Hey guys...Ive been a long time lurker on this forum(over a year) I am going to be purchasing my first car soon. I recently talked to my parents about car options and they really dont wan't me to get the rx8. THeir reason is they feel its too small and light. While this may be true it seems to be a relatively safe car. I am going to be paying for over half of the car and i have found a great deal on a used 04 but idk what to do because ultimately theyll decide. ANy suggestions on how to convince them that this is indeed a safe car because i have been looking forward to getting this ever since it came out. Thanks a lot and hopefully lets hear some needed advice....

BTW I know you may bash me cuz im young but im just looking for advice on how to show them that this is a safe car so please try to refrain from "o you should get a beater for your first car" and things of that nature :p thanks again

 

Tell them of all the awesome airbags! FTW!

 

The RX8 is actually quite a safe car. It is by no means light (>3000 pounds) and side curtain airbags are standard (I believe). It also gets good insurance rates since it is a four door sedan. Do some real research and show them the facts. My guess is that the real reason they don't want you to get one is that they don't want their kid driving a sports car at your age. Try to prove that you are mature enough to handle the car.

Oh yeah, two days after I bought my RX, there was an accident on a street near my house. My mom and I drove past and there was an RX-8 on its roof. The passenger compartment looked almost intact; there is no way any passengers were severely injured in the accident. Just a first-hand account about the safety of the cars.

 

I mean if you are getting an RX8 as your first car I would advise it being a pre-owned. Realize as a new driver you'll brush the curb too many times. I am 17 and my RX8 is my first car and it is pre-owned it had a few knicks when I bought it but the few I got from where I parked or weather, we a little easier then a new car though i am still angry.

I mean search through articles on this site. I have seen some pictures of RX-8's wrecked and people walked away uninjured. So I mean no car is 100% safe.

 

http://community.livejournal.com/gearheads/740624.html

not many cars hold up this well when they get run over by tanks.

just sayin...

 

[QUOTE=oakleyfool007"o you should get a beater for your first car" [/QUOTE]

I didn't have to say it u said it all yourself!!! So listen to yourself not any of us!

 

Is that really necessary?

 

It's very safe. Though, since it's a first car, I'd make absolutely sure that it has traction control/DSC (there's a button left of the steering wheel). I'd suggest the DSC to any driver, but as a new driver, you'll really sing its praises once it helps pull you out of your first a slippery situation.

Also, remember that the safety of any car is largely in your own hands. If you drive a car carefully and well within your limits, you'll likely never need all the safety equipment. If you start to feel like you want to turn the car loose, spend the $30-40 on an autocross. You'll become a better, safer driver, you'll make your mistakes in a safe environment, plus you'll be far less inclined to get your kicks on the road. I can't recommend attending an autocross enough. It goes such a long way toward teaching vehicle dynamics and what you learn on the track truly translates to daily driving. Good luck.

Oh, and I see you've never driven manual before. I can teach you from here: put the car in first, and let out the clutch slowly. That's all. Give it no gas, but keep manipulating the clutch until the car is moving fast enough to let the clutch all the way out. Stop. Rinse. Repeat.

 

^if you would have said a 90 degree turn would have made it more dramatic haha a 100 degree i had to lol

 

He evidently knows how many youngsters come one here saying "brand new driver i want this 8 for my first" that means he searched(which is good) and should know that almost all new drivers have some accidents there is nothing wrong with getting a beater even 4 6 months to learn a little especially a MT then go to the 8 if thats what u want....I know how fast teens change their minds about what type of cars they want and what they want them 4 so....

 

hahaha and the speed limit was 30 km imagine if it was 40 km its like 25 mph
damm tanks drivers

 

oh yeah and I know how High School kids that drive POS cars treat High School Kids that drive nice cars or even fairly decent cars.......yeah they treat them like ****

 

buy whatever they want you to. when you are living on your own, buy whatever you want.

 

oo yea btw i found a pretty solid deal on a used 04 6 speed around 11,500 with 42k miles seems to be pretty decentof a deal. This would be the first stick car id be driving as well but i know the many advantages of the MT over the AT. What do you guys think about that deal??

 

that doesnt sound all that bad, but u should pull the history of the car from both carfax and Mazda b4 u hit any "buy" button, oh also, have it check at a local garage that you can trust.

your parents probably want you to get like a 95 Civic or something. Tell them about the crash ratings on those, and explain to know how technology has changed over the years. it will change their mind (I assume that you're under 18 right? I do not suggest you to get RX-8 for your first car at that age.)

 

Get a copy of the Consumer Reports auto review issue, and show them what CU thinks of its safety features. Or go to the NHTSA web site and check out the safety ratings.

My wife - who worries about everything - saw that stuff and was very happy to see me get an 8.

Ken

 

they dont expect me to get a POS car bc they know im into cars and have been forever. They really just think its too small i guess and if i get into an accident or if somebody hits me then theres more chance of being injured that being in a bigger car like a maxima or something like that. I feel like if I am paying for half of it then i should have at least some input as to what i get.

 

Some info for your mom/dad

Active Safety:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ranked 33 cars and light trucks from the 2004 model year on their chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle accident. Light trucks include sport/utility vehicles, pickups and minivans.

Only the Mazda RX-8 received the top rating of five stars in the latest round of testing using NHTSA's new avoidance maneuver driving test. A five-star rating indicates less than a 10 percent chance of a rollover.
http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/07/pf/a...vers/index.htm

It was surprising to hear that 80-0 braking is actually shorter than the new Porsche 911 Turbo.
http://rotarynews.com/node/view/194

Passive Safety:
The RX-8 also receive four out of a possible five stars, in most of the traditional crash test rankings released Monday.

Hit by a tank (as shown before):
http://community.livejournal.com/gearheads/740624.html

 

The RX8 is a very safe car. I think the only thing that should hold your parents back is the reliability. Show your parents the awesome power of the RX8's braking capabilities! Handling is always important too...Explain how the car has 50:50 weight dist. and front midship engine so the car can outmaneuver dangerous objects on the road.
Since its not a torquey car down low, take them for a ride and shift at like 3k...they will think its a corolla. Usable back seats are big plus too...

 

Give me their number and I'll speak with them

 

 

Its definitely not a sedan, but Geico shows 1.3L 4dr coupe. and the rates are cheap, even with an unclean record.

 

Cheap I guess must depend on how old you are, my insurance company quoted me at $325/month, so I hopped onto my parents insurance which came out to $220, which is a bit more reasonable. Fulltime student...ftw.

 

you need to do some research on real cost of ownership before you take the plunge to see if you are ready and able to afford to drive a rx8, maintenance cost, fuel cost, incurance etc, and most importantly if its still under warranty.

A plethora of things can make what seems like something you can afford very unafforadable. That goes for any car, not just the rx8 but its especially true for sports cars.