RX 8 or G35 Coupe
03-23-2004, 06:47 PM
#26
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if you plan to carry passenger that are over 5 foot 6, you HAVE to get the rx8.... I test drove the g35c and when I sit in the back my head was touching the rear windshield glass and I had to tilt my head down to sit back there! There's more leg room iin the back compared to the 8 though...
but yea.. like the others said, in the end it's what YOU like... (or in my case, mazda offered me $3000 more for my trade in so... :p )
but yea.. like the others said, in the end it's what YOU like... (or in my case, mazda offered me $3000 more for my trade in so... :p )
03-23-2004, 07:10 PM
#27
Get Hooked
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: T E X A S
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by BIMMER5&RX8
I don't know about what you are talking. Consumer Reports' long term data show that Mazda is one of the very few most reliable brands. I don't expect the RX8 to be any different. Mazda is the only manufacturer who knows how to make a really reliable rotary engine when everyone else had dropped out.
I don't know about what you are talking. Consumer Reports' long term data show that Mazda is one of the very few most reliable brands. I don't expect the RX8 to be any different. Mazda is the only manufacturer who knows how to make a really reliable rotary engine when everyone else had dropped out.
Ike makes a decent point about the renesis being unproven, but there are warranties for a reason. Even still, if you cop out of the mazda, don't go to the darkside of FWD. You might as well throw in an automatic and pilot your whirlpool down the road.
Doesn't it really come down to this: Chicks dig the 8.
03-23-2004, 07:11 PM
#28
North County Boi
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: The OC
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by RunnedAround
And whats this RX 8 only getting some 200 WHP? How could Mazda let something go by? You would think that with bragging about how small their rotary engine is that they would take the extra space and get a bigger engine....
And whats this RX 8 only getting some 200 WHP? How could Mazda let something go by? You would think that with bragging about how small their rotary engine is that they would take the extra space and get a bigger engine....
If you want brute power go with the 350Z, G35c, Mustang or used Camaro.
Have you driven an RX? You'll be addicted once you do...There's nothing like listening to a rotory engine scream at 9000 rpms while you carve a sweet turn on your favorite twisty road... ::droooooool::
BTW, We brag about our rotories, becuase it's the only new car powered by Wankel. There's something to be said for exclusivity...
And as for the RENESIS being unreliable or unproven...come on guys...this engine has been around for years...Mazda merely updated it for the RX-8. It's like Honda adding displacement or VTEC to one of their engines. No manufacturer would produce a car that wasn't reliable. The days of the Yugo are over.
Last edited by stangmatt66; 03-23-2004 at 07:17 PM.
03-23-2004, 07:51 PM
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Anybody can drop in an engine that will throw hp and torque, where's the victory there. My friend got a new Z06 about the same time I got my 8. I tell him he has a bull dyke (sp?) while I have a supermodel.
Driving the 350 was nice, but vastly different from the 8. The G35, to me, is just a watered down and bloated 350. If you want to feel like you're melting into turns then the 8 is the way to go.
Driving the 350 was nice, but vastly different from the 8. The G35, to me, is just a watered down and bloated 350. If you want to feel like you're melting into turns then the 8 is the way to go.
03-23-2004, 08:15 PM
#30
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: East San Francisco Bay
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
I did not say it is on the top. Just among the a few top ones. In fact it is top 4 or top 5 depending on the year. Consumer Reports doesn't really like Volvos because their reliability record. They like Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura the most. Personally, reliability is not my #1 criteria. I have two BMWs and two Mazdas (miata & RX8) in my household. None of them are on CR's very top. But all of them are RWD and fun. But the original thread raised doubt about RX8's reliability.
JDPower, you are kidding me right? Oh well. This is not what the thread about.
JDPower, you are kidding me right? Oh well. This is not what the thread about.
Originally posted by Boozehound
HOLY CRAP!!! Consumer Reports!?! Well then, it's settled. We should all be driving volvos... Personally I don't think they know their a$$ from their elbow when it comes to cars. I'd rather go with JD Power's assessment of a car's reliability. But aside from just what other people say, my personal experience ranks Lexus and Toymotor ahead of Mazda. Ask anyone with a FD if they ever had any problems... My FB is still going, but to say Mazda's the top of reliability? That's a stretch.
Ike makes a decent point about the renesis being unproven, but there are warranties for a reason. Even still, if you cop out of the mazda, don't go to the darkside of FWD. You might as well throw in an automatic and pilot your whirlpool down the road.
Doesn't it really come down to this: Chicks dig the 8.
HOLY CRAP!!! Consumer Reports!?! Well then, it's settled. We should all be driving volvos... Personally I don't think they know their a$$ from their elbow when it comes to cars. I'd rather go with JD Power's assessment of a car's reliability. But aside from just what other people say, my personal experience ranks Lexus and Toymotor ahead of Mazda. Ask anyone with a FD if they ever had any problems... My FB is still going, but to say Mazda's the top of reliability? That's a stretch.
Ike makes a decent point about the renesis being unproven, but there are warranties for a reason. Even still, if you cop out of the mazda, don't go to the darkside of FWD. You might as well throw in an automatic and pilot your whirlpool down the road.
Doesn't it really come down to this: Chicks dig the 8.
03-23-2004, 08:27 PM
#31
2010 Prius - Miss the 8
Originally posted by RunnedAround
I figure that I could get a base model RX 8, with manual transmission. They i can put on whatever specific parts i want (ex. fog lights, xenon, and the such). Hopefully u can put on an mp3 player...
I figure that I could get a base model RX 8, with manual transmission. They i can put on whatever specific parts i want (ex. fog lights, xenon, and the such). Hopefully u can put on an mp3 player...
If your parents are forking over the 26k, maybe you can convince them to push it up to 30k+. Then maybe you can show them how much your insurance will go up because you are a new driver, to a new 30k+ car, with a manual transmission.
03-23-2004, 09:09 PM
#32
Blue By You
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by BIMMER5&RX8
I did not say it is on the top. Just among the a few top ones. In fact it is top 4 or top 5 depending on the year. Consumer Reports doesn't really like Volvos because their reliability record. They like Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura the most. Personally, reliability is not my #1 criteria. I have two BMWs and two Mazdas (miata & RX8) in my household. None of them are on CR's very top. But all of them are RWD and fun. But the original thread raised doubt about RX8's reliability.
JDPower, you are kidding me right? Oh well. This is not what the thread about.
I did not say it is on the top. Just among the a few top ones. In fact it is top 4 or top 5 depending on the year. Consumer Reports doesn't really like Volvos because their reliability record. They like Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura the most. Personally, reliability is not my #1 criteria. I have two BMWs and two Mazdas (miata & RX8) in my household. None of them are on CR's very top. But all of them are RWD and fun. But the original thread raised doubt about RX8's reliability.
JDPower, you are kidding me right? Oh well. This is not what the thread about.
This was from the 02 MY, I haven't seen the 03 MY report though.
For 2002 models, the average was 18 problems per 100 vehicles, vs. 21 in 2001.
Brand Problems per
100 vehicles
Toyota 10
Honda 11
Hyundai 11
Subaru 13
Nissan 15
BMW 20
Chrysler 20
Mazda 20
Volkswagen 20
General Motors 21
Mercedes-Benz 22
Ford Motor 23
Source: Consumer Reports
03-23-2004, 09:34 PM
#33
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cincinnati/Dublin, OH
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by Boozehound
Ask anyone with a FD if they ever had any problems... My FB is still going, but to say Mazda's the top of reliability? That's a stretch.
Ask anyone with a FD if they ever had any problems... My FB is still going, but to say Mazda's the top of reliability? That's a stretch.
I have put 23,000 miles on my 8 since 8/6/03 with no problems whatsoever. The only glitch was a false CEL. I have had all service done free of charge.
I swear. Getting on this forum is quickly becoming annoying with all these people saying: " I hear this car is a piece of **** !!" This is the best car I've owned (and I've had several reliable cars over the last 10 years).
I'm going to turn blue in the face defending this car's rep.......
03-23-2004, 10:02 PM
#36
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by RunnedAround
So I got into college you see, and half the deal of me getting into college was being allowed to use 26,000 bucks on a car, and this is where I'm stuck. For starters, above all, I need a car that will last me 10 years... And looking at many of these posts, I'd be lucky to have an RX 8 run for a month... I'm aggravated at one point, cause I absolutely love the car, the sleek design, the amazing interior, and the such. But it's the one thing that I hate about it that I also love, the engine. I mean, do you guys think that this car will last me, lets say, 10 years without having me to jump into the hood and fix stuff? Right now It's either an RX 8, or a Infiniti G35 Coupe(used). However much i seem to love the car, love doesn't conquer reliability. I would expect that since the engine has less moving parts that it will last longer, but now it seems to have more problems than any car in history (except maybe a Yugo). Don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to put the car down, I absolutely love every aspect of it, but no matter how much I love it, love doesn't fix problems, money does, and thats something I don't have...
Just post yalls opinion if it's a good investment for a first time driver, or if I should just stick to the conventional piston engines for now...
So I got into college you see, and half the deal of me getting into college was being allowed to use 26,000 bucks on a car, and this is where I'm stuck. For starters, above all, I need a car that will last me 10 years... And looking at many of these posts, I'd be lucky to have an RX 8 run for a month... I'm aggravated at one point, cause I absolutely love the car, the sleek design, the amazing interior, and the such. But it's the one thing that I hate about it that I also love, the engine. I mean, do you guys think that this car will last me, lets say, 10 years without having me to jump into the hood and fix stuff? Right now It's either an RX 8, or a Infiniti G35 Coupe(used). However much i seem to love the car, love doesn't conquer reliability. I would expect that since the engine has less moving parts that it will last longer, but now it seems to have more problems than any car in history (except maybe a Yugo). Don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to put the car down, I absolutely love every aspect of it, but no matter how much I love it, love doesn't fix problems, money does, and thats something I don't have...
Just post yalls opinion if it's a good investment for a first time driver, or if I should just stick to the conventional piston engines for now...
03-23-2004, 10:06 PM
#37
Blue By You
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by XUrotaryrocket
Actually, Mazda is generally only a notch or two below Honda and Toyota. And it's a darned sight better than Chevy or Ford. The FD is NOT a good example. You can't condemn a manufacturer's entire record on one car !!! The reliability of the FB's and FC's is notoriously GOOD !!! I won't get into the detailed explanation of why the FD's reputation is worse than it should have been.
I have put 23,000 miles on my 8 since 8/6/03 with no problems whatsoever. The only glitch was a false CEL. I have had all service done free of charge.
I swear. Getting on this forum is quickly becoming annoying with all these people saying: " I hear this car is a piece of **** !!" This is the best car I've owned (and I've had several reliable cars over the last 10 years).
I'm going to turn blue in the face defending this car's rep.......
Actually, Mazda is generally only a notch or two below Honda and Toyota. And it's a darned sight better than Chevy or Ford. The FD is NOT a good example. You can't condemn a manufacturer's entire record on one car !!! The reliability of the FB's and FC's is notoriously GOOD !!! I won't get into the detailed explanation of why the FD's reputation is worse than it should have been.
I have put 23,000 miles on my 8 since 8/6/03 with no problems whatsoever. The only glitch was a false CEL. I have had all service done free of charge.
I swear. Getting on this forum is quickly becoming annoying with all these people saying: " I hear this car is a piece of **** !!" This is the best car I've owned (and I've had several reliable cars over the last 10 years).
I'm going to turn blue in the face defending this car's rep.......
Did you even read my post? That report has nothing to do with the FDs reliability, and I have never seen Mazda up there with Honda or Toyota. It's usually the lowest rated in terms of reliability of all the Japanese automakers, that's not a bad thing they're still quite reliable... But even the most reliable car makers can make less than reliable cars, and the least reliable can make very reliable cars. The freaking Buick Regal was picked as the most reliable mid size car in 2003 by CR, topping the Maxima, Camry, and Accord... Defend the reliability of the RX-8 all you like, you have no freaking clue how reliable it's going to be and neither does anyone else on this or any other forum, the same goes for the people that are coming on here and calling it unreliable.
Ike
03-23-2004, 10:13 PM
#38
I got nothing good to say
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tysons Corner, VA
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't blame this kid. If I had the opportunity to blow $26k on a car going into college I would have done it in a heartbeat! Who among us wouldn't have?
Out of curiosity, why do you need it to last 10 yrs?
Out of curiosity, why do you need it to last 10 yrs?
03-23-2004, 10:37 PM
#39
Music and Cars!!! :)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You need it to last 4-6 years, rx8 will do that without a problem if you take care of it, so live it up. I can speak for many of us older folks in saying if we had oppurtunity to get a brand new rx8 right out of HS we'd jump on it. You are one spoiled lucky *** M'fer, so give yourself oppurtunity very few people your age get. Now if parents are handing you that sum of money and saying " HERE GO BUY YOURSELF A CAR", then I suggest being smart and buying a certified preowned honda, and putting rest of money in a money market account. If they are offering to buy you a new car, then DO NOT HESITATE. GET WHAT YOU WANT YOU SPOILED RICH KID. hehe. Just kidding.You get my point. Enjoy your new rx8, it's the only way to go here.
03-23-2004, 10:38 PM
#40
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well guys don't worry, my mom is now willing to use up too 28k on a car, and I know exactly which one i want, manual, cloth, top of the line one, the package that comes with a sunroof. And my insurance record is completly clean (although i got caught going 82 on a 40, and got it dismissed :P). Oh ya, quick question, would it be too hard to put in a subwoofer? even though the pack comes with a Bose Audio system, I'm still a bass fiend.
Oh hell ya I'm spoiled, I acknolewdge that, but it's better to acknolewdge the fact that I am, then ignore it and think I'm not. I'm so lucky it scares me...
Oh hell ya I'm spoiled, I acknolewdge that, but it's better to acknolewdge the fact that I am, then ignore it and think I'm not. I'm so lucky it scares me...
03-23-2004, 10:46 PM
#41
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh ya! another reason to get an RX 8. Because no other car gains such hard core enthusiasts! I mean in a day I got some odd 20 replies over a subject that I'm sure none of you guys cared about. All I can say is thanks alot for all of yalls opinion, and you guys can expect me to be joining yall as a strong avid member of this forum (with my own RX 8)! (of course I'll change the name)
03-23-2004, 11:17 PM
#42
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well You realy have $20000 to spend... Did you forget about Insurance?? The RX-8 won't be the cheapest to insure if you are 18 years old. That is one reason I am glad that I am older...
Nat
Nat
03-24-2004, 12:02 AM
#43
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cincinnati/Dublin, OH
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by IkeWRX
Did you even read my post? That report has nothing to do with the FDs reliability, and I have never seen Mazda up there with Honda or Toyota. It's usually the lowest rated in terms of reliability of all the Japanese automakers, that's not a bad thing they're still quite reliable... But even the most reliable car makers can make less than reliable cars, and the least reliable can make very reliable cars. The freaking Buick Regal was picked as the most reliable mid size car in 2003 by CR, topping the Maxima, Camry, and Accord... Defend the reliability of the RX-8 all you like, you have no freaking clue how reliable it's going to be and neither does anyone else on this or any other forum, the same goes for the people that are coming on here and calling it unreliable.
Ike
Did you even read my post? That report has nothing to do with the FDs reliability, and I have never seen Mazda up there with Honda or Toyota. It's usually the lowest rated in terms of reliability of all the Japanese automakers, that's not a bad thing they're still quite reliable... But even the most reliable car makers can make less than reliable cars, and the least reliable can make very reliable cars. The freaking Buick Regal was picked as the most reliable mid size car in 2003 by CR, topping the Maxima, Camry, and Accord... Defend the reliability of the RX-8 all you like, you have no freaking clue how reliable it's going to be and neither does anyone else on this or any other forum, the same goes for the people that are coming on here and calling it unreliable.
Ike
so, chill .........
03-24-2004, 12:43 AM
#45
Blue By You
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 8,717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: RX 8 or G35 Coupe
Originally posted by XUrotaryrocket
Um........ dude......... I wasn't aiming those comments at you !!!!! As far as reliability, I've owned 10 Mazdas and aside from the 2 FD's they were all exceptionally reliable cars. One of my MX-6 V6's in owned by a co-worker and it now has 292,000 miles on the clock. My 3 FC's were bulletproof. So, I have no reason to believe that this one will not be reliable. If it had turbos - then I might be a bit concerned. I have maintained a love/hate relationship with my FD's. They are a pain in my ***. And yes, I agree with the Buick issue. I also drove a few of those for work as beater cars and they are generally unstoppable. The 3800 series V6 is a damned fine engine.
so, chill .........
Um........ dude......... I wasn't aiming those comments at you !!!!! As far as reliability, I've owned 10 Mazdas and aside from the 2 FD's they were all exceptionally reliable cars. One of my MX-6 V6's in owned by a co-worker and it now has 292,000 miles on the clock. My 3 FC's were bulletproof. So, I have no reason to believe that this one will not be reliable. If it had turbos - then I might be a bit concerned. I have maintained a love/hate relationship with my FD's. They are a pain in my ***. And yes, I agree with the Buick issue. I also drove a few of those for work as beater cars and they are generally unstoppable. The 3800 series V6 is a damned fine engine.
so, chill .........
Ike
03-24-2004, 01:09 AM
#46
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Atlanta Ga
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe at least Touring for the Xenon lights.
03-24-2004, 01:52 AM
#47
2010 Prius - Miss the 8
If the mom is willing to spend 28k+ on this car for him, they must be pretty well off... considering the insurance and GAS prices will just scare the bejesus off of the average middle income family. 40k each person/2 adults... 80k with 1 kid to manage, mortgage, car payments, etc...
So his mom probably drives a nice BMW or Benz. Good luck on the car, and ask your mom for a gas card... you'll need it. I fill up at least every other day since I drive to work Monday through Saturday. About $33-35 each fillup. Oh joy. At this rate, I expect to spend about $4000-4800 this year on gas alone.
So his mom probably drives a nice BMW or Benz. Good luck on the car, and ask your mom for a gas card... you'll need it. I fill up at least every other day since I drive to work Monday through Saturday. About $33-35 each fillup. Oh joy. At this rate, I expect to spend about $4000-4800 this year on gas alone.
03-24-2004, 01:56 AM
#48
Whaaaa?
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by KrustyKlown
Either you are mistaken or I don't have the package I think I have but I have a MT sport and mine came with Xenon and the TSC/DSC.
Either you are mistaken or I don't have the package I think I have but I have a MT sport and mine came with Xenon and the TSC/DSC.
03-24-2004, 03:06 AM
#49
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by stangmatt66
Spend 12k on a used G35 coupe (I hear they have VERY poor resale value) and save the rest for a nice vacation after college.
Spend 12k on a used G35 coupe (I hear they have VERY poor resale value) and save the rest for a nice vacation after college.
I did a quick lookup for a used 03 G35 coupe w/no options and 12K miles on edmunds.com (their car values tend to be low) and dealer trade in value is $26.5K and private party is $27.8K.
Back to the reliability note, Mazda as a brand does have pretty decent reliability overall according to the April 04 auto issue of Consumer Reports. However, as I've stated many times on here before, the engine problems are troubling given the small # of RX-8s that have been sold. I've counted 11 people on here now that have needed new engines: ectomort, rx gr8t, miata2rx8, Kas, canzoomer, ShawnC, Judge Ito, JaChTsai, JeFfUcF (ended up receiving a replacement car), Chef Rx-8, Topgun
Did I miss or mis-characterize anyone? I don't think one can conclude that the RX-8's engine is incredibly reliable from the above. For comparison, I've counted 1 guy (there could be more, if there are others, feel free to post URLs to their engine replacement stories) on my 350z.com who's needed a new engine who was unmodded or lightly modded (running NOS, bolting on superchargers and turbochargers isn't light modding in my book). 350Zs have been on the road longer and there are more of them. Sorry to stray OT a bit on this, as I have a Z and don't follow G35 forums.
Anyhow, since this is an RX-8 forum, I'm sure most people will tell the original poster to get an 8.
Last edited by cwerdna; 03-24-2004 at 03:20 AM.
03-24-2004, 08:00 AM
#50
Get Hooked
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: T E X A S
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Newbie starts a thread and it explodes. Nice.
About all the reliability stuff - Mazda's are by and large pretty reliable, but to say it's the top is a bit too much. I personally would never buy a car based on CRs recommendations, unless said car was a minivan... But yeah - my whole point earlier was just to go along with Ike - Mazda's fairly reliable, but this is a ground up NEW car and no-one knows how it's gonna do in 10 years. As for the FDs, I think they were exceptions, but in 1993 I'll bet people had this same discussion about how reliable Mazdas were, and how it applied to the new RX-7. (Happily there are no turbos to replace)
Regardless of all the bantering, even if the RX-8 comes in slightly below Mazda's standards of reliability, the warranty period should allow you to address the major concerns before you start incurring any major costs to yourself.
About all the reliability stuff - Mazda's are by and large pretty reliable, but to say it's the top is a bit too much. I personally would never buy a car based on CRs recommendations, unless said car was a minivan... But yeah - my whole point earlier was just to go along with Ike - Mazda's fairly reliable, but this is a ground up NEW car and no-one knows how it's gonna do in 10 years. As for the FDs, I think they were exceptions, but in 1993 I'll bet people had this same discussion about how reliable Mazdas were, and how it applied to the new RX-7. (Happily there are no turbos to replace
)Regardless of all the bantering, even if the RX-8 comes in slightly below Mazda's standards of reliability, the warranty period should allow you to address the major concerns before you start incurring any major costs to yourself.