hours.. then my back may start to ache.. some other cars i've owned, this happens alot sooner though..

It takes no real extra maintenence, you may have to add 1 qt oil between oil changes, no big deal..

19mpg ?? 19mpg is GOOD in the 8.... 100% highway though, you may get 22+ mpg.. %100 in town, maybe 15 - 16, mixed driving 17 - 19.. (based on my own driving)..

spork

I dunno. If you live in a very hilly area and you don't know how to drive stick or you're somewhere with a lot of stop and go traffic you might want to get the automatic. I think the new automatic might have more horsepower though? Manual is a lot of fun IMO. I really like it except when I'm on a steep hill with some guy right behind me.

I don't really know much about the eclipse but I'll point out a few issues that you have to consider with the 8.

1) Gas consumption. I get on average 18 mpg. This is mixed driving, though admittedly, a lot of it is short trips in city coupled with a couple of longer trips on the freeway. I'm going to guess like 80% of my TIME is spent on city but probably more like 65% of miles driven is in city. Of course if you drive it hard, you'll get some pretty bad mileage.

2) Flooding. Never had an issue. I stalled MILLIONS of times when I first started driving stick. I almost flooded once I think at a very bad time (but this was also when I was learning stick). Since then never had a problem, though I take precautions just to be safe.

3) Oil consumption. It's not as bad as it sounds if you don't push your car too hard. You probably have to fill it up once between oil changes unless you're going to be revving it up high often. Oil costs < $5 bucks for a quart.

4) Reliability. I haven't had any serious problems with my car. But to be honest I can't help but be afraid of possible potential problems. I know a fair amount of people had minor issues though.

5) Trunk opening. The trunk space is very decent. The opening to the trunk is pretty small.

6) Power. If this is an issue for you, DON'T get this car. I've seen a lot of people here trade in their 8's because they wanted a torque monster which could beat people from streetlight to streetlight. If this is you, get the Eclipse. The RX-8, from what I hear (haven't driven the Eclipse), is excellent in cornering, steering, and just a general feeling of being really connected to the road and car. If you don't care much about that and think "performance" means powering past people, this is probably not the car for you. Sure you can easily zip past most people with this car... but you'll need to downshift into a lower gear (meaning you're not going to be doing this off the line unless you do a high rev clutch drop which isn't exactly good for your car).

Think of this car more like a 7 second 0-60. If this isn't acceptable to you, then seriously, don't get the 8 unless you're planning on modding it. Otherwise you'll be here later complaining about how slow it is. :-/

Keith

The Eclipse is not worth it. Its a boat of a car, not something you have fun with. I come from the 3G world and it was a disappointment from the 2G.

map

From your post it doesn't sound like either car is right for you. I should also say that if you really "love" driving you should learn to drive manual, but based on your criteria i'd suggest the following

1. A mustang GT. I find it ugly and wouldn't buy one but you'd have fun tooling around town. It's got some speed, plenty of room for a big guy.
2. A used auto GTO. I think you can find a good one for 20k-ish (new GTOs are out of the price range). To me this sounds like a good car for you. Faster than the Stang, plenty of room even in the back seat. Looks like a normal car instead of the Stang's ..uh.. unique look.
3. WRX. Doesn't really look like a sports car but has speed. I think it looks good anyway. It's also reliable and should get some decent milage. Interior possibly not as nice as RX8 or Eclipse.

Not sure those are really what you're looking for though since you like the import coupe styling, which is really about the only thing the Eclipse has going for it. The problem is the automatic transmission. If you want a fast auto in that price range you're pretty much stuck in american cars. If you'd go manual then definatly test drive an RX8 and even Mazdaspeed 6.

ucfracerx8

First DO NOT GET THE ECLIPSE, have you ever seen an Eclipse that is more than 3 years old with all of it's paint still intact??? Consider yourself very lucky if the answer is yes, I doubt the new ones have changed at all. Now to answer your question, since you have a cap, I would recommend getting an 05 RX8 6SPD, yes the sticker will probably be near 30 or higher, but you can easily talk the dealer down to that 25 without question. If you do not want leather and the GT package, you could go even lower. Now that Mazda has officially released the 2006 RX8, the dealers will really be scrambling to get rid of their last remaining 05's. Remember that it is still a new car and is sold with a 4yr/50k warranty. Not trying to take anything away from the automatics, but the manuals are faster and in my opinion a true sports car needs to have 3 pedals to really be appreciated (Better put on the flame suit now).

Oil consumption all depends on your driving habits, I average a little over 1qt/2k miles, but I drive very hard and it is not uncommon for me to hit 8k or more 5-6 times a week. Gas comsumption also depends on driving habits, I don't really keep track because I really don't care, I enjoy the car and that matters more to me since it is still cheap entertainment.

Luggage space is big enough for two for a long weekend, if you do not have the spare tire kit, it is even better.

Finally, I have looked at the new Eclipse and I think the build quality and materials are better in the 8, the 8 has a more appealing body design and is a very satisfying car to drive. Also the 8 will give you the power you need when you need it. I have been able to do passing maneuvers with the 8 that I could never do with my WRX because I am not afraid to get the revs up to get that instant pop.

Message to GUY321, yes that is exactly what happens, but from 60 up to triple digits and I am not afraid to say that I have done it.

foolsjoker

wow guys, thanks for all the posts.

Yeah if i did get teh eclipse it would be the GT. I meant base model as in no features, Mitsu has a horrible idea about making 1 pkg that u can either take everything or nothing. So id have to do nothing (pkg is 3k). I dont know how to drive a manual, so id have to learn. And i dont have anyone to teach me. So if i did choose the RX-8 i might have to wait for the auto 06' But then i wonder, is the body any different? is there pics of it? would the price be within my range?

The Mustang - im with you on that man...i really dont like the body, the power, or anything at that. The price is nice though....but i hate FORD.

The RSX - Drove in one and it was nice(power,comfort), just nothing special in style
The GTO - I think insurance would bend me over a table, that and the body looks weird to me
WRX - Id have to go with teh 2.4L which seems under powered to me, that and i know like 5 ppl with one. So its kinda like i dont want to add another one to the crowd (especially since they are all STI's)
Speed6 - wouldnt mind that thing is a lil monster, but out of my $ range.
Used Cars - my parents are helping me buy a car, but only condition is that it has to be new.

I figure i really just want a car that stands out, handles fairly well, wont rape my wallet, and is a fun drive. So i figure id prolly be happy with either for the most part, but i wonder which is a smarter buy. I do also keep hearing bad things about Mitsubishi's past, but a lot of the ppl around me are pushing for Mitsu. Ive heard a lot about eclipses lately and the history, doesnt phase me much anymore. But i dont turn a blind eye to it. I dont know much about Mazda's past, so anyone want to fill me in?

The gas thing....wow, um yeah i really dont know what to think about that. That is like the one thing that is like kickin me in the nuts about this car. Beautiful, smooth, handles...just gas. Also i see a lot of these on the road now a days, which i guess makes sense. Considering its a good car, just doesnt seem to stand out as much to me anymore. (Even though i do still stare everytime i see one )

czr

iTrader: (3)

In their long-term test, Edmunds rated the Eclipse GT at 16.5 mpg and the RX8 at 16.9 and that was a 2004 RX8, but the Eclipse should get slightly better gas mileage depending on your use. But, don't forget to factor in things like depreciation and true cost to own.

IMO, if you are getting an auto, might as well get the Eclipse- driving a 3500 lb fwd fatty is icing on the cake.

Rhawb

Fools, don't be afraid of getting a stick shift - maybe even ask a salesman if you can give one a shot before you buy. Just make sure you let the guy know that you've never driven one before. If you feel like it's going to be WAY WAY WAY over your head, then don't do it, but if you screw up a couple of times, that's totally natural. Most people will be decent with it after 2 days or so.

That being said, I agree with about everyone else in here - I'd avoid the Eclipse, but I'd also only get the 8 if it was a manual.

Keep an eye on the GTO though, they'll put some crazy deals on them sometimes. When I was looking for cars a year ago, they were selling GTOs for about $23k, only problem is insurance. Mine would have jumped from about $1100/6mos to $1800, which was the deciding factor there. You might want to check it out though - It's a pretty solid deal for a car that lists around $33k.

Anyway, good luck with the hunt! Hope you find a car that suits you well and fits your price range!

Camel8

I test drove both the Eclipse GT and the Rx-8 MT.

I now own an Rx-8, the general dissatisfaction on my face after the eclipse test drive, versus the huge grin on my face as the 8 hit 9000rpm in second on the 405 on ramp near irvine mazda while scaring the living **** out of the salesman was the clinching factor here.

Since buying the 8 ive seen a few eclipses around and about, and i cant say enough how glad i am to have made the right choice, the feeling of having a purley unique car is like nothing else. The eclipse is a pretty common car, with nothing special about it and a ride height that looks like it should be running the dakar rally.

My £0.02 (UK Citizen with *** temporaraly parked in US)

Steiner

If you're looking for the best combination of power, performance, and gas mileage with an automatic transmission at under $25k then I think the Subaru WRX is your best option. The 2.5L in the '06 model puts down significantly more power and torque than the older 2.0L and it's also very tunable because it shares many parts with the more aggressively tuned 2.5L in the STi.

If you're dead set on an automatic that's what I would do. But if you're serious about a fast car that handles well...like the RX-8...then you're missing out on an entire world of performance by not teaching yourself to drive a stick. There's even cars for around $20k that will haul *** and handle well...like the Cobalt SS, SRT-4, etc...if you're willing to drive stick.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

RX-8 is not the car for you