Too old to rock and roll but too young to die?
 

Sometimes I feel that the RX-8 is perhaps a car geared for a younger generation then mine. I am 42 and wonder if I should have bought a more mature car. Don't get me wrong I love my car but if one more 20 something pulls up in his lowered Civic and guns the gas I think I am going to puke. Is anyone on here older then me?

Lots of us older than 42 - I'm 51. Just your average middle aged adolescent. Four sports cars - and still looking occasionally at second generation convertible. John

52 and still acting like a teen when it comes to cars. Most of the time I just smile when those guys pull up but every so often I just let her rip and kick ass. Enjoy!

Don't feel bad about the nausea. It's a natural allergic reation to pure stupidity. The purer the stupidity or absurdity, the more violent the nausea.

My wife (41) and I (36) were both "born in the sixties" and we feel the car is just right.

I personally feel like the car is a more mature sports car, depending of course on what one does to it. I'm 37 and debated real hard between the 8, the 350, and the S2000. The 8 just felt right. I think it has a very classy look.

My wife and I had the same conversation last night. I was touting the all around performance and she said it was to "common". Hmmmm, perhaps I should remove the Mazda emblem, stake on a Porsche emblem and tell her it costs three times what it does.....

I'm 37. Funny how when you're less than 21, 30 seems really old. But at 37, I feel the same as when I was 21. I even got "carded" last month buying beer. I wonder if I will feel the same in 20 years?

I'm impressed with the younger RX8 owners - one, that they can afford it (I certainly couldn't at that age), and two, that they chose the 8 over some of the more 'racy' choices available.

I always just smile and give a wave or peace to the boy racers, and let them peel off. I didn't buy the car to stoplight race, I bought it because it is fun to drive and looks great.

I'm only 30 but I think it's a car for all ages. In a sports car you're always going to find kids who want to race. I agree that it's a classy looking car. Besides, "old" is all in the mind, right?

I go to an annual TT gathering called "TT East" and the first year I was there I met a 70+ TT owner who was having just as much fun as the 20-30 yr olds. :) There's no such thing as too old.

-Eric

Flatso,
I'm 44,what would be a more mature car??Bimmmer, Benz,Jag,Crown Vic?? The 8 bleeds uniqueness.that's us. Not mature(boring)?, Hell I'm a grown up doctor with wife and child. The car drives better than any car under 50K. Mature=Smart.

PS- My wife would probably like the car better with a Porsche emblem on it=immature

Don't fret Flatso! Its things like this that keep us geezers young at heart bro!

How about 61 and lovin' every minute I drive my RX8 GT. I was cursed living the car eras of the 50's and 60's. If I had the money I've spent on cars I'd be a rich man. Although having and driving all the different vehicles I've owned make me rich in a way.

I went looking to replace my 10AE because my wife has some physical problems and the Miata was just a bit too uncomfortable and small for her, especially on long trips.

I considered more mature cars like the Acura TSX. GS35, Volvo S40, Toyota Solara, Accord EX. After driving them all, I went directly back to the 8. It offered everthing I was looking for and more.

So some of us old geezers just aren't ready for a Buick LaSabre just yet.

I'm 49 and my 8 is the perfect ride to take me into my 50's. It gets me a little (sing along) R. E. S. P. E. C. T. while cruisin'.:)

This car has a better overall ride than many cars over 50k... I have to agree with the comments about the uniqueness... Its really second to none... Its got almost everything you need in a car. and its sanely priced... Yes I could have had an expensive german car, but i turned it down... I dont buy into brands I only buy into performance, durability, and style... Im 17, but I dont see a problem with any older folk driving the car... my hat goes off to them, because i know they have kept there good taste and have not let it get aged... My father is 52, but like many other people on this forum is really just my age, and hes in love with my car (though he hates to admit, because... well hes really jealous...) He claims as soon as the RX-7 comes out, its his... but I dunno if the younger brother will allow that... As he wants it as well, should be an interesting battle...

Given its awards, notariety, and fame, I don't think the attraction is focussed on the age of the spectator. The creature comforts of the cabin and ride, handling, and braking increase its suitability to a broader range of ages.

Re: Too old to rock and roll but too young to die?
 

I think it's actually the other way around - I'm 44, and I think the RX-8 is geared for the 30 - 50 year olds, and that the younger 20 year olds don't appreciate the RX-8 for it's incredible, unique attributes. It's the 20-somethings that are complaining about the power or torque, the 1/4 mile times, adding intakes that don't really add any power, stiffer suspension, going to big heavy wheels that hurt performance, adding the heavy stereo systems, etc. They're the ones who don't understand the overall balance of the stock RX-8 that makes it so exceptional, and that the overall stock attributes are why the RX-8 gets selected by Car and Driver, Motor Trend, etc., etc., over the faster competition in comparison tests.

Us 40 year olds? We get it. ;) The RX-8 is for us! :cool:

Regards,
Gordon

OK, so I''m in the 50 crowd. When I was 27 I had my first RX7. I gave up the 7 when my son was too big for the jump seat in the back and I went to a "sensible family car" (SAAB). Well, son is 15 now and the 8 is the car for me. Of course he is going to learn to drive next year on the Volvo (grin).

BTW, there is a very nice gent on the board here that I have corresponded with who is in his 80s!!! So yes, this is a car for all ages. It is not how old you are, it is how young at heart you feel.

mm

Interesting, that's been my wife's push back too. Who would have known.

-Eric

35 here. I didn't buy my very first brand new car to blow some kid off the street. (I've got a 69 Mach I Mustang to do that with!) No, I finaly gave in to better handling, a smother ride, and can now hear myslef think on the highway. I love my RX-8 just the way it is and have absolutely no intention of putting a 3 foot wing on the back or thumping down the road to 500 watts of something close to music. Fear not. A little age is not a bad thing.

I turned 46 last week. you're never too old to "rock and roll!" And i'm finally mature enough/wise enough to ignore the young punks...

31 and feeling like I'm going on 18.
Love my 8.
Wife thinks it's my midlife crisis.

37, and I love the car, then again, my last car was a GSX...you could say I am "young at heart" My wife would say I am "immature"...(no, not really..she is a good wife)

I'm 47 and think the RX-8 is one of the most 'mature' 4 seater sports (and Sporty) cars out there, especially for the money. I don't think enjoying a balanced car and driving with a smile on your face has an age limit.

Ahhhh... think we have a consensus here... the 8 has a timeless appeal for folks from 17 to 97, you can keep it box stock or close too (my pref), or mod it into rice-field status, and we all universally still love the heart of the 8!

Hurrah! ;)

Spoiler, no Spoiler
 

This seems like an appropriate thread to post this Q on. I'm 46, young at heart but conservative when it comes to possessions (no huge gold chains or rolex watches for me...sorry to those who like those things). I'd like to hear from you "older" posters on whether the spoiler looks "matrue."

I recall this came up before and opinions were mixed but as Gordon suggested in an earlier post perhaps it's an age issue -- those complaiing about 0-60 are 20 somethings; perhaps in general only the younger owners like them?

After lurking here for several months, discounting the competition, reading with some concern the TSB's, overcoming my concern about finding a reliable mechanic, and despite all the 8's mechanical idiosyncracies, I've finally settled on finding a Tit, MT, GT or T package, black interior.

Unfortunately, it seems dealers in So Cal love to add spoilers to the GT and T packages. I just found a Tit T package AND spoiler as the only options locally checking inventory at mazdausa. If it weren't for the rain today (yes, some of us in LA are wimps), I'd drive over to have a look, but I don't see myself with a spoiler. (The rain is a convenient excuse because I'm certain if the price was right, I'd be driving around with a spoiler this evening and then waking up tomorrow wondering what the heck was I thinking...anyone have that experience? :P)

However, I realize the 8 IS a sports car; perhaps the spoiler may look completely normal after owning it for a while it will look completely natural.

51 - with Appearance package with Spoiler - not overdone IMHO. John PS 'Mature' is NOT 'dead' - I like to make a statement - I'm the doctor who wears Hawaiian shirt everyday - winter and summer. Aloha from Indiana