Well, Im gonna be buying my RX-8 this weekend. Im excited but I am in a bit of a quandry as to which one I should be buying. Here are the choices/potential cars that I am considering.

Now please note, I am in the bay area of California. Things are generally more expensive here. With that in mind, there will be cars that you think are overpriced. Please keep that in mind relative to the car that the price is attached to and the logistics surrounding the car ( ie.. my personal circumstances.) In other words, try to be as objective as you can which given the nature of the RX-8, may be harder to do than you might think

#1) 2006 Shinka edition, 9700 miles, appearance package, rotary accent pkg, satellite radio, all the typical Shinka goodies 2 years, 40k miles left on bumper to bumper warranty, 6 years 91K miles left on the new extended engine warranty. ( remember in 2006 Mazda still had the 4/50 warranty in effect) $23K non negotiable

#2) 2007 Sport edition 3200 miles, no options other than standard equipment ( lack of a sunroof to me is a plus.. More headroom! but kills what little resale value it has) Galaxy Gray ( love that color!!) 2 years 33K miles left on standard bumper to bumper warranty, 7 years 97k miles left on engine warranty. $19,999 negotiable at a Subaru dealer

#3) New 2008 Galaxy Gray GT Appearance package $26K ( after rebate of $3500.00 and 4K discount)

#4) New 2008 Stormy Blue GT (color to me is meh..) with Navigation as only option $26K after rebates and dealer discounting.

#5) New Crystal white with rear wing spoiler and Sirius satellite radio and Sand leather interior $26,674 after all rebates and discounting ( this one is discounted a total of 6021.00 dollars as opposed to the 7500 the others are because it has to be brought in from another dealer) Thought I was crazy about the white, but after seeing it in person,it's not doing anything to me.. perhaps because its too bright of a white whereas normally I like an offwhite)

#6) look for a Touring edition instead of a Grand Touring. Most likely I can get the same 7500.00 discount About the only differences I see between the GT and the Touring is that the GT has leather and the smart key ignition/door locks.


WIth the new ones, I think Im at the limit insofar as discounting.. The Shinka is at a dealer that does not negotiate.

Your thoughts?

Thanks!

pete

 

What are you looking to do with the car?
Strictly tracking it? DD?
How long do you think youll keep the car?

 

Its going to be a DD/ fun car and I will keep it until it or I die. (in other words a long time)

 

Go with one of the '08 GTs. Great price! Full warranty. You know what you're getting. The Shinka is nice but very little difference from a GT and it is used and unknown.

 

If the '06 Shinka is Copper Red that would be real attractive but not at that price ... if a new '08 GT w nav is only $3K more, it's a better deal. I'd also be wondering how much more would an '09 be with the engine improvements?

Bottom line, don't rush, and make sure you get the car you really want. That's really important in the long run. Aftermarket leather is easy, high quality, and oftentimes less expensive.

 

If you don't like the blue, then that's automatically off the list.
The Shinka needs to be 3k lower. Too much risk buying used for almost the same price as new.

3200 miles on a 2007 for 20k is damn good.

Most important thing is to pick what is going to make you the most happy. Choose wisely, not hastily, and don't forget the dealer theme song:

When you sign
On the dotted line
Your *** is mine
Yea, your *** is mine...

 

Best options look like #2 and #3. Good luck with whatever you end up choosing!

 

Id say #2.
You like the color. &just in case you might sell later on. you wont be losing much since resale is like 15-18k.

 

Yeah, the blue is just meh to me.. Now if they still had the Phantom Blue.. thats a real nice color!

I did find a left over ( 2 of them!) '07 new Phantom blue.. but they were sports and automatics.. yuck..


I agree that the Shinka is too high priced but it only has 9700 miles on it.. and it has 2K worth of options the others either part of the list or none at all.. ( ie.. appearance package, satellite radio, polished rims, rear wing, Alcantera seats, rotary accent package etc.. plus the warranty is still pretty good at 2 years, 40K left of the bumper to bumper as well as the added 8 years 100K total miles engine warranty) I am thinking about going and seeing this in person..

just found a 2008 Galaxy Grey GT for $25,499 6 speed.. Thats pretty interesting.. No options other than whats standard.

 

Yeah, #2 could be a great deal... but its a sport.. no goodies.. No DSC , no BOSE, nothing... Now granted those don't do much for resale but they are nice to have and I will be keeping this car for a long time.

 

I've always preferred the Shinkas..

The new one would be the best deal I'd think, though Stormy Blue would be second choice in color.

 

#2 gets my vote, as it's not that many miles + a great price = win.

 

The difference between used 06's and 07's compared to NEW is only $3,000 (Shinka) or $6,000 (Option #2)

That difference in price is relatively little to me, comparatively. I would gladly pay a few extra $K to get the full warranty and to have the assurance it has been taken care of since day 1.

And you say you love Galaxy Gray.....so no question, I'd recommend option 2.

And I would recommend GT over Touring. I know you don't care for the sunroof.........I am 6' and I have no headroom issues. Plus there are a few other bells and whistles not found in the Touring.

 

Oh I agree completely, I would rather have a new car than a used one.. I am just wondering if I can stretch for the extra 6K for a new one.. the SHinka and the Sport, I can do..

I have always been the kind that believes that a couple of thousand shouldn't deter you from what you really want.. For the first time in a lonnnnng time, price becomes an issue..

oh actually the sunroof is standard on the '08 Touring and Grand Touring.. and its kinda growing on me.. Im right at the limit insofar as headroom goes.. Thank god I stopped at 6'0

 

My advice is to drive the Shinka..and then drive one of the new ones. Besides the options that are obvious there is the suspension to consider. It is a bit stiffer, so at least put it though it's paces so you'll know.

Then....go take one of the new ones, #'s 3-4 to the dealer that has the Shinka...in this market...YOU have the advantage...Show him the deal you can get and see if he' might just come down when faced with some competition. IF he does, and you like the car...check and make sure all the TSB's are done, and buy it. If he doesn't then my choice would be either 3-4, and since you like the color, go with three.

There may some differences in the warranty's but there is an extended one that you can get on top of what is offered for about 2K...if you can get him to agree on 20-21K then he'll make the difference up and you'll have a full warranty on basically a 2 year old new car..for about 23K out the door. Just my .02.

 

#2 sound like it to me u like the color and a good price unless you're looking for all the goodies then possibly #1

 

# 2 or # 5

 

^^^

What he said.

 

Yup 2

Also, Gray is a color that works with just about everything.

 

I'm not very car financing savvy, but I would think that apples to apples, the difference in monthly payment would be +/- $100 per month?


Regardless..............
IMO..........The answer is right in front of your nose, but I get the impression that you don't want to recognize what is plain as day: Option #2 is the best option.

Lower price, budget friendly, your preferred color, no sunroof giving more headroom, price negotiable.........It seems to have everything you want.

And I'm assuming these are all MT's?

Also............if San Fran is pricey, then just go up or down the coast for your 8 where they don't jack up the price.

And there is no harm in postponing the purchase until more cars hit the resale market, thanks to some 8 owners turning in their 8's for end of year clearance pricing on 2008's, or trade ins for the new 09's.