Helping my friend shop for an Altima at the local Nissan dealer, when I spot a blue 2006 GTO with blue leather interior, manual transmission, with 11k miles on it.
It was basically the car I was considering buying before I bought the rex.

All day I was thinking if I would sell the RX8 to get this car, felt like I was cheating on her!

Test drove the **** out of it, and yeah it's fast alright. But it felt like a GM car. Shifter was pretty clunky and rattled and high (for that car ) rpm. It is also huge, and feels like that when you drive it. The 8 just feels more refined, planted, and definitely much smoother in its power delivery. In the GTO it was like I could feel each cylinder fire through the shifter.

If I would have bought the GTO 2 years ago, I know I would have had fun in it, but it feels like I made the right choice then to go with the RX8, the rotary engine is too sweet.

 

Testdrove one at the dealership I work at(GM/Nissan). You do get the most HP for the buck. But................ It aint no 8

 

You have basically answered your own question. Good choice.

 

My friend has an LS1 Goat, and yes, its a cool car, and the interior is BOUNDS better than the old F-bods, but it just didn't do it for me. Too big, doesn't have that Precise feel that I love. I would compare them like this, the goat is a like a machete, the 8 is like a wakazashi. :D They're both deadly, but are used in different ways.

 

I'd take one as a third car. I test drove an 05 Auto when I was in the market to buy a new car, and my god. Talk about a straight line car for the money. Plant foot down and GO!!!!!!!! Hell, I almost got one because of how powerful it was. WIth an auto, you can toy with most cars, and if you mod it, you can almost toy with anyone on the road with ease.

But you're right, unless muscle and power is your only objective, the car leaves a lot to be desired. We just can't win. All these great cars out there, but one car lacks what another has and vice versa. I mean an RX8 with the power of the GTO? A GTO with the looks and driving ability of an RX8 for $30k. Unfortunately if you want both you gotta spend a crapload more.

 

One thing I noticed about the body is that there is a lot sheet metal around the rear wheel, so when you look at it, the rear wheel actually seems smaller than the front, just because of the vast expanse of body panel around it.

 

^kind alike the 8. The bulbous front fenders make the front look taller than the back.

 

That's muscle car cam "lope". Something Rx8's will never experience.

 

Read your post yesterday, but I figure I would let one more day go by to let the poison set in. So... did ya buy it yet?

Actually, I got hooked the same way. I was busy looking at turbos for the 8, and had no interest at all in a GTO when friend asked me to go with him to test drive it during lunch. I drove it and feeling never left. Found my Red/Red M6 with 18's after about 3 months of looking; talked them way down on the GTO's price and traded in the 8 for a good price. I feel like I made a good decision too - I've had a blast with it, and in particular, have made many friends that are GTO owners.

 

Ha no i didn't. I think it feels too sloppy, compared the 8

 

Apples and oranges .

 

I'd like to have both cars simultaneously.