I'm looking for some unbiased opinion knowing fully well that this is a RX8 forum. I looking to get one or the other in the next few days, details on the cars are as follows

2005 RX8 GT WWP
16k miles
No accidents
Called Mazda and all the recalls have been done

2008 Altima Coupe 3.5 black
27k miles
No accidents

Thanks in advance

 

the rx8 is a true sports car the altima is well an altima with 2 less doors ... handles like an altime rides like an altima its ... an altima ... and trust me im not being biased its just a fact theyre 2 very different cars you should pick based on what you want and need right now ...

 

Thanks for the input. Im not sure if they're that different. Both are coupes, both have rear seats, both are front engine and have roughly the same power (~30hp). The biggest difference imo is that the Altima is FWD

 

The altima is not even close to the same comparison. It will not even compare to the handling capabilities of the 8 nor is it a sports car to even be in the same class. It's a coupe with a sporty feel to it by making it a coupe, that's it.

If you're even considering comparing the two it's like comparing a conservative vehicle versus a car enthusiast vehicle. If you want a typical coupe looking like you're a business owner or whatever and want good mpg, get the altima.

If you're a gearhead wanting a car you'll love inside and out and are willing to work on it when you need to, love a spirited drive and don't care about mpg's, get the 8.

 

That sort of makes a lot of difference. Also not considered are suspension considerations, stiffness of body, weight, driving feel, target audience, and power-band. I don't know jack about the Altima, but I would honestly believe it is inferior to the 8 in everything except ride comfort.

 

test drive ftw

 

Ya will second that the cars are nothing alike. You could get even more technical with the difference considering the RX8 is not a 2-door coupe. But really, the cars are massively different. on on side you have a big v-6 crammed in the front of a pedestrian coupe that was never meant for the track. On the other hand you have a rotary powered, RWD, specifically engineered sports car, that is just trying to fool people with its extra doors and rear seats. A closer comparison with same 3.5 V6 in question would be the 350z, but even then the handling of the RX8 is going to be much more precise than the muscle car feel of the 350.

You are either looking for a sports car, or a "im pretending to be a sportscar". The RX8 being the former, and any v6 wrong wheel drive coupe being the latter.

 

Just based on that statement im going to say go with the Altima...

 

Whoa. I take that back, they arent anything the same then :p

I spoke to a friend and he said the same thing. FWD < RWD any day. He also mentioned that it would be sooner rather than later that I'm going to get tired of the Altima compared to the RX8. I've taken both for a test drive and the best thing I liked about the 8 was the seats. I know it sounds strange but it felt very welcoming unlike the altima's

 

The Altima will be a zillion times less demanding of your time and money. I have a 99 Toyota Solara as well as the 8. I love both, but for almost completely opposite reasons.

 

you've driven both and the best thing you liked about the 8 were the seats? do you know what kind of engine the rx-8 has? i'm not trying to be mean or a jerk, but if the immediate answer is "no," then it'd be a worthy time investment to read some faq's on this forum. the 8 and altima are worlds apart. they're similar in the sense that they have 4 wheels and can seat 4 people, that's about it. the 8 is a nice and practical sports car, but it's more quirky and high maintenance than your average driving appliance, which is what the altima is. if you're not into taking care of a car yourself and are just looking for a decent-looking coupe as a daily driver, the altima might be a better bet. the best aspects of the rx-8, imho, are the engine and driving dynamics; if those aspects are worth the care this car needs to you, then by all means join the club

 

YEs please test drive before you even try and compare these two cars... hoursepower is everything... 8s light, handles like you would never believe, and probably has more torque as well (im not positive on that because i would never buy an altima so ive never cared to look).

You cannot compare these 2 cars in the least bit.... ones a sports car and the other is a grandpa DD

I have an 05 wwp and i love it, but maybe the altima is for you. the rx8 is for an enthusiast and someone who really cares about cars because if not taken care of properly they are easily broken and cost a pretty penny to repair, so if you go with 8 dnt skip out on a warranty (if its from a dealer), if not and if it doesnt have a pre existing warranty then youlll still hvae the 8 year 100k mile warranty on the engine in case that fails, Mazda will drop a new on in for free

 

^+1...

the seats... what about the sound the engine makes that youve never heard in any other car? or the way it sticks to a corner? the way it jumps off the line?? nothing?? ugh.... honest opinion is you should get the altima... not trying to be a dousche but to be honest it doesnt seem like u know enought to keep the 8 running right and you will just end up pissed because **** keeps breaking on you

 

but if you do go for the 8 dont buy one yet... you need to do some research on these cars and their Rotary engines before you spend the money

 

I have read most of the faqs on this forum and I used to own a 88 RX7 Turbo II so I do know what I'm getting into. I've researched the flooding issues, the oil consumption, the fuel mpg, the different models and colors. This will be more of a toy than a daily driver. I'd like to think that I know more about cars and their maintance compared to the average joe.

 

^ +1 or you will regret it later you need to take care of the 8 for it to take care of you ...

 

If you want a true sportscar with some sport coup features like rear doors and back seat, get the RX8. The Z370 is nissans sportscar not the altima. The mazda 6 is the car you should be comparing to. Also the accord. Leave the rx8 alone. You don't get it.

 

What do YOU want?

Are you looking more for a track car, or more for a nice open-road cruiser family car?

If you want a track car, you would compare the RX-8, 370Z, 350Z, S2000, etc.
(Group "A" cars)

If you want a nice no-nonsense cruiser with plenty of power and relatively good mpg you would compare the Altima, Camry, Accord, etc.
(Group "B" cars)

There's a tremendous gap in performance between Group "A" and Group "B".
Maybe not in straight line speed, but definitely in road-handling, steering feel, braking, cornering, etc.

 

Well he says hes read the faqs and he owned a turbo 7 before too.

But i mean to compare and altima to an 8 is rediculous, if you feel confident in rotary then go for the 8, especially if this is a toy... an altima is your grandpas daily driver not a toy at all...

 

GET THE RX8

you say you're looking for a toy, well no one likes a boring toy!
rx8 is your car.

 

Get the Altima, you will be happier over the long run.

 

What is it with altimas and mazimas that make people compare them to and think that they're sports cars. I had a v8 cutlass at one point and with some work, it was fast. It surely wasn't a sports car, and i wouldn't have compared it to my dad's vette. These two cars just don't compare as stated before. As a former rotary owner, you shouldn't buy the 8 unless you love it. You shouldn't buy the Altima period.

 

I would love to see an Altima try to keep up with an RX8 on a track or any sort of performance driving. Seriously dude, numbers aren't everything. They make look similar on paper but that's where it ends. The RX8 is much more of a performance car so if they both have the same number of seats, doors, boot space, whatever i think the choice is pretty easy but i'm sure the Altima gets better gas mileage and is easier to maintain. So if you care about those two things, i guess you could still consider the Altima. But for me the choice would be easy -- RX8.

 

Altima is more like a handburger, easy to handle
RX-8 is more of a steak, delicious, but hard to handle

 

I handle a steak just fine.

BTW, i have had some burgers that are not easy to handle.