Considering an RX8...
 

I am a Mini Copper S owner and while I love the handling,MPG and the look I also have always liked the look of the Rx series. I was in the Mountains of NC this weekend and was really enjoying the roads and fell in behind an RX8. This has me thinking about trading but I dont know if I would be trading up or down? As I look around here the MPG is concerning as I am getting a true 30 right now...What do you guys think?

if you're concerned about getting 30 MPG, this isn't the car for you. as for trading up or down - you're on an RX-8 forum so what do you think your answer will be?

I'm trading down from an STi. I think the RX-8 was more lenient towards the driver when I test drove one. Its loss of 70hp from my STi was easily made up by the interior and handling. I'm not too sure about a mini cooper though. You should go test drive one and then you'll know if it's the car for you.

Agree with CTrx8 - MPG will seriously bug you .
For many of us this long ceased being an issue & we just enjoy the car (a lot).

i was driving my grandfathers mini cooper s john cooper works edition last week, and the whine from the supercharger is cool and the handling is good, the interior was bland and the rx8 handling feels so much nicer. it's much more user friendly. i must say though it is fun to pop in and out of traffic in that tiny thing.

not sure how you can really compare these two cars.

As Brettus said, if MPG is that important to you, dont even consider it.
The 8 is the most satisfying car I have ever driven. Driving it is addictve and a total blast.

Definitely a step up, but take that mpg figure your use to and cut it in half.

I've been thinking that the Mini would make a great Winter car with the RX-8. I really like the looks but I think the price of the S version is way to high for what you get.

I have driven a couple of Cooper S's. The 8 is A LOT more fun to drive. Actualy has better power and response. I learned to appreciate the Cooper after driving them. Before I never understood why anyone bought one. Drive the 8 and decide for yourself. If gas milage is important to you, I wouldn't buy an 8. To me the advantages of the 8 outweigh the gas milage.

Agreed. IMO, the 8 offers more as a total package than the Mini. I'm sure the supercharger is fun but the whine is not my cup of tea. I've owned supercharged cars and the whine annoyed me. The 8 on the other hand is addictive to drive. I redline it everyday just to hear it scream.

You'll get maybe half of that MPG on a RX-8. It's worth it though.. Great car overall.

one huge difference i noticed between the two is the ride is a lot stiffer in the mini. granted i could see why but if you enjoy your kidneys i wouldn't take that thing on long road trips.

The Mini is a great car, it just has too much gay factor with it. It's like driving a Miata.

that statement is so gay you should have to drive a truck for the rest of you gay life..

beers :beer:

I had a long talk with an enthusiastic Cooper owner a while back and we looked over each others cars. I think you will be amazed and thrilled by the handling of the RX-8. Test drive one - go play. If you've had a good run with your Cooper and you can live with getting a bit under 20mpg you may very well find the RX-8 is a great next car for you.

Step up or step down is too subjective - too many things to like and judge about a car and everyone values stuff differently.

agree,

it is a step sideways... with a hatch..

beers :beer:

[kidding]Actually, if your state considers the Cooper to be a wagon, worse yet, if your title and papers say Station Wagon, then an RX-8 is definitely a step up. No question about it.[/kidding]

Scatpro, where you at? Is your Cooper hot? You might find an RX-8 owner willing to do a little show and tell and trade driving. If you've got a Cooper than can smoke the tires at a stop I'd be happy to follow you while you get educated about the joys of a rotary with sweet suspension.

Damn, I said sweet, now everyone will know I watched Napolean Dynamite. Okay, no "sweet" jumps in the RX-8, got it?

Well I dont have to worry about the "gay" thing as enclosed below is a pic of my normal ride.....My friends always so that they dont know if I will be driving the biggest or smallest vehical made. I do have a second home in Black mnt. NC which is a 6.5 hour trip that because of the mini I did in record time of 5:45 on new years day so having said that the 30 MPG is a big deal but the rough ride is something I actually dont mind and all three of my vehicals are boosted in some fashion. I was amazed at how inexpensive these cars are in the used market and could basically slide sidways finacially speaking. I appreciate the responses and I will try to find one local to test drive.

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d6...t=CIMG2234.jpg

I live in South Georgia but like I sais I have a house near Asheville, Nc so if someone wants to let me see their car let me know.
That gay comment has me rattled....So here is a pic of my supercharged mustang.

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d6...Picture157.jpg

Scatpro,
I don't think he was calling YOU gay. He was basicly saying that he is not secure enough in HIS manhood to drive a Cooper. Unfortunantly, for some reason, the Cooper has gotten a reputation of being a "gay" car like the Miata has. The only people who need to worry about it are homophobes and gays that are in denial. Believe me, I would buy a Cooper S if the need arose and my 8 could not fit the bill anymore. Like I said, I have driven a few Coopers. They are a lot of fun in the S form. In fact my brother-in-law was wanting to buy a BMW 325i convertable. He drove a Cooper S I took in on trade back to back with the BMW. He loved the 325 until he drove the Cooper S. Then he fell in love with the Cooper. He is married to my sister, a red-neck, has 5 kids,...

I think that you will love the 8. I have driven a lot of cars that most people drool over and I have yet to find one that I would give up my 8 for.