Road Trip!!! RX8 or WRX?
#1
1.3 liter piston eater
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Road Trip!!! RX8 or WRX?
So my boyfriend and I have planned a road trip next month. We are starting out from just north of Cincinnati, OH and first going to Shenandoah, WV staying there for two nights and then moving on to The Great Smoky Mtns. (Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC area) for three nights. We plan on splitting the driving 50/50. Included in this trip will be a visit to the Tail of the Dragon.
So, our problem is we cannot agree on which car we should take. Our choices are either my bone stock 2006 RX8 or his modified 2004 WRX (mods include: lowered suspension, short shifter, equal length headers, full cat-less exhaust, intake, and stage 2 ecu reflash). Here's what I was thinking:
The Subie gets better gas mileage and is AWD (which is good for shortcuts on gravel roads). But the Subie has close to 90k miles on it already, the cat-less exhaust and headers make for a very loud ride which gets pretty grating after a while, and it's not a very comfortable ride (the seats are terrible/ cheap, and the stiff suspension is pretty jarring). Also we did a similar trip last year and we took his car.
The RX8 is quieter and has a smoother ride. It also has a better audio system. But It doesn't get as good gas mileage as the Subie and RWD + nice paint job means no short cuts along gravel roads. Also he is a tall guy and doesn't seem to fit as well in my car (not enough head room). And it worries me because sometimes when he drives my car he misses 3rd gear. Plus since last year we took his car I would love to get the chance to run my car on the Tail of the Dragon. This is my biggest reason for wanting to take my car.
So what do you guys think? Please help me settle this "discussion".
So, our problem is we cannot agree on which car we should take. Our choices are either my bone stock 2006 RX8 or his modified 2004 WRX (mods include: lowered suspension, short shifter, equal length headers, full cat-less exhaust, intake, and stage 2 ecu reflash). Here's what I was thinking:
The Subie gets better gas mileage and is AWD (which is good for shortcuts on gravel roads). But the Subie has close to 90k miles on it already, the cat-less exhaust and headers make for a very loud ride which gets pretty grating after a while, and it's not a very comfortable ride (the seats are terrible/ cheap, and the stiff suspension is pretty jarring). Also we did a similar trip last year and we took his car.
The RX8 is quieter and has a smoother ride. It also has a better audio system. But It doesn't get as good gas mileage as the Subie and RWD + nice paint job means no short cuts along gravel roads. Also he is a tall guy and doesn't seem to fit as well in my car (not enough head room). And it worries me because sometimes when he drives my car he misses 3rd gear. Plus since last year we took his car I would love to get the chance to run my car on the Tail of the Dragon. This is my biggest reason for wanting to take my car.
So what do you guys think? Please help me settle this "discussion".
#4
captin safety
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If it was stock vs stock it would have been a tougher decision. But the rx8 is a great grand tourer, and with then the wrx's exhaust which will start to drown on the long stretches of free way, rx8 hands down!
#6
road warrior
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Before I actually read the thread, I was going to suggest the WRX as honestly I feel the WRX is a better roadtrip car than the RX-8 on the basis of it's softer stock suspension, bigger trunk, and better gas mileage. However, the decision was basically made for me at "cat-less exhaust". I wouldn't be able to take being pounded away at a cat-less exhaust for multiple days. Noise fatigue is a very underrated source of irritation on roadtrips. Take the RX-8.
#7
Call me ROTO BAGGINS
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Personally, I would say it's a no-brainer for the RX8. Better and quieter ride > all when it comes to long distances. It sucks that it gets less mpg, but whatever. I am with Lion on this one, you'd be amazed how much that noise gets to you over the course of a couple hundred miles.
And how does he manage to miss 3rd gear? Maybe this trip is a good chance for him to get some practice
And how does he manage to miss 3rd gear? Maybe this trip is a good chance for him to get some practice
#10
Registered Zoom Zoomer
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I've got tons of rock chips from 'normal' highway driving. Take the'8 and enjoy its grand touring capabilities. It's just a car after all.
Before I actually read the thread, I was going to suggest the WRX as honestly I feel the WRX is a better roadtrip car than the RX-8 on the basis of it's softer stock suspension, bigger trunk, and better gas mileage. However, the decision was basically made for me at "cat-less exhaust". I wouldn't be able to take being pounded away at a cat-less exhaust for multiple days. Noise fatigue is a very underrated source of irritation on roadtrips. Take the RX-8.
#13
Rotary Powered Countryboy
take the 8 you won't regret taking it one you hit the dragon.....I was at the dragon with almost all AWD's (Evo, WRX, STI) and I was right with them through all the turns so this car can easily keep up with any AWd on the dragon....also I know I wouln'dt want to sit in a super loud car for A LONG time....take the 8 you won't regret it.....
damn I wish I was goingto the dragon.... maybe tomorrow!!! haha
damn I wish I was goingto the dragon.... maybe tomorrow!!! haha
#17
road warrior
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I have to say though, on a mountain road it's very much the skill and bravery/stupidity of the driver over the car's ability, much more so than on track or autocross. On track as long as a Carrera GT has a halfway competent driver, you're unlikely to be able to keep up in the RX-8. However, with every corner being different and road camber and condition issues that you'll never see on track, a mountain road will often even the odds much more. I've chased down all manners of exotic machinery with ease up in the mountains, but I've also been completely left in the dust by a Fit on just RT615s, which was actually the fastest driven car I've ever seen up there. Though to salvage some pride, that Fit driver was cutting the corners by using some of the dirt and doing some other... "brave" things.
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and if you worried about the gas miles... just change the spark plugs, change oil and make sure a 4 tires have same pressure. but change the sparks and oil like a day or 2 before you leave
#20
Rotary Powered Countryboy
I definately should be going every weekend I'd have to get some of the Charlotte 8's to head out...but actually some of my friends are still going to school in FL for a couple months and they live in the Sevierville, Dandridge, Piegeon Forge TN area so once they're back I'm sure I'll making alot more trips over that way!....
Then it will be a wild time out of 129!..