I'm in a bit of a pickle here and hopefully I can get everyones input. I'm looking into buying an RX-8 but there are two other cars that come into play. The 2004 Acura RSX type S and the 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT V6.

I'm basically asking you guys to help me compare the 3 cars and find out which is the better buy. I live in Canada which means prices may differ from other places around the world. The prices I see now are:

'05 RX-8 : 48,000+
'04 Type S : 25,000+
'06 Eclipse : 34,000+

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

I know that it may be biased by posting on forums based on the RX8 but I think that you guys will help out.

Cheers,
Matthew.

 

basically, you should go out and drive all the cars. also, the 8 is the only rwd car of the group you mentioned.

 

drive them all and decide for yourself. There is a thread on the front page in this forum about the rsx vs the rx8.

The rx8 is very different from the other 2.

 

The rsx is lighter and can be just as fast lightly modded. I think handling will probably be better with the rsx. On the other hand if you get the eclipse, you would be one of the first people on the road with it and smoke most rx-8's on the road?

 

I dont know about that. I test drove one before buying the 8. I think the 8 has better handling, but thats just my personal experience.

 

Well I have driven the 8 and the eclipse but the rsx wasn't type-s, it was my brothers old premium one. I loved all three of them but the 8 really stood out for some reason. The only thing is that i'm a little iffy about that car because it's a rotary and i'm not hearing good things about them.
Anyways...I just want to know what you guys would do if you were in my shoes.

 

Well, as you can imagine, we all were in your shoes at some point and decided to buy an RX-8.

 

Sorry for double posting but could you post the url of the thread?

Also, what would you compare the rx8 to?

 

whats not good about an engine that likes to rev to 9000 rpms?

 

i think for a more valid comparison, you should tell us your age and financial status, whether you're still in school, how often you would be driving.

 

Well i've heard that they're hard to maintain, not reliable, and if there's a problem it would cost just as much as a new car to fix it.

 

Funny that you bring that up because I hear that from almost everyone that does own one or basically hates on the RX8. The biggest problem I've had with my is the brakes squeal. Took it in and now since that's gone I have no problems. Especially when it comes to Gas, Engine, Trans................. You know the important stuff. Last tank of gas I got 290 miles and I still had another gallon left in the tank. As for the oil, I've never had to add oil between oil changes. I do change the oil every 4000 miles but still I've never added any. This car is great, go test drive one and you'll fall in love with it. Do yourself a favor too. Test drive the RSX and the Eclipse first and then the RX8 last because you'll be going home with the 8! :D

 

They're no more difficult to maintain than any other engine. They requite a tad bit more attention to make sure you're not low on oil (A Rotary consumes oil by its' very nature) so you need to check your oil every week or so and see if you need to top it off (many people don't, some people do). And, while a good Rotary mechanic can be difficult to find, they're not anymore expensive than any other mechanics and the parts aren't significantly more -- certainly not the price of a new car. Hell, if it came down to it, you can buy an entire brand new engine for just over $2000.

 

If you are a university and are truly seeing that kind of pricing, I can't imagine the difference in payments wouldn't be a factor. I guess if money is no object and you are not planning on modding, I would go with the 8.

However, being in Canada (weather & gas prices) and looking at the price difference I would think that the RSX is the way to go for a university student. Just my opinion.

 

oops i meant earlier that the rsx will handle better than the eclipse, not the 8.

 

I think the rsx would be more practical for you. its got a nice large trunk and due top the hatchback design its more usable. It also gets the best mpg and there's still a good fun factor to the rsx. But it's not exactly going to "keep up" with your brother's G35.

 

I meant that all three of the cars are in my range and I can afford them witout having to sell my legs or something.

All I really want to know is which car is better? Look at it this way...those are the last three cars left in the world and they were all the same price. Now, which one would you choose?

 

My biased opinion say the RX-8. RWD and better looks puts it over the top. :D

 

iCON, "better" is defined by the individual. It depends on what you want to use the car for. I'm big on lists. Put together a list of must haves, prioritize them, and then see which cars fit your criteria. Then take each for a drive and see which fits the gut feeling.

Above all, don't let all of the misinformation about the RX-8 deter you. Mpg, oil, flooding, etc are all way overblown.

And rotary reliablility? It's difficult to say with the Renesis but naturally aspirated rotaries made since 1979 will run 200-300K miles with just performing onwers maunal maintenance. I don't expect the Renesis to be any different.

The 8 really is a pretty amazing and different car. See if it fits you.

Paul

 

This is what I needed to hear. Thanks for the advice. I'll keep you guys updated on my choice and how things turn out. But as of now, i'm leaning more towards the RX8 because the more I read up about it, the more I want it.

Cheers,
Matthew.

 

I have 4 rotaries sitting in the garage. One has just over 200k mi. Another has 148k mi. My 8 has 4700 miles and no problems. Honestly, I hate people who say "oh, I heard rotaries are not reliable, blah, blah." Obviously they have not done their research. Not accusing you, but if you want to spend $35k on something, DO SOME F*CKING RESEARCH.

FS

 

that's what i'm here for

 

None of that is true. Sorry to be so blunt but I wonder what experts are giving you this advise and what their experience is with rotary engines.

The truth is that maintenance is minimal, as are all cars today. Rotaries are not new. Mazda has been making them for many years. The engines last almost forever and then the rebuild is simple and inexpensive (at least compared to a high performance piston engine). After all they only have 3 moving parts and the engines are small and easy to remove if necessary.

But if you buy a new car none of that matters for quite a while. You will have a factory warranty.

People make more of an issue about the oil than is necessary. My 1981 RX-7 burned about a quart every 3000 miles, my 2005 RX-8 does about the same. I had a 1989 Mustang 5.0 that burned a quart every 1000 miles, the dealer said that was within specs as long as it was not less than 800 miles. I think most 5.0s had the same problem until 1993 when they revised the engine. The point is that nobody made a big deal about it. We just added oil. So a quart of oil every 3000 miles doesn't seem to be an issue to me.

 

Great response

 

RSX Type S - Pros : More modifiable, Cons : FWD, Steering, Handling
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT - Pros : Powerful V6, Cons : FWD, Heavy, Handling, No aftermarket (yet), Ugly (Personally), Mitsubishi Reliability/Service.
Mazda RX8 - Pros : Handling, Weight, Looks (personally), RWD, Cons : Power (though you have turbo kits that will get you to 240..soon to 270-280 whp), Price (compared to the other 2, though they are offering good discounts now).