Sue Esponte

Ok, I'll be in the market for a new car within the year and being a bit of an enthusiast I get carried away with my search every time I go through it. Look, I've already found the Rx8 message boards! Anyway, call it an obsession or whatever but this will be a long process.

A little background....

My current car is an '02 Audi TT Quattro Roadster. No major mods but it's chipped to 263hp and I've added a few aesthetic upgrades. My TT is my baby (Just ask my wife). It's awesome in all weather (I live in the northeast) and since it's Quattro equipped, it rocks in the snow.

Why the change? No backseat = no good for children. And, although I don't have a kid yet...it's inevitable soon.

So, what's the dilemma? Why not just get a sedan and stop whining? Parting with a sports car is going to be tough. Before my TT I had a Z3 and before that a 530i (first car). It's been a long time since I've driven a sedan on a daily basis, and I've gotten accustomed to not having a backseat. That's what my wife's Subaru Outback is for, right? Not having a convertible may be tough...but I think I'll get over it if I love the car. Completely giving up on a sports car would be very tough...and, for the most part, each of the cars I'm considering is a sports car in its own right. More importantly, I'd rather stay away from a full blown sedan at this point.

So, I've boiled my current options down to the following:

- Mazda RX8 (here I am)
- Mini Cooper S (love the car, but the proximity of the backseat to the back bumper might be a little too tight for my liking)
- BMW 330ci (damn, I love this engine.)

Let's also get the following out of the way:

I'm not a real big Nissan fan so the 350Z is out, not to mention that both it and the G35 are too derivative of the TT for my taste, and the quality of either just won't cut it. If I wanted a sedan I'd probaby just get a new 530i and call it a day...but I'd rather keep the costs down, load up the car with the options I'd like and put the difference towards other things, especially since there's something about the cars I listed above that might make it worthwhile. I know I could go with a 3 series convertible or A4 cabrio but they're not what I'm looking for right now.

The RX8 I'm interested in would be a 6sp with the Grand Touring Pkg, Rotary Accent Pkg, Appearance Pkg and Rear Wing Spoiler. I kind of like the Exhaust Finishers too but I'd like to see them in person first. I've seen a few on the road (and a quick stop in a showroom - didn't have the time for a test drive). Each time I see one it makes me smile. It's the complete antithesis of a TT but it just looks great.

Outside of the car itself, one of the things I love most about my TT (and loved about the Z3) is the community of great owners that comes with it. Drives, gatherings, etc. Such a diverse group of owners from all walks of life. Age 20 - 60+ yrs all with a love of cars....one in particular. (I happen to be 30 - not that it matters).

Anyway, this board seems great. I guess I'm just looking for more info on people's experiences with the RX8, Mazdas, this board, etc. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

-Eric
(no, my name isn't Sue, there is no Sue, I'm not a woman, long stupid story)

G8rboy

Eric-
FWIW, I gave up my roadster 'baby', a slighty modded '96 Miata to get the RX8... something I said I would never do. I loved the lightweight tossable roadster, and didn't think I would be happy in anything else except another Miata or possibly an S2000.

Then along came the RX-8- to me it feels like a Miata and a BMW 3 series made love, and the RX-8 was their love child. It really is a great blend of sports car, coupe and luxury, but the screaming 9k RPM rotary reminds you that it's pure Mazda.

Anyway, good luck with your decision- I think you'll find a great community here as with most sportscar groups (something I also liked a lot about my Miata). The TT is a great ride, especially considering the weather- you'll definitely want to look at quality snow tires if you get an 8, but with the DSC and ABS it's a blast during the winter. I loved the idea of the Mini when it came out, but the attraction just wasn't there- and my friends that got the Mini-S have had some service nightmares. I also looked at the BMW 330ci, but bang for the buck it's hard to beat the RX8.

-Sean

amartin

Personally..if its for a family car... and you might have children.. I wouldn't buy the RX-8.

I like mine.. a LOT..and I like my S2000 a LOT. But, now that I've 'flooded' my rx-8 before, to the point of not being able to start it... (sure..I charged it, and we got it started 24hrs later)-- I would be VERY concerned about having a child or two... in an environment (like the mountains, or camping) where its cold or dangerous, and not be able to start the vehicle.

Until THAT issue is resolved-- as a 'family' conideration, I wouldn't buy the rx-8. If it wasn't for that (well..and the fact it gets horrid gas milage), I'd get one-- its very safe..the traction/stability control and air-bags all around are amazing..

But I always wonder....what if I was ... xxx and I stalled, and couldn't get it started? What then?

But if you have another vehicle incase it screws up (kind like how Windows 98 does a GPF)... its great-- just boot to Linux ;-)

-- Aaron

cruzdreamer

I sat in a few sports cars at the auto show recently....I could not stand the tight fit in the 350z, the Infiniti G35 etc. The Rx 8 feels way more spacious and comfortable and the utility of the backseat is awesome. It's a great car....my first sports car.....I have had sedans for awhile. Sure, it's nice to have a sedan but as you said....that's why your wife has the Subaru. My hubby has a Mountaineer for more room if ever need it . The RX 8 is great in the snow with the right tires, too. Good luck to you!!

G8rboy

Take the flooding concern as a data point, but also know if you understand what you need to do not to flood it (don't shut it off when cold, basically), it simply won't be a problem. And in the off-chance you do flood it, you still have a pretty good chance of starting it again if you know what to do. I wouldn't hesitate to take the kids on a long cold trip where stranding would be a concern- in fact, I have : )

Arcane

kind of sounds like Sua Sponte...the Army Ranger motto..

anyways, good luck with whatever you choose...although, there are some people that have a family and have the RX-8...doesn't seem to bother them at all...

Sue Esponte

I hasten to say it but the love-child of a BMW and a Miata is exactly what I'm looking for. Light and nimble with almost unparalleled performance. Also great bang for the buck. I've got a great set of wheels/tires (Dunlop Wintersport M2s) for my TT. Even with Quattro, my TT's summer tires are horrible in the winter. Coupled with traction control, limited slip, etc. a good winter tire set up will make all the difference on most modern cars.

What's the deal with flooding the engine? I've read a little bit about the problem but I've heard more complaints than descriptions of the problem. Is it widespread? What's the cure if it happens?

Btw, Sue Esponte is a play on Sua Sponte. It's actually a latin term also used in law which more or less means "of one's own accord".

I don't know that any of the cars I'm considering would be on my list of choices if I had a family with full grown children (unless it was a 3rd car, in which case I'd probably just keep the TT) but since I'm far from that point I can still afford to be a little "irresponsible". And, as much as I love my TT and know that a TT Coupe is also an option...for some reason it's just not doing it for me.

This seems like a great forum. Thanks again for all of the responses!

-Eric

P.S. Sorry for the long ramblings

JSE RX-8

test driving is a big factor in a car decision. i strongly recommend that you test drive

Sue Esponte

...What's great to me might be horrible to you, right? I was just looking for owners' impressions. So far everything I've seen/heard seems great (absent the flooding issue...which I'd like to learn more about).

-Eric

G8rboy

Cruzdreamer and I both have the WinterSports as well and love 'em... they do very well battling our Chicago snow.

As for the flooding issue- you should be able to find tons of information on this board using the search function. In a nutshell, you shouldn't shut rotary engines down when their cold, or you risk the chance of flooding the engine with fuel. This includes shuffling cars in the driveway, pulling out of the garage for a car wash, etc... apparently the excess fuel introduced into the rotary at startup needs to be consumed by warming the motor, or the next start (with even more fuel introduced) could worsen the condition to the point of flooding. Mazda's official stance is to warm the car either by driving it until the temp gauge moves to near 'normal' setting, or that's not possible let it idle for 5 mins, rev to 3 or 4k for 10 seconds, and shut it off when it returns to idle. If you do find the motor won't start, there's a 'secret' fuel shutoff switch by holding the gas pedal to the floor while starting, which should allow for the existing fuel in the chambers to be used for ignition instead of dumping more in. I've tried it (just for fun- no flooding), and it does start up immediately as opposed to being turned over a few times.

I have never flooded, but I also always let it warm up... and I also usually rev to 3k right before shutdown for a second or two and kill the ignition when the revs are still up there (something I've done for years). Keep in mind this isn't an RX-8 issue- it's a rotary issue that the 7's have dealt with for years. The only concern that flooding has for me is unique situations like valet parking, servicing, etc. where someone that doesn't understand rotaries could make it a problem.

Hope that helps a bit...

r0tary

Eric.. I too am in the market for a new/used car. Drive the RX8, you won't be disappointed. The rotary is addictive. Take it from an old friend :D . I still have a grin thinking about my test drive.

gnj152

I guys just registered tonight, order a new rx8 in November03 and get delivery in April04, looking foward to get it since it is my second new car in 23 years. I bought a brand new Dodge Mirada in 1981 and got it since , never winter driven only got 74500km on it and is now for sale. any one interested!!

Sue Esponte

Ok, so I couldn't just move the car out of the garage to wash it without first warming it up? Is it an ambient temp issue also? Or, is it just an engine temp issue?

As long as there's a way to deal with it that wouldn't require me to go to the dealer if it happened then the "problem" might not be as bad as it sounds. I think I can stomach the issue if I can activate a fuel shut off switch in the unlikely event the engine should flood.

I can't wait to get one out for a test drive. Soon...very soon.

Hopefully the only decisions I'll have to make are the options and colors.....aaah, the dilemma.

-Eric

G8rboy

Right... if you back it out of the garage and shut it off, you MAY flood it... however many people haven't had a problem doing just this. I don't risk it however - I usually roll my cars out of the garage under foot power anyway when I wash 'em, and go for a spirited dry-off run when I'm done.

It's an engine temp issue, but I'm sure cold ambient temps exacerbate the problem on a couple different levels. Obviously, it's harder to reach 'warm' engine temp when it's freezing out, and if you have a flood (or near flood) and have to crank the hell out of it to get it started (with the fuel shut off of course), the battery will only give you so many tries in the brutal cold (many have reported this isn't the best battery mazda could have OEM'd). My only battery/start scare was a day that started out at -14F, took my kid to school, went to work (40 minute drive), and parked. The high was 1F that day, and when I headed out to go home 8 hrs later it was -5F, I could tell I was asking the battery to give me all she had... but it did start fine. That was about as bad as it gets around here, and only happens a few days a year if that, so no big deal. I'm guessing our Canadian friends get a stronger winter battery (higher CCA rating)...