Hello,
My 2002 GTI was murdered after 7 years of companionship by an inattentive driver and Im looking for a replacement. I've always had a soft spot for the RX8 but I've always been a turbo FWD guy. My roommate has a 350z with the VQHR that I've driven a bit and then my dad let me borrow his 997 for a weekend trip into the mountains of Georgia. Needless after driving those two cars I dont see myself easily going back to a FWD car although the MK6 GTI and 08.5-2009 MS3 are both still on my radar... The GTI was my first car so I feel like I've grown up with it.
Im not a huge power guy but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't important to me, my GTI had an upgraded turbo and was putting down around 270hp on an incomplete setup when she died and obviously the VQHR and 997 arent exactly lacking in power either. Of all the cars on my list the RX8 is by far the slowest but I seem to have fallen in love with the R3. Admittedly, I have no track experience and save for the occasional autocross im limited to spirited backroad driving but at the very least I would like to do more autocross. I also have yet to actually drive the RX8 and im wondering if the lack of power will be as bad as Im thinking it is. In my head im sure it will feel something like the S2000 which I found to be one of my most enjoyable driving experiences although I believe they still pack a little bit more punch than the RX8 although the numbers say no.
Anyway, just looking for input. In closing I see the RX8 as a more practical alternative to the S2000, I dont mind the gas milage and I love the styling and I am drawn by its supposed telepathic driving dynamics. The big question for me is will I miss the power if I decide to pick up the RX8 over something else or does the RX8 feel faster than the numbers suggest?

Thanks guys

 

"Telepathic driving dynamics." You nailed it. That is the RX8's strength.

I can't count how many times I've posted "Buy a Civic" on these types of threads.

I was a little worried when you said you were a turbo FWD guy, but the rest of your post makes me think it would be a good fit for you. I'm interested to see what you think about driving it. Make sure you get a chance to find some twisties, and get an idea of what it's capable of.

 

What do you want? Go fast on straight aways? Or kill the twisties?

 

The s2000 is slightly faster but probably because of the lighter weight. The steering ratio is similar to the rx8 so that might give you an idea. And it's not that the rx8 has no power, it's just that the power is up top. For me that's no problem because I'm used to keeping the revs high coming from v-tecs and I love downshifting, even when I dont need to. A lot of people don't like to downshift to get to that upper power band, they want all the power down low. If that's you, then this isn't the car for you.

In the end, no matter what we say here you wont be able to know for sure until you actually test drive the cat

 

A little bit of both is always nice.

I've driven both the AP1 and AP2 S2000s. I love the sterring feel on both but the AP1 just felt so dead down low... However, Im not going to lie and say it wasn't fun spinning that sucker out. I dont recall the amount of extra HP/TQ the AP2 picked up but I know it wasn't a lot but it made a big difference down low coupled with the gearing changes. So I'm hoping the shorter gearing on the SII will give the R3 the same kind of pop. I do plan on driving one towards the end of the summer. Downside to that is my roommate has longer to fill my head with 350z propaganda.

 

Just get the rx8 and stop the mumble jumbo.

 

Go drive the rx8 and try telling yourself you don't want one and that it's not a good fit for you.

 

+1
during the 1.5 years i spent car shopping i drove MANY different cars... i drove a rx8, and i fell in love. end of story

 

That's pretty much it.

If the car is "for you," there really won't be much of a "pro and con" debate. You'll just know. It's like finding something you didn't realize you were missing all this time.

 

I heard very, VERY sweet satisfying words today...

My girlfriends dad owns a 06 (maybe 07?) Shelby GT500... thing has mad power as many of us know and he has a bulldog (i think its called) to set tunes and stuff.
Well i was over at the house and we had to make a quick run to the store. His Shelby was under a cover in the garage so he was like "hey lets just take your car youre driving"....
we go to the store, and on our way back he asks me to get on the highway cause he was liking the car and how it felt. so we took the long way (i dont mind of course lol) and get on the turnpike. he told me to push the car on a section of the highway that was a lot of turns and bends and stuff.. exact words of his, "drive it like you stole it"... so i did

when we pulled back in his driveway he told me two things....
"1) that was the smoothest 120mph drive ive been in. couldve poured myself a beer.
2) never do that with my daughter in the car."
[/win]

 

Like some have mentioned already, a thorough test-drive of the RX-8 will reveal the true answer for yourself. It's not a car which every single person falls in love with... But the people who DO fall in love, really do appreciate it for what it's about. It's a sensitive and emotional car, and that's not a bad thing at all.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Haha, pretty funny.

 

As said before, you'll have to test drive one to really know it, and do so on the more fun roads, around the block and on the highway isn't doing it justice. Hell, I'm sure if you can find someone local on here they'd be willing to do you that favor.

But honestly, after you drive it yourself, you'll know if it's right for you.

Any car enthusiast is going to say that their's is the best. Hell, I'll even do so myself, and say how my Rx8 makes my day better, every single day when I get to drive it. Hell, just looking at it makes me smile.

But people are different, so go take one for a spin and see how you feel.



Oh, and power wise.. It does have the power to do donut after donut. Juuuust throwing it out there, because I may or may not have done this the other night, since I never could do that with the FWD cars I've played with(Mx6's. Always been a Mazda guy, just new to 8's.)

 

Bro thats full of win!!

 

that leaves a lot of possibilites open....

 

yea, shes flexible...and gets pretty agressive when were alone.
what can i say? im lucky lol

 

lol at the smilies

 

That's the kind of woman i've been looking for, lol. Anyway, does she do acrobatics in bed too...lol

 

With the reactions I get from the people I see in my 8 I am surprised it is not a more popular choice for drivers. I am constantly met with curiosity and enthusiasm at work and at play.

If you don't like the attention owners of the rotary get, then stay away from this beautiful beast.

The lack of low end torque shouldn't bother a real driver, this car makes up for it in so many other ways that the point is mute. As for mileage, is it really so bad?

 

I am always getting looks, smiles, thumbs up and compliments when I am driving the 8.

As far as fuel mileage is concerned... I thoroughly enjoy burning a lot of fuel to spite the enviro-freaks.