Lifes too unpredictable to not buy an RX8
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Lifes too unpredictable to not buy an RX8
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to introduce myself, my history with this car and what I'm looking to do going forward, I'll try not to bang on too much.
The RX8 has sort of been the car the that's defined my interest in driving and yet I've scarcely ever driven it. When I was 11, my dad brought home a brand new Velocity Red RX8 as a weekend car, and for the rest of my childhood the RX8 was the coolest sports car there was. I was that guy telling everyone about rotaries and perfect weight distribution by the time I was 12. I've spent countless hours in the passenger seat, but precious few actually driving it because my dad traded it in by the time I was 20, and he wasn't very keen on letting teenage me taking his RX8 out (smart.) But the personality of the RX8 is permanently locked in my memory, its everything a sports car in this category should be and is undoubtedly one of the best chassis still to this day. Whats amazing to me is how precise AND forgiving this car is, it makes for an amazingly fun blend. Other sports cars I've driven like a Cayman can match the precision of the RX8, but it can be punishing on the limit. I guess what I mean is, the RX8 is a precision machine that rewards tip of your fingers delicacy in driving, but it also encourages you to swing the back out and act like a nut every so often too; its predictable and consistent, not razor edge and twitchy like an S2000.
Currently, I have my faithful 9th gen Civic Si that's loyally served as my bulletproof daily for half a decade now. To liven it up I've done basic engine bolt ons, Stoptech rotors + Hawk HPS pads, H&R Springs and Truhart dampers (I should have gone with Koni's but I bought these in college and $300 a corner was a painful thought.) And my favorite mod, a fresh set of Pilot Sport 4S. The K series engine is amazing to rev out and the car handles very well for what it is; an economy platform largely designed before 2006. Its very neutral, there's no geometry weirdness like on earlier compact FF cars (ahem RSX) its just neutral, planted and moderately quick. But I keep on craving a proper sports car. The Si is a great all around car, but when really being pushed you notice how numb the steering is, how front heavy the balance is, how high the seating position is.
Now I'm in a position where I can comfortably purchase my own RX8 and given recent world events, I think I might do just that. I've been immensely fortunate that I'm able to continue working remotely, so my plan is to wait until things start to get a bit more normal, and maybe buy an RX8 later this summer. My goal with the car will be to enjoy it in its stock form for a few months, relive some childhood nostalgia and then get cracking with a proper track setup thats still compliant enough to be driven hard on the street and carry 4 people on the highway without one of them shooting me. I plan on doing everything from coilovers to bushings to a proper corner balancing. So in the mean time I'm here to absorb all the information I can.
Just wanted to introduce myself, my history with this car and what I'm looking to do going forward, I'll try not to bang on too much.
The RX8 has sort of been the car the that's defined my interest in driving and yet I've scarcely ever driven it. When I was 11, my dad brought home a brand new Velocity Red RX8 as a weekend car, and for the rest of my childhood the RX8 was the coolest sports car there was. I was that guy telling everyone about rotaries and perfect weight distribution by the time I was 12. I've spent countless hours in the passenger seat, but precious few actually driving it because my dad traded it in by the time I was 20, and he wasn't very keen on letting teenage me taking his RX8 out (smart.) But the personality of the RX8 is permanently locked in my memory, its everything a sports car in this category should be and is undoubtedly one of the best chassis still to this day. Whats amazing to me is how precise AND forgiving this car is, it makes for an amazingly fun blend. Other sports cars I've driven like a Cayman can match the precision of the RX8, but it can be punishing on the limit. I guess what I mean is, the RX8 is a precision machine that rewards tip of your fingers delicacy in driving, but it also encourages you to swing the back out and act like a nut every so often too; its predictable and consistent, not razor edge and twitchy like an S2000.
Currently, I have my faithful 9th gen Civic Si that's loyally served as my bulletproof daily for half a decade now. To liven it up I've done basic engine bolt ons, Stoptech rotors + Hawk HPS pads, H&R Springs and Truhart dampers (I should have gone with Koni's but I bought these in college and $300 a corner was a painful thought.) And my favorite mod, a fresh set of Pilot Sport 4S. The K series engine is amazing to rev out and the car handles very well for what it is; an economy platform largely designed before 2006. Its very neutral, there's no geometry weirdness like on earlier compact FF cars (ahem RSX) its just neutral, planted and moderately quick. But I keep on craving a proper sports car. The Si is a great all around car, but when really being pushed you notice how numb the steering is, how front heavy the balance is, how high the seating position is.
Now I'm in a position where I can comfortably purchase my own RX8 and given recent world events, I think I might do just that. I've been immensely fortunate that I'm able to continue working remotely, so my plan is to wait until things start to get a bit more normal, and maybe buy an RX8 later this summer. My goal with the car will be to enjoy it in its stock form for a few months, relive some childhood nostalgia and then get cracking with a proper track setup thats still compliant enough to be driven hard on the street and carry 4 people on the highway without one of them shooting me. I plan on doing everything from coilovers to bushings to a proper corner balancing. So in the mean time I'm here to absorb all the information I can.
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,912
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From: Cayman Islands
I think I speak for everyone here when I say: Go for it!! As mentioned, ensure a compression test is done and inspect the car like you would any other. I love my RX8's and I dont think I'll ever not have at least 1. For the money, you cant find a better driver's car anywhere. Even if you had the money to buy a Porsche you are still better off with an 8. It just has a personality no other car gets. Chicks dig it too 
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