if not the 8, what else would you choose?
05-10-2008 | 04:20 PM
#26
I traded for GTO
I have two kids, and I get them and the child seats in and out with no problem at all. The back seat of the GTO is comfortable for adults, it's just harder for them to get in an out than the RX8. Kids, it's easy.
Usable rear seat, rear wheel drive, and better mpg (yes, absolutely true, I get much better gas mileage), so 3 out of the 4. Does it help any to know it can crush an M3 from a roll? Our goals were similar... I wanted the rear seats, independent suspension rwd, and I wanted it as fast or fast than an M3, but at a lower cost to buy, maintain, and modify. It just wont ever subjectively handle as well.
I have two kids, and I get them and the child seats in and out with no problem at all. The back seat of the GTO is comfortable for adults, it's just harder for them to get in an out than the RX8. Kids, it's easy.
Usable rear seat, rear wheel drive, and better mpg (yes, absolutely true, I get much better gas mileage), so 3 out of the 4. Does it help any to know it can crush an M3 from a roll? Our goals were similar... I wanted the rear seats, independent suspension rwd, and I wanted it as fast or fast than an M3, but at a lower cost to buy, maintain, and modify. It just wont ever subjectively handle as well.
oh BTW that GTO is cleaaaan! leather seats?
and i saw a buddy of mine race a gto his was manuel and the GTO was manuel they did a highway run and the M3 won by several car lengths.. both stock..
then he ran a evo MR with just catback and the M3 beat it to they are quick
Last edited by 05rx8mazda; 05-10-2008 at 04:25 PM.
05-10-2008 | 04:24 PM
#27
I think its all about the price range.. If i had 10K to spend i would probably but a 1997-1997 eclipse GSX or GST.. I had one that i baught for 2K and i pulled the engine out and got the head and engine rebuilt and it ran like a champ.. On the highway just a tad bit quicker than my 8.. or a 1993 MR2 Turbo T top!
in the range of 20K I think would get a rsx type s
int he 30K range I would get me a 8 =]] which i already have!!
but if i had to pick i would have to lean towards... well i really cant see me driving another car hahaha It wil have to take som time to actually thinka bout this one...
HMM ill get to you all on this one.. OHH WAIT WAIT
G37 FTW!
in the range of 20K I think would get a rsx type s
int he 30K range I would get me a 8 =]] which i already have!!
but if i had to pick i would have to lean towards... well i really cant see me driving another car hahaha It wil have to take som time to actually thinka bout this one...
HMM ill get to you all on this one.. OHH WAIT WAIT
G37 FTW!
05-10-2008 | 06:01 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 74
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From: andover, ma
When I was looking I test drove the G35 and it was too unrefined. Didn't like the way it drove at all. And the seats sucked compared to the 8. Four and a half years later and still nothing else really catches my interest.
E36 M3 would be great but pricey to maintain.
E36 M3 would be great but pricey to maintain.
05-11-2008 | 02:29 AM
#32
n00b post whore
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
I traded for GTO
I have two kids, and I get them and the child seats in and out with no problem at all. The back seat of the GTO is comfortable for adults, it's just harder for them to get in an out than the RX8. Kids, it's easy.
Usable rear seat, rear wheel drive, and better mpg (yes, absolutely true, I get much better gas mileage), so 3 out of the 4. Does it help any to know it can crush an M3 from a roll? Our goals were similar... I wanted the rear seats, independent suspension rwd, and I wanted it as fast or fast than an M3, but at a lower cost to buy, maintain, and modify. It just wont ever subjectively handle as well.
I have two kids, and I get them and the child seats in and out with no problem at all. The back seat of the GTO is comfortable for adults, it's just harder for them to get in an out than the RX8. Kids, it's easy.
Usable rear seat, rear wheel drive, and better mpg (yes, absolutely true, I get much better gas mileage), so 3 out of the 4. Does it help any to know it can crush an M3 from a roll? Our goals were similar... I wanted the rear seats, independent suspension rwd, and I wanted it as fast or fast than an M3, but at a lower cost to buy, maintain, and modify. It just wont ever subjectively handle as well.
And the Pontiac G8 can be had for under $30K. That would definitely be on the list for budget power, handling, and practicality.
05-11-2008 | 02:37 AM
#34
n00b post whore
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 535
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From: San Jose, CA
Oh, sorry, you called it a GTA to make it sound cooler and more JDM, my bad 
05-11-2008 | 04:08 AM
#37
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 24
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From: Palomar Mt. CA by the BIG telescope
Are you kidding? After many test drives that ended up exactly like the first one, where from the time I put my hand on the gear shift, the machine posessed me.
I took it up the Palomar Mountain grade , and as far as I am concerned there IS NO OTHER! I want one soooooooo bad-it is sinful to want a material object like this automobile-I'll flagellate myself later.
Zoom Zoom
David Drake an old T-Rexer
I took it up the Palomar Mountain grade , and as far as I am concerned there IS NO OTHER! I want one soooooooo bad-it is sinful to want a material object like this automobile-I'll flagellate myself later.
Zoom Zoom
David Drake an old T-Rexer
05-11-2008 | 04:33 AM
#38
rotorized!!!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 653
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
I can think of very few cars the 8 competes with directly according to the parameters in the first post:
Infiniti G35/G37
BMW 135i
The infiniti is a closer match tho
Another car that is closely related is the Toyota Celica, tho not RWD it has usable back seats, good looks and sporty handling
Toyota is teaming up with subaru to create a new Celica, the engine will be a flat 4 with rear wheel drive and 200 horses more or less in standard trim, there will probably be 4 usable seats in it as well and here is a reference for that one
http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04...ports-car.html
Realistically speaking... I'd probably get a celica if I had to downgrade from the 8, 35 mpg is pretty sweet in this day and age. If I had the money to upgrade I'd go for a used NSX and if I really had the money to upgrade, probably a cayman or a GT-R
Infiniti G35/G37
BMW 135i
The infiniti is a closer match tho
Another car that is closely related is the Toyota Celica, tho not RWD it has usable back seats, good looks and sporty handling
Toyota is teaming up with subaru to create a new Celica, the engine will be a flat 4 with rear wheel drive and 200 horses more or less in standard trim, there will probably be 4 usable seats in it as well and here is a reference for that one
http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04...ports-car.html
Realistically speaking... I'd probably get a celica if I had to downgrade from the 8, 35 mpg is pretty sweet in this day and age. If I had the money to upgrade I'd go for a used NSX and if I really had the money to upgrade, probably a cayman or a GT-R
05-11-2008 | 04:47 AM
#39
Blue By You
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,717
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From: Milwaukee
I can think of very few cars the 8 competes with directly according to the parameters in the first post:
Infiniti G35/G37
BMW 135i
The infiniti is a closer match tho
Another car that is closely related is the Toyota Celica, tho not RWD it has usable back seats, good looks and sporty handling
Toyota is teaming up with subaru to create a new Celica, the engine will be a flat 4 with rear wheel drive and 200 horses more or less in standard trim, there will probably be 4 usable seats in it as well and here is a reference for that one
http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04...ports-car.html
Realistically speaking... I'd probably get a celica if I had to downgrade from the 8, 35 mpg is pretty sweet in this day and age. If I had the money to upgrade I'd go for a used NSX and if I really had the money to upgrade, probably a cayman or a GT-R
Infiniti G35/G37
BMW 135i
The infiniti is a closer match tho
Another car that is closely related is the Toyota Celica, tho not RWD it has usable back seats, good looks and sporty handling
Toyota is teaming up with subaru to create a new Celica, the engine will be a flat 4 with rear wheel drive and 200 horses more or less in standard trim, there will probably be 4 usable seats in it as well and here is a reference for that one
http://carnoise.blogspot.com/2008/04...ports-car.html
Realistically speaking... I'd probably get a celica if I had to downgrade from the 8, 35 mpg is pretty sweet in this day and age. If I had the money to upgrade I'd go for a used NSX and if I really had the money to upgrade, probably a cayman or a GT-R
) could be very interesting. In they put an STI engine in one with some beefy brakes and good handling I'll certainly give it a serious look. The Hyundai Genesis coupe is another one to watch out for. Lastly, the Solstice and Sky coupe is also an interesting entry into the small RWD performance car market.
05-11-2008 | 09:12 PM
#46
Registered
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 58
From: NYC
It would be one of these (and no, there's no rhyme or reason, except smart engineering + fun-to-drive):
• MX-5 (would be my fourth!)
• Mini Cooper
• Honda Fit
• Porsche Cayman (or possibly a Boxster)
• VW GTI
• MX-5 (would be my fourth!)
• Mini Cooper
• Honda Fit
• Porsche Cayman (or possibly a Boxster)
• VW GTI
05-12-2008 | 05:08 AM
#49
Music and Cars!!! :)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,325
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An S2K, but I already made the switch. Great alternative if you don't mind losing the luxury. Got a bit more in speed and handling, mpg is quite a bit better, and the reliability is absolutely outstanding (not that the RX8 can't be reliable) I still miss my RX8 though. I find it to be better looking, and I miss that engine. I just don't miss the nightmares in reliability I had. 
05-12-2008 | 05:32 AM
#50
sleddog_racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge, Ontario
Well, I have the 8 and I just brought home a new Cooper S on Saturday to keep the 8 company. If I were to replace the 8 I used to think it would be with a 350Z (370Z coming out in 2010) but I have really taken a liking to the Lexus IS-F so I suppose I'll get one of those maybe by the fall.