Rote8

Rx12....

04Green

iTrader: (1)

Casket

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Make mine in the form of a Viper please

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

Rx-9 if it follows the rx-7 in style and performance.

tmc3

2020 GT-R. Of course that is only when I'm making $150K plus a military pension.

axiomatik

My RX-8 only has 1900 miles on it. Every car on the market will be redesigned by the time I replace mine, so, hard to say at this point.

D Rob

I too, will likely look at a Cayman R. But I would be most satisfied with a RX-9.

Javon

2013 2.0t gen coupe

RshnRoket

Hey guys, I haven't posted on here in awhile but I am in the market for a new car. Since replacing the motor on my RX-8, I've been slightly jaded from the ownership of it. It just isn't feeling all to special to me anymore. I find myself more and more concerned about driving it places where I'm afraid I'll break down. It's not a good feeling for a daily driver.

Anyone have any ideas for an RX-8 replacement for a daily driver? Ideally the car will be rear wheel drive, have razor sharp handling, interior to match an RX-8 Grand Touring package, and offer a similar level of driver feedback.

Here are some of the cars I've been thinking about:
1. 370z - I've been peeking at them for awhile, but once you push them beyond 8/10ths they seem to fall apart. I love to autocross, and this would be a major bummer to me.
2. 135i - Damn expensive to maintain, but they are fun to drive.
3. Mustang GT 5.0 - Haven't driven one with a V8 yet, but the V6 was surprisingly good. My major gripe would be the lack of an independent rear, but the aftermarket support for these cars is pretty much second to none.

Any other suggestions? The idea of a BRZ/FRS has crossed my mind, but they really do lack power. I know there is a growing aftermarket support for them too, but I'd rather they just came with more power from the factory.

Sorry for the essay format, but I really am at a bit of a loss here.

MariesRX8

There isn't anything, at least for me. I've been looking for a year or two. Nothing exists or is on the horizon. There are similar cars, even good fun cars, but there's nothing sporty that I'd prefer over my RX-8.

And I'm not willing to pay a premium for a sporty car that I'll always feel is a letdown compared to the 8. I don't like fast cars, I like great cars. And personally I don't think there are any (affordable) great, fast cars right now.

That being said, I'm getting nearer to trading mine too. It runs perfectly, but the reliability of replacement engines makes me nervous. So oddly, I find myself tempted by the CX-5, as it's such a different car, I don't find myself comparing it to the RX-8. And it's a great car, in it's category at least.

But I realize few people here would be tempted by something so slow.

RshnRoket

Exactly how I feel. A Porsche Cayman S is the only car that has a similar "feel" to the RX-8 in terms of handling, the scream of the engine, the point ability of the nose, and the feel through the steering and the chassis. It's just a shame that they aren't even close in the price point, and the used ones are extremely expensive to maintain.

The new Mustang chassis and suspension is pretty good, but it isn't great. I just have a feeling I'd be dumping endless amounts of money to make the thing handle similarly to the RX-8.

User24

iTrader: (1)

So, you have a 2005 that was replaced in 2011. According to the FAQ "New and Potential Owners START HERE!", engine remans from 2006+ are even better than the original engine.

It's just unfortunate that no car feels special anymore once you drive it for a few years.

I would try to hold out for a faster BRZ version whenever that is.

MariesRX8

I was tempted by the Mustang too, especially because I've never had a "muscle car" and wondered if it'd be an amusing change. But I looked at it's measurements, and the Mustang is a big car, as big as many SUVs. Parking isn't one of my talents lol, so I figured it'd be awkward for me to navigate one around.

The Genesis sounds amusing too, but the shifter supposedly isn't as nice, and it doesn't handle as sharply.

The BRZ... great first sporty car for kids, but it's a class down from the RX-8 to me, especially the interior. Kinda like a RWD Civic Si.

The new turbo Focus sounds kinda neat, but it is FWD. Reviews seem pretty positive, but it's no RX-8.

I tried the new Acura ILX with the Si's engine. It's kinda quick, but the steering reminds me of 1970's Cadillacs lol... you can "pinky steer" it, if you know what I mean. Nice shifter though.

Civic Si.... practical, kinda quick, but kinda loud and cheap seeming.

IS250, RWD or AWD, but soft suspension, kinda slow. IS350 is quicker, but I really don't wanna pay that much for a car.

Used S2000? Probably the closest to the RX-8. But... used reliability?

Evo maybe, but reliability, gas costs?

The GLI and GTI are neat, but I don't like what I read about VW's reliability. And FWD again.

Sigh. I know lol, I know... been down this road too. Haven't found anything.

This Trackday Diaries: In which our author falls in love with a cute-ute article kinda resonated with me: Trackday Diaries: In which our author falls in love with a cute-ute. | The Truth About Cars. Jack and I are both getting old lol, and seem to be on the same page about how our car tastes are changing I'm kinda at the point of thinking if I can't find a car that fits my (prior) needs, maybe I can adjust my needs to fit the great cars that ARE out there.

New Yorker

There is no substitute.

monchie

^ +1

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

I have an RX-8 for fun and a Solara as a DD. I think both are near perfect cars, but for almost-opposite reasons. It's impossible to replace 1 for 1 a car that is as unique as the 8, so why try? Perhaps it's best to get a "replacement" that is very good at the things the RX is not good at. Or for the price of a 135, you could get a new CX-5 for practicality and a low miles used Miata for fun.

Emery_

iTrader: (8)

If you just got a new engine I don't see why you would be worrying so much. You got a new engine to start over with, take care of it, redline, premix do whatever it takes to maintain that engine healthy. If you're just sick of it, good luck finding anything like the RX8. I owned a mustang before my RX8, and let me tell you if you get one, you will always miss the way the 8 handles. Tight turns in the mustang felt like I was driving a van, I could feel all of the weight of the car shifting to the opposite side, it felt like it had no stability at all and sluggish in turns. Not to mention my mustang felt extremely dangerous on rainy nights, the rear would easily lose control on wet surfaces. Consider it good or bad, it could have been my tires, bad road surface, or the extreme torque from the mustang but it's not a pleasant feeling losing control of the car when it's not intended...

Federighi

iTrader: (7)

s5 TurboII or GTU-s. Both pack major rotary awesomeness and they're quite rare which further adds to their prestige IMO.

Only set back is the lack of rear seats unless you find a 2+2 which may not even exist in those models & only works for little people.

pking1122

Got a 2008 Evo when I wrecked my 8 in February. While I absolutely love the Evo, there is simply no replacing the RX-8. I miss it dearly. If it's an option, keep the 8 and find a DD.

RshnRoket

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up test driving a new Mustang GT Premium after dinner today, and I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. In New Jersey's pavement pothole paradise, the solid rear axle showed it's ugly head a few times. While the GT has some potential for great handling, it needs an absolutely perfect smooth surface to do so. If the Mustang were to ever get an independent rear, or if the modification were possible, I think I would have jumped ship.

I have my engine warrantied until this December at least.

It's funny how things change the minute you get into another car. The RX-8 may not be as quick, but it certainly is more fun to drive day in and day out.


Side note: It's nice to see that these forums are so active.

MariesRX8

I think I read the next generation is getting one.

RshnRoket

That's still quite a ways away. And it's a rumor with EVERY incoming Mustang. I test drove one with the track package which included the 3.73 gears, and brembo brakes. Like you said before though, it is a very physically large car. I do like having a small car to roll around in.

MariesRX8

Have you driven a BRZ? I agree 200 hp isn't much, but it's small and light so not much slower than an RX-8. It might be different enough to feel special, yet similar enough to be fun? Only problem is they're having tons of problems with them right now.

A Miata would give you the sharp handling too, but also not so quick, and not very practical.

One thing I did once was go to the New Cars section of the Edmunds.com site and made a list of every car I might possibly consider, even if only remotely. Then I read the reviews and narrowed it down to ones I actually wanted to test drive.

ANZ

I was considering the new BMW 328 (see my post). It looks much better than the previous generation, it gets decent gas mileage and it is quick. The interior is bigger and better than the RX8 but not by much. It is heavier, it does not handle as well as the RX8 and the stick shift is kind of rubbery. And quite a chunk of money.

Like you said the cost of BMW maintenance is likely to be high. An oil change is how much??? $175 at the dealership. Plus, I read complaints about the steering wheel vibration that they can't seem to find a fix on new F30's.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the RX8 is so good that it is hard to find a decent replacement. ...if it keeps running and the poor gas mileage does not **** you off.

RshnRoket

The BRZ's interior really lets me down, and trying to get one to even test drive is a challenge in itself. My RX-8 has a Grand Touring spec'ed interior, and it doesn't even compare in terms of quality. It probably is the closest realistic competitor to the RX-8 though, especially in terms of power to weight and handling. If Subie really does build the BRZ STi, I'll be waiting with my cash in hand.

Unfortunately for me. I've been throwing around getting a new car for awhile now, and just nothing really does it for me, except perhaps a Porsche Cayman or Lotus Evora. I'm not quite in the income bracket to afford it, even though I could do it, just not comfortably.

Bad gas mileage it is then!