Introduction, Intentions, Etc.
06-25-2021, 12:07 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Ponchatoula, Louisiana
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Introduction, Intentions, Etc.
Hello everyone,
First, I just wanted to say, I'm super excited to have joined with the wealth of information that this community has. I've been doing ALOT of reading over the last 2 days and will continue to do so going forward. It certainly can be a lot to take in initially, but I feel that I at least have a basic understanding of what ownership would entail, and how to go about treating the 8 day to day.
With that being said, I currently do not own an 8, and more than likely will not for another maybe, 6 months, possibly longer. I have a new job starting in July, and will be able to save a good bit of money considering my monthly expenses are quite low. Reading up ahead of purchase, I figure to have a budget of $6-$7k bare minimum, with an additional $1-$2k set aside for additional parts, service, and just anything else that may pop up, or just be needed in general. I also figure to have money set aside for the 8 in general going forward after purchase and the initial $1-$2k on the side, just because after reading, this is a car that needs the owner to have money set aside and designated for the multitude of things that could pop up during ownership. Its better to be prepared and realistic than to simply think everything is gonna work out and simply hope it does.
As far as myself, I live in Hammond, Louisiana which is about 45 minutes east of Baton Rouge and about an hour north of New Orleans. I'm hoping to find some 8 owners close to me in southeast Louisiana so that I can get to know others in the community in my own backyard, and also meet up, actually get to see these cars up close and personal, just ask questions and see how others run and have their 8's set up, the usual. My biggest concern for owning an 8 in south east Louisiana is going to be keeping the heat down during the hot summer months, so I'll probably be spending a lot of my time reading up on that specifically.
As for myself, this will be a 2nd car. I own a daily driver, a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, 4 speed automatic, and it has been the definition of reliable for me since I was 18, I'm 26 now. Never left me stranded, never had an issue with it other than the A/C going out, which I found out is more common than one would think on that generation of Eclipse. So that will be about a $1000 fix since I have to bring it to the dealership for that. But, that will be fixed and the car will be given a refresh overall with new parts since, it definitely has deserved it with how reliable it's been all these years.
As for what I want with the 8, I would like to use it to become a better driver. Learning about the driving dynamics of the car, it sounds like a blast to take corners in, and hoon about in/drift. Now, when I say drift, please do not misunderstand me, I have ZERO intentions to turn this car into a drift missile. No. I simply want to learn how to drive the car at it's limits, and be able to throw the tail out from time to time and be able to control it, and enjoy that. I am not looking to strip the car of its interior (and why would I with how great it looks and comfortable it is? Not to mention all the cool little stuff and how the interior was designed). I know this car is not big on horsepower or torque, and I actually want that. It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow, and I'm also someone that knows a slower car is going to do more to teach me how to drive, than a fast car with a lot of horsepower. I want my technique and understanding to be thorough, not simply half-@$$ed and covered up with a high power output. I also am generally inexperienced with driving a manual transmission. About 5 years ago I could competently drive one due to a friend sitting me in his car and spending a few afternoons learning it, but unfortunately, I haven't touched a manual since, much to my disappointment, and I honestly would not want to screw someone's clutch and or transmission up test driving it. Sadly, none of the friends I have that are car enthusiasts own a manual either, so aside from 5 years ago, seat time with a stick shift has been nonexistent. Which sucks, because it was such a joy to learn and drive at the time.
I also am decently mechanically inclined and am looking to do as much work on the car myself, and possibly with my Dad from time to time. The old man used to work on cars with grandpa back in the day, and has been an aircraft mechanic since Vietnam. Needless to say, he knows his way around a machine, and has a ton of tools as well. He doesn't know a thing about rotaries, but, it'll still be a fun experience with him and I know he'd enjoy tinkering on it with me. Plus I doubt the rotary engine would be a hard concept for him to grasp anyway. That man can damn near just look at something and tell how it works lol.
Well, I think I covered everything I wanted to say as an introduction to the community, and to let people here know what my intentions are with looking to purchase an 8, so that there is no confusion there. I look forward to interacting with y'all and I'm happy to be here and look forward to being involved and maybe sometime in the near future meeting up with a few of y'all locally in south east Louisiana.
- Joe
First, I just wanted to say, I'm super excited to have joined with the wealth of information that this community has. I've been doing ALOT of reading over the last 2 days and will continue to do so going forward. It certainly can be a lot to take in initially, but I feel that I at least have a basic understanding of what ownership would entail, and how to go about treating the 8 day to day.
With that being said, I currently do not own an 8, and more than likely will not for another maybe, 6 months, possibly longer. I have a new job starting in July, and will be able to save a good bit of money considering my monthly expenses are quite low. Reading up ahead of purchase, I figure to have a budget of $6-$7k bare minimum, with an additional $1-$2k set aside for additional parts, service, and just anything else that may pop up, or just be needed in general. I also figure to have money set aside for the 8 in general going forward after purchase and the initial $1-$2k on the side, just because after reading, this is a car that needs the owner to have money set aside and designated for the multitude of things that could pop up during ownership. Its better to be prepared and realistic than to simply think everything is gonna work out and simply hope it does.
As far as myself, I live in Hammond, Louisiana which is about 45 minutes east of Baton Rouge and about an hour north of New Orleans. I'm hoping to find some 8 owners close to me in southeast Louisiana so that I can get to know others in the community in my own backyard, and also meet up, actually get to see these cars up close and personal, just ask questions and see how others run and have their 8's set up, the usual. My biggest concern for owning an 8 in south east Louisiana is going to be keeping the heat down during the hot summer months, so I'll probably be spending a lot of my time reading up on that specifically.
As for myself, this will be a 2nd car. I own a daily driver, a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, 4 speed automatic, and it has been the definition of reliable for me since I was 18, I'm 26 now. Never left me stranded, never had an issue with it other than the A/C going out, which I found out is more common than one would think on that generation of Eclipse. So that will be about a $1000 fix since I have to bring it to the dealership for that. But, that will be fixed and the car will be given a refresh overall with new parts since, it definitely has deserved it with how reliable it's been all these years.
As for what I want with the 8, I would like to use it to become a better driver. Learning about the driving dynamics of the car, it sounds like a blast to take corners in, and hoon about in/drift. Now, when I say drift, please do not misunderstand me, I have ZERO intentions to turn this car into a drift missile. No. I simply want to learn how to drive the car at it's limits, and be able to throw the tail out from time to time and be able to control it, and enjoy that. I am not looking to strip the car of its interior (and why would I with how great it looks and comfortable it is? Not to mention all the cool little stuff and how the interior was designed). I know this car is not big on horsepower or torque, and I actually want that. It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow, and I'm also someone that knows a slower car is going to do more to teach me how to drive, than a fast car with a lot of horsepower. I want my technique and understanding to be thorough, not simply half-@$$ed and covered up with a high power output. I also am generally inexperienced with driving a manual transmission. About 5 years ago I could competently drive one due to a friend sitting me in his car and spending a few afternoons learning it, but unfortunately, I haven't touched a manual since, much to my disappointment, and I honestly would not want to screw someone's clutch and or transmission up test driving it. Sadly, none of the friends I have that are car enthusiasts own a manual either, so aside from 5 years ago, seat time with a stick shift has been nonexistent. Which sucks, because it was such a joy to learn and drive at the time.
I also am decently mechanically inclined and am looking to do as much work on the car myself, and possibly with my Dad from time to time. The old man used to work on cars with grandpa back in the day, and has been an aircraft mechanic since Vietnam. Needless to say, he knows his way around a machine, and has a ton of tools as well. He doesn't know a thing about rotaries, but, it'll still be a fun experience with him and I know he'd enjoy tinkering on it with me. Plus I doubt the rotary engine would be a hard concept for him to grasp anyway. That man can damn near just look at something and tell how it works lol.
Well, I think I covered everything I wanted to say as an introduction to the community, and to let people here know what my intentions are with looking to purchase an 8, so that there is no confusion there. I look forward to interacting with y'all and I'm happy to be here and look forward to being involved and maybe sometime in the near future meeting up with a few of y'all locally in south east Louisiana.
- Joe
06-25-2021, 03:11 PM
#2
RX8's make great second cars, so good move there. Welcome to the group. I would recommend finding a decent 8, sorting it out to OEM spec and them go to an HPDE event. This will be the fastest way to up your game. If high limit driving is a dance, you picked the right partner. You will find the RX8 great car to learn and grow with.
As far as reliability, well that is why you have a second car.
Enjoy
As far as reliability, well that is why you have a second car.
Enjoy
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