I've been wanting the 8 for God knows how long. My parents agreed on buying a car under $35k also, but they refuse on getting the 8 because its rear wheel drive, and they worry about me driving during the winter. Is it really that bad? Please share your experiences youve had driving during the winter time (if you live in a place that gets snow atleast).

Anything I can say to them to make them think otherwise? I'm willing to do almost anything to get this car, I'm even giving them my $10,000 i've saved over the years.

 

how old are you?

 

im 19, why do you ask?

 

I would have been happy with any car 35k or near, but that is beside the point.

You can begin by doing your homework on the net and here on the forum, and compile a list of safety features that the RX8 has, such as Dynamic Stability Control, Anti lock brakes, 50/50 weight ratio, scored very well in roll-over tests, and as an added bonus, insurance will normally be charged as a 4 door coupe rather then a 2 door sports car.

Once you explain this to them, maybe then you can convince them to take one for a test drive, so that they can see what little torque there is in the RX8, so rear wheel drive or not, its hard to lose control in this car.

Finally have your parents visit this forum, so that they can see for themselves how very little aftermarket products are available for this car, so that they can be at ease that you wont be spending your money on go fast goodies and ricer kits.

In closing, I hope this helps you to get the RX8, it is after all, a fine machine. I would have died and gone to heaven if my parents bought me a car even 1/32 as nice as an RX8, so if you do get it, always remember the genoerous thing they did for you, and dont hold the car over the heads of your peers who arnt so lucky.

 

You have very generous parents. My first car was a hand me down 89 Accord, and I thought I was very fortunate that my parents gave me that car. I guess you will learn to appreciate the RX-8 more after driving a 16 year old car.

Since theCATALYST covered most of the safety features, I suggest you get a set of winter(if it snows in your area) tires if you plan to drive it during the winter.

 

How about you just take what they offer you, like it, and stop being a spoiled brat.

 

most cars in that price range are FR cars... unless they want u to get an AWD or a TL...

 

Get an STI

 

Blue Eyes, was that really called for?

This thread is to help him.

If you have nothing helpful to say, then you have no business here.

 

Ahmen. im 19 and i pay for my 8. and i go to school full time, get a job. i got one, and now i have an 8. Also, when u go see a dealer, and a salesman tells ur parents it has 240hp. hes lying, its got 200, from what i can tell/feel also dude, think about a 7 aswell, damn with 35k u can get a new engine, and have the sickest and one of the fastest rotarys out there. but i will say, my parents didnt like me getting the 8, till they drove it to. they "borrowed" it for a city drive, and they were impressed with how smooth it drove downtown. let them drive it, and tell them front wheel causes brain tumors if ya gotta lie.

 

If you live in an area that is really icey and snows alot I would agree with your parents. A rear wheel drive car, especially a high powered one, will get you killed. I have always had problems in the rain with my posi traction cars. I have fished tailed going up on ramps simply shifting into 2nd gear, casually driving. I would highly recommend an AWD car.

If they are willing to spend 35k then you should get a Subaru AWD. They are faster than an 8, look pretty cool, around 25k and have AWD. Plus they are a good deal heavier than the 8 so you'll get better traction. They only problem is they are turbo charged so it depends on how long you are going to keep it. BMW makes a nice 325i that is AWD. I think it is around 35k. THe ladies will probably appreciate the beamer a bit more than the Subaru. Especially since it has heated leather seats. Great for snuggling in the cold ).

Just my 2 cents.

 

the kid wants an RX8, why suggest him other cars? its going to be impractical as hell in the winter, but maybe hes willing to make that sacrafice for popularity? its sounds like its his dream car, so why suggest him something else?

you should tell them that, it has traction control and other features that keeps it from sliping under bad conditions. and that you'll be very careful.

but mainly let them know that, if they are going to buy you a car, then they should get you the car that you want. otherwise youd get stuck with a car that you dont like for years. then no one is happy, and they waste 35k. if you show a lot of passion and determination and stubborness, then usually they will give in.

good luck.

 

Brother ... it's good you did come onto board acting like a brat. Good for you.

As to reasons why to get the 8, Catalyst covered them for you. The car is very well balanced so it is easy to handle.

With regards to winter driving, it is fine as long as you're not stupid with it. With any car you can get yourself killed if you're being stupid in the winter. Get yourself a good pair of winter tires (many suggestions here on the thread). The DSC/TCS system is good and saved my butt a few times when going over roads that were iced over, with blowing snow.

The other thing that I wanted to mention is that FWD have the engine over the driving wheels which makes it great for starting off and accelerating in snow. RWD is at a disadvantage here. But when turning and stopping, having the engine over the driving wheels can actually be detrimental because all the burden of turning/braking is placed on one axel. RWD is at an advantage here because the driving axel and turning/braking is not all on one axel. Obviously with AWD, you have best of both worlds but can make you overconfident. How many times have you seen AWD SUVs in the ditch! Ha ha.

I actually prefer RWD in winters because you obviously don't always go in straightlines. Hills are a bit of a bitch but whatever. Good luck!

 

ok i dont see how hes being a brat, his parents are going to buy him an expensive car, they just dont accept rear wheel drive.

problem is, we cant tell them anything to change their worrying about RWD. youre 19, probably not very experienced in the winter, and therefore a car that costs ~35k is probably not the car for you.

Im 20 and own an 8, but live in south FL, so i dont have to worry about winter :p good luck

 

If you have to get a FWD car get an 06 Eclipse. LOL

 

Just tell your parents that a FWD car accelerates better in snow, but a RWD car can turn better. Isn't it better to have manueverability?

 

I grew up between 3 ski resorts in Colorado, and can say with complete certainty that as long as you have good tires and dont drive like an a$$hole there should be no problem. When I worked at Breckenridge ski resort, I drove an Rx7 to and from work everyday, never had a problem. Infact, I got a maxima after that 7 and slid off the road 2 times during the first winter! Nothing will help the conditions when it is icy, good tires (tested in several places) had more to do with winter handling than anything else.

 

If your a Mazda fan, wait for the MazdaSpeed 6 soon to be released w/AWD! A very nice compromise.

 

thanks guys, youve really helped me.

i'm not trying to be a brat either, its just i'd prefer a car that i want, and if i fail to convince them, then i'll go on and find another car like the STI or something. I'm just trying to see if there is still a chance to change their minds. if they do change their minds, that would be great and if not, i'll deal with it.

 

There are a number of people here that have an 8 and drive it in the snow. Just make sure the one you get has the traction control etc. Then go to www.tirerack.com and order a good set of snow tires (you can do a search here to find what everyone else is using) and the car will be set for the snow.

The other option is to get an 8, then have them buy a cheaper snow car so you dont mess up the new car. Good luck

 

Hey Bindon, It was helpful. His parents want to spend 35 thousand dollars on a car for him and he isn't happy with it because he wants a certain car. That's ridiculously selfish and bratty.

 

You are missing the entire point. If they are going to spend $35k on any car, he wants to assure his parents that the car is safe to drive in the snow. And with a decent set of snow tires, the RX8 is very capable and will be $3k shy of $35k.

 

get it on your own and show up at your house in it one day. nice and simple.

 

shoot, when it snows up here in seattle, things just shut down. besides, i'm from hawaii so i don't trust any water that's not in liquid form. i'm surprised no one suggested the A4. their quattro system is very good and you can extract reasonable power from the 1.8t in the aftermarket.