Bpresley

Hey guys...
Well, I have kind of a tough decision to make. I am 16, and am currently driving an 06 Ford Ranger. When my family and I were in the market for my car, we were looking very hard at getting an RX-8, but in the end, surprised me with the truck. I really like my truck, it's a FX4 Level 2, in case you were wondering. But after I had got the truck, I am now feeling second thoughts. I really don't do any off-roading...I have a dirt bike, but thats about it, and don't plan on it in my truck anytime soon.
Lately, I have been feeling that I would be much happier driving around in an RX-8 than my truck. To me, I don't feel like I belong in the truck, and sorta feel out of place. I am not really an outdoorsy person, and I think that I am probably more of a sporty, sleek person than a rugged person. I would rather go shifter cart racing indoors than riding my dirt bike outside any day.
Another thing I prefer about the RX is not many people here in MO have them. About every 10 vehicles here is a Ranger. That's a plus for the 8.
A few years back, my mom and I went to Orlando for vacation, and our rental car was a red RX-8, with the red / black interior. Since then, I really have loved the car.
I think, if I was given a couple more weeks I would have chosen the RX-8, as the truck was a surprise from my parents.
The dilemma is if I should talk to my parents about this or not. I know I am really fortunate to have the vehicle I have now, and I don't want to come off spoiled or anything, but I think about it everyday.
Also, I wasn't planning on an 06 RX or anything, the 04 is fine with me. My truck was around $19,000, and I think that an 04 RX-8 would be cheaper.

I am just wondering what you guys think about this, or how I should approach this situation if I do talk to my parents.

Thanks,
Brandon

jmerc

Honestly, you should probably keep the truck until you have gotten more driving experience because you are most likely going to get into some fender benders and the ranger will be cheaper to fix. Also the rotor cars require special attention that regular cars do not, so unless you have the discipline to take care of the car do not get it.

VRZOOMZOOM

You only live once..........might as well try to get what you want. However, that being said.......whose going to foot the bill for the RX-8? You or your parents? I think if you really want the RX-8, you should come up with maybe half the $$ for an 04 RX-8 to show your parents what you are working towards.....then maybe they will feel for you and possible give you the truck to trade in.

I know what your emotionally going through, because i've expereinced what you had before, driving another car when you really want an RX-8 instead. Took me about 18 months for me to save and work towards an RX-8. That being said, if you have the money, go for it. Cause you can't bring your $$ to the grave and you're only young once.

dtorre

I don't know I love my 03 Ranger as much as my 8 ..........

Endor

Don't forget that you have to deal with winter weather. It probably hasn't been too bad so far, but I know that you guys get some ridiculous snow up there in Montana. The RX-8 will handle good with proper winter tires, but not nearly as well as a 4WD.

Personally, I think you should "tough it out" with the Ranger for a year or two, because it will make your parents feel better about the decision, and then you can trade it in and not take such a large depreciation hit on the cost.

I'm always confused when people are considering two completely different vehicles. If you'd been considering a Civic SI and an RX-8, that I could understand picking one or the other, but you probably can't find two more polar opposite vehicles than a Ford Ranger and a Mazda RX-8. If you don't need to haul around a bunch of stuff, you really don't need to be driving a pickup. Then again, from your parents point of view the insurance and gas mileage may be about the same. But the experience behind the driver's wheel isn't even close.

mysql101

i'd stick with the truck. otherwise you're looking a gift horse in the mouth.

doubly so if it's a new truck and you'll lose money on depreciation.

dbb

Keep the truck, you are 16 and will most likely kill yourself in an rx8.

mkaresh

He's in MO, not MT. Will still probably get some snow.

Before doing anything I'd check insurance rates. The RX-8 is reasonable to insure as sports cars go, but could still be much more than a Ranger.

I also got to agree that you might want a few more years of driving experience first. I can only imagine what I might have done in an RX-8 at 16.

OldCoot

Why not show your parents how you really feel by letting the truck sit and riding the bus for say three months before discussing it with them.

Rotarctica

Wait until you're 18, dude. Being so green driving (No offense), you'll probably wreck an RX-8. It's not like you buy an RX-8 to go slow... Plus, with something that you'll end up loving so much...if your parents pay for it, they might be all bastard-like about it and threaten to take the keys if you do something bad or don't do something they want. It's happened to someone I know...he's miserable, and wishes he had just kept driving the Suburban they'd bought him.

PSUGreySreet

I'll be honest... like others said, I was in your shoes also at one point. I wanted a sweet fast car right when I got my liscense (and wanted the 8 when it came out in 03) and thank god I didn't get one because at 16 ANYTHING can happen. I drove a 94' Celica MT and learned on that (took my test in it)... it was my older sister's originally and when she got a new one, I got the hand-me-down. I would like to think that I am a lot more advanced at driving stick now after years of practice. I just got my RX-8 about a half year ago (I am 21) and treat it like my baby...

Take your time... the 8 will be around for a few years... enjoy your Ranger...

Nopstnz

Hey, maybe they will have 3 generations of the 8 too and you can wow us all with your 2nd generation. I can see it now, turboed 2nd gen 8 with 300whp from the factory. I wouldn't worry about getting one right know. Like greysreet said, they will still be around in a few years.

oakleyfool007

Yea Im kinda in a similar situation. While I cannot drive yet, I will be able to in about a year and am really interested in this car. I know you guys think its too much car, but honestly it doesnt matter that much what car Im gunna drive, because I would drive similar ways with both. Anyways I have an offtopic question. What do you guys think an 04 base model with a MT will cost in about a year or a little more?

dbb

oakleyfool, the reason you even think "it doesnt matter what car Im gunna drive", is reason enough for you to stay away from a relatively fast rear wheel drive sports car.

If you lose control in a rear wheel drive, and you likely will due to your inexperience and the peer pressure of your friends, regaining control is counter-intuitive and a learned response.

Become familiar with driving in a less adventurous car first, otherwise you might not live to regret it.


Source: Dr Allan Williams - (US) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety