Hi guys!

I've lurked for a while here, trying to get as much info as I could before finally realizing that an RX-8 might be the car for me.

I'm a mechanic at a performance shop and extremely amateur track enthusiast and had an RX-8 come in a while ago for some upgrades (Stoptech D&S rotors and Sport/Street pads, Tein Street Basis coilovers, Mishimoto radiator, AIR delete, AC delete, and some maintenance). I really enjoyed driving it. It felt fantastic going into corners and being thrashed (at the owner's request) and the chassis was incredibly responsive, even with such cheap and little upgrades. That car has stuck in my head for a while.

I've been shopping for a G35 coupe for a couple years now until I stumbled upon a Speed Academy article (Infiniti G35 Tuning: How To Bolt On Over 40 Wheel Horsepower | Speed Academy) about a guy tracking his, and I saw he also owned an RX-8 and tracked that as well (http://speed.academy/reintroducing-project-rx-8/). I got in contact with him and talked with him about the differences he liked between the two and he said in the end preferred the RX-8, so my plans have been shifted to say the least.

I've read through as much as I could here and I'm now on the hunt for a decent S1 that I could turn into a summer daily/weekend track car while I save up some more money. I'm excited to get into the swing of things with one! They seem great to drive, easy to work on, plenty of aftermarket support, and reliability is somewhat there as long as it's taken care of.

Hopefully I'll be joining you guys in ownership soon!

 

You might try checking the classifieds here, oddly enough. At a minimum, the first rule for buying an RX8 is get a compression test, but it sounds like you know that already. Welcome to the club.

 

Funny - G35 was also on my list of 4 seat fun. Bought an gently used RX8 instead last year. Never regretted it.

 

Thank you! I've been checking out the classifieds to get a gauge of pricing as well as Craigslist and a few Facebook groups. And of course! Not planning to jump into any without a compression test.

I'm glad to hear it! I'm still in love with the G35 in every way, but it just makes a lot more sense to go with the RX-8 knowing my intentions for it. Hopefully someday I'll still get a G35! They're just so sexy!

 

I was in the market for a G35 too! I had a bunch of friends in college who loved their G35s/G37s and got me to test drive one at a dealership. Almost pulled the trigger, but I decided to wait around a little longer and ended up with an S2

 

awesome man. I am a new rx8 member and own an rx7 FD. Ironically I am tracking the rx8 and not the rx7 due to how much money I have sunk into the 7 vrs. a very cheap rx8. I am putting my money in all the right places on the rx8 and hopefully can be an underdog taking out some faster cars. I also just want to track it for fun. Sometimes finding the cheaper cars can turn out well if you know how to fix these cars.

 

Welcome. I am on my seventh rotary, and have loved them all, street and track. You won't regret getting one, just get that compression test done first before buying.

Cheers !

 

I'm hoping a Renesis will be my key to happiness! I'll admit I'm getting pretty scared after digging through the racing section a bit and seeing people going through a motor per season. I won't be tracking the car nearly as much as anyone there, but it'll still be a summer daily that gets ragged on between events. I already know the idea of a "reliable" RX-8 is a bit of an oxymoron but the goal is something that won't require a motor change for at least a couple years.

 

You have a good reason to be scared, But your goals are realistic.

 

Ha, I hope so. After pricing out a used S1 motor, the car would be done for if the motor goes. I was shocked to see that used Renesis motors are around triple the price of a used VQ.