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Getting an RX8 for college

Old May 6, 2009 | 01:55 PM
  #26  
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thats kind of what i was getting at...
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Old May 6, 2009 | 05:35 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by RXheart
^he can just say that he pays for it.
...brilliant.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 05:48 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Renesis SE3P
A used 04-05 RX-8 are around $12-$15k so $22-$23k is a bit steep for a new one in my opinion, the 8's don't really hold their value too well unless you want the new face lifted one.
Well used isn't an option for me, my parents won't consider used =/ I've tried convincing them. But I've heard of 8's stickers for $31k and people getting em down to about $25.5 k, so I figure I should be able to get a base stickered for around $27-$28k down to about $22-$23k.

Originally Posted by dwdgsi04
As for owning an RX8, its exactly not a cheap car to maintain as compared to a Civic or something. But it isn't outrageous either. You have to understand the gas mileage issue of course. But honestly, as long as you don't go ***** out every time you drive it, it shouldn't be too big of an issue. You also have to take into account that the engine burns oil by design and the harder you drive, the more oil you burn. Other than that, besides the regular scheduled maintenance, it's a great car. Its usually the folks that don't bother to maintain the car (i.e. checking oil levels regularly) that end up dealing with larger issues later on down the road.
Yeah, the gas and oil issue is a concern for me, I know my parents are paying for it but I want to at least try to be consider it. And tbh, idk if it's the best idea to get an 8 in college if I won't be able to pay full attention to maintenance and taking care of the car.

Originally Posted by dwdgsi04
As for the Mazdaspeed 3, I think it's a great car. Unfortunately, ever since I first experienced RWD in my MR-S, I'm spoiled by it. I doubt I'll go back to FWD again even though the car is bursting at the seams with power.
Yeah, the RWD is something idk if I can handle =/

Originally Posted by pksan123
i'd say get the mini cooper. it's a fun car to drive and good on gas. plus the ladies like it cuz it's cute
Originally Posted by reaper1
In all honesty , if your folk are paying the bill , get the Camaro . Its brand spanking new . Make sure you get the big engine..........
Haha power isn't something I'm really concerned with, I drove a 1989 Camry for a year until my brother totalled it and now I drive a 1994 Accord...my sister's old jetta feels like a beast compared to those lol

What I'm concerned about is whether any of those cars (MPS 3, Cooper, Camaro) would hold up for that long?

Originally Posted by rotarykillz
What color you looking at?
I really want the red or blue, but I'll take anything haha.

Originally Posted by jones75254
Where do you live? Where do you plan to attend College?

I say this because unless you live out West or SE, i wouldnt advise getting the RX-8. If you live in Midwest/N-East where there are harsh Winters and plenty of rain, you will need something better in those conditions that also gives you better piece of mind re: reliability. There are no garages on campus for freshman As a Frosh your car will likely be parked a good ways away from your dorm exposed to the elements and the rest of the student body. I just wouldnt trust either to tell you the truth.

Your parents sound well off, if i were you i would work out a deal w/ them, get something a bit toned down for your college tenure, and as a reward to getting good grades and graduating, you get something spectacular upon graduation. Then you can focus on the upkeep of that car. In college your car usually takes a back seat to studies, girls and the occasional party And regardless what some here say, young college girls dont give a **** about your car, its your game playa (unless u live in Orange Co
I actually do live in Orange County (South) haha. I'm going to be living at home and going to UCI so I won't be having to worry about bad weather or anything like that.

That's not going to be an option for me, my parents are only buying me this car and I'm going to have it for at least 6 years (4 years undergrad and 2 years masters), but more likely for 9-10 years (right when I start working, I'm gonna have other priorities such as rent and bills and such, I don't wanna bog myself down by getting a car I can't afford). So I want to get a car that'll last me and I'll enjoy for that long, not that I'll outgrow or get sick of (for example I was thinking the Camaro is more a car for the younger crowd, wouldn't I outgrow it when I'm working and getting married?).


Srry if I missed any questions or comments haha but thanks to everyone for the advice so far!
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Old May 6, 2009 | 05:53 PM
  #29  
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Get the 8.....if that's what you want...get it...you got into UC, you're living at home, which I think is great for students these days...you live in SoCo where the weather rocks....get a sunroof for sure

Red is totally better than blue on the 8...it's just gorgeous all around and really sticks out there.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:23 PM
  #30  
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Winning Blue is best rx8 color. However it is no longer available.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:25 PM
  #31  
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I am in college with RX-8 currently. Doesn't see too much use :-(. You do not need a car in college.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:31 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by refugeefrompistons
I am in college with RX-8 currently. Doesn't see too much use :-(. You do not need a car in college.
Well I'm going to be commuting so I'll be using it plentyy haha
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:32 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by exsequor
Winning Blue is best rx8 color. However it is no longer available.
Velocity Red is better. That's why it is still availible.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:32 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by refugeefrompistons
I am in college with RX-8 currently. Doesn't see too much use :-(. You do not need a car in college.
so how do you get to school if you're living at home? The wonder California Public Transit system?
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:39 PM
  #35  
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I believe every single person should start driving on a crappy old Honda. This way you can get your new driver accidents out of the way on a car you don't care about, and you learn how what it's like to drive a car that can't accelerate or brake as quickly as a sports car.

However, If my parents were paying for a car for me, I'd absolutely get an 8. The truth is that you don't get many of these sorts of opportunities in life, so always get as much as you possibly can out of them.

A Lotus Elise might be another possible option. They fall around 30K used.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:40 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by rotarykillz
so how do you get to school if you're living at home? The wonder California Public Transit system?
Well I am sorry, I should have read the rest of the thread first but I really dislike the concept of commuting. I know it saves money and all and other reasons others advocate it but it really destroys the college experience. Plus its a bitch to drive every morning to class and find parking and walk for 20 minutes to class. I had to do that couple times picking some stuff from the local area before class.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:44 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by refugeefrompistons
Well I am sorry, I should have read the rest of the thread first but I really dislike the concept of commuting. I know it saves money and all and other reasons others advocate it but it really destroys the college experience. Plus its a bitch to drive every morning to class and find parking and walk for 20 minutes to class. I had to do that couple times picking some stuff from the local area before class.
Its cool...but the ride isn't so bad when you're in an 8

And I've been "working on campus" at my job for 6 months. I miss driving my car every day
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:51 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by Socket7
I believe every single person should start driving on a crappy old Honda. This way you can get your new driver accidents out of the way on a car you don't care about, and you learn how what it's like to drive a car that can't accelerate or brake as quickly as a sports car.

However, If my parents were paying for a car for me, I'd absolutely get an 8. The truth is that you don't get many of these sorts of opportunities in life, so always get as much as you possibly can out of them.

A Lotus Elise might be another possible option. They fall around 30K used.
Haha let me iterate that this is not my first car lol my first car was a 1989 Toyota Camry and now I drive a 1994 Honda Accord.

And yeah, can't do too much about commuting...parents =/ haha but I'm not complainin
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:55 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by egyptianmatt91
Haha let me iterate that this is not my first car lol my first car was a 1989 Toyota Camry and now I drive a 1994 Honda Accord.

And yeah, can't do too much about commuting...parents =/ haha but I'm not complainin
Okay so I'm going to tease you a bit here...I've seen you got ...parents =/ a few times now on this thread.

You're parents are obviously bribing you...you're an adult now and CAN make your own decisions....but if you make decisions they don't like....no new car

fess up...you gotta be like...well my parents want things a certain way and if I do them...i get this car!!
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:58 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by rotarykillz
Its cool...but the ride isn't so bad when you're in an 8

And I've been "working on campus" at my job for 6 months. I miss driving my car every day
O I do miss driving. I hate how I only get to drive only twice a week. But commuting to college is really unpleasant.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 07:01 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by rotarykillz
Okay so I'm going to tease you a bit here...I've seen you got ...parents =/ a few times now on this thread.

You're parents are obviously bribing you...you're an adult now and CAN make your own decisions....but if you make decisions they don't like....no new car

fess up...you gotta be like...well my parents want things a certain way and if I do them...i get this car!!
Haha yeah man who wouldn't listen to their parents if it meant getting an 8?? :P lol I'll do anything for a free car!

Haha but in all seriousness I chose to go to UCI. Of course my parents wanted me to lol, but I had the option of going to UCLA and dorming and the whole schpeel and they would let me if I really wanted to, but I decided to stay close to family and friends and plus there's less competition at UCI so I'm hoping I can maintain a high GPA then go on to get a master's in electrical engineering at UCLA or Caltech.
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Old May 6, 2009 | 09:41 PM
  #42  
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Parents wont even consider a USED car...are paying for your brand new car, education at good school, room and board and likely extracurricular expenses...Ur life is planned out for the next 8-10 yrs......

Yep, ur def from Orange County! LOL. Not hatin on u man, u are very fortunate and more power to ya. Good luck with college and the brand new car you will soon be getting!
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Old May 6, 2009 | 09:58 PM
  #43  
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im 17 as well and am about to graduate (go class of '09!) anyway, as far as not being able to handle the car, so long as you don't drive like a typical teenager (you know insanely) you should be alright. check the oil often, wash it, etc. etc. take care of the car and it'll take care of you.....also, redline it...woot
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Old May 7, 2009 | 12:27 AM
  #44  
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yup, trust me its going to be plenty fun to drive. i graduate HS in a couple days and Ive had my 8 for a week and a half already!
its just every time i see it i cant stop but smile!
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Old May 7, 2009 | 12:27 AM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by jones75254
Parents wont even consider a USED car...are paying for your brand new car, education at good school, room and board and likely extracurricular expenses...Ur life is planned out for the next 8-10 yrs......

Yep, ur def from Orange County! LOL. Not hatin on u man, u are very fortunate and more power to ya. Good luck with college and the brand new car you will soon be getting!
Haha ya man seriously, idk how my parents do it they're crazy, but I'm so thankful...hopefully one day I'll be able to provide the same for my kids.

Right now it looks like I'm goin with the 8
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Old May 7, 2009 | 12:39 AM
  #46  
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If you guys are talking about which car will get more attention from girls you know what I always say... don't rely on your car for that... pretty damn lame thing to to.

But while we're on the subject, he mentioned a new Camaro. You guys are kidding yourselves if you think an 8 would draw more attention than a 2010 Camaro. Just a fact.
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Old May 7, 2009 | 01:40 AM
  #47  
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cooper s? you threw that in there as a joke right? :P

speed 3, decent mpg, 4 doors, room for cargo and such.

camaro, whether you get the v6 or v8 you'll be happy with the torque

rx8 is finesse and style.

test drive the 3 then head to the forums that you like. maybe you're not a finesse type of guy, maybe you like sheer sluggish power.

maybe a 2 door sports car is too much of a pain to deal with.

maybe a sport compact hatchback doesnt have enough style for you.

what do you like?
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Old May 7, 2009 | 01:44 AM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by RXheart
Velocity Red is better. That's why it is still availible.
no way, special colors ftw. shinka colors, metro gray, nordic green storm blue. those are cool.

cough cough 40th.
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Old May 7, 2009 | 02:26 AM
  #49  
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hmm, the rx-8 is the only car I've really known since I was 16 and am now 18. If you don't push it, it just handles and brakes all too well to mess up with and the DSC is pretty good for not being restrictive but still not letting you spin around in the rain if you give it too much gas.

If you decide to play... STAY AWAY FROM CURBS. I've driven about 40,000miles in just over 2 years, I love my rx-8. I think I've about used this one up though after 2 semi-serious accidents. Within a month of owning an rx-8 and a driver's license, the first thing on any new RWD owner's mind is drifting/donuts/etc. not snap oversteer. I thought I was cool because I had the best lap time in the Audi School autocross and I did really well, but FWD isn't **** compared to RWD. When the back end comes out and you dont know what to do the car can spin viciously in the opposite direction you'd expect it to and then CRACK POP, broken wheel, bent linkages, and two side impacts are deployed. Also DONT LIFT OFF THE GAS MID-CORNER, my more recent stupid mistake that I knew better than doing... There was this turn I had been going increasingly fast through and I had gotten up to 85mph through it. I think I must have gotten on the gas too early, because the front got light and I panickedly lifted. The front was planted now, but the back of the car flew out, I overcorrected and went over a curb breaking 3 wheels, mangling my beautiful multi-link rear suspension, tweaking the lower front wishbone, and 2 more side impacts gone. So, uh, be careful? You don't seem like you would drive that aggressively though.
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Old May 7, 2009 | 02:45 AM
  #50  
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^ counter steer and bring it back.

knowing first, 2nd, and 3rd hand. our cars handle amazingly. if it was that big of a snap oversteer, just lay on the brakes and let abs do its job while counter steering. lift off over steer can be vicious, but in almost any situation controllable. unless you get pitted while already starting to oversteer :P

if you're going to be pushing a car, i suggest he rx8 and driving lessons. our cars handle so amazingly, they just make any other car feel sluggish.
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