tazzydnc

tiptronic . . . thats when you put it into the drive on the left and use the buttons on the steering wheel to shift, right? This was something I neglected to use the first time I test drove one, but was planning on trying out next time I get a chance.

Yes a g35 and the s2000 would leave it in the dust, but they also costs like 5 grand more, and I highly doubt the rsx would toast it. I'm not looking to have the fastest car on the road, anything under 6 seconds is plenty for me. Once you get into manuals the wrx advantage doesn't seem like so much, but it still has the benefit of AWD etc.

DreRX8

Yeah--I don't agree with Outlaws Extreme off the fact that the Miata is a stellar sports car--there is more to it than straight line speed--its all relative. The 350Z and G35 are slightly faster than an RX8 but you feel disconnected with the driving experience.

rx8wannahave

New lesson, humility…LOL, LOL…just messing with you man…that one was too easy…lol, again...just playing with ya...

Ohhh yeah, forget the WRX…get the Legacy GT (if you are not getting the lovely RX8)…I would rather have the Legacy GT before the WRX. It looks better and is more comfortable too.


tazzydnc,

Your a young kid so if you were my little brother I would make fun of you at every turn, lol but seriously all those cars (WRX, Legacy GT, & RX8) are very nice cars. But, if you were my little bro these are issues that you will have to take into consideration.

The rotary engine, it's not for:

People who neglect cars/engines

The rotary engine takes a little bit more of care:

1) Check oil level every 2-3 weeks
2) NEVER turn off the rotary engine while it is cold
3) Don't rev it high while cold

Note: While piston engines deal better with #2 & 3 it's a good thing you don't do that to a piston engine either.

What I'm trying to tell you is, can your mom, dad, sister, brother (just in case) remember those 3 GOLDEN RULES for the rotary engine? This is your first car and it seems it might be better for you to go with a normal piston engine for now.

Get the Legacy GT or WRX, heck like someone said...the tC is a VERY COOl car for young people (heck it was my fall back car just in case I could not get the 8 (I'm 27)). No, I don't want to end a sale for Mazda and just read what we think about our car and you will learn what a GREAT car it is, but as your first car I would suggest you get a normal piston car.

My vote is for the tC or the Legacy GT.

Good luck...AND BE GREATFUL to those parents of yours because it is in NO WAY normal to have a $30,000 car at your age. I did not get my first car until I was 20 and it cost ME $2500 so just realize that it's NOT "normal" and be greatful your parents can do this for you.

Best of luck...GOD BLESS!

rx8wannahave

Yeah, wait one sec there buddy...lol....

G35c (14.2 1/4 mile)
S2000 (14.2-14.0 1/4 mile)
RSX (15.2-15.0 1/4 mile)
350Z (14.2-13.7 1/4 mile)
WRX (14.5 1/4 mile)
1995 RX-7 (13.9 1/4 mile)
RX8 (14.5 1/4 mile)

First, 5 car lengths in the RX7 over the RX8 seems crazy to me. (Does .6 sec = 5 car lengths?) Also while the RX8 is slower than most of the cars there it's not by a WIDE margin. IkeWRX might have issue with some of my numbers but for the most part they are very accurate.

The RX8 is NOT a sports car???? I've been lied to???? lol What the heck is it then? A SUV, minivan, etc????

Note: I'm just talking to ya so don't be all red in the face and stuff....lol

Sorry, but I think the RX8 is a HECK of a sports car...a 2+2 sports car which is how I like them. Sorry, but I disagree with everything you said...

cas2themoe

Dude you have to have the Automatic to being saying such things. Everyone here knows the RX8 is not the fastest car on the road. But the Manual RX8 DOES keep up with all of them very well! Time and time again numbers and lap times have shown it. I for one know what a big difference the Manual 8 has over the Auto 8. I had the auto and had to trade it in for a manual. Theres a hell of a difference in the car.

Outlaws eXtreme

To all those that think their RX-8 is a sports car... please call your insurance companies and inform them of that fact.

For those that think it's still a sports car, obviously you don't pay for your own insurance.

Sports car - a small low car with a 'high-powered engine'; usually seats two persons; 2 doors.

It's close... but no.

Ike

.1 sec is usually about 1 car length depending on the speed. As for your numbers... the WRX has run 14.1 stock in a mag and low 14s have been achieved plenty by owners, the RSX Type S also runs high 14s with a good driver, high 13s for the S2K as well. If you're going to take the best possible number you've seen from the RX-8 you should do it with all the cars, then you're looking at an even wider gap than what I pointed out above. Keep in mind more guys have run 13.7 in their stock S2K than guys have run 14.5 in their RX-8.

In the car world most people consider .5 or more second to be a pretty wide margin. Would you say the C5 vette and 350Z are pretty close in performance, or a WRX and an M3, STi and Porsche GT3, Lancer Ralliart and an RX-8 maybe? The difference in performance of those comparos is about the same as some of the cars you're comparing to the RX-8, if you don't think the cars I listed don't have a wide margin of difference in performance, then I guess we just have a very different perspective.

As for the RX-8 not being a sportscar I disagree, but then again I think the Evo and WRX is a sportscar as well... The days of the stereotypical sportscar are gone and the line has been blurred.

jsh1120

I'd have to agree about the blurring of distinctions between "sports cars" and "sports sedans," "sports coupes," etc. And clearly Speedchannel disagrees as an examination of "Sports Car Revolution" would attest.

Frankly, I think the last "real" sports car was the Austin Healey 3000. All others are derivative. But I'm old.

rx8wannahave

I tried to do that…I just did not know of the best times of each and every car. I go by mag times not so much about what people have gotten. Why, well…simple…I just have not seen it yet or it’s not been proven to me.

Time slips….time slips, that is the pudding we all need…

IkeWRX if you have done anything for me…is make me test everything against the BS factor:

Fuel economy:

So far…I’m getting an Avg of 19+mpg on 4 city tanks. 95% city, 5% fun, and 5% highway (1,180 miles on my 8)

The 0-60 & ¼ mile times will come later on once I pass 5-10,000 miles on my baby. But, since I have not seen any mag’s or time slips for a WRX getting under 14.5’s or RSX’s getting high 14…I can only report what I have seen.

WRX 14.5
RSX 15.2-15.0

We need a thread with mag times & owner time slips listed. It will be the speed vault…

Note: Keep in mind that mag’s don’t’ POWER SHIFT and some of these owners basically destroy their cars to get better times than those listed by the manufacture or mag’s. Maybe 8 owners have done that to their 8 also…but so have other owners.

That’s all for now IkeWRX…lol

tazzydnc

I realize the rotary engine needs more care than a normal piston one. I have no problem checking the oil ever few weeks, especially on a car as nice as that, but it how can I turn it off cold? Maybe there is a mix up in terminolgy, but if the engine has been going from being on, it should be pretty warm, and I know you arent supposed to rev any car high till the engine is physically warmed up. The warranty on the mazda though is great in case someone really messes something up

Rhawb

They mean to let the engine temperature needle get to the normal operating point before turning the car off. If you live anywhere that's remotely warm, it'll get up to temperature very fast (I can't think of anywhere I've ever gone where it hasn't warmed all the way up, but I live in FL). The car also stays "warm" for a very long time. You pretty much just need to make sure you don't start the car up cold, pull it out and turn it right back off. That has been known to cause problems, but it's by no means a guaranteed flooding situation - it just increases your odds.

Ike

Here's an example of the WRX getting a 14.1 just so you don't think I'm BSing you, several other mags have gotten low 14s as well, with a couple tests showing up at 14.5-14.6.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=3

cas2themoe

If I recall correctly you bitch at all of us rx8 owners, saying that our car cant achieve certain 1/4 mile times. We tell you they can and then you say prove it. You want to see time-slips. Then you have the audacity to post this link about the wrx? Dude get your head on straight and post some time-slips of the 1/4 mile times.

Ike

So because I claim under ideal conditions a WRX runs low 14s, then post a link of a mag running a 14.1 you want me to come up with timeslips? It's pretty well accepted that a WRX can run low 14s stock, find other people that are worth my time (you are not) that don't believe it and I'll find you some slips...

You clearly have an axe to grind with me Cas, and the passive agressive, sometimes downright agressive nature of your posts clearly displays that. Quite frankly it's getting old and you're making yourself look a little psycho, move on man this is not a battle you will win.

Outlaws eXtreme

Cas2themoe... make it worth IkeWRX's time to go look for the timeslip, maybe he would even go run his car and show you what the WRX can do.. low 14s.

Let's say a small $500 wager? Make an even Grand... I'm sure Ike wouldn't mind.

Ike

In addition RX-8wannahave was clearly using mag times to make his list, which I think he will readily admit. I was simply adding another mag time to the mix for him to consider, I don't see why the hell you would want me to produce timeslips as a result of that.

cas2themoe

LOL, Ike is usually full of you know what, that comment was his only of coming back. I cant understand how a man that gives us so much $hit about thinking our car is not able to do low 14's stock but then posted his link for the Stock WRX. All I said was back it up, which I bet most of us would say to him. Ike has double standards! If you cant come up with the time-slips then stop getting on our cases about our 1/4 Mile Times! I'm not worth time finding a time slip? But if your so into cars as you seem to be, you should have no problem showing us a WRX time-slip.

rx8wannahave

Naaa, I aint a chick and you aint trying to impress me so I don’t think you are BSing me…lol. OK…so 14.1-14.6…freaken A….why is there such a big difference…lol, oh well…I guess that avg’s 14.3’s….then

I admit NOTHING…lol

I took mag times and will continue to use them simply because it’s published results from a reputable sorce. Also, I don’t got the time to collect time slips…lol

More than one mag has gotten 14.5's in the RX8...so it's possible. Now, what is the veriance with the 8? That...I don't know...

BlueEyes

What is the fastest qmile time the 8 has ever gotten from a mag?

Ike

There a big difference because of conditions, difference in drivers, and even a minor difference from car to car. Heat and humidity can kill a turbocharged car when it comes to power. In good conditions a 14.1 is one hell of a run and they don't happen often, some claim to have seen and done 13.9s in WRXs stock but I have never seen any real evidence to back it up. A 14.3 is an example of a good run in good conditions and it's been repeated several times stock, 14.5+ usually means you're running in less than ideal conditions or need some work on your driving.

Blueeyes, 14.5 is the best time I've ever seen a mag come up with.

Cas, when have I ever given anyone **** about the RX-8 not running low 14s stock, show me one single post of mine to prove your nonsensical claims. You find me that and I'll get you a slip or even a video of a WRX running 9.00-15.00 in the 1/4 mile, you just tell me whatever time you would like to see

rx8wannahave

Well, stock....

But, since I go by mag times as the standard (knowing that times can change from day to day, driver to driver, and conditions) I can now say that the WRX get's between 14.5-14.1

RX 14.7-14.5 (with most of them comming in at 14.5's 3-1...lol)

Ike

Cas?

Dinhx8

in response to original question, i'd say get WRX if you want speed, but the 8 is fast and fun for most purposes..., and a sports car by all means, in my opinion

both good cars though, and everyone on here will say 'awd' and rwd ,...'beginners' and what not. Just be aware of the diff between how a car acts, but its not like if you drive wrx you'll wreck.

as for using mag times, i see nothing wrong with using mag times as a source. its reputable, and shows that it 'can be done.'. the only thing to keep in mind when reading the mags, is that you may not be able to get that time when you pull up at a light (not endorsing racing). So long as you know your abilities, mag times are good as a measurement of what you 'could' be achieving if you worked on it, or what other experienced people are.

i certainly know i couldn't pull 14.5 in my car, but knowing thats the time a good driver could get, and factoring in my skills, i know when to say when, and when to just back off when some hot shot is taunting me on the road. (again, not endorsing racing). So in this sense mag times help me.

But you know what, a lot of the drivers you'll encounter on the road (excluding most on the forum) can't get mag times either, so in the 'real world' often it all evens out, which in turn means, mag times camn give you a 'control' in which you can deduct how fast cars are - given the same driver....

VikingDJ

I suppose if you compare it to a FD RX7, no it's def not a sports car. That is the problem right there. The last RX7 is far superior to the rx8 in performance, so it's hard for everyone to call the RX8 a sports car. If you erase the history of the rotary, the RX8 is definitely a sports car. Although this car was built in a mass form, unlike the last RX7, it was built for more friendly daily driving and reliability. I consider it to be a sports car to an extent, but not a TRUE sports car like the FD RX7.

VRRocket

I'm feeling a little "scope creep" here.....wasn't the original post about some lucky kid who gets to start off with a car that it took many of us two incomes and several years to feel comfortable driving? Stop the WRX/RX8 flame war - it needs to be cast aside.

As for the original poster, to you I would suggest that you not go out and get something that will likely wrap you around a telephone pole very quickly. I started with a '78 Buick LeSabre with AM AND FM (although a V8, but not quick) and later graduated to a '81 Plymouth Horizon 4 speed manual. You can do 85+ in most any car, but the rate at which you attain that speed can be the difference between getting yourself killed and making your destination safely. Take these first few driving years to get some experience with the important things like braking and steering simultaneously, etc. instead of seeing how quickly you can get to the next stop light. If I had an RX8 or WRX when I was your age, I'd likely be pushing up daisies right now. Speed can be addictive, and when you have a car that can deliver the speed as well as the handling, it encourages you to push both.

Sorry for the long post, but that's my $.02. Buy a '98 Mustang GT and save your folks some serious repair bills. :D