I'm going to be in the market for a fun daily driver in a year. Currently own a 400hp FC RX7, but need something a bit more practical. So our local club has a "common car challenge" every year, this year was 2 of the cars I've been mulling over already... RX8 and C6 vette. Sadly both were automatics, but I instantly put down a good time in the RX8, the vette however took some training and still yet more to learn to control its reins. From all the research of done on here and the internet, the only real complaint I find is the gas mileage. Is anybody been able to get 20mpg city and 30mpg hwy yet? I'm torn between 4 cars at the moment... C6, Evo IX MR, E46 M3, and obviously RX8. Any experienced input would be great. Also my other concern is I've read some posts about people popping motors inside of warranty. Being a current Rotary owner it rather concerns me.... any facts on this issue?

thx guys, hopin you can sell me on the RX8. :D

 

IMO:

1) yes, mileage sucks. expect 17city/20hwy, rejoice when you exceed those numbers. 20mpg city -- only if you drive to be passed by geo metros and pedestrians. expect 15-18mpg, depending on intensity of driving. 30mpg highway? hah! expect 19-22mpg. i drive 50% highway, but a little aggressively, and do rev to 4-5k around town, and I have been regularly getting almost 18mpg.

IMO, though, with all due respect and not knowing your situation, if you can afford an M3, the only thing that will disappoint you about the mileage is the shorter range on a tankful. expect to stop more often for gas on highway trips. i typically expect about 220-240mi before i'm at a gas station again.

2) "popping motors" only really appears to be an issue with automatics that aren't being revved. the manuals seem to be just fine. be sure to rev her. so this is not a concern.

3) the RX-8 is really on the low end of your list, as far as straightline performance. if you need something a bit more practical, i don't think that a C6 will cut it. however, you'd be very happy with the practicality of the Evo and the M3 (but a lot more $$$ on the last one). the RX-8 is on the lower end of the horsepower from your selection, but it's definitely plenty practical (not as much as the sedans, of course), and handles great despite its softer suspension.

i love my RX-8, and i don't think that i'd be as happy in an M3. (the M3 is nice, dont' get me wrong, but it's just much more money and not as unique as the 8). the RX-8 is a very unique car: from the engine, to the awesome looks, to the great driving feel, to the suicide doors and actual proper rear seats.

for me, i was driving a sporty econobox with great handling, but low power and an automatic. I was upside down about $3.5K on it, and would've only made out even if I kept the car another two years. The car was reliable and ran great. I felt that no other car was worth taking the loss on my econobox other than the RX-8 (in the price range of less than 28K). even an Evo or STi, which would've been stretching that range, were not worth upgrading to. i wanted something truly different, something truly unique.

it sounds like a BS excuse, but the RX-8 has a lot more character and personality than a lot of other offerings. it feels integrated, not as nimble as a miata, but still, it's easy to be "one with the car."

be sure that you can live with the reduced horsepower (175-185 to the wheels), so be sure to test drive one or two.

 

awesome reply, thx man. I'm lookin to spend $25-$30k, so I could get a new RX8 or MR vs a used C6 or M3. The RX8 is definitely in a lesser league than those cars in terms of power and cost, but the thing is it seems to hang with em on the track... maybe not quite the C6 on big courses, but thats a compromise I'd accept to stay in the rotary world. I'd like to get a used Shinka, but not sure its worth the price tag of super uniqueness. Sad to hear bout the gas mileage, but its better than I get now in my FC 12/23 or my Tundra 15/20.... and fortunately I'm 2miles from work. Anybody have comments on winter driving and road trip comfort? Is the nav system worth it?

thx gin,

 

Winter Driving
I DONT talk from experience (here in PR Its summer ALL YEAR)
get snow tires, period.
The nav it depends wher do you live. Ive read that those who have it love it. It's not an option here in PR we just dont get it. And there are no maps for PR.

 

Dunno about Nav systems, since I can usually figure out where I'm going. Road trip...should be fine with a car that easy to drive.

You'll enjoy the rx8's uniqueness on the road.

 

2 miles from work: you're looking at 14mpg, because you'll be running her cold all the time (I recommend taking the long way and making it 5 miles).

I have not yet taken a long road trip in this thing, but my comfort is pretty good. Nice bolstered seats are comfy. I've only driven like 400-500 miles in one sitting and there I appreciated the cruise control, as holding constant throttle can get tiring.

The nav system is, IMO, worth it if you're willing to spend money on it. For basic nav, you can buy aftermarket units for half the cost that will get you there. However, the built-in nav is nicely integrated with the car, plus the gyros keep track of your car inside tunnels and stuff. I am using an aftermarket GPS setup (with a PDA) for about $500, and so I saved a bundle over the stock nav.

Winter driving: snow tires or your insurance deductible. I spent $1200 shipped for new snow tires and wheels with road hazard insurance, but tirerack can get you out the door for about $950 with nice wheels and "so-so on dry, great on snow" snows without road hazard insurance. The snow tires I bought were more because they are great on dry and great on snow.

Unfortunately, I haven't done any winter driving myself in the 8 yet, but I am really looking forward to it and will be happily reporting my opinions and posting winter pics when the winter does come along

 

2 miles from work? i recommend biking. save the earth!

 

Astral - great reply. Well written and under-represented around here.

raspyrx7 - If your thinking about a daily driver, I would eliminate the MR and probably the C6. The MR is a little too harsh (you can take your 7 out for the same thrills if not more), and the C6 is ***** on wheels. Again, if you want power on a certain day you can take your 400HP 7.

If you want a good daily driver I think the M3 and RX8 are the better choices. It depends if you want a great used car or great used car with a warranty (if you don't upgrade it too much)

I don't understand why the title includes autox as I'm sure your 7 is or can be as good as any of these choices - but maybe your selling it?

In that case, if you want a track car with a lot of power and great driving feel, either the 8 or the MR would be best. You could also supercharge the 8 should the need arise.

 

Mines A Prototype with a SG on it. I think even campared to the 350Z with mods, the RX-8 got more pep. My town is only 300,000 people, but my fav, thing to do, is take onto the main street in rush-hour an weave cars. The car handles it fine. And was the others say expect low fuel efficiency.

Peace yall,

 

It never fails...

 

If you autocross, you'll appreciate the 8's handling and driver feedback. It is a very capable car (8 out of top 9 spots at SCCA Nationals B Stock) yet it is a very practical and confortable daily driver. The 8 is incredibly more refined than a FC (speaking from direct experience). Yes, you won't get the HP and mileage of some of your other choices will that really matter in daily driving and a 2 mile commute?

A 400 HP FC is heavily modded Turbo II. You should find the Renesis more reliable and less fragile than your current engine. My feeling is that the threads on the engine replacement will be found to be highly exaggerated. I expect the 8's reliability to be at least as good as a 2nd gen. N/A.

Come on, admit it. With your current car, you are undeniably a rotor head. You *need* this car. After you have it a while, if the power isn't enough, there's always forced induction. And at a price that is still less than several of your choices (C6, M3).

Good luck with your choice.

 

I like the RX-8 and EVO among your choices. I spent time this past weekend at Road America riding in my friend's EVO VIII. He's modded to about 315 hp at the wheels and hits 142 mph on some of the straights. That's pretty impressive since my RX-8 only hits about 123 mph on the straights. Still at our last track day on a more technical track, I never saw him which must mean we were turning similar lap times. I'd also say he's a better driver than me.

I rode about 300 miles with him to and from the track. I really didn't think the EVO was that uncomfortable as a passenger. You could live with it as a daily driver since your commute is so short.

I think the EVO has much more high hp mod potential and would be cheaper to mod.
For the EVO VIII, my friend says the MR is a waste of money and it's better to buy the RS or EVO model and do your own mods.

The RX-8 looks much better IMHO and has more character/uniqueness. I was sold by the price (I have an RX-8 with sport package, 23K new) and the smoothness/fun of the rotary engine.

 

Awesome thats one of the things I was hopin to hear. I would be selling my FC to get the RX8, so it would have to be my autox replacement and my daily driver. I'd be keeping the Tundra to tow the 8 to out of town events and in really bad weather. I think the E36 M3's are Bstock? If so I'm sold on getting the RX8 since there's not many E46 M3's round here, but those E36's are whoopin it up in BSP and SM. For some reason I think the RX8 guys round here are more snobby than the FD guys if thats even possible... they never come out and race and none show interest in joining our local Rotary club. Well guys I think you've got me sold on an RX8, may even get a brand new one, will have to see how much value they hold. Think the only thing that concerns me is the gas mileage, but I'll live with it seeings how the 8 accels in all the other categories of concern for me.

 

rasprx7,
only a 2 mile commute .... you'll have to find some twistys just to warm the engine up in the winter.

snow tires are a must for the winter and snow. If you don't drive it in the snow the summer tires are ok ... slick until they are warmed up a bit.

since you autox check out this thread https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/porsche-gt-vs-rx-8-mt-tremblant-74023/ by Spin9k
The 8 is at home in the twistys.

hope you will continue to be an active member of the Cult

 

the rx8 seems to fufill your needs, budget, and rotary orientation. i highly suggest it as a fellow turbo FC and RX-8 owner. you will not be disappointed in your decision.

 

cool well if a Turbo FC guy is satisfied, then that convinces me that much more... that and I really like the peeps I've met in the Rotary Cult so far...

 

Rotary power! Also test drive the 6sp RX-8 because the auto you drove has a 197hp 4 port engine whereas the 6sp has a 238hp 6 port engine. Just saying incase you did not know. Have fun with any car you purchase!

 

Sorry back from the dead. Just doing searches and saw you raspy. Me ARD T2.

I got an 8 late last year and did a few things to it just to accent it's lines. So i gots a FC and RX8 now. I must say that I love this 8 compared to my GTUs. The motor is just awesome. The handling is amazing, I love the styling. The ergonomics of the interior are absolutely incredible. The FC and RX8 are vehicles I feel like I fit in. I'm only 5'6". The rear seats are quite roomy. I have many 6' friends that sit in the back and are like, "Damn never would have thought."

Only gripe GAS MILEAGE SUCKKKKSSSS. Like Really sucks. Worst than my standalone T2. I wouldn't mind it as much if the tank were bigger. My commute to work is only 1.0mile as well so I do have to take a longer way to work and get it to temp.

Other gripe, GAWD DAMN IRIDIUM PLUGS = $$$$$$$$. The damn 8 runs so rich you gotta make sure you warm that sucker up and move it a bit before you just shut it off. REplacing plugs at like $89.00 a set my dealer cost. wtf.

So that's about it, everything else i really really like. The RX8 transitions weight in the rear end like no other. It's almost "bmw" like as the way it sets in, but has more of a "rotational" feel to it. I don't know how to explain it but i LOVE THE WAY IT SQUATS into a corner. Several of my passengers have commented that it feels like the rear end has begun to slide out but it's just a feeling from the way it squats in and simply just TURNS. Car has good steering angle compared to the FC so that's a plus. Oh I love the amount of factory alignment adjustments we have. I've lowered my 8 a good 2" on Zeals and still had plenty of room to bring it back into spec. I however am running more camber than factory.

Here's a shot of it. How can you say no. I turned in my leased Protege5 and ended up walking out with a one year old used RX8 GT Model. I love Endless and I love Blue so this was the perfect car for me. It just screamed at me and after driving it, WOW for a four door. Well anyways I hope this helps someone out if not you raspy as you probably already got one.



LAters, Rishie

 

dude BUY THE 8! or ill give you crap at the ABF in wenatchee

 

buy the 8, dont buy a used M3, the gas mileage is just as bad if not worse, and things might go wrong when you autocross it, next thing you know youre paying thousands to fix little problems that would cost hundres on a rx8.

 

Who should buy the 8? This thread is 3 months old, the guy has surely done something by now!

 

Actually I am that guy, and I haven't bought one yet. I just now sold the FC finally... and I've been lurking around here and I gotta say despite power and gas mileage I'm impressed. If I could get a new one with very minimal options, just want spoiler and the sport package for like $25g I may just get one in a yearish. Peeps are tryin hard to get me into an EVO, I like the luxury, power, handling of the M3, but I suspect I'll miss the Wankel too much to not get an 8 and just out handle everybody's asses... hehe. Thx for the write-up ARD... Those camber plates on my FC made a world of difference that I bought from ya.

 

When I was getting my 8, EVERYONE was trying to get me into an EVO. Turbo, AWD, and good handling. I even test drove them back to back. Oh yeah the EVO was good. Dang GOOD, but the 8 was just so "smooth" about things.

They should change the name from RX-8 to Lord Finesse.

 

I have to admit, if a C6 was in my range for a daily driver, i would forsake all others. Standard suspension would be fine for daily driving.

That being said, the RX8 is an amazing car, and I can't wait to get ours out to its first autocross when the season starts up. In fact, I suspect that my RX7 will only see 2 autocrosses this year...mainly to keep my Mazdamotorsports membership active, and mainly because it's going to become a track car now

 

Wow that from an FD guy... I'll be really interested to hear your feedback/comparison of the RX8 autox'n.... the ideal setup would be an RX8 with an REW motor no doubt eh? SM is a tough crowd here tho, think I'd be better keep the 8 stock and race BS... the one I've seen race here did really dang well and was sooo quiet (really odd for a rotary)... very smooth. Not sure what is with rotorheads in Idaho but they either drag race or just parade around like a poodle, only a few of us autox, and only I did on a regular basis. If/when I get my RX8 I suspect the Kart will be reserved for its course, and the 8 for autox/road course.