TheTick

Bah get a pinto those things rock

10KRever

What about the mercedes g class. My wife also really wants that new qx56 but i dont know if she can handle something that big.

Hanzo

The QX56 is enormous, if space is an issue the FX is not that large in the back.

The G class is big money, I personally think you get more from Japanese cars than German for the money.

The FX has great exhaust note, the V6 (FX35) sounds just like the new Z and it is base off of the Z so it drives more like a sports car than others.

msrecant

I rescued my RX-8 from northside this morning. Hanzo is right about trying things out to find the car's limits. I played around a little bit on my way to work.

Bottom line, as long as the tire can contact pavement the RX-8 does well. On roads that are wet or have mild slush there is not problem and the car handles as well as other vehicles. However, if there is a definitive layer of snow or ice between the tire and the road then handling and braking go to hell. Obviously, the high-performance tire tread is optimized for pavement rather than winter surfaces. Its kind on fun on a flat surface. However, going up an incline or through a barrier (like a snow drift) is a bitch.

On the up-side I can say the RX-8 defroster rocks! It does a great job keeping the windows clear (when I was driving through the muck on Sunday) and between the defroster, heated side mirrors and rear defroster I had the car totally de-iced in record time this morning.

9-K Rever

Thanks for the update! I am glad you got your 8 back.

Since the demise of my Legacy the 8 is my only vehical and daily driver. So I have been realy worried about getting her out on the road this week.

I have to go into work tommorow and we are supposed to get freezing rain tonite. But its supposed to be 40 degrees and that should take care of any ice.

I will go out later today to check on my 8. I haven't driven it since Friday. But I am realy hesitant about takeing it out.

9-K Rever

msrecant

It's a shame you already sold your Legacy, I might have been interested in it. My wife and I are looking for a used AWD as a third car. She is not happy driving the 8 when her Saturn is in the shop (short person vs RX-8 clutch pedal). I haven't kayaked since I got the 8 (can't bring myself to cartop the yak on my 8) and the RX-8 trailer hitch is only available to the Brits. An now, after trying the 8 on snow/ice, we have a third reason (to avoid winter or all-season tires).

I understand your hesitancy but I was suprised how well the 8 did except when driving on top of snow/ice. My only problem was getting it out of its parking space, on an unplowed street, and out to Brook Road. On the main roads and Interstate it did fine. The parking lot at work, which was about 1/2" of packed snow/ice, was a small challange. Being flat I was able to deal with it but I was very careful.

Good luck! Be careful!

10KRever

I think when my wife gets a new suv we will get the g class its really nice and you can get an amg version so i dont lose to much performance. Me and my wife are both tired of our lexus's and i really need something more practical than my 8 and my sc430 so i might get either an ls430 or a cl65 or s65 to replace the lexus and keep the rx8 as a weekend car. Then ill get her an suv maybe an m class or something that size the fx45 would be really nice.

9-K Rever

Msrecant- I had a 2001 Black Legacy GT it was great for three years but I had to let it go. What you might consider is checking out the deals Subaru has on its 2003 model line, they still have the 0% financing deals on those models cuz the new lines are coming out for 05. I say pick yourself up a N/A Imprezza or Legacy and you will be good to go.

10K Rever- I think you should seriously consider the new Turbo Legacy. 2.5 liter engine AWD 250Bhp and 250lb feet of tourque. It will be faster than your 8.

I would realy like one. It will be more practical then your Lexuses and cheaper with great performance.

Check out the website.

http://www.need-desire.com/main.html

10KRever

Its a nice car but i dont think it will be nicer or more practical than the lx470 which is basically a land cruiser. I just want my wife to get a smaller easier on gas suv that lexus cost nearly 70k and gets 13 mpg thats crazy. And shes looking at the qx56 and the H2 shes does like her expensive vehicles. She might just get a car since that will be easier on gas. She like the new a8 and thats available with awd.

10KRever

Or maybe we can get a porche cayenne and i can trade my sc430 in for an ls430.

Hanzo

Don't get a Cayenne, very much over priced.

9-K Rever

I would stay away from audi..We have two in the family, a A8 and a S8...the S8 is the only one worth buying and I think that might be a bit too much for your wife...

If you are in the "Money is no object catagory" then you have a lot of options... If you were in the best bang for the buck catagory there are options too.

If you want the best SUV out there, and will out run a 8, a 350 Z and give the Porche Chyenne a work out getting from 0-60 then you want to the Turbo Forester..

But, to me you seem pretty image concious..so mabey thats not what you had in mind.

I would say get the FX45 if you want a great LUXO SUV..

10KRever

My wife really likes expensive vehicles mostly because her family was loaded. I mean she got her liscence when she turned 16 which was in 93 her parents bought her a brand new 300zx convertible totaled it a year later and got another one. Dad spoiled her and so will i so she will get a cayenne ill get an ls430 and keep the rx8 for the weekends until thae new rx7 comes out.

9-K Rever

Sounds like a plan then!

Not to thrilled with the Cayenne though...but then again..I am not a SUV person.

Its also the look of Cayenne..its just too subdued.. It tries to be a SUV but keep the Porshe DNA....it doesn't work well..

But, Turbo Boxer Engines are fun to drive, and well ballanced.

(That could be a plug for Subaru but I will leave it up to you guys to figure it out..)

I see your wife has lot in common with my sister..My dad bought her a 2002 Trailblazer LTZ for a graduation present...paid in full..

I got NADA...but I did get to go to school in Japan..so mabey I can't complain..

Hanzo

You are all spoiled, lol. :D

10KRever

Her moms a doctor who runs her own clinic and her dad owns a lawfirm. They did give us 50,000 to get our first house which was nice but they live in a 2 million dollar home in reeeds landing while we live in a ho hum 500,000 dollar home in bexley west.

9-K Rever

Oh...looks who's talking...MR. I HAD A NEW 240 WHILE I WAS STILL IN SCHOOL...

Hehehee....sorry Hanzo..

10KRever

My first car was brand new in 91 when i turn 16 i got a 91 corolla gts coupe i hated it so my dad bought me a celica all trac turbo that was a nice car. But it cant hold a candle to a zx convertible.

9-K Rever

Hey! What did you do with that All TRAC?

9-K Rever

I TOLD YOU YOU HAVE TOYOTA IN YOUR BLOOD!

Please tell me you still have the ALL TRAC

9-K Rever

Hanzo...the 91 GTS wasn't a 4AG was it? Hanzo is the 4AG man..

10KRever

No i kept it when i got out of college i got a good job bought a 97 supra turbo aniversay edition then traded that for the sc430. The alltrac was decent at least it beat driving a corolla gts.

10KRever

Yeah it had a 4ag but that engine suck and i nver see any corolla gts's in this area i guess everyone else thought the same.

9-K Rever

Man, that All Trac could have been the end to my second car worries.... We have a member that comes to the meet who's dad has one...was going to sell it but decided not too..

10KRever

Does he bring the all trac i wouldnt mind having some fond memories. Wait that sounds dumb the corolla and the celica were both loser cars give me a real performer. Like a supra twin turbo if toyota brings back the supra ill buy that but ill keep the rx8.