[Greeney]

07s are discounted so much its CRAZY. Grand Touring with every option stickers for 35, people are getting them for around 29. Which is crazy. Used they go for about 16-20 which again isn't bad, but in the scheme of things the amount is almost negligible between an 04 and getting a new 07

[shragon]

never was too impressed with the rx-8's. i really liked the looks of the last gen rx-7's though!

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by shragon

never was too impressed with the rx-8's. i really liked the looks of the last gen rx-7's though!

What do you suggest?

[jet987]

I owned a 2004 Mazda RX8 with 6sp manual for 2 and a half years (bought it new), then sold it to buy what I've been driving for a year so far, my 2006 325i. The RX8 drives great, has sharp handling, and revs like a banshee all the way to 9500rpm, but never strained even at redline. You gotta rev past 5500 rpm for any decent power, so you gotta drive it like you just stole it to enjoy it. I got 17-18mpg in half city, half highway driving in Chicago, sprited driving (currently get 25-26 mpg in my 6sp 325i, same driving style). The gas mileage I got was in the middle of the pack for owners on rx8club.com, some got 12mpg, some others got up to 25mpg... I couldn't break 20mpg even on a long highway trip. I did have the engine flood on me as it's happened to many other RX8 owners, due to starting the engine on a cold winter day (spark plugs are at bottom of engine which was part of the cause), so it was towed to Mazda and fixed under warranty. I'm much happier with my 325i by the way.

[voltron1011]

The RX-8 is a great car but the rotary engine has absolutely no torque what-so-ever. You'll find yourself constantly racing the engine to 9000rpm just to get some decent acceleration out of it... All the while getting horrific gas mileage. It's fun at first, but then it just gets to be a chore.
I'd go for a 350z or an S2000 (although it lacks torque too, but not as bad). The 350z motor is more usable than the rotary one.
IMO, the 350z is the absolute best bang for the buck.

[TheAcAvenger]

I'm a honda fan as much as the rest of them, but I cant recommend an s2000 in college. I cant even count how many miatas and jeeps i've seen with softops torn up by drunk frat guys with nothing better to do.

If you're not power obsessed, I like the RX-8. If you are power obsessed, I have to recommend the Z instead.

[scoop]

I'm probably entering the debate a little in the game but I speak from experience when I say the RX-8 provides great bang for the buck (the gas mileage thing notwithstanding, of course).
I will soon be stepping out of mine into a 335 and do so with some -- but not a lot for obvious reasons --misgivings because it really is a terrific ride.
And I emphasize ride, because unlike say a 350Z, you can drive it on any road at any speed and always feel in control -- not to mention never fear that you might lose the fillings in your teeth.
It's got a slick interior, usable backseat, smooth 6-speed and a screamer of an engine that when wound up, really gives you a kick. Add-ons like Xenons, Bose stereo, 18-inch wheels and smooth handling will make you think you're in higher quality automobile.
Hell, even Car and Driver revisited it a couple of months ago and even picked it over a Mustang GT.
Is it the fastest from 0-60? Of course not. But 230 HP with such little weight and a 9,000 redline moves you along pretty swiftly. And you know what? It still gets a lot of looks.
So much goes into a car these days that you really have to look at the big picture, which, ironically, is why BMW always scores so highly in comparison tests.
But other posters are right: Be prepared to know the guys at your local gas station on a first-name basis.

[NIGHTBIMMER]

Ok.[/SIZE] About the rx8. I know all about it I just traded my 2004 Yellow rx8 in on a Black 2006 325i. This was the best move I made. I got it only because the 4 seats and then all the problems started. I joined RX8club.com because I was excited for about 2 months and then I realized I made the next to the worst decision in my life. The worst was the Mercury Cougar. The 350z is a much better built car then mazda. Sorry Mazda, you still have alot of catching up to do. The shape of it is #1 but thats it. trading it was the best move I made.

[NIGHTBIMMER]

Ok. About the rx8. I know all about it I just traded my 2004 Yellow rx8 in on a Black 2006 325i. This was the best move I made. I got it only because the 4 seats and then all the problems started. I joined RX8club.com because I was excited for about 2 months and then I realized I made the next to the worst decision in my life. The worst was the Mercury Cougar. The 350z is a much better built car then mazda. Sorry Mazda, you still have alot of catching up to do. The shape of it is #1 but thats it. trading it was the best move I made.

[e92leon]

I had one.... and let's just say.. you're better off with a Z/G/S2000

[ae8t6ix]

My friend has one I've driven on the track and off, I'm not too keen on the design. Love the free revving and handling but, it's a rotary, it tends to run hot, you need to be sure the oil is always topped off, which means constant checking of oil levels. Torque comes on after 5k rpm after that it pulls hard, but I found the interior quality lacking and the seats aren't very comfy. If your going to college you should think about something more user friendly, I remember having to drive buddies around alot or moving stuff around so, think about something that has good cargo space or drop seats. Just my 2 cents. I'd consider an A3 or even a Subie wagon.

[foxman]

Originally Posted by sflgator

RX8 is slow, with very low TQ; it handles well, but it's not really that fun. You'd have a lot more fun in a much faster and decent handling Nissan 350Z.

The RX-8 is a lot more fun than the Z unless you are just elated over the torque only. Driving the Z is more like driving an American Muscle car, it's all about the torque. The RX-8 has better fit and finish, better handling, better steering, and better overall feel for the driver. It lacks the torque of the Z.

[MrSteak]

The Z was designed for a track. I own a Z, but have driven a RX8 on a track, and an S2k on streets. IMO the Z was the best (which is why I bought it). The RX8 feels great, but a Miata makes more sense than an RX8. The Z does it all well, and by no means feels like an American car.


Bottom line… the RX8 is cheap for a reason. It’s WAY underpowered, not fast enough to warrant the terrible mileage, and isn’t as attractive as a true sports car (350Z, S2k).

[HEY32G]

Here's mine. It was alright, but I felt like it was a little "soft" to be a true sports car. Honestly I was a bit disappointed. Gas mileage was absolutely horrible and not worth the performance I was getting.

I'd take an S2000 over it anyday.

[e92leon]

here's mine:






up to you.

[vAnt826]

Originally Posted by e92leon

I had one.... and let's just say.. you're better off with a Z/G/S2000

Holy crap, I was about to post that.

Z or S2000. The RX-8 shouldn't even be considered.

The RX-8 is in the middle of both. It's not the fastest in the straight line (Z), it's not the quickest in an autocross (S2000), it's not quicker on the track (Z), it's not the funnest to drive (S2000), it's not the best city driver (Z), it's not the best looking (Z), doesn't handle mods as well as the (Z), and it has the worst gas mileage of them all!

But hey, it has 4 seats (in which you can compare to the G35 which I would take ANYDAY).

I've driven all four and the RX-8 is far behind.