my parents could be buying me a car of my choice and the RX8 has all along been my dream car within this price range so that's probably what i'm settling for.however,my license is class 3A (auto) so i can only buy from PI.my parents are not open to the idea of buying from PI as they have no experience and from what they hear,PI has lots of problems and etc.

How do i convince them some garages are perfectly capable of handling the rx8's checkups and repairs?

Also,where would you guys recommend me to purchase my RX8 from?

 

Maybe you should get a second-hand car first to bang around abit. As a new driver with little road experience, you may make mistakes. small mistakes in a second-hand slower car is mostly minor but a mistake in a fast car can cost you much more dearly.

Maybe getting a second-hand Civic is better. Front wheel drive are generally more forgiving than rear wheeled vehicles.

New drivers with flashy cars tend to show off abit; ironically to show they are not inexperienced.

You can try getting an auto civic. Relatively fast, cheap to repair, great new driver car, easy to modify.

Take no offense to what i have said. I was a new driver once and i understand. I had my fair share of accidents and show-offing. I have had a few friends who died on the roads so i hope such incidents do not have again (though its impossible). And i used to work for NTUC income once on attachment and i saw quite a few newbies get into accidents. I have seen quite a bit so just giving you a few cents worth of advice.

Its hard to convince your parents. Sometimes when people think that PIs are not up to standard; it may be hard to change their thinking. Maybe you try choosing a reputable/ famous PI with some concrete credentials that you can show your parents.

Alternatively, bring your parents down to the PI and let them convince your parents for you.

Should have gotten that manual license.... I think bros here will agree...

 

repairs are very expensive if u "KISS" your Rx8 onto some other things...

I believe it to be a min of $4K to $6k for a simple job like bumper, font head lights and bonnet.
Even if u have insurance to cover . your premium will shot up sky high after your 1st claim.

 

And if you are below 25 years old, your insurance can buy a old small car every year. I think approx 5k plus.

And i feel those insurance people are really hrd on young drivers. Especially those who drive nice cars. Hard to claim even when you are not in the wrong. And when you claim, they chop any NCD you have. For older drivers they may close one eye and let you keep the NCD but for youngsters, its a different story.

And if you should ever get into an accident while being covered by NTUC income, most probably they will refuse you future coverage. If they take insurance elsewhere, it may costs you average 1.5k more.

On the other hand, if you are young and drive a 8, people sure know its your dad who bought it for you. You risk the label 'Ah Siah Kia'. Not that its wrong to have a rich dad but in our society, people get jealous of such things.

 

Seriously, if u like the car, and dun mind abt every other thing, get it.

But my caution is, drive carefully, dun be a reckless driver, u shld be able to get on fine. Dun let urself be provoked, If u really have to, make sure u have the experience to "play" and utilise the car properly.

I wld seriously encourage u to go for this car, cos afterall this is a fun car to drive plus the babe magnet factor.

However if u have the racerboy in you, this car dun come into the picture.

ok, back to ur question of PI being able to support ur car services and damages.
So far no one is answering ur questions yet. I suppose all PIs have their plus and minus.

U wan to play safe, go to Garage R, as they have their own garages. However suggest u go to the one with the cheapest price, utilise their free servicing or watsoever for that period, then juz go to any outside workshop. Anyway, no PI workshop can give u the type of guarantee that Mazda Motor is giving. So if u do have any accidents, outside workshops can well repair for u. If "touchwood", invlove in accident, and everyone is giving u sky high prices, u can go to my workshop. So far some have went and are satisfied with the prices and quality. FOrget those who told u PI cars' parts need 10 yrs to come, cos MM dun support. Some workshop can get for u immediately, and they are original from Japan, not from MM.

As long as u take care of ur engine and car, the car wun die on you. Trust me, even MM may not be able to solve some of their car problems. Buying from MM only gives us a sense of security.

Dun worry, go ahead and buy from the PI. Dun worry again, u will be darn surprised that 50% of the rx8 in the club are autos!!!

 

thank you coupe07,exactly the answer i was seeking.

i'm not one who is easily challenged by other road users,especially when i have passengers.i do not believe in endangering my friend's lives simply to show them i'm 'cool' so i'm not too worried about that.

the first car i drive is a nissan sunny which i've been driving around everyday for the past 3 months. know 3 months is nothing compared to all you guys years of experience,but i would say i'm actually quite confident i'll be able to take care of my rx8.i'll love it so much i can't bear to have it damaged in any way.

of course i can't guarantee nature's forces will do anything to my car or other reckless drivers,but on my part i'll do my best to keep away from trouble.

regarding insurance,i'm sure there are ways to get around that.

 

Hi dude

Just GA and enjoy it. Life is short man. U come to meetup and see other 8s lah. This is a great looking all round car man and at these current prices, very worth it hehehe.

 

I dunno why people keep on asking youngster to get an old second hands while their parents can afford. And whats wrong youngsters getting to drive these cars with the expense of their parents?? I think people should change their mentalities. Its really frustrated.

 

hi terence, many of the guys here are juz concerned. if u really decided on it, juz buy the car and come for the meetups. come once, and u will be hooked. :D

 

I've been driving an Auto for a year now...............no problemo ... have clock 20K in mileage and still getting woow...aahhh from a lot of people..........you just can't beat that.

 

Get the 8 terence, it's not a "muscle" car, but it's a fantastic ride that you'll be proud to own. Got mine from MM, but I haven't seen many posts from the PI crew in terms of major problems. So the MM security factor (3 year warranty) is turning out to be less of an issue for buying decision. Not only that, but I hear that some of the garages that service PI's have more skilled rotary mechanics than MM, although I can't "prove" that. Perhaps the PI owners can share their experiences.

 

Hi Terence

we got the same name :p

I've got an auto 8.....no problems so far, but i've only got it for 4 mnths :p

There are so many PI cars in singapore, dont think you should worry too much about it.

In my opinion, I would go visit a few recognised PI's and get the best deal. It's best to get someone who know's the car business to go down with you. There are just so many things to look out for. Ubi's automobile megamart is a good place to start. If you're worried about warranty though, I think world of wheels was giving a 3 yr warranty when I was scouting for my 8 but they do charge alot more.

One more thing....Once you sit in the 8.....you cant go back :D

 

They have lots of cool cars but don't give a 3 yr warrantly on the 8 last I checked.

That is so true!

 

If you cannot take the truth from your 'outside' people; what make you think you are mature and responsible enough to handle a quick car and the open road? The answer is evident.

In all fairness, i may sound critical but i am being concerned and i am just telling you my own experience.

Its your own life, if you chose an 8 then so be it. Its your choice and responsiblity.

I will be happy to have another bro to drive a 8 and join this forum; but what i loathe the most is some rich kid spoiling the image of the 8 driver. A few rich kids crashing their 8s and the insurance companies will blacklist 8s. And all of us pays for some spoilt brats mistake and foolishness. And the general public will think the 8 is a beng car or rich man son's car.

 

Absolute nonsense...the original post was questioning how to convince his parents that buying from PI is ok, not about the possibility of raising insurance premiums due to reckless driving...that was your read.

 

cool it, bros.....

target at the topic, not individual personnel, bro....

its nice to share experience as it is the most valuable asset anyone can ever get...

pls all come on sunday, see eachother and tok cars.... u can come even if u havent collect ur car. Nothing to be shy, nothing to be ashamed of. we all have to start somewhere, juz dat some happen to start with a slightly more expensive car.....

all are human but we lead different lives.... so live and let live. Come on sunday, meet everyone, and return home with a smile!!!

 

Now now... who here has crashed his 8 mmmm?? Rich kids ?? or experience drivers ? Should we take a poll? Results might surprise....

 

c'mon give the kid a break he just wans some opinion on PI
if his folks could afford to buy him the car i reckon cost of repairs are not the biggest worry plus he's got a sunny, spare car, to stand in should he wreck his 8!
go and buy the 8 from hua yang, vincar or world of wheels.
i bought my 8 from wow, the rear windshield sprank a leak and they changed it.
then my front lamp mist up because water got in from a faulty rubber seal and they changed the entire lamp too.
not all PIs are crook onli some............
pm me and i will get you my sales rep to make sure you are well look after.

 

I recommend GR. Take your parents to see June. She is very experienced with your type situation. I am sure your parents will be comfortable with dealing with her.

-Ringer-

 

thanks a lot guys,i expected some amount of flaming but so far i've been well received here.no wonder this is the best rx8 forum in singaprore.

anyway,now my problem is i heard from some brothers that for the same price i buy from Garage R,i can probaly get a lot more freebies from other PIs such as V-kool,r. sensor,etc.i dunno which are the 'credible' PIs and which will give me the best deal.are most of the garages by the individual PIs capable enough to hande the rx8's servicing?

also,i can't find any info on this : how is the trunk space of the rx8? my brother will be driving the car next time and he asks if the trunk space is enugh to fit golf bags.

 

2 golf bags? shouldn be a prob.... unless ur trunk has some performance toys! or audio toys!

 

IMO, there are no such things as freebies. They simply price it up and give you stuff to attract you. Might as well ask for a discount.

If the price quoted is very low, ask about the OMV and whether the COE is g'teed. Do not believe advertisments; most are just to entice you to go down. What matters most is what they are really offering you; you can ask them on the phone before going down.

Next is to check the 8 model year. Sometimes they sell it cheap bacuse its the 04 model. And beware of buying showroom or test cars. People whack the test cars like crazy even before it can be properly run in. Saving a few thousand is not worth it.

I feel its better to buy from an established PI rather than a new one; even if its cheaper. A few years back there was a PI which offered dirt cheap car prices and free servicing but the closed down last year. Car buyers will have no where to turn when the PI closes shop.

Basically, cheap is not neccessarily good and expensive may not also be good; what matters is what you really get and what you really see. Caveat Emptor.

 

Also depends on what golf bag you putting in the trunk.. Caddie killers (big ones for buggies) or the soft shells (self carry)...
You might have a bit of squeeze with the big ones and you might scratch the car when you load and unload. My choice... 2 soft shells, 2 bostons and separate shoe carriers.
Oh yes... the trunk gets hot....