I just got my Shinka 3 days ago, and I have to say it has already established itself as my favorite of all the cars I've had (which is now at 8 new ones in the last 3 years). RX-8, car number 8, hopefully that's a good sign that I will keep this one for a while. I must say that having twice owned G35 coupes, which I think is the most direct competitor, this car is far and away better in every regard, except low end power). I am not a drag racer so it's not a big concern. My decision was between the Shinka and the 2006 BMW 325/330. I have to say that this car is an equal to that car in driving dynamics, had just as many features, and I think is better looking, inside and out. Didn't hurt my feelings any that it was about $7k less than a comparable 325 and $10k less than a comparale 330. Plus everybody and their brother has a 3 series around here, the RX is unique, especially the Shinka. I love the Black Cherry and Parchment combination, it really is as nice a combo as I've seen on any car. Alright, just wanted to introduce myself and say hello, I'll probably be getting some info on mods here in the not too distant future, that MS front end is looking very appealing.

 

Welcome to the fold--I was looking at my aunts G35 Coupe--while I love the performance and the style--I wouldn't give up my RX for one.

 

The G35 Coupe was a great car overall, but I think it lacked in a few areas compared to the RX-8. The weight of the car makes it not feel as nimble, confident and fun, even if it has similar ultimate handling limits. The backseat headroom is close to non-existant. The interior design is not nearly as well thought out and integrated as the RX-8. And lastly the ride quality was not quite as good, not harsh, but not as compliant as the RX. I did very much enjoy the power of the car. Getting a big chirp on the 1-2 shift was fun. But that extra power is really the only edge I could say the G had on the RX.

 

8 new cars in three years, either you have too much disposable income or there is some creative financing at work. Welcome to the fold, the Shinka is a heck of a car.

 

I've had my Shinka almost two weeks. Haven't had much time to drive it, but it's going to take us on a nice trip to Spokane in a few weeks. I guess I made the mistake of buying it right during prime Miata weather.

Anyway, have fun getting to know yours. See you out there on the blue roads.

 

Welcome! I'm with you, the rx8 is superior in everything (ok fine not everything) to the g35 except HP. You get a few more toys in the g35.

 

The RX-8 is capable of these chirps as well. I can get a nice chirp from 1-2 and also a nice one from 3rd or 4th down to 2nd.

 

Good choice & welcome to the club. I must say that when I sat in the Shinka I was just surprised on how nice the leather was. So soft, in comparison to my Grand Touring model. Also the chrome headrest inserts are very cool. I tried to get a set but they want like $800 for them. Great car. Congratulations.

 

Thanks to all for the kind greetings. It's nice to find a bunch of owners who seem to in general get along and have positive things to say.

Rowdy: I'll have to wait a little bit before I really get on the car and see what kind of power it puts down on the up and downshifts into 2nd. I'm trying my best to not go too hard on it until everything is broken in. I know the rotary doesn't need much in the way of a break-in, I just feel better getting all the drivetrain, brakes, etc broken in a little before hammering them.

So far, at anything from 1/10 - 6/10 driving that I've done so far, this car is superior to the G35C. Ok, so it doesn't have auto climate control. I hate auto climate control, so no loss there in my opinion. I can't really think of any other toys that the G had, that I am missing in the Shinka. I've even got a free year of Sirius, which I am really enjoying as I have been looking for any excuse to go for a nice extended drive.

charleybull33: Not too much disposable income, just enough to switch cars when I want to. I don't spend my money going out and drinking or whatever; I put it towards my cars, because I enjoy them more than I would doing other stuff. It's all about budgeting money, I give up spending on other things so I can do this with the cars. I'm getting a good feeling about the Shinka that I will likely keep it for at least a couple years. It really is the best car I've had.

 

I've had mine 6 weeks now and except for a rather bizarre issue of a loose bolt in the transmission (quickly resolved), it's one helluva purchase. My wife was a bit skeptical at first, UNTIL she saw it and drove it! The combination of great appearance, very limited production and exceptional handling have rejuvinated this ol' codger who has had nothing but SUV's the last 18 years! Everywhere we go, it gets ooohh's and ahhhh's.

As for power off the line..well, last evening I was tooling down the local boulevard and a boxster was next to me at the light....we knew what was going to happen; except for the results: I beat him off the line!!! :D

Normally, I would try to keep from putting too many miles on such a vehicle.. but dang, it's so much fun to drive!

 

Congrats on the new 8!

I can tell you that BMW reliability is in the toilet. The old E46 3 series were the best of the lot (and were still below average compared with all other cars) and with the 2006 re-design I would expect that to really drop down. I had a friend who had to have his new 5 (first production year) purchased back by BMW since they could never fix it. I expect to hear more tales for the new 3. Don't like the looks inside or out, but do like the driving dynamics on the new 3 (and most BMWs). Too bad the prices and reliability are not where they need to be.

Dennis

 

Congrats and welcome to the club!!! Enjoy the drive...

 

Congrats LIShinka-

When I was in the market to buy a new car, the G35 was actually my first choice. I was so set on buying it. But purely out of my husband's love for the RX8 I decided I would test drive G35 and an RX8.

I never would have imagined, but there was absolutely no competition. After a single test drive in each, my mind was pretty made up, I was getting a Shinka. I have no regrets! :D

Post some pics, we always like pics.

 

Glad to hear you like your Shinka.
I'm going on about 3 months and I still love mine.
I've yet to see another Shinka on the road (is it wrong of me to enjoy that??!!).

 

I'll have to take some pics next weekend once I do a nice detailing. I've been too busy driving it every chance I get, haven't washed it yet.

Nothing wrong with enjoying the uniqueness of the Shinka, that's one of the reasons I went for it. RX-8s are not too common to see, and I don't think I've ever seen a Shinka on the road. It's very enjoyable knowing it'll be very rare that you see another car just like yours.

All this talk of the car makes me want to go take a drive, so I think I will do just that.

 

Cool, another shinka owner. I had a guy stop me in the parking lot by standing in front of the car. He walked around the side and goes "hey, that's a really nice car!"

 

I so cant stand people like you. All you my-car-was-bad-so-they're-all-bad types are a joke to me, pulling factpinions from a certain orifice and making bold ***umptions about what company is and isnt reliable.

A car company that comes in above industry average (and no lower than 13th place the past 3 years) in that dependability study that people love to bring up, is hardly 'in the toilet'. If they're 'in the toilet' I'd love to know what that makes Mazda, which is constantly below average.

 

BMW's are notoriously unreliable in the the little things area. electronics, cooling etc. When it comes to engines though, they dont get much better.

 

I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but I know and have known several BMW owners - ranging from 318s to M5s - and not a single one of them have complained about reliability problems at all.


Nortorious indeed.

 

I've owned bmw's for the last 6 years of my life, 2 325's, and one 540. I also know more about them then you probably ever will.

If you want to have some run check out www.bimmerforums.com , or roadfly.org

I'm not saying they are ticking time bombs... oh wait, yes i am :D

www.540i6.com is good to, go check out the common fixes and problems. The day i can afford to fix a bmw is the day i'll be back in one again. I miss my 540 so much right now

 

Hey I never stated I knew more about them than you, but you came in blazing with no backup to where you got your info. All I know is what I've heard from the 5 or 6 BMW owners I've known.

 

I gave you some good backup in my previous post :D

Like i said, when i can comfortably afford to fix a bmw i'll be back in one. It came down to being afraid of driving my 540 because i knew the waterpump was going to blow and i didn't have the money to fix it. Sigh.

That's ok, when i make it big i'll be in my m5 :D

 

I love my Shinka as well. Check my signature below for mods... all that done since 4/28/2005 when I got the car. Oh, and I haven't added that I also have installed footwell lighting... When will this madness stop???

I also used to own a BMW (twice, in fact) One thing I missed when I had my old bimmer was the dealer customer service. Mazda dealers (at least the one near me) still have a long way to go to catch up with the other carmakers.

 

He's just the type I was talking about: people that ignorantly think because theirs had issues, then they ALL have issues. Never mind the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of other ones on the road, he speaks for them too.

 

Well, I probably can't stand people like you - so that makes us even

How many BMWs have you owned? I have owned a couple and have lots of friends and co-workers with them and I can tell you they ARE ticking time bombs as someone else put it. Lots and lots of little (but expensive) crap is going to brake on them as you drive. And every time they do a "new" design that make it a whole lot worse. The E39 5s were pretty poor, the new 5s are TERRIBLE. Ditto the old 7s - pretty bad, new 7s are TERRIBLE. Heck, remember the Nickasil engines or the bad M3 motors?

You may be quoting "intial quality" numbers, you look at the reliability long-term and the numbers change. Of course, many folks are HAPPY paying a premium for the BMW roundel and then getting a 13th place car.

Great to drive - yes! Awesome cars - yes! Going to fail much before their time - most will!

Dennis