Since you prefer leasing (it never made sense to me) I'll speak in terms of monthly payments. This is a very simple choice.

Cost times open.top.ratio times cargo.ratio times aggression.ratio minus partner.satisfaction.buffer equals thumbs.up.or.down

Or more precisely ...
[($2009 RX8 payment + rotary maintenance + insurance + fees) - ($2009 Miata PRHT payment + L4 maintenance + insurance + fees) + (monthly miles driven / 10 mpg x cost per gallon)] x (10 x miles with top down / miles with top up) x (miles driven alone / 5 x miles driven with passengers or cargo) x (twisty aggressive miles driven / straight sedate miles driven) - (monthly payments for new kitchen appliances, new bedroom set, jewelry, etc.) = decision factor

Positive answer, switch to RX8. Negative number, switch to retractable hardtop Miata. Can't do the math, switch to the Toyota, Honda, or Nissan forums.

Your conversion factors may vary.

 

I actually did the math and factored in the cost of registration and insurance for 3 cars, and came to the inescapable conclusion to keep my old Miata when I bought my RX-8. It helps when you have an extra 2-car barn garage.

 

S-plan mostly = Invoice.

for a 2009, you should be able to bring the price WAY BELOW invoice + all the incentives from Mazda.

 

Get it for 22,000.

 

S plan may be the best you can do on a 2009...given that there are few left. I had to dive across three states to pick up my 8 and the other dealers weren't even wiling to do S-plan.

I was shopping the NC2 (revised latest edition Miata) as I've owned Miatas, Boxsters, and a Cayman S. I couldn't fit my driver (golf club) in the NC unless I stashed it behind the passenger seat. My other peeve is that with the Miata it is very hard to option the car the way I want.

5spd is impossible with LSD
5spd is impossible with xenons
They killed Winning blue
Sport suspension (the newer one that is semi worthwhile) impossible with 5spd
cloth seats impossible with LSD
hairdresser stigma

So if I wanted to buy a car, mod it with suspension, and keep it stock for autocross I'd have to get a 2007 and get the MS-R goodies for it..

Then the RX-8 popped up, which I had ignored for whatever reason. I found LSD is standard in all and the options I wanted were available. Heck, the GT comes with automatic wipers -- which is one of my favorite features on my P-cars... But then I saw the R3 in it's pretty blue color and knew I found the car I wanted.

Yes gas mileage isn't great, but the way I would drive a Miata it wouldn't be too much better. If you want to save gas -- live close to where you need to go or ride a bicycle. The engine is smooth as butter, the chassis is stiff. It does feel a lot like the NC in many regards. I decided if I want the open top Miata experience (top down on a clear, starry night in the country is one of those experiences I will never forget...that and top down + snow tires and blasting by SUVs stuck in ditches ), I'll get 90-93 in smurf blue and live it up as a second car.

RX8 downsides?
Gas mileage
Yes your engine does require attention
Aux sound input is next to an unswitched accessory socket with ground loop problems (wtf?)
Insurance.
Every idiot in a mustang or honda wants to race race...

 

About 3 yrs ago I was out looking for my beloved JDM STi replacement. Folks had a NA Miata and races Solo II with it. I enjoyed it too despite 115hp. The car and driver cooperation to make every hp count is a rewarding experience.
So off I went to look at other cars which I shall not mention as they are not worthy to share the same light as the two Mazda specimens here. You know the Zs, STi, G35, 3-series. Needless to say one of them is the then brand new NC MX-5. Wonderful car. Drop top is fun on nice days. While the NC was more refined than previous Miatas, it also felt larger especially compared to the NA.
After I got back to the dealership, wifey was eyeing the RX-8. Dealer toss us the keys and walked away. Took it out for a spin. Immediately it was apparent to me that the rx-8's driving experience is extraordinary what with its ultra smooth rotary engine. Gunning the pedal to drive the centre needle to 9000rpm delivers a visceral scream yet somehow the engine remained silky smooth. In contrast, the 2.0l engine of the MX-5 felt coarse and unrefined in comparison now. Then again what engine isn't compared to the Renesis?

The RX-8 is a larger hardtop MX-5 imho with practicality to boot. It is also more refined inside and out over the miata. In terms of maintenance, I don't see checking oil level is an issue. I do it anyways for my other cars including inspecting tire pressure (I know! ), coolant level, windshield fluid, power-steering fluid etc. I look at it as "My Time" with the cars. I cannot see how someone can call themselves a automotive enthusiast without getting one's hand dirty with their own car.


Somedays I do steal glances at NCs. But right here right now, the RX-8 was the better choice for me. It steal looks dead sexy after 3 years of ownership. Now with a child, the rear seats come in very handy. So go get the RX-8. You will not regret it. I know lots of Miataphiles did and loved it. Both are Mazda's best cars.

 

Oh yeah...the engine/car are a lot more fun (or at least less annoying) than a miata on those open road interstates where 90mph is the norm....

 

I know what you mean, top down motoring is special..and still a unique experience..

I am pondering a new NC PRHT...keeping the 8 though.

Or do I wait for the new ND MX-5?, lighter, smaller ALL NEW engine, I hope RWD.

I am always funny about Mazda's ALL new cars, the second gen or series is the better car with the bugs ironed out...be aware the new SKY engine will have some issues...

I don't know if I really want a Lighter or Smaller MX-5...I think the NC is just right...would like to see a 2.3 or 2.5 litre..

 

I'd hold out for an ND or go for an NA...to me the NC's dynamics are pretty close to the RX-8...so I'd want something a little different in a second car... IF the ND is a flop, then your dream NC should be available for bargain prices because it is "old"

 

should be deals everywhere, i just got my 09 R3 for $23k, 9000 off from sticker

 

just get a 2006 rx8 for like $16000

 

For 3k more, you could get a new 2009 sport with a full-warranty. I was able to negotiate (with the 5k off) for my 2009 sport down to 19k. New car FTW!

 

I test drove both cars. I was actually leaning more toward the MX-5 at the time. However, I did not fit well in the MX-5--just not enough leg room for me. Regardless, I came away with liking the RX-8 better, anyway. I've always loved the RX-8, but I liked the idea of the little hard top MX-5.

My impressions were these: RX-8 is definitely faster. The MX-5 felt like it had more low RPM grunt, but the RX-8 was without a doubt the faster car. You just have to wind it out to feel it. There is no difference in power or toque between the "normal" RX-8 and the R3. The difference is in the tweaks to the interior, exterior, and suspension tuning (which many, including Racing Beat, have felt is too hard and not really any "better."). The RX-8 rotary engine is just way more fun than the MZR in the MX-5 (which is itself not a bad engine, as I have the 2.3L version of it in my Mazda3). I love the sound of the rotary. The RX-8 is, in my opinion, also the better handling car, although probably by only a small margin. It was the car the platform was created for, and later used (I'm sure designed from the beginning to use) in smaller form for the MX-5. The RX-8 is, in stock form, at least the equal of the MX-5 in handling, and the chassis is probably much stiffer. If fuel efficiency is at all a concern, the MX-5 will surely stomp all over the RX-8 in that category! The best I've ever managed in 67 mph expressway driving was 22.x mpg. When I'm out for a fun drive, it's more like 11 to 15 mpg, depending on just how *much* fun I'm having. Fuel efficiency was not even remotely a concern for me, as the RX-8 is my recreational vehicle only. The Mazda3 is my daily driver, and it gets 35+ mpg on the expressway.

I love both cars, and if I had fit better in the MX-5, it would have been a more difficult decision, but I likely still would have gone for the RX-8.