ozbot87

Oh man, I just got myself into another dilemma. I test drove the TSX and I hate to say it, but I really enjoyed it. I was spoiled by everything the car had. The next day, I went ahead and re-test drove the RX-8. Seems to me that the RX-8 really wants me, and I want BOTH!!!

Unfortunately, I can only afford one and I should be getting a new car really, really soon.

Question is, what should I go for?

I like the RX-8 for it sportiness, compactness, sexyness, and ability to use it for stuff other than show.

I like the TSX for its usability. It's not as sporty, sexy, or compact as the RX-8.

AAUGH!!!! HELP ME OUT HERE!

8_wannabe

Gee, i wonder what advice you gonna get on rx8club.com? Good luck in your decision; i'm sure you'll do the right thing. If you haven't read The Little Things yet, you oughta do so then come back and let us know what you think.

s1mike22

the TSX is a very nice car.

as for practicality, i would say they are almost equal, maybe the TSX being a bit more roomy (and certainly more trunk space)

as for looks, the 8 wins hands down

i don't know, i tend to see a lot of middle aged women driving the TSX where i live. go with the 8!

Zio

The TSX will be more reliable, and will get better gas mileage, but the RX-8 will be more fun to drive and more people will notice it. Plus the TSX is FWD. :\

rabinabo

It's really all up to you, because you need to consider what you need in your car and/or how much you're willing to give up. Luckily, with the 8 you can basically have your cake and eat it to. I would just get the car that was the most fun that still satisfied my more practical needs, which for me is a back seat and some trunk space.

mdmaclean

Posting here, you are asking people who chose sport over increased practicallity.

You could also consider a G35 sedan. I have one of those for my wife, and it is a very nice car. Not as nimble as the RX-8, but powerful and nice handling, with a large trunk and back seat.

Life is full of compromises, and there is no right answer to your question.

serff

Any one driven a new Acura TL? I'm starting to get a little torn between that and the 8. The TL might be a little more, but damn it is a nice lookin car. I haven't driven one yet though. I'll let you know what i think if i do.

cueball

270 HP through the front wheels. Can you say torque steer?

I haven't actually driven the TL, but front wheel drive must ruin the sporting nature of the cars through the twisties.

rotarymagic

Just look at what you wrote. You gave 4 pros for the RX-8 and only 1 pro for the TSX.


I think this says it all...go for the RX8.

mdmaclean

My wife complained about the torque steer on the TL, and that's why she went for the G35 sedan. I would say that the G and the TL are more direct competitors than the 8 an the TL, since they are both proper practical sedans.

I prefer my 8 to both of them, but have a more sport bias to my choice than my wife does.

chinx

hands down go for the rx-8. tsx is nice, but if you value spirited drivng at all and likes sports cars, tsx'll grow mundane on you after a while, rx-8 won't

8_wannabe

Yeah, that proves the '8 is four times better than the TSX! :D

pelucidor

Get the car which is not FWD.

Haze

If you are worried about practicality, then I think you have to make some hard choices. The RX 8 is as practical as it looks. It will carry two people with their stuff great! If you've got a family or a need to carry four people fairly regularly then get the TSX. The RX 8 is an entended sport coupe, and large amounts of stuff and people are not going to go into it and that's immutable. If that's your need . . . I hate to say it, but get the car that does what you need it to. If that isn't your dilemma then damn man get the 8. IT"S EXCELLENT!

Ioman

Something to consider. I am looking at the TSX as well. I will be getting the RX8 and my wife wants the TSX which is roomier and better for the kids we will be having! TSX is more of a sporty family car.

Natew00

I also test drove both, and am leaving a 328i so the TSX was the logical replacement. Acura copied the interior of the 328i very closely.

But I am picking up the RX8 this afternoon after driving the G35 Coupe. The RX8 felt way more fun than the TSX, and for my practical needs, it provided enough room.

It seems like a very subjective and persnal choice, but mine fell to the 8!

budwei

Both cars are SO different !!!! Except that both have wheels and pay taxes ...

get yourself a Cadillac , you get RWD , power and comfort

ozbot87

Nah, I want something that works. No GM, Dodge, Ford, or any European cars.

Yes, I only go for the asian cars, they are the most reliable.

serff

Sorry to burst your bubble...but Mazdas are Fords now....They own them now. At least the Rx8 doesn't have a ford engine in it though...

8_wannabe

"controlling interest", not exactly own. Fortunately, mazda retains some independence, but you're right: Many of those models in the Ford family are starting to look more and more alike. volvo, jag, mazda, ...

ozbot87

I can tell the difference between good stuff and junk by looking at:

1. Where the car was built (The RX-8 was primarily built in Hiroshima, JAPAN (97% of it anyway)

2. The reliability of the cars as a whole. (Honda, Toyota, Mazda all have ranked highly in terms of relibility)

The 8 is still on my list of cars I want to own. I am hoping that the 8 is as reliable as I am hoping it to be.

Skyline Maniac

"2. The reliability of the cars as a whole. (Honda, Toyota, Mazda all have ranked highly in terms of relibility)"

Eh~ unfortunately that's a negative. Unless, of course, we get into the debate regarding JD Power's credibility and all.

If you are paying MSRP for both cars, then the TSX is a better overall value. Once you load up the RX-8, you are close to the Acura TL category. I'll give the handling and looks to the RX-8, but the TL is a very nice car. The luxury, standard equipment, usability, comfort and technology of the TL blows the RX-8 away. Of course, you'd never track or AutoX a TL. The TSX would likely end up cheaper than the RX-8 with better equipment, the handling is actually very nice for a FWD sedan. Interior is not as good as the TL, but better than the RX. IMO, Acura has better track record for reliability, service and quality even though they are built in the USA. Resale value also sides with the Acura.

If you are looking for sportiness and styling though, go for a RX-8, you can get them for around $25k these days.

shift_zoom8

You are misinformed. You don't really seem to know all of the cars you talk about. I very nearly bought the TSX. During that extended shopping process (part of which involved waiting weeks for a white pearl), I stopped by a ton of Acura dealerships in the Los Angeles area to spend lots of time with TSX's. The TSX interior is NOT better than the RX8's. The TSX's interior is designed to look expensive (and like a BMW 3-series interior) without being expensive. Its many hard plastic surfaces are no better than the RX8's. The fake wood trim and the fake brushed aluminum are no better than the RX8's fake brushed aluminum. The RX8's interior is, of course, not designed to look like a 3-series'. It's clearly a different motif that is just as beautiful and distinctive. The RX8's instrument pod is just about the most beautiful I've ever seen. There is an elegant symmetry about the center control panel, with the vertical lines tapering away from each other and extending into the horizontal dash. I've only recently come to appreciate the design of the door panel and handle. It's horizontal door handle (as opposed to diagonal) is ergonomically more sound. It really is. Before, I felt the sudden sharp angle of the window buttons plane was crude, especially compared to the smooth gradual curves of the TSX's and those in other, more expensive cars. But now, I change my mind. I realize that those elements were engineered deliberately toward a more utilitarian straight-edged purpose and image, similar to the brutally stamped but aggressive simple curves of the 350Z's exterior. Even the black lacquered plastic pieces are elegant regardless of if they are atypical. Everything about the RX8's interior is deliberate and well-thought-out, even down to the red-orange center console lights that are more red than orange so as to stay out of BMW's and the 350Z's territories. The level of deliberateness is equal to that of BMW's Chris Bangle's line of front and rear ends without the ill-conception. Of course, you of the Nissan ilk should know about cheap interiors and cost-cutting.

With the RX8's $31,100 Grand Touring package, you have just about everything that the $33195 TL without navigation has (yeah, I also spent quite a bit of time sitting in and test driving the TL while waiting for a white pearl TSX). In fact, the Grand Touring package RX8 might reasonably be considered virtually "loaded up," since options other than an in-dash 6-CD changer and navigation include mostly embellishments like an appearance package, accent package, rear spoiler, etc. Both (GT package RX8 and TL without navigation) have pretty much all the creature comforts. Both have traction control, stability control, and limited slip differential. True, the TL has dual zone climate, but the RX8's climate system is pretty damn good with ingeniously simple, easy-to-use button design. The TL has power seats on both sides, whereas the TSX and RX8 have power only for the driver's seat...big deal. The TL comes with an in-dash 6-CD changer whereas the RX8 GT package has a single-CD player...again big deal. The TL's and RX8's horizontal tunnel running the length of the midline are very similar. It is my opinion that the area around the front cup holders in the RX8 is better designed. I was surprised at, in the TL, how flimsy the ribbed plastic panel is when pushed back to reveal the cup holders. The engines are both engineering marvels. The suspensions are both highly sophisticated, employing wishbones and multilinks. However, the RX8's platform technology is more sophisticated and less compromised because it wasn't modified from another model's (the TL is 400 lbs heavier than the RX8). Luxury, [comparable] equipment vs. price, usability, comfort, and technology "blows the RX8 away?" No way.

You may need to rethink your position.

Hanzo

One word "Only FR".

budwei

I still can’t understand what’s the point of comparison between the RX8 and these 4 door Sedans… yeah they’re all nice cars… SUV’s are nice too!

I could feel undecided between the 8 and a G35, S2000 or Z350… even BM’s 3 series
Maybe I’m wrong but the 8’s cleverly made 4 doors don’t make it a sedan