Corolla XRS...lol

I know, I know....It's a downgrade but I really think it's a pretty good overall car for the money. As much as I like the 8, it's alittle too flashy and doesn't have the power to back up the looks. Gas mileage of course is terrible and I feel uncomfortable in the car while doing regular arrands.

This has nothing to do with the money but more to do with reliability, daily driver friendly and of course, MPG.

So, what do you all think? At 2600lbs, the corolla is quite capable of keeping up with a stock 8. They rev to 8500rpm and have 4 doors..ect.

any other suggestions?

 

I am a big Toyota fan. Love the XRS . . . but for a little less money . . . just get another RX8.

Or if you are serious about getting something different . . . nissan altima 3.5 .

 

Well I was looking at the bmw 335i...very nice but I rather get the toyota for dd and buy a 3rd gen 7 for the track and summer nights. The 8 is a very fun car but the luster fades and I rather have something a little more practical for a dd.

 

The BMW is a wonderful automobile. Rear wheel drive too. You can't go wrong with the Toyota, they are just a little boring. As long as you have a 'fun' car for the weekends, practicality mon-fri is okay. BMW's normally have a higher maintenance cost, but at least you dont get laughed at on the way to work. I am a huge Toyota/Honda fan. They are the best for reliability. But damn are they boring.
If you dont mind used . . the infiniti G35's are almost at the give-away price right now.(new body style just came out . . old ones fell in value) Find a used one . . drive it for a couple years and sell it for what you bought it for.
But what ever you choose . . . GET THE RX7!!!! I like that part of the idea!

 

youre lucky im too lazy right now to go back and qoute all your comments about how youd never ever even consider another car. :p
XRS is pretty sweet, not a bad beater. it might not be worth it financially though because you might have to take a nasty hit on the resale value. work the numbers out first. good luck

 

The XRS is no longer after the 06 model (2 year run), so finding one could be very tough now, but perhaps if there are ones left you can get a nice deal on it. It is a great car though. Great daily driver with plenty of zip, reliability, comfort and gas mileage.

 

If you completely read and understood his post and demands... Then i don't think you know what a RX7 is.

 

MS3... or try to get a deal on one of the remaining 2006 MS6 sports...

 

It'll be a dark day for Maz8 when he buys a Toyota

 

Actually yes....I love the handling...I don't know what to do...lol

I just wish it wasn't sooo damn thirsty...lol

 

toyota makes great cars... i have had a SW20T and the 8 at the same time for a couple of years.

 

To be honest...I really enjoy driving the 8 but I put $27 in the tank on wednesday and guess what?? I'm on empty already....lol

Anyways, I'm not 100% sure yet on trading. I want to drive the xrs before I say more.

 

Don't do it!! Friends don't let friends drive Corollas. It is an excuse to buy a motorcycle and keep the 8.

 

The 06 Speed 6 makes a great alternative, due to the insane deals (if you can find one). You lose on looks, fun and handling for more power, AWD and comfort, but the sacrifice is far minimal (really there is no downgrade with an MS6) compared to an XRS, while not paying that much more, so it's a car worthy of replacing an RX8 for. Gas mileage isn't the greatest, but I do get between 20 and 27mpg, so it's definitely better.

I do see two possible problems though. I'm not so sure about the reliability being that much better (I came from an RX8 that gave me problems, and although this car has been better so far for me, I'm still not holding my breath), and you would be trading in a highly depreciating car in for another, and if you decide the car isn't for you, you will lose a ton of money AGAIN. The Speed 3 makes a great choice as well, because it's very fast, fun, practical, and gets better gas mileage. It will also be a sought after car used, so down the road it would be an easy sell, and the loss would be considerably less if you grew tired of it.

The XRS makes for a great daily driver, and Toyotas retain their value very well, so you really win regarding those things, but you just aren't gonna find a deal on one like you can other cars (if you can find one at all). Just make sure you make the right choice. If you can't find anything, or if you keep hesitating on a decision, just keep the RX8 until you do, and be patient, because eventually the right choice will come along.

 

You also have to think of the money that you will be loseing. Do the math. Trading to save money on gas does not always come out in the long run. Just as it takes years to get back the premium people are paying for a Prius. Most will trade the Prius before they make the money back.

 

Just an Fyi, I've owed it for almost 3 years now. Basically, I payed to play. Cars aren't investments and this car has been a depreciating disaster as far as I'm concerned. I'll probably better off trading it in for the toyota financially anyways. It just depends on if I can live without the fun factor.

 

Good point. I remember this being one of the claimed highlights of the RX8 when it came out, and people actually bragging about the low depreciation all over this forum, and it turned out to be false. It hurt me badly financially to unload my RX8, but when cars give me problems and I lose trust in my vehicle long term, I don't give two hoots about the $$ loss, and I'll take it without complaining. I just have no patience with having to constantly take a new car to the dealership. More power to those who do. I paid to play as well, but if you wanna avoid another depreciation disaster, a Toyota is the ultimate way to do that if you can live with the downgrade and compromise.

As for cars not being investments, you are right, but every once in a while you can get lucky. I drove my STI for over 2 years and 28k miles, (nothing but oil changes and 0 dealer visits) and only spent $6000 after trade in, so I consider that a great investment for me personally, because as far as I am concerned it was the best $6000 I ever spent for the time, winter fun, and miles I got with that car. The XRS will grow on you over time if you go that route, and in 3 years if you are ready to "pay to play" again, the financial loss will be a small one compared to this.

 

The Mazdaspeed 6 is a great car, I have my 8 and my wife has the speed 6. It does get better gas mileage and has more room so we usually drive that one when we go out with the kids. Not to mention it keeps my kids from getting my 8 dirty.

The XRS looks pretty nice and got good reviews but it is a Corolla. Not bagging on it but my family had Corollas the whole time I lived at home as a teen. I viewed a Corolla as a beater car so that may give me some negative bias against them starting out.

You gotta go with whats best for you, good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I would like to open by saying I do not intend to offend any one by what I am about to write but................. enough is enough.

I have an 05 Touring that has not had a single issue after 10k miles even though I continuously wear it the !@#$ out everyday I drive it not to mention the 20-25 autocrosses per year plus 1 or 2 track days.

Gas mileage is crappy (17-20) but you can run 87 which is not the case with the Corolla XRS (premium only with 11:1 compression). Not to mention that every review of the Corolla speaks of the buzzing and rattles. My 8 is still nice and tight with no rattles.

Everyone speaks of the crappy resale value of the 8 but it is on par with any other car. Every dealer will try to low ball you and if you know nothing or have no negotiating skills you will get worked. Its your fault if you allow them to bend you over and accept their wholesale offer.

Lastly, and I will step off my pedestal after this, have you lost your !@#$ing mind by thinking that a Corolla XRS (0-60 in 7.8 sec .83 skidpad) even comes close to the RX8's performance. I would crush any XRS on any autocross course or track. You straight lost your mind.

If your tastes have changed that is just wonderful sell your car and move on. If you don't like your car any more sell it, trade it, just get rid of it but don't post on here talking trash saying some crappy Corolla ouperforms an 8.

Now you can beat me up!!!

 

I don't know much about the Corolla but he said he wants a DD car, i.e. Good gas mileage, REASONABLE power, and reliability, in this case, excellent reliability(Toyotas last a lifetime). You are only at 10k miles. I sure hope you wouldn't be having problems with it. I run the crap out of mine and I am at 15k and I don't have any problems(engine related.) But every rotary REALLY is different. I can totally understand where this guy is coming from too. Decent performing DD and a weekend car, that's the way it should be in my book.

 

I don't think he ever said the corolla outperforms the 8.

 

Ask bindon if a corolla xrs can beat an 8(straight line)....He got beaten by one himself and he's got mods!! I agree that on an autocross course or track, the 8 shines. It's just unfortunate that I have to spend $100 for the 2 way gas just to get to one. Furthermore, I never said the corolla is a better overall car then the 8. I love the 8 and the rotary. I just think that I've had all the fun moments I needed out of the car in the last few years and maybe I should just get something of better practicality. In a couple of years, the way the 8 depreciates, I could probably find one for like 10 grand...lol then I'll have my cake and eat it tooo

 

I once complained about mpg. I compared the monthly cost of fuel of my msp and rx8 and the RX8 was $40 per month more expensive on fuel. Though, it was also $30 per month cheaper to insure. So I stopped complaining about mpg.

As far as the XRS...if you are going to replace the 8 with a DD, please pick something more fun and attractive. Go for a MS3, or get a used MSP, or a new Civic Si.