Well it's been a lot of going back and forth for me, and it seems every board I go to and say "I like this car, but also like another" and everyone just bashes me for it, saying theirs is the best. So anyways, here's my current situation: 19 year old, go to University of Florida and from Miami. Drove a '98 Prelude and just recently sold it, and I'll be home in a little over a week from taking a class up in New York, and I am going to need to buy a new car within the next 2 weeks. My budget is basically $25-30,000, though I will not go over 30, and would prefer to spend 27-29. Here's what I've looked at:

'05 Subaru WRX: Doesn't have the luxury (ie. leather seats, etc), but handles amazing, great speed, some nice changes to the interior this year, and incredibly fun to drive, plus at $26,500 or so I can get it with the moonroof and spoiler package.

'04 RSX Type S: An all around 'good' car, but I just don't find it to be amazing, I see them everywhere and there's just not much special to it or too appealing about it anymore, some good speed, a nice interior, though I'm not a hatchback fan, but at $25,000 I can save a little bit of money.

'03/'04 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe: I've found a few used G's in the area of $28-$30.5, the car is sweet, has it all in my opinion, would have to get used due to price, but would be under 10K miles and in great shape. Only problem I am having is finding one near me, seems like there aren't too many people lettng go of this car.

and finally

RX8: This was originally the car I wanted, I checked it out about 3 months ago while home from spring break, but they wanted like $32+ for a 6SPD base. Waay too much, cause I like a few options, like xenon headlights and moonroof, so I immediately crossed it off the list. Well I just checked a day or so ago and found that I can get a new one with the touring package, 6SPD for about $29,000. Or a used 6SPD with about 6,000 miles and the grand touring package for about $28,500. So very quickly it is back on my list.

So I look for help to you all: what sets apart the RX8 from the other vehicles, did you look at any of those other ones? Is it as fun to drive as it looks? Do you find the back seats to actually be functional? And service-wise, have you had any problems with the car? Thanks for reading this long rant, and any help or advice is extremely appreciated as I am hoping to hold onto this car probably for about 4-5 years and want to make sure I am happy with it. Take care

-Matt

 

Test drive the RX-8 before you make any decision. I think that will tell you everything you need to know. Either you'll love it and want to buy it, or you'll decide one of the other cars is the one for you.

It's really hard to make any recommendation when you haven't driven the car and given us your thoughts on it. Good luck with your decision.

 

Don't forget to include your state taxes into the equation, they can easily add 2-3K to your overall price.

 

I've sat it in and like the interior and exterior, but there wasn't one to test drive at the time, I certainly will when I get home next week.

 

Yeah, the moment I test drove the RX-8 I removed most other cars on my list (which included all the cars you mentioned).

Give it a spin and see

 

Check out Edmunds for the cost price and you should be able to get one for $300 to $500 over the listed cost price. I love driving the 8 . Its a car to be driven and still will not beat you to death on the roads.

 

I just got in touch with Marlin Mazda, and they told me $29,000 for a 6SPD w/Grand Touring brand new, has anyone dealt with this dealership? that seems like $3000 less than other dealers.

 

It's become something of an inside joke around here: make sure you're ready to afford the car before you drive it... because once you do, you won't be able to stop thinking about it.

It's not the fastest or most economical, but there's just something about it, a hard to define sweetness about it that seduces people.

I drove the WRX, TSX, Evo, GLI, and RSX-S... all great cars and great fun, but where I liked them all, I loved the 8.

But it's a matter of personal taste. I'm two decades(!) older than you, so our preferences and priorities will likely differ...

 

I drove a Rx8 auto and was pleased with it. I've been reading
all the pros and cons of the car. I'm buying one as a toy
summer car. I drive a Subaru for winter. At 27T for an auto
with sports package, I thought it was a heck of a car. My problem
is with 3T more, I can get into a 350z enthusiast with over
90 more Hps!!!!!!!! and the solution may be to buy preowned
but I'm scared that the car was pretty much abused.

 

Fliggil, I am looking at purchasing one from Marlin Mazdas as well. I sent ya a P/M.

 

take it for a test drive and drive the hell out of..... i was used to my old 91 accord and was going round turns at about 35, guy told me to punch it..... goin 50-60 round turns is fun...

 

all sounds good...I am in New York for the next week (finishing up a class), so I had my dad run over to Mazda of Kendall and check one out and he was impressed, so I guess next Tuesday I'll prob go check it out once I am home and take a test drive, could be lookin good.

just curious, anyone know how the 6spd compares in 0-60 timing to the rsx type s? i'm not a racer, but i like my power once the light turns green.