if not the 8, what else would you choose?
 

What does the 8 really compete against? Seems like it's a class to itself as a sports car with sedan-like access to the rear seats.
So, what other cars have:
-usable rear seat
-sports car handling
-rear wheel drive
-better mpg

The only cars I can think of are bmw 3-series, but that's sporty handling, not sports-car handling. Z does not have the same kid-hauling capabilities so that is out.

I cross shopped the G35c, but the rear seats and 2 doors were not nearly as practical for the occasions when my two boys or clients or colleagues are in the car. The G35 sedan just didn't do it for me at all. My father-in-law has one and I do like the low end torque it just doesn't handle like a sports car. Also test drove the Mustang a couple of times, but it's just not practical as a 4-seater.

It's always amazed me how favorably the RX-8 compares with the 350z or s2k since those are 2-seater sports cars. On the other hand, a lot of RX-7 devotees have always been disappointed with the 8 because it's seen as a poor replacement for Mazda's flagship sports car. But it was never really intended as such. Instead, Mazda decided not to have a flagship sports car. Sad, but true. Yet it's an amazing handling car for a true 4-seater. If they bring back the RX-7, it will take some of the unfair pressure on the 8 and let it be the fantastic compromise sports car for dads that it is. Sorry, if that offends all you guys that have spent so much money on body kits! I'd still love to have a turbo someday. :eyetwitch

LOL, ion redline has suicide doors. If it werent for the 8, I'd go for a z. But I don't have kids :)

135i.

04/05 MR2 spyder.

My price ranges vary but I am looking at speed6, used M3, 330, or s2k.

^lol ( avatar )

I work at a car dealer and drive almost every make and model car, i rarely if ever see a car i would trade in for my 8, and that moment only last long enough until i see my car again. but the Infiniti G35 is quite an amazing ride, a little pricier but a sweet car. for the 20k range a used boxster would be sweet as well, but does not have practicality of the 8. and i am not down with $400 dollar oil changes

I traded for GTO
I have two kids, and I get them and the child seats in and out with no problem at all. The back seat of the GTO is comfortable for adults, it's just harder for them to get in an out than the RX8. Kids, it's easy.

Usable rear seat, rear wheel drive, and better mpg (yes, absolutely true, I get much better gas mileage), so 3 out of the 4. Does it help any to know it can crush an M3 from a roll? Our goals were similar... I wanted the rear seats, independent suspension rwd, and I wanted it as fast or fast than an M3, but at a lower cost to buy, maintain, and modify. It just wont ever subjectively handle as well.

I thought about a GTA Twin Turbo VR4 (3000 GT VR4 in the US).

I couldn't think of any other 4 seater, thats as fun, handles like its on rails, and puts a grin on my face everyday.

exactly. end of discussion

I always wondered what I'd buy if I didn't have the rx-8 but then I looked at gas prices and I don't shit dollars, so I always wondered about the honda civic SI. Now its on a whole different level compared to the rx8 and I know it could never replicate what the 8 can do for me. I haven't driven it myself but thats a car I would look into...

BUT I'm just turned off by FWD so I really do not know what I would do without my 8 :)

98 viper

My only serious competitors were a speed 6 (hard to find used) or spending a LOT more money. I'd prefer a Porsche Cayman. I was also casually considering very different vehicels in the form of a new 4 door Wrangler unlimited or a Toyota FJ Cruiser. I test drove a GXP Solstice but that was as far as that went. I too used to work for a dealer and drove pretty much every car imaginable and don't consider any of the Nissan Variants, or s2000 to have nearly the fun/practicality factor.

00 Turbo

Porsche 911 Carrera S
Porsche GT3
Porsche GT

I would buy a 2008 Mitsubishi EvoX if I had to chose an alternative.

New: BMW 128i with Sport Package

Used: Porsche 968 or BMW M3 (E36 version)

my alternate vehicles were the lexus is300 mt or 85-86 toyota supra p-type..

135i might be the spot but I'm unsure of how big the rear seats are.

doesn't have 4 seats but if i were to choose another toy car it would be a lotus elise.

I don't think theres anything with 4 seats that can compete with it. definitely not anything under 30 grand.

-usable rear seat
-sports car handling
-rear wheel drive
-better mpg

How about Nissan skyline R34 4-door sedan?

here's a link:

http://images.google.fi/imgres?imgur...icial%26sa%3DN


Don't know about mpg, and the steering wheel is on the wrong side. But it would have a lot of potential, like this:biggthump

http://www.vastaheitto.com/gallery/d...ge.php?pos=-54

mine second choice was a G35

GTO's are quick and they seem nice.. a little to bulky for my tastes i bet the gas mileage is much better LUCKY!!!!

oh BTW that GTO is cleaaaan! leather seats?

and i saw a buddy of mine race a gto his was manuel and the GTO was manuel they did a highway run and the M3 won by several car lengths.. both stock..

then he ran a evo MR with just catback and the M3 beat it to they are quick

I think its all about the price range.. If i had 10K to spend i would probably but a 1997-1997 eclipse GSX or GST.. I had one that i baught for 2K and i pulled the engine out and got the head and engine rebuilt and it ran like a champ.. On the highway just a tad bit quicker than my 8.. or a 1993 MR2 Turbo T top!

in the range of 20K I think would get a rsx type s

int he 30K range I would get me a 8 =]] which i already have!!

but if i had to pick i would have to lean towards... well i really cant see me driving another car hahaha It wil have to take som time to actually thinka bout this one...

HMM ill get to you all on this one.. OHH WAIT WAIT

G37 FTW!

When I was looking in November 06 (when I bought my 8) the other competitors were the Golf GTI and the Audi A3 with the 2.0T. I still think it would be one of them

When I was looking I test drove the G35 and it was too unrefined. Didn't like the way it drove at all. And the seats sucked compared to the 8. Four and a half years later and still nothing else really catches my interest.

E36 M3 would be great but pricey to maintain.

Kit car, street legal Atoms.

135i, G37, and 335i

Bingo!

And the Pontiac G8 can be had for under $30K. That would definitely be on the list for budget power, handling, and practicality.

no back seats but the miata is awesomesauce.

Oh, you mean the Dodge Stealth :lol2: Oh, sorry, you called it a GTA to make it sound cooler and more JDM, my bad :lol:

AE86
FD
FC
200SX
S15

there is something about older lighter car with smaller horsepower that just fascinates me.

if i could afford it i would choose a lotus exige

Are you kidding? After many test drives that ended up exactly like the first one, where from the time I put my hand on the gear shift, the machine posessed me.

I took it up the Palomar Mountain grade , and as far as I am concerned there IS NO OTHER! I want one soooooooo bad-it is sinful to want a material object like this automobile-I'll flagellate myself later.

Zoom Zoom

David Drake an old T-Rexer

I can think of very few cars the 8 competes with directly according to the parameters in the first post:

Infiniti G35/G37
BMW 135i

The infiniti is a closer match tho

Another car that is closely related is the Toyota Celica, tho not RWD it has usable back seats, good looks and sporty handling

Toyota is teaming up with subaru to create a new Celica, the engine will be a flat 4 with rear wheel drive and 200 horses more or less in standard trim, there will probably be 4 usable seats in it as well and here is a reference for that one

http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04...ports-car.html

Realistically speaking... I'd probably get a celica if I had to downgrade from the 8, 35 mpg is pretty sweet in this day and age. If I had the money to upgrade I'd go for a used NSX and if I really had the money to upgrade, probably a cayman or a GT-R

The Toybaru (or is it Subota? :eyetwitch ) could be very interesting. In they put an STI engine in one with some beefy brakes and good handling I'll certainly give it a serious look. The Hyundai Genesis coupe is another one to watch out for. Lastly, the Solstice and Sky coupe is also an interesting entry into the small RWD performance car market.

For me 1988 supra turbo I just love them
Why did I sell that car :banghead:
Or a late 80s RX-7

I was going to buy an Evo9 but went with the 8, it's cheaper and the crash test ratings are much higher.... and insurance is cheaper too. :)

Probably an M3.

Cooper S was my second choice, but RWD won out.

BMW 3 series.

Doesn't quite handle like an RX8 since it's obviously a bigger and heavier car, but still handles pretty damn good.

Alpine White 3 Series -- :drool:

S2000 AP2, close to ditching my 8 for one ATM.

It would be one of these (and no, there's no rhyme or reason, except smart engineering + fun-to-drive):
• MX-5 (would be my fourth!)
• Mini Cooper
• Honda Fit
• Porsche Cayman (or possibly a Boxster)
• VW GTI

No question about it...the :) saweetest '95 FD I could find!!!

93+ TT SUPRA OR S2K

An S2K, but I already made the switch. Great alternative if you don't mind losing the luxury. Got a bit more in speed and handling, mpg is quite a bit better, and the reliability is absolutely outstanding (not that the RX8 can't be reliable) I still miss my RX8 though. I find it to be better looking, and I miss that engine. I just don't miss the nightmares in reliability I had. :)

Well, I have the 8 and I just brought home a new Cooper S on Saturday to keep the 8 company. If I were to replace the 8 I used to think it would be with a 350Z (370Z coming out in 2010) but I have really taken a liking to the Lexus IS-F so I suppose I'll get one of those maybe by the fall.