glassetcher

I'm a 55 yr old "geeser" that just had a test drive today.

WOW!!!!!

My wife and I have raised three wonderful boys who, for all practical purposes, have flown the nest. She's a hybrid, save the earth type, while I'm a '71 351C Mustang Mach I Hurst 4 speed in the garage holdout.

The kids are gone, and I think it's time for my mid-life crisis.

I've always preferreed driving a stick more than an automatic, and so has she (years ago she LEARNED on the Mach I)

Anyway, we now have a 626 that is dying and we need to get rid of it.

I saw a couple RX8's on the road recently and they got my attention.

I've been researching the internet reviews and they have been, for the most part, spectacular.

So I had a test drive today, and again -- WOW

So now I have to convince my wife that I should have this RX8.

I'm going to try an overnight test drive, but these are what I think are the biggest problems:

We are so used to big cars with lots of room and visibility (Volvo wagons and Honda Vans), that even I was surprised at the confined amosphere of a sports car like the RX8. (after 30 min in it and getting used to the petal location and feel of the clutch, I was getting pretty excited)

Howevcer, I'll bet when she gets in, she'll feel the confined spaces and think this is not acceptable.

If any of you "mature guys" have been in this situation and have sucessfully acheived your goal, please let me know how you did it!

Thanks

RenoIV

I'm at the end of the baby boom .... You might read the Little Things sticky at the top of this part of the forum. Lots of good info and comments about the 8. (could be used as propaganda )
There is a surprising amount of room in the trunk especially if you do not have the spare in the trunk.
My wife never liked long trips in my FC (RX-7). She has plenty of room to stretch out in the 8. We took it to the Outer Banks in NC in the fall for a quick trip. Several hundred miles from MD. She didn't mind the ride in the 8 at all. All the luggage fit in the trunk even with the spare installed. She drives a ML-320 so she is also use to a bigger vehicle.
The mt is a joy to drive. She might like it too.

Good Luck!

Lock & Load

I told my 45 year old wife that she looks 35 driving around in the RX8, EVEN AS A PASSENGER , SHE CANT DRIVE MANUAL

iT WORKED HAD MY RIDE SINCE 26 /7/04 now with 34,000 km never looked back and she still feel like a youngster every drive

cheers
michael

StewC625

does 42 count? I love my car!

Huhwha

Encourage your wife to have her own mid-life crisis. Mine got her Miata in July and I had my 8 in October!

Butch Brown

I'm 49 and my wife wouldn't even test drive the new 6 she wanted the 8. Three adults then rode in it from PA to Fl and back 2000 miles comfortably. Had to leave the spare tire at home though.

DJS

glassetcher:
I'm 57 and I just picked up my '04 RX-8 last Tuesday. Velocity Red with grand touring and appearance package, manual--a great drive! It goes along with my motorcycles and sail boat, and I'm grateful my wife indulges me in my "sporty impulses". Of course I drove a '95 Ford Probe for the last seven years which was similar in size to the RX-8.

My wife's car is a four-door sedan ('04 Taurus) that she really likes, so we use it about 50% of the time. It's well equipped and I don't mind driving or riding in it. The name of the game, my friend, is compromise. Get her a car or something else she really likes (that you can live with) or let her participate in some activity she enjoys.

Hope it works out for you. We "geezers" can't let the young guys have all the fun!

MI_FamilyMan

Glassetcher,
The RX-8 is a fine choice. I will assume that you will have a second vehicle that you can use for grocery getting, transporting people, etc.

If you are interested in an extremely nimble car with a unique, sporty engine than this car will provide you with miles of enjoyment.

If you are looking for something that will leave rubber marks at stoplights or are worried about cost of gas (16-18 mpg) and rotary TLC (warm-ups, checking oil) then maybe the car isn't for you.

Good luck in your decision. I find the car is totally comfortable for any cruising (long or short) that you might need to do. Climate will play a factor too if you have severe winters.

jsh1120

I'm a 58 y/o boomer in similar circumstances, though our 70 lb dog hasn't flown the coop yet and hopefully won't for many years. Last year we replaced our Volvo wagon with a Saab 9/5 wagon and our 10 y/o Prelude with an RX-8. (Before that we had a 626 coupe and a Mazda MPV.)

The Saab, an automatic, is the family hauler and the primary dog car. Lots of room, more than any but the most gigantic SUV and a consistent 23-28 mpg. The MT/GT RX-8 is the family sports car. (Thankfully, it gets 18-20 mpg so we don't feel like Bin Laden is riding in the back seat.)

Actually, I decided on the RX-8 in part because, unlike the S2000 and the Nissan Z, it can be used in a pinch to haul additional passengers and/or the dog. You'll be amazed at the carrying capacity of the rear seat combined with the trunk especially, as someone else noted, if you don't carry a spare tire.

As far as "feeling small" is concerned, I'd suggest that you consider the GT with the sunroof unless you're so tall that the extra 1.5 inches of headroom is essential for you. The sunroof does help eliminate the enclosed feeling of the cabin.

If that still doesn't work for you, consider the Mini Cooper (S), which, I suspect you'll find gives you a feeling of enormous interior space and provides a tremendous carrying capacity (for a car its size) with the back seat down.

Don't get me wrong. The Mini is not an RX-8 and, for that matter, the RX-8 is not a Boss Mustang, but the Mini is a fun car and, if it were the only family car, would be a somewhat better compromise than the RX-8.

If it's not your only car, go for the RX-8 and haul the occasional cargo in a wagon or an SUV, preferably the former.

george

My wife is 53 and I am 56 and it was my wife's idea to get the 8. She traded her 2000 Jeep Wrangler Shara for a Velocity red GT. The only time she dosen't like her decision is when it snows and she has to drive my truck. Love the car and so will your wife after she drives it. My wife's boss was pissed at her because she wanted the 8 but said she couldn't afford one. Hope my wife dosen't endup with a pay cut from her bosses envy.

billypsm

I am 44 and I let my wife take it out while I am at work. She always puts 50-60 miles on it....no idea where she goes, she just drives. I did teach her to respect the ride. When she is done, she fills it up and washes and dries it. Could I ask for morehttps://www.rx8club.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=796214#
Big Grin

zipdrive

I'm 62. Traded Miata 10AE for the RX8 because the wife was was uncomfortable with small cabin. The 8 is roomier for her and she seems appeased. We've taken from the Carolinas to Florida with no complaints. The back seats are excellent for hauling grandchildren when necessary. The older grandchildren want to drive the car. NOT!!!!

Straight8

LMAO...classic

JOHNRX8

I'm 35 but i FEEL 60! Does that count? :D

alamike

I am 50 years old but I have always owned at least one vehicle that was on the sporty side. This time around I looked at 2 seaters but I really needed a rear seat. From what I was willing to pay, it was between the 8 and a GTO. I chose the rx8 because I like the styling and the nimble handling. Also, the rx8 seemed to have more usable space and the driving position was more comfortable. The little trunk does haul a surprising amount of luggage without the spare tire option. My wife thinks that the rx8 is more comfortable on long trips than her GMC Envoy. I would drive everything out there in your price range before you buy.

Howard

I'm 54. My wife says she mises our Bonniville SSEI. She also hates driving a stick and says this car goes too fast when she drives it. LOL

TKD Pahl

Told my wife that I was having a serious mid-life crisis (43) and it was either an RX-8 or an affair. After making the point that it takes two to have an affair, she said "no car for you". Got it anyway. And still happily married.

guy321

I must say, this is the most comprehendible thread on the entire forum. I'm glad there is at least one thread without "aol" speak.


As far as the RX8 for babyboomers. I was walking a couple miles away from my home once. I ran across a lady who was aparently over 50. She was washing her RX8 and she was telling me how much she loved it.

V_for_velocity

My "manopause" came and went a few years ago but I still had an unquenchable desire for an RX-8. (Always wanted an RX-7 too but it was too impractical, not to mention $$$.) God knows why but my wife went along with it -- even the Velocity Red -- and is, I think, quite proud of it. Spookily enough, our previous car was also a 626. Don't forget the snow tires!

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Had a used RX-3 when I got married, then the RX-7 came out - no question I wanted one, also no question of ever getting one!

Two kids, college, a couple of houses later, the RX-8 was announced. The wife just looked at me and said "Oh, you HAVE to get one of those!" God bless her.

I had never bought a 'new' car before, always found used 'deals', so this was my first. Manual tranny, so the wife doesn't even get a drive, but she loves the ride!

She's a keeper!

S

mcaul

Someone saw the RX8 in my driveway and asked if it was for my "midlife crisis". I said, "No, the 1990 Mustang LX Convertible in my garage, that I bought new, was for that."

Renesis Heart

I'm 54 and had my gray 6 spd RX8 since last July. Got tired of watching my son (now 21) at diff track events with his WRX. Now I'm autocrossing and been to 2 track events so far. I love it! :p Feel like I'm 25 in my RX8.
PS I'm a 'girl'.

fredw1

The 8 was a graduation present---my son graduated from college, is now gainfully employed, and I have no more tuition bills to pay, so I got the 8. Initially, I felt a bit confined, but I have gotten used to it. My wife has an Avalon and that is good for the trips that require more stuff; the 8 is great for everything else. We both love the car and its comfort. Go for it!

DaveT

Another 62 here. Had mine since December '03. Still puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. Hauls the grandkids too.....but not all at once...I've got 6 of those.

midlife crisis

I'm 54 and haven't been as proud of a car since I got my '68 GTO for graduation. My wife talked me into getting it but now is complaining that she doesn't want to take it on road trips. She said its just "not comfortable". I really don't want to take the Protege 5!