Surprising my husband with an '09 RX8
08-01-2009, 11:32 AM
#76
Spin Triangles! Spin!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas, US
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And some advice...
Go with a Manual Transmission
My opinion 08 would be a better deal.
Expect at least $4500 off sticker on an 08
________
SUNNYandDEVIN
Go with a Manual Transmission
My opinion 08 would be a better deal.
Expect at least $4500 off sticker on an 08
________
SUNNYandDEVIN
Last edited by dmorales; 09-09-2011 at 03:45 AM.
08-03-2009, 02:47 PM
#78
The Michigan "WANKEL"
I'm 6'3" and have an 09 with moon roof (which I didn't want). The amount of headroom you will have will depend on how upright you like your seat. I normally have mine pretty close to fully upright, but with my seat like that, my hair is rubbing against the roof (and no, I don't have an Afro!). I plan to track my RX-8, so wearing a helmet is going to be tight.
I'm not sure I buy the "09s are slower than the 08s". That seems to be the general opinion, but I've never read a review yet of the "normal" (non-R3) 2009 RX-8. 0-60 mph might turn out slightly slower due to the shorter gearing possibly requiring a shift just before reaching 60, but other than that, I can see no change that would significantly affect acceleration for the worse. I don't believe the car is significantly heavier with the same equipment.
Most do like the style of the 08 better than the 09. Personally, I prefer the back end of the Series II (09+) to the Series I (08 and earlier). The front end, I have mixed feelings about. Except for the "mustache" on the grill, I prefer the Series II, but that mustache really is kind of weird. Fortunately, I have a black RX-8, so the mustache is largely irrelevant.
There are significant reliability improvements in the Series II that, to me, make it well worth buying it over the Series I. This is one of the reasons I chose an RX-8 at all: it's been out for several years and therefore hopefully has most of the bugs worked out. I plan to keep my RX-8 essentially forever, and this was more important to me than having the latest, greatest thing (i.e., the 370Z).
I'm not sure I buy the "09s are slower than the 08s". That seems to be the general opinion, but I've never read a review yet of the "normal" (non-R3) 2009 RX-8. 0-60 mph might turn out slightly slower due to the shorter gearing possibly requiring a shift just before reaching 60, but other than that, I can see no change that would significantly affect acceleration for the worse. I don't believe the car is significantly heavier with the same equipment.
Most do like the style of the 08 better than the 09. Personally, I prefer the back end of the Series II (09+) to the Series I (08 and earlier). The front end, I have mixed feelings about. Except for the "mustache" on the grill, I prefer the Series II, but that mustache really is kind of weird. Fortunately, I have a black RX-8, so the mustache is largely irrelevant.
There are significant reliability improvements in the Series II that, to me, make it well worth buying it over the Series I. This is one of the reasons I chose an RX-8 at all: it's been out for several years and therefore hopefully has most of the bugs worked out. I plan to keep my RX-8 essentially forever, and this was more important to me than having the latest, greatest thing (i.e., the 370Z).
Last edited by Chibana; 08-03-2009 at 02:49 PM.
08-03-2009, 03:03 PM
#79
Software Engineer
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I'm not sure I buy the "09s are slower than the 08s". That seems to be the general opinion, but I've never read a review yet of the "normal" (non-R3) 2009 RX-8. 0-60 mph might turn out slightly slower due to the shorter gearing possibly requiring a shift just before reaching 60, but other than that, I can see no change that would significantly affect acceleration for the worse. I don't believe the car is significantly heavier with the same equipment.
2nd redlines at 64mph
08-03-2009, 03:16 PM
#80
Registered
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey chica. Welcome to the forums.
If you happen to bump into a TSgt King at Beale, tell him I say hello. They just left me in San Antonio, to head to Beale, and I left to D.C. Now down to business. I don't like sticking to leather when it's hot either. The Recaros are not all leather in the R3s. Your booty sits on cloth and back are on cloth. The edges/lips, whatever you wanna call em are black leather with red stitching. As far as who can fit in em. I have a pretty good size rear end and it fits just fine in there.
The VR in the in the R3 had me second guessing my Aurora Blue after following Remyngton around on some rides. It just looks plain sharp. But, I got Blue since I'm obsessed with the color.
The famed "smiley face" - I like it. A lot of people don't. To each their own.
If you need anything else hun, lemme know!
08-15-2009, 01:01 PM
#81
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Misplaced Texan!
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info. Going to test drive the car this wknd - finally!! Plan on buying the last wknd in Aug. Not finding good dealers up here and might have to venture out. Reno is looking nice... Just want to get a good deal AND good service. (Is it too much to ask for both???)
Nice photo, too! (Both of them! HAHA)
08-15-2009, 10:58 PM
#83
I'm 6'3" and have an 09 with moon roof (which I didn't want). The amount of headroom you will have will depend on how upright you like your seat. I normally have mine pretty close to fully upright, but with my seat like that, my hair is rubbing against the roof (and no, I don't have an Afro!). I plan to track my RX-8, so wearing a helmet is going to be tight.
I'm not sure I buy the "09s are slower than the 08s". That seems to be the general opinion, but I've never read a review yet of the "normal" (non-R3) 2009 RX-8. 0-60 mph might turn out slightly slower due to the shorter gearing possibly requiring a shift just before reaching 60, but other than that, I can see no change that would significantly affect acceleration for the worse. I don't believe the car is significantly heavier with the same equipment.
Most do like the style of the 08 better than the 09. Personally, I prefer the back end of the Series II (09+) to the Series I (08 and earlier). The front end, I have mixed feelings about. Except for the "mustache" on the grill, I prefer the Series II, but that mustache really is kind of weird. Fortunately, I have a black RX-8, so the mustache is largely irrelevant.
There are significant reliability improvements in the Series II that, to me, make it well worth buying it over the Series I. This is one of the reasons I chose an RX-8 at all: it's been out for several years and therefore hopefully has most of the bugs worked out. I plan to keep my RX-8 essentially forever, and this was more important to me than having the latest, greatest thing (i.e., the 370Z).
I'm not sure I buy the "09s are slower than the 08s". That seems to be the general opinion, but I've never read a review yet of the "normal" (non-R3) 2009 RX-8. 0-60 mph might turn out slightly slower due to the shorter gearing possibly requiring a shift just before reaching 60, but other than that, I can see no change that would significantly affect acceleration for the worse. I don't believe the car is significantly heavier with the same equipment.
Most do like the style of the 08 better than the 09. Personally, I prefer the back end of the Series II (09+) to the Series I (08 and earlier). The front end, I have mixed feelings about. Except for the "mustache" on the grill, I prefer the Series II, but that mustache really is kind of weird. Fortunately, I have a black RX-8, so the mustache is largely irrelevant.
There are significant reliability improvements in the Series II that, to me, make it well worth buying it over the Series I. This is one of the reasons I chose an RX-8 at all: it's been out for several years and therefore hopefully has most of the bugs worked out. I plan to keep my RX-8 essentially forever, and this was more important to me than having the latest, greatest thing (i.e., the 370Z).
In terms of gearing I hit around 65 mph before I red line in 2nd gear, and 3rd is just plain illegal.
08-15-2009, 11:47 PM
#84
is adjusting valve lash
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: hollywooood!
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
rad,
get the '09 VR in the R3 pkg. its the one that has the cooler spoiler that you are looking for!
and since someone verified the recaro's sports bucket seats are only half leather, that should solve ur problems.
good luck on the purchase. you are a nice vvife, and ur hubby is lucky to have u. and vice versa
get the '09 VR in the R3 pkg. its the one that has the cooler spoiler that you are looking for!
and since someone verified the recaro's sports bucket seats are only half leather, that should solve ur problems.
good luck on the purchase. you are a nice vvife, and ur hubby is lucky to have u. and vice versa
08-23-2009, 08:43 PM
#87
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Misplaced Texan!
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok, so I went back to that dealer with the '08. (The original guy was fired!) The new guy is MUCH better. AND the price of the car went down $10k! Now what do you think? I really would like your opinions on whether or not it's a fair price. Seems very fair to me considering all the options on it, but I want to be sure. So now the price is $23,990. Attached is the sticker info.
Let me know what you think.
Oh, they also offered me 4.65% financing for 60 or 72 months!!
Let me know what you think.
Oh, they also offered me 4.65% financing for 60 or 72 months!!
08-23-2009, 09:03 PM
#91
Spin Triangles! Spin!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Texas, US
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know if I missed the reasoning on the auto vs manual....but I really would suggest the Manual Transmission.
________
LeolaHotty cam
________
LeolaHotty cam
Last edited by dmorales; 09-09-2011 at 03:45 AM.
08-23-2009, 09:16 PM
#94
The 212-hp power rating is a telling feature that it is an automatic transmission. The "manual" bit of "manual/auto" might refer to the "manual mode" feature of an automatic transmission (sometimes a.k.a. "sport mode") that allows you to tell the car which gear to go into - typically by moving the shift gate into the "M" mode, or using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
As you have seen, many recommend going with an actual manual transmission (clutch pedal and all), as there are many advantages; higher power, higher engine redline, more responsive overall experience. The manual transmission of course takes more driver involvement, but that is part of what makes the car so much fun to drive. I would implore you to look for the manual transmission models (232-hp rating).
As you have seen, many recommend going with an actual manual transmission (clutch pedal and all), as there are many advantages; higher power, higher engine redline, more responsive overall experience. The manual transmission of course takes more driver involvement, but that is part of what makes the car so much fun to drive. I would implore you to look for the manual transmission models (232-hp rating).
Last edited by maskedferret; 08-23-2009 at 09:32 PM.
08-23-2009, 10:30 PM
#96
To harp on the "more responsiveness" of the manual transmission (MT): The "manual mode" of the automatic transmission (AT) pales in responsiveness compared to an actual MT. The AT and "manual mode" have an inherent input "lag" when you want the car to downshift and GO (whether it be by stabbing the gas pedal or "shifting" the paddles/gear shifter into a lower gear). This is not the case with a MT as the drivetrain is more directly connected (i.e. no torque converter).
I hope this explanation makes sense. Myself coming from never previously having driven a MT car, it can be a major change in feeling the dynamics of how a car drives.
I hope this explanation makes sense. Myself coming from never previously having driven a MT car, it can be a major change in feeling the dynamics of how a car drives.
08-23-2009, 10:48 PM
#97
^ your absolutely right i have driven manuals all my life and this is actually my second auto and the only reason i got it was coz i was all broken up from my last wreck and couldnt shift this was gnna be my temporary car but i fell in love and i have a manual 2010 camaro and had (burned down) a 335 6sp (which i will replace with an m3 hopefully so i just kept the auto 8 coz i love it
08-23-2009, 10:49 PM
#98
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Misplaced Texan!
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, everyone, for your inputs!! However, I know he prefers an automatic most of the time. I can appreciate the MT abilities, but I really think he'll be happy with the "choice" of either.
I did finally test drive this car today and WOW!!! After driving a truck for the last few years, this car was AWESOME!! The dealer let me take a curvy road to see how it handles. And I cranked it up so quickly and smoothly that I didn't even realize it!! (This could be the start of my husband's speeding ticket phase - again!) haha
So, contrary to your opinions about the M/AT, I'm getting that the price is right for this car... right?? That's my main concern tonight...
I did finally test drive this car today and WOW!!!
After driving a truck for the last few years, this car was AWESOME!! The dealer let me take a curvy road to see how it handles. And I cranked it up so quickly and smoothly that I didn't even realize it!! (This could be the start of my husband's speeding ticket phase - again!) hahaSo, contrary to your opinions about the M/AT, I'm getting that the price is right for this car... right??
That's my main concern tonight...
08-23-2009, 11:13 PM
#99
wankel my wanker
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: indiana
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know if this will help you. But, I'll tell you anyway just to give you idea what is happening in other areas. I had offer down to $25,500 on RX8 2009 GT fully loaded AT with nav 9,000 miles 60,000/6yr warranty. However, I went with MT 2009 instead probably shouldn't have said that part oh well.
Good luck and your husband is already a lucky man.
Good luck and your husband is already a lucky man.