RX8 vs. S2000, going to buy one soon
 

Hey guys, allow me to introduce myself since i'm new here and this is my first post. I currently drive a 97 black M3 sedan 5spd and it's getting a little old so I'm looking to get into a newer car 04+. I always had the s2000 in mind since it came out and my girlfriend drives one but the issue of practicality is looming in my mind.

I never really considered the RX8 even though I drove one at the mazda zoom zoom event, but yesterday while I was waiting for carmax to appriase my car I took a red 05 for a spin. It was manual of course, black and red leather seats, moonroof, heated and power seats etc and I really liked it. The fact that it can seat 4 people in a pinch is really the factor that is making me post here.

I know the RX8 is a bit slower in a straight line but also hear it's a great autocross car like the S2000. I didn't get a good first impression since the mazda zoom zoom autocross event required traction control to be on and the instructor had the a/c blasting. As far as around town power are you guys happy with the car, how does it handle at the limit? (s2000 will swap ends fairly easily if you're not careful)

Lastly, how reliable is this car? I don't know anything about rotary engines and short of an oil change and maybe some suspension work I probably am incompetent when it comes to rotary powered cars. I read a post saying that the expected renesis engine life is only around 90,000 miles which scares me quite a bit.

One last question, what can I expect to pay for a 04/05 loaded car with leather, moon roof, keyless, bose etc under 25K miles? If it's around the 21-23 range I may highly consider the RX8 as my next car.

Thanks,

Joseph

I don't own either car but have driven both a few times and have driven an S2000 on an autox course.

The RX-8 is the car to have in BS autox now, so that's a plus if you're an autox fan. The RX-8 handles very well at the limit and is easier to drive than an S2000, it's limits are a little less than that of the S2000 but it won't bite you in the ass like an S2000 will. The RX-8 is also a little more cerebral and lacks the razor sharp feel of the S2K.

As for the power, no one can answer that but you, to me and some others that drove it afetr coming from higher HP cars we were disappointed, others out there feel it's plenty fast.

It's also a little early to speculate on longterm reliability of the Renesis, not many people have over 50k miles. There have been a a fair amount of engine failures, but they usually occur early rather than a result of longterm wear. Anyone that says the Renesis will only last 90k is just pulling a number out of their ass, it may turn out that it can last 200k for a lot of people or that a lot of them will start failing prior to 100k, time will tell. You will have to check the oil and often add a little every 1000 miles or so.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a loaded RX-8 in your pricerange. Also keep in mind also that the RX-8 will suck up more gas than the S2000, plan on averaging about 18mpg in the RX-8 and if you do better it's just a nice little treat.

The RX-8 is probably the closed thing to a more practical S2000. So it really comes down to if you want a more fun less practical car or a more practical car that's a little less fun.

I was targetting the S2000 until I realized I needed practicality to go with it, so the closest car was the RX-8. 'Around town power' is good, e.g revving up to 4k will be more than enough to get you ahead of average traffic assuming you're the first at a stop light. In DFW, you'll be the fastest car on the road 95% of the time. It's also rare and unique (people still stare, even though the car has been out for almost 3 years), and looks much better than the s2000 imo.

Like Ike said...reliablity is still a mystery. Seals may or may not go out before 100k. I've read a couple posts of owners who have 70k+. Of course, there are plenty of rx7s that are over 200k miles, so hopefully the Renesis wouldn't be much different. Rotary reliable was probably one of the goals Mazda had in mind when they decided to bring back a rotary-powered sports car.

You'll be able to find one for $21-24 with the GT package easily (leather, sun roof, heated seats, etc). There aren't any keyless 04/05s, only 06s.

Also, if you autocross seriously, the GT package adds about 50-75 pounds to the curb weight (over the sport pakage (don't remember exact weights, but it is significant)).

Not sure if this equates with long-term reliability, but at least it gives me a "warm fuzzy" about my RX8

http://rotarynews.com/node/view/463

Btw, what are some good places to autocross in Dallas?

If you are into autocrossing or maybe tracking, you should get the S2000 unless you seriously need the 4 seats and the quieter ride. The 2.2 litre S2000 has a newly configured rear member to tune out the snap oversteer that occurs in the older ones so driving at the limit is better now. Maintenance is roughly the same between the 2 cars (S2000 also need to top up their oil), as for reliability a 100k+ miles RX-8 has yet to be seen.

you have a E36 M3 right now, if you goto rx8 its quite a bit slower and has way more bodyroll vs your M3. but it sure is a lot more practical than s2k just testdrive both,
*edit in autocross rx8 pretty much dominates bstock, while s2k is at a higher perfomance level and got pushed to A stock... its has got some pretty tough compeititors in A stock

well i got over 50k miles on mine..and i have no problems at all :)

SAme here....I have 55 k miles now and I have no problem at all either....It really boils down to HOW WELL U UP KEEP UR CAR!!!

again with the RX8 vs S2K

You need to figure out if you need the 2 extra seats or not because thats the real question here. The RX8 is what would hapen if you gave the S2k a back seat. Which means bigger, heavier with a shot in the performance dept but more practical.

If you dont need a back seat... get the S2k of course... the RX8 shouldnt even be an option.

If you need relative practicality... then RX8 of course.... I've never heard of a practical roadster.

As far as reliability goes..... if thats a biggie for you then It would probably be safest to avoid the RX8. I'm not saying the RX8 is unreliable but fact of the matter is its too early to tell and it has a rotary engine which is somewhat "immature" when compared to the conventional pistons...and with relatively "immature" technology you gotta be ready for anything (sorry guys but thats my opinion). I know there are all kinds of lemons out there to watch out for but you may want to be a little extra weary with this one

You're also in the used market (04+). I'd be careful shopping for a used 8. It needs some attention. If the owner didn't use premium and drove it like a corolla i'd stay away.

I don't think its really fair to say something about reliability because of some engines failing. Doesn't that happen to a lot of others too? I swear some people on here only look at mostly negative aspects of a car. A couple of dead Engines in a RX8 and people swear they're not reliable. What a bunch of BS. How about all the other of thousand of owners who have had no problems, including myself(knock on wood). Take what some people on here say with a grain of salt.

Like I've said plenty of times, go test drive both of them and make a decision. They're both great cars in my eyes.

In case you haven't seen this, here's what a couple of Brits have to say about the RX-8....

http://www.car2max.com/video/Top%20G...azda%20RX8.wmv

Zoom, Zoom! :ylsuper:

Agreed with all of above, the 8 is what you get when you put two more seats in a S2000. As for reliability, if the car can serve me as long as my Toyota then I'll call it reliable but that's just my opinion.

Do the pros and cons on both cars and you'll see the give and take. Once you define what you really want the choice will be easy.

Thanks for all the replies guys, I think what you guys said just confirms what I already know. The powerband on the RX8 felt similar to the S2000 with not much low end grunt and a bit more high rpm thrust. I have to admit vtec changeover in the S2000 is amazing and on an autocross course never dropping out of that range produces enough power to scoot you around the course with ease.

I've driven the S2000 a bunch, my girlfriend owns a 2000 model grand prix white but I don't have very much seat time in the RX8 so I can't get a fair comparison. At this point I think I can probably go without the backseats, although it would be nice in a pinch. It's especially appealing to have those 2 seats in a nimble car that looks and drives like a coupe.

I guess the answer is that I'll have to go with the 04 S2000 i'm looking at as soon as I can sell the M3, but if the S deal falls through I may look for a loaded RX8 and if it's a good deal I may pick one up instead.

By the way, how's insurance on the RX8. Are there many cases of vandalism/theft? Also what's the torque rating (factory) and actual curb weight?

I got half the insurance rate I would of got had I gone with the s2k.

Not many cases of theft, rotaries dont sell.

Torque and weight are googlable.


(whats a good autocross place)

http://www.autocross.com/texasregion/

How did that work? I got quoted on both and the S2k was more expensive by ONE dollar/month lol

i have a car just like that one that you described and i payed 22,750.

rx8 = 4 door sedan + 4 cylinder

s2000 = roadster

i think a lot of blown engine threads I have seen are because of improperly tuned or early turbo applications. I think the early 04's had some bad engines, but I don't remember reading anything on later year engine problems.

I am also very new here but, just got an 04 GT velocity red with keyless entry. oh and it has 35k on the clock so I am pretty sure its not an 06 would have been nice if the dealer got them mixed up though.

Well I guess my insurance company goes by more than just aesthetic specifics and more by intended purpose