japfan

For us early adopters or forward thinkers it is coming up to three years since we got an 8 in the garage. This means for myself and quite a few others the end of the three year lease is nigh.
This will indeed be a sad day but she has to go and i just can't get another one in a different colour.
So I have put down a deposit on a Mazda 3 MPS turbo. I then had a drive of the 6 MPS to compare but geez i miss the linear pull of that wankel.
Have I made the right choice? Am i a sinner?
What are the rest of you up to and how are you going to manage the trade in of the old girl apart from a big cry???

Rotor Convert

Well why can't you just get another one in a different colour?

IMHO I would do. But then times change.

I drove the MPS too.....but after getting in the 8 the grin on my face made my cheeks hurt and I knew I was in the right seat.

Do whatever suits you.

If you are a Catholic go to confession and seek forgiveness for leaving the sanctity of the 8 behind.

If not.......just get the new car and have lovely memories...

Seems like your doubts are revealing your true feelings anyhow!

BEWARE

My dad has a new Golf GTi on the way to replace his, but mum is in his ear as she wants to keep the 8 for herslef instead of trading it on the Golf....so we may still have ours for a bit longer to come!

Revolver

I agree with R/C.

As for the 3 MPS, I didn't know it was available yet. What's the torque steer like?

I own my 8 lock stock and barrel so I don't need to worry about the 3 yr shuffle.

Once I get my mortgage back under semi-control in a year or so I'll put my head up then and see what's around. At this stage there's absolutely nothing else available that I can afford that would do a better job for my needs.

However, that would all change if I sold my children.

My real dilemma is whether to sink more $$ into the 8 with FI for instance or save my money and take the big step up to something more expensive. A 996 911 sounds tempting as does a 2 yr old M3.

mikeyr

Ditto with Rev's comments, lets see if a new 8' emerges next year and if theres is an FI option. (I can dream) Owning your car certainly give's you a different perspective. A used M3 isn't a bad concept if a little bland.

Revolver

Doubt we're going to see any significant advance on the 8 in the foreseeable future. Looks like it's last in line for the MPS treatment. I read somewhere they're going to do MX5 next.

Agree the M3 is a little bland but I need four useable seats. Not much else out there that will handle like the 8 for the money.

Dan 8

In 2008 Audi will bring out the New A4 with different front END together with a new suspension set up with the 3.2 liter EFI AND Dual sequential gearbox

rotarenvy

how do you get a duel sequential gearbox? is it a marketing name for an auto transmission you can manually shift?

I'm with revolver; I'd have to spend a lot more to get something I desire.

Dan 8

Jarl

This will explain DSG far better than i can

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/dual-c...ansmission.htm

With all the restrictions of driving i have decided that spending over $150,000 for a car is not worthwhile Porsche CAYMAN S has been shelved for the time being

ozzie8

Hey Japfan, as a fellow early adopter, my car is 3 years old in August and currently has 108,000 kms on the clock. With 1 year to go on my 4 year lease I am thinking I might keep for another 2 years after that because it is running sooo sweet.

Dan 8

With 108,000 km your resale value unfortunately would be minimal so you are right in keeping it , especially if you have had no problems with it

In 2 years time you may Turbo / Supercharge it and rebuild your engine

Gomez

Well, I'll be replacing the XR8 with something in the new year....dunno what yet.

The RX-8 will soldier on until I replace it with a new one. Probably in white. No sunroof. No leather. No poofy low mounted stone attracting fog lights either......
No aluminium passenger footrest, no dinky alloy pedals, no spare wheel, no wobbly factory spoiler and no ridiculously expensive illuminated gearknob.

Might splash out and get some strakes next time though.... Maybe. (Hopefully the Pov Pack comes with Xenons by then...)

skc

I was originally going to jump in and get another colour. However I may now wait to see what Mazda does with regards to upgrades.

A DB9 would be nice but it might need to wait until the 2 kids stop costing big $$....its gonna be a long wait.

I did once consider the new 325i.

skc

Dan 8

Gomez cant see Morticia being happy in a pov pack White RX8 , with all your knowledge on the RX8"S one would have thought youd go for your favourite Shinka coloured leather pack one with all the trimmings ( heard you get a hard on for the shinka )

Revolver

Aha! I can say this - ain't no stone got to my fogs yet!

As for the rest - bah humbug! (although I agree about the pass. footrest and glow in the dark gear **** ).

Gibbo

I have to say that I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with my choice. My car is almost 3 years old, has 48k on the clock and is running beautifully. I have looked long and hard at the S/C kit from rotormaster and have been so close about 5 times to just dropping my car off and getting it done, however a new beauty has caught my eye:
The BMW 335i. Straight six twin turbo power 225kw. 0 - 100 in 5.5 seconds.
I love the 8 but for me it's time has almost come, I need a change and because I can't trade the wife in, the 8 is the only option.

Revolver

Stats sound good but I just can't warm to the Bangle mangled Bimmers. That's why I'd rather buy a 2-3 yr old M3.

As for not being able to trade in the wife, well, yes you can but it's even more expensive!

I'm still looking at getting an automotive bit on the side ( ) by keeping the 8 and buying an NA MX5 track car. However, this is somewhat of a long term marital negotiation.

Dan 8

The 335i at $125,000 does not seem great value to me , they are simple using stock 6 cylinder BMW engine with 2 small Turboes , think of the depreciation and servicing cost OUCH

Dan 8

Truer words have never been spoken , since i learnt that a divorce would cost approximately 70% of my assets , i have learnt to love my wife 100% more .

The secret is to lease rent or hire your nookies , that way theres no residual payments at the end

et381

There isn't anything on the market that I really like to replace the RX8 for me yet.

Currently I do like the GenV R32 Golf. But I reckon in about 18 months it will get interesting with the new Honda XGA, Toyota Supra and Nissan GTR....

Rotor Convert

Nope only other car I would even contemplate is an Alfa Romeo GTA aluminium body...great power to weight and looks so stylish...

BMW have lost the plot I reckon.....mo money for damn ugly.....look at their new ad.....shows perfectly where the styling wheels fell off.....the only thing I like about them is the nifty lights with that ring of light when the lights are on parkers....

I agree the engine doesn't really create all that much bang for your buck...six with turbo shouldn't it go faster than that?? Or is that body weighing it down.??

One of the surgeons I work with has an M3 CSL...lovely car but god expensive....and the exhaust note is tinny...sounds like a Datsun 120Y.

On the other hand yes..there is another car I would consider getting next....a Nissan Bluebird...old one...you can fit a straight six Nissan with big **** turbos on them and still have $$ left over....and still beat the BMW!!! Similar body styling too!!

Ooo......I should so not work late I get so BITCHY!!!

Gibbo

I agree with some of the comments about the BMW, my ideal BMW is the new V8 M3, but it is not due out for another 12 months. My side choice was the new Audi RS4, but at $160k it is a bit rich in my opinion. I also would love the new GTR Nissan, however they are still not due for a couple of years. Maybe the option is FI for the 8 and keep it till the right car comes along.

Damn you guys.........I almost bought a new BMW.

Dan 8

Gibbo

For the sake of 1 second 0 - 100km why spend double to the RX8 i am in a similar position , theres nothing out there as practical and reasonably priced as our RX8 , so i will hang on to mine and look at FI when i am ready for it .

Gibbo

Dan,
I agree with you, however I think I am going through another mid life crissis, like the one that led to the 8. This is not looking good considering I am 30.
I had my heart set on the RS4 but it's look did not justify the money, the M3 is awesome, but the exhaust sound and the fact the V8 is coming swung me away from that. The Porsche Cayman was a top contender till the wife said no (Only two seats, no room for the kids).
I guess the RX-8 with FI is looking more and more attractive.

Dan 8

Mid life crisis at 30 , heck by the time you get to 50 a Lamborgini or Ferrari will surely be on order .

When it comes to cars ,realestate and women , i have been in crisis since 18 years of age but finally slowing down on them all at 53 i am starting to become wiser