TomsterRX8

Having made the decision to give the car back to Mazda I have spent the past 2 weeks test driving several potential replacement cars. There is no rhyme nor reason to the cars I drove other than they interested me in some way. When I give one car the advantage over the other it is simply my opinion as to which I'd rather own. My thoughts follow:

1.) Acura TSX 6 Speed - A car I feel is not on par with the RX8 either in looks or performance. Mushy clutch longer throws. Horsepower is rated at 200 but did not impress me with acceleration performance. Seemed no torquier than mine either. Interior was no great shakes although I did like the voice command. Advantage: Mazda.

2.) Nissan Maxima 3.5 litre. You just gotta love all that torque! This thing was a brute even with the automatic tranny. Certainly much heavier feel than the RX8 and not nearly as fun in the twisties but would provide a very pleasant commute to work and to distant cities. Interior was pleasant surprise and exterior has some nice angles but the cheap plastic grille has got to go. Fully loaded is about 2 grand more than mine but offers nice amenities.
Advantage: Push

3.) Honda Civic Hybrid Electric. Okay, I was curious. After getting 16 mpg I wanted to feel what 60 mpg would drive like. Definitely low on power but acceptable in-town normal driving push. Honda quality inside and out (a good thing). If I were smart I'd save $13,000 on the purchase price and $1,500 annually in gas. Just no fun. Advantage Mazda.

4.) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO. Runs like a bat out of Hell. Great straight-line performance, great cornering ability. If I were 25 years old I'd overlook the super cheap interior, blocky exterior, loud engine, tire and wind noise and **** poor Mitsubishi reliability and go with this one. Not being 25 I have to pass. Advantage: Mazda.

5.) Audi A4 1.8t Convertible. What a gorgeous car. Beautiful, high quality interior, nice looking exterior with the top down. So-So with the top up. Performace lacking compared to the RX8 but more than adequate for highway and city commuting. Breaks very well. Rag top is primo quality and folds seamlessly away. This feature adds $7,000 to the price making it $6,000 more than the RX8 but would be a great, fun car to own. Advantage: Audi

6.) Mercedes CLK 320. Other than the new SL, this is maybe the best looking Mercedes ever. I love the exterior from every angle and could not have been more impressed with its gorgeous interior. Too many really cool, useful amenities to mention. Head turning appeal I noticed was all that the RX8 is (only for different reasons). Ride is typical heavy Mercedes, power is only adequate given such a heavy car, breaking is quite good. Cost is $16,000 more than the $33,000 RX8 but all you need do is shut the bank vault doors and you'll see where the money went. Advantage: Mercedes (as well it should be at this price).

7.) Infinity G35C. Like the Maxima, one deliciously torquie engine. Literally explodes off the line. Interior quality is leaps and bounds higher than the 350Z and noise level is considerably lower. Not as agile as the RX8 but breaks very nicely. Exterior I think looks great but give the slight edge to Mazda. More practical commuter at the expense of a little bit of fun on the twisties. Great car. Cost is about $3,000 higher than the RX8. Advantage: Infinity.

I've looked at Toyota 4Runners, Tundras, Nissan Muranos and several others but did not test drive. The 4Runner would be the only one of these I'd seriously consider.

After taking my test drives and returning to my car I always find salesmen crowded around it. And, more often than not, I get into my car thinking that it is so much nicer than what I was just looking at.

Wave

So why sell it back?

TomsterRX8

Because I REALLY love the Audi and the Mercedes! That, and as I've argued too many times already, I'm convinced that if I want another RX8 I can get it for thousands of dollars less in December/January than what I paid in August.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

...I dunno... I test drove this one too (6-speed of course) and honestly, while the (straight line) performance was a bit better than the RX-8, it was certainly far from "exploding off the line". In fact, I did not have the feeling of having some 280 HP under the hood - not by a long shot. The G35C is heavier than the RX-8, and you can feel it - especially while cornering.
Regarding the interior, I couldn't disagree more. I had the feeling that the interior of the G35C is OK, but what bothered me is way too much plastic and the cheap materials they use at several spots. For instance, that silver-painted plastic center console... ugh. And did you try to press on the interior lights (to turn them on)? The whole headliner was bending, giving the same low-quality feel to it (and no, I wasn't pressing hard).
One more thing: those stupid frameless windows with the auto up/down feature... they will be one of the first things to cause trouble with wear and break. Thumbs down...
I like many things the G35C has to offer (looks included), but decided against buying it. Expensive too.

TomsterRX8

Remember, I was comparing the G35C interior to the 350Z interior, not the RX8. 350Z is plastic from one side to the other. I do think the leather seats are much more luxurious than the RX8's, with its leather inserts and vinyl/rubber? side bolsters.

eskimo

I liked the Audi too. I live where it snows and the 4wd would save a lot of headaches. But during the test drive, I put my foot to the floor, and, well... I got the RX8. Nice car tho.

mikeb

get the mercedes

Elara

There's an article in the October Automobile comparing most of those cars you listed. They are all nice, but I was surprised to see that most cars gas mileage wasn't much higher than the 8's.

My vote for you would be the EVO- that thing must be a blast to drive. Who cares about the space. If you are looking at the G35 coupe, and have the 8, you're probably not that worried about the backseat anyway.

klegg

Actually, I agree with you in everything, except the G.

I just drove my friends G again, and I think it is one impressive car. Lots of *****, right now. I think the interior is pretty good too, slightly above the 8. BUT, the car it is not 5,000 bucks better.

oddly enough, my friend loves my 8.

Go figure.

By the way, try a wrx, see what you think. I would love to know! I drove a sti and a evo, and while they are both fast, I felt kind of silly, like I was trying to be 18 again!! Call me old, but I want a more compliant ride, and a interior that is not out of the early 80s.

Like my pa always said, the name of the game is class, not crass!

TiRX8

Get the CIVIC!!!!!! :D

blizz81

Tomster - since you looked at the TSX and the Maxima, what about a TL-S? I hear what's left of them are going super-cheap b/c of the upgraded body style coming out (someone blurted out $27k for fully loaded/navi new, that would be quite a deal).

Looking at that list bums me out again. Does anyone else wish there were more light-weight, nimble, reliable rwd coupes/coupe-ish type cars out there?

medcina

Yes, namely one with RX-7 written on it!

WilliamT

You many want to also try out the 2004 Acura TL 6-speed. (Brembo brakes, 3.2L 270 hp V6). Interior Bluetooth technology and DVD Audio system. Should be just as fast as the Maxima and in the same price range. Goes on sale in October.

FamilyGuy

While I'm living vicariously :D ...

Did you try an Infiniti M45? How about a Volvo S60R? Those are a bit more pricey than most of your other choices, but cheaper than the Mercedes.

On the other hand, supposedly the S60R is also underpowered. Bad year for Ford, eh?

TomsterRX8

Looked at the Volvo S60R and loved it. At $42,000 its about $6,000 less than the Mercedes. My fear is that it will be worth about $24,000 this time next year.

I definitely plan on checking out the 2004 Acura TL-S next month. Looks so much better than last year's model.

I've looked at the WRX STi and, although I'd love the 4 wheel performance, it's really a car for boys under 25 years old. As is the EVO. Crappy, cheap interiors do nothing for me.

I appreciate the suggestions guys. Sounds like you all love looking at cars too! I'm surprised there's not Wanted Posters at my dealerships saying not to let this guy drive our cars.

klegg

I totally agree with that, evo too!!!

JJFlash

The Accord Coupe EX-V6 6 sp mt with a complete aero kit and spoiler is a nice ride as well. Not comparing it to the smaller body styles similar to the others models discussed, but it's a fun car with 240 hp. It handles great. Took it on the same test drive route I drove the 8 on and was pretty smooth. NO, not comparing it to the 8 before anyone blasts me. The 8 obviously is much better handling. But if you bought the 8 (as I did) because of the 4 seat factor, the Accord is a nice ride for that purpose and still keep quality and style, and yes some HP too.

blizz81

At least here in the US, I think I'd have to go back to the 2nd gen for the reliability I'd look for

My wish was more for NEW cars. But I am considering an S14 coupe as a budget-backout kind of car, in case I can't afford to or am too afraid to plunk down the $ on an RX-8 when the opportunity comes

Tomster - did you look at the G35 sedans when you looked at the coupe? I believe they're a bit cheaper in price.

WilliamT

The G35 Sedan is also coming in AWD models in December.

Hercules

That's a car I'd never buy. Me no likely AWD.

revhappy

Why not have an open mind?

klegg

I loved the mitsu gsx, hell I owned two in a row!! Cornered like it was on rails!

revhappy

Really, I heard it was a so-so handling cars from some of the Mitsu guys? I know it was pretty quick in stock form (and very modifiable) and looked great.

klegg

Handeled well, especially in corners. Ride was very harsh. First gen was better then secound, drove like a racing cart.

did not compare to the 8, though.

2nd gen was more bloated, more upscale, but lost a little soul.
still a nice car

Mitsu screwed up when they stopped the gsx. They handled it wrong, said lots of really dumb things, really alienated some very loyal custemers, me included

revhappy

Oh, I agree with the revamping of the Eclipse (3rd or 4th generation???) into a bloated GT. Totally turned it into a chick car.