RX-8 as a family car…?
 

Just to add some thoughts on the 8’s performance attributes…
After shopping for a conventional family car, we traded in a boring Audi A4 for a black RX-8. We live in the city so we only have one car and the 8 has worked extremely well as a functional sports car for my small family (wife and 7-month old baby).

We do have to pack light but I guess that’s a good habit. All our friends driving SUV’s, minivan’s and sedans are jealous ……. they should be.

A4 driver here too (1.8T 5 Speed 2003). After having had both, how would you compare overall performance and the fun factor between the two? Usable power? Comfort? Ergonomics? Highway passing? Rush hour driving?

BriGuy -

I drove the A4 and Passat as alternatives to the RX-8. The Passat didn't seem to be as comfortable as the A4. At that point I hadn't driven an RX-8, and I wasn't motivated by the A4 or Passat. In fairness to those cars, I had been driving two Accord MTs for the last 14 years, the A4 and Passat were too much like what I had been driving, and I was uninspired and didn't push either of them anywhere near their limits. Overall, the A4 was my distant 2nd choice car.

After one test drive in the RX-8 AT I was fully hooked; I found it to be dramatically different from any of the above, but my enthusiasm may be along different lines than your specific question. Both the A4 and Passat appeared to have more complete creature comforts and bells & whistles. I find the RX-8 fits me well and is much more comfortable than my previous two Accords and two Odysseys.

I see your location is Detroit. I have driven my RX-8 since late January with snow tires, including a trip to Chicago where they had deeper snow than Ann Arbor. The car has been very good in the snow, including unplowed roads, but I think the low ground clearance could be a problem if the snow gets too deep. The transition from FWD drive to RWD was straightforward, but required some brain recalibration.

I had a 1996 2.8 5speed A4. Considered a new A4 but decided I needed something different.

Performance wise the 8 handles much better and is overall faster. Audi has better interior materials but the 8 feels and looks like a sports car. Comfort wise, I think it's very good but it's a small car. Although my wife claims that the 8 has slightly more leg room in the back seat (a shortcoming for the A4). Keep in mind that the 8 sits only 2 in the back seat.

The fun factor difference is abysmal. Test drive the car and you'll know. I also got hooked once I drove this car.

Triplet dad says yes!
 

Sure, I bought the RX-8 for style, performance, etc... But what really pushed me over the top compared to 330Ci, G35 Coupe, Z4 was not only the very usuable back seat,but the easy access rear doors.

In addition, there is a sizeable trunk, lots of interior storage, etc...

Finally, the RX-8 has more cu ft of interior space than sedans like 3-series, saab 9-3, etc...

Greta packaging!

My wife and I are talking "baby" and even though she has a very practical Subaru outback my car is anything but. I'll be in the market for a new car within the year and as much as some of my friends and family say its time for me to give up the TT and get a sedan, I'm just not ready to do that (assuming there's a reasonable alternative). I see the RX8 as just that. Makes perfect sense. Plenty of room in the back for a baby (or an adult) and it has all of the sportiness of a dedicated sports car....which is exactly what I want. :)

More importantly for a family, it's also loaded with safety features, feels solid and is well designed.

-Eric

My two kids love my 8. It works fine for a second family car. That's why I bought mine. All the safety features are great, too.

Its no SUV when it comes to storage, and babies need a lot of "stuff" when on the road, but for small children, (8 and 4), it works fine.

That's my $.02.

The hardest part for me is getting my four year old's booster seat buckled in. There's not a lot of room between the side of his booster seat and the center console. I usually pull it away from the console just a little to get it buckled and then slide it back towards the center as I pull the belt tight.

A different type of booster might help the situation. I guess if we get too agrivated with it we could always look for a different one.

My four year old was overheard on his "test ride" saying "Nine again daddy!" I think he had as much fun as I did. ;)

Exactly. :D

Otherwise I'd be looking at the 2005 Mustang GT or G35 Coupe.

Thank god the RX has the "real" back seat. With a 1 yr. old son, I would have had a G35, A4, etc. since the new Z and others just don't fit my life. The best part is that you aren't compromising on performance and style.

I actually feel that the 8 is safer than other cars like the A4, 3-series, passat. Not only for the safety features but also because the car thar is so responsive, stable and nimble, which I think is crucial in dangerous situations.

I love the RX-8 as a family car. I had a 95 Camaro that I was putting my 2 boys (3 / 5 months) in the back of. When I pulled into the Mazda dealership I hadn't even thought about getting the 8. I was really going to take a look at the Mazda6. I saw one 8's sitting on the lot and made the comment to the salesman that they were a sweet looking car, I just thought they were too small. Boy was I wrong. When he popped open those back doors and I had a seat in em, I was sold. Much more room back there than what I had before. And a lot easier to put the kids in. Practicality, and style. Sweet.

I went with the 8 just in case my wife and I have a kid. If not I might have bought the 2 door G35. I am completely happy with the 8 since I have been following the car and waiting for it to come out since it was known as the Evolve.

I bought my RX-8 as a family car. The thinking was along the lines of what fluque said above. My son will learn to drive in the RX-8 (our Odyssey van also). He and I have discussed the performance of the RX-8 -- it can get out of dangerous situations better than many other cars. Of course the flip side is also true, it is also better at getting into dangerous situations, and that is primarily an "don't do it" issue.

Since its an AT RX-8 he knows it will likely get beat by the other fast cars in off-the-line sorts of races, so there is less incentive to do those sorts of things.

I wouldn't recommend the RX-8 as a starter car in general, but for the right temperament parents and kids, I think (hope) its workable.