Federighi

iTrader: (7)

In case this was overlooked, please allow me to interject this again:

Rx7 s5 TurboII 1.) 205 hp/ 180 ft lbs of torque rotary engine. 2.) Weighs only 2650 lbs & maintains 50/50 weight distribution. 3.) 4 piston front calipers. 4.) Turbo bolt-ons add high power for low cost. 5.) It is actually a sports car & has infinitely more potential than the Rx8. 6.) The list really could go on & on. I'd recommend taking a look if you haven't already.

I've owned all gen Rx7's + vintage rotary & I would personally much rather have this car than my Rx8.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

You can't just snap a turbo bolt on to S5 without making other mods like FCD, unless you wanna go overboost and blown your engine.

I own S5, not turbo I got the NA, but trust me I know S5 inside out.

You did not mention S5's own set of problems. you might like RX7 better because it's a lot cheaper to own and upgrade, it's an old car. for me I like both my Rx-8 and S5, both has it's cons and pros.

Unlike FC/FD, Mazda did NOT designed RX-8 to be a performance car, it's a sports car for casual drivers. Just because it has a rotary engine it does not mean it's an all out performance car.

Federighi

iTrader: (7)

By s5, I'm referring to the 89-91 models with the updated twin-scroll turbo, engine, etc. Unless I'm mistaken? And obviously all cars have their inherent problems.

I know Mazda's concept behind the Rx8 was a vastly different one from their previous experiment, but it was advertised as the "1st 4 door sports car" or something to that effect. So there is a certain amount of expectation, especially given the Rx's sports history.

I just figured with a fairly generous budget (there's been talk of 370z's & new Mustangs) the OP could really get/make an exceptional performing 7 & even further, the OP stated they're looking for a small car that is RWD & has similar handling characteristics to the 8. I'm sure you're aware of what a few very tasteful mods could do for a car of that caliber.

MariesRX8

Instead of a new car, maybe you could "refresh" your RX-8 with new wheels or something? Fix up any lingering issues (if any), detail and wax it, etc.?

Doesn't help much with reliability worries I know, but sometimes it can make things feel kinda new again

kvndoom

Sheesh get a 2009+ RX8 then... It'll be a refresh of the only car you can make yourself love, but minus all the 1st-gen gremlins. Win/win!

FernandoVenezuela

gen coupe is legit. like the redesign.

RotaryP7

M3. If I can afford it.

I've also always wanted an Evo.

djfa

iTrader: (3)

[quote=

And plenty see that it fits them perfectly, and trying anything else is going to be a disappointment, so never leave, never get tired of it.[/quote]


Amen to that. Well said!

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

Merged with the Replacement thread from LAST week.


On this topic, why replace? I supplemented my RX-8 with a 2006 Forester XT (don't like the looks of the new ones.)

Bigger turbo, STi intercooler, bit of tuning, STi shocks, goes like ****-off-a-shiny-shovel!

Blew the rings out of one piston, new block, forged pistons, Cosworth bits where it counts, even bigger turbo, (better tune this time!) and now we gots us an AWD monster!

The exact opposite of the '8, perfectly complementing it.
One is all go, and BUTT ugly, the other is my '8!

Mr.ThunderMakeR

I plan to keep my R3 for another 3-5 years. But I'm about 90% sure that my next car is going to be a gently used Cayman S. Maybe a used Cayman R depending on my job situation and what the used market looks like in a couple years.

Other cars I will consider, in order of likelihood:

1 M Coupe
Z4 M Coupe
Evo X (or its replacement)
STI (05-06 have been my favorite, but its already getting hard to find a clean example)
Mustang Boss 302
M3

map

I'm having the same issue. I am starting to think about replacing the 8 (06 with 70000miles), but it's not worth paying all the money for a new car to get something I will probably only like equally (at best!). The only options that I think clearly outclass the 8 are the Cayman and EvoX. Even then with the Evo I'm not sure I would like all the computer involvement. My friend has one and he admits it can be boring because the car will do everything for you.

I find myself lusting after a 500 Abarth. I think it would be a hoot, just not sure what I would feel about something like that after 10000 miles. Ultimately it is not as capable as an 8, but there is something to be said for being crazier.

tcole6

Nothing...until I can afford a nice 2002-2004 Esprit V8.

RXeligion

An Aviat Husky... But I'll probably hang on to my 8 as well.

RXeligion

I kind of agree with you, depending on what you want to do with it. I have owned a 10th Ann. for about 10 years now, but somehow what it "needs" always falls to the backburner, so it isn't much of a DD. I mostly take it out when I want to feel fancy; like a hooker in a white dress.

fizzer

I never thought the day would come, but I did kind of get tired of driving my 8. Had 8 years of great joy, but recently its become more of a chore.

I work from home nowadays so don't have a commute that needs spicing up, so most of my driving is short trips around town or road trips, both things that the 8 isn't great for. Also, I don't track it or autocross it anymore and the "fun" roads nearby have all become congested by sprawl.

So, I traded it in for a great deal on a 2012 Mazda3 i Touring. Love the new car, but in an obviously different way than the 8. Handles great for an econobox and 30/40mpg in town/highway is a nice change.

I'm sure I'll be aching for a sports car again in a few years, with any luck a skyactiv 8 will be available by then. I've long thought that direct injection and laser ignition is the way to go with the rotary (both have been talked about for the Wankel). Hopefully when Mazda is done their whole lineup refresh with the skyactiv stuff, they'll be able to revisit the 7 or 8

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

fizzer

Gas mileage, cargo capacity w/ more than 2 people

For solo or pair road tripping, its not too bad. If you have to put some serious miles in though, 20-22mpg vs 40mpg (and its no joke, I've measured via odometer and pump) for the new car makes a big difference in the wallet.

I actually ran some serious financial analysis for total cost to own over 5 years keeping the 8 vs the new 3. I took into account fuel costs, maintenence (based off kbb, edmunds, etc), car payment vs no car payment, and depreciation.

The 3 was such a good deal (end of the quarter, dealer over stock), at the end of 4 years, the 3 pays for itself and that doesn't take into account the value of the warranty. If I keep it more than 5 years (50/50 chance), it goes very positive financially.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a good choice for you then! Best of luck out there.

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

Okay, that makes sense about the cargo space with more than two people. I don't even like acknowledging the existence of the rear seats or doors.

I always looked at MPG's as the price you pay for driving such a well handling, sexy car. But I do understand the financial burden it can place on someone.

Mr.ThunderMakeR

Nice choice! Though I'm not sure I'd want that to replace my 8 as a DD

fizzer

Totally agree and I have zero regrets with driving the 8 for the past 8 years. I just took a good hard look at my current driving patterns and said to myself: self, you know you really only have fun driving while racing on a track nowadays... Its probably time to get an econobox and a dedicated track vehicle.

Next season I'll be in the market for a pickup and probably a shifter kart to get my zoom zoom in

RufusVonStorm

Been thinking about a cayman lately. Around here an 06 cayman is less than 25k and a cayman S under 30k. Looking at planet-9 and rennlist it looks like the engines explode less than the 996 (1999-2004) 911s.

Anyone here drive one or driven one?

bolt123

I will replace with Mazda CX 7.