One post and he makes more sense than anyone here. Why is the 8 not a good first car? It has less power than many Accords and Camrys. Easier to drive than most cars on the road. Learn to take car of your car. Learn to check your oil. For Gods sake you people make this car out to be some wierd exotic or something. It has a rotary engine, that is the only differance from any other car. Its a $8,000 to $12,000 car ('04-'05) come on, you don't have to be some sort of expert to drive this thing! It's not an irreplaceable cassic! It's just a freakin' car. Every time someone asks it it's a good first car you all go nuts telling them no no you are not ready for an 8. Stop already!
Kid, if you want the RX8 go buy it already.
Rant over

 

agree wit 911sc .... if u want it , get it & deal with it...
when problems comes up, fix it....like an adult...
if u dont like it....dont get it....

04 LEMON (lightning yellow) ..K&N intake..oil change every 3K ..TIENS basic..20% tinted windows ...vertex front....73000 MILES...AND STILL RUNNING STRONG ~ !!

 

I wouldn't buy an 8 as a first car. Several people have stated insurance, gas, and other little things our 8's need to continue driving. Others have had the car for years with no problems, I have a buddy who bought a 2004 RX8 new and only adds oil when the light comes on and has never had any issues. Granted this is a forum and a lot of the bad things get posted due to modern technology, aka my car is broke and I don't know what to do so I Google it and find this site. There are some really smart people on here that will help you when you get the car and some people will offer their opinion and be wrong. Cruise the site read a lot of threads, the people who are smart on what these cars need to go fast or run without issues have really high post counts and are respected by a lot of people on here for the information and discussions they have.

Now to tell you why I would not get this car now I will list a few reasons some are repeats others haven't been pointed out yet.

1. Your 17 unless your family is a bunch of rotor / gear heads this car can drive you mad when it doesn't work right.
2. Insurance is a small fortune for you no matter what you drive but this is worse.
3. Gas is not cheap remember this car only likes the really good stuff not 87.
4. If and when you need to change the spark plugs, tires ( tires are big epically if your anywhere there is snow these cars are not good in bad weather if your not set up right or not experienced to how they handle on bad roads.) or any other part they are a lot more expensive than most cars.
5. This is a question but. Are you willing to look at the info on things such as premixing, or a certain member here I read even changes his oil twice every change to flush the entire system. All to possible avoid the pitfalls some of these cars have.

Get a cheap car to get through HS and then in a few years, after you have destroyed that car get an 8 if you still want one. That is the best advice I can give but the choice is always your own.

 

Not like the kid is going to listen to any of us, at that age I was an impulse buyer if i had the money to get one then i would of had one.

So really the only thing I am warning about is the motor itself, the car is by no mean the best drive out there, and I don't revere the car as some exotic.

But trust me when I say this, when the rotary has a mechanical problem its either impossible to fix without pulling some hair out, or a deep wallet.

My 7 has for sure taken a couple of years off of my life

 

^^^#1- True for any car, if you are not going to repair it yourself.
#2- Is it not classified as a 4 door sedan by Ins. co.?
#3- Yes poor gas milage, but people are using 87, 89, etc. not recomended but it is being done.
#4-How is it that when its convienient the car is great in the snow with snow tires and handles like a dream. Da twisties man! Plugs? See #1
#5-Pre-mix? Word is still out on that one. How many of you really do it. Change oil twice every oil change? Why? Who does it? Do you?
Damn it Alex, you got in my way.

 

If you can afford it, get it. Insurance will be pricey, gas will be pricey, repairs can be pricey, so on and so forth. It's a great car, handles very well, and is easy to drive. Plan ahead and all will be fine. You do have to think about college though. Where are you going to put it, are you going to have it with you, and how will you pay for it while in school?

As stated before, take some driving classes. Even though the car is easy to drive, inexperience can lead to a world of hurt. Even driving in the rain can yield unexpected results if you're not familiar with rwd.

Drive within your limits no matter what you get. I totaled my first car because i didn't. Boosted and rwd wasn't the problem, it was my inexperience behind the wheel.

 

Between the MPG and insurance its too expensive.

Be practicle. You need to go to college and have fun not spend money on a car.

 

Just like many other people here have said, a RX-8 (or any RWD sportscar) is not a safe choice for a first car for a teenager. Example of what can happen
The article is incorrect, the people killed were not men, but two 16 year old boys. The car was a Honda S2000 (similar in power to a RX-8).

 

OK, Razz has over 12,000 posts. He's been here almost as long as I have, but he owns one. I'm wrong. Don't buy it kid, you'll shoot your eye out.

 

Oh ****.. my bad

 

#1 True but there is a lot of people that fix piston engines and few that understand rotor.
#2 It is by most Ins. co. and so is a BMW 335i but not all 4door sedans have the same Insurance prices.
#3 I would be interested to know the numbers on not using premium gas and what other problems have occurred to those engines.
#4 Its not a convenience thing as much as an experience thing, if you grew up in Buffalo New York or some other snow land its not as big deal probably.
#5 Like I said are you willing to do the research and make a decision one way or the other. It might help or it might not but some of the things make more sense than others or don't cost to much to protect your investment.

Buy the car if you want, it is fun when everything is good. I just remember how I was at that age and most of my friends as well. I had an 87 RX7 around that time and I had more days where I was trying to fix it from flooding issues to keeping tires on it than I did driving it. Granted that car became a favorite of mine down the road when I had the knowledge and time to keep it running right. At 17 I had sports, girls, hanging out and a job that seemed to get in the way. Even the new RX8 there are problems sometimes. Can you live with having your car in the shop for an extended time, do you have a second car to get to school work etc. Yes Mazda will give you a rental car to drive if your car is under warranty but (I could be wrong on this and it may be different.) you have to be 21 at most rental places to drive their cars.

 

One more thing and then I won't say anything more. This whole forum is all about RWD>FWD, well, not all of it but you know what I mean, and now this? RWD is not safe? Ever turn your wheels at a stop in a FWD car and then floor it? Yeah boat loads of fun. And that video? That can happen with any car. If you're stupid and careless.

 

Anybody else notice we haven't heard from the OP? I think we scared him away. All the better, he would have hurt himself if he bought the 8.

 

well, i guess i just give up. cause if/when it is crashed or tashed, it just means another parts car for anything i would need in the future, so go on an get 'er man ;D

 

I agree that RWD > FWD, but having ones first car being a RWD sportscar is an accident waiting to happen (not trying to be mean, just looking out for his and others safety). My first car was RWD (a 1984 volvo 240 manual - a very slow 4 door sedan), and I have own more RWD cars in my life than FWD. FWD is typically easier to control in snow or ice than RWD, and therefore safer in those conditions.

A large part of avoiding accidents like above is driving skill and not being stupid and/or careless. Most teenagers don't have enough wheel time to have the skill and are careless behind the wheel (why do you think insurance costs so much more for young drivers). I am over 30 years old, have had many RWD sports cars, and completed racing experience classes such as Justin Bell GT, and I still know I have much to learn.

 

I can't help but disagree with this statement, based on my experience.

I don't buy the idea that age has any bearing on what kind of car a person can own. If a person is mature enough to learn how to drive, does not drive recklessly, can actually afford the car (which usually requires ALOT of hard work if it's going to be a first car), and realizes that SPORTS CARS need to be respected, then they are mature enough to own an RX8 as a car.

RX8 was (and is) the first car I ever bought myself, I learned how to drive stick on my Dad's BMW M Roadster, and I have never gotten a speeding ticket, nor have I ever gotten in an accident (I realize this one is dependent on other drivers as well).

I realize that I am extremely fortunate to own this car at my age, and I treat it with care and respect. I just wanted to make the point that while MOST 18 year olds are not mature enough to own a car like this, some of us are.

 

If you get a WRX STI as your first car, you will die in it.

The 8 is relatively tame for a sports car and very easy to control, so it's not too bad for an inexperienced driver, IF you don't drive stupid, and at your age that's a big IF. Sports cars in general are not the best option for a first car.

I know how important it is to have a cool car at your age. But be realistic. The WRX will get away from you and the 8 would be too expensive to drive due to gas, insurance, and repair costs. I assume that you would be looking at 8s that are older/higher mileage and don't have anything but the engine warranty, which could leave you hitching rides if something goes wrong. They aren't cheap to fix.

Wait until you are out in the world paying your own bills and making good money before getting a sports car.

I hate to say this but..get a Civic Si. Much cheaper to own, still gives you bragging rights around high school, and not such a heartbreaking loss when you total it.

 

You're contradicting yourself, the vast majority of teenagers don't meet any of those conditions.

Even if you are an exception, you are an exception because most teenagers aren't like that. I've been a teenager, I know how tempting it is to get a cool, fast car, and I also know how bad of an idea it usually is. I had friends in high school who were maimed, disfigured, and killed by stupid driving.

 

RX-8 was my first car that I personally purchased. I did fine with it, did the regular maintenance etc etc.

EDIT if you are concerned about safety and suck at driving - get DSC and keep it on. It may just save your life one day.

 

Bought it for my first car, i didnt even know stick. Learned in a couple days, very smooth and easy to drive, just keep up with the maintenance and the gas wont be cheap.

 

Strong with the WIN - this thread is

 

dude if you aren't stupid buy the rx8. I got my 09 gt when I graduated highschool and I haven't done anything stupid to wreck it. That is because I got a lot of my driving practice done with my old car that I had for 2 years.

But if you think you are mature enough to know how to handle a sports car and when and when not to go fast on it then go for it. I love it and I test drove every single other sports car out there but the rx8 is the one that stood out the most.

if you still are not sure, go test drive one. You will be happy

btw mine gets 16/23 mpg

 

Just by the WRX SRI comment you need to do more research. Nuff said.

For other readers considering an rx8 and have done their homework. I will say that I started with a 98 Mazda 626 and it is a fantastic car to start with. You can beat the **** out of them and they don't really care (minus the transmission). You can put the spark plugs anywhere you want. Oil doesn't get eaten. Gas doesn't cost anything compared.
Add tint, 18's, drop it, loose the emblems and you have the hit of highschool. Need more edge add bass and an intake. Car gets loud and sounds nifty as all get out (still slow as **** though sorry)
Need more convincing?
Your backpack is a door open away instead of two doors and crawling into the backseat and back out.
Maybe pictures will help.



Seriously though start with a different car. I was just advertising the mazda family.

 

If you just want to be the big man on campus for cheap get a used Solstice GXP or Saturn Sky Turbo and de-badge it. You can find an 06 or 07 used one for 14-17k.

 

Saturn sky's are nice, you would have to deal with 2 seats though, and, in high school like i am, i know only having 2 seats would blow.