Pololo_RX8

So,
Here we go.. and I know this group will be biased. But I thought, well this is a good group of folks that will give honest answers w/o letting emotions interfere and egos destroyed...

I am currently in the market for a car to replace my Turbo Miata.

I have narrowed it down to 2 cars only... STI and RX8

I test drove both cars...

RX8 is so GORGEOUS... interior and exterior...beautiful engine sound, happy revving, performance and handling is superb, Ride is comfortable...BUT, it is a gas drinker... I hear people saying.. "I get 22 or 23 mpg.. when I take it easy".... this means I will get 14-16 if I am lucky. At $3.09 per gallong... I need to think really hard on this. I have 2 small kids that need the car seat and as far as spacing in the rear, I am not too sure...

New one is about 26K + taxes + license + docs
Used ones.. How does a 40K mile sound? and if so how much would you pay for one?

The STI is a box on wheels...design is OK...ride is OK...It handles really good as well and the active differential transitions is a great option. The engine is waaay more powerful, AWD, seats five comfortably, lots of trunk space, and lots of upgrade paths performance wise and I can even work on them myself as I am used to... And it gets about 18-20 mpg pushing it... while you get a decent 25-26 mpg commuting.

Used one 16K miles is about 25K
Forget about a new one...

Based on this... the STI choice is a no brainer.... BUT BUT.. I LOVE THE RX8... I just hate the gas economy, and not enough trunk space...

I will track the car once every other month... and a few AX here and there... I am a car guy... no Nascar... CAR guy!!!

So the question is... What would you do?

TIA,
Carlos

Glyphon

well, its pretty obvious what i would do...

kellybrf

iTrader: (2)

the sti stands out b/c of its sheer ability. it handles on rails, has tons of power and torque and the awd is a definate advantage. but it is a lion, itll beat you up unapologetically. the interior is nice, but definately not refined. the styling screems rice, even if it is all functional. its awd, but youll probably still need winter tires if youre in a snowy area.

the 8, on the other hand, is the lamb. also handles on rails, but youre way more comfortable doing it. your wife and kids will want the 8. the interior is superb, very classy style that compliments the car. the car lacks a lot of power, but it feels faster than it is. once you get up past 6k theres a good amt of acceleration but nothing like the sti will give you. you need winter tires.

DreRX8

Honestly, in your case I might go for the STi because of the price alone. Me personally I like the STi's stats but I would never buy one because I am more for style over anything else.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

may i suggest a Legacy GT? can be had for 25k-ish brand new in base model trim, and it is niiiiice even in base trim.

plus it's plenty quick in its own right. If i wasn't a rotorholic and needed a 4 door car to carry passengers, it would be my top choice.

Intrigue 8

Sti

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

of course, if you're gonna track a Legacy GT, you probably want to beef up on brakes and suspension and tires

Red Devil

I would say if you are going to upgrade the car performance wise, go with the 8. If you have little to no money to play with after purchase, go for the STI.

No More Oldsmobiles

Pololo_RX8, try this.

Imagine that you've bought one of those cars. Would you still be pining for the other car and still feel you're really missing out on something?

Try it with both cars. Whichever one you have the strongest pining for if you didn't have it, that's the one to buy.

khtm

From what you described your situation to be: STI.

dmp

if you want a sports car, RX8. A fast car, STi

DARKMAZ8

Go with your heart. Both are great cars but YOU are the one that will be driving it. go test drive them and make your decision based on what YOU like.

justice4RX8

Go with the STi,you'll want the RX8 but after a while you'll sell cause of the lack of room.

XDEEDUBBX

the sti is a nice car...but everytime i drive my car and pull up next to a sti...i sense jealousy.. plus my buddy has one and when we drive around i always catch him staring...

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

I agree, pick the car that you will miss more if you don't get it.

fizzer

Just to throw my .02 in...

I had the same questions when looking for a car, but I went with the 8 and I'm glad I did. Mainly, the STI is UGLY IMO, I'm not all about looks, but the 8 is so pretty. As for performance, sometimes I pine for the throw you in the back of the seat power that the STI has, but every time I throw the 8 into a curve or drive on a less-than-perfectly-smooth road, I'm so glad I went with the 8. If you want the best bang for your buck performance the STI is the way to go.

However, just coming back from an autox, I can tell you I had a lot more fun than the stock WRX/STI/EVO guys. Without significant suspension modification, those awd cars just understeer all day long on an autox course. The 8 is so beautifully balanced, the only difference between understeer and oversteer through the slaloms was my right foot. It went exactly where I pointed it (which wasn't always the fastest line, hehe) and would only really push when I turned in way to hard and didn't let the front outside suspension load up properly. I had the TCS/DSC off completely and had plenty of confidence in the rear end, but it would still step out on me if I wasn't careful (easily and quickly recovered when it did though).

The 8 is a driver's car, pure and simple. Enough power to get the job done and the best balance for the price range IMO. If you like the 'boy-racer' type car, and really want that awsome acceleration and high cornering force STI by all means.

Hmm, that was more like a buck-fifty

ÜberJumper

If you're worried about young children in car seats fitting into the back of the 8, don't. Car seats fit perfectly withplenty of leg room.

Fanman

I thought the legroom in the rear of my RX8 was more than the STI. I'm 5'9" & the back of the front seat on the STI was jammed against my knees. I did not have the problem in my RX8. If power & need for AWD is a need than the STI might make more sense, but I just found the interior to be completely uninspiring, and the car as a whole a bit not well put together. The RX8 is more of a sports car, tighter, more fun to play with. The STI is a tool for speed, but not nearly as much fun.

dmp

..except my kids have to take off their shoes as their little legs put their little feed directly into the seatbacks...they usually sit indian-style back there...seem relatively happy, I suppose.

Thetitanium8

I think I would go with the STI in your situation. They both are great cars.

Since when did a rally car design become "rice"?Maybe its just me but I think some people are throwing that term around way to much IMO..

To me "ricer" would be something like this

http://www.ginetx.net/~tsarbin/funny/ricer-max.jpg

Biggins

I currently am driving, autocrossing, tracking a BMW. I would like to purchase an RX8 as my next vehicle. I am in a similar situation as you, except I hate the looks of STis and the other car I'm looking at is an E36 M3. I cannot give up rear wheel drive. The car I had as a teenager (Honda Civic sedan) has more room than my best friend's 05 Crystal Grey STi. I also think the interior in the Suby is very bland and too simple.

If you are so worried about gas mileage for a sports car, have you looked into getting a "beater?" I think a mid-late 90s Honda Accord/Toyota Camry could be had for relatively cheap and then you can make a decision without worrying with gas mileage. If you really are on a budget and the used STi is an option, you should probably go for that according to your demands.

I would still go with the RX-8, but only if I had a "beater."

Other cars I would consider to fit in your category would be the Lexus IS300, BMW 3-series, and Acura TSX. They are not as expensive as you may imagine and performance/handling is very good.

rotten42

Picture this, you (2 years from now) are in traffic and you look over at the other car you didn't buy. Are you saying,; "I wish I had got that car" or "I made the right decision"?

Zofran

I'm not sure I understand.

On one hand, you're worried about spending money on gas, but they you start talking about mods for the STI which makes it sound like you have the money to burn anyways?

DARKMAZ8

I am really tired of seeing threads like this

cas2themoe

Chances are if you get a used STi, who ever had it most likely ran the hell out of it. Both have seats for the kids but the STi has more room. Main question I would ask myself is "what do you see yourself in"? Your not always going to use all the power(tho its nice to have), especially because you have kids in the car.

Did you actually get to test drive both? If so I would say go with the one you feel better in.