Jeager76

ok, please forgive the Rx-noob, probably doing a bit of reposting. I have been looking over this forum for the last few days hard and reading into as much as I can about the RX-8. I am really having a struggle over what car to get. A few things about me and the driving enviroment I will be driving in.

I live in the D.C. area so it will be a lot of city driving, no family nearby and its unlikely I will be taking many long trips.

It would be my first car in years (living downtown have gone without) and saved some money.

I cant drive stick.

My price range is 18-26K. or 350-425 a month in payments.

So I am looking at a slightly used car (to miss out on that immediate 10-20% Depreciation) or maybe a new car.

the 15-20 MPG isnt such a big worry for me because I dont see myself driving more than 7-10K miles a year anyway.

now I know I would pick up MT in a couple days and be good enough in weeks. But to me it seems like something else to worry about especially with the flooding issues with the RX-8. Its not that hilly around here so its less of a concern for that.

I know the AT 8 has slightly lower MPG and lower hp, but is it that big a deal? I dont plan on opening it up much, I am just looking for a sharp looking car to get me around on weekends (I wouldnt drive it to work, I take the metro). I know I would like the increased control but I am so used to autos.

The other concern is the flooding issue, I would park the car in my apartment garage and cant imagine moving it a few feet or driving for less than 5 minutes but it seems like a pain to even have to worry about it. I mean to get it towed would be 100 bucks and the repair of the plugs at the service center. Now I do have the benefit of having become accustomed to not having a car so its not like if it happens I would have issues geting to work. It would still be a pain though, especially since it seems to happen to so many of you at some point.

The other thing is the tire traction thing...now I am a born and raised minnesotan and know my way through a blizzard, and D.C. is not known for its cold/wet/snowy winters so it might be a mute point (and as I said, should we get a snowy week) I can certainly go sans driving for a few days. If I were to buy a RX-8 with OEM tires I would likely get them replaced anyway (being nearly nov). However, if they are an issue in the rain, or cold roads i would be hesitant as it would simply "be another thing to worry about" (hence why I am looking at an explorer as an all-round practical car. My question is that it seems to be an issue that some people really feel strongly about with statements like "out of fear of death I wouldnt drive it during a snowstorm" or some of the others I have heard.

your advice is greatly appreciated, now I know by very nature of the forum it will lean pro-RX-8, and thats fine the car looks and seems to be fantastic, I just dont know if its the car for me.

Some of the other cars I am looking at are the Ford Mustang 05, an Explorer or Escape, Celica, and a HondaS2000.

cas2themoe

As long as you have the latest flashes, the flooding issue should be gone.

I made a mistake when I first bought my 8 by getting the AT. After a couple months I was back in the dealership taking home an MT with Appearance, Package Rotary Accents and Touring Package. My biggest mistake was not getting what I truly wanted the first time.

As for the other cars, I can only speak for the Mustang and S2000(which has very similar characteristics of the RX8) since I have driven them both. The Mustang is a straight line king and hard to beat for the money. One thing I did do right, was to buy an RX8. No other car on the market that gives you the same feeling after driving it. When people say, it feels like your one with the car, It truly feels that way.

Test drive all the cars and then make your decision. And go with what your gut tells you.

Ole Spiff

My advice: get the MT. This is such a fun car to drive that it's worth getting the MT and learning how to drive a stick. Put some decent tires on it; I have the BF Goodrich KDW2's on mine and they perform fantastic in either wet or dry. I don't have snow here in Southern California so I can't say how they perform in snow, but I expect they'd do as well as any other all-season tire.

OliverB

Hi;
My wife just purchased a late '04 used AT two weeks ago. The MT was not an option. She has driven stick but does not like it. I have owned many MT cars over the years but also enjoy driving an AT. You are correct in that you may save some $ with the purchase of a good used vehicle. Our last 4 cars have been slightly used, after 30 years of nothing but new cars. Can't seem to bring myself to throw away those extra thousands in depreciation any longer. Not to put down those purchasing new cars - I have in the past and thoroughly enjoyed them!

There is no question that the MT with it's extra power is a real thrill but the AT coupled with the rotary is still a blast. I can appreciate both for what they are. If you do purchase a used AT, use the AT option as a bargaining chip. When I checked prices on Edmunds.com, there was approximately a $1K deduction for the AT option! This can work to your advantage. Like anyone else, I love a car loaded with options but the best buy for your buck is at the lower end. The AT Sport comes with reasonable standard appointments. Folks shopping used are often looking for a car loaded with options and a standard level trim may be more difficult for them to move. I told the dealer I would like to buy several accessories from them at their cost as part of the purchase deal. They agreed. I had researched the on-line discount cost so I knew if they were giving me a good price. You may not get "dealer cost" but you can get a hefty discount off list. I like to install accessories myself but if you do not/can not, you may be able to negotiate installation as part of the purchase agreement.

Only you can decide on your priorities. If a fully loaded car is important to you, then you would be wasting your money purchasing one that is not loaded, besides regretting the purchase later. If you are interested in a really unique automobile that is fun to drive and handles really well, want to save some $, don't need all the options, and decide that an AT is best for your needs, then go for used. Whichever one you purchase, don't forget that the rotary engine is not only fun to rev but it is better for it if you do so at least periodically. Not easy to do on the streets of DC. Get it out on the open road (not easy to find around DC) once in a while!

You can purchase "Ultra High Performance All Season" tires that will be better for year-round use than the "Summer" tread type. Go to "Tirerack.com" and research those tires. The O.E. Bridgestone tires are not well liked by many. "Avon Tech M550 A/S, Kumho Ecsta Asx, and Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S tires seem to have really good reader reviews and are +/- $100 each. For your driving needs, they may give a slightly better ride while only giving up a little on performance.

OliverB

Raptor2k

You can find many other threads concerning the AT or MT buying issue. I also had a hard time deciding, you can find my thread somewhere...just recently, REL_RX8 got a MT instead of AT. You'll have fun with the MT, it's as simple as that. More horsepower. Few days to learn. Not a sports car without a stick.

Flooding is a rarity, to prevent it you just have to warm your car every time you turn it on for a minute or two.

You will also find that the rx8 has many advantages over the Mustang, Celica and S2000. And on the road...you'll get looks because people in general have no idea what kind of car you're driving, and you can tell them you don't even have pistons.

KYLiquid

Test drive both of them, that will give you the differnce in power, thats really the only MAJOR difference, is the way the car drives with MT vs AT.

cgrx

Mt

KYLiquid

Test drive both of them, that will give you the differnce in power, thats really the only MAJOR difference, is the way the car drives with MT vs AT.

zoom44

get a 2006 6speed AT

Ike

I thought that wasn't happening.

Sephiroth

You are looking at a fairly wide array of cars.

The S2000 is a no-compromise, all out sports car. It will do great as a weekend thriller, believe me, its a helluva car, but definitely not for everyday driving.

The new mustangs have raw power and TORQUE! The S2k and RX-8 have way less tq than the mustang does. Assuming you get the GT, you will have one of the hottest and fastest cars out there.

The RX-8 is a car that can do everything; its comfortable for daily driving and taking friends to a party/bar/office/dinner with that special person/etc. You will still have fun in the twisties, similar to the S2k, while keeping it 'real', you know what im saying? It has something to offer for everyone.

As mentioned already, test drive them all for sure, and some others you havn't mentioned for good measure. Take your time with the decision, cover all your bases.

AT vs MT, there is no doubt in my mind that for a weekend/evening thriller you had better get the MT.

Aoshi Shinomori

It is.

Ness

You may want to check out other forums as well if you are not already doing so.

www.s2ki.com
www.newcelica.com
www.mustangforums.com


For a mostly weekend driver, I would say that the S2000 is unbeat, and it isn't as harsh as everyone thinks it is. I commute 30 miles everyday in one and it makes my drive a whole lot more fun. It one of the best build quality, reliability, and gas mileage of any sports car. But if practicality is important or if you are worry about weather, you need to cross the roadster off your list.

If you need to transport people, it will be a toss-up between the RX-8 and the Mustang GT. The GT is a monster, with great hp and acceration, its meant to be fast in a straight line. Figure out which style you like better, and again figure your priorities.

With that said, go test drive them all and see!

zoom44

come on ike keep up spend les time looking at those dyno sheets

Dinhx8

I live in Arlington, work in DC (north of Cleveland Park). ..my 8 is my daily driver thru all seasons and only car. First thing good to know is you have a garage, as yo uknow you'll hav emore chips on your car than you can count with street parking in DC...

I'd get the stick. You'll learn it in this area as there are many places on the weekends you can get out and practice. its quicker and youll have more fun.
Flooding shouldn't be an issue so long as you follow the simple instructions in the manual, and especially the newer flashes should prevent that. Mine has never flooded.

If it ever did, mazda has roadside assistance with your car so you'd be okay from a towing standpoint.

As for snow, as you well know, DC gets one or two 'average' snows per year. I switch mine over around thanksgiving, to snows, and it works great. But you mentioned you metro to work. In such case I think you might be fine. Be careful in the rain, the OEM TIRES work well in the rain, but as the temp drop, so does traction. DO not EVEN, in DC drive this thing on stock tires in the snow, its bad. With snows, it retains much of its integrity. But when it snows, i metro to work also.

all this being said, sounds like you've done good research. I think you'll be happy with an 8 MT.

the other cars you mentioned are good, my GF has an escape though and its kind of blah. Transmission issues too. Celica is a bit cheaper, but less fun to drive in my opinion and less stylin. Love the s2000. My bro has one as his daily driver and he's happy (also in DC area).

good luck

Jeager76

^Grrrr. you are probably the jerk driving the sweet lookin car that has sent me down this path of confusion and desparate attempts to convince myself to do what I need to do to get an RX-8.

Thanks for everyones advice...I guess I just gotta go drive them all, (I am nervous about even test driving the MT) that I might just see the AT myself and ask if the dealer could run an MT, if I like it and its only a matter of learning then I can get myself home or to someplace to practice it.

Krankor

D00d, *regardless* of which car you go for, you should get an MT. You can't make an informed decision about which kind of driving you like better until you learn to drive a stick. Now, there are indeed people who learn stick and still prefer automatic, but my experience is that they are WAY in the minority. Stick is just way more fun to drive, and learning to do it is a gift you give yourself for the rest of your life. I, for one, will never go back.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

ucfracerx8

The RX8 has one of the easiest manual transmissions to drive, having driven Ranger's, Mustang's, WRX's and some other manuals, it is by far the easiest to get used to and be good at... quickly. The clutch mechanism in the 8 is flawless IMO, and with the gearing, you do not have to worry about stalling when driving slow in traffic like you would with the Mustang. Try them all, but don't rule out an MT, especially in the 8.

vsomaya

Strangely enough - I'm an AT owner, live in downtown DC and park in apartment parking. I absolutely love the car - have had it for over a year now and pushing 28,000 Miles. I've driven the MT and get some of what everyone else is going on about but have not regretted my AT once.
I do a fairly long commute out to Dulles and having the fun of the paddle shift and the ability to shift back into auto when I do a conf call is worth more to me than a couple extra hp (and a couple less torque).
Winter with the OEM tires in DC did lead to some fun traction control moments on the unplowed streets in adams morgan but apart from that she handled just fine. The only issues I had were street parking in the snow but she made it through that and just keeps on trucking.
Good luck whichever way you decide to go - the Rex is definitely worth it. Thought a very similar situation might help you take the plunge =)

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

oh geez, pick what you want, not what everyone on here tells you to pick. If you want an auto, buy an auto, if you want a stick, go with a stick. Contrary to what EVERYone pretty much says on this forum, you're not missing out on that much (other than some added power, and you won't catch as much shyte as auto owners) by getting an auto. We're in an age now where you can have a sportscar without having to shift, maybe 10-20 years ago that wasn't possible, but now it is. (it's true, it really is, I promise...really..you can't go wrong with any of the cars you've mentioned so pick what you like and enjoy the hell out of it and don't worry about what a bunch of strangers think)

Krankor

If he didn't care what a bunch of strangers think, he wouldn't have asked .

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

yeah ok captain obvious, I'm saying it doesn't frickin' matter what we think, it's his car, his decision, and he shouldn't base that on what other people think. If I'm not paying for it, why does my opinion matter? back at ya' :

Raptor2k

He's trying to make the right choice by asking others for advice with experience about the subject. You want to know what others think; we are all humans trying to fit in.

Krankor

Well, yours obviously doesn't, but, quite reasonably, he wants advice from others who have more knowledge and experience. That's rather what this whole site is for, duh. How do you possibly think it's helpful to tell such a person "Don't listen to what anyone has to say!"

Dinhx8

then why did you even post? you had an opinion thats why.
its a forum of matterless opinions. we all get sucked into it to a degree. but we gather these opinions to make decisions if we have to. that being said, i just offered my opinion so this could go on for hours