Standard Power (192ps - 5speed MT) vs High Power (231ps - 6speed MT)
 

Hi guys, I'm about to get an used 8, and I've got an excellent (at least, it seems so) deal, getting a 2004 192ps black, with leather black seats and 15k miles on it. The car looks (outside and inside) absolutely new, so as soon as I get the ok from the bank, I'm taking it to a mazda dealer for a check up and if everything looks smooth I'm buying it :D

I'm very very happy about this 'cause I've always wanted a rx-7 before, and when the rx-8 was released I immediatly fell for it...

My question for you guys is: how much of a difference is, drivingwise, between both versions? Is the 6speed 231ps 9k redline that much better? The 0-60 time is 1 second apart and top speed is nearly identical, but what about the rest? I just wanna be sure that Im getting a true 8, for I frankly cannot afford a new one (you wouldnt believe the taxes we pay here in Portugal for a car. I can tell you though, that a new rx-8 231ps is €56,761 euro and about $88,370 USD :banghead: )

Thanks in advance for any feedback, I appreciate it.

Regards,
G

do you want an automatic or a standard? I personally only wanted a manual for my new sports car. If you can live with driving an automatic, it looks like you found a sweet deal if the price is right for you.

88k!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wtf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!! if your really willing to pay that much.... do not cheat yourself, buy a used 231ps 6spd rx8

I'd reccomend really trying to get the 231ps 6spd version if you can. a 20% increase in power is a pretty noticeable thing. I'd wait even an extra 6 months if you can't find the right hi-power.

How much would it be to import a car? You can get used 6spd RX-8s here for ~$14,000.

My apologies. I clearly did not express myself correctly. I am NOT paying 88k dollars for the car, thats the price on a new one bought directly from Mazda here in Portugal. I'm paying about 37k USD for this one, and (as you can see, doing the math from the new price) is a pretty sweet deal.
About import unfortunately won't work (I had thought about it before), because our car tax is skyhigh, I'd pay about 12.5k USD just to legalize the car here, plus other taxes. I know...it's insane :Eyecrazy:

@Runmymouth
As for the AT vs MT question, the one I'm talking about is definitely MT (5speed), I'd never buy an AT (personally, I love manual transmission, only real way to go).

@FloppinNachos
Have you driven both? From what I've gathered around the web, the performance is really close, plus it appears that the medium gears are as responsive on the Standard as on the Hi-Power ones.

And the real problem is that an used Hi-Power here in PT can't be found for lower than 49k USD (2004 and 2005 ones).

But Im a absolute fan of the car, and it's really uncommon in my country, everyone drives BMWs, VWs, AUDIs, Citroen, Renault...Mazdas as well, but only the low end ( like the 3's and the 6's), I've only saw two RX-8 driving around...ever. And I live in the capital. Gotta get me one :)

Greets,
G

P.S. Heh, just so you can pity me even more, I just did the math and a gallon here in PT costs around 8.25 USD. You prolly will rofl with this, Im pretty sure gas is a -lot- cheaper in US... :P

Wow, Portugal gets ripped on the automotive department it seems. Well, personally, I say get what you can. The 192 isn't SO bad, but I was under the impression that Manuals came with the 231...

and here i thought we Canucks were getting screwed with the pricing...

Even if you spend $20k to import the damn thing. You can get a really nice 6spd RX-8 in the US for $17k.

We have the "192ps" engine in the automatics here and the "231ps" engine with a 6spd and they beat them pretty badly in races.

The 192ps is about on par in straight line performance with a V6 Mustang with intake and exhaust....

no worries, in Thailand its about the same, about 100k for a new mazda rx8

I understand dude, just buy whatever you can, as long as it is in good and useable condition

The 192ps with the 5 speed is a nice alternative. IT would be nice if we had that option here originally.

Wonder what they are doing with all that extra capacity from not producing as many 4 ports now......

wow, I didnt realize these cars were that expensive in different countries. Dude, trust me and get an MT.

they're both MT cars, one is a 4 port and the other a 6 port.

uhhhh 6spd and first mod is a short shifter

have you checked how much it would cost to import one from the usa?

im sure freighters go from new york city to lisbon quite often. you can put the car in a container and have it shipped over there. it might cost a few grand, but i dont think it would cost more then $5,000.

are there any other regulations? emissions stuff? you could buy a euro spec PCM and put it in there. the speedo can already display kph.

i'd seriously search around for importing a car.

also, the big kicker here is.... are there any mechanics that can work on your car? lol.... most mechanics wont touch a rotary engine.

I have. There are two major problems with importing: first is the security issue...anything that comes from USA gets stuck in the customs for month(s). second is precisely what you mentioned: regulations. We have to pay skyhigh taxes to legalize imported cars (due to emissions and cc), it's just not worth it.
About the mechanics, I'm covered. I've spoken with Mazda directly and they have dealers all around the country with proper mechanics to take care of rotary engines.

Greets,
G

If you do a search on youtube or google video there is at least one video where some people did a couple pulls on the highway between a manual 6 port and the automatic 4 port. I want to say the manual had at least a bus length on the automatic.

The manual is very easy to drive and IMO you would be happier. I know others will flame me for that, but it's just my humble opinion.

The car I'm talking about is a 192ps, 5 speed MT, it's not automatic :D, thing is you guys don't have that version over there, but here in Europe we do.

Greets,
G

it will be pretty similar to the automatics we have over here, maybe a little faster.

check what it costs to import. Do you think it'll be less than $25k USD?? It's worth it if it is.....

The thing is even though you have to pay taxes either way, in the US the RX-8 has a really poor re-sale value. In portugal it's probably considered a very sought after car if it sells for $88k so I'm sure resale value is a lot better.

Hello Gafa!

Greeting's from up north! I got mine used 8 in mid january. It's -04 hig power with 74000km on it. I payed 28990€ for it. Here in Finnland the used 8's are pretty much the same price if its 192hp or 231hp version.

They say that 192hp is better on daily driving because it's got better torgue? But still i wanted the highpower version because my last car was the "step-down" model. And about the torgue: with 231hp you can drive 60km/h with 6th gear, no problem. It's got enough torgue for me :)

But remember that the 231hp version get's it power from gasoline! Mixed driving (urban/extra-urban) consumption is about 13.7Litres in 100km.

Have you driven both versions? Take them for a test drive if possible. I've never driven the 192hp version only 231. But it was love at first drive, because it nearly killed me :D:

Greetings Mikko,

For that value I could buy an used Hi-Power here in Portugal (29k Euros), thing is I can't afford that right now. Thus, I'm going for the 192ps, got the ok from the bank, prolly will get it the next week or the one after that. I'll post the pics here when I do though. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love the 192ps version as well, have watched some videos on youtube and it's just perfect, I won't really notice that much of a difference. 0-60 is 0.6 seconds apart, and top speed is nearly identical as well :)

Greets,
G

just get the 192ps one. its still tons of fun even if you dont have as much power. this car is not built on its power.

I have driven both - I gotta say the 5 speed 4 port is dissappointing to drive . You really must drive both before you buy the low power version . There is a reason the high power version is so much more expensive , it is better , alot better .

he cant afford the high power. but he still wants an rx8.

good luck gafa!

News on this guys...found a hi-power one...brilliant black, leather black seats, from 2005, 8k miles on it. Absolutely new, exactly what I was looking for in the first place...and with an affordable price tag. I'm getting it this week...asap :)

I'll post some pics when I get it, thanks for the input so far guys...yay going for hi-power :Peace:

Greets,
G

Good for you man!:yesnod:

Mine is also Brilliant Black with red/black leather interior. Can i ask that much did it cost? Are you buying it from portugal or perhaps from germany?

Anyway, congratulation for you!

It's gonna be great summer here in europe ;)