Are-Ex-Eight

iTrader: (1)

I just bought more parts and accessories and toys for my 8.

I have spent the last 6 weeks test driving other cars and trying to find an "upgrade" to my 2009 CWP GT RX-8.

The upgrade would have to pass the following list of criteria:

1. Be as quick or quicker off the line - not extremely hard to find but not easy. 0-60 in 6.5 or less was a goal.
2. Get as good or better hwy MPG's - I currently get about 20 hwy MPG.
3. Have 4+seats
4. Be "fun" to drive on the country roads I take to work.
5. Look sexy - very subjective I know.
6. Have bluetooth streaming audio (I installed this on my 8) and not just voice for phones.
7. Cost less than $35,000 USD.

Basically I started with a fairly open mind to any make and model and used cars as well. In the end I found one competitor that was just slightly out of the price range. It may still be a viable option if some incentives and deals pop up in the future.

The competitor...the all new BMW X1 xDrive28i. Although only available in automatic the 8 speed gearbox felt amazing when using paddle shifters on the M sport model. The car got surprisingly good gas mileage from the turbo 4 and it was very quick. I also really liked the versatility of the wagon/SAV/CUV whatever you want to call it.

Bottom line is that there isn't much competition to the 8 for the price STILL. I really wish they were still in production with a refresh coming in 2013 or at least would give us some promising news on a future rotary with a defined target date.

I think I'll keep my 8 for now and continue to enjoy her until that X1 deal comes around or my daily commute shrinks from the current 100 miles a day round trip.

FYI: Cars I test drove:

• BMW X1 xDrive28i
• BMW xDrive35i
• 2011 Audi TT
• 2011 BMW 135i
• 2012 Nissan 370z - no back seat but still wanted to drive it again.
• 2012 Nissan Juke AWD SV
• 2012 Camaro SS - Least favorite.
• 2012 Audi A3
• 2013 Scion FR-S - Practically the same feel driving but not as nice interior.
• 2012 Acura RDX and MDX
• 2012 Infinity EX AWD

Also looked a bunch others online and in person but didn't bother with a test drive.

/Endrant.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I did the same thing and for the same reasons.

But I test drove...I think 15 cars over 2 1/2 years (off and on).

Nothing had a better balance of handling, steering feel, braking, back seat useability and ride comfort as a daily driver (stock suspension, not R3) as the 8.

I honestly think I'll own the 8 for 10 years (year 7 now).

Edited to add: I was astonished to discover first hand how much the Acuras went down hill from a driving dynamics, styling and interior quality standpoint so much. I like the older Acuras, and the new ones blow. It was sad.

djfa

iTrader: (3)

You forgot the lancer evo 9 or 10. Looks agressive and is great for auto X

Subaru impreza STI looks like a beast from front and back.

Glad you stayed with the 8 but there are still much better cars out there

godesshunter

The Evo X is a pretty amazing car. I highly suggest you take one for a rip. I was on the fence between that and the RX8. Ultimately I made my choice based on the uniqueness of the 8 and the rarity if the R3. I certainly wouldn't have regretted getting the Evo X though.

The one I drove was with the 6 speed twin clutch paddle shifters. I was never one for the "flappy paddle gear box" But that was before I drove the X with the twin clutch. Shift response was incredible! Like a video game.

I know for a fact If I ever get bored with the 8. The X is my next car.

cpenner

The debate for us was between the STi, the Evo, and the RX8.

Loved the power of the STi, and it handled corners like a hooligan. It felt like the car took the corner, and beat it to a pulp as it went around.

Loved the crispness of the Evo. It cornered like it was on rails. Less of an act of will, and more of a surgical precision cut. The technology took the edge off it.

Loved the handling of the RX8. It felt like I was riding my motorcycle, but staying dry. Add to the fact that it was cheaper to insure than the STi, and could actually get a wheelchair into the trunk (unlike the Evo), and was significantly cheaper to buy - and we had a winner.

As my Impreza RS ages, I'm hoping to replace it with an STi, and have the best of both worlds...

Are-Ex-Eight

iTrader: (1)

The problem for me is I hate Subaru and Mitsubishi with a passion. Even more than I hate ford. Just something I can't shake.

I also agree about Acura. They are not really luxury anymore. Sort of an entry to luxury like Lincoln or Buick although the later Buick models are getting nicer and nicer.

Rotary-RX8

iTrader: (1)

im DYING ..... literally dying to buy an evo x. Of course being on a student budget its very tough. Trying to save save save and save for an evo x. Im really intrigued by them and the power potential they have is just fascinating. Im obsessed with evo 10s lol. I want one so bad.

wannawankel

It comes down to all-around handling - that's where the 8 triumphs.

Slidin8

that right brosef?

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I won't knock the Evo X or the WRX STi. They're both beasts for what they are, and the Evo X, especially, can shame cars that cost 3x as much on the track, so that's impressive (to put it mildly).

The problem comes in when either, but especially the harder edged Evo X, are used as a Daily Driver. They're just too harsh on the broken, rutted concrete that comprises most city streets and highways. Some true hard core fans won't mind the harshness and noise, but the RX-8 literally feels like a Lexus in comparison.

As far as Acura is concerned, the last good ones were 2006 or prior, and even then the TSX or TL were decent by way of front wheel drive competitors. The new Acuras SUCK in every conceivable way.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

EVOS and STI's are for kids. I have friends with both (stuck in boy racer mode) that have owned different gens, no thanks. My 8 is 8 years old and at this point the only thing I would replace it with is a 911 or Cayman R. This is the reason I decided to dump a ton of cash into my aging 8 with a new engine and turbokit. Now that I am tuned I am happy I went this route.

No car payment FTW.

Sugarfree135

iTrader: (1)

That aint no joke lol There are probably at least 80+ sti's in my town of only 10,000 people! probably less than 10 evo's and guess what?? They're all under the age of 25!! Well maybe a few are older but it's ridiculous when there's kids at every school in town with sti's. They have become an epidemic here worse than the honda epidemic that happened after the first F&F came out! lol I've been in love with the 8 since 2007 when I drove my first one. The guy above put it perfectly It's like riding a motorcycle but with windows and doors. It's also unique both in looks and under the hood. I've already had numerous people ask me what kind of car it was and if it was italian lol Pretty much everyone knows what an sti or lancer is. I applaud the cars for what they are and what they can achieve but I'd rather drive and be seen in my r3 anyday than a bug eyed sti

Slidin8

That bug eyed sti are worth good money since they are rarer than the others

rarer cuz they were uglier though................

but they are not ricey at all

Sugarfree135

iTrader: (1)

There are so many around here it makes you puke in your mouth every time you hear the retarded fart exhaust note. It's funny because it's one of the only cars you can tell by sound because it sounds like it's blown the engine lol All jokes aside though like I said I respect the capabilities of said ugly looking and sounding vehicles I just personally think there's a lot better thing to do with your money than buy one, like putting the money in a paper bag and throwing it off the edge of a cliff and that's just coming off the top of my head.

LifeAfterRx8

iTrader: (17)

I was in the same predicament as you.

I loved the 8 ever since I saw the concept version, played Grand Turismo 3 and even that X-men Movie, but it was bothering me that despite the fun factor of the 8, a car with double the horsepower also obtained double the gas mileage. I ended up selling the car and man did I regret it more than anything. I test drove every possible car that even resembled an 8, including an EVO/STI and nothing satisfied me.

I even tried going to the economy car route but I couldn't justify spending money on a car I'd never appreciate. Long story short, I saw an '09 R3 with around 18k miles for $19.5 but car was sold right under me. Found a slightly modded 8 in GA, car sold in a weekend and when I was on vacation in Virginia, a silver, 1 owner, 2007 purchased in 2008 with less than 20k miles on it... sold in a week.

Ended up purchasing an 8 a member on here and was worth it. I don't think there's anything that can replace an 8. It's not the most powerful car in the world and most likely, as a DD you'll never be able to appreciate the handling, but it's such a fun car to drive even cruising in the city at 45-50mph.

Jims5543

iTrader: (1)

Porsche 996 - I spent thousands on my RX7 trying to make the steering fell like a Porsche 911 Steering. At least go test drive one, then you will understand, it will remind you of your 8.


Although, I approve of your current plan, that is what I did years ago with my 7 and I still own it 13 years later. At this point any other car would be a step backwards performance wise.