pistonhater

Another "new" owner here.

Background: I had been a visitor on this forum for almost two years, but it wasn't until the past few months that I logged in. I guess at that point I decided to move forward and buy an RX-8.

It took me a while to make a decision in regards to which one to buy. With so many options out there it became rather overwhelming. I knew the older models were selling for cheap, but I didn't want to buy a car with too many miles on it either. Somebody advised me to go ahead and test drive a few cars in order to make a better informed decision.

I made the "mistake" of starting out by test driving an Aurora Blue 2010 R3. I say "mistake" because I immediately fell in love with it. However, even though the color, Recaros, body kit and 19" wheels are nice, what really sold me on the R3 at the time was the suspension/handling characteristics. That, and the idea that soon the RX-8 would go out of production. So I thought of the R3 as some sort of special version of the RX-8 family. I wanted an R3!!! Forum member Texas Rx8 R3's help was instrumental during this time as he owns one. Hey, he even went and test-drove for me a car I almost purchased in TX!!!

Unfortunately, after a series of disappointing experiences with the few dealers in my area that still had them around, I decided to test drive other models. The first one I test-drove after the R3 was a base (Sport) model. I was underwhelmed both with the suspension/handling as well as exterior/interior simplicity. The all-black combo was too much for me. The Sport was a nice car overall, but I just didn't "connect" with it all.

Then I test drove another R3 to make sure. And I know this can be a very subjective area, but TO ME, there was a noticeable difference in the suspension/handling and steering feedback of the R3 compared to the Sport. So this threw me back into finding something that felt similar to the R3.

A couple of weeks later, another fellow club member here in NY ("newyorker") graciously allowed me to test drive his Shinka - which I believe also has the foam injected cross-members. Again, this can be a totally subjective thing, but I liked the handling of the Shinka better as well. I loved the different interior color too. So this helped me figured my top priorities were suspension/handling and interior details.

Three weeks later another club member in the NJ area ("gwilliams") allowed me to test drive his 2008 40th Anniversary Edition. Not only was the suspension/handling/steering similar to the R3, but that Cosmo Red interior really caught my attention. I learned the 40th AE had a similar set up like the R3, including the shocks, revised suspension geometry and foam injected cross members. There were some available around the country, but too far and with too many miles. So I gave up on that idea as well.

After a couple of months of not looking anymore, a local dealer took a 40th AE as a trade-in. I jumped all over it and bought it! It only had 13K plus miles and it was in great shape inside/outside.

Pics or it didn't happen








So this is the story of my journey into getting an RX-8.

I am very happy with the car. It has everything I wanted in the steering/handling/suspension department, plus the interior is amazing. Plus I love the idea of knowing only 1,000 of these were sold in the US So I feel like I am the owner of a very special car.

But of course, any RX-8 is a special car regardless of trim!!!!

Thanks to NewYorker, Gwilliams, and Texas RX8 R3 for their patience and advise -as well as other forum members.

Pico

iTrader: (2)

Excellent choice
Good luck with the car
Sounds like you have good knowledge of the 8 already

pistonhater

Thanks! Your car is awesome BTW!!!

Well, I read as much as I could before I bought the car in regards to all issues, changes from year to year, maintenance, etc. Still learning as I go!!

But the most helpful part of the process was to test drive as many cars as I could. That really helped me figure out what I really wanted.

jimstaz

welcome to the rx8 world.. im new to the car aswell.. ive been with rx7 my life.. love them.. im deployed right now and bought a 8 when i was R&R and loved the performance of it.. i had to read into it becuz a twin turbo rx7 puts out a few ponies less then what the rx8 puts out.. and if doesnt have a turbo.. but they did alot of 'different' stuff on the engine.. extra ports actually made the engine breath better.. but i have alot of learning with the 8s and looking forward to talking with every one..

Silver6

Congratulations. 40th are definitely my favorite. Upgraded suspension and the old body style. Another plus is you can still use the Cobb

pistonhater

Thanks! The 40th AE is still a Series 1, so I assume everything is compatible.

Roidz

Congrats man and nice choice.

8upbad

iTrader: (3)

There's nothing better than competent new members! Nice car man.

Texas RX8 R3

Excellent choice, Osvaldo!

You deserve every bit of it... And I know you are going to enjoy your very own RX-8 to the fullest!!

gwilliams6

I was happy to help you with a test drive of my 40th anniversary edition and words of advice from owning seven rotary Mazdas since 1973. You really studied up hard on the RX8s , made your test drives, and I think you were the best informed new rotary owner I have met in many years. Your diligence and careful considerations of both what was the best value, and just as important, what moved your heart and soul for the driving experience , brought you to your 40th anniversary edition. Osvaldo got his car of choice, and a great deal on this superb condition Mazda certified car. He is an enthusiastic new member in the fold, and we welcome him with open arms. And we look forward to sharing our mutual RX8 passion in the years to come of club activities.

And having met him, he is a genuinely great person and a new friend. Congrats.

monchie

Welcome to the "friendly" club...lol

scooter_dmi

Nice find! Sounds like you got pretty lucky with that trade in at the right time and right place.
I love those 40th AE...

pistonhater

Thanks Sonny! Hope you won't be upset with me for not joining the "R3" community You know I tried!!!! Thanks a lot for all your help. As you know, the R3 is the only Series II car I would ever consider. They are awesome!!!

Thanks a lot Jerry. What can I say!!! After all the information you gave me, I think I knew more about the RX-8 than than the guys working at the Mazda dealers! Seriously, thanks for sharing the wisdom of many years of owning rotary cars. Your help has been instrumental. Indeed, the driving experience is what brought me to the 40th AE.

I still like your car more since you have the full body kit and custom cold air intake!!!


Well...from the car/truck forums I often visit, I have to say this one is on the "friendly" side. Some of these other forums are just brutal. Insults and humiliation are the standard form of communication! At least that doesn't happen "as much" here, LOL.

Seriously, I was surprised when the club members I mentioned above went out and beyond their way to help me.

Because the rotary engine is so unique and different, I've found that many rotary owners are generally more passionate about helping people join their rather "unique" rotary cult, LOL.

I agree! The car even came with the "Mazda Pre-Owned Certification." It was one of those situations in which I was at the right place at the right time - literally. I was actually on military duty at the time, and the dealer was close to the military base, LOL. What a coincidence!

ARK

to a fellow 40th owner!

Texas RX8 R3

Never, ever upset, my friend. Only way I would be upset is if you weren't happy with your very own decision... And you ARE mighty happy, so no worries at all, haha!!

usnidc

That is no joke right there, I "schooled" a lot of Mazda sales people when I was looking for mine.

Welcome to the 40th AE club!

pistonhater

Knowledge is power!!!

DarkBrew

Congrats! Sounds like you knew exactly what you wanted...
Enjoy the mods to come...

fuztupnz

iTrader: (4)

Congrats and welcome.

It's nice to see someone putting in the time and effort to research and get what they want.

pistonhater

Thanks. It took me a while but eventually I knew what I wanted! I am hoping to start with mods later this summer

Thanks! It was actually a lot of fun to test drive different cars. Sometimes the subtle differences have a strong impact in deciding what one really wants.