A buddy of mine works for Subaru and can get me a deal on the WRX. However, I would still have to get automatic... Is there that much of a performance gain over the Rx-8 auto? There is obviously more ability to mod the car.

Any thoughts....and no auto bashing.....please.. :p

 

personally i love my auto 8. never drove a subaru, but i can tell you this, its mad ugly

 

Actually I have considered both of these cars. From what I have found out the WRX is actually about 5/10s of a second faster in the 0-60 category (specs are for manuals only) than the Rx-8. The WRX also has four wheel drive as compared to RWD for the 8. However, I still love the styling of the RX-8 over just about any other car I've seen. I' ve also read the handling of Rx-8 can not be touched by the WRX. I am planning on test driving both of these cars in the near future so I can form my own opinion. I will let you know after.

 

We test drove both the WRX wagon auto and the RX-8 auto and liked the RX-8 a lot better (ended up getting the 6 speed RX-8 but that's another story). We found the turbo lag in the WRX disappointing, although once it wound up it was like warp drive. The Subaru interior didn't wow us either. It's still a very good car in my opinion, and rather reasonably priced.

 

Umm, they're totally different cars. Totally different personalities. The RX-8 is more entertaining for an advanced, experienced driver who can delight in the 8's ability to power oversteer. It's not a good choice for all weather driving.

The WRX is all about keeping all four wheels gripping the pavement. It might be a better choice for a more sedate and/or inexperienced driver as well as a daily driver in colder climes.

Figure out what kind of driver you are, then make the decision.

 

Do you want a rally car?

WRX is a fine car. My roommate has one and we swap quite frequently.
I will tell you that the RX-8 is sexier, more comfortable, stands out more on the road, better handling, safer, harder to modify, not as fast, and not as good for snow.
If you want to heavily modify either car, you had better get a manual. If you want an all around good driving experience, go RX-8. You may not believe it, but it is true that once you go rotary, you never go back.

Really, you can't lose either way.

 

I have a friend so owns a WRX and its a really fast car. Ive driven his car quite a few times and i enjoy having the power that this car has. It's all about preference; if you want a car with lots of power, then i suggest getting the wrx, but on the other hand, if you want a car thats better looking but doesnt have as much power, then i suggest getting the rx-8.

 

I have a manual rx 8 and I test drove 2 wrx's (Not the sti) and up front, the wrx screws down the road, its fast. The was my favorite part of it, the ride wasn't all that smooth, steering not so tight and it all seemed to be thin and put together poorly. I am definitly biased towards the 8 because it is just so damn fun to drive, its a solid piece of machinery. you will not go wrong with either car, but seriously consider a manual before taking the good deal from your buddy.

 

I am a WRX owner and you guys suck!!!! WRX is the best.... just kidding

For manual, please get the 8 as it's so fun to drive( I test driven a couple time and got addicted). For auto, I would get the WRX over 8 because you just can't get the advantage out of the rotary plus 40hp lost.
As many people have mentioned, WRX is a better car for some extreme weather. It too depends on your age, if you are under 25, both cars are fine but if you are over, get a manual 8.
Conclusion: get the manual 8!!

 

WRX is a contender for sure.

But looks go a long way.....

 

There are a lot of threads about the WRX and RX8. I owned the 5MT WRX before getting the 6MT RX8. One of the biggest RX8 advantages is its smooth short-throw shifter. That doesn't apply to your question, obviously, but others ought to be able to comment on the RX8's paddles. Each car has its strengths:

RX8 pros: lighter/more tossable, more balanced, less understeer, tighter steering, better brakes, better road feel, smoother engine, instant throttle response, more high-end power (probably not true for the automatic), better ergonics and controls, higher quality interior, better looking inside and out.

WRX pros: More modable, more mid-range power (boost rush = big smile), more space, seats 5, has AWD (fun in snow!), slightly cheaper, gets a couple more MPG.

 

If you want to compare an auto wrx to an auto rx8 powerwise, the wrx is by far more powerful. Turbo engines and automatic transmissions give you extra torque, and although a but slower then a mt off the line, they really get up and go once moving, and require no skill to go fast. People who buy the automatic rx8 clearly are not buying car for performance. The automatic is meant for those who love the looks and refinement, yet don't really care about performance, and don't know how to use manual. If power, and all weather handling is what meets your needs in an automatic car, you definitely need to go with the wrx. If you want more looks and refinement, with better handling the rx8 is the better choice. Also, the WRX will get better gas mileage as well, so that is something to also consider. I currently own a 6mt rx8 and an STI. Even though the STI is a pure performance version of the WRX, the difference betwen rx8 is same, besides the overwhelming power and performance comparison between the two. The cars are truly night and day, but the automatic rx8 just doesn't fit the bill for me personally, because it's missing so much power. Both cars are not very comparable in my book other then they are both automatic. The rx8 is clearly better looking, but I look at the wrx as being much more practical, with decent looks, and you get quite a bit more hp to boot. Good luck on your purchase.

 

About driving in the winter....I live near Buffalo NY and with snow tires, I had no problems throughout our horrible snow storms. My $.02, the 8 is great in any weather conditions with the right tires.

 

Any car can be good in snow with adding snow tires. However, for many of us it's a nuisance to have to buy another set of rims and tires, and change them out all the time. If you love the rx8 enough and are willing to go through it, certainly the rx8 is snow capable. The easy way out is the wrx with nice set of all seasons on it. For me. I will use my subaru in winter, and avoid the twice a year rim swap hassle.

 

I would very strongly advise you to buy a dedicated set of winter rims and tires. First, the stock BBS rims are like $600 apiece. You don't want to be driving on those with all the garbage that's on the road during winter. Second, you just spent $30K+ on a high performance sports car. Don't try to save a couple hundred bucks by using all-seasons. You will be downgrading the performance of the STi by using all-seasons. All-seasons are ok for minivans and station wagons, but don't use them on a high performance vehicle.

 

Test drive the WRX and you will notice that the steering wheel is off center of the driver. Annoying me thinks. As for power, it doesn't take much to get an RX-8 to match a WRX. Then again it doesn't take much to get a WRX to beat the RX-8 again. Easier to do it and keep your warranty with RX-8 though. (mazdaspeed)

 

Manual 8 or No 8
explain why you can't have the manual...I figured out the ONLY reason why you should get an Auto (of ANY CAR not just the 8) is if the driver (or one of the frequent drivers) of the car is handicapped and needs the extra hand for a modified hand accelerator or a damaged leg and cannot use the clutch or acc/brake pedal at the same time...

otherwise there is NO reason...I have heard the 'wife' excuse, answer to that: divorce her or get couples therapy because there are power problems in your relationship (ie. you are the slave and her bitch)

Ok that was fun flaming about Autos suck...proceed

Don't forget...the WRX is UGLY, just saw one today and noticed it is boxy and looks like an even uglier Mustang from the front

 

This will probably offend most of you, but I will go ahead and ask anyway:

I was just thinking about that the other day...are there any actual, tangible benefits to having a "good looking" car? I own an STi, which most of you probably consider to be ugly (I, however, think it has sharp lines with an aggressive stance, making it look like a very mean car).

At first, I thought a benefit would that other people would think more highly of you. But then I realized that I get way more compliments, thumbs-up, etc in my STi than I did in my previous 2 "good looking" cars combined (3000GT and Z3).

Then I thought, maybe it was to have a car that looks like it has performance, but to not actually pay for the performance. But, I see people on here paying more for their 8 than I did for my STi.

So, if the response to the question "Should I get a WRX/STi/Evo or an RX-8?" is always, "The WRX/STi/Evo is ugly; get the 8", then what are the tangible benefits of having a car that is "good looking" that would make one choose the 8 over sports cars that have better performance and handling?

Flame on...

 

umm...hmmm from what I hear the 8 has better handling but less performance (but the WRX already has an FI kit built on...the 8 is on its way...so this may be a null issue soon)...

as for attractive cars...well in regards to the 8 most people see my car and say 'WTF is that?' and then they either love or hate how it looks (a few people love it then hate then love...etc based on the fact they see it at different angles)...

the reality is not everyone can head out to the track everyday and mash the pedal to the floor and fully experience performance...especially me in MN there is not much to offer besides in the rural areas they don't like seeing Non-US cars race...also a BIG factor is the 8 to me (other people may disagree) is just neat...the whole thing has been intricately designed and some things are very quarky (like the E-brake...what the hellis that?) but I love those things because they are DIFFERENT...I like interesting things and that is why I bought the 8...performance wise I was stepping up, WAY up from a damn 95 dodge stratus (drove it half the time the other have a Mazda) so I could have felt a step up easy...

as for the WRX...I have never been inside but the outside is very quarky...I said ugly...I should have said quarky...it is interesting in its own way just not my way

another BIG reason is I am a die-hard mazda fan...been through a 82 626 5 speed (totalled in crash ) and still have a Millenia S (Miller Cycle)...plus I love how mazda takes CHANCES with technology...2 radically different engines the Miller Cycle and the Rotary (extremely radical) that is INTERSTING to me...so I find beauty in the different and interesting

Let me tell you though...if I had a WRX (if the 8 wasn't around) I would love the thing...not for its looks and interior but because right now it kicks *** in the performance department and for a good deal...and I bet the look of it would grow on me just like every time I step into the garage I like the 8 even more

Enjoy your WRX and if you are lucky (like one of the guys on this forum) you will end up with an 8 as well so when you wake up to go to work you will have to allot 15mins just to decide which one you want drive

 

This is my commuter car PERIOD. I don't give a rats *** about the rims in snow, and the downgrade in handling by going with all seasons. I know many people buy this car to go autocrossing, and purely for fun, but I treated myself to this car so I can use it year round, yet have a boatload of hp. The rx8 is my fun car for the handling and will always get the best tires, and will never see any snow. The STI gets better gas mileage, and I have purshased it for year round use. There's nothing wrong with spending extra $$$ and using a car for more then it's performance. I will get a top of line all season high performance tire, and probably spend as much as summer tires, so it will still be a capable performer, yet give me year round drivability. I am gonna use this car and it's 6 year 80k mile warranty to the max, then trade it in for another car way down the road. I know we all have different ways of using cars, but it's tough to complain about having sti as your daily beat around commuter car.

 

Mazdaspeed stuff is not covered under the factory warranty, by the way you could have said the same thing for Subaru (ever heard of STi?). If you want ***** out performance with some mods it's actually going to be easier to do with the WRX as long as you're sneaky about it :p As for the original post... neither cars are going to be as much fun with an AT as they are with an MT but the WRX is clearly better suited for the AT and is just as easy to mod as the MT, there are some very fast auto WRXs out there. Straigtline acceleration will be much better in the WRX but the RX-8 still gets the *** in the handling department.

 

I made up my mind and got the MT 05 Legacy GT....

 

Good choice, had I know that was an option I would have said the Legacy all the way in the first place. The Legacy GT is much better as an AT than the WRX.

 

i like the looks of the wrx. hell i am one of the few,apparently, who liked the old bug-eyed look.its the wing on the STi i cant stand.

 

The wing is a bit overkill! lol... But the Boxer engine is unbelievable...makes up for it.