Mid-life crisis is a myth and is created by shrinks as a justification for their fees in a psycho-therapy session. In some countries, it never ever happen.

But, for those who believe in it, I can't think of a better car for it than the RX-8. Its exhilerating handling is more than thrilling. The sound of the engine above 5K RPM is simply well tuned for my ears. And, the styling turns heads ... still.

There's a competitior: Honda S2000, if you like a convertible. I don't so I picked the RX-8.

Of course, the ultimate mid-life crisis car is still a brand new Corvette. Nothing gets the blood pumping more than the C6.

 

glassetcher

I'm 54. This has been the best thing that I've ever done. It has changed my life for ever. My first one got totaled because I got smart took a turn too fast. At which time I became very familiar with the RX-8 club, that is the second best thing (wife and kids excluded). The third best thing is when I started getting together with the GA RX-8 Club gang. I am very sincere when I say, it is the best group of friends I've ever had. Now, here comes the really important part... Learning how to drive this puppy made it even better as our group frequents HPDE (High Performance Driving Events) on road courses in the South East. I didn't think my wife would go for it but she has been receptive I think because of my attitude adjustment. She doesn’t mind riding but she’s a bit afraid to drive it. After a spirited drive in the North Georgia Mountains, I’ve never been able to get her back up there with me again.

I would probably enjoy a CLTypeS, S2K, M3, 350Z, Z06, Miata or any other sports car but there is something about the RX-8 that's just special... RENESIS Rotary Engine! It's a way of life and a dedication to a love that once in the blood, always in the blood. The kind of dedication that when someone says something like... "That damn car uses oil, don't it?" and you proudly nod your head.

Now to answer your question... "how you did it"

I was in the market for several months. I test drove all the cars in my desire list. I always reported back to the wife and included her in on what I was thinking. Sports car means 2 seater so I knew it was going to be a hard sale. The RX-8 was not on list. I had test driven all the cars but the 350Z and G35. So I went by the Nissan dealer, fell in love with a car and asked to test drive it. They said no! No one drives the Z's. That pissed me off and I headed over to the Infinity dealer. As I passed by the Mazda dealer on the way I told my son, let's check out the Miata. Drove it and didn't like it. As I was leaving the dealer, the salesman insisted I drive the 8... >me thinks< too expensive and powerful. I test drove it and I knew before I left the lot that this was it. Never made it to the infinity dealer.

Now to sell the wife... Honey, I found my car, It's a really cool 4 door! It'll be a great commuter! Here's a brochure (opened to the 4 open doors). Look how much room. It has a really small engine, 1.3 liter, it's about this big (hands about 2 foot apart). It's a 6 speed so it should get pretty good gas mileage. I actually believed that! Never drove it home to show until after I adopted my baby.

ZoomZoom!

EDIT!
LOL, I just noticed I posted on this earlier in the year! Dang, not paying too much attention! Had another birthday since then. Guess oldtimers disease is setting in!

 

Threaten her with a new mini-van.......

 

54 here (well, technically already in my 55th year). Been very much enjoying my '05 Shinka for six months now. It really is fun to drive every time I'm behind the wheel.
My wife innately understood that this was my empty nest, mid-life crisis, and helped me get the deal. But then, I've kept her in a Lexus for years while I drove a practical Jeep (and will still for the Winter), so I was kinda due.

 

Only 52 as I enter my crisis, ours is due in next month and better yet, the misses can't wait to drive it too.

 

for me, its not a mid-life crisis at all......
its more like a new found financial freedom with the boys out of college....so now its my time.....no more college tuition....i can afford the SUV and the sports car....

 

I'm 53, but it's not a mid-life crisis thing for me, either—I had a new Fiat X1-9 when I was 27. (Both fun cars, but when it's very cold, I like the way the door handle doesn't break off in your hand in the 8.)

 

53 here. I traded in my 03 Passat for the 06 RX-8. My daughter, now married, moaned when I told her I traded in the Passat, cause she liked it, but when I drove over the 8, she was floored and told me it was a good move.

Many of my friends ask me if it is a mid-life crisis. I tell them no, it is a mid-wife crisis.

My girlfriend is in her 40's and is the one that suggested I get the 8. I had an RX-3 in the 70's and like the rotory engine but never got anything I really wanted until now. Always buying something suitible for the wife (did I say I am divorced?) or something for work.

I go to dinner with an older couple (mid 70s) quite often and the first thing the Mrs. did was climb in the back and stated that she could even get in and out of the back seat! (I am sure some of you jokers can make fun of that one.) They really like the looks of the 8, so do I.

I had one lady friend of mine tell me that it was a good car for me, kind of smooth. I don't know if that is good or bad!

 

52 now and the 8 is coming up on the 3rd anniversary in a few weeks. My wife tells people that the 8 is my midlife crisis car and for three years I have been telling her that she'll know when the midlife crisis car shows up. The 8 is definitely not my midlife crisis car. To me, a midlife crisis car is one that allows me to relive my youth, literally. Have actually been shopping for a late 60's muscle car for a couple of months now. When her Lexus is out in the driveway and the new 37 year old machine is in the garage she will know that midlife has officially arrived.

 

Only 36 here but just wanted to comment on safety. The 8 is very safe. I wouldn't put my 3 1/2 year old son and 10 month old daughter in the back if it wasn't.

With buying an 04 just make sure all the recalls have been done which they should have been if you bought from a dealer. And post some pics!

Didn't read the whole thread but I hope the salesman or someone here went over flooding and cold start/stop with you as well as oil usuage.

 

I'm 60 - just retired from Air Guard, Lab, etc. bought the 8 for mom (94)-
If you get a moon roof your wife cannot feel confined - windows give feeling of big spaces and ride is very comfortable! This car has a lot of safety factors, and the more you use it the more it grows on you - I kept my 323 and use it for chores - the difference is so amazing - if you get an 8 and keep it maintained you are just going to love it and Mom claims it reverses aging!

 

"bump"

I think it's time to bring this one to the top again. I'll bet there are a lot of 40+ potential '8 owners out there lurking and trying to make a decision about purchasing their dream car. It helped me tremendously three years ago, and BTW, it's a fun read!

Zoom, Zoom!

 

haha, good thread erection.

 

I'll be 47 in a few months, and I barely tolerated my last car (an Acura TSX). I bought my wife an RDX, so she had nothing to say when she heard I was getting a red 8.

 

I'm soon to be 49 (In April), I had a perfectly good Acura TL (6 Speed) with 91,000 miles on it and < 1 yrs. worth of payments on it. I have always been a corvette nut but feel the shifter is a bit clunky and the interior is cheap not to mention way too high used prices from dealers. I hinted to the wife if I could get a sports car for about the same monthly payment I had on the TL I was going to trade it in and buy one.

I looked at the 350Z and tried to make a deal on several with the dealers not wanting to get real serious with any affordable options, I had almost said forget it, then I saw a used RX8 and took it for a drive and loved it, more comfortable than the Z and much more better over rough roads. I went to a Mazda dealer to see what they had and they were supposedly close to getting a used 06 in on a trade. A week later they found an 07 with 4700 miles on it, GT package etc. I drove it I bought it, the wife did not sit in it until I bought it home, she's OK with it but liked my TL better, my youngest son hasn't even sat in it yet, he's peeved I dumped the TL as well.

After years and years of spending money on everyone else I said screw it, if they don't like it "Tough", the car is my daily driver and it makes me happy...period, the wife was shocked when I easily fit our groceries in the trunk with no problem so she is warming up to it a bit. My 87 year old Dad loves how it looks, good enough for me. You only go around the block once, at least enjoy the drive, most fun since my late 70's Fiat X19 sports coupe.

 

I'm 60 and I pre-ordered mine in early 2003. It's just my seventh rotary. I bought my first in '71 when they came out. It's been a great car and I'm looking forward to my next when the 16X comes out. Now that I'm retired I don't drive as much and only have 34K on it. If I was still working I'd have way over 100K by now. I feel most people my age think mid-life but I know its just the next Rotary that I have to have! Pushing the red line every chance I get. The horse power, gas mileage and handling have improved on every one I get.

 

I'll be 50 on my next birthday. My first rotary was an '80 RX-7 purchased new in late '79. Had to sell it to become a responsible member of society, have a family, pay-off a mortgage, you know the drill. So my 8 was a long time in coming. Had it about a year now. It's the most fun thing I've ever purchased in my life. I even like it more than that old 7- and that was a pretty remarkable car in it's day- but the 8 is much more refined. Besides family and friends, nothing has ever given me as much pleasure and satisfaction as my RX-8.

 

I'm 50 and 9 months

I've had the RX-8 for 4 years and 2 months with 32,000 miles on it. Love it!

While my dear wife loves the car ... and knows how to drive a standard, she has yet to ask to drive it.

Man, I love that woman.

 

I'm 46. My wife and I decided to purchase a sports car, in which we have NEVER owned before. Lots of minivans and station wagons revolving around the "KIDS".
So many ask the question WHY??? UMMMM BECAUSE WE CAN!!! We are both in our 20's at heart and after looking at all the sports cars out there, nothing appealed to us at all except the RX8...Its everything we wanted in a sports car. Purchased off the showroom floor.. 2007 velocity red GT. on 2-1-08. I never test drove the car, but let my wife do it instead and thats all it took. 6 speed manual
trans........ For valentines day she bought me a cobra radar detector which we both consider a necessity when getting behind the wheel of this sweet ride!!
So what do the neighbors think??? Who cares!! Thisn is the best car on the road today in our book....Money was absolutely no option and this was our choice!!! No regrets!

 

It does my heart good to see this thread up and running again. We young at heart geezers have to show we're not ready for the barn yard yet!!

Zoom, Zoom!

 

I've got a list going of members over age 40, located in the Lounge. Post your age on that thread and I'll add you to the list.

 

Its easier to ask for forgiveness the to ask permission! Buy it now before she just flat out says no.

 

Johnnyrx88, welcome to the club. Great first post. What part of FL you from?

 

I am 62 and 6'4" and love my 8. My wife has a Dodge Intrepid that she loves. My 8 is mine and her car is 75% hers and 25% mine (I do all the driving on trips (we use her car to visit the grandkids and need room for 5).)

The only complaint from my wife is when I turn a little harder than she like or other "fun". (She sometimes causes my right arm to hurt when she hits me).

I hate all the bad comment that some post. Nothing is perfect. But also nothing puts a smile on my face like my 8!!! Anyone that complains about no low end need to learn how to shift - also probably never drove a old RX2,3,7, VW bug.

 

I am 52 and love the 8. I had 2 Miata's before and my wife never really liked them. Her hair always got messed up and it was hard for her to smoke. Not enough room on trips especially if she wanted to buy something to bring back. Not enough room honey! I looked at the 8 when I bought my last Miata but never test drove it. (mistake) A year after buying that Miata I traded it in for an 8 and wow it handles as good but with much more than the Miata can offer and now the wife is happy too. She knows how to drive a stick but has her TSX auto to drive, doesn't care to drive it. Always telling me I'm driving too fast or giving her whip lash.

Like doing my own work on the car and adding stuff to make it mine, thanks to the many fine folks on this forum.