What will you buy if you can't get a new RX-8?
 

If you had to replace your RX-8 and you couldn't get a new one, what kind of car would you buy? There are a couple of ground rules for this discussion.

First, you can only nominate cars that are currently being sold as new. Answers like "an RX-9" or "a TR-7" (as if!) are not acceptable.

Second, the car must be within reasonable range of the price point of the RX-8. My completely arbitrary cutoff is that the MSRP must be no more than 1.5x the MSRP of a RX-8 R3, i.e., $48,435 or less.

For me, I fantasize about getting a Lotus Elise, but I'm not sure that I could take it as an everyday car. And it's outside my price limit. So I'm interested in what the rest of you suggest.

A couple of disclaimers: (1) I'm not looking to change cars anytime soon---my 2005 RX-8 is paid for, has just over 50k miles, and I expect it to last me several more years; and (2) I'm not suggesting that there will not be any more RX-8s after 2011, because I don't know. This is just a theoretical thread.

SS Camaro would be at the top of my list.
would make for a fun weekend toy with tons of HP. Since no other imports 'speak to me' like the 8 has all these years, it wouldn't make sense for me to replace it with something so similar to the 8 so why not do something totally different.

I would love to get my hands on a 135 or 335 (both could be had for around 48 or less if looking in the right place) :)

Kia Forte

audi a5

Scion FR-S.

You lose

preowned e92 m3, the go for about the money that you used as limit if you know where to look.

O rly? How so?

400 pounds lighter than the RX-8, Toyota reliability.
Best looking car to come to market (potentially - if they don't screw it up worse than Mazda did the RX-8 in going from pre-production to production) in nearly a decade (other than the RX-8).
Subaru STi swap, so double the power and torque, better economy, etc.
50/50 weight distribution, RWD, limited-slip, etc.
Built-in Manufacturer tuning and race support.
Better warranty.
More aftermarket support - even before the first one ships to dealers.
Etc...

EDIT - If you are quipping about it not being currently available, then revisit this thread in 3 months when they start to take pre-orders.

A few things. First, I doubt that they will be taking pre-orders in three months, since it was still being prototyped just two months ago.

Second, pre-orders are not the same as being available for sale.

Third, the specs of the concept car may have little or nothing to do with the specs of the actual production car.

Having said that, it's a good looking concept build. But my experience has been that the step down from concept to production is often very disappointing.

They are way past concept. The pre-production models have already done the auto-shows.
First deliveries will be in April of 2012.

In any event, you can disregard my contribution and I'll revisit the question in the Fall.

As a more relevant suggestion, I will say NC Miata, though I wouldn't actually buy one of those new.

hmm how is this related to rx8? Please move to lounge.

I would replace my rx8 with a Z06, but to follow your guidelines...a base corvette.

I would have to go with a 2011 mustang. Preferably the new boss. Not completely sure if they have been sold yet because I've never seen one on the street. But i would assume they have

Evo baby!

I would say the new 1M, but that is a little bit more expensive than the $48k you mentioned. So I will go with a white 135i and red leather. Only two cars that make me drool and get excited..well nevermind...Exige is pretty damn sexy too and wouldnt mind having that!

any gently used G37s, S5, 335is

I've been debating whether I should keep my 8 and pick up one of those cars or just trade my 8 in for one of them.

Nothing really excites me out there that's under $45k (new).
However, as MazdaManiac pointed out, the FR-S specs excites me considerably.

FR-S is what Genesis Coupe should have been. I think Hyundai dropped the ball on that one, probably focused too much on the 300hp output mark (maybe Kia will do better?).

I think a boxer in a front-mid rear drive layout for under $25k is simply too juicy to pass.

BTW MM, what are you gonna do about the callsign? ScionManiac doesn't have the same ring... :)

Hundai Genesis

370z or 135i

M3 or 370z ... I want some torque in my life.

Definitely the EVO

Scion FR-S.

Porsche Boxster Sypder or Porsche Cayman S ..... used of course to follow the guidelines set forth. (You can find them for around 40k around 2-3 years old if you have patience.)

Either a 370z or the sti sedan. In white.