Try as I might, I can't resist the need for something sporty. I'm leaning towards getting back into an RX-8, but I want to be sure I've considered other options as well. Here are some of my requirements and some reasons why I think the 8 fits:

- Sporty with handling over power. The highest speed limit on any roads that I regularly use is 55 km/h. The highest limit even near me is around 80 km/h. Of course that might seem like a waste of a sports car, but most people go over those limits and there are some lovely roads for more spirited driving, so it wont go to waste! The 8 seems like a great choice for this, as it has great handling and enough power. While many may consider the 8 to be low powered, my area seems like the perfect fit for it.

(Alternatives considered for this reason? MX-5. S2000. RX-7)

- Seats 4/reasonable space. Does it absolutely have to seat 4 comfortably? No. I would greatly prefer if it does. I know the 8 can reasonably fill this request and the trunk is sufficient. It's possible you could convince me on a 2 seater, but it would definitely need a usable trunk.

(Alternatives considered? WRX. RX-7 w/tiny rear seats. Other sports hatch? Other sporty sedans?)

- Affordability/reliability. I know, I know. Reliability? RX-8? Maybe not the best choice, but I'm a bit more comfortable with it due to my familiarity and experience with it. Since I live in a somewhat rural part of Japan, it's probably cheaper and easier to repair than many foreign cars, which is nice. You can also find them in good condition at a sub-$10,000 price. I'm not looking for a project car with a blown engine and a shoddy transmission. It may be cheap, but it doesn't fit my needs. This pretty much rules out any awesome options like a GT-R or NSX. Yeah, it would be great, but unrealistic in my price range.

(Alternatives? Older 7's or Z cars (cheap). WRX. MX-5. Etc.)

- Reasonably available in Japan. I say "reasonably" because many foreign cars might be rare or unnecessarily expensive to get. In terms of foreign cars, BMW, Mini, VW and maybe 1 or 2 other companies are somewhat common and might not be inconvenient. Other than that, it's likely going to be Japan-domestic.


So, this pretty much summarizes my main list of hopes. I know you're not going to find a cheap, fast and reliable car. There will always be sacrifices in one way or another. I've looked into various cars like the WRX, legacy GT, 7, S2000, Z cars, Silvia, skylines (old and new/infiniti G) and many others. I'm not convinced any of them fit my list of wants quite like the RX-8. Sure, it's not perfect, but it seems like it might be as close as I will get. I feel like the nimbleness will really lend itself to the kind of driving I can expect around here. It will offer a reasonable amount of space and won't cost me an arm and a leg to get one in decent condition.

Before I dedicate myself to that choice, I want to make sure I've reasonably considered alternatives. I'm not afraid of older cars in good condition, which I feel gives me a few options that might not be available outside of Japan. If you feel there are options I have missed or that I should reconsider, please give me your input! Even if I end up going with the 8, I feel more at ease knowing I was more thorough in my search!

 

I've done a lot of traveling, but I've always lived in the US... If I had to move to a place where I could buy a Skyline, I would buy a Skyline.


Why are you asking other people what car you should drive, though? You're the one who has to drive it.

 

I'm not asking which car I should drive so much as I'm asking for ideas of what to consider. At the end of the day, it will be my choice to make. I feel like I can make a better choice if I'm more aware of the options worth looking at.

Perhaps some option has slipped my mind or I have wrongly skipped over one.

Something like "the MX-5 is lightweight, agile and gets better mileage, so it might be better suited" would be useful. Even a simple "have you looked at X car?" would be helpful.

When you say "skyline", are you referring to any (presumably pre-infiniti G) model or generation? Or just GTR?

 

Spirit R RX-8

 

or something else we don't have, a Crystal White pearl or Sunlight Silver R3.

 

I guess I would prefer the R32 or R34 models over any other. The R32 was what made the Skyline name, and the R34 is a really good progression from that - I don't care much for the R33 or Infiniti35. Also, I would narrow it down to a Coupe, as opposed to a sedan. They all have 4 seats anyway, and the coupe looks much cleaner and more iconic. GT-R or GT-T or GT-ST is up to you, but I would find something with a DET in the engine code to make the most of the experience

 

^ Or that. I saw a Crystal White Pearl R3 in Singapore (I think it was in Singapore) and I was surprised at how great it looked. I want one to match my 10th Ann. RX-7...

 

Thanks for more detailed information! I believe any decent/running GT-R Is out of my range, so it would most likely be something like the R32 type M if I went that route. It definitely seems like it could be a fun option, so I'll see what I can dig up.

The R3 will likely have the same problem as the GT-R. Would I like one? Of course. Unfortunately, I think all of them will be at least twice the amount I'm willing to spend right now. Any 8 I get will likely be one of the original years.

edit: I've just now realized I somehow posted this in media news, rather than general auto... my mistake!

 

I traded my 8 in last november for a 12 Buick Regal GS. My 8 just kept giving me problems and I couldn't go another winter with it. In hindsight, with this weather, I made a smart decision.

The Regal GS handles really well, especially in GS mode. When I started looking, one of my main criteria was to find something fun to drive. The GS isn't as fun as the 8, but it's fun enough. The 2014's have awd, and it's a rear biased awd setup, so handling should be even better. Speed wise it's just a bit faster than the 8 off the line but the midrange is much faster. The Trifecta tune gives you 65-75 more hp and I feel that a 2014 with the tune may be a beast. You get awd sportiness but none of the brashness of a WRX or Evo.

I wouldn't buy the regal new though. They want too much money and they don't sell well. They're over 40 for the new GS's with awd. They're kinda looked over. It's a nice car though. I got my 2012 with 8600 miles for 22 grand. Even the tech at Buick was like, "new, they aren't worth it, but used, they're great."

 

Have you looked at the BRZ/FRS/FT86?

 

Grant, you should get a Silvia or look into a Toyota Alteeza.

 

hmm.. seems to me to be in General Auto

you should get a Verisa



they're sporty



https://www.facebook.com/mazdacom/ph...082241/?type=1


or maybe a Flair Crossover



Mazda adds new Flair Crossover to kei lineup | New and Used Car Reviews, Research & Automotive-Industry News & LeftLaneNews

 

Thanks for the ideas!

I'm going to have to pass on another kei car, I think. I'd probably just keep my current car if I were to stick with kei.

Buick: Just not going to happen in Japan.

BRZ/FRS: They're too new and popular... A cheap one is pretty much at double my price range.

Silvia: Might be a fun option. A friend had one in AT and he still enjoyed it pretty alright. The rear seats are a little tight, to say the least. Does it technically seat 4? Yes... But we only fit 3 "comfortably" with one of us in the back using both seats. I still might consider that though.

Altezza: The RS200's do seem nice and the design, for a sedan, seems to hold up pretty well with time. It's definitely has enough room as well.

 

Well, I've found a shop "near" me (about 3 hours away) that has a decent selection of skylines, of both the GTS-T and GT-R variety. I'm definitely going to try and make a day trip there to take a look. I'm concerned about the troubles that may come with a cheap GT-R in comparison to a similarly priced GTS-T, but I figure it's at least worth a look.

I was convinced that a GT-R in my range wouldn't be worth considering, but after more research it might not be that bad.

 

If you can swing a GT-R do it by all means, they are special cars. If you can't, a clean Silvia is also a great car. The rear "seats" might cripple any passenger though.

 

I have a preference for RWD vice AWD for fun cars, so I would probably go with a GTS-T anyway. Others would have me disembowelled for saying that, though.

 

Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky

 

I'm looking to replace my 2004 that I bought new as well. Problem is there is just nothing really appealing to me right now. Just wish there was something similar to the 8 in the same price range. I tried to talk myself into a BRZ but I just couldn't do it. I think I test drove one 3 different times but I couldn't convince myself that I liked it more than the 8. There's just something about it that seems really cheap compared to the 8.

 

Same here…It is extremely hard to get rid off my 8. Back to the question now What about a Supra?

 

I considered the Supra, but it didn't really fit my hopes for size.

I finally put some money down on something a couple of weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to paperwork due to traveling for work and fun. I, apparently, have to prove that I have a parking space, that the parking space fits the car, that my car fits through the entrance for the parking area and that the car fits down the road to the parking area. I guess enough people have had this problem to justify the requirement for this kind of proof. I'm hoping to have the paperwork all finished this week and maybe finalizing payment next week. Then shipping time, since it's out of the prefecture. Definitely working to get this done quickly!

I'll post an update with pictures once "it" arrives.

 

I can't wait to see what you got! The paperwork is interesting…hopefully, everything will go through fast!

 

I think you owe it to yourself to at least a miata. They share a lot of the same parts with the RX8 except with less weight, and obviously less seats. I never was a fan of the convertible factor, but it grew on me. Seeing as your located in Japan perhaps one of the 200 miata coupes could be had (but likely for an absurd price).

I went from a miata to the RX8 and I've been looking for a nice miata ever since to get as a second car - they are simply tons of fun at (relatively) legal speeds. While I love the RX8, I would prefer to have a miata as my daily driver and the RX8 as my track/weekend toy.

 

I'd personally stick with the 8. My experience with it during the last two years is that it's just an awesome car when treated well from the day it's been sold. Mine is an '04 with 92k, and still running without issues even though it was declared a total loss at one point.

All personal bias aside though, S2k Handles just as good ( maybe even better) than the 8. S2k is faster specially '06 and up if i remember right and, they are reliable for what they and probably better on gas mileage. Parts are probably cheaper too, and it may be easier to mod if you're into that kind of thing.

 

I would definitely go for another r8 if I were you.

I'm about to be on my second.

 

As much as I loved my 8 I couldn't buy another car that was not improved upon or evolved for over 10 years. I bought mine in 03. By 09-10 it should've been revamped and improved, especially in the area of efficiency. The mileage was abysmal for such a small car. I saw a very slightly used R3 on the dealer lot when I was looking at the new 6 and I thought for just a second. I could trade my 10 year old 8 for a practically brand new one. Then I thought about having another payment and poor mileage. If the 8 had evolved to get 4-5 more mpg, i probably would've jumped on it. of course it would've had to have more power as well.