Who is/was in my situation with the 8?
 

Just curious how some folks made their decisions. First off I don't have an 8, but plan to puchase the '05 (trading in my '00 Protegé (which I love)).

I've wanted this car since the Evolv, but I live in Los Angeles (Culver City Area), in an apartment and have to park outside because there is no garaged parking. As much as I want the RX-8, I am concerned about leaving it outside due to weather and it just draws too much attention.

I figure the chances of theft are a lot less than the likes of Hondas, Toyotas, not to mention it's a rotary so stealing for parts won't be too much of an issue (again these are all assumptions). Of course I would get a lojack.

Dilemna is: To hell with it, get the 8 or wait until my wife and I move to a new apartment or purchase a home that has garaged parking (within 1-3 years by which I may not want it as much by then).

How bad do I want this car (aside from flooding, etc., etc. that do concern me)?: I would move to accomodate this car, but that's not realistic right now.

Just wondering if anyone had this situation or is living this situation with the 8 outside everyday.

Mine's outside everyday- still in an apartment, for now. No issues so far. BUT, it depends on how much you trust your neighbors- everyone in my building knows it's mine, and would tell me if they saw anything weird going on around it. However, one reason we're buying a house with a garage is so the 8 has somewhere to live and isn't outside all the time, attracting attention.

I bought my 8 in Dec and I have a home with no garage. I was worried and we will be building a garage at some point. But im not worried about it too much as i park in a parking garage at work so its spends the better part of the week in the garage. No garage has meant washing a little more often than I normally would have but I am glad i bought the car.

I would wait until you live in a safer area, Culver City still has some parts with some scrupulous people seeking trouble. It "was" a major centerpoint for Crips/Bloods street gang activity in the late 80's. Perhaps Marina Del Rey or move northward to Westwood area might be safer to own the 8. You can still find some affordable housing that is further away from Culver City. Especially if you live at an apartment complex with no garage parking, people will surely steal/damage your car eventually.... just look at your neighbor's cars.. are they driving 30k+ cars?

Good point. One of my concerns too is all of the parking bumps and knicks I might get - even if I have the 3M clear cover stuff installed.

Wait until you have a house, build up some equity in the house, take out a line of credit against the house, buy the car you want with the line of credit.

Yeah sucks to have to wait. But I was in a 94 Miata R with no AC for nine years. The first six of the Miata was pretty rough accumulating door dings, paint oxidation, fine scratches from a car cover, difficulty finding a place to do maintenance, etc. Stick with the Protoge. It will make owning a car with more then 200hp and a lot more grip enjoyable.

You all are right. The smartest thing to do is not get the 8 until I can baby (I mean keep) it the wait it should be. Just hate the thought that by the time I move into a house two things will have happened. A significantly revised 8 may be out that I may not want or something else (different brand) will have surfaced and taken my interest. Since my 2000 protege though I am a bit of a Mazda freak (use to be a Honda loyalist).

I knwo these two cars don't compare, but if I don't get the 8, I just may upgrade to the top of the line 3 (which I also like- even more than the 6). At least I'll stay in the family and won't feel as bad about leaving it outside.

I have a suggestion. Move to Calabasas or Thousand Oaks. Living is still fairly reasonable and the extra commute to work will only be fun because you will be able to drive your 8. Get out of Culver City.

Tangierc,

Think about it this way. The longer you wait, the better the product usually becomes. I'm an early adopter of the RX-8 because I had a pressing need for rear seats. Being an early adopter has draw backs.

By the time you are ready to buy, maybe the RX-7 will be back, the Miata might have a rotary engine, the RX-3 might make a surprise debut. The Honda S2k will be at the tail end of it's 2nd generation. In several months the Lotus Elise will be here. Arg... If I only did not need rear seat. I miss my Miata....

Do you have any kids/need the back seats?
If not, I'd wait the 3 yrs and while I'm waiting cars like the RX7 2seater Jsuzuki mentioned would be out
but then again, if you're dying to get a new car, I'd highly recommend the rx8 right now ('05 for you)

tangierc,
If I were in the same situation (this is just me now...) I would buy a house first. Since your Protege is an '00, assuming you bought it new it's either paid for, or pretty close. Save your cash, buy a house. If you can afford to buy a car now paying rent, then you'll likely be able to afford to buy a car after you buy a house. The money you'll save from the interest deduction alone should compensate for the car payment (assuming a loan of $300K+).

Anyhow, sure... by the time you buy a house there might be something else you want more... Like an RX-7 or something :)

TownDrunk - thanks for the advice. I think deep down that's what I know I should do, but whenever I see that 8, I reconsider. I am 26, married, building a career and looking to buy property. A home is certainly a better investment and I am young enough that there will certainly be other "8s" (not necessarily from Mazda.

hate the idea though of one day saying, man I wish i bought that car.

But buying a house will be so much better

wait

Cars get better every year they are made...not only do they weed out the bugs, the turbo 8 might be out when you are ready to buy.

The house payment might be less than the rent payment which will help you buy the car. At the very least, the car loan company wont car about your house payment. On the other hand, having a car loan in your debt ratio will make it much harder to buy the house....i.e. the less debt you have the more house you can buy.

save the money and buy a house!