Hi guys.
I just signed up for this forum as I'm doing some research into the RX8 in an attempt to make a decision as to whether to get one or not.

My rotary history:
I bought an '86 RX7 GXL back in '96 and fell in love with it. Of course, that led to my getting and '88 RX7 TII a couple of years later. I've still got that one as it's pretty much a part of the family now.

In '04 or '05 I decided to take an extended test drive of the RX8. Though a little under-powered imo (used to driving a modded turbo rx7), definitely the best handling non-modified car I had ever driven.

Fast-forward to now:
A couple months ago, I gave a co-worker a ride in my rx7 and he was immediately hooked. Since then, almost daily, he sends me craigslist ads on people selling their rx8's.
.. needless to say, now *I'm* hooked and here I am--trying to justify getting rid of my '00 Passat daily driver and picking up an RX8 to use as a daily driver.

 

Welcome! It's always nice to have a true rotor head on board!

These threads are must-read for potential owners:

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...rx-8-a-233937/

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...causes-249529/

 

Thanks for the links.
I'm going to have to do some serious studying tonight as I'm going to check out an '04 tomorrow.

 

My opinion, would be. Get an RX8? Yes. Get an RX8 as a daily driver? No way.

 

Why would you not recommend it as a daily driver?

 

I use my 2008 40th Anniversary edition RX8 as a daily driver ever since I sold my 2008 Mazdaspeed3 GT years ago. It is a great daily driver, as long as you can afford the gas. LOL

I see you are from MA. so you will need dedicated winter tires or at the least the best ultra-performance all-season tires for those NE winters. Otherwise, enjoy it every day. Cheers !!

 

What he said. I had a 8 for 3 years and used it as a daily clocking up 16,000 km a year.

Drive it, and enjoy it, if you can afford the gas of course.

 

Y, the only reason I didn't get one years ago was because it's rear-wheel drive. My rx7 is awful in the bad weather--when the turbo spools up, it can be *interesting* in bad weather. So, I've always opted for front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

But, doing some research--seems alot of east-coast canadians drive in the winter without enormous issues, so I'm thinking some quality, winter tires on the 4 corners and just take it down a few notches in the bad weather may be all I need.

 

I daily drove mine for 5 months after I bought it. Loved it. Hated filling the tank. Bought a Subaru when winter got close, because ND winters suck a ton. Now id rather drive that 9/10 times. But, a lot of that is my fault for making my rx8 into an almost dedicated autocross car. Good tires are a must. I don't know about anyone else. But it seems that with mine its very twitchy on rain, snow, or anything other than dry pavement. Tire choice helps a lot with that yes. But, it will come around and bite you when you're not expecting it.

 

I bought a new Impreza wagon in '06 so that the wife would have a 'reliable' car. Oil changed every 3k by Subaru(free oil changes). The wife never took the car over 75 mph.

Long story short, it threw a rod 150 miles from home.
At the time, the car was 3 yrs old with 66,000 miles on it. It had a 5 yr 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Subaru *did not* honor the warranty.

What makes matters even worse, is I had an RX7 at home with 175k on it that drove perfectly, but I decided to take the *reliable* car on the road trip.

To put it lightly, I don't think too highly of Subaru as a vehicle or as a company.

 

Oil pickup tubes are one of the known weakpoints in the EJ motors. If I had to guess, that's what let go. My 09 has 193k miles on it now and it runs fine. That sucks to hear though for sure.

 

Rx 8 isn't the best commuter. It's not the worst. I'd give it a 7/10 because of the mpgs and how it behaves in the rain sometimes.

 

I've also used my 8 as a daily in NE Ohio since October of 2014 and haven't had too many problems, that said, the new and potential owners thread is spot on with regard to tires.

Snow tires = drive cautiously and you'll be fine.
All-Season tires = give your self plenty of room and be extremely cautious.
Summer tires = you will die.