Stidriver

Ok, most people think I'm crazy... But I don't care for my Sti. (Never thought you'd hear that now did ya?). Even with the short throw it shifts like a pig and has a lot of play in the shifter. Also the cars interior rattles so rediculously loud when I turn up the radio. Interior build quality I give a 5. It is rediculously fast though :D . Its funny to hop an on ramp and pass the people already on the highway like they weren't moving.

So anyway, before the Sti I had a S2000. I LOVED that car, but as a daily driver it was killing me. No trunk, no back seat, and if you had to drive more than 3 hours at a stretch your first stop was at a chiropractor. Unfortunately I drive from NJ to DC every couple of months. The trunk was so small that with a 8inch sub in the back I couldn't fit my 1 bag of luggage in the trunk.

So I bought the Sti thinking, fast as hell and roomy. Then the rattling started, and the notchiness of the stick, and the play in the stick. The s2000 taught me one thing, road is no problem, but I can't stand rattles or crappy shifter feel.

Now I'm thinking the RX8 might be a good choice. Similar the s2000 in feel, though without some of the hard edges. And even if the trunk isn't huge, at least it has a back seat to throw a bag in. There's a dealership up here with a beautiful black 6sp GT package 2004 with 5-6k miles that they are selling for about 25-26k. I can probably work them down a bit too.

Any thoughts :p ?

Rhawb

I say go ahead and give it a drive - I think you'll find it's rather similar to the S2000 but a bit softer and roomier like you mentioned. I couldn't imagine anyone really being disappointed with this car unless you go in without any knowledge of its quirks. If you can live with the gas mileage, oil consumption and the potential for flooding (which many have never experienced, myself included), you'll be perfectly happy.

guy321

Might be what you're looking for.. You can add some power if you feel adventurous. The trunk should be plenty big for you. I have 2 - 10" subs and can still carry 1 touring and 1 stand golf bag. Not to mention the back seat.. I've made about 6 trips from Tampa, Fl to Norfolk, Va in my 8. It's quite comfortable.

Stidriver

Hah, my s2000 ate a half quart or more every 1500 miles. Hell, even the sti you gotta watch closely.

Flooding huh? I haven't had that problem since I last drove my grandfather 72 chevy pickup in Missouri :p

Honestly the horsepower in the Sti isn't really doing much for me. If I was smarter I woulda bought an RX8 to begin with or regular wrx. I'm 30 years old, I have no desire whatsoever to go to the track, street race, or whatever. Modding seemed like a good idea at the time, but that lost its luster as well. I just like fun, sexxy cars. Hell, even the honduh guys with riced civics won't even rev at me to keep me entertained.

Rhawb

Hahah, well then you shouldn't have any problem with the oil in this case - it seems they're about even on the consumption. As far as flooding, I've never had a problem but supposedly they're fairly prone to flooding in cold climates if you don't warm them up before shutting them down. I'd be willing to bet that old chevy flooded a whole lot more than the 8 ever would. :D I agree with Guy that this car is very comfortable for long trips and has plenty of room for your one bag of luggage.

As far as power, I think there's plenty to be had and I somewhat prefer the lack of torque. It allows you to drive the car around in a civilized manner when you don't really need all the power, but once you wind it up, all the power's right there for you. I think that's great...However, coming from an STi you may have some trouble adjusting.

Cam

iTrader: (1)

From what you stated in your first post the RX-8 will fit you like a glove.

BTW, Ive had mine 8 months/10K miles and have never flooded it, get 18-20 mpgs, and add 1/2 quart of oil every 1500K miles.

Ike

Sounds like the STi was just a bad purchase for you in the first place. They're great cars but certainly not for everyone, you sound more like you should be driving an Audi A4 than a sportscar.

Stidriver

Thanks guys, this weekend I'm going to pull out my amp, subs, and Alpine HU from the Sti and put in the stock 6 disc and underseat crap-o-sub. Then I'll start going a shoppin. I gotta do a test drive, but if it works out I want to be able to make the move and not have to worry about getting the stereo crap out. If it doesn't work out it will only take me 20 minutes to pop the alpine back in... Gotta love using a wiring harness.

Stidriver

Blah, I hate audi's. The closest one I ever like was a TT and that sucked compared to my S2000.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not racer but I drive it like I stole it. Corners and quick shifts just make my day.

Moostafa29

I'd give that move some serious thought. If it were me, I'd keep the Soobie.

stanfordcole

You'll love it, just test drive it. I hear people apologize for the horsepower and torque all the time. Forget that. Just get in it and drive it. That's what it is all about.

HeelnToe

I *almost* bought an Evo... but after I let the "oh my god" feeling recede and the blood flow returned to my brain, I realized that in some ways it resembled junk food: unbeatable for an amazing rush... but did I want to live on it? Maybe in my 20s, but not at 40.

No, I was ready to settle down with something more satisfying in a deeper, less sugar-coated sense. IMHO, the joy of the 8 is it's *feel*. Not it's numbers, not even it's looks, but the way it connects with you, that zen-like experience of melting into the road and letting your hands and feet dance it around.

It sounds like that might be more important than raw performance numbers to you as well. Coupled with the 8's practicality and incredible comfort (my wife says it's like being cradled in "adult baby seats"), for some people it's a fantastic choice.

cas2themoe

The STI is a Great car but hey go with what works for you. So many people on here love their 8's. Of course is not going to give you the same 0-60 times as your STI but you get good performance and soooo much more with the RX8!!!!

socalightning

IMHO the RX-8 may prefer smooth driving instead of "driving it like you stole it". Some 8 drivers have issues with their transmissions, shifting fast at high RPMs and downshifting as well can grind. AND there is axle hop to deal with under hard acceleration. Search/read this website, the 8 has buzzes and rattles too. You will probably have to mod your 8 to get the performance to your liking and modding your 8 may become an obsession - beware... :D

Try to test drive a "broken in" demo car (750 miles or more on the odo) so you can really get the engine up to redline and shift it the way you like. Be sure to take it on a fast drive on some good highway straights, ramps and traffic loops and maybe on some bumpy roads too. Read up on this website, and Good luck!

eastaznboi

yep, i got my 8 two months ago and i'm happy with it. when i was shopping for a new car after killing two deer with my "hooked up" honda prelude, there was the sti, evo, 350z, and the rx8 i was interested in. the sti and evo were very fast.. yet i was kinda bored of the look of them. me being only 20 years old, i already had the hooked up look on my prelude and wanted to leave that scene. the 350z was very nice, but it was only a 2 seater... so the 8 was my decision, sporty yet not overdone :D and being only 20, the insurance for any of those cars would have cost an arm and a leg, but the premium for an 8 is cheaper than my prelude!! i do have a rattle problem tho, where my volume control is on my steering wheel.. i need to find a way to get rid of it!!

momo

You're on a RX board, you're going to biased opinions, having said that trade in your subbie and get the 8. :D

Since you don't track or street race your car, the 8 should be 'quick' enough for ya. Sure it isn't the fastest, but it is fun as hell to drive. Take one for a test drive already.

Gambit

The 8 sounds like it could be a good match for you...go test drive one and see what you think. Any info you could possibly want you can find on this board.

truemagellen

HEY STIDRIVER Where are you from????????????????????

I was at the dealership last night for an oilchange and saw a nice silver STI no front plate...the guy was looking at RX-8s he want considering trading it I heard from another salesman! :D

Morrie's Mazda in Minnesota by chance??

Stidriver

I'm in NJ, but my car is silver haha. But, I have a front license plate cause they'll pull you over out here if you don't have one.

truemagellen

oh well...atleast someone else is thinking what you are thinking at this exact moment :p

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

This could be history in the making....and STi owner who is thinking of trading FOR an RX8. Awesome.

czr

iTrader: (3)

Mugatu, it was bound to happen: lose some, gain some. I think VikingDJ is looking at parting with his STi and keeping his 8.

Stidriver, This car is hella fun and uniqe. Lots of reading to do on the boards here. Let us know your impressions of the car.

Umbra

The other car you probably want to try before you buy an a is a g35 coupe with the 6 speed.

nsxpowered

I think the RX8 is an awesome car, the only downside in my opinion is the MPG and power. The car has the handling, braking and is user friendly. I would suspect the MPG might be your biggest issue especially at the times where gas has averaged $2.50 / Gallon.

My history with rotaries are not much, owned a 94 touring 5spd and my wife had a 94 touring auto never upgraded it because of all the issues with the rotary, because of that my car had 90k miles on the original engine and the turbos were fine also ran just like new. I just got the Automatic RX8 for my wife and she loves it! My brother was talking smack about it until he drove it, the build quality outweighed his desire for power. The interior is just designed so nicely, the build is very good no rattling, wind noises, suspension is just as good as the RX7 and NSX. Even the FD3S interior compare to today's standard is above average from a 12 year old design. 4 doors is the only reason why I got the RX8, it's the sportest family car I can find. My wife got so pissed at me because I forced her to sell the RX7 for a Supra TT, but I guess I redeemed myself with this great choice.

Stidriver

Ya, I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how this car is only getting 16-18 mpg.