The SRT delivers more torque.

The 8s speed is very deceptive since it never really pins you to seat. The SRT should feel faster even if the difference is a small one (2-4 tenths to 60). This guy has a torque monster which will make it fairly difficult IMO to accept the 8. If he had a really twisty road to push the 8 through he might begin to see the beauty of the car.

I'm not sure about the handling of the SRT as I never researched them (I hate Neons but I still respect the performance of the SRT).

Specs from Edmunds:

Exterior
Length: 174.4 in. Width: 67.4 in.
Height: 56 in. Wheel Base: 105 in.
Ground Clearance: 6.1 in. Curb Weight: 2900 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 38.4 in. Front Hip Room: 52.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 53.4 in. Rear Head Room: 36.7 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 52.8 in. Rear Hip Room: 52.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.2 in. Rear Leg Room: 34.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13.1 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 13 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data
Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 2.4 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 220 hp
Max Horsepower: 5100 rpm Torque: 245 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2400 rpm Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 41 ft.

Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 22 mpg / 30 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Manual: 275 mi. / 375 mi.

:End Edmunds

There aren't any skidpad or slalom numbers listed but I have to think that this would do as well as the 8. Even if we could slightly edge the thing in a corner it is slightly lighter with a tad more power and a lot more torque (it should feel faster).

 

Thanks for the replies. I never really liked the srt 4's. I just thought about the rx8 because I thought it looked real sharp. I wasnt expecting it to be as fast as my car, I knew it was a whole different car. I just expected it to be a little quicker than it was. But it is still a very impressive car. And I wouldn't mind owning one, I just can't swing $24,000 and then keep the Cobra. And I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be where I'd get rid of the Cobra for it.

 

How many miles were on the one for 24,000?

 

It wouldn't make any sense to trade a Cobra -which is a very impressive performer and seems very very cheap to make even more stupidly fast- for an RX8. Especially if that it going to leave you in any kind of constrained financial situation.

 

The rx8 I drove had 9,000 miles I believe. I only thought of getting rid of the Cobra because I was tired of having two cars. I was looking for something more practical. At first thought, I figured the rx8 could be a nice sports car, and then also something that wouldnt eat gas, and kill me on insurance. Also I'm money ahead on the Cobra, it's worth around 28,000 and i only owe around 8 grand on it. So weather I sold that outright and financed the rx8. After I put some money down, I' be under $400 a month, and I'd have all that cash in the bank. Understand?
But then I went out and test drove one, and realized it'd be real tough to trade the Cobra in on an 8. And it isnt fair to compare the two cars, they arent much alike other than they are both rwd. If it was just a regular gt I owned, and the car wasnt supercharged. And it was from the factory pushing 325 horse or so, maybe I'd be able to do it. But like you said, speed it addictive, and it's tough for me to give up the Cobra. But I figured I'd give the rx8 a shot. It is a real impressive car. 238 hp out of a 1.3 is insane. And the car looks sharp both inside and out. I just am glad I was able to test drive the car, and I was given some time to think about it before I had to sign on any dotted line.
I'm going to continue to look for another car, but I will pry end up just leaving things the way they are. I was just tossing different ideas around in my head. Im not killing myself by keeping the cobra either, my payments are under $200 a month. Shane

 

Did you consider a G35c?

 

At first, I liked those cars, but I don't know about them. I do like how they look, and the 350z, but I can't see myself driving one.

 

The G is going to deliver in the kick in the pants department. It has a very well laid interior, good reliability reports (so far), decent gas mileage and performance overall. Its a little on the pricey side of things with the 6MT...but well worth consideration IMO.

 

QUOTE
"At first thought, I figured the rx8 could be a nice sports car, and then also something that wouldnt eat gas, and kill me on insurance."

Oh oh, the RX-8 likes gas, oh yes.

 

yeah I know, thats what someone else on here said when I first started looking at them.

 

Yeah a 1.3 that will drink just as much gas as that Cobra.

 

why is the 1.3 so bad on gas?

 

Probably because it revs at much higher speeds than your regular 2 or 3 liter engine.

 

A few reasons, the rotary design just uses a lot of fuel, and it's not really a 1.3L when you compare it to a cylinder engine, when you do that you usually double the size.

 

Very good writeup by RotaryGod on rotary engine displacement & efficiency...
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...24&postcount=7