I was close to getting an RX-8 6MT (w/ sports package) myself after much deliberation and hanging around this forum since I heard about this car in the summer. Then, a friend of mine is going to sell his IT-R and asked if I'm interested. I've test driven the RX-8 twice and liked it very much. I just love the handling, the sound of the engine and the feel inside the car. At the same time, the IT-R offers just as much fun even though it's a FWD. With the absence of the RSX-R over here, the IT-R is still one of the best handling FWD car. Not to mention the fact that it also cost a lot less than getting the RX-8 (money is tight these days). I've test drove it in the city and it is fun. However, I'm worried that I might not enjoy the highway ride due to the noise from the minimal NVH insulation (Honda even made the windshield thinner to save weight!). RPMs at 75mph is 4100!

So, if anybody had owned these two cars before, any insights, observations, comments, advice, etc would be greatly appreciated. I don't care much for 1/4 mile since they're at the range that I'm satisfied with. All I'm looking for are driving fun and the ownership experience.

 

My previous car was an Integra GSR, but the road noise and discomfort was just too much. The RX8 makes up for that...anyways, I did not have too much choice in the matter since someone stole the Integra one night - recovered from a local river.

 

The Intega Type-R is a straight up sports car, despite the FWD layout. It's loud, rides rough and handles great. The engine is loud and buzzy on the highway. It's not the most comfortable car in the world. They do make great track cars though.

As a daily driver, I'd take the RX-8 any day, if you've got the money. It has a much smoother, quiter ride and the engine is more flexible. It has a nicer interior, and looks better in my opinion. It also is just as fast and handles great as well.

 

I would choose the Rx8 since it has hid in the sport pkg and the interior is much better

 

I nearly bought a used ITR in the spring of 2002. The ITR is the better performer, but its noisier and likely has a higher insurance rate (theft on this car is huge).

 

downshift,

I have to say that overall value I believe the RX-8 is it. The ITR although is a nice car is not in the same class as the RX-8. You will have to do a lot of mods on your ITR before people will ask you about it at the grocery store, 7-11, shopping mall, drive thru whatever, etc. Also it is a fun car to drive I have a Ti Grey MT GT package with Nav. It has just about everything I wanted from a 2003-4 BMW M3 which I was looking at buying previously to my RX-8 testdrive. Everything except the hp and SMG tranny. I could not say that about the ITR. But then I like RWD 50/50 weight dist. and some luxury (ie. seat warmers). The ITR is a nice car and I don't want anyone to say I am bashing it but with the same $'s spent you could make an RX-8 more car than the ITR minus the purchase price. The RX-8 is just more car IMHO.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I do agree that the RX-8 is more car and is worth the extra money spent on it compared to the IT-R. I don't really care on how much attention a car gets over the other, however I like the looks of the IT-R or any Honda car that comes with bodykit stock from the factory. But at the same time, the RX-8 looks better.. more modern and the kind of styling that would last like the RX-7.

I'm not too happy with the stock 15" wheels the IT-R comes with but they seem to serve the purpose of reducing unsprung weight and to improve fuel economy.

While still typing this, I just realized how much polarized this car is compared to the '8 in terms of:
Running costs: Favors IT-R for fuel economy and general Acura reliability.
Day-to-day ride quality: Favors the RX-8 since it has a more supple ride and more updated interior.
Used vs new: A wash here. Getting a used car save me so much more money for other stuff not necessarily put back into the car.
Performance: Tough to say which one is better. So far, people who have driven both hard has differing opinions.

In the end, I think I'll go for the RX-8 despite the extra money I've to cough up because I think the ownership experience down the road 3-5 years later would be better with the '8 than the IT-R as the IT-R becomes older and require more money for routine maintenance and parts replacement.

Thanks for your input again.

 

Well...if the price is right...GET THE ITR! If nothing else, they are pretty much collector's items now because they no longer produce them, and when they did, they were sold in limited numbers. Especially stateside.

 

Would that be the deleware? Or, the schuylkill?

 

If you have the money get the RX8 IMO...
If you want a hot rice-rocket get the ITR. If you want to save money and get more car, get the RSX-S. It's a good balance of price/performance/comfort.
I personally was considering trading my RSX-S in for an RX-8 but just couldn't justify spending $10K for less performance!!! Mind you I run 13.8 at the strip. hehe
If the RX8 were turbo'ed, would run mid 13s stock without overheating, and around $30K, it would be the best car on the market, period. But as it stands right now, there are other cars worth considering over the RX8, unless you want the look, style of the 8.

 

Well, another RX8 Vs. Acura post and we disagree! The ITR (and all civic-based models) are extremely modable as nearly 10 years of parts expertise have been developed. Even in stock form, that car is an amazing performer and runs circles around the FWD sport coupes (RSX-S, Celica GTS) that are close to the RX8 in performance.

:o

Well, I'll agree that an RX8 and RSX-S are more well-rounded and for some that's better, but to others its a negative.

 

Would be the delaware river, perhaps a mile from my house. Completly submerged...they got 300 bux worth of parts, and trashed a fine looking car.

Hands up for pics?....They are an eyesore.

 

Drove one, feels like a race car, I was impressed.