sonycrr

i have a 2006 wrx limited (moonroof & leather). 42k miles
i am thinking about trading in my wrx for a rx8 with very low miles or maybe a new one.
just have 3 questions.

is the rx8 faster on highway speeds? 60+mph
does the rx8 have issues starting in cold weather, 10 degrees f.?
if the engine is not abused, will it last to 200-300k?

thank you very much for you help.

everytime i see a rx8, i always have doubts on my decision to buy a wrx over a rx8.

alfy28

Sure why not

alienRX8

i would keep the wrx for a lot of reasons but thats just me

it really depends on what you want the car for, as a daily driver I think the WRX is better

blackenedwings

It really depends on what you want the car for. The RX-8 is a very unique and special car, but it does have its detractors. Driven vigorously the RX-8 is quite fast, especially in the upper RPMs. It is never going to be a great performer in straight line speed, it's real strength is in the twisties.

I haven't had any problems starting the car in the cold, and anecdotally I know people in much colder climes who don't have any issues either.

200-300k miles without a rebuild is unlikely in my opinion, but its possible I suppose. The motor is a very simple design with few moving parts, however the design of the engine will naturally lose some compression over time. Also "not abused" means a different thing for the RX-8 than most cars. I've found that driving the car without pushing it results in a noticable performance decrease after a short time (a week or two). If I granny-drive around the car, it starts to feel lethargic, while regularly driving to redline and pushing the car makes it feel responsive and energetic. Regular oil changes, and periodic checking the oil level is crucial to the health of the car as well. Following those steps and ensuring you have all the latest TSBs will result in the longest engine life. It does help that the car has a 100k mile warranty on the engine, so that will get you through the first bit. My final thought on that is that a rotary rebuild is reasonably inexpensive compared to a piston rebuild because there are so fewer moving parts. It's not cheap by any stretch, but it shouldn't be a problem to plan and save for an eventual rebuild sometime in the cars lifetime. I'm going forced induction, so I'm planning on at least one rebuild in the cars lifetime.

Design1stCode2nd

If you don’t usually need the back seats, typically drive on mountain roads or lots of twisty back roads (Or you like to auto x) and don’t mind a little extra care/maintenance then I’d say the rX8 would be the better choice.

J wind

define abused lol, will you keep up with maintenance? any mods you have in mind?

delhi

I had a 2005 Saabaru Aero (WRC in Saab clothing) Stage II AP. Apart from AWD in the snow, I don't miss it at all. Sure it is quick on the straight line at the lights but that's it. RX-8 gave me more smiles overall. More comfortable, stylish, unique, interior is 10X nicer and the Saabaru is already tarted up from the wrx.

gh8st

iTrader: (10)

grass is always greener

NightmareX

I say don't do it unless you FI it.

bose

iTrader: (5)

Like everyone has said it depends on what you want. My best friend has an '06 WRX TR, and has about 13k in mods, 3" bell mouth Invidia tbe. grimmspeed 44mm ewg, vf39. Suspension the works. 280 whp and 290 wtq, he rally's me in a strait line from any speed.

But same cars on the round abouts by his house and my stock suspension car can take them at much higher speeds than him, he says he likes my suspension better. The balance is much better. With an upgrade in my suspension I would dare to say I would fare even better.

So it just comes down to what you want. It's really a tough call, I have pondered getting a WRX myself, and will one day but I plan to keep the 8.


And no it's highly unlikely to be as durable as the boxer, my buddy showed me a thread where the owner didn't change his oil for 50,000 plus mile and it still didn't pop until he cranked his manual boost controller to 40 psi. So...

sonycrr

how much is a rebuild and should i expect to do that at around 100k?
btw i live in nyc, it does get pretty cold here during the winter and i drive to work everyday, so i do need it to have no issues starting in cold weather. i never drove a rwd car before. i hope i can manage in the snow.
i normally drive the speed limit now but i would still like some speed since there are times you need some good accelleration ( merging, cutting cars, etc.. )

the reasons why i want to make the switch is:
i dont really need the back seats, and im 5' 10" so no one can really sit behing me anyways, since i put my seat all the way back.
i'm 30 and the wrx seems to be for a younger crowd.
the seats in the wrx are pretty uncomfortable
i like high reving cars. i use to have a integra gsr and it was pretty fun to drive.
i really how the rx8 looks and i did sit in one before at the dealer. they are very comforatble.
thanks for all the replies.

sonycrr

also i dont plan to mod it except maybe some kind of exhaust. i really like how they sound in the rx8. if i find a really nice sounding one that isnt loud at all, i may consider that. the only mod i did for the wrx was an intake to hear the spooling sound more.

Ross_Dawg

iTrader: (2)

Get inside one, you won't look back

bose

iTrader: (5)

Well from the sounds of it you'll love it here, go test drive one like ^^^ said, you won't look back. And I know what you mean about their seats, I can say the RX8 seats are 1000% nicer.

ferg

for snow, the wrx owns, the 8 is more street then anything,

lucifuge

I think the main thing you need to appreciate is that while there is an overlap in performance, they are very different cars. OK, WRX's are powerful as everyone knows, but they also have a tendency to be rough-ish; in power delivery and gear changes. The Rx8 on the hand while not as powerful, is oh-so-smooth on every level. The level of sophistication is way above a WRX period. Having said that an Rx8 wont be as fast, and will use more fuel and more oil. You might be bothered however going from the power/economy of the WRX to that of the Rx8 **if** such considerations are important to you, because power AND economy will be lower than a WRX. I think its fair to say that while the grip levels of a WRX are very high, it doesn't necessarily mean that its handling is great, on that, the Rx8 would beat it. Also, the Rx8 is a dream to drive, the WRX is more work. Objectively to say one is better or more fun is absurd, it's what you find important that counts.

Having owned both, I think its fair to say that the WRX would definitely be a better daily driver, but I would much prefer to drive the Rx8....just wouldn't like to pay for fuel bills though. If finances weren't an issue there'd be a lot of agreement for a WRX as a daily driver and an RX8 as a weekend warrior, that's the best way I can put it.

ferg

rx8 is a great car for everyday, im in it all day long 7 days a week and yeah after a few hours in it a day, i can say that im fine with it

Zerotide

iTrader: (1)

I say go for it. You will miss the torque to be sure, but after awhile I don't think it will matter. (I went from a 4.2L Audi V8 to a 1.3L rotary and I have no regrets! )

The RX-8 is definitely more mature and refined than a WRX, looks better, handles better, is more comfortable, and let's face it, the back seats of a Impreza have no effing leg room. The 8's back seats offer a good amount of leg room due to depressions in the back of the front seats. You won't be able to tell how much room there really is back there until you sit in the back.

Really, if you get a low mileage 8 you won't have to worry about the engine for awhile. Mazda has the 8 yr / 100,000 mile engine core warranty among others (I'm not versed in all the different warranties on this thing). If you take care of it, redline it often, don't flood it, top off the oil every 1k miles, and premix your engine can easily last to 150k and beyond.

But no amount of us pushing you towards an 8 will equate to you going to test drive one. Trust me, go drive one, and you won't look back.

Good luck with your decision

alienRX8

yeah it happened to me I didnt think I would like the 8 for everything I had heard about it, but then I drove it and I fell in love.

sonycrr

thanks everyone!
im gonna try to go test drive one really soon. hopefully this weekend. i told my gf that i might trade the wrx for a rx8..she said, why u trying to get more girls for? .....crazy girls.......i guess the rx8 is a chick magnet..=]

last question...=D
the msrp for a 09 rx8 grand touring is about 32k
i remember when i was deciding betweek the wrx and the rx8 in 2006, i read here that the a new rx8 was going for about 25-28k and im pretty sure that was for the grand touring package
(if i recall correctly).

any 1 have an idea what the price for a 09 rx8 grand touring package is these days?

ty

hughtwg

If you're going to be driving in NYC your MPG is going to really really suck.

Go to edmunds.com and check out the True Market Value.

8s are great but it wouldn't be my first choice for a city car.

dmc27

MSRP means nothing, especially in this economy. If you're going top-shelf check out the R3.


Look into the depreciation on something that new, though. Steep . . . steep


A test drive should make a big difference for you. I have no issues finding the power I need in daily driving. No issues with cold starts either, and I'm farther north & @42k on the OEM battery.

Did I mention 15mpg driving it the right way?

Shinka_MJR

One simple thought: if you are not abusing your RX8, then you are abusing your RX8.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

The WRX is really a great machine. Take the kids to soccer practice weekdays and to a rally on the weekends. It corners exceptionally and has plenty of power (the STI model has ludicrous 300 Hp+ power).

But at the end of the day it's a four door hatchback sedan.

The RX-8 is a sportscar and very unique with its high revving yet smooth turbine-like rotary.

Sounds like you're ready to grow up. All the best.

pdxhak

iTrader: (2)

Since you did not mention ultra tunable with great MPG and a bullet proof motor, the rx8 could be for you