I cannot tell you what to do but..

I would NEVER buy a mustang over and 8 no matter what the circumstances..

 

Why does one need a hot car ever?

OP: Buy whatever feels right to you when you drive it and when you look at it. The vehicle you choose is going to cost a fair bit of money no matter what you do, so make sure you get the most enjoyment out of it possible.

There are three concerns you need to focus on:

1. Budget. Run the numbers for your weekly commute, know how far you're going to drive and in what conditions (highway vs city), compute the gas costs. Make sure you can make the payments and make sure you have enough left over for everything else in your life.

2. Body Style. If you have the financial freedom to be picky, you have to get a car you really like looking at, one that reflects your taste and is as individual or generic as you prefer. Don't buy something that you don't want to look at every day. Remember too that 'ugly' is subjective; ask any Subaru owner. Sometimes function is more important than form, sometimes the other way around.

3. Driving Style. If you're a guy who loves twisty roads, onramps, and long road trips, the RX-8 is a fantastic car choice. It's comfortable and yet handles amazingly well; it's agile and nimble and responds to your input with precision. The Mustang is a very different choice - it will do far better in a straight line, and its higher torque will make it easier to drive in city traffic (assuming you're going manual on both of them).

Both are good options, and there are others to consider too - I don't know where your tastes lie, but you might want to check out the used WRX / EVO market, our arch enemy the 350Z, as well as the Pontiac GTO and the Charger SRT8 on the American side of things.

Test drive as many cars as you possibly can. Who knows what you'll discover? I didn't want to buy an RX-8 until my second test drive, more than a month after my first, when I was more competent with a stickshift and had the opportunity to redline the **** out of it.

 

the RX-8 is more comfortable in the back seat than the Mustang. the mileage isnt that different. have you driven them both? will you be living at school or commuting all the time? are you buying MT or AT?

 

You should wait and get a 2011 Mustang with the V-6

305hp @ 7,000rpm + 30mpg Highway!
Best V6 Ford has made - evar!!

Plus, it starts at around 23k and there's finally an LSD available!
Curb weight of 3,400lb = not too much worse than 350z.

Have your cake and eats it.

Wait until 2015 and buy one used.

 

mustang's mpg is known to fall as time goes (as you make it more powerful)

flip a coin, cause at that moment, your heart knows which side of the coin you want to see face up.

oh and the mustang feels like driving a damn boat.

 

The Rx8 does not require too much maintenance. You can do it.

Mpg: Mustang > Rx8

Rx-8 is more practical for daily use IMO due to 4 doors.

17 years old - Rx8 will be a miracle compared to the mustang insurance wise.
________
CuteHelga

 

yeah insurance will be better on the RX-8 .

read this https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-news-11/truth-about-cars-defense-mazda-rx8-193353/ taking note of Randy Pobsts comments too.

Then try to find ANYONE who talks like that about an 05 mustang. nuff said.

BUTTTT if the RX-8 you're thinking of buying is an AT in in Texas or Vegas or Phoenix someplace HOT etc then just buy the mustang

 

 

This is why.







Or This.







Or maybe this could be the reason why.

 

the 8 is smiling =)

 

Thank you all for your input. I test drove a sport 2009 rx8 (MT)today and it was such an amazing experience. I only sat in the 05 and it felt similar. I'm getting the rx8, point blank. I'm going by my gut extinct and I'm just going to trust it.

Im not lazy so maintaining the car won't be a problem. The gas isn't THAT bad where it's going to alter my decision. I think the experience with it is going to be so kickass!

Thank you all, I don't see why people sit behind the computer on other forums and jack their e-**** to show everyone how hard they can be.. thanks for cooperating.

 

this thread has helped so much. im in the same situation. my mom totaled my impreza and i was stuck between an 8 and a wrx. the scooby cost much more but i heard about a few problems w/ 8s so ive lurked the forums for a week or so. thankfully, by listening to jedi54's and john's posts i feel like i will feel confident w/ an 8 and i look forward to next week to get one.

 

Just remember, The car will convince you to buy it when you drive it, we will be here if it needs a bit of a tune up.

 

Buying a V6 version of a Muscle Car model is like getting a Porsche Boxer, just ain't the real thing.

 

I love reading these threads. . .

If you're looking for a US built RX8 Competitor, (built in '05) the mustang is pretty much it. . .

I ran into this in my search: 4 seats, RWD, 200+HP, . . . what does the US offer? (Again, in '05)

I wouldn't get a nice car for college unless you're living at home or commuting. If you're living on campus, your car is going to sit in some distant parking lot where you won't check on it between tuesday and friday. It'll get exposed to the elements, and everyone else college beater, your car might be the road trip car with drunk friends puking in the back or whatever. . .

Again, just my thoughts as at 26. And if MPG is important to you, neither of these cars place much value on MPG.

But hey, if you've narrowed it down to these two cars: Fun > Practicality... Get the 8. . . its more fun. Exclusive, different, a more complete drivers package.

 

^-- did you drive the mustang? cause i did, and it was.. craptastic =/

 

DON'T LISTEN TO JEDI!

You are required to wash and wax your RX8 once a week just like a harley.


If you are looking at a V8 Mustang... they get around 15 Mpg in the city.

Get another car for college, something that gets good milelage like a 4 cylinder Cobalt.