Hi all. Today is my birthday and I just turned 16. In NJ, I am to get my permit in about 2 weeks. I have been saving up for a car for about 4 years now and got about 5,000 total, maybe more. My dad agreed he would split even on a car that I wanted, meaning I can go up to 10k.

While looking for cars I spotted the Mazda Rx 8 and immediantly fell in love. Its such a nice car and looks so much more expensive than what it was priced at. The specific model I saw was a 2004 and for only 10,000, (my price range). Can anyone tell me if this car is right for me? Pros, Cons?

PS: While doing some reasearch I found a few things. Apparently inssurance rates go up because of it being a 'sports car'? Is this true? Also, what is the whole 'Rotary Engine' thing about?

Thanks a lot!
Jared

 

Assuming you're not a troll ("what is the whole 'Rotary Engine' thing about?" is a bit much), no this isn't a good choice.

Get something more mainstream. Reearch insurance rates. And, when buying a used car, don't spend your whole budget on the car itself. Hold something back for the inevitable repair...every used car comes with a surprise or two.

Yeah, getting something exotic is very cool, but unless you have a burning passion for it keep in mind that the most important thing at 16 is to have wheels.

Ken

 

Thank you for the reply, I appreciate it. But as for the rotary engine, can you explain to me what it means? Also, I am not completley going all out on the car. Considering it is 10,000, I'd pay 5, my dad would pay 5 and I am still working untill I am 17. That leaves at least 2,000 extra for repairs and etc.

If you still feel the rx8 is not for me, do you have any other reccomendations? I was looking at the Ford Mustang which I think is pretty maintstream. There is also the honda civic, but that's kinda boring to me.

Thanks, Jared

 

My wife is licensed in auto insurance. If you do a search within the forum, you will see that young kids are paying well over a thousand a year on insurance but I want you to check for yourself. If that doesnt bother you than the next thing is that even though it is not too hard to keep up on maintenance, the parts and labor will be very high too. I have an 04 and learned the hard way that the starter for that year is crap. They made an upgrade but its not under warranty. If your starter goes bad, than you may cause flooding which can ruin your coils,plugs, and wires over time if not properly taken care of after a flood. If those go bad than you are even more prone to flooding and eventually your CAT will go bad. The CAT does have a warranty if it meets the mileage requirement.

 

tbh, you really dont want a RWD car with LSD for your first car. an open diff RWD is more suited or even FWD.

 

Well thank you guys for the information and replies, I appreciate them. If the Rx 8 is not what I should really be looking for, what is? Do you guys have any ideas of other cars that are as nice as the rx8 or close to it and do not require much maitn, thanks!

Jared

 

Well, basically any car with status of high performance vehicle is gonna be about the same insurance wise. Depending on the year the car was made and especially if its European will make the parts and labor expensive.
If your hellbent on a newer performance vehcle than just go with the 8 as long as you read up on its maintenance and learn how to take care of a Rotary engine. Just remember at your age, you want to keep out of debt so you have money to play and go out. You always have time to get your dream car once you find a great career in the future.

 

Don't forget about tax on the vehicle as well, will be around $800 for a $10K car.

My first car at 16 was a Honda Accord. All people care about in high school is that you have a car, not what kind of car it is. Trust me, save up your money for down the road. My Accord lasted forever and I only ever changed the oil.

 

It's a Wankel. As in "Piston engine goes boing, boing...Mazda goes Hummmm" Not to be confused with earlier rotaries like the Le Rhone. The Wankel really has to appeal to your inner geek.

Few of us here think there's anything really close the the RX-8 for the money...but you should expect that from a cult of rotorheads.

If you want a sports car that will be trouble-free, consider a Miata. Smaller than the 8, but very popular and as reliable as a Honda.

I disagree with Jason's comment about rear wheel drive with LSD. Having LSD is way better than an open rear end. And FWD is for wusses. If you do decide on an 8, make sure you get one with LSD and DSC.

Ken

 

i dont think the 8 is a good first car due all the attention and maintenance the car requires and also new drivers dont know a bunch of things that you can only learn by driving so i really wouldnt like crashing this car. My first car was civic and you CANT go wrong with one because they are cheap reliabe and about 2 times better on gas than the 8 and if crash it who cares its a $4000 civic and also insurance will be a lot cheaper for it and of course this is just my opinion

 

Open diff is easier for people who dont know how to control an oversteering situation.
imaging this young kid wants to impress his friends going WOT in a corner, open diff just spins the inside tire, with LSD the back steps out and he crashes.

 

I'm almost a decade older than you and have recently (still even lazily) considered buying an RX8. I am not ready. I am not experienced enough, I do not have enough time or money on my hands to deal with the potential dangers of owning an 8. I'm going with a Mazda3; 30mpg, 70k miles for 5.5k cash. If you did something similar, you would have 3k left over to buy paintball guns, iphones, cool clothes, etc, etc. NEVER put all your money into one thing, especially a car, especially a sports car and especially at your age.

 

alright. i'm 17. if you're not familiar with rotary engine do more research. at a 10k price range you might be looking at a higher mileage rx8. So that being said dont get it from a dealer. Try getting it from a private seller. Be aware of how the previous owner took care of the car. If the engine wasn't properly taken care, if he/she didnt keep up with oil changes, etc. you could be in for some headaches. As previously said, the rx8 isn't the greatest on gas. Especially since i'm assuming it'll be your daily driver, be prepared to fill up every week on premium gas. Not always fun, but hey the car is really fun to drive. If you're not a car junkie or are not willing to keep the car properly maintained get yourself a civic. If you don't know how to drive stick, once again get a civic. Probably one of the easier cars to learn on. I'm currently debating selling my 8. I had so many plans for this car, but with gas and my current salary there just isn't enough money to put on all the things i wanted to. All i have done is tinted side markers, AEM cold air intake, kenwood dnx5120 touchscreen nav, alpine amp, and two 10" kickers. Insurance wise i'm at about $600 every 6 months. So over a thousand a year. Insurance covers it as a 4door, but it being a sport car it is a bit higher. Think hard about this. I'd suggest getting a civic. Or what i might end up doing and get a mazda3. Leave the 8 for later on in life. If i do sell i'm planning on getting an 8 again and having it as my weekend car. It'll be my own reward for being a civil engineer. I'm pretty sure they'll be around considering there's still rx7's that show up at car meets and such. But all in all, do your research. Read up on these forums. They have A LOT of information. I was on here just reading and reading for about a year or so before i actually got it. This car is basically my dream car. But sometimes the best things in life shouldnt be rushed. Take care of it it'll last you long. But yeah, read up on these forums there's more than enough information on here to read on BEFORE you get an rx8.

 

there really isnt any "dangers." Just the 8 you buy from, make sure it was well taken care of. Most people that complain about the rx8 didn't take good care of it. Like letting it warm up before use. Revving to 3-5k before turning off to prevent flooding, little things like that. These rotaries are great engines and give the 8 amazing handling. But like you i'm looking at mazda3's and just might let go of my 8 and buy when i have more money leftover to spend on desired mods. alright i'm done talking for now. xD

 

^ I believe he was ment ones easy ablilty to get into some bad situations due to driver inexpeiriece, with a car like the 8, not specificly the car.


OP, Buy a Miata.

 

lol i got my rx8 when i turned 16 about 8 months ago, and ive been able to take care of it with minimal help, including a few tasteful mods so far thanks to AngelJoelV, but i i guess being a huge car enthusiast gave me a slight boost.

If you are willing to give up some of your life to your car, and pay for the gas it eats, i say go for it.

Before i bought my 8, i made sure i knew everything possible about it inside and out. Do research, and be prepared to spend a ton on gas.

To me it was completely worth it, you cant get a nicer decently priced ride like this, maintenance aside.
Btw, i bought mine for 10k out the door, 04 manual with 58k miles, sunroof etc. I actually bought it without knowing how to drive stick and taught myself within hours. Trust me get it in stick, you wont get the full enjoyment out of the car unless you do.
Good luck, hope this gives you some encouragement.

(P.S, youre only getting your permit at 16? that blows i got my license then.)

 

I agree with getting a Miata.

1. It has reasonably good MPG
2. Not much slower than a RX-8
3. It is autoX, trackable
4. It is a good platform to learn performance driving
5. Its sexy in its own way
6. Its a convertible
7. One of the cheapest best handling sports car
8. Gals dig it
9. When you get bored, stick a Renesis in it.
10. Please drive safely and stay alive so you can own your dream car in the future

 

yeah pretty much what he said as well. If you're learning on the 8, don't let the car turn off on you too much because it could potentially be bad for your engine. but if you decide to go rx8... get manual. trust me. i was considering auto. almost jumped on a auto rx8 only because it was a good deal. but i'm glad i didnt. best of luck.

 

heres what you should do. buy a $1000 dollar car. Use your time to learn to drive first. you should never have a car you don't want to hurt if you havn't been on the road for a couple years. It will allow you to tear it up, work on it, play with maint and changing oil. That way if something does happen you won't be upset you messed up a car you worked hard to buy. Give yourself the chance to learn first on something that won't hurt your budget or feelings.

 

Wow, I am very happy with all the responses I recieved. Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate it. I did not actually know the rx 8 would be actually considering a sports car considering the low price. That really threw me off. I am not planning on showboating on the road and doing crazy stuff with my friends, impressing is one thing, but putting your life in danger while your doing it? That's another.

All in all I will keep looking, and yea, it sucks to have my permit at 16. I love the reccomendations given too, so thanks for that! The miata looks pretty nice as well, the only downside is that it's only 2 seats which is one of the reasons the rx8 appealed to me.

Thanks again!
Jared

 

yeah well you might not plan on zooming or show boating. Somedays though you just feel like opening up the car though and eventually you will.

 

My first car was a 1972 Chevy Nova.. it caught on fire in the school parking lot 30 minutes after classes started. May your first car experience be better

 

LOL ^^
Yeah the 2 extra seats help A LOT, especially being in highschool, i was originally going to go with a 350z but decided against it for the same reason.

2 extra seats means i can fit an extra 6 girls in the back
Although i did hit a nice size bump like that once, didnt go over very well with my shocks... butttt you learn from your mistakes i suppose

 

in highschool I had a 1972 mercury cougar with front and rear bench seats. me and my best friend would go out with our gf, i would rock the front seat, and he would rock the back seat. you need something you can take the lookout point and move that suspension. the rx 8 isn't good for that with the sunroof closed as it was pointed out to me:P

 

Totally unrelated question ! how much do you guys pay for insurance on this car monthly or yearly? whats your age? is it around what he said? 1200 a year like he said?
Here in canada full coverage for this car costs $545 monthly so like 13 000 a year which is really really stupid. Im 21 and thats affects how much i pay.