Hey everyone, new to these forums, but I joined because I plan on getting an RX-8. I have a 2010 Impreza right now, that I'm not too happy with, I want something capable of more power, and something better looking. This is where the RX-8 comes in. Can I get some pros and cons from people who have the car and have had the car? I was thinking of going new 2011 with it, or maybe find a used one below 14k. Most used ones I see have around 70K miles on them. What are everyones thoughts. Its appreciated!

 

If you want a fast car that looks good get an EVO, STi, 350z, genesis coupe, or a c5 corvette for the money those are your best bet if looks and speed is what you need, if you want looks then get an 8 not much on speed but handling is superb and it's a fun drive. RX8's aren't crazy fast either and aren't easy to turbo/make fast I'm being realistic here so take it how you want it's the truth stock dyno results will tell you.

search the forums on power upgrades, dyno results, stock/turbo/supercharged/nitrous and HP/TQ achievements of modified rx8's

and make sure this is the car for you.

also search forums before starting any new threads!

 

Those cars are out of my price range unfortunately. But they are great choices. I also want the RX8 because it is unique. Also I was reading somewhere that there is a turbo kit for around 5000. I'm not looking for massive horsepower either. Just a little more than the 170 I get lol.

 

Also I have had an 83 rx7 and an 87 and I just love the feel of the rotary. Not to mention how it screamed.

 

Make sure you buy a Manual 6 speed it has around 230 HP and redlines at 9,500 rather than the AT that only has 170 HP and redlines at 7,500.
It's quick off the line but you are not going to win any drag races. Take it to the track and you will be very happy with its performance, that's where it can play with the big boys. It's easy to drive fast and very forgiving at the limit

 

I think your numbers are a bit off

Anyway, back to the OP.

Pros: excellent handling, great looking car, unique and different from most cars (people will often ask "what car Is that?), rotary engine is so smooth and well balanced that you enjoy every minute of it.

Cons: if high speed straight line racing is your ultimate goal, the the car might not be good for that. However, I do feel the RX-8 is decently powered for many other uses (after all, try to find another 1.3 liter car with 232 hp).

Also, people complain about MPG. But if you think of the car as having the power/dispacement equivalent of a "V6 with 232 hp wrapped in a very small block" then suddenly you don't think much anymore about MPG.

Personally, I think the car has more pros than cons. It is all about the driving experience. Simply put, it is an awesome car to drive!

 

Incorrect. Don't bother pursuing forced induction with an RX-8 unless you have $10,000 or so in cash on hand, and doing it properly will take time as well. Even doing it properly, prepare a replacement engine. There is no 'kit' that is plug and play. Every single one requires some level of custom work to it, some 'kits' require EXTENSIVE work. And a tiny flaw in the setup or tune and your motor will pop like a grape without warning.

Another FC? An FD? Not that they are 'better' than the 8 when it comes to making power and how much work it takes, but there is no denying that it certainly takes it more comfortably.

 

 

And one thing, if you buy one, then stop reading this Forum or you get so paranoid, expect problems, start hearing sounds, worry about possible upcoming repairs and $$$ and you sell the car soon as possible.

 

Get an 09+ model year used. Go GT or R3.

Any other questions?

 

Everything this guy posts is a bit off...lol...I'm pretty sure he's the one who said the rx8 was built for racing...

 

If you can afford a new 2011 RX-8 then those other cars are not out of your price range. Honestly those are better suggestions for you. A stock RX-8 is not going to feel any faster in a straight line then your imprezza, unlesss you redline from every stoplight. The RX-8 is meant for twisty roads and track days (road-course, NOT drag-strip). You will be disappointed if you buy this car looking for more horsepower.

The only way to get decent power is to go turbo, in which case you won't want a Series II car (2009+). There are no readily-available tuning options for the newer cars, and turbo builds MUST be custom tuned. Be prepared to invest a lot of time, patience, and money if you want to go turbo.

 

^this

not to get any hopes up, but check out Turblown. They have a tuning option for SII owners available...

 

Sorry I'm not buying new. Its a used rx. 09 I believe for 21k and that's about as high as I can go. Any other suggestions in that range or lower?

 

go test drive it see if you like it or not in terms of handling and power.
or you can get something a bit older like S2000 and BMW M3.

 

I wouldn't go that far..

I just had a customer install our turbo system into his bone stock Rx-8, took 1.5 week in the garage in his spare time. He also installed a lot of extra goodies.

For about $8000 you can turn a bone stock car into a 330~ish rwhp car( 6 port). That includes everything including tuning assuming you install it yourself.
A few extra thousand and you will be @ 400+rwhp...

 

Are you stating that this is possible with someone that has a clue about what they are doing? Or someone that doesn't know a thing about rotaries and "read something about a turbo kit somewhere"

Perhaps this guy will advance to the stage you are referring to, but until he is there telling him it's $8,000 and 1.5 weeks in your garage isn't going to do anything but empty his wallet in a fruitless and costly attempt.

 

Right and paying a shop to do it will cost 10k right?

I'm curious as to how long the FI cars last. Have the conversions tested as a daily? IMO I think anyone thinking about going FI should wait until a full kit is released and has been tested for a while. There are so many Rx8s around that you know it's going to happen eventually. I believe Greddy/Trust released a kit a while ago but from what I've heard it wasn't very good.

 

I have a customer with around 2.5 years as a daily drive with our turbo system. No problems with it.

At least 10k for a shop to install it.

Other guy is correct, you shouldn't try and install the turbo system without being fairly mechanically competent.