Magsz

I just recently purchased my second rx8 a BB 06 six speed manual and my love for this car has only gotten stronger.

In december of 2005 i decided to buy myself a car. Ive always been one to do research before i spend any money on anything. Perhaps its because im cheap or extremely picky, i honestly dont know. Anyways, i drove my father absolutely batty during the time i spent shopping for a new car. I went to almost every single car dealership in south florida looking for the perfect car. I test drove everything from an infinti g35 to a pontiac g6. I literally drove every single car within the price range of 20k and 45k. I started to get pretty frustrated because i couldnt decide on a car. I narrowed it down to the g35 and i was desperately trying to fit one into my price range. I was almost dead set on leasing one for four years when i drove past a mazda dealership late on a friday night. I said to my dad, "hey, do me a favor? Turn around and lets go check out the rx8."

I dont know why i hadnt considered this car earlier since i tracked it when it was still in prototype phase and three years earlier when my dad was looking for a new car i suggested that he look into it since it was priced just right, a sports car for 24k, not bad!.

We drove into the dealership and took a look at what was on the lot. I asked to test drive one and wow, i fell in love. Honestly, no car that i had driven up until this point had done anything for me. The second i started up the rx8 and started to move i knew this was the car that i wanted. I cant describe it but something about it just felt right. The way it handled, the way it accelerated, the way it looked. The interior captured me and brought me in, the digital spedometer was just so damn cool. I test drove the car at night and the interior of the car with its brightly lit red appearance was just so cool. The car that i test drove was far too expensive for me since it was number one a used car with 3k miles on it and it had every option on it known to man. It was horribly overpriced and i didnt need all of those options, not to mention i didnt want a car with 3k miles on it already. For ***** and giggles i decided to sit down and run some numbers on a stock 05 automatic. Long story short, i left disgusted, the dealership flat out told me i would never get a car because i had no credit history. The rate that they gave me was worse than the quote for a g35 lease, much worse.

Its a good thing im stubborn because i wasnt about to listen to those bozo's and not get the car of my dreams. I proceeded to spend the next two weeks going to every single mazda dealership in south florida. Again, every dealership told me that i was never going to get an rx8, it was out of my price range and i should get something cheaper, like a kia. I gave the salesman that told me that the finger and left.

One week later i did a search for vehicles in the local area and came upon exactly what i wanted, an 05 bb automatic. I actually got a price quote for the vehicle online and i went to the dealership as soon as possible. Suffice to say i purchased my 05 automatic and drove it around for a year. Oh how i loved that car to bits.

About a month ago i had become fed up with the horrid gas mileage that i was getting, im talking 10-14 miles per gallon on the HIGHWAY. I decided that it was time to get rid of my rx8, i couldnt stand having to fill up every day or every other day. I also desperately wanted to get a manual car after having to learn how to drive stick on my bosses srt10 dodge viper truck.

I began doing more research and looking for the next car of my dreams, this time in a manual transmission. I again looked at the 350z, the g35 and every other car on the market. It then dawned on me that this is a sports car, why the hell do i care what the frig the gas mileage is? Its about the driving experience not how much money you're literally pouring into the tank. I always loved the way the car drove, why the hell wouldnt i keep it?

I then decided to pursue an 06 six speed manual since there were huge rebates on them and they had far better warranties than the 07's as far as im concerned.

Suffice to say ive been driving my new BB 06 manual rx8 for a month now and my love for this car has only gotten stronger. Taking the car from 0-90 on less traveled roads while pinned back in the seat is truly a mind blowing experience. My girlfriend says she loves it when i drive fast not because of the speed but because of the huge shiteating grin i have on my face. You should see me, i look like a kid in a candy store, my grin goes from ear to ear.

I love this car to the death, its an amazing piece of machinery. Like anything its got its quirks but its nothing one cant overlook. As far as im concerned its got plenty of power. I dont race, i dont swing my proverbial dick in front of other people just to prove i can "beat" them in a drag race.


Speaking of racing, two weekends ago i was at a gas station at 2 am in the morning headed home when some random sleazeball asks me if i want to race(.....short and pointless street racing reference removed...S...)han go in a straight line.

Anyway, getting slightly off topic here but i just wanted to share with everyone how great i think this car is and how happy it makes me. I think mazda did a great job with the car and i happily plan on buying the next iteration whether it be the rx7 reborn, the rx9, the kabura, nagare or whatever!

I LOVE MY CAR!

Please share with me your experieces as well. Why did you buy the car, why do you still own it? What about it do you love?

PS, when i was shopping for my manual rx8 i went back to the dealership where the salesman told me to buy a kia. I happily walked up to him and said i wanted to trade in the car he told me i would never get. I then told him he lost TWO sales from me and i walked right back out of the dealership.

DOMINION

This is like way to much to read so I'm just going to post here anyway

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

So much insite Dom.

I love the way it takes corners. Also love the look, and sound of my 8.

I went in to do the same thing to the salesman I almost bought 2 sixes or the 8 but unfortunately he doesn't work there anymore.

Magsz

Sorry for the long post, i just had alot to say.

Im new here but not new to the car. I felt like a positive post was neccessary since so much of what i see here is people bitching about their cars.

Krankor

I bought my '05 Shinka in May of '05, preparatory to a big trip I was planning for that summer. My girlfriend was coming over from Poland, and we were going from Boston (where I lived at the time) down to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. I had been driving an old, used little Toyota, purchased as an economy measure during a period of fiscal difficulty, but now that times were better, and with this trip coming up, I decided it was time for a new car.

I clearly wanted something sporty, but that would also accommodate both of us and our luggage and gear for this trip; that ruled out a lot of cars. It came down to the RX-8 and the G35 coupe. For all that the G35 was supposed to be more horsepower and faster and all, it didn't feel that much faster to me, and it just didn't move me. The 8 moved me. I was very intruiged by idea of having a rotary (especially since I'd known someone who raved about his RX-7). I liked the looks much better, I liked the interior much better. I'd also had a good previous experience with Mazda (MX-6). So the 8 won the day, and I couldn't be happier. The more I drove it and got to know it, the more I came to love it. It's just a hoot to drive. It's amazing how effortless it is to drive fast.

Why I still own it is a deeper, more troubling question. Lately I've been realizing how ridiculous it is that I have it. You see, I moved to Seattle, and that has changed an awful lot of the circumstances that made me pick the car in the first place. Living in Boston, I did a lot of longer trips, because my family lives in New Jersey, and because I had this annual summer thing in Philly. Now I fly to those things and don't have anyplace especially distant to drive to. I don't need the extra space for hauling luggage and all. I now only drive the thing 2 miles to work, or locally around town for errands, and that's about it (and the local traffic sucks, so you can't even drive to do the 8 justice). If I were buying a car now, just a stupid little here-to-there econobox would make the most sense; I just don't use a car enough to justify having a schmancy one.

But, sigh, I love the 8 too much to get rid of it.

Smokin_LaLa

I love my 8,i miss her so much (she is stored away for the winter) when i hear u guys talking about driving it and shifting it man do i miss her o well cant wait to be reunited

CyprusRX8

Here is my confession:

I bought this car for the wrong reasons. After being a fan of luxury cars my whole life and owning big comfortable automatic cars, i went through a very early mid life crisis (33yo) and decide I wanted something fast and show off.

Due to the huge taxes we have in Cyprus which are according the the engine size, my only real option was the RX-8. Being a 1.3 it has the same tax as a little city car! The 350Z for example would cost 3 times the price of the 8.

I did a lot of research on the net and found the RX-8 to be considered by most as a great car. I likes the look of it and the fact that I could by a 1-2 year old JDM import for the same price as new 1.6 car.

After test driving a few RX-8 the thing that impressed me the most was the speed of the car which was what I was looking for. I was a little put of from the harsh ride since Ive always driven luxury cars.

After about 6 months of looking for the right one for me, I found the baby that I own today.

After driving my new car for about a month, my only real put of was how harsh the car drove on our very imperfect Cypriot roads. Apart from that I was beginning to understand what everyone was bragging about in this form

Everything changed when I changed my tires and put a much softer brand. Suddenly the car became very comfortable. The speed was there, so was the handling and everything else this car is famed for.

To make a long story short, I have had this car for 11 months and it has become a part of me. I love it to death! I love it much more than the day I bought it, I love everything about it!

I have not had a single problem with and I look forward to driving it every time. I am so glad that there are other people on this forum that feel this way cause my friends think I'm nuts, they just don't get it!

My RX-8 is for me the perfect car! Nothing even twice the price (here in Cyprus) comes close. Its the best decision I've ever made!!!


Here she is in all her glory!

ken-x8

Yep - that's what does it. Looked at other cars, but after driving Zoomie I shudder at the thought of having bought something else.

Ken

Wilson

Then you definately would not have liked the 350Z.

Magsz

Im glad to see this thread while still small has remained positive.

Cyprus, your rx8 is beautiful.

CyprusRX8

Thank you, she is my pride and joy!

Rr#3nesis

Magsz, I live in SoFla aswell and was wondering what dealership you went to. I live really close to the dolphin mall, say 5 minutes away, and wanted to find a good dealership with no A-holes.

VRZOOMZOOM

The test drive definitely had me hooked on this car. back in 04 and 05 i was researching this car. Didn't know when i was going to buy one. Saw a few on the road, blazing passin me with speed and i knew right there and then, it was a hot car. Too bad i thought, there aren't many around. Which in the end, turns out to be a good thing

Jan 06.....Test drove a red one, GT pkg, red/blk leather seats. I just love the way this car looks........unmistakable for anything else on the road. I test drove that car for 5 mins. Everything about the car......was pretty tight and connected. especially just shifting, i still remember my first time shifting the car, all the gates were perfectly spaced, never once did i feel like it was vague....and then i was expecting maybe a harsh ride but it was very sedan like. Didn't test drive 350Z or G35. Something about the whole pkg and price of the RX-8 was perfect, no other cars are its its range. the Suicide doors was definitely an added bonus......because i knew at some point i'm going to have to carry more than one person in the car. So it only drew me in further. the fact that you can carry other people too. so i was pretty obessed with the car for over a year.

Go back to July 06...Zoom Zoom event, test drove an RX-8 around the course. Only re-confirmed that this is the car for me. No doubts.....had a few freinds also test drive and they finally realize why i like the car, with their big smiles. Like now they knew what i was talkin about. So for once, some of these people actually stopped lookin at spec sheets and was thrilled by the driving experience instead.

Fast forward to Sept 2006. Dealer been callin me to come in to see the RX-8 past 3 weeks but we had rainstorms, etc. I was also reluctant to go cause i knew if i went, it would mean i was really serious bout the RX-8 and may actually go through with it. Anyways it was Last RX-8 at the dealer, in the showroom. Velocity red w/ touring pkg. Just knew right there and then, it was my car.

Basically i love the car for the way it looks, inside and out. its also subtle in terms of performance. Won't break any records 0-60 with other cars....also never before have i had passengers in other cars both kids and adults look back at my car and I and look amazed. I was like dude my car not a ferrari. lol. and its drawing in so much attention. Have to admit those stares are the biggest compliment.

Winfree

This car will ruin you for anything else - rental cars felt fat awkward and ungainly incomparison. My old Mazda 323, which I have driven for too many years, but which was as comfortable as an old tennis shoe, was suddenly weak, inferior, underpowered and dangerous.

I nearly scared myself off getting an 8 because of negative postings - and I was nervous for the first month because I kept expecting it to do something wierd - but I found this one to be reliable, not an oil burner, with gas milage better than most people were posting - and the only thing negative is that I get hyper when there is a scratch or big juicy bug smoooshed on it. I have never had a car I wanted to keep so clean before!

dmc27

Love my 8. Every drive to work makes me smile. That certainly was not the case with previous vehicles.

But what would the econobox do for you?? Save a little gas $$?? Not really, especially if you do so little driving. There's plenty of twisties in the great NW - I suggest you go rip some up. Sounds like the ever environmentally conscious North Western attitude is trying to sink in - FIGHT IT!!!

Krankor

Oh, I PROMISE you, the only "environment" I care about is the one immediately around ME. I'm the kind of guy who goes out of his way to use *extra* styrofoam on Earth Day.

No, the missing piece of the equation is that, when it comes to recreational driving and eating up the twisties, I tend to do that on my motorcycle.

But you're right about how little the difference in gas $$ would make, that's a real good point...

1.3L

This reminds me of a story that happened around these parts a long time ago. A local and rather wealthy rancher strode into the local Lincoln Mercury dealer and wanted to buy a black Lincoln convertible that was on the showroom floor. The owner of the dealership didn't like the rancher for some reason and refused to sell the Lincoln to the rancher. So, the rancher went to a neighboring town, found the same model car and purchased it. Later, the rancher returned to the local dealership in his shiney new black Lincoln, drove into the service shop adjacent to the showroom, stopped, flipped off the dealership owner right in front of all his mechanics, then burned rubber on their nicely painted floor, circled around through the car lot honking his horn and then left. It was beautiful.

1.3L

Krankor

The dealership didn't like the rancher "for some reason"? You don't think the fact that the guy's an obvious ******* might have had something to do with it?

dmc27

1.3L

Actually, I think they deserved each other.

1.3L

rx8it

Geez when I saw my 8 parked on the corner when you enter the dealership in all her glory and supple curves, cracking a grin and looking at me with those cat-eye headlights.....that's when I knew she was daddy's little girl.

Krankor

Could well be.

jimbo99

It's the whole enchilada as they say. Maybe not enough torque and straight off the line speed, uses oil and gas, but the total packge is great.

I got a kick this last weekend when we went to my son's concert. Four full size people (2 adults and 2 teens) get out and then my son takes his baritone out of the trunk.

The carpooling teen pulling his lacrosse stick out of the trunk at the HS drop-off is good for a grin too!

htamacas

Just like Cypress I went through an even earlier Midlife crisis (25), I’ve always liked the family style cars for some strange reason. Before my 8 I had a protégé 5, which was a great car. I received a promotion and a higher salary so decided to look at a more luxury type of vehicle. I broke it down to the Cadillac CTS and Mazda RX8 and I was close to choosing the CTS but thought to myself, I’m young and have no kids why do I need that space and decided to go with the 8… Been in love ever since!

I took a red GT out for a test drive and then got sold on upgrading to the Special Edition in Copper Red! I have never heard so many comments about my car… I mean bum’s crossing the crosswalk stop to say “nice car”. Its kinda crazy, but where I live Victoria BC, Canada there may be 4 Rx8’s in the city so it really stands out! I’ve had people asking me if it was a massarati, quite amazing!