jeffTHX

Hello--

After weeks of looking at and testing various cars, I finally made the leap over the weekend and joined the RX-8 cult. I've been driving a 2000 GS400 for the past three years, and it has been a flawless ride during the entire time. However, it was time to decide whether or not to invest in the 60k service and a new set of tires, or move over to something new altogether. At various points, I've made up my mind on an Acura TL, a G35 coupe, a Murano (I live in MN, so I briefly flirted with practicality), and a G35x sedan. Throughout this process, I kept coming back to the RX-8 and wondering if I would enjoy it as a daily driver. I remember loving the 350Z in pictures, but really being disappointed in the comfort and ride after my first time in one. Having a few hours to kill on Friday, I went to the Mazda dealer on Friday and drove an automatic and a manual back-to-back. I was surprised at how much better I liked the manual. I haven't shifted gears since the Escort GT I had back in the early 90's. However, the speed and the intangible fun factor really put the 6MT ahead of the auto. After I finished the drive, I told the salesman that I would probably need them to do a search for me if I ended up deciding on the RX-8 to match my specific option choices. Then I noticed that we were standing next to a Red (my 1st-choice color) 6MT (yes!), with GT package (yes!), appearance package (excellent!), rotary accents (cool!), and navigation (after living with it in the GS4, I will always have to have this option). It seemed almost too good to be true. The only downside (at the time) was the red/black leather. My first reaction was that it looked too...I don't know. Then the salesman let me know that on top of the dealership's standard $3200 discount on RX-8's, they had an additional $2500 off for the July 4 weekend if I leased one before Monday. Since I've already been way too long-winded, here's the bottom line: I picked up my loaded RX-8 for $29,600 on Monday, and I left my Lexus behind for good. They gave me way more than I expected on my trade, so it's clear that the deal was meant to be. I have two young sons, and this car is perfect in every sense. My 2-year-old saw it and called it a "Matchbox Car", since most of his toys are really cool-looking (there aren't many Camry's in the Matchbox bubble packs, if you get my drift).

I've already ordered strakes to finish off the look, and I am loving every minute behind the wheel. As I sat in a movie theater yesterday, I kept looking at my watch and wondering how long it would be before I could get back to driving, even though I really was enjoying the movie I was watching.

If you've bothered to read this far, thanks for looking. I'm anticipating quite a bit of fun over the next 42 months!

Jeff

PS: I have since come to love the red/black seats. I'm not sure why they didn't strike me the right way at first, but now I can't imagine the car without this setup.

HeelnToe

Welcome to the madness!!!

When I bought the 8, I wasn't quite sure how well it'd work as my daily driver - but I loved the car enough to risk it.

1,800 miles later, I cannot believe how easy and comfortable the car is to drive casually. In fact, the comfort and confidence in daily commuting has been the big surprise for me, rather than the performance.

dag

Congrats!!!! One piece of advise:

MN + Daily Driver = BUY WINTER TIRES!!!!

scan the forum - there are lots of threads with recommendations and advise.

Congrats again.


dag

moogs

quick question off topic a little, the appearance kit and spoiler can be added at the dealer right? the car doesn't have to have come like that to begin with?

arattle

Congrats! I was sort of in a similar boat, I was looking at the Z and the G35, as well as possibly an Audi A4 or an Acura TL. But after driving the 8, I could not imagine not buying it. It drives like a dream, fairly practical for everyday use, and it looks like it should cost twice as much. Your story sounds remarkably like mine, I got a GT Nordic Green, 6-speed, no other options (just the way I liked it) - it was 28,400. I guess they're trying to close out the 04's and make room for next model year. I don't care, this is the greatest car I've ever owned!!!!!!!!!!

Also, good call on getting red/black leather. I test drove a Titanium Gray with black leather, and it looked way too drab. I got mine with Brown/Black, looks incredible.

-arattle

Rupes

Correct.

-Rupes

Astor

correct

Labop

That grin doesn't go away man! I can be having the worst day at work. I get in my car at lunch or after work, and man, my bad mood just evaporates.

And just wait till you do a wash/claybar/wax on your car. I just did it for the first time this weekend! It looks so smooth, and you grin bigger.

MrJynx

i didn't intend on driving into work everday when I bought my RX8. HOwever, for some odd reason i've driven in every single day!!! After owning the car for 2.5 weeks I have already racked up 3000km!! this car is an addiction. be warned


MrJynx

Jeffjett

I know what you mean, I feel like the Joker -

red_rx8_red_int

Very addicting. My car is driven every day. Actually, my car beeps every day since the break in period.

RX22

Does anyone know if that's typical of what Mazda dealers are doing on price? Sounds great to me!

BTW Congrats!

jeffTHX

The dealership I went to happens to be a non-commission / no-haggling dealer. I have to say that I was really impressed with the low-pressure approach. Anyway, they had a standard discount of $2500 on all RX-8's (no haggling beyond that), which they had just increased to $3200. The additional $2500 off was (according to them) a weekend promotion subsidized by Mazda. My timing was perfect on this one, becuase in addition to the $5700 off, they had just gotten the one car that was configured exactly the way I would have picked it out. I took that as a sign that it was meant to be. I'm not sure if this is indicative of what other dealers are doing nationally, but I do know that you almost never see RX-8's on the road up here in Minneapolis, because most people choose 4-wheel drive cars. My GS400 had 300hp going to the rear wheels with wide wheels, and I was able to get around just fine in the winter with that one. The RX-8 may be a bit trickier on the ice, but I'll be reserving a set of 18" Blizzaks at the dealership to help deal with it.

jj

The Rex

I can totally relate. Congrats on your new 8! Welcome to the club. :D

Kwullen

Man o man, I get home in the evening and before I'm in the house, I'm lookin for an excuse to drive somewhere. Anywhere, it doesn't matter. I've already got 15k on mine and fixin to leave for Mt. Rushmore and Wyoming/Montana Monday. Hoorah!!
Screw this, I'm outa here!!

EatMyBanana

Six weeks and 3000 miles, I can't stop.BRB

Dlrosie

Except for the Nav and the A/T - you have my car. Isn't it amazing?

Kwullen

Damn, I come on here and read this stuff and I gotta go somewhere again! It's been a loooooong time since I had a car I just couldn't stay out of!! My first 911 was that way, way back in '71, when a '68 was affordable by regular type people. Now you either have to be born rich or sue McDonalds to afford to look at one, let alone buy it.

StphNieuw

Trust me, the feeling does not go away. I have been away on a business trip for one month now with another week before I go home and I am getting home sick just from not driving my car. I have yet to see one here in Chili but I am looking forward to go and clean and drive my baby again. You will find yourself looking at the car in the garage and grinning from ear to ear. I guess its called Zoom-Zoom

Q121825

My 8 is my daily driver (104 miles round trip). I swear it's lowered my BP and the BF says I don't come home stressed and angry any more!

6 Months and 16,000 miles of smiles!

Phlash

Welcome!