Lucky for me, my parents are generously splitting the cost of a new car for me, up to $25k. I've looked at a few used 8's, love it dearly, and have narrowed it down to a few specific cars. My dad saw it fore the first time tonight, however, and was like "ummmm...." His only complaint (AKA the only thing standing between me and this car) is that the trunk is "tiny" and the back seats arn't all that big either, therefore I might have problems if I wanted to, say, take a weekend trip with one or two other people. I don't frquently go on trips or need to haul huge amounts of stuff as it is, so for the moment I don't share my dad's sentiment on this.

I'm looking for any insight from people (everyone here) who drives one and has to deal with this possible issue of practicality. Is it really an issue? How about compared to other cars you've driven in the past? Is this car a daily driver for you, and what about practicality in general? Any thoughts?

Thanks guys....

 

Sit in the rear seat and have the dealer drive you around.

 

We agree the back seat is decently-roomy, and can seat 4 just fine. The question is "stuff": baggage on a trip, stuff from the store, and so on. Anyone ever been disappointed when in a scenario like, "damn, if I was still driving my ____ I'd be able to fit this in the car" and stuff like that.

I've only had one car before this that I drove regularly, so I dont have a good base for comparison; thats why i'm asking this. Moreso, I just want some support to argue with my dad that, although not a ridiculously spacious car by any means, it practical enough for most people in day-to-day situations.

 

The 8 is very practical compared to other cars at its performance and price levels. If the only question is how much stuff fits in the trunk, I can tell you that the 8 will hold the entire contents of a Costco shopping cart: the ultimate test.

I've taken my 8 for multi-night trips to my son's soccer tournaments so one adult, one 6 ft. teenager, a 5 ft 8" sibling, overnight bags, snacks and soccer gear bag all fit comfortably. The only limitation I've run into is the width of the trunk opening. A bulky item, like a large suitcase, may not fit through the opening even though there's enough room in the trunk for it. In that case, use a back seat.

For everyday purposes and even most trips, the 8 is perfectly roomy and a blast to drive. Just don't plan on using it for large home improvement projects and you'll be happy.

 

go look at a g35coupe or 350z... u'd be astonished how big the rx8 trunk is. the RX8's trunk is big enough most of the time, only once did i have a hard time fitting something... but with some pushing... it fit

 

I have 2 10' kicker subs, and a 1200 watt amp in my trunk. I can still fit 2 golf bags (or one walking bag and one tour bag) and still have room for a small duffel.

I'd say there's enough room. It's one of the main reason I chose the RX-8.


Larger items as mentioned above fit well inside the vehicle because of the freestyle doors. Also, because the passenger seat folds all the way down you can fit the occasional humungous item . I had my borla exhaust in the box in the car, it was like 5' long and 3 ' wide.

 

Practicality is the reason I bought this car--did your dad even sit in the back? Most people blindly say "I CAN'T FIT BACK THERE" or even more idiotic "THAT IS TOO SMALL BACK THERE!" then after they get in--"its more room back here than I thought" I am 5'11" and I can sit behind myself if need be. Frequently I am the driver when me and my friends go out on the scene at night--4 in an RX8 without problem--of course we usually like to take 2 cars in case we come back with more passengers than we arrived with

 

Everyone knows a kid whose parents have and SUV. If you want to go on a road trip invite that kid, then have car trouble.

 

This I gotta see - I thought human cloning hadn't been done yet.

You are a movie cliche. :D

 

does the rx-8 your looking at have the spare tire kit? I took mine out to get more trunk space.

 

Yeah, the spare tire kit will totally own your trunk if you have it. That being said, I'm in college and have never actually needed the extra space in the trunk that would be afforded by removing the tire. I get comments all the time about how roomy the car is despite their initial perception that it's going to be small and cramped. It hauls friends just fine, and unless you have every seat filled with said friends, it's perfectly capable of hauling tons of stuff as well (even with three in the car).

One tip to help you get the car: Let your dad drive it. My dad drove it before I did and he kept trying to talk me back into looking at the 8 every time I went looking at a different car. :D

 

I understand the reservation about space.

Driving a VW GTI for nearly 6 years has me addicted to the vertical hatch and cargo space. I can go pick someone up at the airport, or go buy something at IKEA without thinking about it.

For cargo space, you have to plan a bit with the RX-8, but the trunk isn't really that small compared to other compact cars. The *opening* is narrow, which limits the dimensions of what you get get in there. For example, some duffle bags that would *fit* in the trunk can't *get* in the trunk. However, rollaboard-size bags, backpacks, etc. fit in easily. I've easily put in 3 rollaboards plus misc. stuff in the trunk, with some room to spare.

A 30" wheeled duffle bag (like this or this or this) will j-u-s-t fit upright in the back seat, one on each side, and can be buckled in. A 36" duffle will not fit.

EDIT: Another significant thing about that ^^^^^ is that a 30" wheeled duffle like the ones I linked to is the maximum dimensions for airline checked baggage, especially international. A 36" duffle will likely be charged overage. No point going to the airport with something you can't fly with anyway! :D

Here's the solution for when you need to carry something bigger (like a 36" TV), or a bike rack: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...5&postcount=95

If the Mazda3 were available with all-wheel-drive & 200hp, I'd go for a Mazda3 hatch just because I love the cargo space. Having a 'way out' with the hitch is the security blanket which makes the 8 a possibility for me.

 

Screw the spare tire kit. If you buy the 8 new it comes with 4 years of road-side assistance. What the hell do you need a spare tire for? That and the little compressor and sealer is all you are really going to need. Spare Tires are a thing of the past. Don't bother to pay the extra money for it when all it's going to do is weigh your car down and take up your trunk space.

I have a speaker box installed in my trunk and I can still take it to the grocery store and fill up a cart. The 8 really does have good storage, just not SUV type storage.

 

EVERYONE: Thanks. I appreciate the honest insight, and I think my dad will too. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

 

About a month ago, I went on a camping trip with 3 friends (all at least 6'), 4 flats of beer, a tent, food, sleeping bags, etc...

Everything fit in my 8. You'd be surprised at how much stuff you can cram in there...

 

khtm is right. Wife and I and 2 cats have been on a 10-day road trip, with another one planned soon. As we all know, women "need" 10 times as much stuff as men do. Surprisingly, there's enough room in the 8 for all and sundry. And that includes a litter box.

 

While I was out got the typical call from number 1 son for dad's taxi to collect 17 yo and his mate from the golf club and take them both home.
2 sets of clubs and buggies in the boot . I never thought it would be possible but hey they designed the car for 4 peopleafter all.
6'6" friend in back and NO complaints.
BUY THE CAR

 

dude read my list here https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...nic#post363736 about what fits in the trunk. then read that whole thread

 

Dude, go for it!

I was kind of in the same boat as you, I wanted a practicle car that I could do everything in! I looked at every car: G35, 350Z, S2k, 325i even a Volvo S40T5. Coming from an E36 3-ser, i knew that all these newer cars wouldn't have as big of a backseat, trunk, etc. but what they did have was the fun to drive appeal, great styling, and warantty something my other car was far from having..

Oh and for 25k, look at some new left over 04's... The dealer i bought mine from still has a couple left, and are letting them go for mid $24's with GT package...

Tab-

PS: dont worry about the trunk, you can store plenty and you will hardly ever use it + there is tons of space in the back seats if you need it...

 

Dude.. its your car.. your not a cabbie. :D

From what I see you are a single young kid with no obligations.... an 8 is adequate to haul 4 adults. It could easily accomodate a small family and is more than enough for a young single guy

The problem is your dad is looking at the 8 from his personal standpoint rather than yours.

this is the dillema you run into when your parents help you out with such a purchase.

 

Agreed with Elusive (on using the back seats for packing space), my brother and I can pack more than enough for a week-long trip and have plenty of space left over. With the spare tire IN. I can't imagine how roomy that trunk would be without it. Might not need the back seats at that point... it's a pretty good-sized tire, after all.

 

Yes...I remember seeing posted a picture of you chacing your buddy into the water in only his underwear....THE HORROR! :D

 

I have carried adults in the car on many occassions and they are quite surprised by how much room there is in the back.....I also had to load up my car full of beer and other drinks for a management weekend for the company I work for. I was very suprised how much we got into the car.

 

Thanks everyone! The parents OKed it! hehe

 

How do you sit behind yourself???!