Hi, I am so happy that I have finally found this forum as I am quite confused on my upcoming purchase. After deliberating for a few months now I have finally decided to buy the RX8. Will the initial preferance was towards the manual, given that my wife will also be driving I have to go with the auto. I have many many questions (the answers to which I am sure I will find as I troll through the forum) but there are 2 critical (inter-related) ones that I need your help on please. First, I understand that I will have to go through a PI - but which one? Who is the most trusted and knowledgeable on the car and can help me in my decision process. The second question is what is the deal on the warranty and service on the auto versions - again best place to go especially if I find a good used one? Also finally are all the PI/auto versions on the market the same in terms of performance/bhp/engine and level of trim (example number of airbags, cd player, etc).

Many many thanks - any help will be appreciated. Regards, Nael

 

Well done on your choice of car! Scroll through the earlier threads - you will find the answers to all your questions.

 

I got the solution to all your problems - buy a manual and make your wife drive manual! That's what I did. :p C'mon, it's really not that hard to drive stick and I'm pretty sure that's what she learned to drive on when she got her licence anyway.

 

Just an update.....you can get tested on Auto vehicle to get the licence

 

I bought my 8 from a PI so maye I can share my experience.

1. The million dollar question... I think all PIs selling 8 at the moment are about the same. There are horror stories (and praises?) for almost every single one. Do a search and you'll see.

2. Almost all give 1 yr warranty, some include parts, some don't. If you pay more, you can get 3 yr from some PIs.

Still using PI workshop myself so other bros may be able to advise which outside workshop to go to.

3. They are all similar. Direct import from Japan so specs wise is the same. Only difference I noticed so far is whether it comes with a cd player or not. Things like leather seats are fitted locally (to avoid tax) so I rather do without and mod my own in the future as requried. Same for audio. The stock ones are quite bad.

My advise would be to look at price, OMV and whether they can deliver the 8 fastest... the wait for the 8 to come in is so, so painful :D

 

Yes, of course I know that... That's why I said I was "pretty sure" his wife learned on the manual. Auto licences just became available not too long ago, so I don't think his wife just passed her driving licence. Even though I'm away from SG 1/2 the time, I still read the papers you know... heh heh. I didn't say I read papers on the flight hor... :p

 

thanks guys - appreciate the help. just fyi - i never did say that my wife even had a license!!!

 

Oops... guess like this will be a tough one.

 

she was watching as I wrote the msg.....told me to put a smiley - at the end so that you guys would know I was kidding.....can drive lah but last time it was a manual was many months ago

 

Only months? Aiyo... that's easy lah. Everything is just a matter of getting used to. She'll get the hang of it in no time at all.

 

Buy 2 :D . 1 MT and 1 AT.

I am a newbie here but i am pretty sure this is the 18th time someone asking about buying the 8 in sg. I am not bothered but this should really be a sticky.

Conclusion. Read the papers and compare, ask alot of question to the PI and read the fine print. Best advice IMO is to find a PI thats long in the car business and not so me new start-ups.

 

Oh yes. I love the AT which i owned now but i would love the Jap-spec 6MT better. Then again i may hate it when i get stuck in a jam in peak hours or at the causeway. My right leg already cramp at times because SG drivers are like sissies and drive like grandmothers; its hard to drive the 8 too slowly.

See my thread on the pros and cons between AT and MT.

 

I've got the answer to everyone's wish.

Turbocharged AT.

No one said anything bout money rite?

 

yeah turbocharged AT would be interesting but in 6 speed, no?

anyway, I think the answer probably now lies in getting my wife to drive the manual and see if she can handle it - if so then I'll go with that given agent servicing warranty higher spec etc. if not then watch out PIs!!

 

just my 2 cents worth:- you are buying a sports car with a great handling performance, while most of us will never get to exploit its true capabilities, you would certainly want to have the extra power, gears etc for this car.

i would encourage your wife to drive manual. it is not difficult. once she gets used to it, the confidence will soar and come whatever car in the future ( be it in SIN or overseas ) she'll be able to handle it.

all the females in my family drive manual from my 64yr old mum to 19yr old cousin. all have no problems........................cheers!

see u on the road!

 

sissies ?? drive like grandmother ??

 

Months is nothing. Mine has not drive for years (manual tat is), but got it back really fast. Now she's already tried Sepang, n Drifting is next on her list...