spwolf

I notice that quite few ppl here are in the market for car next year and they are interested in RX-8... what other cars are you also interested to? I think we will find a wide range of competitors since RX-8 is really a car that can appeal to wide range of buyers...

Since I am planning going back to Europe (from USA), I am definetly looking into my options, keeping in mind performance, image, ease of use (parking, mpg) & comfort (inside)... Right now, Clio 172 (small, non obvious, yet BMW beater), Mini Cooper S (small, stylish & performance to match it), & Celica GTS/T Sport (sweet car that needs more power under 6k rpm) are main competitors even though most are cheaper than RX-8, but it looks so damn sweet it is hard to not look into ;-)

I am definetly not WRX or EVO kind of guy, if I was, I would get a nice bike and clio to match it ;-)

spwolf

also, I am not 40 ;-)... but in low 20ies... RX-8 IS NOT a family car but it can be used as one as well... I need a car that can fit two chiks in the back, together with me and my buddy at front... 2+2 car would do fine as well, but nice 4 seater is a nice...

Dunno how well those seats handle "excessive" usage though, they look a bit thin, hopefully that will be tested as well

:D

heat010

I'm seriously considering the Mercedes C230. They're doing some major engine redesigns for the 2003 model year. It's about the same price range. I don't think there aren't any other competitors out there. The 350Z is too small. Two seats only isn't practical. I hope the RX-8 makes the fall auto shows. The SF Auto Show is during Thanksgiving. Maybe I can hop into one to get the full experience.

RX - 8

my options are either a rx-8 or a 350z, both are practical for me, and will also satisfy my hunger for speed

Elara

We've looked at the Miata and TT. I was pretty much set on the Miata (have you SEEN the SE this year? I'm praying that they make that color scheme in the RX-8 too) until we heard the RX-8 was arriving soon. If it drives as well as reported, I just can't justify a two-seater with as little hp as the Miata when the RX-8 will drive just as well with more room and more hp.

liondogs

For me I am looking at a Maita, a supercharged Mini Cooper, or a PT Cruiser GT if they come out with one. I sure hope Mazda can make the RX8 handle like a Miata. If so it is a done deal.

Johnny

I found a 1994 Rx-7 R2 with 0 miles on brand new engine and new twin turbos and 0 miles on new tranny for $13,000 perfect condition, i'm having doubts about the Rx-8......30,000 dollar car that dosen't look anywhere near as good as any Rx-7. If the price drops i'll get one for sure but if it sticks in the 30k range its going to end-up just like the FD=overpriced and won't sell good and we'll probably never see another rotary powered vehicle if that happens

NOTA V6

I was considering a WRX until I saw how cheap and ugly they are in person...

spwolf

Johnny, I think their current targetted price of $26k is quite cheap for a sports car... I mean even miata special edition is more than that with 140 hp engine, hell even protege5 can get up to 20k with few options installed... how do you expect RX8 to be cheaper? I mean sure, they can go and do what Mitsu and Subaru did, and give us cheap insides... I am sure that would bring it down for another $1k-$2k at least.. but then again, I would not touch it with a ten yard stick, let alone shell out $2x large for it ;-)

FritzMan

The new Infinity G35 is quite an impressive vehicle, more so when the 6 spd comes out this fall.

3300 lbs, 260 HP (260 lbs/ft), 4 door

Starts at $27,100 USD which is close to RX-8. Aluminum suspension members, no struts, 52/48 f/r weight balance. And pretty nice looking as well.

JGard18

how can it have no struts? that's a pretty essential part of a suspension.

either way, my other candidates as of now are:
WRX-STi. If that's too expensive, then just a WRX
or
Mini Cooper S

So that's it...3 cars, and neither of them are direct competition towards the others

FritzMan

Multi-link design. Still uses a shock absorber, just not the beefier strut type.

For me, and I'm sure for a lot of other Canadians on this board, the MSRP will make a huge difference as to comparison shopping. Honestly, $26-30K US range means nothing because various manufacturers discount the vehicle at different rates for the Canadian market. Hence a $26 starting price doesn't necessarily mean $41.6K Cdn (using typical 1.6 conversion) because it will immediately price itself out of the market, given that our standard of living is similar to Americans, we just have a lousy dollar...

I'm researched Mazda's discounts and seen that they're all over the place, such as the Miata being offered for approx $27K USD and close to the same in Cdn fund, whereas the Millenia had a $28K USD starting point compared to the Cdn. $42K. While some of these vehicle may have different stock features, the rate does change. Given a loaded Altima prices around $33K Cdn and the WRX starts at $34K Cdn, I imagine the RX-8 will be around $33K Cdn to start and fully loaded for approx $38K. BTW, the G35 starts at $39K Cdn. (ouch!).

KrisA

Personally it's either RX-8 or nothing, I've already got 2 good cars.

As far as Canadian pricing goes, here's what I hope:

Currently a Miata goes for about 21K in the states and 27K in Canada. In the R&T article a 26K base price was hinted at in the US. So if the conversion factor is the same as with the Miata I get:

21(Miata USD) 26(RX-8 USD)
------------- = -----------------
27(Miata CDN) X(RX-8 CDN)

X = 33.4K CDN

I've got my fingers crossed! Even 36K CDN would be reasonable.

rtryrktrx7

Well I already bought what I was considering, but I might jump right back out of it. I was looking at 330's, IS300, TLS, S4. Most of these were more than I wanted to spend. So I looked at what I was getting for my money. Looked at what the others had that I could live with out and settled for the Acura TL-S. It had more room by far than the others and that played a big rolled since we had the baby and all. The S4 new was about 10k more than I wanted to spend and the 330 was the same when I added the options I wanted. They started out at a nice price but you didn't even get power seats. What kind of crap is that. The IS300's interior about made me puke. Needless to say I got power everything, Navi, Leather, heated seats, and mirrors, sunroof, 17's, 260hp, etc. for $31,200. So far I've been real happy with it, but I love the RX-8, so it might be gone. I've actually beat a couple of 98 year model stangs on the highway with it. After 100-110 the overdrive gear kicks in and they get a little dogish though. So that's it. I didn't look at Nissan/Infinity because to me they've always seemed to be cheap looking inside. The new Altima was temping but...nahh

veloceracing

While I am most likely getting an RX8 the new EVO VII seems likes its gonna be wicked, and less costly then the Subie counterpart. Nissan 350Z isnt even in the question as I dont like the way it looks.

ARCHER

Alas, they are tough to find with low miles in this price range.

coldasice

I'm looking at the 350z, RX8, and the next generation Mustang (04).

BOOSTD 7

I've always kinda liked the Acura 3.2 CL Type-S ... especially now with the 6 speed.

Rexate

If I don't get a RX8 I'll probably be looking at a Lotus Elise (if it does come to the US) and they say it will start at $38k. If it doesn't make it or makes it here but well over $40k I'll probably look at a RSX Type R. I dont like the weight of the Z. I dont want the Lancer EVO or WRX sti. Also a M3 or Nissan GTR is a consideration but I'd have to save up a bit for one of those.

auto-drive

i was looking at the rx-8 or 350z. both are nice. IMO and had an eye on the evo

but for the practicality issue, i was considering an IS300. kinda wanted it for the 4 drs (lower insurance?), style, name, luxury(kinda), comfort etc. .. . but im still young and i want live life a little. im not in need of a "family car" for quite a few years. and im in no rush to get a new car right now anyways. i'm gonna wait and check out those cars and see which appeals to me the most.

TonyTurboII

Its an Rx8 or a Lightning. I love the Rx8, hopefully one will be at the next autoshow. The EVO might be a candidate if it arrives soon....

renesis.ca

Subaru WRX for the winter, RX-8 for the Summer

Makaveli

What do you guys think of the Mazdaspeed Protege. Callaway turbo, with an intercooler, as well as LSD. Racing Beat tuned suspension, same as the MP3's, and an MP3 player stock. Leather inside, body kit and Racing Hart 17" wheels to begin with.
All this for under 22,000 $ US.
Oh yeah, limited edition, only 2,000 made in North America. By the way, the MP3 with identical suspension outhandled a Z06 Corvette and a Ferrrari (forgot which one) in a 60 mph slalom.

Immi

Mazda RX-8 ----> even on my death bed, just to say I owned one for those brief seconds of my life :P

DANNER

Me too. The CL Type-S is a deceptively fast car and the 6-spd with its new Limited-Slip Differentail will kick ***.

Right now the CL-S goes for abou $32k, which is a bit more than the projected price of the RX8.