Rich

I'm curious about how many people here actually plan to buy an RX-8, and when. I'm sure there are many people that are early adopters that plan on buying as soon as the car is available, there are probably some that won't buy for a year or two, and others that don't have a driver's license yet, much less the income to purchase one. There are probably some that are considering it, but will need to see the available options, and drive the car before choosing it.
Just to get things started, I seriously considered getting one as soon as it came out, but decided that I really didn't want a 4-seat car, and that I was simply transporting my desire for an FD RX-7 onto the RX-8. So, I ended up getting a 2002 Miata. Maybe after I've paid off my 626 I'll end up with an RX-8, but I'm really hoping that there will be a 2005/2006 4th generation RX-7. I don't care how much I lose selling my Miata, if they get the RX-7 right my checkbook will be open!

Immi

I leased my 2002 TL one year ago.. and I have 3 years left. So thats 3 years until I purchase a RX-8.

Pork Chop

I'll probably take a good look at one when it gets released, then I'll make a decision if it lives up to my expectations. On paper, it really offers everything I'm looking for, but who knows what the real car will end up like in a year.

Then there's the whole price gouging issue that might make things difficult.

Immi

oh yeah.. ill be test driving this car everday until i get my own!!!

KayakDaddy

I’m definitely in the plan to purchase category. It’s not so much a matter of if, but when for me.

When depends on what we do with my wife’s car. We need a little larger car so we’re planning on selling her 328i and getting a 5-series sometime this fall. According to how crazy we get buying her car (we’re looking 99-01) depends on how long it will take me to get enough money again to buy the RX-8. Right now I’m thinking I should get one in late ’03, early ’04.

Another thing I really want to hold out for is the Mazdaspeed version. I want to see when and if it will be available and what it’s going to give me for the extra cash. I mainly want it to have some performance upgrades; bigger brakes, 300+ hp, etc. I'd like it to be a little more aggressive looking to differentiate it from the standard version, but still on the conservative side. If it’s going to be sweet, I’m willing to wait a little longer to get the more powerful edition.

Oh yeah, I’ll test drive it and make sure I like it too, but I’m sure this is the car for me.

ZoomZoom

I have already given them a $500.00 deposit for mine back in Apr'02 when I first saw it for real at the car show.

They tell me that it should be ready by Feb’03 but I will wait until Apr’03 because of the Canadian winters, plus it gives me two more months to save some additional money.

It will be a long two months.

red_base 95

I'll be looking to purchase in the Fall of '03, provided my current car (95 beretta) makes it that long. Hopefully, that will be long enough to avoid the "at-launch" craziness next spring that may result in limited supply and price gouging. This may also allow for time for improvements and fixes to any bugs that materialize in the 1st production run. I just hope I don't run into wait lists at the dealers.

Strider

I have 2 more years until my civic is paid off and 4 more years until i'm finally out of college, so I'll be purchasing mine when I get out of college.
Hopefully by then the Mazdaspeed version will be out-

BlueAdept

For the first time, I think I've found a car that's perfect...

It'll take me a while before I can afford it at the mo, which is perfect really since I'll be in a position to buy towards the end of '03... Perhaps some of the more obvious bugs would be worked out and things would have calmed down by then.

Obviously I'll need to test drive a real car, and make sure it really is as good as it looks/specs... but it does seem like it will be.

I have looked hard at the S2000, but it has a few niggles and I don't want a convertable.

RX-pecting

I'm in this one with my parents, so IF they give the final ok, we'd put a collective downpayment together by October of 2003.
My theory is that the gold rush will last maybe 6 months and then the tight, price-gouged market will loosen a little, plus I'm counting on october sales to lighten the price tag.

I see that you guys are waiting longer, this will be the first car I contribute to financing, I'm looking forward to the challenge (21 year-old full time student), but I'm not by any means familiar with purchasing, is Oct 2003 too soon for a budget-oriented purchase?

Someone PLEASE supply input?

Strider

personally I would say yes... I too am a college student and I don't plan on getting a new car unless I know I can put a large chunk of money up for the down payment. I would like to have the payments as low as possible. Also as a hint don't finance at the dealer... always go to a bank-

n22lasing

I'm more on the Maybe side. I will be ready to purchase a car around Spring time, but what car is undecided. It's between the G35 coupe, the RX-8, and the WRX STi if available. I'll want to test drive them all before I commit. So far, w/out testing the car, the RX-8 is my favorite!

As far as financing the car at the dealer vs the bank. It only depends on who is giving you the better APR and Term. Many dealers are giving 0% apr, and if you qualify for that. Do it. :D

boowana

I have already put a deposit down with a local dealer who has agreed to sell me one at list. I will NEVER pay a dime over list for anything! Also, if the final price with options exceeds $35K, I'll be buying a Mazdaspeed Miata.
Color and option choices are due in the Oct/Nov timeframe from what I've been told. I have no problem as an early adapter to having one of the first ones. Mazda has done a good job in the past in this regard...:D

TheLaw

I plan on finishing off my lease for my Nissan Sentra, and then taking a look at this car and the 350z. Two more years to go.

zoom44

i plan to buy mine right away. if it comes out at the right price. i still want to drive it first to see if it lives up to expectations. hopefully they'll have the right color silver but if not i'll consider other colors. it will all come down really to how it feels to drive it. and of course that matching child safety seat

RX-pecting

I was actually more concerned about the price gouging and fincance rates than about the down, with what I have and what I can make next summer, plus whatever my parents will be willing to put down, the down payment should be adequate,

so will the price gouging and finance rates drop enough if I wait 6 months and buy in oct 2003?

khoney

If I can fit in it as well as in my '87 TII, and it lives up to my expectations, I will buy a loaded one. BUT not a penny over MSRP. Just gotta keep the 7 goin' until then. Man, summer in San Antonio really sucks without A/C...

Rich

There's no way to know when the price gouging will be over. My guess is that there will still be dealers that will be charging over MSRP, and some that will never charge over MSRP. How many are charging over MSRP will be determined by how popular the car is and how high the production numbers are. I went into a lot more detail on my thoughts on price gouging here, so I won't reiterate in this thread.

PatrickB

Let me second the matching child safety seat. We just got the good news about having our first one on the way today!

Rich

Congratulations!

Toadman

Yes, congratulations man!

PatrickB

Thanks.

KayakDaddy

That's great news man!

Your life is now changed forever, for the positive I'm sure.

I just took my 2.5 yr old son out Canoeing today. He loved it and it's good for my soul. Times like that are worth every sacrifice you have to make.

Another enthusiastic vote for the matching child seat from me too!

zoom44

congratulations patrickb!

Immi

congrats on the happy news patrickb

--especially on the fun times you'll spend changing diapers...--just joking :P