Total Cost of Ownership
 

not sure if this has been posted before but Edmunds has calculated the total cost of owndership for the RX-8 and compares it with the 350Z, G35c, Audi TT, and for some reason, the Mitsu Eclipse...

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/mazd...Mazda*#compare

The Audi sure quickly loses its value, not sure if that is realistic. I believe the "depreciation cost" of the Eclipse, but the red arrow on the TT seems be so far right, it's almost outside the box.

I had made a TCO estimate myself, and came to 42 cents per mile, but I would drive 100000 miles in 3 or 4 years, not 60000 in 5 years.

Those are just estimates, but it is fairly realistic. The price of the Audi is high, so it will always drop faster. Past Audi cars have had same results in the marketplace. The Eclipse is probably the one that's the most accurate though, since it is such a massively produced car with 4 different trims, almost like it's disposable. :)

Good info. Had looked at the toal cost estimates on Edmunds, but had not done the comparo. Gotta love the internet...

None of these are worse than my 2002 VW Passat W8.

Paid MSRP of $39450 at the time because I bought the first one in the Tidwater area. Tried trading it after 12 months due to the shitty reliability and service and was lucky if I could get $21000.

Thats almost a 50% depreciation rate-in 12 months! WTF!

Dealer kept citing "well new ones are being discounted from $29000 to $33000 so why would someone buy a used one for $29000 when they could ge a brand new one for $2000 more!" They are finally stopping production of the W8 due to non-exsistant sales. Good riddence. This is why I won't buy another VW/Audi product.