i'm debating on buying an rx8, ive been doin my research plus ive looked throughout this board and i know that everyone here loves their rx8 and ive seen alot of beautiful cars on this board, but the thing is, is this car a good buy? it doesnt have astronomical horspower nor does it have alot of torque, but i like the fact that it revs to 9 grand and alot of other attributes that the car has such as handling, styling, comfortability the list is endless, but when i pull up at a stoplight or even have a spirited drive, is this the car to do it in?

 

search???
testdrive would be give a better answer

 

Damnit, I typed up a reply and closed it by accident.

RX-8 will beat all commuter cars off the line, or if not immediately off the line it will most likely get to 60 km/hr faster.
It may not beat all performance sedans / "sporty" cars as many of these feature large V6's or turbo 4's and have a lot more torque than the 8. However, keep in mind you are in a much lighter vehicle than most of these and as such once you're in the powerband (north of 4000 RPM) you can easily hold your own.

Once you get into the twisties you will be able to fend off virtually all performance sedans / sporty coupes, and your only challengers will be other real sportscars.

Keep in mind the 8 features a very good suspension and limited-slip differential stock, which is a good step up from the stock systems on other cars which must be upgraded to match this.

You also end up with one of the nicest interiors in this price range, beating many cars which cost double the price (assuming you don't have any rattles); and the car looks exotic and different.

Really the only weakness with the entire car is the off-the-line performance, and if that's what you're after in a car, you should really look into something else. But if you're after something that can really perform around corners, looks fabulous, and has the only remaining production rotary engine, go for the 8.

 

Buy i cheap one (get a good deal on one) then Super charge that HOE! . . . problem solved

 

thankyou for the info mike that helps alot

 

anyone can mash a throttle and watch their car take off... the 8 blows the compeition out of the water on everything that takes place after that.

 

By simply reading this forum you're well ahead of the game. You've obviously driven one and it sounds like you like it....just do it.

 

you've done some reading on it , now test drive one . The only way to know .....

 

IMHO, the test drive was nice, but I don't think you'll understand this car until you buy it -- that's the paradox. While 0 - 60 times aren't the fastest, 20 - 80 times are something to behold. (You have to try to keep this car under 80. It's just so comfortable, and quiet, at that speed.)

I always feel that I'm "lurking" in traffic. I'm ready to prey on others' lane positions. As long as I can stay in a gear that keeps the revs up, the car is fast enough to demand any place, in any lane, at will. And it looks good doing it. Most passed drivers just defer, and respect the performance.

So stoplight, maybe not (even though...); but spirited drive -- definitely.

 

Pulling up to a stoplight to race the guy next to you? Wrong car.
Pulling up to a stoplight to catch the attention of the drivers around you? Yup.
Spirited drives? Hard to do better.
Is it a good buy? A genuine sports car that can do 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, has a buttery-smooth rotary engine that redlines at 9K, RWD, near mid-engine, 50/50 balance, can seat four adults, and looks like it cost… 40 or $50,000? Yes, it's a good buy.

 

+1

 

And with all the mentions about unreliability and such... its simple, if you take care of the car, the car will take care of you. I assume when someone considers this car as their final decision, then odds are they wont let it turn into a beater and neglect the reasons this car is so special. This car is meant to be driven & when you take it out on a spirited drive, it will leave your mouth hanging. Just keep it pristine, take care of it, and its a beautiful machine.

 

I'm here in Ottawa visiting family ... I go out to get away from everyone for a while (I'm a bit anti-social), hop in the 8, and zip around town. Absolutely a blast! Definitely all the power you really need, fast enough, high rev'ing. I just couldn't ask for a better car. I mean, yeah a bit more HP but really, who cares? I won't race anyone, I couldn't care less who is faster ... my car looks hot and it drives so sweet. I walk backwards after getting out just to keep my eyes on its beauty. There is no other car imo that gets my heart beating like this 8. Parents wonder ... where did he go again? Just out driving for the sheer fun of it.

 

very good responses guys your helping me out alot!

 

ahh.. therss no moving parts compared to a piston engine.

 

Imagine, for a moment, that the rotary was developed first, before the piston engine. Then, when the piston engine came out, people would point and laugh and say "sure, it works—but why have an engine with over a thousand moving parts when you can do the same thing with just… three?!"

 

I've drive the 8 and I LOVE it, the interior, the handling, the cargo space, the grocery compartment in the trunk, the rear swing doors, the electronic steering, the brakes, the rotary sound, the shifter, the start-up sound of the gauges, the seats, the insurance cost.
Only thing is gas mileage.
Don't be fooled by people who say it's slow. Once you hit 4,000 RPM the car becomes a beast.

 

You asked if this car was good to buy? well most of us here on this forum love our 8. so yes, it is a good buy. And for speed, it is not a straight line car, but i still have fun every day flooring it to 9k rpm in a straight line.

 

yeah.. coming to a club forum to ask if it's a good car is a bit different, but at least he's getting some responses as to why we love it.

 

No crashing on anyone here, but just a perspective...

I like how sometimes people ask questions and get meaningful answers because of the moods people are in & then the same question could be asked (before or after) and you get your fair share of "search" and ***-hole comments. I mean I'm guilty of it sometimes, just an observation... but good to see this guy getting some good answers.

 

yea i was takin aback by how i only got one"search" comment, thank you guys so much, im still considering the 8, but also on the horizon is the evo 8, has anyone else come across this comparison before?

 

SEARCH!!

j/k j/k

You know you get power with the EVO 8, but nothing compares to the smoothness of the rotary. As many times as it's been said, its really what you intend on using it more for. If you want speed (and a cheap looking interior, imo), then the EVO! If you want random people stopping you and gaulking at your car, a ultra smooth tranny & clutch, handling beyond your imagination, a 9K redline, and decent speed/acceleration when you keep the revs high... I think you can tell where I lean.

Honestly, just decide what you want the car for, or make yourself a list of pros and cons of each and your decision will be made.

And also, no EVO can ever pick up girls the way a clean 8 can!

 

Go with the zoom.. zoom. I did and love it! 0-60 has room to improve. turbo/sc it and your right back on top.

 

yea i hate the evos interior and love the rx8 and i havent even been in one yet

 

^ the new Evo seems to be a big step forward as a daily driver, and the interior is a big improvement. Two great but two very different cars though, a turbo 4 is nothing like a rotary, AWD is nothing like RWD, but whatever rocks your boat. When you're talking "when I pull up at a stoplight" - sounds like you're an Evo type of guy, not that there's anything wrong with that. Otherwise, for a "spirited drive" the 8's as fun as anything IMO.