BlueEyes

yeah, you need the V8!

ox·y·mo·ron
n. pl. ox·y·mo·ra (-môr, -mr) or ox·y·mo·rons
A rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in a V6 muscle car.

i·ron·ic
adj.
Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended: an ironic engine for a american muscle car is a V6.

Audioslave8

^^^^^ i agree, If your going to get the mustang, get the GT. 300hp, 320tq! You could pick up a brand new 05 GT for around 25

HardHitter

Is there a big difference? lol, gas mileage shouldn't be that much difference between the cars. BMW might get better mileage, but I have to pay for premieum gas, RX-8 has HORRIBLE gas mileage, around 14-15MPG, and then a 2005 Mustang GT is said to get around 19mpg with a V8 so I guess that's pretty good.

Think though with the 2005 Mustang GT is that insurance will probably rip me a new one.

RX8_Buckeye

Yes, you can get leather on a V6, but I agree with others that you should opt for the V8! It's a bargain considering the performance you get. You are right about insurance though--it will be significantly more expensive than the RX-8. Another thing to consider is that the V6 manual isn't yet available. It has been delayed a little bit, so you'll have to wait a while before you're able to take one for a test drive.

HardHitter

Just test drove a 2004 Titanium Gray Mazda RX-8 about 5 minutes ago. I absolutly loved it, however, it seemed I needed to push the cluth down about 1/2 way before it "kicked in" compared to the BMW where you just had to flex your ankle and the clutch would catch. Led to two stalls because of that and some jerkey motions, but I was starting to get the hang of it. Quite a beauty of a car I must say.

It's a 2004 RX-8 with Sports Package with around 1,800 miles on it right now. Prices at $25,500. What do you guys think of this price? Cloth interior, but sports package. Pretty nice in my opinion but I'd like to know about the price of this. Is this a good price? Average? what? It is being sold from a private broker.

Thing about this actually is that my dad hogged all the time in test driving this thing. I was sorta pissed off because I wasn't really able to get the hang of the clutch/drive it that much, but my dad absolutly loved it, which is a big plus. Maybe we can split the price of that car

Let me know your thoughts.

mysql101

maybe the clutch bolts are slipping. my rx8 engages the clutch immediately

nvs_newbie

I wish my parents gave me a present, i got my moms old honda civic when i turned 18 and am still driving it today. I would choose the rx8 over the other cars because it looks the best.

Overport

I would say at such a young age get the RX-8 simply because the BMW's maintnance costs will be alot more than what you are most likely prepared for. The Lexus' maintnance costs are similar but not quite as high. You still get great features in the RX-8 that you can get in a loaded BMW or Lexus. Also, getting a used car is not the best idea for you because you dont know exactly how the previous owner took care of it, drove it, etc.

Then again there always is Carfax....do what makes you happy.

BlueEyes

I would wager that the maintenance costs for the lexus would be lower than both bmw and mazda. I mean, it's Toyota for god's sakes. My family has owned three now, and never had a problem, the things are bullet proof, customer service excellent, they just have their heads together over there.

I would still take the 8 though.

HardHitter

Yeah, really like the RX-8, but I need some update on the price. What do you guys think of it? It's a 2004 RX-8 with 1,800 miles on it. Titanium Grey, cloth seats, no sunroof. Sports package (18in tires, Xenon lights etc)

Really, I thought I'd want leather and all that stuff, but in general, this car is so nice on the inside when it's just bare stock. Well, this is coming from me, who has had a 96 Blazer, so it's a totally change of cars.

mysql101

Brand new 2004 should run you about $3500 under invoice. Since that car is used - try another 2 grand off.

HardHitter

Another question, around how much will insurance run you? He is thinking about putting it under his name since it'll be cheaper but how much would it run around under my name? I am 18 and have no accidents or infractions.

HardHitter

Bump for answers about insurance and then I have another insurance.

I found another RX8 exactly like the one I just test drove (Titanium Grey, Sports Package, no sunroof, cloth seats, 1900 miles, 3 months old etc) but he's asking for $23,800 or obo so I might go ahead and see what kind of price I can deal with him. Since these RX-8's are around bare stock, is there a way to add mods? For example, am I able to buy the appearance package from online or Mazda and then have them install it on the RX8? Same with the leather, would I be able to take the cloth out of the RX8 and put leather instead? I was just wondering, cause maybe it'd be cheaper to buy a bare stock RX8 and then just add the mods cause this is what I'm looking to do.

Tint the windows, appearance package, rotary accents (I can just paint them from what I have seen on a thread on this forum and still looks great) clear corners, maybe the stock spoiler, leather seats, and a sunroof (if you're even able to add one)

I would really like a sunroof in the RX8 already so I wouldn't have to pay extra to add one, but I can live without one. Around how much would those mods cost you think?

Tinting windows I'm thinking around $200 for the whole car, appearance package, I have no idea, rotary accents, however much paint is, lets say $40-$50 max, clear corners, don't know how much they are but lets say $60-$80 max, stock spoiler, no idea once again, leather seats I think would probably be the most expensive mod, what, maybe around $2,000? Sunroof, probably won't want to even do this unless Mazda does it and says it's safe, but that's probably another $2,000+ hu?

Let me know, along with the insurance questions, thanks.

m477

If you really want all the stuff on the GT you should just get a GT. When people buy a car with the idea of doing a bunch of work to it, it often ends up taking more money/time/hassle then they expected. You might be better off trying to find one that already has most of the stuff you want on it, even if you have to wait a little while for it to come along.

HardHitter

Test drove the same RX8 again today. Finally got used to the clutch, still a little weird that I had to push the clutch in about 1/2 way until it finally caught, but when I got the hang of it I loved driving it. Love the type of sound it produces (sounds more like a space ship sorta) and it's so smooth. I think I'm set on the RX8

RXE16T

Welcome to Planet Rotary.

I was surprised when I first drove the 8 and immediately fell in love with the sweet music the 13B-MSP makes.

Very addictive.

mysql101

Hardhitter, test drive another rx-8. The clutch should NOT Engage at half way depressed. That car needs some repairs.

HardHitter

Seriously? Can anyone else agree with this? How far should the clutch usually push in? That's what I was kind of thinking, cause in the BMW's I drove (1994 323ti or something) the clutch was just a flex of my ankle, I really didn't need to push down or anything until the clutch caught, but with this RX8, I had to push down about 1/2 way on the clutch until it caught and I wasn't used to that so sometimes I would think I had to clutch in when I would try and shift, but I didn't.

bean438

Lexus- although overpriced, a well built japanese car. BMW- overpriced poorly serviced cars that drive well but can be the equivalent of economic suicide after the 5th year of ownership.
RX8- reasonably priced, well built, looks great, fun to drive, etc.
Mustang, poorly built american car that has been made to look ugly.
Hmmmmm......tough call.

RX8_Buckeye

Yeah it must be poorly built since it's made in the same plant with the same workers as the Mazda6... now that's a terrible car. The styling is horrendous--the 25,000 peple that placed their orders before production even started must be out of their minds.

You have an incredible ability to describe what a manufacturer or car model is all about in one sentence. HardHitter, listen to this guy, he really knows his stuff.

bean438

And since you didnt like my one sentence summary, here is some more from the 2004 Lemon aid car guide. These are taken directly from the book.

Ford lost 6 billion dollars in 2001, 2002. Good companies make money, not lose it.
"Ford has managed to profoundly tick off it's suppliers, dealer body, and customers"

"Lemon aid readres complained most bitterly about denied warranty claims for engine intake manifolds/head gaskets and automatic transmissions"

"Ford quality control is still quite poor as senior parts managers are shuffled and reshuffled faster than a Lasvegas card deck"

"Fords engine and auto transmission defects are broadly based and have existed for over a decade, judging by NHTSA complaints and confidential Ford internal documents cited by www.blueoval.com"

Need any more reading *******?
Ford makes a poor quality product, even if they are built side by side with Mazda cars.
I dont agree with the 25, 000 you claim that have ordered the new stang. It was a nice looking car in the past. Now it is just ugly.
Just because 25,000 people want one doesnt mean it is any good. Lot's of people lined up for Enron stock, and gold when it was 800 dollars an ounce (CDN).
They werent right either.
But hey, if you want a very ugly, poorly built car that will give you problems in the future than the new Mustang is a best buy.

RX8_Buckeye

You make unsubstantiated claims about a product you obviously know nothing about, and you don't expect to be called out? Then you respond with name-calling and vulgarity, and quotes from a single source whose sole objective is to crucify automakers? Come on man, that's very weak.

You have a right to your opinion, but don't state it as if it were fact and expect everyone to agree with you.

bean438

The sole person's objective is not to crucify automakers. The obkective is to tell it like it is so that people know the truth.
People like you, a "statistically correct consumer", a person who believes that all is well in Disneyland, and that automakers have you in their best interests.
As for name calling. Not me. I wasn't calling you an *******. I personally feel that you are one. I didn't like your tone. It was the tone of an *******.
If you like Ford then go buy one. I sure will not.
Thank you and have a nice day.

RX8_Buckeye

You mean this statement has some other meaning?
You didn't like my tone, fine. I didn't like yours. You act as if Ford is the only car company that has pissed off customers.
I think I know a little better than you what the automakers have in their best interests.

I understand that the American auto industry lost the trust of a lot of people during the 80s and early 90s, and for good reason. They are still struggling to earn back that trust, even though most indicators show that there is a very small gap in quality among all the major manufacturers. Are you one of these people who won't even give the domestics a chance because of their past problems?

bean438

And you know more than I do because?????????????
Explain.
What indicators are you refering to?
The gap is not as small as you think.
Sit in a Toyota. Even the entry Echo. It is solid, and feels well put together.
Sit in a new Mustang. Close the door. Close it again cause it didnt close right the first time.
I was in Mauii for a vacation. I rented a brand new Mustang, loaded convertable. I wanted to buy one so I figured I would drive one for 2 weeks. Thank god I rented first.
The car felt like crap, not well put together, noisy. I was not impressed. I ended up buying a Celica instead.
Sit in an RX8. The mustang doesnt compare.
Maybe it is just me, but I seem to think the fit and finish in american cars is not up to par with the japanese.
I wont even talk about reliability. Ok I will.
How many domestic owners have more than 200,ooo km on their vehicles?
How many foreign owners say the same? More do than domestics.
Its not a big deal to hear of a Honda or Toyota to have high miles.
How many domestics are on the new car lots (foreign ) as trades, lots.
How many imports are on lots (domestics) as trades, not many.
Lemon aid, consumer reports, NOT Car and Driver type magazines that stop getting free cars to test drive if they say bad things, are a better choice for car info.
I place a lot of faith in Edmonsons car guides.
Were american cars crap in the 80's and 90's ? Absolutely.
Have they turned things around, and improved? Yes, they have. They are about where Japanese cars were in the 90's.
Factor in reliability, what you get for what you pay, resale value, and fit and finnish, and the Japanese come out ahead.
It really, really, is that simple.
You are not really an *******. Your tone was aggressive. You backed me into a wall, and I responded.
It is easy to sit behind a pc and be a tough guy, and type what you want.
In some ways it is better than kicking someone's head in.
The superiority of Japanese cars over American cars is so evident, it blew me away that the overwhelming majority doesnt agree with me.
I guess its that ol' "buy american" pride. I have always admired the american mindset. I wish my fellow Canadians would put their own country first, and nationality second. I wish we had the same flag flying pride, face the flag when you sing the anthem at a ball game mentality. We don't, and thats sad.
Truth is though that American made cars are not on par with the Japs.
When Datsun first came to North america they were junky little rust buckets.
Americans laughed at these little "rice burners", and continued to drive the big ol american cars, made in the usa.
Then came the gas crises. Americans stopped laughing at the Japanese cars.
The Japanese never laughed, they listened. They improved, and surpassed the domestic cars.
They built a better product, better warranty, and even backed the warranty by providing it, and not disputing it.
I heard today that Toyota announced record profits. I wonder why?
One thing I have to say though is that Honda and Toyota quality is starting to slip.
They are coasting on their name right now. Their no haggle pricing reflects this arrogant atitude they are developing. They picked this up from domestic car makers.
Toyotas are good, but they are not as good as they would have you believe.
I have always driven imports. My research indicates what I preach.
I dont rely only on books. My biggest source of info is people I casually talk to in parking lots.
I love cars, and love to talk about them.
Import owners always have good to say about the cars. Sure imports are not perfect, but when you talk to a domestic owner its the usual "never again" type comments.
Except for my uncle who buys a Grand am every 4 years. It goes in for repair every few months, and every year he say "never again", only to buy another one.
My dad drove a Winstar. I had the Lemon aid car guide. I read through the list of problems to my dad.
As I went down the list he confirmed all the problems, and asked how I knew what problems he had.
Ya I know Toyota can produce a lemon, ask my friend who bought a (can't remember the name of the mini van they produced--not the sienna.
It was a lemon, no doubt.
A rare occurence indeed.


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