Life after RX8
 

The time has come to consider trading in RX8 for something else. I need a 4-door car that wife can drive (which means auto), but it has to be a worthy replacement. The budget is about $30K, new or used.

Basically I'm looking for a car with a spirit, with a soul, so to speak. So I'd like to hear from folks who have switched to something else and are not disappointed.

Thx!

S2 autos with 6speed, lol

I say you get an IS350.

i dad has a 350z and i love to take it off his hands every now and then lol

:uhh: .....

You might enjoy an Infiniti G35/G37 sedan, they're actually a good amount of fun and probably the best value in the rear wheel drive class of nicer cars. You should be able to pick up a fairly new one for around that price. The equivalent BMW (335i/335 S drive) is overpriced and only slightly better IMHO. You could almost get a new Mercedes c300 for that price but while they're okay, not much soul. Honestly a decked out mazda 3 wouldn't be bad, and for that matter a mazda 6 is reasonably fun to drive also. If it's not too small, the acura TSX is actually quite a nice little car. Not a ton of power in the 4 cylinder model, but I was quite impressed when I drove it, especially for a front wheel drive car.

for new cars, forget the Infiniti G35/37, BMW 1 or 3 series, Mercedes C, or Lexus IS... all out of your price range, as those all go for over $30K -easily- with tax, license, and options... for under $30K new cars... maybe the mazda speed3, subaru wrx, audi a3, civic si...

for used cars, german cars have more soul- esp the bmw's 135i and 335i. but, you -will- pay for it with expensive repairs and constant visits to the dealer/ repair shop. so, unless you're willing to deal with that, stick with japanese models...

happy shopping...

Mazda6 S GT.

you can get one for less than 26K.

BMW 335d

Diesel Twin Turbo Inline 6 motor with a range of almost 600 miles to the tank.

Already makes ridiculous amount of torque: 425 lbs / ft of torque!

Although the 265 hp isn't as much as the 335i, that car hauls ass and is the most perfect family grocery getter with an edge.

I'd buy one.....since they're also giving a lot of credits and tax credits for the vehicle.

Acura TL Type S. Very sporty but very roomy for a family. If not maybe the TSX as mentioned.

He said AUTO (speed3 and civic si are out)

since your already used to not getting the best gas mileage with the 8 i say go old school and get a '68-'73 olds cutlass 442. real fun to drive and fast as hell (used to have one and made the mistake of selling it)

d'oh! good catch...

like I said S2 Rx-8 autos

The new WRX's I heard were coming out in an automatic. Dont knoe exactly if that's true or not but if it does then I'd say go with that. I test drove a few and I was thrilled with how amazing this car was. Looks great and has alot of power. Also, the TL type S is a great car. You said used and you can find a great used TL type s with low miles only a few years old for roughly 24-27 thousand

Also, An Audi S4 comes in Auto ... I had one before my 8 and I miss that car greatly. It was an amazing car with AWD. Great power, luxurious interior, very roomy, and looks amazing

Evo X MR

i say get a used 335 really good car and the used price

How is a 335i "only slightly better" compared to a G sedan?

My opinion would be to get a used 2006 Audi A4 in black with mileage in the teens for around 20-25k. 200hp and tq... chip it and get 280tq and 250hp... Plus its AWD.

Its a very nice car. Drives nice, rides nice, looks nice, and pretty good gas mileage. Its everything you would want.



Or just grab a S2 Rx8 AT.

Some of you think the auto RX8 is a "worthy replacement":confused:

^^^Yup

Thanks! And what about ze bigger, more expensive onez? Like A6, CLS class and stuff?

2005 0r 2006 BMW 5 series you might find for 30k or just under

As already mentioned a certified pre-owned 335i would seem ideal.

Audi S4 Avant

If it were me, and I were coming from the RX8, I'd look at a Mini Cooper S Clubman. It comes in automatic. It's a blast to drive (though less so in an automatic). It theoretically has four doors. :D: It's a blast to drive. Given your requirements, I think the S Clubman is definitely something you should look at.

http://www.carphotos.org/wp-content/...er_clubman.jpg

https://www.edmunds.com/media/review...lubman.500.jpg

Evo X.

How so?

When I test drove a regular Mini Cooper S, the manual gearbox wasn't all that great, and the clutch pedal had almost no feel of engagement point.

Obviously, I've never driven the auto-equipped Cooper S, so obviously I don't know which transmission is the best for the car.

But not every car has a superior manual transmission over their auto counterparts.

Of course there are the people that has the need for stick for every vehicles they drive.

I don't "drive" my 6 speed MT in the 8, I "enjoy" it.

Even magazine editors sometimes prefer auto transmission over the manual on some cars because it is superior.

Forgot to add... With two kids I need something midsize, like 5-series or A6 type. And obviously, four doors.

Wow, that is really gay.

Ever driven one?

Trade ya for an 07 Mazda 6i auto

The Lancer Ralliart is $27K brand new, only comes in AT w/ paddle shifters and a detuned Evo X drivetrain. I've heard its a low 14 sec 1/4 mi. and handles well. It's suspension is similar to the Lancer GTS so its not super stiff but still sporty.

Yes, on an autox course actually and it was great. But an automatic wagon version is just lame IMO.

:)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/9...achmentsr5.jpg

Drive the new Mazda 6 GT. Super nice sedan.

Is this your car or your wifes car? Sounds like its going to be your car so if your wife is going to drive it she better learn how to drive a manual. Sorry dude, buying an auto for this reason violates man law on so many levels.

Actually it's going to be wife's car. I could keep the 8 as well, but I would barely get to drive it. OTOH, if I were to drive it, I want it to be fun. I've been thinking about A6 but yet not so sure about it.

Whats wrong with her car?

Replace her car.

Edit: Stay away from Toyota
My friends wife had the car accerate automatically about two years ago and totaled the car. The insurance company laughed at her. saying driving error.

why? I have 2 kids(under 2 and 5) and me the wife and kids do the grocery shopping in the 8.

but you shoudl seriously go drive the Mazda 6 gt. or get the bmw

the mini clubman has LESS room than the 8.

Soul + auto + 4dr...I'd say only the rx8 IMO. Fast + auto + 4dr...many of those have been suggested.

If price were no option; maybe a Panamera or a Quattroporte. That's it for soul - a M5 is an amazing car for sure, but more of an appliance than a car that speaks to you - though a sub-zero appliance. A 300C SRT8 comes close, all american muscle and attitude, but still not quite.

Soul in a machine is hard for most people to define, but those that get it, do.

Well really, the automatic wagon version of anything is lame. :D:

The manual Clubman S is a lot of fun. Not as much fun as the regular S, but pretty close.

Really? Automatic wagon versions of anything are lame? Audi S4 Avant.

get a 335i. I picked one up in exchange for the wifey's FX35. A used one would be ideal but make sure you get an extended warranty. These cars can be made extremely fast, you'll be at a level RX8's can only dream about. Invest only 2-3k in mods and you can keep up with GTR's (almost!) at the 1/4 drag strip. Don't believe me? check out dragtimes

http://www.dragtimes.com/results.php...arch+DragTimes

Dodge Charger
Anything with a V8 in it is fun to drive as an Auto. Just take it to a tunner and get the shifts firmed up, and lower the TQ management level.

Keep the 8. Get her an Altima.

And why don't you just help your wife to learn driving with a stick drive and keep the 8, the money, and the fun.

new nissan maxima MMMMMMMMM prbly more than ur budget though

Compared to a manual S4 Avant or a manual (or auto) S4 sedan - yes.

Of course not all automatic wagons are lame. Notice the joking smiley at the end? The S4 Avant and Magnum Hemi are two nice wagons in automatic, as is the V70R. I'd still rather have a manual though.

To the OP: can you explain why it is you have to get rid of the 8? I've got two kids and the 8 works great for us. :dunno:

I could keep the 8, but we would need to get another car. The wife isn't interested in learning to drive a stick, and the 8 has no room if you want to take kids out with bicycles, skiing gear or what not. So, a second car is an option, but the budget would be limited to 20K tops, besides the expense of insurance & maintenance on two cars. Alternatively, if I sell Rx8 for around 10K, I could put this money towards a better family car. By "better" I mean high-performance, good-handling vehicle. I believe there's a lot of great new or used cars there that 30K would buy, but I haven't experienced any beyond a quick test drive.