Curious to how many have moved from either a sedan or wagon into the sportier RX-8 and regretted losing the space? I'm toying with the idea of moving from a Protege 5 to the RX-8.

This will be my only car so it has to be a daily / yearly driver. Not sure how they are in the winter etc.

 

I've never had a problem in winter, especially when it was icing/snowing out. Just be sure to drive slow/pump the breaks when slowing down.

As for daily driving, I've been DDing mine since February, and I must say it's not so bad. I am able to fit 3 of my friends in the car with some junk in the trunk and we do OK. Though, I didn't come from something much bigger, so I can't truly compare. Just giving my 2 cents

 

I went from a 1999 Kia Sephia to my 8. Have yet to regret a single thing. Lovin every minute of it.

I didn't really lose any space, except a 5th slot for a person, but w/e, no big deal.

The trunk space is more than adequate I find

 

1. Space
The trunk has a decent amount of space but the opening is somewhat narrow so some items may not fit in there. There is a pass thru opeining between the back seats so you will be able to transport long narrow items like skis. The back seat leg room is limited just like in most coupes. Getting in and out is obviously not as easy as in a 4DR. Overall, an RX8 is similar to most small cars in terms of space. There are roof racks for this car out there but due to the type of its roof they do not fit the car as well as some other cars.

2. Winter
OK but the stock tires are NOT drivable in the snow. I as well as most people I know own a set of snow tires.

For me both of these are minor limitations compared to the poor gas mileage. Overall, the driving experience more than makes up for it.

 

i went from a camry to the 8 and i did miss the extra room and seating position to be honest. after a while of driving the 8 i felt kinda uncomfortible but its power and agility makes up for it without a doubt. people who are tall have a very hard time gettin in and out of my car lol

 

Ah.. good point. To note, I'm 6' 2" but after a while I got used to getting in/out and no more problems.. though I do occasionally still slam my head into the left top beam of the car.. >.>

 

Hey I went from a 2002 Protege 5 to the RX-8! I only miss the space of your station wagon (sorry, it was hard for me to admit too, but it is a station wagon) when it comes to quickly haul some bulky sports equipment. If I was in rush I could just dump my bikes in the back of the pro5 and go.

However, I used a roof rack a lot with my Pro5 because I had to take people and their gear.

I can still fit a snowboard and a pair of skiis inside the 8 so winter sports isn't a problem but I can't fit a bike in easily. The trunk is acceptable though. 8 cubic feet has plenty of utility but can only really be used to carry one big suit case. Picking up people in the 8 from the airport can get hairy if they are big packers and you have four people in the car! LOL

As a single guy or a newly wedded couple the 8 is practical enough and I would highly recommend it.

But I'm about to start a family so I'm selling off my 8 and it's parts. I think I'll miss the space once I become a family man. Need stroller space, child seat, space to carry diapers, room to clean up spills and throw up, pick up funiture, oh and picking up my in-laws in a non low, non bellowing exhaust, non clutch shift, non bumpy sedan.

 

if you are tall, you should definitely not get a sunroof.

 

For winter, get rid of the stock tires, they stink . They get hard like a hockey puck in anything under 40 F .

The trunk has plenty of room , just a small opening ..........

 

out of shape tall people at least. I'm 6'5" and this car is a god send to me.

 

I had a 6i Hatch before this car. Yes, I miss the space that car had. No, I don't regret getting the 8. Being tall (6'4") I'm used to being a "big guy in a small car", so the smaller cabin wasn't a difficult adjustment.

 

I went from a Protege5 to an 8 and back to a wagon in the MS3. Frankly, unless you need to move furniture or some other big things very frequently, I sincerely doubt you'll miss the space. Going to the Speed 3, I find all the hatch space largely wasted. The only time I've really ever filled the car up beyond what the 8 could hold was when I was moving a few months back. Otherwise I just barely cover half the hatch with grocery runs or small things for our home - all things that the 8 would accommodate just fine.

Plus, when I had my 8, I never had a problem rounding up a buddy every few months when I really needed to carry some big things around. With my 8, I could put big coolers in the back seat, quite a bit in the trunk, and even more in the front passenger seat. Basically, the only thing that you're not going to be able to move is big furniture. Other than that, you'll be fine.

 

I also went from a Protege5 to an 8.

I am married, no kids, don't have sports or music equipment to haul around, etc... so I have not missed the space at all. I have taken the 8 on several road trips, including longish vacations with and without my wife. We have never had any trouble with space.

We also have a Mazda5, which has all the cargo room needed, however the only time I have needed it for cargo was a few times before I got the 8 that I couldn't use the Protege5 instead anyway.

So it really depends on how much you use the extra space in the P5. If you use it frequently enough to value it, then I highly suggest going with a Speed3 instead of the 8. Otherwise, you won't look back.

I did fine in the Rhode Island winter last year, even on the stock tires. Wasn't fun, but fine. Have new tires for this winter, would love to get Blizzaks, but just doubt I will be able to swing the money.

 

Well tall isn't going to be a problem because I am a few inches from 6 ft. Yeah like the last post the Speed3 has also been on my mind because I do prefer the hatch or wagon style cars. I just love the look of the RX-8 and of course the agility would be amazing.

Thanks for the comments.

 

Get snow tires for winter time. Seriously. Stock sport tires are useless in snow (im sure any high performance summer tire is useless in snow anyway). Pick up a set of snow wheels/tires and just swap them out in the wintery months. Other than that, with its 2+2 configuration and in cabin trunk hatch, you can manage to cram a surprising amount of stuff into an rx-8. Granted its not a station wagon, but you can make do. I recently heard someone crammed a kitched countertop into their 8. I don't know how they managed that, but there ya go

 

I fit fine with my sunroof, and Im 6'6'' 260lbs. This car is awesome for big people, so much more space than a 350Z for example. I love it.

 

I always have a wagon to complement my rx-8. In the current case, it is a Mazda6 GT wagon. Love the space, the relaxed driving format etc. It replaced my yet another wunderwagen - saabary 92x which was Stage II tuned. Before that was a Impreza Outbacksports.

 

I picked the RX-8 for my needs. Wound up rejecting two seaters because there just wasn't enough room for the occasional two-person few hundred mile trip. Trunk holds the formal luggage, and the back seat holds miscellany.

We still have my wife's Camry if there are more than two of us, or a bigger shopping trip. I also kept my Accord hatchback for large and/or dirty loads.

Ken

 

I had a wrx sedan, then an 04 silverado crew cab, then to my 8.

Honestly, the wrx was easier for people to get in the back seats, but i think the back seat riders love getting in suicide doors rather than "normal" doors, haha. They always comment. I have made a few trips 5+ hours with myself, and 3 of my buddies. All 6ft or over. The back seats actually have more leg room at times than the fronts. And we had all of our luggage from 2 weeks in the trunk. 4 cup holders is quite nice.

I do miss the HUGE room of my silverado, but duh. Also, i recently made a 1100 mile trip, hauling a bunch of misc stuff like dishes, cookware, espresso machine, and random stuff from my parents to my place, all in the trunk. Had my bag in the back. Plenty of room.

The only complaint would be the trunk opening. Plenty of room to fit a bunch of stuff, but may be limited if its not very agile. I DD mine, and have no complaints of a DD.

I will have a complaint though, of the headroom, with a sunroof, with me being 6ft, with a helmet when the time comes. Do i hear racing seat?

 

Always keep a practical car or motorcycle around.

 

RX8 is a really good car. but i live in texas, so i cant answer your question on how the rx8 is during the winter.

but last year i ended up trading in the 8 for a 3 turbo Skyline R33 rally edtion . best car i have owned eva. its has the power that i need (thanks to the 4 cans of NOS found under the hood).

 

wow what an ugly car ahaha.....

 

hahahha What a POS not even a real Skyline. Special Ed. Sentra

 

If you want to keep the space and get something sportier, you should consider Mazdaspeed 3.

In my opinion, the RX8 does not make a good daily driver.

 

its brand new though. i guess not every one can be happy with my car. but i do have ppl come up to me at gas stations telling me how much they love my skyline. i guess just as long i am happy with my car, that is all that mattters. can you name me one car that is out on the market that has 3 turbos and 4 cans of NOS that comes with the car from the factory?