Getting an RX8 for college
05-06-2009, 05:48 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by dwdgsi04
As for owning an RX8, its exactly not a cheap car to maintain as compared to a Civic or something. But it isn't outrageous either. You have to understand the gas mileage issue of course. But honestly, as long as you don't go ***** out every time you drive it, it shouldn't be too big of an issue. You also have to take into account that the engine burns oil by design and the harder you drive, the more oil you burn. Other than that, besides the regular scheduled maintenance, it's a great car. Its usually the folks that don't bother to maintain the car (i.e. checking oil levels regularly) that end up dealing with larger issues later on down the road.
Originally Posted by dwdgsi04
As for the Mazdaspeed 3, I think it's a great car. Unfortunately, ever since I first experienced RWD in my MR-S, I'm spoiled by it. I doubt I'll go back to FWD again even though the car is bursting at the seams with power.
Originally Posted by pksan123
i'd say get the mini cooper. it's a fun car to drive and good on gas. plus the ladies like it cuz it's cute 
Originally Posted by reaper1
In all honesty , if your folk are paying the bill , get the Camaro . Its brand spanking new . Make sure you get the big engine..........
What I'm concerned about is whether any of those cars (MPS 3, Cooper, Camaro) would hold up for that long?
Originally Posted by rotarykillz
What color you looking at?
Originally Posted by jones75254
Where do you live? Where do you plan to attend College?
I say this because unless you live out West or SE, i wouldnt advise getting the RX-8. If you live in Midwest/N-East where there are harsh Winters and plenty of rain, you will need something better in those conditions that also gives you better piece of mind re: reliability. There are no garages on campus for freshman
As a Frosh your car will likely be parked a good ways away from your dorm exposed to the elements and the rest of the student body. I just wouldnt trust either to tell you the truth.
Your parents sound well off, if i were you i would work out a deal w/ them, get something a bit toned down for your college tenure, and as a reward to getting good grades and graduating, you get something spectacular upon graduation. Then you can focus on the upkeep of that car. In college your car usually takes a back seat to studies, girls and the occasional party And regardless what some here say, young college girls dont give a **** about your car, its your game playa (unless u live in Orange Co
I say this because unless you live out West or SE, i wouldnt advise getting the RX-8. If you live in Midwest/N-East where there are harsh Winters and plenty of rain, you will need something better in those conditions that also gives you better piece of mind re: reliability. There are no garages on campus for freshman
As a Frosh your car will likely be parked a good ways away from your dorm exposed to the elements and the rest of the student body. I just wouldnt trust either to tell you the truth. Your parents sound well off, if i were you i would work out a deal w/ them, get something a bit toned down for your college tenure, and as a reward to getting good grades and graduating, you get something spectacular upon graduation. Then you can focus on the upkeep of that car. In college your car usually takes a back seat to studies, girls and the occasional party
And regardless what some here say, young college girls dont give a **** about your car, its your game playa (unless u live in Orange CoThat's not going to be an option for me, my parents are only buying me this car and I'm going to have it for at least 6 years (4 years undergrad and 2 years masters), but more likely for 9-10 years (right when I start working, I'm gonna have other priorities such as rent and bills and such, I don't wanna bog myself down by getting a car I can't afford). So I want to get a car that'll last me and I'll enjoy for that long, not that I'll outgrow or get sick of (for example I was thinking the Camaro is more a car for the younger crowd, wouldn't I outgrow it when I'm working and getting married?).
Srry if I missed any questions or comments haha but thanks to everyone for the advice so far!
05-06-2009, 05:53 PM
#29
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Get the 8.....if that's what you want...get it...you got into UC, you're living at home, which I think is great for students these days...you live in SoCo where the weather rocks....get a sunroof for sure
Red is totally better than blue on the 8...it's just gorgeous all around and really sticks out there.
Red is totally better than blue on the 8...it's just gorgeous all around and really sticks out there.
05-06-2009, 06:31 PM
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05-06-2009, 06:39 PM
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I believe every single person should start driving on a crappy old Honda. This way you can get your new driver accidents out of the way on a car you don't care about, and you learn how what it's like to drive a car that can't accelerate or brake as quickly as a sports car.
However, If my parents were paying for a car for me, I'd absolutely get an 8. The truth is that you don't get many of these sorts of opportunities in life, so always get as much as you possibly can out of them.
A Lotus Elise might be another possible option. They fall around 30K used.
However, If my parents were paying for a car for me, I'd absolutely get an 8. The truth is that you don't get many of these sorts of opportunities in life, so always get as much as you possibly can out of them.
A Lotus Elise might be another possible option. They fall around 30K used.
05-06-2009, 06:40 PM
#36
Well I am sorry, I should have read the rest of the thread first but I really dislike the concept of commuting. I know it saves money and all and other reasons others advocate it but it really destroys the college experience. Plus its a bitch to drive every morning to class and find parking and walk for 20 minutes to class. I had to do that couple times picking some stuff from the local area before class.
05-06-2009, 06:44 PM
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Well I am sorry, I should have read the rest of the thread first but I really dislike the concept of commuting. I know it saves money and all and other reasons others advocate it but it really destroys the college experience. Plus its a bitch to drive every morning to class and find parking and walk for 20 minutes to class. I had to do that couple times picking some stuff from the local area before class.
And I've been "working on campus" at my job for 6 months. I miss driving my car every day
05-06-2009, 06:51 PM
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I believe every single person should start driving on a crappy old Honda. This way you can get your new driver accidents out of the way on a car you don't care about, and you learn how what it's like to drive a car that can't accelerate or brake as quickly as a sports car.
However, If my parents were paying for a car for me, I'd absolutely get an 8. The truth is that you don't get many of these sorts of opportunities in life, so always get as much as you possibly can out of them.
A Lotus Elise might be another possible option. They fall around 30K used.
However, If my parents were paying for a car for me, I'd absolutely get an 8. The truth is that you don't get many of these sorts of opportunities in life, so always get as much as you possibly can out of them.
A Lotus Elise might be another possible option. They fall around 30K used.
And yeah, can't do too much about commuting...parents =/ haha but I'm not complainin
05-06-2009, 06:55 PM
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You're parents are obviously bribing you...you're an adult now and CAN make your own decisions....but if you make decisions they don't like....no new car
fess up...you gotta be like...well my parents want things a certain way and if I do them...i get this car!!
05-06-2009, 06:58 PM
#40
05-06-2009, 07:01 PM
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Okay so I'm going to tease you a bit here...I've seen you got ...parents =/ a few times now on this thread.
You're parents are obviously bribing you...you're an adult now and CAN make your own decisions....but if you make decisions they don't like....no new car
fess up...you gotta be like...well my parents want things a certain way and if I do them...i get this car!!
You're parents are obviously bribing you...you're an adult now and CAN make your own decisions....but if you make decisions they don't like....no new car
fess up...you gotta be like...well my parents want things a certain way and if I do them...i get this car!!
Haha but in all seriousness I chose to go to UCI. Of course my parents wanted me to lol, but I had the option of going to UCLA and dorming and the whole schpeel and they would let me if I really wanted to, but I decided to stay close to family and friends and plus there's less competition at UCI so I'm hoping I can maintain a high GPA then go on to get a master's in electrical engineering at UCLA or Caltech.
05-06-2009, 09:41 PM
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Parents wont even consider a USED car...are paying for your brand new car, education at good school, room and board and likely extracurricular expenses...Ur life is planned out for the next 8-10 yrs......
Yep, ur def from Orange County! LOL. Not hatin on u man, u are very fortunate and more power to ya. Good luck with college and the brand new car you will soon be getting!
Yep, ur def from Orange County! LOL. Not hatin on u man, u are very fortunate and more power to ya. Good luck with college and the brand new car you will soon be getting!
05-06-2009, 09:58 PM
#43
no sleep til it spools
im 17 as well and am about to graduate (go class of '09!) anyway, as far as not being able to handle the car, so long as you don't drive like a typical teenager (you know insanely) you should be alright. check the oil often, wash it, etc. etc. take care of the car and it'll take care of you.....also, redline it...woot
05-07-2009, 12:27 AM
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Parents wont even consider a USED car...are paying for your brand new car, education at good school, room and board and likely extracurricular expenses...Ur life is planned out for the next 8-10 yrs......
Yep, ur def from Orange County! LOL. Not hatin on u man, u are very fortunate and more power to ya. Good luck with college and the brand new car you will soon be getting!
Yep, ur def from Orange County! LOL. Not hatin on u man, u are very fortunate and more power to ya. Good luck with college and the brand new car you will soon be getting!
Right now it looks like I'm goin with the 8
05-07-2009, 12:39 AM
#46
If you guys are talking about which car will get more attention from girls you know what I always say... don't rely on your car for that... pretty damn lame thing to to.
But while we're on the subject, he mentioned a new Camaro. You guys are kidding yourselves if you think an 8 would draw more attention than a 2010 Camaro. Just a fact.
But while we're on the subject, he mentioned a new Camaro. You guys are kidding yourselves if you think an 8 would draw more attention than a 2010 Camaro. Just a fact.
05-07-2009, 01:40 AM
#47
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cooper s? you threw that in there as a joke right? :P
speed 3, decent mpg, 4 doors, room for cargo and such.
camaro, whether you get the v6 or v8 you'll be happy with the torque
rx8 is finesse and style.
test drive the 3 then head to the forums that you like. maybe you're not a finesse type of guy, maybe you like sheer sluggish power.
maybe a 2 door sports car is too much of a pain to deal with.
maybe a sport compact hatchback doesnt have enough style for you.
what do you like?
speed 3, decent mpg, 4 doors, room for cargo and such.
camaro, whether you get the v6 or v8 you'll be happy with the torque
rx8 is finesse and style.
test drive the 3 then head to the forums that you like. maybe you're not a finesse type of guy, maybe you like sheer sluggish power.
maybe a 2 door sports car is too much of a pain to deal with.
maybe a sport compact hatchback doesnt have enough style for you.
what do you like?
05-07-2009, 01:44 AM
#48
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05-07-2009, 02:26 AM
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hmm, the rx-8 is the only car I've really known since I was 16 and am now 18. If you don't push it, it just handles and brakes all too well to mess up with and the DSC is pretty good for not being restrictive but still not letting you spin around in the rain if you give it too much gas.
If you decide to play... STAY AWAY FROM CURBS. I've driven about 40,000miles in just over 2 years, I love my rx-8. I think I've about used this one up though after 2 semi-serious accidents. Within a month of owning an rx-8 and a driver's license, the first thing on any new RWD owner's mind is drifting/donuts/etc. not snap oversteer. I thought I was cool because I had the best lap time in the Audi School autocross and I did really well, but FWD isn't **** compared to RWD. When the back end comes out and you dont know what to do the car can spin viciously in the opposite direction you'd expect it to and then CRACK POP, broken wheel, bent linkages, and two side impacts are deployed. Also DONT LIFT OFF THE GAS MID-CORNER, my more recent stupid mistake that I knew better than doing... There was this turn I had been going increasingly fast through and I had gotten up to 85mph through it. I think I must have gotten on the gas too early, because the front got light and I panickedly lifted. The front was planted now, but the back of the car flew out, I overcorrected and went over a curb breaking 3 wheels, mangling my beautiful multi-link rear suspension, tweaking the lower front wishbone, and 2 more side impacts gone. So, uh, be careful? You don't seem like you would drive that aggressively though.
If you decide to play... STAY AWAY FROM CURBS. I've driven about 40,000miles in just over 2 years, I love my rx-8. I think I've about used this one up though after 2 semi-serious accidents. Within a month of owning an rx-8 and a driver's license, the first thing on any new RWD owner's mind is drifting/donuts/etc. not snap oversteer. I thought I was cool because I had the best lap time in the Audi School autocross and I did really well, but FWD isn't **** compared to RWD. When the back end comes out and you dont know what to do the car can spin viciously in the opposite direction you'd expect it to and then CRACK POP, broken wheel, bent linkages, and two side impacts are deployed. Also DONT LIFT OFF THE GAS MID-CORNER, my more recent stupid mistake that I knew better than doing... There was this turn I had been going increasingly fast through and I had gotten up to 85mph through it. I think I must have gotten on the gas too early, because the front got light and I panickedly lifted. The front was planted now, but the back of the car flew out, I overcorrected and went over a curb breaking 3 wheels, mangling my beautiful multi-link rear suspension, tweaking the lower front wishbone, and 2 more side impacts gone. So, uh, be careful? You don't seem like you would drive that aggressively though.
05-07-2009, 02:45 AM
#50
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^ counter steer and bring it back.
knowing first, 2nd, and 3rd hand. our cars handle amazingly. if it was that big of a snap oversteer, just lay on the brakes and let abs do its job while counter steering. lift off over steer can be vicious, but in almost any situation controllable. unless you get pitted while already starting to oversteer :P
if you're going to be pushing a car, i suggest he rx8 and driving lessons. our cars handle so amazingly, they just make any other car feel sluggish.
knowing first, 2nd, and 3rd hand. our cars handle amazingly. if it was that big of a snap oversteer, just lay on the brakes and let abs do its job while counter steering. lift off over steer can be vicious, but in almost any situation controllable. unless you get pitted while already starting to oversteer :P
if you're going to be pushing a car, i suggest he rx8 and driving lessons. our cars handle so amazingly, they just make any other car feel sluggish.