Hey guys, my name is Kevin. I'm a 16 year old living in northern Kentucky. I have been researching the Mazda RX8 for a little over a year now. I am absolutely in Love with this car. The looks, the speed, everything! I will be getting my restricted here in a few weeks, and I have been looking for a car. I have read about people asking about an RX8 for a first car not really knowing much about it. I, however, have fully done my research and am still currently reading more things about the car.

I was just curious, what are the Pros, and Cons, of owning this car?

I do realize what I'm getting myself into if I do get this car. I realize it's not very good on gas, as well as being responsible by maintaining the oil in the engine itself, and all of the maintenance that needs to be done.

I also realize that my insurance is going to be through the roof. But I fully take responsibility in paying for it and taking great care of this car. I'm going to treat it like my baby. I plan on doing all of the maintenance by the scheduled time, and I plan on washing it and cleaning the inside of it at the start of every month, or earlier, depending. You can ask me any question about this car and I should be able to answer it.

Thank's for reading, and any comments, questions, or help would be really appreciated, thanks!

-Kevin.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

I'd REALLY, REALLY read this over and over and over again.

Then search read through all the stickies.

 

Pros and cons are subjective. People can argue over what a pro or con is.
It also all depends on your goals. What kind of car do you want?

Read this, if you haven't done so already.

 

I have read that many, many, many times.

 

lol...

i dont understand what youre trying to ask us bro...you say youve researched so much about this car yet you ask pros and cons of owning the car? not trying to be a dick either. the two links in the previous post shouldve answered your question a long time ago.

 

Have you got any quotes on insurance yet? Insurance for a regular fwd econobox is through the roof for a 16 year old, I cant even imagine what yours would be. The statistics are in favor of you crashing your first car, add in that its a rwd sports car and its even more likely.

 

It doesn't sound like you're trying to be a dick. I wasn't really asking anything, I just want to hear first hand from someone who actually owns one what's good and bad about owning it. But, now that I think about it, I already know the answer to the question. I guess I was just wanting some motivation to actually get it.

&I will be getting a quote here in the next few days, I'm probably looking at $350-$425 a month.

Thanks guys!
-Kevin.

 

I wrote that thread. So that thread is my first hand opinion.



Does that help?

 

In my opinion it comes down to how responsible of a driver you are. If I had this car when I was 16 it would have been wrapped around a tree within 3 months. The RX8 is no joke for a new driver. RWD plus a neutral weight distribution means that it is extremely easy to rotate the car (read: spin).

While the 8 is pretty forgiving leading up to the limit, an inexperienced driver can still be easily surprised by what seems like "snap" oversteer.

My advice would be to get a sporty and decent looking FWD car that you can have fun in and also build up some driving experience with - like say a Civic Si.

I also know that saying all of the above to my 16-year old self would fall on deaf ears, so, if you have your heart set on it then get it. And have fun. And be a little lucky.

 

Smooth. ...but an awesome thread and totally agree! It helped me with everything I know about my car.

If I had my FE when I was 16 I don't think I would be alive right now. Lol. I was actually going to get a 650cc sport bike a while ago but my girlfriend, mom and girlfriends mom where so against it that I compromised and bought a Miata.

...I totaled it 3 months after getting it, yes a Miata. Imagine if I got the sports bike!? Oh and I wasn't 16, I was 19.

$350-$450 a month for auto insurance is bonkers man!

 

Man if you can handle 400 a month for insurance at 16, I need your parents to adopt me

 

Me too!

 

My heart, mind, and life are totally set on getting an 8. I'm not a speed demon. I'm solely responsible for everything involving this car. I don't drive far, but I would enjoy a cruise now and then. I have experience driving a TT 300zx which was one of my friends, dads. It was a bit different than a Front WD car. I appreciate everything from you guys.

I'm going to think long and hard about getting this car. I want it more than anything, and I want to be apart of the club. But, at my age, I just don't know if it's a good idea. bleh.

 

That pretty much settles it.

16 year olds are not supposed to think that way. Act your age!

Ken

 

Great thread! Also my favorite view.

 

If you REALLY want an rx8 maybe you should save money for a few years. Buy another cheaper car for now that you can resell later on. If you are going to be paying for everything yourself as you said, then you sound responsible enough to save for it in the first place. Save as much as you can so you don't need to get a loan for it, and can maybe even buy some aftermarket parts for it at that time as well. That $400 a month for insurance could be mostly put away in the bank and you could just get liability on an older car.

In a few years the 2009-11s will be heading down further in price and those may become options, and the 04-08s will be even cheaper than that. Its a great car, and if you really cant stand waiting then go for it right now. Just really make sure you understand what you could be in for if the engine were to just suddenly die and you had no warranty.

 

When I was 16, I almost killed myself in a POS Datsun/Nissan Sentra (yes, it said "Datsun/Nissan" on it). Stupid is stupid whatever the car.

Kevin, just know that if you buy a RX-8 for your first car you will ruin yourself for ever driving lesser cars. You will fall even more in love with it, and when the day comes that your do get in a crash(and you will), you will cry. You will slowly spend all of your money, time and sanity on this car. Every girl you meet will either have to like the car as much as you or she will leave you becaue you love the car more than her. Every triangle you see will be a rotor. You will collect triangle shaped furniture. (no joke, I found some cool rotor shaped end tables...) And you will always be known as the guy with the weird car that burns oil. When you are old and gray, your grandchildren will have to hear stories about the magical car you had in your youth and they will stop coming to visit you. You will end up a lonely old man in a wheelchair rolling around the halls of a dirty old nursing home in the middle of the night making "zoom-zoom" noises...

 

^ Hahahahahahaha!

That was funny.

 

Just buy the car if your heart is set on it, but no (street racing).
None of us here want to read about a 16 year from Kentucky killed in a street racing accident.
If you get the urge take it to the track

 

Or this...http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x4673...gh-speed-chase

 

^exactly

 

This was just fantastic

 

Thank's abunch guys. I really appreciate everything. I laughed at the comment by Usnidc. I'm going to be smart here and go for something other than the 8, even though there's nothing I want more in this world. But I guess it comes down to being responsible and making the right choice. Thanks for everything guys. The journey for my RX8 isn't over yet!

 

I'm glad you made the best call. Don't worry, RX-8s won't disappear overnight. Mazda made 200,000 of them after all. They will still be around once you get some years under your belt

 

I really do appreciate all the help. Now that we have that settled, what cars would you guys recommend as my first car?