large_x7

Hey guys, I'm new here. Unfortunately, I'm not getting an RX-8. But my brother is looking at new cars. His current car is a 1995 Mercury Mystique. He is a recent college grad and is looking for something a little more sporty and maybe a little less practical. I think he has pretty much narrowed it down to the Accord Coupe V6 and the RX8. I know he really likes the RX8, but he has some reservations about it. Since this will be his all-season daily driver, it will need to survive Chicago winters. I told him that with a good set of winter tires, he should be fine, but I've never driven a RWD car in the snow, so I'm not really sure. Also, what are most people getting (with conservative mixed driving) for fuel economy? I get about 24mpg in my TL, and I think he would get a little worse than that (he would have more stop and go) If this were my car, and I didn't already have the RX-7, it would be a no-decision! But I think the practical side of him may choose the Accord over the RX8. Are there any other things that he should look out for? Thanks.

Shamblerock

Apples and Oranges. Different cars entirely. A real sports car vs a good family car. Go with the 8. Cutting edge and engineering and I think he could use it as a chick magent as well. Its worth given up a fe extar MPG's for the sportiness and enjoyment of driving a real sports car.

large_x7

that's my opinion as well. I was just wondering what some of the differences would be. Obvious pros and cons:

****************************************
Accord pros:
FWD = good for winter
bigger for hauling stuff
cheaper
better MPG

Accord cons:
less cool
not as exhilerating

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RX8 pros:
RWD = handles like a go-cart
sexier
smaller = better for city streets and parallel parking

RX8 cons:
bad MPG
RWD = bad for snow
costs more
***************************************

the problem is the RX8 cons are more quantifiable than the Accords. I guess, in typical Honda vs Mazda way, the Honda appeals to your brain, and the Mazda appeals to your emotions.

Anybody else have any insight? Thanks

TODreamer

Well I have an Accord Coupe 4-banger. I know its not the V6 but its one tough car... I gotta give it credit... up to 210,000km and not a single problem (knock on wood).

personally I'd go with an 8 any day of the week and twice on Sundays but thats not to take anything away from the Accord... as it was said earlier, they are 2 totally diff cars, however, either way he goes on this one he will be getting a fine car

Ike

Nothing wrong with either car, but very different. The accord is actually faster in MT form but he will have a harder time putting the power down due to the FWD, but on a highway mashing on the pedal can be fun. Both have nice interiors. The RX-8 handles much better. The Accord will most likely be more trouble free. It really all depends on what you're after, both are very good choices.

Fanman

Also I don't believe the Acoord comes with a limited slip differential. Fun for 1/4 mile runs but also important in less than ideal situations (mud & snow traction).

Ike

I'd be shocked if that was true, but I have no clue either way.

BlueEyes

I don't see any mention of an lsd on the honda canada website. Thinking about it, I have heard people say that it needs one

TODreamer

it DOES believe me

mysql101

it does need one, or it does have one? heh

Fanman

I remember reading in Car & Driver when they still had the CL and they had commented this was why the Cl was a superior car to the Accord in a few ways, that the Accord did not have an LSD unit.

Fanman

Found the article, unless the change was made for the 2005 model it DOES NOT have LSD.

From the Article "but the CL rode on stiffer suspension components and also offered something that's absent in the Accord inventory: a limited-slip differential."

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

khtm

The 8 is definitely not bad in snow. With winter tires it's better than my old accord with all-seasons. It's a lot more fun, too

Riggs

If he is going to be in Chicago, tell him to watch out for potholes. Big ones!

SD-8

The 6MT Accord is a nice overall car, it's very fast (ie faster straightline than the 8), but the handling out the door is awful, I know if He gets the Factory Performance package from Honda it makes a big difference, but still does not hold a candle to the 8.

It depends if he wants a sports car or a sporty car, The 6 speed accord is a great overall value, but so is the 8.....Best thing is to drive both and decide. I came from an 03 V6 Auto Coupe to the 8.

Check out www.v6performance.net, its a great Accord forum, but not as good as the club!

cas2themoe

Their totally different cars, but I like that Coupe Accord V6. Espically when they have that nice stock kit on. I'm sure its pretty fast and has nice comfort. Hard choice but they are toally different cars.

czr

iTrader: (3)

Tell him to get the 8. He will not regret it. A little less practical? Yes, but he's straight out of college and the accord coupe is my gf's car!

large_x7

Thanks, guys, I'm already familiar with most of the Accord features (I work for Honda ) But I guess I was mainly looking for answers to the questions:

*how does the RX8 handle as a daily all-season driver? my guess is that with the traction control and winter tires it wouldn't be so bad.

*are there any major reliability issues with the RX8 so far? I wouldn't wish the RX7's reliability on anybody

*how is everyone's gas mileage? I've read that most people are getting between 16-18mpg, which would be about 10mpg less than what he is used to, and about 5mpg less than what he would get with the Accord.

Those are the main points, but I was just wondering if there was anything else to look out for. Thanks again!

KWS

Expect 16 MPG.

I use my RX8 everyday, with snow tires it works just fine in the snow. I'd forgotten how much fun rear wheel drive can be in the snow. Easy to control, fun to slide around corners if you want to (the wife loves that!). With the 50/50 weight distribution you don't even need to put weight in the back.

Get the RX8 if you want a family friendly sports car, get the Honda if you want a sporty family car.

jsh1120

Having just given up a much loved '94 Prelude, I looked very carefully at the Accord Coupe (closest thing to a Prelude in the Honda lineup these days.) Decided to go with the RX-8 knowing its reliability was unlikely to match the Honda. (My Prelude never cost me a dime other than scheduled maintenance, gas, oil, and tires in 100K miles and drove exactly as it had the day I bought it ten years before.)

On the other hand, I figured (rationalized) that the RX-8 would not have been produced if Mazda wasn't fairly certain about its reliability. (Same reasoning led me to buy a couple of the new Triumph motorcycles in the last few years.)

The mileage issue was a difficult one for me to get around. It ain't the money; it's the fact that I don't like to feel like I'm riding around with Osama Bin Laden in the back seat. But my mileage has been consistently in the 18-19 range and I (again) rationalize that I have a Saab and several motorcycles that get much better mileage.

In addition, I was really tired of a two-door coupe with a "pretend" back seat. The Accord is better than the Prelude, but the RX-8 provided utility that the Accord couldn't match in that area.

Finally, there's the looks and handling. What can I say? The Accord coupe is a clean design though a bit "hippy." But it just doesn't compare to the lines of the RX-8. As far as handling is concerned, there is simply no comparison. (And I actually like FWD cars, e.g. Saab, Volvo, etc.) If your brother can drive the two cars back to back and choose the Honda, then he doesn't know what I'm talking about. He should buy the Honda.

Riggs

Well put SD-8