HedgeHog

Hiya,

I'm turning my chipped 2K1 A4 1.8T in and have decided on the cars in the subject line. I've test driven all the above (including an M3 SMG II) except for the impossible to get RX-8. However, I've located a new blue GT 6-spd but the dealer is hesitant on letting it out for a run.

So, has anyone test drive some of the above and can offer a comparision for me. I tend towards a driver's car (that is, good handling dynamics and decent power - don't need to be super quick as I've already got a modded FD).

My initial opinions of the ones I tested:

325Ci: Awesome look, great handling, mushy clutch and rubbery shifter. Decent power and a little pricey (in Canada $50k)

330Ci: Same as above but better torque curve for lugging around the city. Even more pricey (CAD$60K)

STi: Torque everywhere, great handling (just a tad dead on-center), tons of grip. Negatives are short clutch throw (but not hard to operate), cheaper feeling shifter, noisy tires, diff chatter, and goofy looking. (CAD$47K)

RX-8: Looks ok, nice interior, low bux (CAD$43K). But how does it drive????

TIA.

Edo

Welcome.

1. Doa search in this section of the forum - there are more test-drive reports than you can shake a stick at.

2. With this being an RX8 forum, most people on here are going to stear you towards the RX8 - Likewise if you post the same question on a BMW forum, they will point you to a BM. You need to make the decision based on your criteria.

Do not buy a car without a good long test-drive.

Wing

Since your in Canada, you already know the RX8 is the best deal going right now, price wise.

I have driven the BMW 320i because that's the only one really in the same price range as the RX8.

If you can afford the $50-60k it is a really tough decision!

The RX-8 drive like a dream, and is plenty powerfull but you have to like to shift.

But if you even considered the Sti, I am not sure if the RX-8 is for you, sure they are both performance oriented cars but you get MUCH more class and amenities with the RX8, personally I don't consider them even in the same category.

The BMW is but it's overprice (IMO). You seem to like the looks of the beemer more to each his own I guess.

Go for what your heart tells you.

It really is a B****H that in Canada you can't test drive an 8. I really wish they would get the "ferrari" mentality out of their heads!

HedgeHog

Thx for the replies. And, of course, I expected a bit of bias towards the RX-8 in this forum; however, I wanted to see if anyone had driven the others and are willing to offer some observations.

STi vs RX-8 would not be a speed issue for me....imho, my FD can whip that STi. But i purchased my A4 based on "fantastic reviews" - albeit w/o comparisions to other cars - and am regretting its driving dynamics.

Anyhoo...i'll do a search - but i'm prolly expecting "I love this thing...(as compared to my hyundai)" kinda comments.

And, again, the reason i posted this is cuz no dealers are offering test drives...which sux since the bimmer ppl let me take out their M3 and the Subie doods had no probs w/ letting out their STi.

L8TRz.

jtimbck2

I may have an interesting perspective on this, since I've owned:

a 1998 Audi A4 1.8T 5-speed (chipped to about 190 bhp)
a 2000 BMW 328i Sport 5-speed (200 bhp)

And now a 2004 RX-8 6MT GT.

The A4 and 328i were both *VERY* nice rides, the A4 a little more sporty, the 328i a little more luxurious. But the 328i handles better, has more power (that inline 6 is smooooooth!), and is overall the better of the two. But they're both still sporty sedans, not sports cars.

I've also had quite a bit of driving time in a 2002 Mercedes SLK32 AMG, and in a 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe (both with automatic transmissions). The SLK32 has TONS of power (349 bhp!), incredible brakes, but the steering felt "mushy", and with the auto tranny you didn't really feel all that power. And talk about a tiny, cramped interior! The G35 Coupe, again has lots of raw power (280 bhp). But that power isn't very refined, and the auto tranny robs it of a lot of the fun. The interior, while nicer than the US$57k SLK32, is still pretty cheap-feeling. These two cars I would classify as "sporty coupes", not really sports cars.

The RX-8 is a sports car, plain and simple. Forget the back seats. Forget the suicide doors. The handling is unlike anything I've ever driven. The brakes are fantastic. The clutch, while long travel for a Japanese car, is easy to operate. The shifter's smooth, quick, and easy. The rotary engine is INCREDIBLY smooth (while it doesn't have the torque of the BMW inline 6, the smoothness is comparable, and of course the 9500rpm redline beats the BMW in the sound category). All these factors are fantastic...but what really puts the RX-8 ahead of all these others is the steering and handling -- I simply don't have the words to describe how great this car is. It turns crisply and precisely where I want it to go, almost as soon as I think it.

Based on your requirements, I'd say the RX-8 is what you should go for. But ultimately, it's your decision. Drive 'em all, then buy the one that sings to you.

donald121

Before I bought my rx8, I was considering between 325ci and rx8. I went to the dealer and test drive one 325ci. My impression of 325ci is it's a very safe, quiet, and comfort car. The interior quality is way better than rx8, but the design is kind of old. In performance, I think 325ci is just too heavy. I couldn't feel the speed of it. RX8 is not fast, but fast enough for me. Last, I live in LA, there are so many bimmers in here. I wanna be special (at least for last 2 months, I feel like a celebrate ) :D rx8 is so unique that there's no single car out that is similar to it. So, I would say if you like comfort and luxury, go for 325, 330ci, speed, go for sti, style, go for rx8.

RXhusker

Surely one of your Canadian brothers on the board will take you for a test ride if the dealers won't - come on guys help out a future RX-8 owner. You know if he just drives the 8 (assuming a 6MT) he will quickly forget the Beemer :D

TiRX8

Go for the 325ci.

Ike

I think with the cars you mentioned you may be a bit disappointed with the torque on the RX-8, but find one to test drive and you can answer that yourself. If you drive the RX-8 and don't want it for your next car there is another option on the horizon...

If you're willing to wait a little bit the Legacy B4 will be out soon. It's a very good looking car with nice interior and just recently, in wagon form, whooped a RS6 wagon around a track in the August best motoring video. I think it may turn out to be the all around car you are looking for since it will have the pep and AWD of the STi minus the harsh ride, and also many of the creature comforts of a luxury car. All the cars you listed are great in different ways, if you can afford the 330 with the performance package that may be the another way to go...

Ike

Edit: I find it amazing that you were able to drive an STi and not an RX-8.

HedgeHog

Hi guys...

Well, guess what? I got a test drive in a brand spanking new, recently delivered RX-8 GT 6-spd today! To my surprise, it's a lot peppier than I expected an N/A 13B to be. Nice seats and good operating positions. Quiet and comfy. Very good handling - easy to aim for the apex and go - and nice brake pedal feel. Shifter is a bit too soft but the short throws are a welcome change. IMHO, it's the best shifter of the cars I've tested (but I feel my MazdaSpeed short throw is still nicer in the FD - more snickety-snick).

My complaints are clutch is too soft and not very linear in terms of engagement. Gave me the most "trouble" in that I had to focus to drive smoothly. Still not difficult but the rubbery Bimmer ones are more forgiving and the short-travel Subie is more positive. Heel-toe position is great (seems all Mazdas are that way now) but the drive-by-wire throttle either over-blips or under-blips (prolly still in learning mode). The pillarless doors look flimsy in that when one closes the front doors, there's quite a bit of flex in both doors - not too reassuring for structural rigidity. Shiny bits on dash and door looks like it'll scratch easily. Most of these I can overlook.

However, these are the items that may change my mind away from it. Rip-off lease rates. I can get the 330Ci w/ the M-Sport package at the same montly payment as the RX-8 GT. Same cap reduction albeit diff residual. And, in Canada, we get weird-@$$ colour combos. The titanium is gorgeous but we get this peanut butter/pooh color leather trim instead of all black with that car. The all black int is available with only blue and it's an ugly blue (imo).

Oh well...time to thing some more. Specially now that my bimmer dealer found me the 330Ci for $6K under MSRP and no PDI ($1495 here).

STi is prolly out cuz it's just noisy and ugly (but fun and fast).

Thx for hearing me out!

ml2316

if you're ok with the performance of the rx8 during your test drive, after having driven the sti, then get the rx8. with all of these great performing cars released in the last couple years for around 30k the 3-series is getting really boring and ordinary. i think you'd regret if you bought one.

Ike

Grats on getting to test drive the 8, that's a tough choice between the 8 and the 330 with the sports package. And there's no need to be callin the STi ugly, some people think the car is quite beautiful I know where you're coming from though, to each his own... Have you been able to drive the 330 with the sports package yet, or just the regular 330? Goodluck on making the right decision.

Ike

klegg

klegg

Again if you like subaru so much, by all means go to their forum!!

ZoominRex

I've owned a chipped(Wetterauer) 1.8T Passat (5-speed) which shares the same chassis as the A4 for over 3 years and I LOVED that car (I traded it in for the RX8) I've also owned a 2001 323ci with a manual trans. I loved all those cars but I think the RX-8 is a compromise of both cars. The practicality of the Passat with the handling abilities of the RWD BMW...it just takes the performance aspect to a whole new level though. I loved both the Dub and the Bimmer but the RX-8 is in a whole different league. It has four REAL seats and yet hits the 0-60 mark in sub-6 seconds. I can't praise this car enough. I test drove the STI but it was just too damn bare inside for me. It doesn't even have a stereo. It was not nearly as refined as the RX8 was. It's fast as hell and would make a great track car but it lacks the amenities that the RX8 has, especially when coming out of a Euro car. I don't think you can go wrong with the 8. It's a perfect compromise of practicality and pure sports car perfomance and luxury. Good luck on your purchase

ZoominRex

Don't forget that this is the last year for the 3-series. The reason why you are getting those deals is that it is being phased out for the next gen model. It's a great car but having a new model out ahead of you just loses some of its appeal and resale value.

HedgeHog

thx zoom.

my other car is a 2K1 A4 1.8TQM w/ APR chip. i find it too non-linear (especially that smart-@$$ drive by wire cr@p). It has the work on-center dead spot and takes forever for weight transfer to occur to load up the chassis. once loaded, it's fine but it is this poor driving dynamic that makes me look elsewhere. otherwise, i love the look of my A4.

STi in canada comes w/ 6-disk in-dash changers. i agree it is cheap looking inside (oh well, it is based on an econo-car after all). ne-hoo, wife kiboshed the STi...too boy-racer for her...can't take another modded vehicle in the roost.

I got an reservation on both the 330Ci and RX-8 GT...let's see which comes first and what deal they are willing to offer. BTW, I realize it's the E46's last year...but having seem the next version, i have to agree with all the bimmerheads in wanting to lynch Chris Bangle!!! Although the 6-series turned out ok.

Either case, I'm gonna hafta learn to not compare either of these to my beloved FD...i'm so bias.

ZoominRex

you really can't go wrong with either of those choices. I'm sure which ever one you choose you will absolutely LOVE! The 330ci is an awesome car. For the money, personally, i think the RX8 is a great compromise of the car...in both luxury and performance aspects albeit it doesn't have the Bimmer name which also doesn't carry that negative Bimmer owner stigma. Either way both are AWESOME cars. Good luck!

HedgeHog

EVO8? no such animal in igloo-ville. 350z is slow...my other car can easily out compete either. but i'm an old guy...sort of...and it's my Audi i'm replacing not my RX-7. Also, as much as i respect that SRT4...it's not in the same class...and i'm pretty sure it won't kill the STi (prolly give it a good run though).

Ike

The SRT-4 is a 2.4 litre and the STi is 2.5. From the sound of it both cars would be bad choices for him, I love the STi but it's pure performance and certainly not for everyone. I did find the 350Z statement puzzling as well since it is faster and has more grunt than both the RX-8 and 330. But he already has a 2 seat sportscar so the Z wouldn't make much sense. Is your RX-7 BPU or beyond, and do you have any slips on it?

chopsticker

RX-8-is-slow:
You remind me of the 16 year olds that crowd around the car section of the magazine rack at B&N. Everytime I'm trying to read an article I hear these annoying 16-18 year olds talk about car stats, 1/4 mile times, stock performance, the latest japanese mods, and basically EVERY bit of information about EVERY car. They talk about how the Neon can dust a Porsche Boxter S and whether the Civic or Golf is better for ricing up. They drool over the EVO and STi and cream their pants when they hear about a friend of a friend's Supra. If I told them I had a RX-8, they'd repeat to me every detail of the car and then would tell me that the EVO or STi would have been a better choice. But you know what? Those kids have never driven an RX-8, or an EVO, or a STi. All they know are the stats that are printed on some magazine. They know that 13.2sec is faster than 14.5sec on the 1/4 mile, but that's all they know. It's once thing to recite figure, it's another matter all together to actually sit in the car, drive it, and get a feel for the car. It sounds to me like this troll is nothing more than a broken record that only plays to the tunes of "1/4 Mile Times" and "SPEED SPEED SPEED."

AutoStrada

sins of the father.....