I didn't say you made a stupid choice. Just an un-bold one.

I apologize for any personal offense, but three years of wanting one, then not doing it...what are we to think?

Ken

 

get a bike, cars are for loosers
did I say that aloud? oh well

 

No worries, no offence taken
I'm waiting on the 16X

OP, one good thing with owning a high maintenance sports car: you get to learn about cars VERY VERY quick compared to the average driver. Simply because your car will constant require in-depth attention and not just "does the wiper have water, is there petrol in tank, is there air in tyres"
The knowledge might save you big $$ further down the road in life when you own much more expensive cars.

 

What I fret about when reading such posts is someone who uses every penny to his name to buy a "dream car" and is unprepared for unexpected maintenance. I have a Toyota Solara and the 8, I love them both, but for nearly opposite reasons. The Solara has run 150k miles with exactly one trip to the shop, gets 30+ mpg on the highway, and has added zero workload to my life. I has done exactly what it was supposed to do, get me from A to B with a minimum of fuss and expense. My RX-8 is almost exactly the opposite, but its goals are not the same. It's not a car, it's a hobby, with all the pluses and minuses that entails. For the kind of money you mentioned there are many choices out there (VW GTI, Civic hatch) that will generate 85% of the fun and be much cheaper to run. Even if you're getting 100% of the driving fun with an 8, it won't be fun if you're constantly worried about a $100 set of spark plugs or a $500 set of coils.

 

Been there, done that. My first car, in 1965, was a 1958 Alfa Romeo Guilietta Spyder. A seven year old car in those days would be like a 20 year old car today. Make it an Alfa, and there's some kind of dog year multiplier involved. And that's on top of the customary sports car factor.

Much more intense auto mechanic training than any formal classes would have been. That which does not kill us...

Only needed two engine rebuilds in the three years I had that car. Electrical issues, and a heater that never heated, were actually bigger factors.

Ken

 

I don't understand why you are comparing rx8 AT and accord. I have rx8 auto but it is still fast and fun. I never regret that I bought auto. I drive a lot, 70 miles a day, and mostly local. It will be horrible if It drive 100 miles local with manual everyday. My 8 is 2006 model so it has 212 horse power. I heard taht manual is 240 hp. Accord? 170hp or something and it is just a family sedan. If you want just speed, I recommend Chysler 300C. it's fast.

 

as a first car, get a beater, this will teach you all the things that can only be learn through experience.

i recommend FWD while you work out the simple things, then sell it and get like a 240SX to get use to RWD, finally, get an 8, hopefully the 16 x will be out then =) enjoy.

 

Try racing an Accord 3.5L V6 from a stop, the auto RX-8 is not faster. Did a bit of a wiki:
Accord EX/EX-L V-6 Sedan/Coupe 5AT 271 bhp (202 kW)@6200, 254 lb·ft (344 N·m)@5000
Instead, a 280 hp 3.5-litre V6 will be available in the 2010 Acura TSX.

Yea, the 300C SRT-8 is quick. Goes around a corner like a boat. "and it is just a family sedan". Dude, that's exactly my point. You have a pure sports car that won't outrun an Accord from the lights. I'm just telling the OP what he has to expect before he decides to line up against a 350Z at the lights.

Auto's great in traffic. But a family sedan is even better in traffic.
Manual is great in spirited driving and EVERYONE knows that. I stand firmly by the case that for a pure sports car, especially one focused on handling and driver's feel, an MT is a MUST.

 

You've got guts to own an old Alfa mate. Speaking of which, do they REALLY have those Alfa sparkles that is just magical? If you've watched Top Gear, you'll know what I'm talking about. I've heard from many people including Alfa owners that, although their cars are problematic, they have a special feel to them that outweighs everything.

To jasonrxeight: Yea, we're all pussies compared to bikers lol! One day, one day I'll try one.

 

Averyone has every different opinion. you look you prefer horse power than other things. I guess you have the stereotype that Auto=sedan, Manual=sports car, but it is just your opinion. To me, I really don't understand why people buy Accord V6 or Camry V6. They are made for a customer who looking for a cheap and comfortable car. But V6 models are all above $30,000. If I have that amount of money and looking for a fast sedan, I would buy G37, not accord or camry. Infiniti G37 is family sedan too, but at least it is luxurious. Moreover, hp is not all of the car. I had G35 before rx8 (I lost it 3 weeks ago in an accident and purchased rx8). It was fast, definitely faster than rx8. But it was weak on corners even though it was RWD. G35 is faster than rx8, but other things, rx8 wins! and again, it is just my own opinion

 

No kidding! My first car in 1969 was a 1959 Mercedes 190a with a siezed engine that I bought for $65 (not 6500, not 650, yes $65). I got a Chilton's manual, pulled the engine using a swing set (they made them better back then), did what the manual said, and it eventually ran. The key here is to buy it really cheap.

 

Dude. Read the OP's post. Read EVERY post after that. And then comment. In no way have I decided to start a Camry V6/Accord V6 v.s RX-8 thread. I am merely trying to tell the OP that if he came to look for a fast car in a straight line as many enjoy, he's not going to get it. In fact, he will be slower than Accords. THAT IS MY POINT! Not argue about family sedans. Jeez, I'm sick and tired of people these days that DONT ANSWER THE QUESTION! Stop going off a tangent! Who cares about the G35 or 37, this is RX-8 board. And if you are going to use "you keep talking about the 300ZX" rebuttal, then I'll tell you, I'm using it as an example to show him what owning a high maintenance sports car is like. I don't care if it's your opinion. If you want to talk about other cars, go to the general automotive or lounge area, stop thread jacking this poor soul's thread.
"you look you prefer horse power than other things" Stop judging, you don't even know my full name.

 

I have a 2005 with 35,000 miles on it. Don't worry about the flooding engine problem you will learn to listen to your engine when you first start it for the day and just don't cut it off until your rpm's come down. I do change my oil every 3,000 miles. It does drain the gas tank very fast and go through tires. I replaced my original tires @ 21,000 miles. Any my pull tire (rear right) needs to be replaced after 10,000 miles. I absolutely love driving my RX8 !!!

 

Thanks Daryn, that's actually gave me a little confidence. The engine will not flood as long as I take good care of it. How long you have own your RX-8? and you never had any problem with other parts.

 

I don't know about getting a 240SX because I have driven one before and I wasn't that hard to drive a RWD car. The thing I concern the most is about the 8 engine, bcoz of the engine flooded issues and the cold weather will affect the engine sometimes. And also a lot of complain about it has to be towed back to the dealer for repair. After everyone here been helping me for giving me some good advice and suggestions made me understood more about this car. So I will not have a lot of problem with this car if I know what I need to do and keep it maintenance when is needed.

 

the reason why i say to go for a 240sx 1st is so that you don't wreck the 8.

purely out of experience, i've picked up some habit to drive faster while in a FWD configuration, and if i use the same techniques on a RWD (which i did out of habit) i spun out.

i also have many tiny bump/scratches which i think can only be really learn from driving, which unless you like denting/scratching up your new rx-8, i'd do it to a beater then get rid of it. I would get and drive a manual 240sx for about a year and get an rx8 after that.

can't wait for yo to join the family.

 

You are not catching my point EITHER. What I want to say is even though rx8 is slower than camry or accord, it is much more fun to drive than family sedan. Speed is not all about the car, that is MY POINT. I am not jacking this thread. You said 8 is slow, and I am saying 8 is slow BUT speed is not all of the car. I talked about G35 to compare with rx8. Didn't you talk about accord and 300ZX to compare with rx8? Who cares about the Accord, this is RX-8 board. Who cares about the 300ZX, this is RX8-board. And I didn't say "you prefer horse power than other things". I said "you look you prefer horse power than other things". You don't know the difference between 'judging' and 'guessing'??? And should I know your full name?

 

I'll ignore that post, theres no point arguing.

Alpherd, I do suggest you learn in a cheap RWD car first, like the 240SX. A RWD and FWD car may seem similar around town, but during spirited, slightly fast driving, the characteristics of the car changes drastically. We just don't want to see you accidently damage your beloved RX-8.

 

Yep...there was a sparkle. Even Porsche owners (who were really snobby back then) considered Alfas to be special.

The Camry debate in this thread got pretty entertaining. Camry does have a bigger trunk and a more comfortable back seat than the RX-8. As the father of a girl, though, I would encourage any teenage boy to buy a car like the 8 with a tiny divided back seat, or (better yet) a two seater.

Ken

 

the 8 isn't that difficult to drive. This is my first sports car ever, I've had it since June. I do alot of crazy stuff and its very forgiving because it is so good at what it does.

No experience needed I think. I've had it doing autoX without issues.

I honestly think, that if you've never owned a sports car, this is a great car to start with. It's not the fastest, it's not the most powerful, but you'll get a wonderful feel for what a car can really do when you push it to the limit and the car just keeps on going.

 

I bought my RX8 in Oct. 2005 brand new. I've had to buy a new battery & new tires. My passenger tail light now has water & condensation in it which I plan to change the gasket which I found on Ebay for 42.00. The dealer told me that I would have to replace the entire tail light for $340. This car is a blast to drive! It still feels new to me it's so fun. It does go through gas, oil & tires. I drive 200 miles on a tank. But it is what it is.....a sports car & that's why I drive it. Not to mention that I'm a petite female....so it fits me! I might get a lot of replies for saying this but car's have genders & the RX8's belongs to women!

 

autox is the key, feel free to get it as 1st SPORTS car if you promise to go to autox event 1st to learn the characteristic of this car 1st.



as a 1st car, no.

 

Must get myself an Alfa one day then. And yes I know EXACTLY where you're coming from with the two seater comment lol. I had a 1992 Nissan Serena, the 2nd row of seats would lie flat, and so would the third, which in effect made 3/4 of the car a bed. It had full electronic curtains and a suspension that wouldn't budge up or down
Bear in mind though, I somehow managed to do it in the Z32. Boys can get very creative.

 

Uh, yeah ... a gf and I managed to do it at a 4-way-stop sign .... the driver of the car who waited the whole time for his turn to go, didn't seem to mind.