Hey everyone, this is my first post on here! I'm currently shopping around at new cars, I have a modified 03 Grand Am GT that i'm currently lookin to sell.

Enough with the introduction. I'm absolutely intrigued at the idea that a car I think is so ugly (I love it from the back, the front end is just...weird..too busy with the design, swoops and lines all over) yet so much fun to drive! I think the fact that i'm desperately seeking a 6 speed manual+rwd+lots more HP than what I have is the inspiration for loving the car. I test drove one yesturday with 350 miles and it did this really weird whine when i'd slow down and have the clutch in, yet have it ready in 1st gear for when I stopped...I dunno if thats the recall on the heat insulator for the manual transmission?

So here's my question. I need my payments to stay below $500, I may have to drive this car in the winter. I'm considering getting the RX-8 with the sport package (xenon headlights and foglights) and the "apperance package". I don't really like leather, I have a sunroof but i'm actually really scared about the structural "sound"ness of this car having no B pillars whatsoever. I noticed when I shut the door, it took slamming it practically cause of how thin they were and the rear door would kinda shake a little bit. The interior looks plasticy and cheap, and i'm absolutely MIND BOGGLED as to how in the world i'd ever change the radio on this damn thing! Give me your wisdom guys, I want all the info on modding availablity (market/is it difficult to mod?) Rotory reliablity? I've never owned one, don't know how to take care of one. How difficult is it to wax one of these bad boys with all those curves? Do you suggest getting the appearance package? I'm not looking to really mod the hell out of this, just small things. I've gone the mod route and don't want to venture down that money wasting road again. Anything to boost the Torque?! Here I am shopping for more HP and I got it with this car, but no torque! Can you burn the tires? How's the road noise on the freeway? The Sport doesn't come with the DSC or traction control bs, do I need it? Thanks for your help guys, I know this is very unorganized, but it was a blurr of thoughts in an attempt to fully investigate the car.

[BY ALL MEANS, do not take offense to these comments, this is just me being critical yet trying to pick apart the car and see EVERY side to this story. The next car I purchase, I want it to be worth it in every way. This car has a back seat, trunk space and comfort, but I want to know the rest. I love driving, I want to know what I will lack, what I will hate, what I will notice, what I will LOVE.]

 

You have an '03 Grand Am and you think the Rx-8 is ugly?

BWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAA

(Sorry, I just couldn't resist)

But seriously, I would go to your dealer and ask them if you can take the car out for longer than the typical 10 minute test drive and really drive it. The dealer I bought from let me take their demo on a Saturday at closing and return it the following Monday morning. It really helped me make my decision.

As far a modding, do a search and/or look at the different sections in the forums. It will give you a quick overview of what has been done and what is worthwhile to spend money against.

If you're planning on driving the car in winter, then DSC/TSC will be a good option. Actually, it's a worthwhile option regardless of winter driving. I use it all the time in the rain here in FL.

There is a lot posted here on the forums re: safety of the car... http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/3005.html is the nhtsa review.

The lease deals on the car are great right now, well below your $500.00 level.

Anyway, spend some time on the site, as most of your questions can be answered here.

Drive it for a while and I think you'll be sold (despite how ugly it is)





:D

 

My personal opinion, the RX-8 is just too busy, but thats just my opinion.

I don't necessarily think that I can afford the extra options, as I think it comes with the Grand Touring option only right? What about the body kit, is it worth it? It looks as if the rear and sides are only add-ons while the front is a full add-on piece.

I hope you didn't take offense, the car is really starting to grow on me, but I just couldn't really stand the front end for a while, thats all. Plus, I want this next car to be worth it, so i'm keeping things into consideration. The rough MPG is really bothering me..

 

If you get the sprt model you will be getting more than the foglights,and xenon headlights.You will also be getting the DSC/TC.Which will be good in winter.Your MPG will not be much better I bet than the Pontiac,maybe even worse.Like Gofrowand said the lease incentives are getting really good.I just got mine this past tuesday.I leased it for 2 years.The payments are just a smidge over $300 a month with all the taxes included.Now of course mine is the base model with the 6 speed tranny.It is the cheapest manual tranny version of it.I got it for invoice minus $4250 in lease incentives.So the price came down to the $21k range.Not bad for a car with a sticker of $27200.Good luck,and Oh yeah I would have to agree with the others this car is by no means ugly,but to each his own.If we all liked the same thing it would be a boring world.

 

I've looked around and haven't found anything regarding modifying the stock radio (aka, removing and replacing with aftermarket), I haven't really found anything on engine mods either. I'm starting to think if engine mods were done, mpg would go down the drain.. It may be easier to drive than others but for the mpg and lack of torque/hp, it might be worth it. Please tell me otherwise :-)

 

Rotary reliability?

Can’t say anything about the 13B or the 13B Renesis, yet
But I owned a 81 RX-7 with the 12A rotary (best engine in any car I have ever owned)
At 140,000 miles it ran like new, heard others went well into to 200k+ range
engine outlasted the body (mine and the car)

 

I will second that.My 83 had been my best car ever.The thing is like the energizer bunny.Still going................

Chris