rx8 for a 16 year olds first car? help please
 

hey guys, i just turned 16 last weekend and ive been thinking about buying an rx8. im sure tons of people ask "is this the right car for me?" and it probably gets really old, but theres a couple of things i need to know about

insurance- im 16, any cars insurance is gonna be bad. is it gonna be a lot worse in an rx8?

oil- a dealer told me that you had to check the oil every other time you fill up the gas tank. does anyone actually do that and is it necessary?

reliability- how often do the cars need repairs that are costly.

i have drove an rx8 and i love it. i just wanted to know a little more about it from real owners



*edit* im sick of people saying how spoiled i am and my parents must be buying a car cause all teenagers are devil children who cant work at all so their parents must be buying it. ive saved my money since i was 10, invested in the stock market, got a dollar-to-dollar match from my dad(which is fair, most kids get that) and over the past 12 weeks i have worked every friday saturday and sunday i have to save for a car. just thought i would throw that out there =]

fyi you are going to get flamed but i bought my 8 last night :)

you will have to add oil about 1 quart per 3k miles i saw somewhere
if you take care of the car it can last as long if not longer then any car though the 8 has some special things that are not common on piston engine cars and you need to know them

insurance is going to be ridiculous for you because you are so young
and you didn't drove an 8 you have driven one and as a 16 year old you should not drive this car because at a young age you arn't as responsible as you need to be to own a car that can kill/mame as quickly and easily as this car

fact of the matter is kids esp younger ones in sports cars tend to be a statistic because they arn't mature enough to drive the car they tend to care about impressing people and their friends and don't have the skills neccesary to do it safely hell most adults don't. so i would say for you you should look into something else.

i drove a contour svt before this and straight line that car is just a little slower then the 8 and is fun to drive and easy to drive safely anyway they will flame you because of your age so be prepared

Yes
Yes
Depends on how you take care of the car.

if your some 'punk racer' then this car isn't for you.

if you're mature and don't care to street race then it's fine.

oil isn't too bad, just keep an eye on it more than you would a 'normal' vehicle (piston motor)

it's very reliable as opposed to fd's.. and repairs can vary on cost depending on 'what's wrong'

Just do it.

Don't race, don't show off, take care of the car and it will take care of you.

If you "feel the need for speed" goto a track or BFE.

I perfer BFE since it's free :D

16 = no freaking way.

actually im 16 too, and im checking out my 8 this week! good luck, dont worry, i got flamed alot too!

it sucks. walk instead.

I'm 16 with an 8. I really wanted a Mustang Gt, and my parents were caving in on it, but I made the decision that it was too much power for me at this point. Got a great deal on the 8, and here I am today.

:icon_bs:

Insurance might be pretty up there for you. I got my 8 when I was 18 (a few months ago) and my dad since it's about $400 a year since he knows some guy at the company, but I also have no accidents in almost four years of driving.

Oil isn't as big of an issue as the dealer tells you, they don't own the car, they just read what it says in the manual (every other fillup). That's probably overkill, just keep an eye on it more than you would with a piston motor.

Repairs- if it's not an 04, you shouldn't have to worry about the recalls, but if it is, make sure they've been done. Otherwise, it's a very reliable car.

I wouldn't recommend this as a first car to any 16 year old, but remember do NOT, under circumstances try to impress your friends/girlfriend with it. You'll get careless, make a mistake, and likely crash or get a hefty ticket. This car isn't a stoplight king, but it rules in the canyons.

Seriously, I would get a junker for a year or so if I were you. If you do get it, get an MT (more HP among other things) and avoid speeding or running canyons for a few months until you're 100% comfortable with the car and you know how it will react to your driving style.

and you got the better car.

21

i pay ... ....

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...

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$4600/year

good god kersh quit gettn tickets and wrecks

I'm pretty sure mine is just as bad...good thing I don't pay it! :rofl:

Yes, no, not that often, search, you're too young and you can't afford one. Maybe mommy and daddy can, but then "you" wouldn't really be buying one, would you?

1 speeding ticket. and that was after my rates were set.

I wouldn't recommend a RWD for a first car. Really, it doesn't depend what climate you are in, rain can make this a dangerous car. Personally I subscribe to the POS theory. You will very most likely crash your first car. Buy a car cheap enough to throw away the first time. Once it requires a major repair of any kind, you replace it with a car who's value depends on how long the first car lasts. If you make it a solid safe year, get what you want. The RX8 isn't too much car at that point. If you take care of it, and respect it, you will motor safely and happily ofr years.

My first car was RWD...a Ford Ranger. The "Danger Ranger." I'd like to say I didn't crash into anything with it, but that'd be a lie. I'm just glad it was that truck and not my 8 that ended up in a $9,000 fender bender (and yes, it was just a fender bender).

You don't want a car like this to be your first car. I know you think you can handle it, but you can't.

what is it with 16 year old buying $30,000 cars? do parents just not give a shit anymore?

I didnt even have *A* car till I was a sophomore in collge (im 25 now). I don't care how rich, smart, good of a driver you are. Every first car a kid has should be a "reliable piece of shit".

For my current situation its just like I would LOVE to go and get a crotch rocket motorcycle, I could afford it but I'm not stupid enough to just go get a 200mph big bike and start flying. I know I'd lay the bike down at some point so why start big and powerful when something will happen to a newbie.

You said you just turned 16 last week... so that means you were 15 two weeks ago, what person your age just has $25,000+ laying around thats 100% yours? and by yours I mean you earned/worked for every cent?

Save your money, buy something lower down to start, and work your way up.

no way! my first car was a ranger. I always talk about how much I hate that thing and how much it sucks, but in all reality that was a solid truck. If you knew how I drove that thing you would understand. I never had a single thing go out on that truck either, it held up to ME and thats sayin something. I've got respect for the danger ranger.

agreed

My first car was a used 84 12A RX-7 when I was 19 or 20.

I never street raced but I got tons of speeding tickets and handling a RWD car is interesting when wet, specially one with no electronic nanny. I nearly got killed many times (poor kid with bald tires in the wet!).

I recommend a moderately powered FWD as a first car. If you want something sporty try for a Honda Civic Si, Acura RSX, etc.

Get a few years experience, and when it's time to upgrade then get the 8.

Check out a Mazda 3. Get all the dumbassed moves out of your system in a cheaper, more docile car (you WILL do them), then move on to something more desirable.

Even when I was 16, I've always taken pride in my good driving, and I have constantly worked to improve myself. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't do some things that probably would have put me into at least a mailbox or two if I was driving the 8. Basically, you should learn your driving dynamics in a car that is not so apt to bite you.

The 8 is a great choice of a car, but I think you would enjoy it more with at least a couple years of experience under your belt.

Oh, and don't get a Mazdaspeed 3, this thing can occasionally be a handful to control no matter your experience level. It will yank me across lanes if I stop paying attention even for a split second.

Get a Civic Si.

My 1st car was a 1981 Volvo 240 sedan.
4 speed w/ pushbutton overdrive!!! Yowsers!!!

And I drove like a nutcase in that car!!!

If you do get the rx8 -I hope your parents remove the DSC OFF button.

man, why does everyone flame when there's a young rx8 owner!! Does it really matter that much as long as they aren't a complete moron?!

Doesn't matter at all to me. Don't understand the big deal if someone else decides to buy their kid a car that isn't a shitbox. :dunno:

I mean, I don't think an 8 is a great choice for a first car, since I think RWD dynamics are a bit more complicated than, say, FWD dynamics. Doesn't mean I'll be upset at the idea of them getting the car from their parents.

I mean, I don't think something like this is going to happen.

Well it seems these days that a lot of kids are just getting handed shit on gold platters, and personally i hate it, i have worked for everything i bought, including my 8, and i hate seeing people just get handed shit from their parents. thats bullshit. It makes kids selfish, ungrateful, and assholes. I blame parents like this for the way the country is going, these kids dont know the meaning of a dollar and dont know what hard labor is, and probably never will

im not flaming, i just go on political rants. if you arent retarded as most people on here are saying, than i "approve" of you getting the car, but if your gonna be some snot-nosed prick about it, dont come near me, i will make you eat your teeth

I can't blame the kid, when I was 16 I would have killed to get a sports car. Fortunately my parents instead decided to install a sense of work ethic in me and I worked to buy my own car.

It is just my opinion but any parent who is foolish enough to give a young kid a high performance sports car needs their head examined. I know a few in my office and I can tell you from personal experience that they are some of the worst parental models I have ever met. It has been medically proven that the brain of teenager has not yet developed in areas that regulate good judgement for risky behavior. This is not a personal attack but simple science. We are all at that age some time and all have the same limitations. It amazes me when ever I read these types of threads and how screwed up some parents are. Spoiling their kids rotten is not going to help them down the road.

Enjoy the car kid and maybe you are mature enough not to rap it around a tree or worst into some innocent driver but I still think your parents are imbeciles for for doing this. By the way you are not buying anything, mommy and daddy are giving you the car lets be clear on this.

That's a little hostile, don't you think?

yea, its hostile, but i have had my share of encounters with kids like these, and i did make them eat their teeth, and i completely agree with raptor.

I have to agree with what everyone else is saying about the 8 not being a good first car. There is too much power and RWD can be tricky. My first car was a beat up 91 prelude Si, very reliable and very quick for a 16 year olds first car. My second was a 95 240sx SE which was an awesome car to learn the dynamics of RWD in and wasn't super fast either. If you wan't a RWD car then I would definitely suggest the 240sx (With the USDM engine!! No SR20 or RB swaps). They can be had for pretty cheap somewhere between 5-8k will get you a really nice car. I beat the crap out of it and it just asked for more, only maintenance i did on it was change oil, tires and brake pads in over 2 years of ownership.


If you are set on the 8 then get it. Realize that it is going to cost alot to own one and it isn't your average car. It is very fast and handles very very well which will get you into a very bad situation if you let it. Monthly payments are big, unless your parents have 25k to plop down on one right now. I'm 23 and I pay $900 for 6 months of insurance w/ full coverage ($450 in NC for 6 mos). Good luck with everything and hopefully you are mature enough to handle a car like this at your age. I can't blame you if you get one, its an awesome car. i will blame your parents for being irresponsible, not teaching you the value of a dollar and what hard work is.

I dunno, I think it all comes down to driving experience. I can't recommend an 8 as a first car, but as a second, yeah, it'd probably be fine. Like I said, I drove a Ranger that I'd sometimes trade with my dad for his ZX2 (which is how I learned manual). My next car was my RX8.

The reason we're getting this huge influx of young kids driving 8's is that they're just not that expensive anymore. Yeah, they originally retailed for $30k, but when was the last time you saw one going for that much? Used 04's are going for cheaper than new Civics nowadays. The same kids who drove Eclipses in high school (you know the type) are now looking to the RX8 (tajabaho1, anyone?).

b/c it isn't a $30K car anymore. the cars many of these kids are getting are in the range of $15-$17K. depreciation will get a lot of 8s into the hands of younger kids.


as for my car at 15, it was a '79 RX7. it was a blast to drive and when my brother started driving a couple years later my parents got me a year old '93 celica GT which i drove through the remainder of high school and left it home for my siblings. no accidents (other than a fender bender where a woman rear ended me) in the entire time i was in school. man, that was a long time ago.

now, i agree that it probably isn't the right choice for most kids and there will always be some who get spoiled and plenty more that don't get the same and feel everyone else is spoiled but that's life. i'm not immune to it and get upset when i see a 16 year old getting a lambo after wrecking one before (another thread a little way back) but i think i'm just wasting energy really caring that much. the only issue i have now is if they drive like idiots and try to impress people and get someone else hurt or killed.

I totally agree with you guys that the car isn't 30k and is more like 15-20k depending on the year 24-25k new. But that doesn't change what car it is and it doesn't change the fact that a 16 year old (most, not all) aren't ready for a car like this.

well, my first car was a jeep liberty, the rx8 was my first sports car though. I think the rx8 is a great first sports car! Reason being is its well handling and not a super torquey car that'll lose its ass end around a corner! Its a very forgiving car especially with the traction control on, idk, thats just my opinion. I also, on the other hand hate free riding kids!!! When I first got my rx8 my dad only helped with insurance! I had monthly payment, registration, and maintenance all to myself!! After six months of that, all expenses are mine! Thats what should happen more nowadays! Parents should just help out their kids instead of giving them expensive stuff on a silver platter! Thats my stand on this!

I started working when I was 14. When it came time for me to drive on my own, my mom chose a car for me. I literally came home and I had a car. I also literally came home and had to pay her for a car. So not only did I NOT get to choose my own vehicle; I then had to pay her COMPLETELY for a car I didn't even like.....Yes I didn't care for my 1st car very much, but it was a safe and suitable car for an independent teenager. I later wrecked it @18 years old.

My first car was .... actually Is my Rx8

I got it 2 something years ago .... brand new. I pay for my own.

Now Im 27 :cwm27: , I work my ass off all the years to get what I have. I started my first job when I was 12, selling shit to tourist to make a profit.(NYC BUDDY!), not like I need the money that much, but I know if I want something, its better to get it yourself. I hate asking parents for money.

Most of the Parents these days are freaking morons, they give whatever their kids ask for, my parents was cool, but they dont just *oh mommy will get you a car* type of parents, they taught me how to work, how to save, and here I am.

If they got me a car when I was 16, I dont think I will work as hard as I am right now.

and 8 is not for 16 years old, 16 years old does NOT know how to drive property. Im serious. I was 16 once and I know what it was like. So dont even try to argue with me. If you really need to drive for school or whatever, Get something like a Civic.

I wrecked my first vehicle after two weeks

Not all teenagers are morons, but most morons are teenagers.
Something to do with pent-up angst and immaturity. :smoker:

Threads like "my friends and school driving shitbox Sentras are making fun of me".... "My father doesn't approve of me trading it in for a manual rx-8 what should I do?".... "!!@4^%&* my beautiful rx-8 got scratched at my high school".
That is probably why folks here are not happy with young kids owning an rx-8. Why not get a 350Z?

If you have an 8 as your first car, I think you will have a hard time driving anything else. It is so easy to drive that you won't know how to drive other cars.

I agree on some points others have made as well. I was a very responsible kid, but I did some stupid crap in cars anyway when I was your age.

i agree with dehli, get a 350z, that car should go along with the young kid mentality. "I wanna go fast!"

man 16 and your parents are buying you a car.... im 20 and still trying to pay off my piece of crap just to get an 8... consider a 2 door car not so new like SI RSX TC Celica or Mazda 3

I'm thinking it's not a good idea. I was quite responsible at that age but I remember all the stupid things I did behind the wheel.

get a cheap car like a 95 chevy blazer. you can put those through so much hell, i went 4 MONTHS with a seized water pump, went through countless fields, smashed into so many shopping carts and road construction signs. that shit is fun, get one of those

Get a civic- 4cylinder manual, once you are comfortable with it, then go for a funky sports car :)

I don't even know why in hell , do people ask whether they should or should'nt buy a damn car . It's your parent money do whatever you want . If your lucky enought to have parents who will buy you whatever you want , good for you. I don't think it matters what we think....

Just don't wrap the poor thing around a tree or two.

Raptor 75 ........ 100% correct.

By the way welcomed..........

Oh... Did I mention that get a used car(3-4 yr old civic manual-4cylinder) good choice!!

Oh.. By the way, the money that you save, ask them to invest it somewhere and go to a better school ;)