Mazda Rx8 vs. Scion TC
03-29-2010, 11:26 AM
#26
i DD'd my 8 through 3 years of college. its been great. if you can afford it, go for it. make sure you get an insurance quote before you buy the car though.
i've also had 10 comprehensive claims. although only 1 of them was on campus. in my last semester, i decided to get a beater for commuting.
1986 bmw 325is.
i've also had 10 comprehensive claims. although only 1 of them was on campus. in my last semester, i decided to get a beater for commuting.
1986 bmw 325is.
03-29-2010, 12:37 PM
#29
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You answered your own question right there. Buy what you love, as many of us here did. If you want a "practical" boring car, go for the TC.
BTW, I too test drove the TC before buying the 8. It's a great little economical car, but nothing compares it to the 8.
BTW, I too test drove the TC before buying the 8. It's a great little economical car, but nothing compares it to the 8.
03-29-2010, 03:35 PM
#30
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I don't think y'all understand.
I have 13k saved up, Which ever car I buy I'm buying in full.
I don't want this to be a bad decision though, I spent mannnny summers working just for this moment that I'm about to faced with and I don't want to make a mistake.
Insurance, not an issue.
MPG, minor issue
Reliabilty/maintenance, main issue
I have 13k saved up, Which ever car I buy I'm buying in full.
I don't want this to be a bad decision though, I spent mannnny summers working just for this moment that I'm about to faced with and I don't want to make a mistake.
Insurance, not an issue.
MPG, minor issue
Reliabilty/maintenance, main issue
03-29-2010, 03:37 PM
#31
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compare the scion tc to the mazda 3. They are in the same sub compact class and direct competitors. The rx8 is a sportscar and would be a far stretch for comparison so I won't even go there. 
03-29-2010, 03:45 PM
#32
Based on your posts in this thread I can tell you straight up, you are not passionate about this car other than saying you're in love with it.
When something if anything happens, you are not going to be pleased with the time and DIY know-how you should be investing yourself in to take care of this car. You may know the TC in and out reading into it for a week but it will take you many months just to properly know and understand most of the 8 from the common prevention maintenance, to understanding why they're needed and how the rotary works. And even after that, there is many months more to learn about other factors of the 8 if you're really passionate about knowing the whole thing inside and out. Completely different animal from a piston car.
You're also in college and while classifying reliability and mpg as some concern already it already tells you what you should get, the TC.
Maybe after you graduate and get your own place ready to get down into the nuts and bolts of understanding the 8, then get it. Until then I would for your own stress level stick with a TC.
When something if anything happens, you are not going to be pleased with the time and DIY know-how you should be investing yourself in to take care of this car. You may know the TC in and out reading into it for a week but it will take you many months just to properly know and understand most of the 8 from the common prevention maintenance, to understanding why they're needed and how the rotary works. And even after that, there is many months more to learn about other factors of the 8 if you're really passionate about knowing the whole thing inside and out. Completely different animal from a piston car.
You're also in college and while classifying reliability and mpg as some concern already it already tells you what you should get, the TC.
Maybe after you graduate and get your own place ready to get down into the nuts and bolts of understanding the 8, then get it. Until then I would for your own stress level stick with a TC.
Last edited by Vlaze; 03-29-2010 at 03:49 PM.
03-29-2010, 03:47 PM
#33
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I'm not COMPARING THE CARS!!
They're both in my price range, and I've narrowed it down to these two and I'm just asking which I should get based on my given information and yalls knowledge on the car and wisdom as many of you are older than I.
They're both in my price range, and I've narrowed it down to these two and I'm just asking which I should get based on my given information and yalls knowledge on the car and wisdom as many of you are older than I.
03-29-2010, 03:56 PM
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Based on your posts in this thread I can tell you straight up, you are not passionate about this car other than saying you're in love with it.
When something if anything happens, you are not going to be pleased with the time and DIY know-how you should be investing yourself in to take care of this car. You may know the TC in and out reading into it for a week but it will take you many months just to properly know and understand most of the 8 from the common prevention maintenance, to understanding why they're needed and how the rotary works. And even after that, there is many months more to learn about other factors of the 8 if you're really passionate about knowing the whole thing inside and out. Completely different animal from a piston car.
You're also in college and while classifying reliability and mpg as some concern already it already tells you what you should get, the TC.
Maybe after you graduate and get your own place ready to get down into the nuts and bolts of understanding the 8, then get it. Until then I would for your own stress level stick with a TC.
When something if anything happens, you are not going to be pleased with the time and DIY know-how you should be investing yourself in to take care of this car. You may know the TC in and out reading into it for a week but it will take you many months just to properly know and understand most of the 8 from the common prevention maintenance, to understanding why they're needed and how the rotary works. And even after that, there is many months more to learn about other factors of the 8 if you're really passionate about knowing the whole thing inside and out. Completely different animal from a piston car.
You're also in college and while classifying reliability and mpg as some concern already it already tells you what you should get, the TC.
Maybe after you graduate and get your own place ready to get down into the nuts and bolts of understanding the 8, then get it. Until then I would for your own stress level stick with a TC.
I was hoping I'd gain the passion for fixing it up and stuff AFTER I've bought it. Though I'm not the mechanic type..
I'm pleased to know many people DD it. Now the TC seems like a smarter decision as a college student I need to minimize stress
03-29-2010, 04:01 PM
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I've come to the realization that the rx8 is not for me. More for people done with school and enjoy the mechanics of the rotary engine and such. I don't want to indulge myself into a world full of passionate people and be the only one who just want to ride for the looks of it.
I'm sorry if you all don't like the TC thaaattt much, jeez.
What other car would you suggest, I want a coupe, "tunerish"
I'm sorry if you all don't like the TC thaaattt much, jeez.
What other car would you suggest, I want a coupe, "tunerish"
03-29-2010, 04:06 PM
#38
You don't need to be a mechanic wiz for any car, you just need determination, persistence and a willingness to learn.
You can buy and fix what's needed yes, but based on what I've read here and see people go through, you're wiser learning more about it on the side and buying one after college. You will indeed gain passion for this car when you work on it, and you may gain frustration also if you can't find the solution to a problem. Not everyone here has gotten solutions, many have sold the car, had the dealer fix it and got out of it, etc, it's not for everyone.
I say this not because I think you can't learn about it well or that you're not good enough or whatever I'm just saying it straight up for your scenario. In college getting a nice sports car (while many have done it) is gonna leave headaches with dipshits on campus, money needed for school and then trying to use it if something happens to the car. To top that off we get daily threads from newbies who ask the same damn thing someone just asked the day before and have threads on the stuff from years ago. They don't research or learn about their car properly, this is not the Honda, Subaru, etc forum and more importantly is not a piston engine. You can't apply the same knowledge when related to anything off the engine.
If you really want to get into this car, I suggest reading more about it, stay on as a member here and read the tech topics. Look into problems people had, why they had them, solutions that helped, etc. Get to know people, maybe even go to a meet and take a drive with them (quite a few here don't own the car yet but look forward to soon). This way when you're ready, you can assess a better risk factor when you get into this car based on your level of passion for it. The rotary is probably the only one in its class I would say you really should know your **** about it before getting into it.
Again, for your scenario I highly suggest a TC and when ready get the 8 if you feel it's what you really want. Good luck.
You can buy and fix what's needed yes, but based on what I've read here and see people go through, you're wiser learning more about it on the side and buying one after college. You will indeed gain passion for this car when you work on it, and you may gain frustration also if you can't find the solution to a problem. Not everyone here has gotten solutions, many have sold the car, had the dealer fix it and got out of it, etc, it's not for everyone.
I say this not because I think you can't learn about it well or that you're not good enough or whatever I'm just saying it straight up for your scenario. In college getting a nice sports car (while many have done it) is gonna leave headaches with dipshits on campus, money needed for school and then trying to use it if something happens to the car. To top that off we get daily threads from newbies who ask the same damn thing someone just asked the day before and have threads on the stuff from years ago. They don't research or learn about their car properly, this is not the Honda, Subaru, etc forum and more importantly is not a piston engine. You can't apply the same knowledge when related to anything off the engine.
If you really want to get into this car, I suggest reading more about it, stay on as a member here and read the tech topics. Look into problems people had, why they had them, solutions that helped, etc. Get to know people, maybe even go to a meet and take a drive with them (quite a few here don't own the car yet but look forward to soon). This way when you're ready, you can assess a better risk factor when you get into this car based on your level of passion for it. The rotary is probably the only one in its class I would say you really should know your **** about it before getting into it.
Again, for your scenario I highly suggest a TC and when ready get the 8 if you feel it's what you really want. Good luck.
Last edited by Vlaze; 03-29-2010 at 04:08 PM.
03-29-2010, 04:13 PM
#39
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You don't need to be a mechanic wiz for any car, you just need determination, persistence and a willingness to learn.
You can buy and fix what's needed yes, but based on what I've read here and see people go through, you're wiser learning more about it on the side and buying one after college. You will indeed gain passion for this car when you work on it, and you may gain frustration also if you can't find the solution to a problem. Not everyone here has gotten solutions, many have sold the car, had the dealer fix it and got out of it, etc, it's not for everyone.
I say this not because I think you can't learn about it well or that you're not good enough or whatever I'm just saying it straight up for your scenario. In college getting a nice sports car (while many have done it) is gonna leave headaches with dipshits on campus, money needed for school and then trying to use it if something happens to the car. To top that off we get daily threads from newbies who ask the same damn thing someone just asked the day before and have threads on the stuff from years ago. They don't research or learn about their car properly, this is not the Honda, Subaru, etc forum and more importantly is not a piston engine. You can't apply the same knowledge when related to anything off the engine.
If you really want to get into this car, I suggest reading more about it, stay on as a member here and read the tech topics. Look into problems people had, why they had them, solutions that helped, etc. Get to know people, maybe even go to a meet and take a drive with them (quite a few here don't own the car yet but look forward to soon). This way when you're ready, you can assess a better risk factor when you get into this car based on your level of passion for it. The rotary is probably the only one in its class I would say you really should know your **** about it before getting into it.
Again, for your scenario I highly suggest a TC and when ready get the 8 if you feel it's what you really want. Good luck.
You can buy and fix what's needed yes, but based on what I've read here and see people go through, you're wiser learning more about it on the side and buying one after college. You will indeed gain passion for this car when you work on it, and you may gain frustration also if you can't find the solution to a problem. Not everyone here has gotten solutions, many have sold the car, had the dealer fix it and got out of it, etc, it's not for everyone.
I say this not because I think you can't learn about it well or that you're not good enough or whatever I'm just saying it straight up for your scenario. In college getting a nice sports car (while many have done it) is gonna leave headaches with dipshits on campus, money needed for school and then trying to use it if something happens to the car. To top that off we get daily threads from newbies who ask the same damn thing someone just asked the day before and have threads on the stuff from years ago. They don't research or learn about their car properly, this is not the Honda, Subaru, etc forum and more importantly is not a piston engine. You can't apply the same knowledge when related to anything off the engine.
If you really want to get into this car, I suggest reading more about it, stay on as a member here and read the tech topics. Look into problems people had, why they had them, solutions that helped, etc. Get to know people, maybe even go to a meet and take a drive with them (quite a few here don't own the car yet but look forward to soon). This way when you're ready, you can assess a better risk factor when you get into this car based on your level of passion for it. The rotary is probably the only one in its class I would say you really should know your **** about it before getting into it.
Again, for your scenario I highly suggest a TC and when ready get the 8 if you feel it's what you really want. Good luck.
Now in regards to the topic, you're absolutely right with everything. The TC is just more suitable for me.
Though, what's so good about the rotary? Just the sound? What keeps you all so obsessed? I'm not trying to offend, just curious..
03-29-2010, 04:22 PM
#41
Well it's the drive. The handling on this car is like no other in its class in the corners although the new 370z finally caught up and is close. It's not a straight line car, but on a track it's one of the best you're going to drive in its class. If you watch some of the videos you can see the car wind up going by many others who have far more HP because it just out handles them.
The rotary has a 50/50 weight distribution, has a good power/weight ratio and well obviously, looks damn sexy. It has one of the best interiors you'll find for its price range and even better than most that cost more. The engine is a lot simpler than a piston engine and the community is more tight knit I find than any other piston car-based one because well, it's a rotary. It's not for everyone and those who want a car to just jump into start up and go don't stay around here long so we have quite a long list of enthusiast here that help out one another.
The rotary has a 50/50 weight distribution, has a good power/weight ratio and well obviously, looks damn sexy. It has one of the best interiors you'll find for its price range and even better than most that cost more. The engine is a lot simpler than a piston engine and the community is more tight knit I find than any other piston car-based one because well, it's a rotary. It's not for everyone and those who want a car to just jump into start up and go don't stay around here long so we have quite a long list of enthusiast here that help out one another.
03-29-2010, 04:27 PM
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When you meet that cute little college girl that 5 other guys want, and she likes you, and you offer her a ride home, which car would you like then? Geez get intelligent on what really counts. You want to be a college sissy nerd or someone who is fun to be with and has a future. Identity is important.
03-29-2010, 04:45 PM
#43
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03-29-2010, 04:50 PM
#44
Unless hauling capacity is an issue, what about a Miata? You'd still have the fun factor with this option. Other than that, I honestly see no issue with any of the cars that have been mentioned in this thread.
If tuition isn't already covered as well, I wouldn't consider the money saved up as exclusively for the car. A car is not an investment.
If tuition isn't already covered as well, I wouldn't consider the money saved up as exclusively for the car. A car is not an investment.
03-29-2010, 07:34 PM
#48
Since its for college get the TC.
After you get scratches dings and someone backs into you at school you will know what I mean.
If thats not enough the the break in to **** with your stereo will do it.
And You will go broke on gas.
You can't enjoy college when your broke.
After you get scratches dings and someone backs into you at school you will know what I mean.
If thats not enough the the break in to **** with your stereo will do it.
And You will go broke on gas.
You can't enjoy college when your broke.
03-29-2010, 08:39 PM
#49
I drove a 95 neon then a 98 escort through school, and some time after. Now that i have time and money, I bough my 8, dd it and love every minute of it. If i were you, I'd skip the scion, get something decent for eight grand and put the five grand saved away for a rainy day or a down payment on an 8 when you're done with school. Plenty of cars can be had for 8g's that are decently fun and decent looking. Used mazda 3's, minis, miatas and plenty of others. Hell, it's not the prettiest but a SVT focus can be a hell of a lot of fun for the money. 98 to 01 Impreza 2.5 RS coupes are in that range too if you shop around long enough. That's just my 2 cents though. A nice car is a great feeling, but it's one more level of stress that you don't need.
As far as why i love my 8? My current job sucks, but i get excited to get in the car to go to and from every day. Something about the whine of the engine and the scream of the exhaust that makes me smile. The absolute connection to the car and the road is something i haven't felt in many other cars. It's the best car I've owned in the snow (blizzacks help). I grew up in a garage and have always done my own work, so the maintenance doesn't bother me. Gas mileage can be a drag, but driving it like a stole it more than makes up for it. I have no complaints other than I don't have any track time in it yet.
As far as why i love my 8? My current job sucks, but i get excited to get in the car to go to and from every day. Something about the whine of the engine and the scream of the exhaust that makes me smile. The absolute connection to the car and the road is something i haven't felt in many other cars. It's the best car I've owned in the snow (blizzacks help). I grew up in a garage and have always done my own work, so the maintenance doesn't bother me. Gas mileage can be a drag, but driving it like a stole it more than makes up for it. I have no complaints other than I don't have any track time in it yet.
03-30-2010, 07:58 AM
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OP, since you're going to college soon you should get the TC or any other reliable 4 bangers for gas, maintenance cost and the lack of worry everytime the 8 is in the school parking lot.
But since you're going to college soon, you will end up with the rx-8 instead.
Owning a car you shouldn't is just a life lesson a lot of young men go through.
But since you're going to college soon, you will end up with the rx-8 instead.
Owning a car you shouldn't is just a life lesson a lot of young men go through.