Ike

If you want a go-kart like ride with better acceleration at the sacrifice of praticality with the fun of a roadster get the S2K. Or even a Z if you want something with more grunt and little more daily driver friendly than the S2K.

If you think you'll grow tired of the edgy ride and need a backseat get the RX-8.

If you're not overly vain and don't mind the looks but the best performance is something very important to you along with some practicality praticality go get an EVO or an STi.

Seenitall

Ike,, I drooled over the STi specs, but they ar $10k more expensive than an RX8 in Canada.

KC_Prelude. Car pricing is weird. A while back BMWs were so much cheaper in Canada than the US that BMW warned Candian dealers that if any of their cars ended up in the US they could lose their franchise. Go figure.

megauo

radmd:

I just had the opportinity to testdrive the s2k and felt like riding a blade! More sharpness, better gerchanges, harsher sound and a tad better acceleration. But I could do similar laptimes on the racetrack with my nice 8.

If you are not planning to have family soon or not willing to carry friends around the s2k is your choice. If you have a second car as an *** hauler for the weekdays -> the s2k is your choice.

I just can't fit in (6'4), the 8 has a definitely bigger legroom.

Please don't think most of the 8 owners have the same attitude as Gordon, he is really tireing. If he is not willing to contribute to a topic with useful information, I just don't see why he has to blabber all over about his stricht idea of how thing should happen.

Anyway enjoy whichever car you pick!

radmd

Thanks for the input megaua. I may have to go test the RX-8 again. Running out of gas on Saturday's test drive may have distracted me some. I just didn't think the acceleration and torque was that good, but much of that may be because the rotary is so smooth and quiet. I'll let you know.

Ike

The accelration is mediocre and the torque is laughable (it's not just the rotary being smooth), but the car is still lots of fun regardless. You just need to decide what is most important to you.

Josh

Just for a bit of useful information... If you decide that you like the S2k better than you can hop around the other forum and youll see people getting the new s2ks for 31k. Now on the other hand, like people have been saying, you can get a new fully loaded RX-8 for around 33k at last call IIRC.

Oh and btw, Rotor man, when was the lat useful post you wrote. Ive searched this site so many times and every thread comparing one vehicle to another, all I see is your name and some silly little comment that adds nothing to the thread. I think someone in another thread said it best to you when he said, "You need to knock that chip off your shoulder".

mysql101

You can get a 6MT, GI, Navi and appearance for $31k.

Hanzo

The S2K is a lot more rare and the resale is better but smaller and more expensive, however you safe more money on gas with the S2K.

Hanzo

Agree, lol.

Josh

Hey, I was hoping that someone was going to correct me!!! That is awesome Jason, thanks. Im hoping for 30k in another 2 months. (Crosses fingers)

cueball

You need to search harder.

Josh

Wow, I wouldnt think that you would have to look that hard when your name is "ROTOR MAN":D j/k

Seriously though, Im not trying to ruffle anyones feathers, Im just hoping for good input on this topic because I too am considering a few vehicles...

-Word of note for anyone who cares, the RX-8 is in the lead.

Yanje

this is a very tough decision.... but s2k is a great car.

if u're looking for a 2 seater and do not need 4 seats.... then the s2k is for u. i personally luv the s2000. its handling is just as good as the 8, its slightly faster on straight roads as well as on tracks(arguable). its a convertible, and its a chick magnet

but i needed a 4 door, 4 seater, and slightly cheaper. hence rx8 was my choice.

RotorManiac

I don't mean to be rude, but your way of seeing things is laughable! The 21.5 kg.m of torque (sorry, don't know how you measure it in the US) is equal of a two litre engine and almost equal to the S2000. Since the 8 is N/A how can you people ask for more from a 1.3lt engine?!

In my own personal little test the rx8 is even better than some turbo cars I tried! To get to my house there is an incline, a small hill. I can assure you that the 8 pulls up its weight so nicely and easily even from 1500rpm!! It's amazing and if this isn't torque from low-end then what is?.

Not to mention driving in traffic, where if you have a turbo, it kicks in and it's annoying all the time! Sorry if you find my post irrelevant, I just wanted to answer to people complaining about the low torque...

A convertible is always a chick magnet, but bare in mind the 8's weird shape also attracks women! Happened to me... :D

Ike

The S2K has laughable torque as well, and you conveniently left off what I said after my statement that you quoted. FYI when comparing a rotary to a cylinder engine it's common to double the displacement of the rotary so if you want to compare it to an S2K you have more like a 2.6l engine. The torque on the RX-8 is very low, I don't know why you're even contesting me on it, and I'm not sure what your driveway has to do with it.

It's pretty clear you've never drive a turbo car in traffic, it's not like the turbo has an on off switch. Simply modulating the throlttle will make you forget you even have a turbo in your car.

RotorManiac

"don't know why you're even contesting me on it" No I'm not doing that, I simply don't agree with you, since even the S2k has reasonable torque for a N/A 2lt engine. You can't have everything. 240hp AND huge torque. I am no mechanic, but I've seen one thing: when one figure goes up the other one goes down. And the comparison you are making is not good enough, because simply there shouldn't be one. You can't compair different things. As for the uphill road I reffered to, it means that the 8 has enough torque to pull its own weight with 2nd gear and 1500rpm very easily. Other cars (lighter ones but still N/A) can stall at this point or have to engage first gear to keep going!

As for the turbo cars, I can assure you I've driven some europian ones for thousands miles, but not japanese. Maybe there is a difference and depens on when the turbo kicks in. In VAG Group cars for example at 1700rpm-2100rpm. That is VERY soon to make it easy in traffic, that's why I'm not very fond of it!
On the other hand, you may be right. Its just getting used to it...

radmd

I appreciate everyone posting on this thread. I never thought it would keep going this long.

As for me, I have ruled out the RX-8. I just wasn't impressed while driving it. I still like the looks, but even the slightly odd shape starts to get a bit old now that more and more are seen on the roads. I still like the car, its just not for me. If they bring back the RX7 to domestic market I may check Mazda out again.

Now I have to decide between the S2K and the G35 coupe. Two totally different cars, I know. But I love them both. . .

Ike

Your "when one figure goes up the other goes down" statement is not true, torque has a direct relation to HP and there are plenty of cars out there that have about equal or even higher peak torque than HP. In fact with supercharged cars it's commonplace for the torque to be higher than the HP. The S2K and RX-8 have far less torque than every other sporty car around 30k.

I don't think the difference is Japanese vs. European as much as it is newer turbo cars vs. older turbo cars. Most turbo cars nowadays can be driven like an NA car in traffic without a problem and without the turbo ever really spooling up. Other turbo cars such as the STi you can barely even tell there's a turbo there and they feel more like a V6 or V8.

Goodluck with your choice Radmd, both very nice cars with very different demeanors.

RotorManiac

Ok, I get your point. You are a turbo lover, but as a matter of fact, who isn't? :p
I don't know much about the US market, but turbo cars are always more expensive, at least in my country. The only thing rx8 money can buy you is a WRX. Nice car, but way too ugly to spend so much. Like I said, you can't ask for everything!
Yes , both these cars have 'low' torque but are not slow. Put it the other way: for that money they are the best cars you can buy (both looks and performance). You only have to choose between a soft top or a normal car.
But if I wanted to go really fast and didn't care about anything else (looks,money) the solution is one way: Evo VIII, the most hardcore road-going machine out there! No Z, no G35, no STI