List of Cars Rotorocket has test driven in last 3 weeks to replace RX8: Will Keep RX8
 

Sorry for the third person reference in the title. I took dramatic license.

With that said, here is the list of cars I have test driven in the last three weeks as a possible replacement for the 8 now that our little one is nearly a year old, and momma wants Daddy to get a more "kid friendly" vehicle (it's been an endless quest):

1) Subaru Legacy
2) Subaru Outback
3) Honda Accord
4) Mazda 6
5) Chevy Equinox
6) Hyundai Sonata (2011 version)
7) Toyota Venza (rubbish & ugly)
8) Ford Taurus
9) Ford Flex
10) Nissan Murano
11) Nissan Maxima


Three conclusions here: Shopping for a new car is a ROYAL pain in the ass, many of the cars listed above are absolute rubbish while others are okay as long as your soul has been vacuumed from your body, and not one car listed above has persuaded me to part with my 8.

Bring on the spring time twisties.

Whats your price range? New or used? And other than kid friendly, what is your criteria?

(And the RX8 is a 4 door which can have a car seat just fine... I think you have 4 more years before you need a cute-ute grocery getter to shuttle young ones back and forth to practice)

Of that list, if I were at a similar decision point, only the MazdaSpeed6 would qualify.

All others as you soul-cite herald "abandon all hope all ye who enter here."

I bet a test drive of the new SHO could be fun. . . but 40k for a ford taurus? And no proper manual trans. . . :icon_tdow

I could say the Mazdaspeed3, but that's like conforming to the enemy, who is actually sleeping with your wife... Rotor power!

I liked the speed3 all the way up until I drove it. . . putting that much power in front wheel drive is dumb... I spun the tires lightly everytime I tried to get started and the power is great until the torque steer tries to rip your hand off...

I was too busy fighting the steering wheel and spinning the tires to enjoy the experience. . . not saying its not a good car. I'm saying its not a good car for me. :sad:

Never make a decision find something wrong with every one of those cars. Thus it will truly be "an endless quest" Plus kids will fit fine in the back of your car there tiny and will not complain about the legroom. Also if your kid ever ends up with an interest in cars it might be nice to still have the 8 around. I was totally in love with cars + my hotwheels when i was 5, just being allowed to ride in what ever cool car dad had at the time was a treat.

Not to thread jack, but may I amend this with my own list over past few months:

Mazda CX-7
Subaru Forrester
Audi Q5
Audi A6
Audi A8
BMW 135i
BMW 328
BMW 335 x-drive
BMW 535 x-drive
BMW 545 manual
Jaguar XJ
Porsche Cayenne
- And I would still rather keep the 8

However I could replace RX8 with these two:
BMW X5 4.4i
Saab 9-3 convertible

And definitely with these not-family friendly beasts
Audi R8
Jaguar XK

YMMV

I drove a Mazda 6 sport for a couple of years and although it does handle nicely for a 5-passenger car, I eventually felt like it just didn't have enough soul. Having said that, if a safe family-friendly car is what you're after, I'd recommend it without hesitation.

I have had my 8 since my kid was 2 she is now 4 and loves it and ever since i was laid of I have been mister mom with preschool runs and trips all over running duties for my wife while she is at work perfect family car :)

Hey Roto, got a question for ya.

Was any of the vehicles you test drove a manual? If so, how were their clutch pedals? As in any feel to the engagement point or anything like that? How's their transmission itself?

I might be in the same boat as I'd like to replace my daily driver 02 Lancer soon, still not sure if I want automatic or manual, as all manual FWD cars I've tested so far are simply not all that enjoyable to drive. I'd rather drive an automatic for daily driver than an annoying incompetent manual transmission.

For FWD the trick seems to be how the trans is actuated. My old SE-R was with a rod, my newer SE-R switched to cable actuated. The cable ones are the ones that feel like garbage.

To the OP - have you tried a GTI / GLI? They seem to be a decent balance between family and sport, without big expense.

get a second vehicle for family stuf and a vascectomy. keep the 8 for driving to work.

Did you test the 6 or 4 cylinder versions of these cars? What are the top 3 and bottom 3 cars?

Saturn Astra. Reliable and can get a good deal now.

Comadore ( Pontiac G8 )

Volvo C 30

Volkswagan GTI or othe model



I liked the Accord and the Hyndai I test drove.

Eh... I can understand but I've had mine since 04 and all 3 of my kids fit, car seats and all! Just can't fit the wife... HA! I've thought a 'tiny bit' about trading in just as you have but I love my 8 as much as I did on day one, I still get compliments on it, still runs great, has 108K miles on it and fits the kiddos... I just don't think I'll ever get rid of it!

Vyndictive -20k to 30k.

Huey52 - I liked the 6 the best of the bunch, but I didn't test the speed 6.

I would've tested an Acura, guys, but Acura has ruined their new TL and even TSX, IMO.

SleepeR1st - I've driven in an driven the Mazda3 and Speed3, and their more of a biting (good thing), tied down, frenetic car, and not a quiet, refined cruiser for the kiddies and mommy and daddy.

Gopherage - You are right. If we had to, we could use the 8 with our little one until she was a teen, theoretically, but mom's really into the safety issue now, and wants to really get a tank with 48 airbags.

the1jesster - See above.

Toly - The BMW X5 is WAY overpriced for what is delivered, IMO, and I'm leery of Saab reliability and, now, customer service going forward.

MICHGoBlue - They were all manuals. With traffic and having all the stuff in the cars that go along with kids, a manual is less practical now than ever. Bluetooth would help, but only in a truly quiet car.

The CVT in the Subaru felt odd, and would take getting used to, and the paddle shifters in it and in all the other cars that were so equipped were gimmicky, IMO.

CarAndDriver - Some 6s but mostly 4 bangers. The Outback, Flex, Murano and Equinox were the top four. The Maxima and Venza were definitely my least favorite, but I have a hard time picking the 3rd 'least' favorite car, for some reason.

Agreed on keeping the 8. Its interior/structural engineering was purposeful built to hold four passengers, from kids to adults in both comfort and safety. Have you seen the RX-8s crash test ratings? Not to mention full airbag coverage all around. Not to mention the large volume trunk space (for car size). Too be honest it was a big part of my buying decision over a 350Z.

Side note: My daughter is a teen now and she much rather drive with daddy than mommy. ;) Kids flock to the 8.

I've really been very impressed with my daughter's 2003 Mazda6, and it's only a 4-banger. But it is a GT (pleather, power everything, spoiler, etc). I had a loaner base-6 last summer and it wasn't nearly as well appointed.

Again, a MazdaSpeed6 would seem to give you the best of both worlds. Relatively economical to buy and operate, easy to self-maintain, very family friendly (incl. large trunk for its size and pass-thru), but plenty sporty for the "old man."

;)

One word of caution about the 6. Make sure you practice parking and turning it before you buy. The turning circle is a killer. Everything else is good.

I've heard/read that both the speed3 and speed6 can be rather fragile if you start to autocross/track day them... but isn't everything else, I guess.

What about a used Caddy CTS-V? You can pick up an '05 or '06 in the 20k range. Not german or japanese, but still quite a bit of car for the money.

Just keep the 8. I have two kids 6 and 4 and they love it. The only problem is opening the door for them at school because you have to get out and open the back door, but other than that they fit just fine.

Accord Crosstour looks pretty decent. Otherwise, the Legacy or Outback would be my next pick.

The cross tour looks good, but seeing in person puts in perspective... that thing is HUGE. Long, tall, I'd say its about the size of a Subaru forrester with a taller stance.

Wow, a pre-owned CTS-V would truly be a "family sleeper!" ;) Montrous performance yet stylish.