Mazda RX-8 #3 -or- Saturn Sky Redline…
 

I'm actually in the middle of my current RX8 lease. It runs out about a year from now. It's my second car, I got one in 2004 too. I had an Acura TL for about 9 months between the two Mazdas, and I hated the thing.

So I'm trying to decide now if I want the Saturn or not, because I have one of the old good GM cards that gives you 5% back. I rarely use the card these days but I could start using it for the next year and save up quite a bit of money (i own my own biz, lots of money passes through). If I'm not going to get a GM car, I'll use another card for the next year, whose rewards I'll actually use.

So the only GM cars I like are the Saturn Sky / Pontiac Solstice. Between the two, I think the saturn looks better.

3rd Mazda RX-8 '09, or Saturn Skyline Redline. I'm in the process of trying to get a test drive (i have a hard time getting test drives in sports cars, i look kinda young). Meanwhile, what do you guys think?

Pros of the Sky Redline

• 260 HP, more than RX8's 240
• 19/28 MPG, better than RX8's 16/22 MPG
• It's a convertible
• It looks nice
• GM card money aka free money towards the car ~$2000

Cons against the Sky Redline

• Only a 5 speed stick (probably not a huge deal)
• Smaller than even an RX8
• No back seats, which are great since sports cars have jokes for trunks
• It's a convertible

So I guess the main reasons I'd want to switch are the GM card money, and the better fuel economy. And the main sticking point against switching is that it's a two seater. I don't have people in the back seats too often, but I have items in the back seats all the time.

I'll be trying to get a test drive soon. It would help to know for certain if Mazda had anything in mind for an early 09 RX8. I read somewhere that they are going to make the next rotary larger. But these days we really need better fuel economy. I'd rather stick with my 240 HP and get better milage. I might not win a race against everything on the road with 240 HP but its still fun as all hell to drive.

Also, more about the Saturn. The fast one has a turbo charged 2.0L. The cheaper, not fast one, has a larger engine that makes less power and has worse fuel economy. So if I go with a Sky, redline is the only option :-)

rx8. Sounds like the rx8 is more for you. My opinion

^Yeah keep the 8!

Also, if you show up in your 8 they will probably be more willing to let you test drive.

Tried that before. Thought it would work. Didn't. Couldn't get in a Nissan Z, GTO, and barely got in my TL.

Also my lease is up. Its not "keep the 8 or get rid of it", i'll have no car in a year, and what to get next. The 8's milage really really sucks.

rx8, the end.

You know I was hoping for a bit of a discussion here, not just for everyone to post 'rx8' and thats it..

when i put my 8 up for sale, the redline was one of my choices for the next car. i'm single with no kids so the 2 seats would be fine. i always wanted a convertible and the turbocharged motor sounded nice.

I drove the car and really liked it. even got approved for the loan and all. the reason i didn't get it was i sat down and realized i would have the same payment as before and i'd be in more debt than i was.

Okay, the advantage to the Solstice is you will have about $2,000 on the GM card. That is nice.

Lets say over the term of three years, at a 4.9% APR, the GM card will save you from financing $2,000 plus $30.00 in finance charges, or $2,030.

So......lets say you will keep the Solstice for 3 years.......$2,030 divided by 36 months = $56.38 per month, divided by 30 days = $1.88 per day.

Is saving $1.88 per day worth it?
Is it worth it to, IMO, step down to a Solstice?

That $2,000 GM card is nothing to sneeze at, but if you are purchasing, my math says it is $1.88 per day.

If you are going to lease again, the math is a little different.

Can you apply that $2,000 to the down payment?
If so I guess we are looking at the difference in a $2K credit for the Solstice versus $2,000 out of pocket for the RX8 or financing it, compared to what you could have done with that same $2K if you invested it.

But bottom line.......which car do you LOVE?

Because if I went with Left-Brain thinking finance and economy, I would have a Rav4 right now.
Instead, I was sold on the right side brain thinking that said screw logic, screw saving a few bucks, I freaking want the car that I love, the RX8.

How about you?

Haven't driven the Saturn, but i've been in the Solstice and I felt SERIOUSLY cramped in the thing. It gave me an uncomfortable feeling like I was going to be trapped in there or something (I guess claustrophobia, although I don't believe I am)

The older Miata's have more room than these things... Plus you're giving up ANY bit of space that the RX8 gives you. There is pretty much no trunk room whatsoever...

I really haven't heard a word about the Solstice/Sky other than the other day when me and my boss (Service Manager at Subaru) drove by a used car dealership and seen a 2007 in the parking lot... He said he liked the looks of it but has heard nothing but bad things about it... I was about to ask him what all he has heard, but he was busy looking for tail along the down-town side-walks and I figured that was a pretty good idea myself lol...

I do think that they are pretty sweet looking little cars, but I wouldn't ever give up my RX8 for one. And atleast this year if you lease another RX8, you can get something that is quite a bit different visually and ergonomically inside than the current one you have... I'm willing to bet it will give you the whole "new car" feeling all over again...

Those are just my 2 cents...

This man has got a point... I absolutely hate the gas mileage of this car, and i'm probably crazy to keep it, But this car puts a smile on my face every time I see it/drive it, so I just brush the crazy gas prices and shitty gas mileage off my shoulder every time I stop for gas...

I loved the car ever since I first laid eyes on it in person (Titanium Grey with Black/Chaparral Leather) I worked at Mazda washing cars for a little bit when it first came out and I got to drive one of the first 3 in Atlantic Canada...

It still kinda blows my mind when I look at my VR and know that it's mine...

Have you considered any other options? I know you like the RX-8 and switching to a GM car has monetary advantages, but considering you're thinking about a third RX-8, I'm sure a quality car might broaden the choices. The truth is, I love my RX-8, but you seem to hate the fuel mileage. I very much dislike the Saturn Sky; as much as it is fast, it just doesn't give the feeling of oneness with the car that the RX-8 or Miata gives. Also, if being a convertible is a negative, you might be quite annoyed with the fabric softtop during winter and of course the Sky has that horrible top design. Finally, if you think it's bad already that the Sky is only a 2 seater, wait until you realize that you basically have no trunk with that car. The Skystice twins are one of those cars that absolutely need to be faired in the garage with another more practical car; that's something that I won't even suggest for a Miata, but in my opinion it's absolutely necessary for the Skystice.

Have you looked at a 128i? I know they're a bit more expensive, but the 128 might give you the fuel mileage and practicality you're looking for not to mention BMW has the free maintenance thing that will go a bit towards offsetting the cost.

I will be leasing again, so maintenance costs don't matter much.

I agree that its great to love your car. But at some point we have to stop thinking with our hearts and thinking with our heads. And as far as the solstice being a downgrade... it is MORE powerfull after all :-) After I drive one, i might love it or i might hate it. If there is no trunk space at all, that might kill it. I need SOME amount of space for bags etc, somewhere.

Is the rumor still that a 16X RX8 will be here in 2009?

nope

I've driven a friends Sky Redline, and I drove it pretty hard to see what it would do. It's ooookaay fast, and the turbo has a little kick (the Goat can crush it like a beer can). But I'll tell you, the handling "feel" doesn't hold a candle to an RX8. It does fine as far as grip, and you can toss it around, but it doesn't have the same feel.

Let me tell you something else - the Sky is NOT practical at all. I also owned a Miata, and the storage in the Sky makes the Miata look like an SUV. You'll see. There's NOWHERE to put stuff. In the Miata the trunk was good sized for a roadster, and theres a shelf you can else behind the headrests where you can put stuff when the top is up... there's nothing like that in the Sky.

I'd personally take an RX8 any day, but I also have kids, and I need to carry things. The Sky does have great styling, a peppy engine, and decent handling, but I just think the RX8 is more of a "car" in many ways, yet still has gobs of fun factor thrown in.

If I were you, since this would be your 3rd RX8, I wouldn't be looking at either of them, and I'd get something else.

I came close to getting arSky Redline, too. Loved the power. Cramped as hell in side, though. Almost as bad as an S2000. I also didn't care for three gauges in a sports car. The top was nowhere near as convenient as either my Vette of Miata..now there's a pair!

However, there is one thing I have learned in my 47 years of car buying. ALWAYS buy the car you REALLY want! It makes you happier and you save money in the long run! Even if you have to stretch the finances a bit.

However, I seldom take my own advice, and the jury is out on the RX-8 because I REALLY wanted a Porsche! But, so far, so good! Good luck to you!

I have read that the Solstice and Sky need a total revamp in terms of finding useful storage space and space in general. I bet those are total killers when it comes to sales. I don't really see many on the road.

teeeeeeny
 

Rolled upi next to a gut in a Sky in my rx8..asked how he liked his, said it was my other choice. His first response (and I quote), "very small, no room anywhere". Guess it depends on your needs. Your choice...

rx8 :lol:

Driving a Saturn Sky is about the equivalent of crawling back up into your mother's womb...

that's odd... I managed to test a new sti and 335i with essentially no questions asked... and they're kinda picky about testing the sti from what I hear.

And that's saying something since this is the second largest area of fanboy sports cars. Socal being the largest. The Solstice/Sky doesn't seem to be a big hit even with GM's zomg Kappa platform.

I would get a Mini Cooper S WAY before I would ever get a Skyline or Soltice. Mini Cooper S's fun factor is almost as high as the 8, but the 8 still gets the edge. But as far as mileage goes the Mini S gets the nudge. Forget the Skyline, really, come on going from an 8 (Mazda) to a Mini S (BMW) I could understand, but from an 8 to a Saturn (GM)?

2 cents.....

the exterior looks nice, but the interior of the saturn is pure vomit. the mx-5 may not look as sleek, but in my opinion is a better made car.

u should get what makes u happy tho and not care about what we think.

go for the sky.. i think its time for a change if you sais this rx8 ould be your 3rd one.. :S

GL.