DTECH-RX

Surprisingly enough, over the past few days, I had actually been swayed to look at some other alternatives to the RX-8, and no this had nothing to do with the delivery dates. Good things are worth waiting for and I can be pretty patient. However, it was funny how the more I looked at alternatives, the more support I found for sticking with the RX-8 as originally planned.

Ok, I'll admit it, I had been considering a Subaru WRX STi (and even the WRX) because of the sheer brute force and AWD of the potent little four door, but I've finally just a few minutes ago COMPLETELY convinced myself that I will be happiest with my original feeling and choice, the RX-8.

There is the intriguing allure of the rotary engine that hasn't let go of my attention from the beginning of this whole process, and I have finally triumphed against the doubt which was my traditional programming of looking at power and acceleration numbers first, and everything else second when considering if a car was worth the purchase.

I now know with 100% certainty that I am making the right choice for myself, and only an utterly abismal test drive of my RX-8 before signing the paperwork would keep me from getting this car. The RX-8 is truely a sports car that has captured my imagination and my very car enthusiast's soul like no other. Its looks are attractive and aggressive, its engineering inspiring, and its value undeniable. I imagine this is the impact the engineers envisioned their RX-8 should have on people as it most assuredly has had on me.

I shall not be tempted away again!

The RX-8 will be mine....oh yes....the RX-8 will be mine! :D

Wing

Heck, I'd be buying the car if it was only 2 doors and only a 2 seater! To me I'd get a miata but the trunk is too small. So the larger trunk is the ticket, the extra seats are a bonus!

RotorGeek

10 years ago. I fell in love with the FD, but I did not have the cash to buy. Now that I am married and want to have a family soon I never thoght I would have a Rotary. Then I found out the RX-8 was coming and the dream I had 10 years ago of haveing a sports car with a rotary engine will finally come true. I had an STI on order up until I found out about the RX-8. I canceled the STI order and never looked back.

gord boyd

10 things to ponder before your test drive:
1.)Is it subject to prangs. Light weight is fine but doors exposed.
2.)Is the resale subject to collapse. Say major 3rd port problems.
3.)Will you just not use high rev.'s Too buzzy for your driving.
4.)You could always use more space. And heated mirrors.
5.)If Optg Costs like a Big V8, will it still please you.
6.)How will you maintain such a unique engine and where.
7.)Are light cars subject to drift in high cross winds.
8.)Will suspension become too harsh over time.
9.)Accident avoidance may cause delicate rear end to lose it.
10.)One who leads can suffer a lot from naysayers--people waiting for the next wankel fiasco, or screams of claustrophobia
from back seat riders after an hour long ride. Is your skin and/or wallet thick enough. Will associates just think you are a *****
because of your upfront smugness.

RotorGeek

Thats all I have to say

maverikk

It's not only the rotor engine. Maybe it's even although it has the rotor... It could be a Mazda or Nissan or whatever..... For me, 10 yrs ago the MX-3 was just perfect. A unique sporty car with a special engine (V6) at much lower cost than a 3series BMW but much better look and much more fun to drive!

Today it WILL be the RX-8!

(I have never been blown away by crosswinds from my autobahn even at 200km/h. You should just have a good grip of your steering wheel :D )

DTECH-RX

Wow, I wasn't expecting someone on this board to try and sway my decision, but interestingly enough, I have answers to ALL of theses statement and/or questions:


The RX-8 has a "virtual" B-pillar in the leading edge of the "freestyle" doors and I've seen the crash test pictures.

Result: not concerned about vehicle integrity in a crash.

Part of the decision of my upcoming purchase is to buy something that will suit me for the long term (5+ years).

Result: I'm not overly concerned about resale value or mechanical issues because it has a warranty and I like to wrench on my own cars, and there is always personal "customization" and rotary specialty shop work that can be done.

75% of my driving is highway driving with posted limits of primarily 70 mph (of which I always average about 75-80mph).

Result: I will be able to rev her on a daily basis or as desired to take advantage of the rotary's mid and high range power and at the same time, have the ability to shift her into 6th and have a smooth cruise on the highway.

I live in South Florida. 90% of my driving will be without passengers, and the other 10% will allow me to take family and friends for fun weekend drives. Cargo space is good given the combination of the trunk space and freestyle door rear seat access.

Result: The RX-8 has the ideal amount of space for my needs and heated mirrors would hardly ever be used.

Given mileage and oil usage estimates or even being slightly pessimistic in those ranges, the RX-8 will still cost less than a "gas guzzling" V8 (I've owned a couple of Mustangs in the past, so I know first hand).

Result: Operating and maintenance costs will be reasonable, especially since I like doing my own work.

I have a spacious two car garage with room to work on my cars and I'm committed to learning and experiencing the ins and outs of the rotary

Result: Not a problem for me. Also see answer number 5.

I've driven everything from 2600 lbs cars to 4000 lbs+ high profile SUVs in high crosswinds.

Result: Not a problem.

This is something I will need to experience first hand, but from a number of descriptions I've read and some cars I've driven in the past that the RX-8 has been compared to, the ride should be just right.

Result: Will need first hand experience, but all indicators and experience point to a sport oriented, yet enjoyable ride.

Having driven RWD vehicles for a good part of my past, I'm very familiar at how they react at the limit, not to mention that the RX-8 I ordered comes with DSC which can further keep me out of trouble.

Result: Enjoyable power oversteer when desired while maintaining driving composure under emergency situations.

I have never really been one to care what others think about me or my personal decisions, but either way, I highly doubt the passengers I transport will have anything but an enjoyable, comfortable ride.

Result: I'm not sumg, just confident of my reasoning, decisions, and abilities. :D

WHEW! What a great exercise that was! Now I'm 110% sure I'm making the right decision. :D

OOPPSS! Almost forgot 11.)

The rotay community both on this forum and abroad seems to be a great group of guys and girls that appreciate great styling, innovative and inspiring engineering, and/or a sport cars oriented, fun to drive experience that is different than the status quo! What a great bunch of people to be a part of!

RotorMotor

Amen my rotary brother!

DTECH-RX

Actually, the first rotary to peak my interest was the second generation FC, both the regular and the Turbo II. I've always loved the look and design of them. I think the FD is very nice too, but the RX-8 beats them both IMHO

Digisan

I agree. The engineering of the 8 is the reason I decided to drop my STi order. Now, if the damn thing would get here we could all stop speculating.

D-san

gord boyd

Your very well thought out responses/purchasing rationale
will, I'm sure, be rewarded with a fine ownership experience.
Surprises can happen. I was intrigued with reading of Subaru's
recall for salt corrosion problems at the suspension system--something a 100% AWD
car co. should be getting right from the start (or inspecting
suppliers paint from the start--see the paint thread).

Too often people buy luxury goods that they feel prop up their status rather than having a sustaining purpose that aligns your interests with your actions. It is the enjoyment of the journey,
the connectedness with people that satifies the soul not the personality.

Enough of this philosophy'ng--but it might be a good thread.
You have no doubt read "Zen and the art of motorcycling".
I'm moving from a teenager with a Harley to a Keenager with
an RX-8. No more work from Aug. 1st target set many years
ago. I will be putting mucho miles on this baby, meeting people
and seeing places on the journey!

G-man

You know it is going to be a good day when you can start the day off right with the really juicy rationalization.

Clearly, none of us would be Mazda enthusiasts unless we had a real passion and excitement for the kind of "zoom zoom" that Mazda seems to delivery in every vehicle now since the 1999 Miata updates. I raced my 1999 Miata Sport for almost 2 years and eventhough I have owned cars with 4x the hp of the Miata, there is almost nothing that was as much fun to drive at 9/10ths of its capability on the race track.

While I am a recent HUGE fan of AWD and Forced Induction (see Porsche 911 Twin Turbo daily driver) I still placed my order for MSRP for the RX-8. Now of course, with a wife and 2 kids, my reasons may be different, but the end is still the same. Sure, I could buy a STi, but at the end of the day, I would still be driving a Subaru! Even I have limits. Now the Subaru is a good car, don't get me wrong, but there is just something about the "alure" of the RX-8 that is hard to describe and even harder to justify... but it is there and we all know it.

Well, I hope that we are all convinced that whatever the criteria that while we might not all understand the reasons why we want one, but we still do... and won't you just kick yourself the morning after you buy that STi when you go out into the garage and see it there and always wonder if you would have been happier with the RX-8.