ILoveFI

Exactly why I hate when my friend keeps talking about wanting to do something to his TC. He has about $2000 in audio stuff (double din dash and subs, speakers) but it still looks like **** and doesn't install well, and he's added a black grille with "VVT-i" badging (Toyota's VTECKKKKKKK) and he wants to do other crap to it but doesn't listen when I tell him to not be like the new Scion commercials.

He doesn't even listen after I show him how much the TC isn't great when we went to Formula D where they had a RWD conversion TC and its the ONLY car to crash into someone else and take off it's front bumper.


Moral of the story is, if you want a fast don't let numbers get you down, the RX-8 is fast, but can handle well and not flip over like a 3 ton car with 500 HP, cornering and handling is as precise as a surgeon and the styling and uniqueness is in a class of its own, not to mention you have the RX car lineage.


TC, Its a big lego, not even gonna get into that.

I say you get a TC if you don't LOVE your car to the point where your wife/gf would think you have a problem.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

my gf thinks I have a problem. lol. Yesterday, while she was getting ready in the shower, I took my car out for a 20 minute stroll (without saying anything) to the gas station to buy a bottle of water. Needless to say she gets jealous.

If you could possibly love a scion that much, then that's the car you should go with.

lshu

To the OP, you seem to have a good sense on what both cars are about. What you say about both cars are true. You're also right that in the long run the tC will be more practical than the RX-8 and probably hold more value.

That's all in the logical/economic sense though. The RX-8 has more value than the tC in a different way. It has a high "smiles per gallon". It's been 3 years since I got my car and I still am as crazy about it as I was then. I drove it like mad then, and i still do now and enjoy every minute of it. Taking a freeway transition ramp at x2 the speed limit always reminds me that I made the right choice with the 8 (I was considering a Mazda6). It's the kind of car that you'll make up any excuse just to go drive it somewhere. I have an >1 hour commute to grad school every Tuesday and Thursday to UCLA and I even have fun in traffic.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

And thats just it, the RX8 is truely a drivers car. You appreciate it for its engineering and perfect feel when you drive it.

What do you appreciate in a TC? A fart can and 4 more mpg?

Guy Hollywood

^^+1

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

The freeway ramps are not governed my a speed limit according to my cop friend... They're more like... recommendations.

If you look at them, they don't say "Speed Limit" on it, they only have a number. I call these "Suggested Speeds".

RXheart

I really like that logic.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

ahahhahahah NICE i like that one john! now i wont be afraid of "breakin the speed limit" on an onramp

Truambitionz

So everyone says it's a "drivers car" and it's more fun to drive. I guess my inexperience with cars in general doesn't help. I really need to test these out. Right not I'm doing comparisons by paper with money being the motivating factor.

I do think both are attractive in their own right. Both have much potential.
If I were to get a either one I'd like them to look like this. (sorry if these are anyones pictures)










Smiles per gallon. I like that.
At the end of the day anything is better then what I have now.

I guess all that is left is the audio.
So switching out the stock radio is difficult and costly, but how about just adding some subwoofers to it? I've searched and can't seem to find how you would connect an amp to the stock radio.

johnny2343

this thread sucks, evreyones always like can you guys help me pick my next car???you wanna call us in the morning tell u what to wear too, just drive them chose for yourself, just know rx8 will have more expensive maintanence and a heavy thirst for fuel,but tc will cost more to insure, to you i reccomend civc 4 door very practical

smokedRX8

I've driven the TC manual and the feel, smoothness and overall experience of that car is no where near where the RX8 stands. Drive a 6 speed 8 and then go get in a Scion. Night and Day, end of story.

ShottsCruisers

Trying to look at this from YOUR perspective......

.......you sound young? Most young folks don't have big pockets. Have no idea about you......not a criticism.....just trying to be objective. Now we have the economy on the down side as well to consider.

If you're the typical young guy (ignore if you have deeper pockets), I'd:

Eliminate the Rx8 from your list as possible repairs could kill you and they may not get done or delay other obligations.
If you depend on the car for your daily ride to work I would look at a car based on these priorities:

1. Reliability
2. Lower insurance costs
3. Affordable
4. Serves my needs for carrying people and/or gear
5. I just like it.

The Rx8 doesn't fit into the above list well. Some sporty cars I see that do:

Mazda3
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla/Matrix
Scion fits as well

Don't get in over your head! Imagine living month to month and then Mazda says you need a $2000 cat! You buy from the above models and the likelihood of that thing happening is VERY LOW.

NOW....if you have the funding for an Rx8...it's a car that can reward you in many ways. The rotary design might be risky repair-wise but it's also a big blessing to drive. Don't kill yourself in the thing. I'm 47 and tell myself that every ride.

kvndoom

I don't think you really need to get rid of the stock radio, unless you just don't like the orange Day-Glo scheme. Mazda decks have great sound quality, but the speakers just suck. New speakers are really the only mod I have planned for mine in the near future (hell-bent on getting first car paid off before I spend any money on upgrades though). I don't drive mine enough to justify a huge upgrade, but I did add an amp and sub to the 6, and replaced all the door speakers, since it's my daily driver and I spend many more hours in it. If you want more volume and oomph, try adding an amp, sub, and new speakers to the stock deck.

The yellow signs on curves and ramps are "recommended safe speed" and not actual speed limit, btw. And yes, being able to take said curves 20MPH above the speed on the sign and stay perfectly centered between the lines on the road is pure bliss. I can only do that in one of my cars. Hazard a guess?

Call your insurance company too, and get estimates on rates for both cars. There was a thread somewhere on here pointing to a study of the top 10 highest vehicles to insure, and the Tc was one of them. Something to do with a lot of males in their early 20's buying them, modding them heavily, and driving them too fast too often. You wouldn't be planning to join that demographic, now would you?

In response to ShottsCruisers: The Mazda 3 (or Speed3, definitely), is a great balance of good looks, practicality, gas mileage, and pep. If you want fast on the cheap, and the insurance doesn't wind up costing you more than the car, the Speed3 should be on your short list as well.

Garrett

Holy god, don't even consider getting a tC over this car. How many of those worthless things do you see on the road every day?

ShottsCruisers

Cost's a lot less to own one over a 2-5 year period than an 8.

I'd never want a tC. Some might not be able to afford an 8.

Objective!

dozer

iTrader: (3)

Woooohhhoooooooooo Thank God For Pie!

Icemark

My daughter didn't even want a brand spanking new Tc... wanted a used 20 year old FC RX-7 instead.

That says something...

DarkLord7854

I'd rather take a Honda, Kia, or VW (they get great mpgs) 4 door sedan over a Scion any day.

My friend has a Scion, he used to like it, great beginner car, now he hates it and is looking into buying an 8

I had my 4 door sedan car, all crappy and beat up, for 6 months and then traded it for my 8 :P

I've yet to regret it, though factory defective tranny blows >.>

If you're split between a Scion and the 8 though.. well.. good luck to you.

NotAPreppie

I came from an '06 tC manual into my RX-8. I had my tC for about 3 months before I made the mistake of taking a drive in my buddy's RX-8. Yah, that was dumb. It's frickin' viral. I gave one of my friends a drive (and 10 autocross runs) in my RX-8 and he went out and bought one.

The tC has really comfortable seats (the first driver's seat that I never had to play with to get comfy), plenty of rear-seat room, a decent interior (for the price point), decent fuel economy, neat moonroof setup, a rear hatch, dealer installables out the wazoo and a nice list of standard features. It's a really good value. What it lacks is performance. The engine is just adequate, the tranny is good but nothing to write home about, the cargo area has a tall floor so it's not as good as you might think and the handling is typical FWD.

The RX-8 is... In another league. Immensely better handling, more power, better tranny, better headlights (if you get the HIDs), better interior (subjective)...

I like both and could see owning a tC again if my circumstances change.

When you boil it down, the tC is a well executed econocoupe. It's sporty styled enough to attract attention but sacrifices handling and performance for price point. Get it if you don't plan on racing the car or need the additional practicality.

The RX-8 is a sportscar. It sacrifices many of the strong points of the tC to get right what the tC gets wrong. Get this if you plan on racing the car or don't have too much to worry about with family practicality.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

to echo what he said..

the fact that the Scion tC and RX-8 are both cars you're comparing to buy..



just get a tC.

YaXMaNGTO

Get a Civic... er... tC.

Why? You need somewhere to put your stupid radio.

t.c.

You will get laid more often and by hotter girls if you get an rx8.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

<free post>

04RX8man

yeah if you are even considering a TC then go for it an u r not ready for an rx8 if you're comparing the two

ILoveFI

I think there should be a law against people who don't plan on doing maint. on their car from owning an RX-8. My friend who works/ed at Mazda said there were unseen amount of numbers of them in there every day. (And not just because of factory recalls)