Sinisterslug

Hi everyone,

i've recently discovered the RX8 and after reading up it's seems like exactly what I want. I didn't want a coupe because I dont like people going behind the seats, never liked that. I had to resort to a 4 door, so while car shopping ilooked for the coolest one in my price range and came up with the Mazda 6. Its awesome, I really like it, but the RX8 just seems perfect.

Heres the deal, I'm 16 years old and have earned about 25 thousand dollars in my life. This is being used for college, not a car, but for all my hard work, my mom will reward me with a nice car. We went and test drove a Mazda 6, I saw the RX8 but ASSUMED it was far out of my price range of less then 20k (used). My mom liked the Mazda 6, how can i Make her get me the RX8? She loves side curtain airbags and safety features, how is the RX8 in those departments? What other bits of info in termsof insurance can I give her. I realize the car has low MPG, but for me and my high school status, thats no problem considering i'm paying for it. Its worth the sacrifice. I literally went downstairs just now after looking at this car and shouted " OMFG I NEED AN RX8". Help me out guys...how can i make my mom buy it stead of a Mazda 6?!?!

Thanks

Razz1

RX8 is good on insurance.

If your going to colege you may want to re-thonk and get the 6.

A Used 04 can be had for 17 to 18 up to 22k.

ken-x8

Excellent. It has side curtain airbags, and is very highly rated for crash protection. Poke around the NHTSA and IIHS web sites for crash ratings.

Brakes are outstanding. Get a Sport model or better, and you've got dynamic stability control. As well as ABS brakes.

Ken

Sinisterslug

i've seen negative revews of the 2004 model, for flooding etc, but not so many negative ones about the 2005, is there a difference? How do I work a rotary engine correctly?

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

Basically just check oil every couple of times you get gas. It burns oil so it -can- get low, though usually you'll be fine. If oil looks low, add a little. Redline the engine once a day (or every few days should work) to clear out carbon build up. Nothing you'll notice short-term but recommended for long run to clean out carbon build up. Nothing too tedious.

As far as convincing your mom, read up a lot on the car. Check the stickies at the top of each section and learn as much as you can about the car. If you can show her you know a lot more about the car, it will probably help. I wouldnt mention anything about low gas mileage and such. Also, if she sounds concerned about if it's too fast, just say it has a small engine (it really does... ) There are some good threads that are stickied and will teach you pretty much anything that you should know before getting the car.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

safety is good with this car. most of the time, if you know how to take care of it, the car will be fine (ways like they have stated above). just get a car that still has warranty for a while. then, the only thing you'll have to tell your mom is that paying for gas yourself won't be a problem. lol. GL

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Im 16 and got one about 5 months ago. It really will boost your status if you mod it. I convinced my parents because it comes with side air bags standard and does well in a crash test. One thing you should know is that because it's a rotary, you have to wait for the engine to be warmed up half way before you turn it off. Once it is warmed up, you can turn it off and then if you want as if you were backing it out of the garage, you could turn it off. Another thing about rotaries is that they get most of their power at high RPM's, so at a low RPM, there isn't much power. Also, insurance is probably going to be about $200 more per year and it's worth it. Look on autotrader and cars.com to find one. You could possibly find one for as low as $15,000 for an '04. I got mine for $18000, so there are good deals out there. Make sure there still is warranty on it because most of the minor problems you may incounter are covered under warranty. Good luck getting one

Sinisterslug

wait i have to wait for it to warm up before turning it OFF? wont it already be warm?

Rems31

what he meant was that don't turn it off before it reaches operating temp. (ie when the temp gauge is pointing at the middle) to prevent flooding.

Razz1

Remember your on a budget going to college.

Can you afford the costs? 17MPG

mac11

iTrader: (1)

Get a Mazda3. Seriously. I wouldn't have made it through college with less than 30MPG

cquinn

Also, make sure you account for snow tires in your budget if you live in an area in which you would need them

Mordacity

/wave

swoope

iTrader: (5)

the cup holders keep the coffee really hot..

good job.

beers

GreenRX8

I'm sure lots of people fall in love with them at first sight, but I think you really need to drive one & feel comfortable in it before you really know it's for you. But since it's your mom buying the car & not you, it sounds like she'll be the one that has to be comfortable with the idea of you driving it. It'll be a lot easier for you if you drive something else in school, saving up your own dough, then get one when you graduate. That way your mom gives you her opinions rather than you giving her yours.

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

one thing I forgot to mention is that the back windows, not the rearview window, have blind spots that once you become used to them, they aren't really that bad anymore. I would also recommend you test drive one so you can really get a feel for it and see if it is the car for you.

DuBy

An 8 just might not be for you in your situation. MY advice, have your mom buy you the MS3. That'll give you the gas milage you need for school plus the performance you'll need to take the edge off.

But if you can convince your mom to go with the 8 then just remember it's going to cost alot of skrila. Owneing an 8 isn't cheap and it takes a real love of the car to give it what it needs.