lil fjd 915

is there any car around the same price range which is better than a rx8 in auto x'n?

lil fjd 915

anyone?

AlexCisneros

that's subjective...

since the S2000 moved out of BS the RX8 has become an untested favorite to win.

The EVO8 and STI are close in price, but they are in AS so they don't compete directly with the RX8 unless you begin to modify them and throw them into STU where they do compete together.

Your question needs to be restructured to better answer it. Is there a better car for BS class SCCA Solo competition than the RX8 that is in the same price range?

No, but then that's my opinion and like belly buttons, everyone has one.

Rhawb

Miata maybe. Drove a Mazdaspeed at Rev It Up and that thing was like driving a go-kart.

lil fjd 915

yea i drove one too there nice little things. so is the RX8 > S2000? or is it the other way around?

Rhawb

S2k is a little bit quicker. Probably a little bit heavier with the convertible top. I'd say it's more or less going to be a tossup for autox. I've heard that S2ks are geared a bit closer which can play havoc on gear selection on the higher speed sections. S2k is also going to cost a bunch more in insurance. For me, it was running equivalent with a brand new 400hp GTO ($1800/6mos). Ouch.

Ike

He's talking autox and that's simply not true, the S2K is faster around a track and the 350Z is still a tossup (stock for stock the WRX is slower in autox). I think he wants to get a car that will be competitive in it's class and wants to know if the RX-8 is the best car in it's class. Simple fact is we just don't know... I think the new 298hp 350Z with the suspension tweaks may be the car to have come years end, prior to those revelations I thought the RX-8 was going to be the car to beat, others think it's the 968, it's going to take a season or two to sort out which is the car to have in BS. Best bang for your buck in autox it's tough to beat the Miata or the 2nd gen MR2, F-bodies can be excellent choices as well, WRX in STX, older civics, the list could go on and on, it all depends on what you're after.

Rather than ragging on the guy this thread should be moved to competition racing.

Ike

Depending on the trim level the S2K is 150-200lbs. lighter if the if I recall correctly.

clyde

Asking about new cars? By "better" do you mean more likely to be a class overdog?

For a little less than a base model 2005 RX-8/6MT you should be able to get a 2005 MINI Cooper S with an LSD. The MINI will probably kick G Stock butt all year unless the SEB comes to its senses and puts in D Stock...where it will probably still do very well.

I think that the RX-8 is going to be the car to have for B Stock, but I could be wrong. The Porsche 968 could prove to be a sleeping giant. Piloted by the bet drivers, I don't think that the 350Z is going to be able to keep up with either the RX-8 or 968. I could be wrong, particularly about the Anniversary model, but I will genuinely be surprised.

Rhawb

Er, I don't think they have trim levels. (unless you're talking about the 8) Plus, I still think the 8's going to outhandle the S2k due to the absurdly low CG. S2k will definitely beat it off the line and probably down the straights too.

Ike

I was talking about the trim level on the RX-8. Think what you like but it's pretty well accepted that the S2K is a step above the RX-8 when it comes to handling.

Rhawb

Hm, strange. I've driven both and I think my 8 handles a lot better than my friend's S2k (they're both really good though). Maybe it's just what I'm used to.

Ike

That and I found the RX-8 more forgiving and confidence inspiring and that will especially be true if you're new to driving the S2K.

Ike

Easier to drive at it's limits, or maybe even easier to determine the limits. More neutral in its handling characteristics.

124Spider

lol!

The new S2000 is more powerful, has more torque, has power increasing right up to redline, and, in the hands of a good driver, will take any twisty better than an RX-8, stock for stock.

That's simple fact. Note that the S2000 is in A-Stock, while the RX-8 is in B-Stock. There's a reason for that. Last year, they were both in B Stock, and nobody was choosing the RX-8 to beat the S2000 in the hands of a competent driver.

Now, for someone just getting into autox, it really won't matter for a couple of years, and the RX-8 may well be competitive in B Stock now that the S2k has been bumped up. The RX-8 is easier to drive (the S2000, even the new ones, is quite twitchy, and any mistake will throw the rear end ). Ask me how I know.

If you get an RX-8 for track/autox, be sure you fit in it with a helmet. Ours has a sunroof, and I cannot drive it with a helmet. But that's ok; I've got my S2000. :D

Frankly, if I were getting a car just for autox, I'd think seriously about getting a spec Miata. There's always lots of events, and the cars are easy to get, and not expensive. And it's a blast to drive.

Rhawb

Hm, can't say I've driven a new S2000, so you've got me beaten there. I think my friend's is a 2001, and I really didn't think it could out handle my 8. It just felt bigger on the road and the steering seemed slightly less responsive. However, you could probably chalk those problems up to not having the seating properly set up and not being comfortable behind the wheel yet. Maybe I just need to get my own S2000 so I can decide for sure. :D

Also, I agree, I would very seriously think about a Miata for getting into Autox (it's what I plan to do after college). There's tons of competitions for those little monsters and tons of clubs too, so you're not just stuck with the SCCA for your racing needs. Doesn't hurt that they're damn fun to drive too.

Ike

I'll probably get flamed for this, but if you're seriously think about getting a car solely for autox purposes get a shifter kart. It's a hell of a lot more fun, faster than any car you can put on an autox track, and if you get a used one a hell of a lot cheaper than just about any used car worth using in autox.

Imp

Agreed, however not every region allows shifter carts to run at the local events due to insurance limits of the property.

--kC

idriverx8

I think you need to clarify new or used. My personal opinion for the best car in an 8's price range is a used Corvette (C5 ZO6), it dominates its class and is much faster than any of the cars being previous discussed.

clyde

I'd rephrase that to "has dominated." I think that the days of C5 Z06 domination are over and SS could actually see some competition this year. The Elise could well take it this year. If decent 19" R comps become available, the C6 Z51 could take it too. And what about the GT3 (newly allowed in SS this year)?

And for the low $20s that a base model new RX-8/6MT can be had, you're going to be looking at some pretty tired or questionable early Z06s (which weren't as good as the later ones).

clyde

Even if you buy an older minivan just to get it to/from events as well, a kart is also a lot cheaper to operate than a full size car.

clyde

While still a little more forgiving than a pre 2004 S2K, a well setup RX-8 is not the totally benign grannymobile that some would suggest. Rear alignment settings are key.

Ike

Didn't know that, but there are also kart tracks local to most people I'd imagine and racing a practice sesions are those are still rather cheap. When I raced shifter karts there were 4 different tracks within 100 miles of me, 2 being Kart tracks and 2 being car tracks that hold karting events. The rush that you get from racing a shifter kart is nearly impossible to achieve with any road going car, and most dedicated racecars for that matter.

lil fjd 915

bought a brand new rx8 with the accent and appearance package with rear spoiler and the grand touring package. the only thing i didnt get was the navigation. ended up paying 33k and im gonna bust my *** working for this little thing i got the black with the black and brown leather seats omg i love it im 17 and im PAYING for a 33k car.......damn thats ****** hard and im still in hs

Imp

Ok, one thing to take note of... since you're 17, before you attend your 1st event, you need to contact someone in your region and get the Minor Waiver. Then BOTH of your parents have to sign it before you're allowed to compete. (That is if this is auto-x with the SCCA, different clubs just say 18 or older).

However, if your 1st event is after you turn 18, then you will no longer need the minor waiver.

Just didn't want to have you turned away from running when you wake up early to get to an event and drive to it.

Also, don't dodge the wear filter by mispelling swear words. I think the owners of this site like to keep it clean.

--kC