Hi, my lease is up this spring for my '07 RX-8 GT. I am trying to decide whether to keep it, get an R3 or Nissan 370Z. I am very torn as there are benefits and disadvantages to all options. If I got the R3, I would miss the heated seats & mirrors and moonroof I have now. Is the performance worth it? My GT has the auto transmission, so I would have to learn the manual for the R3. Is it quick to adjust to once you learn the manual on another car? Is the performance worth turning in my current car for? The R3 is the only trim I like. I think the base & GT wheels are conservative compared to the last model, and they don't have the sport-tuned suspension or limited-slip differential like I have now.

I do like the Z and its power...the downside is the exhaust note and heavy feeling. What are everyone's opinions?

 

what do the leases look like for you on those cars?

of your choices, i would get the r3 manual. but i doubt the lease is very attractive.

what is the residual?

 

I was in the same boat when I wrecked my 8. I wanted to like the 370z but it did feel heavy. It came down to the R3 or my old 06 Shinka. I choose the 06 because all my old parts worked on it, plus all the reasons you mentioned.

If I were you I would get the R3 it will probably last longer since all the changes that were made to improve it over the 1st series.

Here is what is changed in the 2009+ RX8's (R3)

What Changed In Series II RX-8's over SI

 

The monthly payment to lease an R3 would probably be in the $550-$615 if no money is put down. The funny thing is the sticker price for the car is actually about $2000 less than my GT was 3 years ago! I went on leasecompare.com to get an idea. Even though the car is less to buy now, it doesn't translate into lower lease payments compared to 2007. Maybe it's going to depreciate faster than my current car...

 

Thanks for the link to the complete update for the RX Series 2. A lot more went into it than people realize. I have to admit, it would be weird not driving a rotary after experiencing it. As much as I like the Z, I have a hard time imagining not driving an RX-8!

 

Yeah it's addictive. They are offering a lot of rebates right now, you could get an 09 R3 for 23k-24k?

 

Rebates that low? That's pretty impressive! I got 3 months left on the lease, and my dealer is always sending notices about getting me into a new car now. Of course, they would have to roll my remaining payment into the new car. I wonder if they would have any good rebates in April...

 

It's hard trying to find an '09 R3...not too many are at dealerships to begin with!

 

The heated seats and all that GT stuff is fine, but I don't think you'll really miss it too much. However, the sunroof is something to think about.

But whatever you do, get a manual, you'll be much happier. I promise, takes 2 days to learn. if you have a good teacher, you can learn in a day. Obviously you won't be great... but it will come.

 

given this, i'd imagine a purchase makes more sense. with no money down and 30k out the door, your payment is right around 600 for 60 months. you'll never have equity, but in five years, it'll be all yours.

don't forget about taxes on the lease. lease compare doesn't factor them.

edmunds has a better calculator that is more accurate. you need all the info though.

 

ask if they have a pull forward program available. that's when mazda forgives the remaining lease payments to get you to stay with mazda. there may also be owner loyalty money.

 

Best bet is to buy the car after a lease.
Resale value is low. See what you can get a new one for, but beware of tranny problems on the manuel.

 

I'll try to find one around you, what state are you located, I think you said joysie?

 

Yes, I'm in JERSEY (not Joysie...lol...I have no idea how anyone started that. We say it correctly!). The world's largest Mazda dealer is in Jersey where I got my car. They only have 1 2010 R3 in red. I would want the one in blue. I also saw that Mazda has a $5000 cash back deal on the '09 RX's. If that's the case, the car would be $28K, and I would want to buy it for what you said...

 

I don't think Mazda has the pull-forward program. That's a pretty big thing with GM. If they did, they would've sent me info for it months ago I'm sure! Good idea though.

 

an individual dealership may do something like a pull forward even if it's not advertised by mazda.

 

The closest 2009 Blue R3 is here but it has 5000 miles on it they are asking $24,999. But I am positive you can talk them down. I can find others but they are farther out but this one will deliver it. There is another for 22,000 but it is farther out from Joysie

Edited: So no one will steal it from OP, sent you a PM

 

In addition to the 5k rebate you should also be able to get well under invoice bringing it to 25k or even lower. I'm in pretty much the same situation as you except I bought my '04 new and it's been paid off for a few years already. I'm torn between the R3 or the 370Z. I've already found that (for my location) I can get a '10 370z for under invoice. I figure over the long run the price difference can be mostly made up in the amount spent on gas. (my daily commute is mostly highway) I think Im leaning towards the Z for the sake of experiencing something different for my next vehicle but I don't know yet. I had the same argument with myself when I bought my 8. Back in '04 it was that or the 350Z and I chose the 8. If I did get the 370 I would surely plan on being back in a Mazda if the 16X ever makes it. What can I say...I love both cars. I've only test driven the Z once and the only things that stood out that I dislike are the digital fuel guage, and the fact that the wheel wells are poorly insualted so you can hear every stinking grain of sand you kick up from the road (I remember hating this about the 350 also)...gets annoying really quick but I guess the volume dial can fix that. Shifting on the 370 is also a bit more notchy than the 8 and not as smooth. Not really a complaint but an observation.

Whatever decision you make you will end up with a great car. They both have pros and cons so you just have to go with what suits you best and I know it's a not an easy decision.

 

I totally hear ya 7mjd. It is a VERY tough decision. I wish I could have both! In '07, it was between these same cars for me. I found the refinement, styling, practicality, price and unique rotary experience of the RX-8 to have the upper hand last time. This time, the Z has drastically improved and the RX-8 hasn't had an upgrade in power yet. I found the Z to be much more tolerant to drive this time around. They addressed most of the problems that the 350 had. I'm not worried about reliability either way at least. My GT has been extremely reliable.

We feel each other's pain! LOL I definitely think the decision is harder this time around...

 

One thing I do have to say is that IMO the 370 is better then the 350 in every way. When I first tested the 350 I thought is was total crap. I can't even explain it but nothing about it was comfortable for me. The 8 was just right. Now the r3 feels great and so does the 370 so it's tough. I will admit with my fairly long commute the MPG might be the deciding factor that pushes me towards the Z this time around. I know someone with a 350 that does mostly highway and gets close to 30. I do mostly highway with my 8 and the highest it will go is around 21 and that's during the summer...now during the winter it is closer to 18. I think deep down I want the R3 more but something else tells me to try something different this time.

 

I feel exactly the same way. I love the Z and the improvements, and the idea of having something new. At the same time, I got the rotary loyalty. I keep watching both on YouTube, and it still doesn't completely sway me either way!