I bought a 05 RX8 at a pretty good price last wednesday after selling my M3 sedan the same morning. Well, after driving my friend's 04 6spd sport RX8 and my girlfriend's 00 S2000 back to back at autocross today I came to the realization that I probably made the wrong choice. The s2000 felt much more direct and the steering response is immediate.

This being said, is there a chance the dealer would take the car back since it's only 4 days old and has less than 350 miles on it? I already post a feeler thread to sell it but I'm just not really sure right now. I needed a car to get to work as soon as the M3 was gone and the used S2000 market didn't offer too many choices so my decision to buy the RX8 might have been a bit pre-mature.

 

judging from your posts this past week you definetly rushed it.

 

you're going to get raped returning it.

Drop another 6k and get a turbo, you'll quickly get over your blues.

 

Sorry to hear you're not happy with the RX8. All you can do is ask them and see what they'll do for you.

But maybe you need to hear this first...

These are two different kinds of cars. One is a two door two seater, one is a four door four seater. They are in different autocross classes all together.

According to MotorTrend, the 8 is only 3/10 second slower in the 1/4 mile and only 1/10 of a second slower through their slalom test. It's not that big of a difference. Ok, so maybe the 8 doesn't isn't quite as fast or as responsive as the S2000 on the track... the RX8 is far more practical and comfortable and civilized as a daily driver while still being a blast to drive. So you get the best of both worlds.

Besides, you can tighten up the 8's performance. I admit and many agree that the stock suspension on the 8 is a bit soft and is made for the everyday driver - not the track. Try some adjustable sport shocks, stiffer springs, stiffer sways, lower profile R compund tires, and a good alignment.

That should get you the go-cart feeling you're looking for. I (almost) guarantee it.

Oh yeah.. put a turo on it. That should make up for the lack of acceleration and have the S2000 beat in all departments. And you'll still have 4 doors and four seats.

Anyone else concur?

 

There was a recent thread on here that had a video of the s2000 and a mazdaspeed spec rx-8 - the 8 won by several seconds. S2000 really didn't stand a chance.

I don't think you can compare the RX-8 in stock form - add sway bars, coilovers, turbo, etc. and you'll have a beast that costs just a few bucks more than the S2000 and have a lot more performance. The 8 from the dealer is made from every day driving. It's not setup for track use.

 

once you sign the papers and take it off the lot... you lose about 1/4 to 1/3 of the car value. car is already considered used now.

 

I saw that video (it was sick)
I just bought my 8 today!!! and i hope that i never second guess this car...ohh dear i shouldnt have read this lol

 

The two dealerships I've bought from have a 3-day unconditional return policy. My guess is that the "unconditional" part probably has some conditions, but in general I believe it's the real deal. Who would want to go through all that hassle though?

Just to echo what everyone else is saying, get some new sway bars at the very least. From what I've read on here it seems to make quite a difference if you're really looking to improve things in the handling department.

 

You'd have to check state laws to see if you can return a vehicle, but generally you can't unless your loan doesn't go through or the dealer will agree to take it back.

 

Like they said you will get raped returning the car, might as well get some suspension done to get the handling you wanted.

 

Ok... honda or any other car besides honda. Make your choice (while being aware that purple street glow hangs in the balance). I think what best sums it up is the s2000 would be a blast to drive... right until you look down and the H is staring you in the face

 

I have no idea what you just said.

 

.....

*cricket chirps*

 

First, I know that--in California at least--there is no "cooling off" period. The signs are posted all over the dealerships. But anyway, I wouldn't try to talk that guy in to keeping his Rx8. Sounds like he has made up his mind. Besides, I think this car has more enthusiasts than "normal" drivers and you can tell he's just not an Rx8 enthusiast. A car enthusiast maybe, but not an Rx8 enthusiast. While I don't have an Rx8 yet, I know that there will be no other car for me because "back in the day" I desperately wanted a '93 Rx7, but I simply didn't qualify for financing at the time, so I bought a brand-new top-of-the-line Miata which I drove for 12 years until it was T-boned. Loved that car to death. Now I feel with the Rx8 I have a second chance at life to get the Mazda I really wanted in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I MISS my Miata to death.

I already know the Rx8 will fit my bill because I just feel Mazda knows how to make a sportscar. I Ioved the Miata's handling, size, and tight gearbox, but I honestly didn't care for the convertible look and often road with the hardtop on. The Rx8 will give me the rotary I always wanted with similar handling/gearbox I presume. Plus I always had the need to carry more passengers when I had the Miata. The Rx8 will fit that bill too. Plus, I don't necessarily need Rx7-esque performance because even though I love fast cars, the Miata's characteristics made up for any HP shortcomings (and believe me, it wasn't fast).

The bottom line, let him sell his car (granted, it will be at a loss, but at least he'll be happy) and let a real Rx8 enthusiast have his car.

P.S. Anyone want to buy a black '05 Subaru Baja (don't ask!) Turbo manual w/ 17K miles? How about trade for an Rx8 plus cash? I'm in Southern California and I'm completely serious.

 

Alright guys, thanks for all your posts and input. I did plenty of research on the 8 before I bought it, I gues my buying decision was just a bit hasty based on not enough seat time. I'm not at all worried about straight line speed or anything, in fact I find the 8 much easier and torquier to drive than the S on the street.

Also driving my own 8 today it feels a bit tighter and the steering response seems to be better than my friend's 04. I think I'm just going to get an aggressive autocross alignment, some koni yellows and swaybars, change my driving style and enjoy the car. Afterall I got a great deal on it and I'm pleased with the interior and practicality.

 

Hey bro,

From a financial standpoint it makes sense to keep the car, follow me on this:

The deal is done and if you try to sell it (to the dealer or privatly) you will lose money. I saw your earlier thread before you closed it on wanting to sell it back and try to recoup the money you paid for plane tickets to pick it up. That's something you really can't factor into the sale price, from the perspective if I was in the market for your car and you told me that I would just flat out refuse to buy it to help you get plane ticket money.

Sad fact is, whats done is done. Your car is now techincally classified as used, so it has lost a lot of that book value.

Like others have suggested, I would invest in some suspension work, and other performance mods as you see fit. For the amount of money you would lose on a trade-in or private sale, just take that amount from your pocket "invest" it in the car and you should be more then happy with the end result.

While it does sound like you kinda rushed this deal with the RX8 - whats done is done. Unless you want to take a HUGE hit financially (all because of that one magic word "used") I would suggest keeping it and enjoying it - besides 1/2 the fun is taking something that might lack a little performance and fix it up how you like it.

 

Hahah... what im basically saying is: Think of the people you'll be aligning yourself with when you get an s2000. It seems like everyone on this site is pretty respectful and wont lash out using stereotypes but im a little used to nasioc. I'm saying that a honda is a honda and it's hard for me to forget about this
http://www.subiegal.com/images/event...onda-ricer.jpg when someone brings up honda.

 

I don't think I would take a big or any sort of financial hit even if I wanted to sell it privately today. I looked up the KBB and it's considerately ABOVE what I paid for it out the door. But I decided to keep and just daily drive it, gonna look for a miata to go with it as well.

 

For the most part, this car doesn't fall into that category by all. Many, like myself separate it from other Hondas. The name on a car shouldn't make any difference. The car is nothing like any other honda I can assure you of that. If people are effected by that pycholigical BS, then so be it. You can't care what others think about what you drive. If it's about iimage and brand name, and not the actual vehicle itself, then people who feel this way should buy a BMW or Mercedes.

Anyway, with the deal that you got, your best solution is to sell the car privately. Just put it up for sale while you continue to drive it, and take it from there. If you bought the car without thinking it through, just maybe you are wanting to sell the car before thinking it through. You know for next time to take your time. You can't just buy this car because you found a killer deal. Good luck next time.

 

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...rformance.html

 

Before you decide to sell... grab some suspension work... many say excellent things about the mazdaspeed suspension kit (shocks, springs and sway bars). Else try some coilovers... the suspension forum has a lot of good info. If this doesn't do it for you... then I'd look at selling it.

 

See, it's not so bad. It'll grow on you.

In my own opinion, the 8's interior layout is much better than the S2000's, if that makes you feel better.

 

You are correct. however, the S2000 is intentionally made to be that way, so it's really a preference. For daily driving you don't want an S2000, trust me. It can't compete with the rx8 in that category, nor should it, because it's more purpose built. As a daily driver, the slight downgrade in power and handling should never play a role IMO, but if it does, just do soem mods to even it out.

 

damn straight. besides the zoom zoom factor, u also get 2 add'l seats, an actually useable trunk, and bragging rights of having a one-of-a-kind car (rotary engine) that isn't a dime-a-dozen on the roads. and, oh yah- did u see the suicide doors?

 

BMI Rotary Reborn did mention that the 8 had trouble keeping up with pace of the S2000 in the slalom only coz of the softer suspension. Tweak it and I wouldn't be surprised it is on par with the Honda.