rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

^ LOL your right about the 4 doors but you get my point ... it is really hard to classify the 8 its truly one of a kind

shaunv74

The G37 and Audi TT are also regularly compared to the 8.

I think when you compare cars you need to set minimum requirements to qualify across all categories you're comparing and all cars must meet the minimum in all categories to qualify for comparison. Then the value comes in when you decide which ones most exceed the minimums across categories.

EG:
Style
interior
fuel economy
performance
reliability
practicality
comfort

The question is what categories do you use to rate "value" and which are most important to you.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I like the WRX and respect Subaru (admittedly more before they Toyota-rized the new Legacy) but just don't see that car in the same class, either, because of the econobox origins of its platform. I realize the STI is an amazing car, and a monster on the road and the track, and one could nearly forget that the Impreza is the platform for the STI if they didn't absolutely, positively know better.

The chief complaints I'm reading about with the Genesis Coupe, at least the 2.0T version, is that it's not as fast as Hyundai sort of let expectations run, it has a very unpleasant ride if used primarily as a daily driver (the DD ride is one of the strengths of the RX-8, IMO), and I'm not exactly fond of the interior, but that's just me.

The Mustang? I do appreciate the power of the V8, and I have to admit I like the car in black, but the interior still has a little cheese going on, and why the hell does Ford cheap out with the damn live rear axle when an IRS is not going to cost them that much more, and would fix one of the chief complaints many have about the car? The Mustang can't hang with the 8 on the twisties without the new track pack, either.

Again, getting back to value, I do believe the WRX and Mustang V8 will cost significantly more, and the v6 version of the Genesis is going to cost significantly more than the 2.0T version.

I think of the G37 as more of the GT cruiser, and the Audi TT as very heavy, almost pointless car, due to the lack of a rear seat - the Honda S2K is the way to the go with a roadster, IMO, because it was lighter and more true to purpose. Maybe I am anti-Audi, though, because I find myself not liking any Audis except for the A8/S8 and obviously the RS8. At any rate, both the G37 and TT are going to be considerably more expensive than the 8.


p.s. - I meant to say 21mpg, not 21mph, in my original post. If I drove 21mph on the highways around here, I'd be run over by a large S.U.V. within 25 seconds. Mazda should have added an additional gear for highway speeds on the 8 for fuel economy - I'm at 4,500 rpm @ 77ish mph and even though it feels buttery smooth, that just kills fuel economy.

PSTNLSS

iTrader: (3)

They redid the prius for a sportier suspension. Maybe they'll be able to make that car run low 20's on the track someday.

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

The rx-8 does not really fit into a class of vehicles which of course is what Mazda wanted

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

Good question. The Genesis promises value, but doesn't deliver. The 2.0T with a manual is a clunky dog. The V-6 manual is much better but comes in on the high side of $30k, plus the ride quality sucks even with the soft suspension and is anyway subject to weird droning noises right at freeway speeds. The TT has a much more quality ride, but is still basically a FWD Golf even when equipped with AWD (unlike the rest of the Audi Quattro line, the TT has a viscous coupling which doesn't give you full time AWD. Its 2.0 turbo though is a sweet mill. G37's are major expensive, and the G35's at least suffer from being a parts-bin car; the V6 feels like it was transplanted from a tractor. A bargain of the moment is the Crossfire which is 98% Mercedes, but it's more of a luxo cruiser. Pony cars are pretty impressive these days, but huge, heavy and relatively crude. Boxters are cool but mega expensive new and used you're stuck with high resale and $$ maintenance. Plus there's a certain image issue of I-wanna-911-but-can't-afford-it. Kindof like Ford's advertising the Edsel as a car for junior execs ... who wants to be a junior anything? The RX8 was at least supposed to be a halo car and showcase the best tech Mazda could apply, which shows in pretty much everything about it (except the sun visors!).

Without the -8 as a choice, I'd have probably gone with a G35, for the looks if nothing else. Or I'd have gone a different route entirely and picked up a bargain-priced Dodge Magnum SRT (hey, if you go with Detroit Iron, may as well go all the way!)

MICHGoBlue

The 2.0T outta the box is a dog, but it's a de-tuned version of the previous gen. Lancer Evo 2 litre turbo, so I would imagine a lot, if not most of the owners, will opt for the aftermarket routes.

I don't get the ride quality sucks even with the soft suspension.
The base V6 and 2.0Ts suspensions are hard.
The track model's suspension is even harder.
Not sure what model you're speaking of when referring to soft suspension, maybe the Genesis Sedan? Which are two completely different cars.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yup. I used to fly and rent for my business trips, but if it is within a 6 hour drive now, I take my 8 and get reimbursed mileage. It is a wonderful vehicle, around town, long drives, or on the track. I seriously don't get tired of driving it.


If I ever had to rebuild my transmission, I would swap 6th gear for something even lower. Maybe 2,500 @ 80mph (my general cruising speed) Not that I care too much about mileage, but if I only use 6th cruising on the highway anyway, it might as well be a lower RPM.

Riley Craven

iTrader: (1)

Umm no to everything you just said.

You may "value" the car more than others because of its looks, but that doesnt mean that the car is a better "value" in terms of money...

Value is determined in dollars (in terms of cost), something style can not (i.e. you can show how much a car costs to build and to own, but sytle is highly subjective.)

CarAndDriver

As a new car, I don't think the 8 is a very good value now that it's been surpassed by redesigned competitors.

As a used car, I think it is a good value because of the resale that goes off a cliff the minute it is driven off the dealer's lot. And continues to fall off every year it gets older.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I don't think many stock new cars handle as well, still. I'm not being hyperbolic to state it ranks in the Porsche league in terms of handling, and Mazda did not cheap out on the suspension, as many so called 'newer' sports cars seem to be doing lately.

Also, while the rotary inspires a love-hate relationship, it does have a core, truly dedicated following. Watching those SCed 20Bs in Puerto Rico make huge wakes on the highway was awesome.

And because I just did the new car shopping thing, interiors seem to be getting cheaper looking and feeling on a lot of cars (Toyota/Lexus - I have real problems with your new product), and the 8 has very good materials and fit and finish, not to mention the interior and dash still look modern.

04RX8man

I'm with everyone on the EVO WRX factor..great cars IMO but the 4 doors are hard to get by....if I had to go out and buy a car within an hour other than the 8.....it would be an STI hands down.....

as for something in it's class....the 8 is really hard to catagorize in a certain class.....looks I think is def one of the best looking cars on the roads. Power well could be more but it's not bad at all especiallly for a DD.....price used is great new is well in the EVO STI Range of some sort......

CarAndDriver

I don't disagree with the handling aspect, but I think other cars are improving and the 8 is stagnant under the hood and in appearance. Not to start a this car vs that car thread. But the new 370Z and the WRX seem to be improved with better liveability, good handling and far better get up and go.

Handling can only take you so far in life - the engine is not keeping pace with competitors much less V6 family sedans. Most of us live in urban areas where the handling really doesn't come into play as much as thrust.

So I stick by the 8 as a poor value as a new car especially considering that it becomes a great used car value the minute it is off the lot.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Which is exactly why Mazda is expected to come out with the next, more advanced, RX-x circa 2012.

636

For me it all comes down to how fun the car is , to me thats the only purpose of buying a sports car. Im planning to keep my 8 forever

Design1stCode2nd

“Value” is a bit nebulous. Are we speaking bang for your buck? Some combination of style and performance for your buck or maybe a do everything car for your buck?

There are cars cross shopped with the RX8 but it doesn’t have a direct competitor like say the Mustang or Evo does. If it was just a 2+2 then it would compare to the Genesis Coupe, G37, A5 or perhaps the Camaro. If it were a two-seater then the 370z or S2000 would be a direct competitor. There aren’t any cars on the market with 4ish doors that look like a coupe and drive like a sportcar. It’s a unique car with unique characteristics both positive and negative.

B Quiet N Drive

It wouldn't have the same handling but the new Camaro is a lot of car for the $$$$. The V6 is over 300 HP with a 6 speed MT (I think it's a 6 speed), good looking car with good interior (although I don't like the guage layout). It starts at 23k. The SS is around 38k and has over 400hp, bembo brakes and yada yada yada.

DRFTGTO

(first off let me agree with you about the SRT magnum, would have got one if it was available is stick)

But the genesis 2.0t has a detuned 4b11 (new EVO motor) and sure it runs a 15.4 stock (so very similiar to rx8s) but the difference is that with JUST a flash it will be in the low 13s and a few more easy mods and it will break 12s, oh and it handles and that motor has a lot of potential. ALso they handle quite good and have amazing braking with the track package. An amazing car for the money.
Now this is just my opinion but, and i do find rx8s to look beautiful and my friends GG one with a mazdaspeed bodykit IS sex, but i think that the genesis looks better, and with a few apperance mods looks beautiful, better then most G37s IMO. If it came out oh about a half year earlier i would have seriously considered it, not to mention a modded genesis coupe holds the pikes peak climb world record for RWD cars

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

It is less than just a "de-tuned version" of the 4G63 engine. It has been taken apart and discovered to use dramatically weaker internals compared to the 4G63.

rxwarrior

iTrader: (1)

I went from '97 Dodge Dakota to '04 Dodge Ram to '04 RX8 so this is my first sports car (wife had a '94 Mustang GT). I am really loving the fun to drive RX8 now that I don't need a truck. But lately I've been checking out the other cars in its class (Genesis, 370 or even 350) since I would enjoy more torque..... But then I'm reminded of one of my favorite features of the 8... the 4 doors that don't look like 4 doors.
I just wish Nissan, Hyundai, ect. would copy Mazdas 4 door design because the new is wearing off the rotary motor for me. I don't think there will be a more powerful version in the future due to emmisions and gas milage.
Don't get me wrong, I like being different and having a rotary motor, and the 9k redline is fun, but there really isn't any other significant advantage.