I would just like to point out that the OP started this thread in March. I'm sure he's already made up his mind and obviously the answer was MS3.

 

after reading this thread yesterday at work I was driving home and encountered this... this is what kind of people drive MS3's!





1. the car looks real normal... it's a hatchback economy import.
2. holy... that guy is 85 and he has the sunglasses to match
3. I guess even senior citizens can enjoy torque

 

ohh he will be back.................they always come back

 

I lol

 

I recently just made the switch from an RX8 to the MS3. Here is my opinion.

Go to the dealer, test drive both cars and buy the one that floats your boat. I owned the 8 for a lil over a year. My wife and I loved the car, it has awesome handling, with sleek looks that turned heads everywhere we drove it. I loved the fact that the rotary engine can take a beating and has endless redline. However, being in guam, the heat worked against the rotary engine. We was also tanking up way too often. In order to make gas last a week in the RX8, we had to pick and choose the places we go. Also, to get the most out of a tank, we had to baby the engine which defeats the purpose of the rotary engine. So we sold the the car. Also, when it came to practicability, the Rx8 sucked. Yes, it had four doors, it could fit 4 adults, but when we had to take our animals to vet, forget about trying to make an kennel fit in the car.

Now we have a MS3, owned it for a week. So far, so good. It has the space and interior my wife wanted, and I wanted the performance. It has an turbo out of the factory which will be under an warranty. A big plus on the Rx-8, since going turbo on the 8 in guam was not an option since there aren't any reliable turners for rotary engine cars. The Speed 3 has the low end power I was looking for compared to the RX8. So far, A tank of gas has gone a long way.

 

I priced out how much I would get for my RX-8, how much a new MS3 costs, and the cost of fuel between the two in mpg. I would have to own the MS3 for over 17 years to break even.

Some people can only think in terms of cost at the fuel pump and cut off their own noses.

 

Lets ask an enthusiast fan-club if I should buy the car they are fans of (and own) or some other car with FWD and sedan chassis... *boggle* What would you possibly expect people to say? Imo there isn't really a comparison here, but if you really aren't sure, don't ask the respective fan clubs of the cars... go to a Mazda dealer and tell them you want one of those cars and you need to test drive them both back to back. That will give you a better idea. Oh and when you test drive the Rx8, don't hesitate to take it to 9000 rpms.

 

MS3 for the comfort and space. Sat in a friend's MS3, and it was pretty fast (not as fast as I expected...). Interior's pretty good..., but still feels a little cheap.

RX8 if you don't want to look like you're driving an econobox. But the 8 has a bunch of foibles that come with it...

 

the ms3 is a nice car, few mods and it sounds awesome. there is one that drives around campus here, its really nice (I have no trouble noticing it looks/sound wise).

give some more info and people will be able to give you more accurate info. also, go search on the mazda3 forum for more info.

what are you looking at the car for: track, DD, autocross, etc. ?

random pick I found, cant tell me it is not nice! (no rx-8 but still fun/sporty looking)

 

pretty different cars to be honest. The RX8 is obviously a sports car(a fairly useful one though), while the MS3 is a little hot hatch that gives some sense of a sports car while remaining practical. If you don't have any real need for the extra space I'd go with a Rx8 all day. RWD just trumps FWD in enjoyability.

 

RX8>S2000>350Z>Evo>Civic>Focus>DogShit>MS3.

Im sorry, I feel bad now. Maybe I went too far.

 

how can a focus and a civic be better than a mazda3 let alone speed3? is pricing involved?

And what is a Dogshit? the new Cobalt edition?

 

You're Right,

Heres a more acurate assessment

Mazda RX8-

Mazdaspeed 3-

 

I give the MS3 a facepalm.

 

Get a Civic.

 

get the rex.

i'm not biased or anything...

 

mush.

 

if youre going to get a speed3 wait till the 2010 speed3 comes out. its sooo hot!

 

hahaha my sentiments EXACTLY!!! fwd is boring as crummy crummy crap crap though...understeer is lamey mc lame

 

Why not get both? This is America. I have 3 cars. (5 if you count the two I bought for my kids )

 

thats right!

buy more stuff! go in debt! make the economy go round!

 

I almost traded in for a speed 3......

Then i realized.. even if they paid my car off, paid my down payment, and offered to pay my first couple monthly payuments i would still reject it.. my car is just soo sexy to throw it away and let them do math to screw me over..

Stay with the 8

 

Rx-8s just took good looking to not pick it over an MS3. The ms3 might look better if it wasnt an ugly hatchback =/

 

I love real sportscars especially the rotary. If you don't realize the difference you should go with the ms3 or new mazda 6. True sportscars are more than torque and hp. The miata is an example as are all true sportscars. You have to be an enthusiast to appreciate the superior handling and feel and smoothness of the RX8 rotary or any true sportscar model platform. Sporty econo compacts and midsize sedans always fall short to those who know better. They are not in the same league. The Mazda ms3 is just a souped up boy toy. Kind of like an escort gt in it's day. If you want a sportscar get the real thing. The rx8 is the real thiing.

 

^ complementing the above post, I feel a true sports car is an involving experience. The driver and car becomes as one on the road. Many cars can go fast. Mash the pedal, shift gear or allow the ECU does it for you. But are detached. It is a mechanical experience. The very rare cars that forms a symbiosis relationship with the driver are deem sports car irregardless of paper hp numbers. They become timeless. Hence time and again, many auto reviewers always come out with the conclusion that the rx-8 transcends the typical numeric stats. It is the unquantifiable thrill of driving dynamics that leave them wanting more drive time. But to those who are unable to grasp this, then it is a moot point. You don't miss what you never experienced.