Is the RX-8 for me?
 

I'm a professional and am given a car for my personal use as part of my salary. Basically I can go as high as $35,000 USD so pretty much any decent car is within my grasp. In the past I've gone with cars like the Grand Prix GTP and Acuras seeing as though I do have a family to worry about ( 2 teenage kids ). I've seen a couple of RX-8 on the road and I have to admit they look totally awesome =). I used to drive CRXs in my youth so maybe it's time for me to relive those old emotions ( heck I ain't getting any younger ). Presently I have a family sedan so the oppurtunity to get a sports car for either me or my wife does exist. I've never driven rotary before and I'm bit unsure about a couple of things.....like,

1.) my wife is not the best manual driver out there and may choke the engine on occasion. How hard is it to restart?

2.) I live in Montreal Canada and we have lonnnnnng cold winters up here. Should I worry about winter driving?

3.) Can I put a remote car starter on the car and what'll happen if it doesn't start on the first try? will I flood the engine, and yeah, can someone explain me what flooding a rotary engine implicates - can it be restarted easily?

4.) Would a Infiniti G35 be a safer bet? Can you guys convince me why NOT to get that friggin Infiniti.

I REALLY WANT THE RX-8!!! but I don't want problems either- I just need to put my mind at ease before I take the plunge. like I said before I've never driven rotary before and yes my wifey will drive it on occasions. I just don't need to get a call at the office telling me my wife is stuck somewhere on the road in danger, in the cold, by herself, and in need of help.

thx. for any/all help

and yes, YES YES!! that RX-8 sure is sexy !!!!!!

:D :D

1) Just tell her to run the engine a minute or so (and rev it a bit before she moves) if you're worried about her stalling it. It *could* flood if she stalls it right out of the driveway. I stalled it a few times when I first got it (hadn't driven a stick much for about 10 years) but I haven't had a problem in 11k. Some people have, though. HOWEVER, it's one of the easiest manuals I've ever driven- very smooth, and not difficult to shift.

2) Snow tires, snow tires, snow tires.

3)Don't know about the remote start. Aren't they pretty difficult in a manual? If you leave the car in gear, like you're supposed to, I'd guess it would be almost impossible. But, I'm sure someone else will chime in.

4)The 8 looks better. There is more headroom in the backseat. There is no huge expanse of silver plastic on the console. However, the G35 Coupe is a nice looking (and driving) car- you'll have to test drive them both to make that call.

Yes.






<shrugs>

lol i'm debating b etween an 8 and a z. so i'd suggest you get the 8, but i've got nothing to back my statement with. short of much love for this car.

Heck yes

Are they paying for your gas also? I can definitely see why you are hesitating. This might not be a good choice as a full time all season car you share with wife. Although it's a wonderful car that is a blast to drive, it does guzzle gas, and it an absolute terror in winters, so you would need to downgrade your rims and put snow tires on it. I know you are thinking about being practical, and getting what you truly want, so there is no right or wrong here. I'd say for your situation, this is not a smart move. The g35 is a nice machine for sure. I'd definitely shop around and compare before you make any decisions. Good luck!!

Are they paying for your gas also? I can definitely see why you are hesitating. This might not be a good choice as a full time all season car you share with wife. Although it's a wonderful car that is a blast to drive, it does guzzle gas, and it an absolute terror in winters, so you would need to downgrade your rims and put snow tires on it. I know you are thinking about being practical, and getting what you truly want, so there is no right or wrong here. I'd say for your situation, this is not a smart move. The g35 is a nice machine for sure. I'd definitely shop around and compare before you make any decisions. Good luck!!

Someone else posted that if its between a sedan and an RX-8, then get the sedan. If its between two sports cars, then go with your heart. I think that is a bit too strong, but there is a kernel of truth that sports cars require attention to more details. I have motorcycles, and they also require attention to other details. I don't view the RX-8 as a mindless car to own, as my past Hondas were. I never really liked those cars, they were A-to-B vehicles. The RX-8 is fun to own and drive; if you read long enough here, your will find the details that you would need to pay attention to.

For example, most cars come with all season tires, since the RX-8 comes with summer only tires (we aren't kidding about that) you would need to decide how to proceed:
- Don't drive it in the winter
- Put all season tires on the current wheels
- Buy winter tires, then swap winter/summer tires at the seasons on the same wheels
- Buy wheels and snow tires, figure out TPMS, and swap at the seasons
I don't want to blow this out of proportion, because its easily resolvable, but it is something that needs to be resolved.

Similarly flooding, IMO, is blown out of proportion. Yes the car can be flooded, and that can be a real problem if it happens, but for the most part, with attention to details, its easily avoidable.

I found and sifted through my list of issues, and found ways to resolve each one -- and I drive my RX-8 everyday (well I missed one day) and I really enjoy driving it.

You can't put a G35 and the RX8 in the same catagory lol.

Get the Infiniti.
If you have to ask to be convinced, you are not ready.

Why not to get the Infiniti vs. RX8:

It's ugly.
It's unoriginal.
It's plastic components are cheap and flimsy.
It's ultimately a 350Z with a nicer badge and a tuned Altima engine.

Why to get the Infiniti vs. RX8:
Dollar for dollar you get more doodads.
You like to be just like the rest of the non-thinking masses.

In all seriousness, I don't know whether you're shopping a G35 coupe or sedan. The coupe's rear seat is too small for two adults, whereas the rear seat of the sedan will hold 3 adults. The RX8 won't hold more than 4 total. If rear seat capacity is an issue, that's a strong argument for a G35.

Flooding could be an issue if you don't play by the rules of the rotary. So, if you're looking for a car you don't have to think about driving differently, the G35 might be the better car for you. Check the archives for posts (thousands of them) on flooding. For every 10 people, you'll get 11 opinions. There's a ton of info on the subject that you'll find helpful.

Winters: G35 now has available all wheel drive. Definite plus. Either way, I think the RX8 would be a useable winter car if equipped with snow tires.

Did someone say RX8? ;-)

-Eric

P.S., I'd also take a 325xi over the G35x.

It can flood if you do not start it first try. I once let the starter go before engine started. It restarted but it was longer to start and I smelled gas. I did'nt depress the pedeal on the second try like the owner manual recommends. So beware starting this car. My wife on the other hand has no problem starting or driving the 8. She totally loves the car and it is her main transportation. I run snows in the winter and the car goes like a snowmobile. Can't get stuck unless frame hangs up. If my wife can drive this car with no problem so can yours. It's a blast to own and I find myself driving it around for no reason other than fun behind the wheel. I have to stop doing that or I'll have a high mileage car before I know it.

I read on some other threads that with the new "L" PCM flash its much harder to flood (wasn't easy in the first place). I've had my 8 for a couple of weeks with no problems (manual trans).

The clutch is a bit touchy on this car compared to the slop I've had before, but its real easy and relatively forgiving. After 1st gear this car is probably the easiest to drive of any car out there just because of the rev range (note: that doesn't mean easiest drive correctly, but just easy in general). You can be in 4th and just as easily be in 5th or 6th.

The G35 is a nice car too, but if your gonna go that route, might as well get the AWD G35 sedan. I looked at the G35 and don't regret choosing the 8 in the slightest. But everyone's needs vs wants are different etc etc

Plenty of info in this forum when comparing the 8 and G35 coupe. Drove both and the 8 has the edge in terms of fun factor and headroom in the backseat (both important for me). Style wise, I like the 8 better.

My wife drives the car most of the time and we've never had a problem of any sort (engine flooding..... what's that?)

IMHO, coming from someone with a back-up car.. if he's got a 'signitifiant other' that will (may) stall a cold RX-8, and has kids... this isn't the right vehicle.

Plastic, performance, whatever..aside...for the safelty and security of his family... The RX-8 is a poor choice until 'flooding' isssues (if ever) are resolved..... regardless of how wonderful I (we) think the car is.. IMHO the wife and kids need to be considered... and in that thought, the RX-8 is a poor choice. For that reason alone...

-- Aaron

Actually only my wife would use the car, not my wife + kids. I already have a sedan for family transport. So how much do I love my wife ........ =))

If you love her you'll buy her an 8. Any car can flood or have car trouble. The 8 is well constructed and did extremely well in crash tests. It's one of the safer choices in sportscars.

Come on, someone is saying get the RX-8 over a G35C?
rofl.

RX-8 is great if you can't afford the G35. Your not getting honest opinions here my friend. Its a RX-8 forum, so everyone is going to tell you that every other car sucks.

You can't compare a RX8 to a G35. G35 outclasses and out performs.

RX-8 is a great car, but come on people.

G35s now come with all wheel drive. Plus it can actually hold four people comfortably. The four seater capabilities of the RX-8 are much overblown--yeah it can hold four people better than a Mustang, but a 5'9" teenage male won't want to spend much time back there. (A 5'4" woman, well that's another story.)

The fact that you compared the RX-8 to the G35 Sedan says something about which kind of car you want. If you were serious about getting a sports car, you would be comparing the RX-8 to the 350Z, not the G35.

Will there frequently be situations where one of the parents are at work or doing groceries or something, and the other one will have to drive the kids around? If so, the kid that gets stuck in the back of the 8 won't be too happy.

It's funny how all the magazines that compare the RX-8 to the G35 have the RX-8 coming out on top.

So Dustin is right, you can't really compare the two, the RX-8 easily outclasses the G35... come on people

hey man, the rx-8 is sold here in Thailand at 3,750,000 Baht or equivalent to US$93,750. I bought one. You don't need to think much about other cars. If you like it, just do what Nike says...

Have you sat in the back of the G35 recently? There's barely any headroom back there! The legroom seemed to be the same, if a little more cramped (my knees were hitting the seat in front of me with a 6ft driver). Not to mention it's a royal pain in the ass to get in and out of the backseat. And I was driving my 6ft+ friend around two weeks ago (ask the other Richmond 8s) in the back of my 8 for more than an hour, and he had no complaints, even sitting behind my husband. My sister spent 9 hours back there in November- granted, she's 5'4, but she had no complaints the entire time.

Why are you guys being so nasty about this? There's no reason for that, at all. They're both great cars, so let the guy come to his own conclusions.

Personally what I hate the most of the G35 sedan is the interior finish ( plastic everywhere ) and the somewhat generic looking rear quarters of the car ( the front is ok tho ). The G35 coupe looks sleeker but the back seats are cramped. I'm nit picking here, all these cars are fine, the 8 and the G35 coupe and sedan. The Infinitis are somewhat more classy and 'noble' and the 8 is sexier and will draw the stares of younger ppl....etc..etc... I wish there was a car that had it all but there never is. I'll probably let my wifey decide, she did drive a manual CRX in the past so she is not unfamiliar with a shifter =)

Your children will hate riding in the back of the RX8. I don't know how roomy the Infinite is but the 8 sucks. Looks are subjective so you might want to disregard comments about the styling. The Infinite's awd system is supposed to be great in the elements.

Only for larger then average people- read my other posts. I've had plenty of people (of all sizes- granted, I haven't taken any kids anywhere yet, because I don't have any) back there who were amazed at how much room was back there. I've taken several 2+ hour trips with four adults in the car, and never had a complaint. But there's nothing wrong with back seat of the G35, aside from the lack of headroom and difficulty getting in and out- it's pretty much the same as the RX-8's otherwise.