So you're serious about most drivers you've seen being women?? I must apologize to you Casedogg. I see more woman than men driving Miata's, but I don't see enough RX8's to see who is driving. I'm surprised that the ownership seems to be more female drivers than male. This car looks like a great ride no matter who you are. Are men not interested?

 

I forgot to mention,,
I don't really want a car that's "cute" ! That would ruin my whole perception of it.

 

then go buy a mini cooper... That's a "cute" car! Dont get me wrong though I would drive a MCS anyday.

Seriously though, A. Why does it matter if a majority of people are woman or what the average age of owners is... Granted I beg to differ though as I've mainly seen doOds. B. Go test drive one and come report your findings. I bought mine without seeing it, test driving it or even looking into the rx8 in general... Lets just say I couldnt be happier and love the rotary (except gas mileage, but you have to pay to play!).

 

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't buy a car for image. That's not who I am. I would buy a car based on looks, performance, interior,reliability,etc. That's why I asked about age or gender. Kinda like the big companies trying to figure out marketing and demographics. Basically I'm trying to get a varied opinion of RX8's. Would a 22 year old man/woman have the same opinion about performance,etc. than a 88 year old? I suppose I'm a little gunshy about buying one. I love the looks, it sounds like it's fun as hell to drive, but reliability? Looking at an 05 , 24,000 miles $17,000

 

Demograhics don't really matter a rodent's patootie........decide what you want out of a sports car and then find one that satisfies that need. I have an 04 RX GT as well as an 08 Cooper S (and a daily driver that shall remain nameless) and I like driving them both but for different reasons. I am trying to talk my wife into letting me get an 09 370Z in addition to the RX and Cooper but am meeting up with some..........ah.........'sales resistance' on adding one more car to the stable. Oh, and for the record I am male and 53.

 

A 22 year old and an older gentleman will have two completely different opinions btw. Just go test drive one and see what you think. Seriously! It's just as reliable as any other car... Just take care of it and you will be fine. Btw, how old are you?


Casey,
ya I suck at replying lol. I might make it... Depends wha I'm doing and if I have gas.

 

I'm going to be 45 Saturday. I think it will be a good present for myself!

 

Indeed it will and don't worry about the reliability.........statistically if you do the research you will find it is no more or less reliable than the average. Mine has been problem-free and it is NOT because it is babied.

 

these cars are plenty reliable, and the mileage isn't horrible if you consider the fact that you're driving a sports car and not an econobox. i'm getting 20.7mpg in strictly city driving, with the air on, running 87 octane. not too shabby in my opinion.

go drive the car. if you fall in love with it like i did, then buy it!

 

I'm 47 anda Dude! Mine is an 05 Ti Grey Ms GT it kicks A@#and I drive it like most people dream about. When I down shift and crush it as pull awy from the crowd it laughs at me and says give me more. Ussually the 120 mph makes me slow it down, so I do not get a ticket not cause it can not handle it. It handles way better than my Supra and better than my two buddies BMW Z4 and 350Z's. If you want a fast car that goes in a straight lines that is quick off the start buy somthing else if you want a car that handles like a dream with an engine that feels like it is running on double cream and feels like it is a mechanical extention of you get an RX8 because they are great and chicks love em too!

 

48 year old guy here. Got mine a year and a half ago. L O V E IT!!! Spirited driver.

Not only is it sexy as hell, it's also a genius. Hmmm ... sounds a lot like me LOL

DSC takes over when I get stupid (often) or in the snow. I drive it year round and it kicks butt in the snow (was driving a 4WD P/U before this) ... the 8 is way better! Winter tires are a MUST though. Computer shuts it off when I over-rev (toldja it was smart).

Pulls plenty of lateral G's if you like that sort of thing (who doesn't?) ... think roller coaster.

Had to change out the water pump, but apparently that's rare. No other problems to report except for an occasional petrochemical smell I'm still trying to figure out (mechanics are baffled). No trouble with flooding or any of the other horror stories you read about. Mazda just extended the warranty on the engine to 8 years/ 100,000k. Haven't watched the DVD they sent with the new warranty yet.

Do the maintenance, keep it clean and shiny, don't abuse the clutch (which is tempting) and it will treat you well.

Once you get it, you'll find you have a lot of new "friends." Neighbors, people in parking lots, even on the road ... they want to know about the car.

I don't care about mileage. Whatever it costs to drive it, I'll pay.

TOTALLY AWESOME RIDE!!!

 

Well I did it.........I bought an 05 Shinka today. The guy who owned it was so cool. He met me in Monroe( he's from somewhere west of Toledo, I'm in Clinton Twp.) and we took care of business. One look and I was sold. The test drive confirmed what I've been reading here. My neighbors have already walked over trying to figure out what it is and why I bought it. Should be a lot of fun!

 

congrats and enjoy!

 

Post up some pics!

 

after all those questions and doubts you got yourself an 8... Woo not only a 8, but a shinka edition... Congrats and be prepared to get alot of good looks and fun times!

 

Congrats on the purchase!!! I just got mine and I have the only one in a town of about 3,500. The funny thing is that about 1000 of them have checked it out in person already and I know the rest have sore necks from watching me go by. Enjoy the looks, the compliments, and the long days you will spend keeping her bright and shinny. Hoke

 

Congrats!... Enjoy your car.... You will never get tired of driving it.

 

Thank you and you are right I dont think the smiling every time I get in the car will ever stop. There is just something about the RX8 that has that effect.

 

• 2004, Velocity Red, 6-speed Manual
• tdido
• Near Munising

 

^^ Welcome! Not many Yupers here.

 

you mean "yooper"?

 

Haydair tdido

 

Hey all, I haven't checked the website in quite some time. Been busy and then away on a road trip. My wife and I took my RX-8 to Minnesota and back (via Chicago). Averaged 23 mpg -- and that's with the AC running most of the time, too. Couple tanks I got 24.5 mpg.

I haven't had the time to check this thread and keep the owners list current. If anyone wants to read back through the last couple pages and update the list, feel free to do so. I may try next week if I get time, if no one does before then.

Kors-jan

 

But now there's two in the same town.

 

When cruising on the highway @ 80 mine gets around 24 mpg as well; still a far cry from the 40 my Cooper S gets at the same pace. FYI I heard yesterday from a BMW mechanic (I was at the dealership test driving a 135i) that Sunoco 94 octane is not really what it seems as it has an extra squirt of ethanol in it; he recommended any 91 octane as being better chemically than Sunoco 94. Dunno if that is true or not as I am not a chemist but I am going to stick to the 91 in both cars and see if it makes any difference.