Mazda RX-8?

I usually like to buy a new car around the beginning of each year. This year, I'm thinking of plunking down for the RX-8:

http://www.carbodydesign.com/vehicles/mazda/2003-rx-8/Mazda_RX-8_1.jpg

It looks like a pretty cool car and seems reasonably priced. Anyone here own one of these puppies? If so, what do you think of it?

[exist]

only problem is that it is slooooow for a sports car. Motor Trend gave the 0-60 time of the 2004 RX-8 as 5.8 seconds. a Mustang GT for example would do 0-60 in 5.1 seconds. a Corvette Z06 in 3.7.

[surfinillini]

Since you obviously have $$$ there are nicer cars to get for $30K.

[UCF THAYER]

If you decide to get it, this is a must read :
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...rue#Post2477392 (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=exchange&Number=2477392&S earchpage=1&Main=2476854&Words=rx-8&topic=&Search=true#Post2477392)

[surfinillini]

[ QUOTE ]
If you decide to get it, this is a must read :
http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...rue#Post2477392 (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=exchange&Number=2477392&S earchpage=1&Main=2476854&Words=rx-8&topic=&Search=true#Post2477392)

[/ QUOTE ]

riight

[Maulik]

that car drives amazing and is pleasing to listen to prrr.

prrrr.

[NLSoldier]

gonores has one. i like it alot except when theres 3 people and one has to get jammed into the non existant back seat.

[joecash]

Yes, I own an 8 - very sweet ride. Smooth as hell.

[surfinillini]

why not just buy a BMW 3 series or a Lexus IS with 30K?

or one of these sweet rides

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/exteriors/M%20coupe.jpg

so sweeeet

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, I own an 8 - very sweet ride. Smooth as hell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool. I like the vernacular of shortening the name to just "8," also. I'll have to start doing that in the future.

How does it handle in the chick-picking-up department? Do the chicks dig it? Is it easy to lie about the price and say it cost more than it actually did because it looks so cool?

[RED_RAIN]

[ QUOTE ]
why not just buy a BMW 3 series or a Lexus IS with 30K?

or one of these sweet rides

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/exteriors/M%20coupe.jpg

so sweeeet

[/ QUOTE ]

That is so ugly

[CheckRaise]

If you want something sporty and fast for 30k I don't think there is anything better than a Subaru WRX STi. It isn't luxorious or the most comfortable but it kicks ass in the speed department.

I have one. It's a great little car. Very unique looking and it handles better than almost any car in its price range.

Cons:

* it is a little slower than other sports cars in the same price range.

* it's a pain to get into and out of the back seats (though I've been told it's relatively roomy once you're back there.)

* Gas mileage is terrible. Granted that I drive the car a lot harder than most, I only get about 17-19 mpg.

* This may be a pro or con, depending on how you look at it. To get the best performance out of the car, you have to rev it a lot. The red line is at 9000 rpm and it pulls all the way there. If you're used to engines with a lot of torque, you'll have to get used to driving a lot differently. E.g., if you're going 60 and want to pass, it's a must to downshift. In some cars, you can get away with leaving it in top gear. In the 8, you have to downshift from 6th to 3rd.

[Evan]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, I own an 8 - very sweet ride. Smooth as hell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool. I like the vernacular of shortening the name to just "8," also. I'll have to start doing that in the future.

How does it handle in the chick-picking-up department? Do the chicks dig it? Is it easy to lie about the price and say it cost more than it actually did because it looks so cool?

[/ QUOTE ]
You HAVE TO be joecash's second account, right?

[antifish225]

I have an Rx-8 (2004) and I LOVE IT - for the price there is simply no better sportish car on the market (in my opinion) - really it is a sub 6 zero 60, rear wheel drive, and handles amazingly and it is under 30K - comparing it to 'other sports cars' (vette's, ect) is really not a fair comparision due to the price range.....I would highly, highly reco this car to anyone who is thinking about it (sadly it is not much of a winter car and mine is in storage for the next 3 months, can not wait till the Sping!)
AF

[peachy]

The new M3s are BAD

[vexvelour]

YAY!

Get the RX8! I own an '04 Black one and I absolutely love it to death. Sure it hogs gas, but find a sports car that doesn't.

It's kind of a picky car- you HAVE to get premium, oil changes every 3k (or sooner, as I prefer) and you have to wait for it to fully warm up before you can turn it off. No big deal.

I totally love my RX8. I think it's the hottest bitch on the road and the handling is unsurpassed. It's not fast in the straightaway but trust me, going 35 around a turn is much more fun.

If you'd like any and all the information you'll ever need, go to RX8 Club (http://www.rx8club.com) .

Let me know if you get one! People with these cars love them. Everytime I'm driving around and I see another RX8 they'll tap the horn to say hi.

[vexvelour]

[ QUOTE ]
* This may be a pro or con, depending on how you look at it. To get the best performance out of the car, you have to rev it a lot. The red line is at 9000 rpm and it pulls all the way there. If you're used to engines with a lot of torque, you'll have to get used to driving a lot differently. E.g., if you're going 60 and want to pass, it's a must to downshift. In some cars, you can get away with leaving it in top gear. In the 8, you have to downshift from 6th to 3rd.

[/ QUOTE ]

I noticed this too, but I love redlining it. Have you heard that when you redline it (fairly) often it makes the RENESIS faster over time?

[KowCiller]

The car was cool in X-men 2, but since then it has lost it's luster.

KoW

[tolbiny]

"I usually like to buy a new car around the beginning of each year"

"It looks like a pretty cool car and seems reasonably priced."

These statements just don't jive for me, can't explain why.

I got one just over a year ago. I'm very happy for the most part.

Good:
- Nice accelleration. Not awesome, but for 30k it does a nice job.
- Incredible cornering. I've never had a car that corners like this. Tight as can be, very level. Friend has a mustang which can out accellerate me, but I kill him in the corners.
- Reasonable back seats. For a sports car, you can fit 6'0" people in the back seat. It's a little tight, but you absolutely could NOT do that in my Dodge Stealth or other supposed 4 seat sports cars.
- Related to the back seats, the suicide doors make entry/exit easier for passengers.
- The engine sound is very nice, rarely loud, just changes pitch.
- Engine responsiveness makes the accelleration feel better than it is. The Mustang I punch it and there's a short delay then massive accelleration. The RX8's engine power is immediate, it's amazingly responsive.
- Mind bogglingly good turning radius. A stupid, but nice thing, I can do a u-turn on a dime it seems like.

Cons
- Gas mileage gets no where near the 18/24 or whatever it's supposed to be. I get around 15, mostly city driving.
- Light car, rear wheel so it sucks in snow. Not a con to me, but might be depending on where you live.
- Trunk opening is small. Trunk space itself is ok, but the opening is hard to fit many things through (like a big picnic sized plastic cooler). Back seats do NOT fold down, so you can't get extra space that way.
- Rattles. My doors are quickly developing annoying cheap plastic rattling sounds inside.
- Eats oil. You have to put in a 1/2 quart of oil every couple tanks of gas. Annoying.

[NLSoldier]

[ QUOTE ]
it's a pain to get into and out of the back seats (though I've been told it's relatively roomy once you're back there.)


[/ QUOTE ]

you were lied to. try siting back there some time.

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
why not just buy a BMW 3 series or a Lexus IS with 30K?

or one of these sweet rides

http://www.bmwmregistry.com/exteriors/M%20coupe.jpg

so sweeeet

[/ QUOTE ]

Whenever I see a car shaped like that I can't help but think of the ambiguously gay duo's car...

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/96/pics/96agayduo2.jpg