Nopstnz

I do second the ms3. Great car.

05MazdaRx8

Reliable ayyyy!!! By the way its not a Toyota Motor its bult by Yamaha, yes the motorcycle company and in 2000 and 2001 it had serious problems when it was released. VVTL-i Cam bolts shearing, motors popping left and right because they were "overrevved" Toyota says. Why do you think in 2002 redline/fuel cut went from 8500 to 7800, Toyota changed some internals then in 2003+ the rev limit/fuel cut went back to 8500. Every company has products with some flaws even TOYOTA.


In a couple years your 8 should be paid off!!! Any time you trade your car or just buy a car YOU LOSE!!!!


You want to get better gas mileage do the speed limit and always shift at 3400.
When I first got my car during "break in", I drove it nice and slow varying the rpms etc. etc. and I did get 23-25 mpg which is exactly what the EPA says it gets but I don't drive like that normally. I am "slightly" lead footed and yes therefore my gas mileage sucks. I know its the way I drive and I don't blame my car.

I have owned 5 RX's 84 GSLSE, 87 TII, 88 TII, 94 TT PEG and my RX8 and none of them when driven the way they are suppose to be driven have gotten 25+ mpg or used less then a quart per 1500 miles.


RX8 Touring =
Purchased for $25k
grocery getter trunk
4 doors
reasonable insurance rates
great handling
descent mpg if you drive "practically" yea right!!
looks good
FUN
You will regret selling it


My point is the 8 is a very good car and is exactly what Mazda intended it to be a good performing sport sedan (4doors) that is more reliable then the 3rd Gen RX7 (I miss her). If everyone actually knew what they were buying before they bought it I think it would have been more successful. I hope that makes sense well it did in my head anyway...

My fingers ache

New Yorker

Sounds like the Toyota is clearly better for you. I think the real question is why on earth did you buy an 8 in the first place?

Rhawb

While the XRS might beat an 8 off the line (and, honestly, what won't?), you're going to be DYING to have that handling back. I drove one at an autocross not too long ago, and it was a sloppy, understeering mess. It seemed like I was constantly on the edge of losing adhesion no matter what speed I went or how perfectly I nailed the corner entry. I love a good automotive challenge, but that was just plain old work.

But for all the other reasons you've listed, the XRS seems like a pretty great car. Super gas mileage, practical, kinda comfy, and quick. Shame they couldn't make it handle.

Design1stCode2nd

Dude its a Corrola, I mean come on a Corrola. At least get a MS3 or a WRX or even a used A4, Mini Cooper S, 330i or something. Or go for a convertible as a DD. If I was going for a Dd I'd get an 03-04 A4 with quattro. And then just chip it.

Hotsauce

I would get a Mazda 3 over instead of the Corrolla. It has better looks, more features and handles very well. We bought a 3 a year ago as a daily driver. We got just the base model with side air bags. Still it came equipped with 4 wheel anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, and stereo controls on the steering wheel. These features are usually not found a economy car.

DARKMAZ8

I'm really indecisive about this....I just went for a drive and I really really really would miss this car....lol

The corolla probably wouldn't make me fully satisfied and I guess it's either one or the other. If the corolla was rwd, this decision would be a lot easier.

Astral

DARKMAZ8, test-drive a used Mazdaspeed Protege. It's very fun to drive.

Tirminyl

Agree. Well, thats if you can find one.

VikingDJ

From a guy who constantly has been trading in vehicles and spending lots of money ( so much fun and worth it to me), I have to respectfully disagree, and perhaps after reading, you will understand the reality of this particular vehicle. I tried trading in my RX8, as have others, and while dealerships do low ball you on trade if you don't negotiate properly, the type of car, and the demand in a used market plays a HUGE role in the amount you get, and the financial hit you take.

When I tried trading in my RX8, they lowballed me, and when I tried negotiating, eventually they flat out told me that this vehicle will not be wanted by various used car dealerships for a good amount, and they can't give me top dollar. The negotiation of a good trade went south very rapidly, so I sold it to minimize my loss. I never experienced this before with any other sports car, enthusiast vehicle. The truth is when a car like the RX8 is having trouble selling for even well below invoice, and the incentives reach insane proportions like the RX8 has, you cannot really negotiate a proper trade in and a proper selling price of the car. Yes, they can fool you into thinking you are getting a great trade in value on your RX8, but that simply means you are not negotiating the sale of the car, and are likely paying more for the vehicle then you should be.

The RX8 is not alone in this, as there are other cars that dealerships would rather not have on a trade in, and will not offer you a good amount, but the RX8 is certainly not on par with every other car, especially sports cars/enthusiast cars. When I went to trade in my 01 S2000 and 04 STI, the dealerships were licking their chops, and really wanted my trade in badly, and they knew a resale would be fast and efficient. The RX8 was/is not in this category. My Dad also had leverage on his 01 VW Golf when he went to trade it in on an 06 Rabbit. The same went for my Mom's 01 Subaru Outback, and my sisters 04 Mazda 3. There are some cars that will have a lot of trouble selling used, and the RX8 is one of them, so compared to other vehicles, especially sports cars/ enthusiast cars, it's one of the worst, if not the worst. However, this is only becuase the general market doesn't understand or appreciate a car like this. It doesn't take away from how fine of vehicle it is.

9291150

My dad has a Corolla XRS...he's 64. He loves it...but he's 64. But whatever turns your crank.

And we all know the 8 is no dragster, but I'll bet my left nut that a XRS wouldn't outrun an 8.