RX-8 Drivers and their Lifestyles
 

"What kind of lifestyle fits an RX-8 driver? What do people think of the driver when they see an RX-8 go by?"

These questions got me thinking about the kind of people that drive the RX-8. We are starting to see a transition from older to younger as these cars are passed down, but before that complete takes over, I was curious how we see ourselves.

I am a 3D artist / animator for Sony Computer Entertainment. The parking lot is filled with sports cars ranging from your Evo, M3s, STi, and a Viper. My RX-8 fits right in. I traded all of my skill points towards technology instead of mechanics so while I know how the car works, I would be the last guy you would want to perform any repairs. If its tech, then bring it on. There is always a middle ground of course (ex: pulling out the stereo and rewiring an aux input).

I'm a mid-60s engineer who decided it was time for second childhood. Oddly enough, this is the first car I've had where I've had the dealer do all the maintenance. Used to do most things myself.

As far as image goes... The only image thought I've had was that I had considered buying a Mustang, but decided I did not want to grow a mullet.

Ken

I think you have to be a nerd to get it.
the RX-8 is very nerdy to me. everything is just different from the rest of the cars.

I’m 27 years old n’ an accountant…

Whoopity-doo!?!

I’m not joking, ask Jedi54 or RIWWP how EXCITING my 9-5 is on a typical basis. I wake up in the morning n’ drag myself outta bed n’ magically take a shower w/out opening my eyes then pick out my outfit out of closet in the dark with my eyes closed then some how manage to find my keys n’ unlock my car…

Then I finally wake up. I hook up my ipod to the metra kit connector; find a series of songs that I can blare while I pass fleets of slack-jawed gawkers on a 5 lane highway for 20 miles. Then I back my car into my favorite spot n’ smell the exhaust fumes and slightly burned rubber waft into the cabin. I wait until the last song finishes then I get out n’ look back at it once more before going into work.

Then I mentally fall asleep for 8 to 9 hours while staring at a screen filled with graphs, tables n’ numbers…

Then I’m back at it behind the wheel of my car…and depending on the level of traffic I will sometimes detour to the longer more ‘windy’ back streets area. In any other car I would sooner pick death by suffocation than take a route that was an inch longer than it had to be but in my 8, the longer and more twisty the road, the better – primarily because when I get home…the funs over n’ I gotta wait another 10 hours or so to have a legitimate reason to go out n’ “play”.

The only upside to any of this is that my local community keeps me pretty busy with meets, car shows n’ events…

…if it weren’t for my car or this community…I’m almost 8….no no no…more like 9….yeah, 9 HUNDRED percent sure I’d probably want to kill myself :(


<3

That's rough Atilla. I know what ya mean. I don't really feel awake in the morning until I get into my 8 and head to work. 26 year old sales manager at a travel agency.

I don't know how you do accounting every day. My few accounting classes were enough to make me never want to be an accountant.

I'm a 26 YO sailor in the US Navy (enlisted). I was 21 when I bought my first 8, and I went without one for two boring years in that time...

I was trained by the Navy to run the mechanical side of nuclear reactors, and I did that for 4 years before being medically disqualified from it. Now I'm finishing out my Navy time performing Honor Guard duty, which I find rewarding.

I'm up in the air as to what I want to do when I get out next year. Part of me wants to join the merchant marines and continue my career as a marine engineer, and the other part wants to go to med school.

My 8 is my hobby car, and I usually only drive it on the weekends or nice days, which are rare in Seattle. My DD is a Hummer H3 which gets MUCH better MPG:rolleyes:

As my user name states, I'm a soldier :)

Like jason said, it takes a nerd to own an 8. I mean sure, anyone can own one. But, it takes a "special" mind to even WANT to own this "high-maintenance" beauty!
The only reason I put up with her is because she doesn't talk back, and she appreciates the attention I give her :D:

PS Atilla, I think you just hit the nail on the nose with that response! Really!

Honestly, accounting isn't something that i love to do but apparently it's what i'm good at...Numbers just make sense to me :dunno:

out of all of the things i'm good at this was the only career field that i could see me finding financial stability. Poor excuse...i know but my hobbies n' loved ones keep me standing my ground until i can make a career change into something like finance or sales :D:


...because apparently overweight polynesian strippers don't make much money....




















SAD FACE

I'm a 20 year old Guitar Instructor for a local music school.

I'm planning on going back to college or joining the armed forces to become a military dentist.

I bought the car over 2 years ago, it was my first car and my daily driver.
I've been told several times to buy a more practical car but I can't even think of driving anything without a rotary. Even though I've put so much money into it and could have possibly bought a newer car, I can't seem to get rid of her, she's my addiction.

Every time I see another Rx-8, I wave, but they never wave back and just stare at me like I'm crazy... one time though, someone waved back, it was a pretty life changing experience.

I believe I answered all of the questions listed.

They probably see me and think I'm a spoiled brat that's driving her boyfriend's car like a maniac.

Truth is, it's MY car and I worked 2 jobs to get enough money to buy it. I'm a pharmacy tech, I love my job because there's so much to learn, and I think it's the same reason I love my car. There's a LOT to learn about it. That and I've had cars that needed work before, and when you finish it's "good now this thing will run right", but fixing the rx-8 is like "HOLY SH** this is awesome!!"

I am pretty sure I saved this car from someone else- and saved it from myself by finding this site and spending hours just reading. Now I have lots and lots of plans, MUhahahaha.:D:

A nerd's car?? Maybe. A perfectionist's car?? Definitely.

27 year old project manager at a technical company/ aspiring middle management / aspiring C-level executive / full time nerd. When I'm not driving, doing housework, or spending time with my wife, I'm playing video games...

computer science and business degree from Lehigh University in 2006, some day I may go back for an MBA, we'll see what happens.

47 years old (omg, when'd that happen?) manager of the computers for an office. Guess that makes me nerdy too, but to be honest I don't tinker with my 8, I just try to keep it as perfectly maintained as possible. I love driving it, not so much working on it.

I often wonder what image it gives too, especially as a female. The other women in the office all have Accords and Camry's, so it does stand out. It's not some sort of mid-life crisis though, I didn't get it to make a statement, I bought it (new in 2004) because I fell in love with the feeling it gives when driving it. You all know what I mean. I didn't even know about it really, I went to Mazda to test drive a Mazda3, and somehow came home with an RX-8. You all know how it goes once you drive one ;)

I'm currently going to school for Business Economics/Finance, but the actual accounting part just wasn't my favorite, but kudos to you man.

When they see it, they say.. what is that?

They are so rare...

Were i work, they compliment my ride.

doctor ... 28yrs .... doing my residency in psychiatry:14 months remaining :)
so a PSYCHIATRIST

I'm a medical technologist at a local hospital. No one ever knows what that is but I'm the guy who is doing the behind the scene lab work at the hospital. You name the bodily fluid, I test it. So that puts me in the nerd section as well. I'm used to blood, urine, fecies, and various other bodily fluids most of you haven't heard off lol. Before that I was a tire tech. at sams club so you can see the logical transition between those fields right lol?

err....don't you mean clinical laboratory scientist? sounds better than what everyone else in the hospital calls us- "lab tech." mid 40s, autoxer, mtn biker, tennis geek.

Jealous guy thinks..
That asshole has a pretty nice car.

Redneck thinks..
My pickup should be able to squeeze in between that piece of shit and the prick in the beamer if i just give it a little more gas and the prick can find the brake pedal in time.

Guy at the bus stop thinks..
I wish I had a car.

Girlfriend thinks..
Like hell he's going to drive that thing on a sunny day without me in the passenger seat.

Ex wife thinks..
What a bastard!

Eleven year old son thinks..
Mom should buy one too so I don't have to wait for the weekend to feel like a rock star.

I hate to say it, but there is definitely a component about the car that attracts engineers/scientists/nerds and so on. Not that that's a terrible thing....but you don't see hollywood stars buying them, jus a different sort of image, and the highlights about the car are all in the realm of technical aspects or subtle performance qualities, not more obvious and popular stuff.

I am a 3D animator/designer and rave DJ.
My day job, I am a uniform salesman.

HAHAHA :mdrmed: .. especially about the rednecks... lots of those 'round these here parts. Somehow the people in hybrids and smart cars seem to fit into that category.


Hmm and how does the rx-8 make you feel?
LOL just kidding.. kudos to you. I took a few psych classes and the more I learned, the more I decided I didn't really want to do that for a living. Huge liability.

Im 21 and I'm an F-16 crew chief in the Air Force. I'm currently station at shaw afb in sumter, sc. Thought it would be fun to work on jets but quickly realized how stressful the flightline is. lol

I do my best to get off base and take it out on some back roads with my buddy who has a yellow ap2 s2000. Wanting to make it up to tail of the dragon soon... anyone?

Meh, I am just an electronics engineer. nothing too crazy. a bit of ADD, OCD, and nerdy. I like anything special. anything that normal people don't get.

I'm a 44 year old firmware engineering associate (only a two year degree). Anyway, like a lot of you I just like that the car is different and looks great. I thought about a new mustang or camaro, but didn't feel like returning to the 80s.

Have to say that having real back seats for my 10 and 13 year old kids is what sealed the deal. I also love getting all the "nice car" comments from strangers.