I'm on the fence right now between a white 09 GT/premium pkg/no nav and a Mazdaspeed 3. I thought I had finally decided on the RX-8 until I researched resale values and learned that it's abysmal... and for that reason I'm getting cold feet. Compare residuals:

2009 RX-8 GT Residual 24/36/48/60 months:
49/43/35/29%

2010 Mazdaspeed3:
69/61/49/40%

If I can get past that in the next 24 hours I'll jump at it... but if I "move on" in a couple/few years, I'll take one heck of a bath. Ugh.

 

don't let a stupid thing like resale value deter you from buying the car of your dreams. i love my rx8 i don't care that i paid 25 000 for it and its worth pennies now. i love it plus i know i'm not going to sell it in 5 min and the series 2 will have better resale value then the series 1.

 

I hear Toyota Camry's and Honda Odyssey's have good resale value.

Just know what you're getting in to and make your decision accordingly. EG: don't lease a car unless you enjoy crushing your nuts in a vice.

 

If you are considering selling this car then it's not the car for you. I have had Hondas with great resale value but none of them drive like my rear wheel drive sportscar. Nothing wrong with a MS3 front wheel drive sedan with nice power. Do it and don't look back.

 

All vehicles depreciate.

"Collector cars" can take 30 years to realize a favorable ROI, or not at all.

In the end it's just a car. Buy what you want today and don't worry about resale, as again all cars depreciate and in that regard it's a losing proposition.


The FWD Mazdaspeed3 is a very nice "hot hatch", comparable to a Subie WRX, but it's therefore not a RWD sportscar so a distinct choice.

 

I guess you aren't buying for the long term? (5+ years)

 

Buy used? Take advantage of someone else's bath? Be smart about it, and you can get a really great deal on a perfect condition 8.

I ignore resale as well. The only reason the 8's value could affect me is if it is totaled, but then, I have GAP insurance to cover me if I end upside down, so in the end, it doesn't matter to me 1 bit.

 

+1 for buying used

 

great info everyone! Thanks! Where did you get GAP insurance... from the dealer? Is it expensive?

 

From the finance company or bank. My very first car loan it was included with an additional monthly charge of something like ~$0.75 per $1,000 remaining. Every loan since has been through USAA, who includes it free of charge.

If your car is totaled and the insurance payout is less than what you owe, the GAP coverage kicks in and pays the remainder so walk away from the loan cleanly. I also insure my cars through USAA, so that might be a pre-requisite for the free GAP coverage, since they would be just transferring the money within their own system. Covering both ends, so to speak. It is probably very low cost or free with any federal credit union, public banks I am sure it is available, although probably costs more (still might be cheap and worth it). Depending on what your options are of course.

 

My personal rule is that I will not borrow more than 10k to finance a car and that loan will only be for 36 months. So between trade, cash and another 10k that will be as much as I will go for a car...new or used. As for resale value, remember the more expensive the car is initially, the faster it will depreciate so I don't put much stock in your 8 vs speed 3 comparison. I was close to buying an 09 R3 recently and I was offered 500 under invoice + the rebate + blue book for my 8. From the vibe I get on this forum people make it seem like you can't get anywhere near blue book for trading an 8. I didn't end up pulling the trigger anyway because of a few concerns I have regarding having an 8 for several more years. Im not 100% committed to another one yet.

 

I bought mine for $10400 and its worth $8250 trade-in and $10185 private party (base, good condition, 55k miles). Of course it will decrease in 4-5 years when I say goodbye, but that's obviously not the point I'm trying to make.

Thank you for only reinforcing my belief of never buying new.

 

Buy a used one for <<20k and the engine warranty will still cover you for a good long time. Then save the extra $ you would've spent on a new car to fix anything that might possibly go wrong, and to buy your next car. No point in buying the 8 new if you can get a perfect used one for <1/2 the price of a new one.. although, the S2 8 should be considerably better than the S1

 

Just my 2 cents from a guy who just had this problem couple months ago after a 70 yr old man decided to pull a trailer across the road in front of my 8 while i was goin bout 65mph. It was my baby and my dream car BUT after taking my 100 mile a day commuting and everything else into consideration it just made sense for me to get a new mazdaspeed3 and save up to get a project 8 for autoxing and fun. Take everything into your decision making not just money or resale. Its a difficult choice defintly. took me a month. cant wait to save the money up for another 8.

 

Its been since November if you have any updates...

I can speak from experience on the MazdaSpeed3. It wont dissapoint you. The next car will be the 8. I bought an 07 Speed3 for the wife ( used and saved a good amount). Only 18K on its ticker (ODO). Have to say I enjoy the heck out of it. Although its the wifes, I want an 8 and she knows it. Dont make it about resale as nate340 has stated above. Make it about what you want and if you are willing to keep it for the long haul. I plan on getting a used 8 as well.