Hello all, just wanted to take a moment and introduce myself. As the title states, I just purchased an RX-8 R3 in velocity red mica. My son turns 16 in December and this is his dream car. Being a car guy all of my 44 years I was kind of proud to see him taking an interest in sports cars like dear old dad. lol So, I basically told him happy birthday, christmas, easter, Cinco de mayo, and every other holiday for the next 5 years that he might get a present. hahaha

Anyway, it almost makes sense him liking the RX-8, I bought his mom an '93 RX-7 R1 back in '93 and she drove that car the whole time she was pregnant with him.

This seems like a great forum. I've been scouring it for info since I brought the car home. Only mods so far are tinting the windows, but the weak sauce Bose system will definitely be going soon.

Not like everyone hasn't seen one before, but pics are attached. He insisted on taking pictures while we were still in the dealership. lol It was on Facebook before the papers were even signed. We're from down in Portland, Texas so if anyone else is from our neck of the woods chime in!

Regards,
RadRedR3

 

Welcome, you are good dad. My 16 year old wants a sports car too but he is **** out of luck I don't see any pics.

 

Thanks. For some reason the pics didn't attach the first time. Glitch in the matrix I guess? Fixed now.

 

I see them now, nice ride.

 

I'm not THAT great of a dad. hehehe My car's a Shelby GT500 that *IS* modded, putting down 587 rwhp. He wanted me to "just get a new car dad and I'll take your old one". As IF that was EVER going to happen.

I mean, personally I'm not that attached to him anymore but his mother loves him. So if he killed himself in that car I'd NEVER hear the end of it.

 

Funny. Do you have a new GT500?

 

I have a '09 GT500. Like I said though, I've been a car guy from waaaaaay back. I'm just glad to see the boy taking a liking to real sports cars.

 

Nice. Once a car guy, always a car guy.

 

awwwhhh, I was hoping for like a 67 fast back gt 500

haha either way, 09 gt500 is nice too

 

I wish! The funny this is we bought a new home recently and my neighbor across the street DOES have a '67 GT500. A REAL shelby. Yeah, I'm jealous. lol

 

Wow, must be a nice neighborhood

 

Is that him in the picture? Why isn't he smiling?!

Just make sure he takes care of the 8 well. I'm sure you will though, you know there's more to them than turn key and go, and not every "mod" is for the better.

Got pics of your Shelby as well?

 

Probably in shock that his parents actually bought him a sports car for Christmas. I was the same way when I got mine for my birthday.

 

Dad? Is it really you? It's me! The other son you never knew you had lol

Welcome, and congratulations to your son.

My dad never bought me a car lol but he's a hardass. He just bought a Mercedes SLS in addition to his Audi R8 V10 (of I knew how to post pics from phone I would) but those are already claimed by me in his will lol! But I definitely love me some Shelby too. Being the European that I am the '67 is Eleanor?

 

The rx8 is a dream car alright. Congrats and enjoy the ride.

 

lucky kid. I have to buy my own at 25.

 

Bought my RX8 at 19, but I saved since I was '13 and first read about it..

That's a beautiful color.

 

Car looks great. What a lucky kid. I drove a big of **** 88 Oldsmobile my first year of driving.

 

OP, congrats on the purchase and welcome to the cult of the rotary world, lol.

However, in your opening post you made it sound as if the R3 is not much of a serious sports car, therefore suitable for your teenage son.

Sure, the R3 does not have the 500+ hp your other car has but it's still a LOT of car for a 16 y/o IMHO. Hopefully your son is more mature than the average kid at that age and will stay out of trouble.

But rest assured, once your son learns how to drive the R3, he will quickly realize where the power is and what to do in order to drive it fast.

As others have said, your son is lucky! I was already in my 20's when I bought my first vehicle, and it wasn't by any means a sports car, lol.

 

Welcome!

 

nice r3!

 

@R80MAV - Thank you very much, my son's birthday is December 6th, he is quite literally, counting minutes at this point. lol

@pistonhater - I'm sorry if my opening post gave that impression. The RX-8 is indeed a great sports car and quite capable of getting anyone in way over their head if not driven responsibly. I'll admit my first impressions of the car were that it was a little "weak", but after putting over a thousand miles on it I've found the "sweet spot" and she definitely moves out quite respectably.

All I meant in my initial ramblings on the subject was that, basically, you can kill yourself with very little effort in my GT500. Hell, I'm 44 and *I* am not responsible enough to be driving it without adult supervision and that's after owning a roster of sports and performance cars over the years that I really should never admit to as a responsible member of society. hahaha I was just comforted a bit that he'll have to work a little harder to really screw up in the RX-8. It's a superb handling, well balanced car with a sane amount of horsepower that fits the chassis well.

@jasonrxeight - Damn right he's a lucky kid. I bought my own car at 16. A WELL used, rusted Datsun 210 with no radio. Jesus that car sucked, but it was freedom and I'll never forget it. We always try to give our kids better than what we had. He's a straight A student athlete, never been in trouble, blah blah blah. Of course I think he's great though, he's mine. lol Time will tell and I sat him down, explained gap insurance, and made it clear if he totals it and lives to tell about it, he'll be calling friends for rides after that. I'm generous with him as he's me only child, but ask him... the saying "firm but fair" comes to mind. Dad giveth and dad taketh away. Grades slip, trouble comes, there are no second chances. Hell, I like the car, I'll be happy to drive it if he screws up. hehehe

Regards,
RadRedR3

 

Very nice car! Best color, too!

I got my '8 when I was 18 (which was consequently just a few months ago) and have never looked back. I have yet to drive a car that can match what the RX-8 gives me/makes me feel. Just make sure he takes complete care of it!

Also, I second the motion for pics of your GT500

 

Cool, now I totally understand what you meant.

You're right about the fact that you have to work a little "harder" to screw up in the rx8, lol.

 

Welcome.