Ok so here's my story

I used to live in Southern California close to LA.
Well, I could say I still do. I just graduated from high school
and came to New York for college. My school is 2 hours away from New York City. It's in little town called Hyde Park. School is okay, but 2 hours away from the city makes it pretty boring. Of course, I left my car at home. Yes, the Rx8 is actually my car. My dad has his own car and so does my mom. Ok for the people who are about to flame me and go on about how spoiled i am and all that crap, you can just stop reading this because I'm over that crap.

Anyways, I didn't bring my car with me, because I thought it would be hard to maintain it here with me being in college and all. I also thought it would be hard for me to change the tires for the winter and oil change and stuff. Did not see a Mazda dealer anywhere near, and you guys know about some of the dealers. I used to go to Cerritos Browning Mazda. It's a long way drive from my home, but I love the service and how they treat me.

Now that i'm here, without a car, it's really hard for me to go outside of campus anywhere. I still don't want to bring my car here, because I just don't know about any car dealers around here nevermind trusting them with my car. When I was back at home, I hand-washed my car almost everyweek, checked tire pressure often at the local gas station, checked oil, and babied the car.I can't even find any local car wash here. Also being a student, I don't think i'll have time to wash my car from salt and snow everytime either. Those are the main reason why I don't want my car up here.

So I talked with my mom today, and somehow, I guess my complaints kind of slipped out of my mouth about not having a car. It is pretty boring here guys..just this summer, my senior year, I used to go out with my friends everyday just hanging out and having a good time. Now, I feel like I'm locked up in this school with nowhere to go. By the way, I go to CIA. It's a culinary school, and it's little different from normal colleges. We don't have some easy days and hard days. Everyday, we have A class for half a day. I wake up at 6 in the morning everyday and have a class until 1:30pm. Most of my friends are in PM schedule, which means they start at 2 o'clock until 8 or 9 at night. And only one or two of my friends actually have a car here. I admit, I'm not the most socially active person, but I just can't get a ride from them everytime.

So, I had a talk with my mom today about usual stuff. She wants me to go out, have fun, go to city, get to like NYC blah blah blah. So I mentioned about not having a car and all. She of course asked, why not take Rx8, and I told her all the above things. She told me then I should sell the car and get something practical through all season and easier to maintain... This means I have to talk to my dad about it.

Now, I hate to sell my car, I can't even think about selling my rx8. I love my car so much, but it's just making me really depressed. When we were deciding on my car last year, it was either Rx8 or STi. Ironically, Dad preferred STi, because I never knew if I might end up in New York. With AWD and a powerful engine, he said it could come in handy.. However, I was already in love with rotary engine....I didn't think STi was ugly, but Rx8 definitely looked better. Now that new design STi came out for 06, it looks a lot better too.

I don't know what to do guys...I don't want to sell my car... you think it'll be better to sell it and get a new car? If it ever happens, my next car will most likely be new STi. O and also my dad wins.. He thinks he knows everything and I don't. Everytime I argue with him about anything, he simply says "I have 30 years of more experience than you." gotta love that quote....he says it all the time when I argue..I don't even want to talk to him about it. I just know the first thing he'll say is See I was right... I told you... I knew it...

I mean I know it'll be a lot easier to maintain, and honestly, I don't think i'll love the STi the way I love my Rx8 right now...sigh.. I need some advice my fellow Rx8 brothers..

 

Finda car that will suit your needs. Sell the rx-8 and when you can fully appreciate a car like it again, you should go back to it.

Get the boy racer phase outta your system and get an STI that you can beat through the seasons. After college, Mazda should have some kinda sweet RX-7 or newer RX-8. When that time comes, you will be ready and jump on into it. That is what I would do at least...

 

Use paragraphs.

 

 

get the STi for now since 8 is really not your choice for now. you need a car that can take more punishments.

 

How long is culinary school? Will you be there for 4 years?

If you love the RX-8, then keep her. You can learn how to do the maintenance.

BTW, your dad does have more experience than you. I'm 48 and when I look back at my life, I really thought that I was an idiot. I'd love to have my 48 year old brain back in my 20 year old body. He's probably just trying to help you.

 

Sti or anything from the wrx family is asking for trouble in the urban NE and in the NYC area. They are stolen every day! I know the newest (05 onward?) have immobilizers but the thieves can't tell and try anyway.

I don't have an rx8 (thinking about one hence I'm on the forums). Seems to have better insurance than the subies. From my drives it drives better too, though with less power.

 

I've got two kids, with two cars, in college right now. Both cars are late 90's/early 2000 models with 50-70k miles, but still in good condition. I find that neither of my kids 1) has the time to maintain a vehicle properly 2) has the space to maintain a vehicle properly 3) has the knowledge to maintain a vehicle properly and, lastly 4) has the money to maintain a vehicle properly. This would apply to an even greater extent to a vehicle that's even harder to maintain, like an 8.

Sell it, buy something you can beat into the ground over the next few years, then start fresh after you've completed this phase of your life.

 

The STI will be just as much if not more work/money/time to maintain as the rx8. I wouldnt worry so much about the rx8 or sti or whatever new car you might want, get something to get around town with. some cheap on gas and FWD for the winters...stick it with some good all season tires or get a pair of snow tires for the front.

The most important thing to do right now is to work on school. I have an 8, I work a fulltime and a part time job, about 60-70hrs a week, plus I take classes online and at night as a parttime student, I have the 8 and I MAKE the time to see the car gets the care it needs. Its not easy, but its worth it.

If something is REALLY important to you, then you can make it work, and it will be worth it...if its not something you really care to much about, then it will seem like its too much work, or its not worth it...and everytime you have to do something to it, or put off spending money on fun, so that the car has the stuff it needs, you will wish you didnt have that stupid car.

The rx8 doesnt really take that much more effort to run/own than any other car, but It does need a litttle extra attention...

I think you need to look at whats really important to you.

 

Keep the 8 man. If you go to classes early and your friends go late, you will have the afternoons to quick detail salt away, check oil, etc. You will still have many of the same worries with the STI. Bring the 8 to NY and post some pics of it in the city................

 

If you need a car, and love your 8 just buy all-seasons and take care of it there. There are plenty of places where you can wash and maintain it. It looks like you have enough money to maintain a car. The 8 should be no different to maintain. It just seems like you don't know your new environment well enough. And remember chicks dig the 8!

 

I don't like taking a good car to schools especially to colleges, it's just asking for it to be messed up. Personally, you should just keep the Rx8 and maybe get a really cheap beater if possible, that way you won't have jealous ****** messing up your car because it'll eventually happen regardless of what new car you get. Schools are full of ********...

 

+1

Go buy a $3,000 honda civic, change the oil once every blue moon, and don't worry about the maintenance. When you graduate, sell it (donate it, give it away, whatever) and go back to your 8.

 

Keep the 8. The amount of maintenance you need to put it into it directly relates to how much you use it. It sounds like you won't be using it much, so maintaining it shouldn't be a hassle, right?

Again...chicks dig 8s

And come on, there's car washes everywhere. Look harder.

College life is something you should enjoy. No doubt, it's the most pivotal time of your life, and hard work is a must. That doesn't mean you shouldn't allow yourself to have a nice car. I'm a freshman in college too, and the 8 gives me a lot of motivation.

 

another thing, when you go home for summer (or whatever time off) are you gonna leave the car there? driving it will eat up a lot of time/money if your making the trip from LA to NY a few times a year, trucking it that route would cost even more.....flying home for a week isnt a really big deal, although the car will sit in a parking lot, with possibly no-one watching it, but going home for a 2 week break or longer...whos going to take care of it?

Id get something for 1k bucks, a winter beater....and drive it all the time, or just durring the winter...cause when there is a few feet of snow on the ground, those are the times you really dont want to walk, or wait for a bus....

Dont they have a bus you could take into the city? or a bus to a train depot and get off at jamaica or penn station or something?[I]

 

There is where wisdom lies. Even if you sell the 8 and get a different car, you're still going to have the 2-coast problem. For the cost difference between selling the 8 and buying something new, you can buy a winter beater to keep in the east, and still have your 8 at home out west.

For different reasons, I bought a '94 Toyota Paseo in '04, had it about a year. Perfectly adequate transportation, never gave me a lick of trouble. Spent $1600 on it (plus had to put 2 new tires on it imediately). A used Toyota to get around NY in the winter, you won't go wrong.

 

My car is being kept in garage weekdays, and my dad takes out on sundays for a little bit of spin. It's been almost 4 months living here without my car, and last time I checked with my dad, the car only has about 300 miles more since I left it.

I'm going back home this thanksgiving, and I can't wait to drive my car again.

I think I'm going to keep my Rx8 for now guys.

And for the coast problems
I think I'm going to leave the car home for now, and think more about bringing it or not over the winter break.

I just can't imagine selling it. It was a gift from my parents, and it is my real first car. I know I am very fortunate, and I swore when I got it, I am going to keep it until it breaks down and no longer able to run. I'm going to keep it.

I know I didn't pay for it. I'm not afraid to say my parents got me the car, but they gave it to me. I have a responsibility to take care of it as my own. Because I know this, I'm more determined to keep it.

I'm not going to just sell a not even a year old car away and get another one.
I can't ask my parents to do that. They already did so much for me.
I still can't believe they surprised me with my rx8 for christmas.

Thank you so much for the advice
It really helped me a lot and made me feel a lot better