V8Killer

I have a 2003 Mitsubishi Evolution, and so far I have put about 5k into my baby. It is definately coming along. I drove an RX8 as well as many other cars before my purchase. I really love the look of the RX8, except for the front quarter panel view. The interior is awesome, far superior to my Evo! I just felt the perfomance was lacking... Once I drove the Evo and felt the turbo kick in it was all wrapped up, bought it the same day.

I think the RX8 definately is more of a general-use sports cars. By that I mean that it will attract a more diverse group of buyers. For instance my almost 50 year old Mother just bought a dark green RX8, automatic of course! She loves it, but it is so SLOW. But it is sharp and has leather, homelibnk, Bose stereo, and a sunroof. Which is nice for her. I know that to be profitable you must be able to attract diverse buyers, but you defintely water-down the product by offering less performance oriented trim levels.

I have no regrets from my purchase! Sure I give up some interior niceities and comforts to the RX8 and even 350Z owners, but I wouldn't trade anything for the bang-for-buck I am getting out of my Evo. ( 04 Evos do offer leather seating and an Infinity stereo system to go along with ther 03 sunroof option.)

Do any of you rx8 owners have any regrets? Be honest, I see alot of complaints on this site from you guys. What problems should my Mother look for in her new RX8? Thanks and happy motoring!

mysql101

no regrets here. The RX8 has more than enough power to do anything you want on the street.

It was more than the styling, it was the rotary motor that sold me on the car. It makes it a unique vehicle. While some think it's the major short coming (low torque), I don't think I would have bought it if it wasn't for the rotary.

Something about the space ship hummmmm and the high rpms that can't be beat.

dwill9578

no regrets here, hope the car holds up well, so far so good. Great performance,great looking and build quality. Wasn't willing to go STI or EVO for a second or so to 60 for a gussied up Lancer or Impreza. Both great cars but feel I'm to old for one of those at 25! Yeah there have been lots of complaints I've noticed but usually complaing about very small issues, but yeah some BIG issue's as well(flooding,Flashes etc...) for most part cars are trouble free for a first year model. I only got a 150 miles on mine looking forward to lots more. Also a EVO wanted to race me and I didn't bother even if he was a bad driver it wasn't worth it to get smoked escpically with 150 miles or so.

V8Killer

True the rotary is defiantely unique, and it does sound good!

V8Killer

[ Wasn't willing to go STI or EVO for a second or so to 60 for a gussied up Lancer or Impreza. Both great cars but feel I'm to old for one of those at 25! .[/QUOTE]



I agree with you accept for this statement. ^ I know you are biased and all being a RX8 owner, and so am I, but please don't misunderstand what the Evo is. It is hardly a "gussied-up" anything. The Evolution VIII is almost an entirely different car. The only body panels shared with the Lancer are the roof and trunk! Everything about the car that has anything to do with moving the car is totally different. From the drivetrain, the engine, the brakes, shocks, struts,s teering and Tires/wheels. I am 26 and bought my Evo at 25. If you feel you are too old at 25 to buy a 30k car, not to mention one that challenges the world's most exotic sports cars on a track, then you are too old for anything! Not too many people below our age could afford either the RX8 or Evo/Sti anyway.

BTW a second difference 0-60 is rather large, large enough to seperate classes or performance. Per Motortrend Road Test Results 2003 Evo VIII 0-60 4.6 sec, Audi '04 S4 0-60 5.0 sec, Corvette '04 Z06 0-60 4.3 sec, Ferrari Challenge Stradale '04 0-60 4.3 sec, '03 SVT Cobra 0-60 4.8 sec, Maserati Cambiocorsa '03 0-60 4.7 sec, Porsche 911 '04 0-60 4.7 sec, Subaru STI '04 0-60 4.8 sec. This is some very Heavy company, and that is not even touching on the slalom numbers!

OK RX8 0-60 comparisons... Per Motortrend Mazda RX8 '04 0-60 6.0 sec, Chevrolet Impala SS '04 0-60 6.5 sec, Honda Accord Coupe V6 '03 0-60 6.3 sec, Ford Mustang Mach 1 '03 0-60 5.6 sec, MazdaSpeed MX-5 '04 0-60 6.2 sec, Nissan Altima V6 '03 0-60 5.9 sec. A little different company there!

I am sorry the last quote touched a nerve I guess....

dwill9578

the money was't a factor the msrp on my 8 was at least 2-3 G's more than an EVO or STI. True I know that the two Lancers share barley anything,but you can still tell it's a lancer-same frame,basic look. yeah it's way hotter than a regular Lancer or any car at any price I know. Please don't get me wrong I love the EVO, and STI(came really close to getting that new grey STI) there both just a little too boy racer,fast and furious for me thats all.

TheColonel

With all due respect for the performance it delivers, the EVO is a "gussied up" Lancer. If I took a Civic, and replaced the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, wheels, etc, it's still a Civic as far as the underpinnings, dashboard, etc. It's that reason why I don't want one.

Don't get me wrong though. I drove it, and admit, it was a fun car to drive. I was especially surprised by the lack of turbo lag which I was expecting after driving the WRX and the SRT-4. The Evo is a well engineered performance machine, I just wish they put all that engineering into a different car, like a new 3000GT, instead of an econobox. The Evo is certainly a lot of bang for the buck, I have to give it that. (but not as much as my '02 N/A 400rwhp Camaro Z28 which total cost to buy and mod is under $30k... ) I like the EVO, but it's a little too "Fast&Furious" for my taste. I think that's how many would say they feel here.

Oh yeah, regrets? I have one regret about the RX-8... I haven't bought one yet! Oh, and also, I will hate having no torque, but that's ok b/c it's going to be my everyday driver. When I feel the need to put the boosted up ricers who are running nos in thier place, I can pull out my Z. "There's no replacement for displacement."

jowettw

only regret is not buying it earlier!

V8Killer

Fast and Furious is a movie(s) based upon actual real enthusiasts, we were here well before the ignorant movies gave "us" this Fast and Furious nameplate. By "us" I mean import car owners who love their cars and their unique speedy vehicles, oh wait that includes RX8s... Trust me nothing about my life is like the Fast and Furious other than my car in the driveway. I am 26, married, homeowner with a pickup and a coupe in the driveway also.

Oh, and for us boosted up ricers with our ecnobox cars, for the guy above I hope your Z is "boosted" and ready to run low 12's...

I really didn't come here to flame, I love the RX8 for what it is and my Mother's new RX8 is sharp, I just wish people could be a little more open.

dwill9578

the o-60 does not change the types of cars with which another car is compared. the skid pad and other grip measuring tests are all very close to eachothers. the STI- EVO and 8 compare closely on may diffrent test except or 0- to whatevers.MT has been and will continue to embleish there 0- to whatevers. Car and Driver has always been much more dead on than MT and R&T, i think they use the MFG's estimate or guess themselves, actually I don't think they use MFG's estimates as they are usually modest. And thats right most people don't know that the EVO is it's own machine, they look at it and think you spent lots of money at pep boys. all cars mentioned are great on some many diffrent levels theres no "flaming" that.

Meowloud

Why isn't your mother on the forum? Just wondering... because maybe she could be a little more open -being the OWNER and all?? Maybe direct her here? We'd love another member! :D
Talking to her has to be better than talking to strangers about a car you don't own

IZoomZoomI

Can't hate on the evo. I use to grow up wanting the evo iv. One mean looking ride. Have to appreciate the performance for the buck. At the end I didn't want an evo b/c i'm not a big fan of mitsubishi. I don't have any regrets in how my 8 looks sometimes I wish it had more power down low but in any case power issues can be fixed and modified as time goes on, so it's not much of an issue. But like someone mention its how the engine sounded, driveability and the attention of the car that sold me. Its one of those cars you know the company spent a good amount of time on the interior and the person thats driving it instead of just worrying about the performance numbers.

RX-Hachi

No regrets at all, love just about everything the RX-8 has to offer inside and out.

I also do love the EVO. If I was 10 years younger, it would have been a serious consideration. I secretly admire the ludicrous carbon fibre wing on the back, but could never own a car with a wing like that. But without the wing, the EVO looks like a cheap econobox (IMHO).

You are right that the RX-8 appeals to a broader audience, young and old (just as a 911 or M3 does). I don't think the EVO will find many buyers over the age of 35, it just screams boy racer. But as I said, I do love the EVO (I'm a boy racer at heart).

AQA101

No regrets here. I probably found "my" car with the 8 like you did with the Evo.

I wanted a car that somehow stands out of the mass (here in Germany this means no Audi, BMW or Mercedes), has some practical aspects (80 miles to work and back), a good build and design quality and gets to me emotionally.

The RX-8 attracted me with it's uniqueness (rotary engine in the first place, but it has many other obvious and hidden goodies) and after a test drive I was addicted. There was no need to drive any other car, I wanted this one, period. I fell in love, so to speak. And yeah, it's the kind of love that gets better everyday. The only backdraw is mileage but then I don't drive a car like this to care about mileage. Fuel won't get cheaper in the future, so now's the time to drive this car.

Mazda has built something very special with the RX-8 and they've probably acquired a loyal customer here. I somehow trust their engineers for what they've accomplished with this car. It's a great, very emotional and at the same time very practical sports car.

In no way I'd turn down other cars like the S2000, the 350Z or the EVO, it's just all a matter of taste and needs, but the RX-8 is my car.

V8Killer

Thanks for the feedback!


Hmm Meowloud, I am sorry I don't have an RX8, guess that doesn't entitle me to an opinion huh? You can't own every car, but if I could there would defiantely be a spot for an RX8 in my 10 car garage. I don't see you hating on The Colonel, he says above he doesn't have an RX8, but I guess that doesn't matter...

I haven't driven an automatic RX8 yet, but I will drive my mom's auto soon, I love the F1-like paddles... Bad ***! She has the dark green which was the first time I had seen this color other than the dealership, it was nice, not really my cup of tea, but definately hers.


What is a good website that sells RX8 goodies?

Meowloud

LOL V8Killer.. I wasn't 'hating' (or whatever the slang is)... I think it was humorous! :D
Compared to your thread I would have to:
Post in forums in which I owned no such car and let them know that their car is OK but not what I liked and bought (HA HA). Such as; I had a Celica, have a Prelude, friend has a Z, heck.. my father has a silly SUV. I guess I better get busy posting in everyone's forum!! LOL :D
I'm just poking fun at you. Lighten up :p

Enjoy WHATEVER car you actually own and most importantly, drive safe!

guy321

How do you drive a safe anyway? I mean.. they just kind of sit there.. they dont even roll being square and all!

I did try to have safe sex once, but she lost the combination.

and No, no regrets.

Meowloud

The secret is using a STRAP :P (By the way, did you get any twisters guy?)

Oh, I should also answer eh? No, no regrets here. Only disappointment is that there aren't any active members in my area

V8Killer

No, thank goodness, no Twisters or really any high winds. We were ready for the big cane, but it took that last minute right turn and hit further down the coast. Pretty bad damage down there.

Kitty, no prob, it's just hard to tell people's intentions on-line. And trust me we have all kinds of "haters" yes that is slang for "ones who oppose hipocritically" in our Evolutionm.net forum all the time. I was just lookin out for Mom, she just got in a really bad wreck and totaled her car and bought this car on a whim. Just wanted to know if there was a common problem with the car is all. All cars, especially 1st and second year new models have some bugs.

BTW she and my stepfather will be becoming members. It is her birthday and I wanted to hook her up with some RX8 goodies. What is the best place to go for accessories? I went to RX8store.com but I didn't find much. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again

guy321

Glad you're safe V8Killer.. I was in an evac zone, right on old tampa bay...

Kinda Glad I elected to stay and not go east!

Meowloud

Whew Killer! You lucked out!
The procedures for predicting weather are difficult... but you would think they could be just a bit more accurate. We have a running joke here, that whatever the meterologist predicts, it will be the opposite :D

V8Killer

Whew clearwater, you guys were certainly in for it if it hadn't turned! Someone had to take the hit though. I feel bad because I am glad it wasn;t me, but seeing all the damage down south really hits home...

TheColonel

And I love the EVO for what it is, a well engineered performance machine. My comment about the "F&F" was referring to the styling. I certainly didn't think you ran around robbing trucks in your EVO. As much as I enjoyed driving the EVO, it just wasn't me. I didn't think it was my kind of style. I'm not making a judgement on anyone driving the EVO. Some people like rock, some country, some rap, some jazz, some classical. No one is better than another. I said before, it's a true performance car, it's just dressed all wrong for my taste.

I do have to contest your comment that your car is "unique" unless you modified it in some way. A carbon fiber wing and a intercooled turbo is far from unique when they're bolting them onto identical cars in a factory everyday. That's why I don't want an EVO. The styling is aimed at the customized import crowd, which is not me. It feels like it's already customized. I do, however, like imports, as I will be buying my RX-8 soon (though probably not before hell freezes over at the rate things are going...).

As far as my Z... No, it's not boosted. I mentioned before it's N/A and it ran a high 12 when it was stock. With the mods on it now I'm expecting low 12's to high 11's, as those are numbers I've seen from similar setups. I'll be happy to let you know how I do at the track this coming fall.

If this is coming across as "hating" then I apologize, as it's not my intention.

LOL just noticed your name is V8killer. I reneg that... It's on now b****! lol

rchao

Evo's are really bang for the buck performance machines and we have quite a number in my country (too bad , Mazda didnt launch the RX8 yet and I want one).

Problem is, 1st , Mitsubishi sells a new "Evo" almost within 2 years so imagine having your car become "obsolete" right after the break-in period. 2nd problem is the sometimes unbearable stiffness of the ride esp. if roads are not so good. Lastly, the cheap plain interior really dont do justice on the car. At least the Subaru's interior is less tackier.

That said, I guess no car is perfect and I still want an RX8! :P

PistolPete-RX8

I just bought an RX8 on Friday and will be picking it up tomorrow. I thought about the STI because it has great performance but my brother already has a modded WRX so I didn't really want the same car. They are AWESOME