jp-8

A big HELLO to everyone! : )

My 1st post, been lurking around and found this forum extremely informative. I don't own an RX-8 yet but hope to sometime soon. : )

I've been rather happy with my present car (BMW E36 316i manual, does the job of shipping wife and 2 kids around) till the RX-8 emerged. And it hasn't been good coz I can't seem to get it out of my head! My wife been converted too! : ) Worst still, 2 nite back, I had this long dream of me cruising on this long and winding costal road wearing nothing but a silly grin. Must say it was much more satisfying than my 1st wet dream! : ) And I've yet to test drive one! THe Mazda dealer here in Singapore will get it in the 1st quarter next year. But a few parallel importers have it in already but they wouldn't even let me place my butt on the seat let alone test it. ;p

Anyways, I've been working out the $$$ (it cost approx US$80,000 here in Singapore, I"M NOT KIDDING!!) and although it seems quite manageable, I'm abit concern about some issues (they are quite 'silly' or small actually), and hope that some of you would help ease my doubts or rather ignorance (. : )

(1)can u fit a baby seat in the back?
(2)can u fit a baby stroller in the boot with room to spare for a few grocery bags?
(3)I know there's a thread that touched on the safety aspect but would anyone have any update on crash test etc coz I'll be fitting 2 kids at the back?
(4)And lastly, for all you family people, taken that this is your only mode of personal transport for the entire family, do you find that the RX-8 fit your day to day needs?

Sorry for the long post, but I just need to get this out of my system! To RX-8 or not or maybe I should just settle for a sensible MPV or maybe another saloon. ;p

Cheers!

AfroCreame

I should be able to help ya out as we just had a baby a month ago! Anyway...to answer your questions...

1. Yes, you can fit a baby seat in the back. We currently use a Peg-perego car seat and it fits perfectly.

2. It depends on how big the stroller is. The one that my wife and I own wouldn't fit as it's huge. A smaller, lighter stroller would fit with bags.

3. I feel pretty safe hauling my family around. ABS, Airbags galore, etc.

4. I don't use the RX8 as our only transportation. The wife drives the Lincoln Navigator while I have the RX8 and a PT Cruiser. I guess it would depend on how old your children are and how tall/short you are. I personaly wouldn't rely on a RX8 as my main family transportation. If I were you I would drag all the kids, carseats and whatever else you plan to haul and goto the dealership. I'am sure the dealership would be more than willing to help you out on your purchase and needs. Don't forget the 6! Great lookin car!

jp-8

Thks AfroCreame for the info! My 2 kids are 3 & 5. My younger girl is rather small for her age and I guess the family on the whole can be considered small considering we're Asians. : )

Problem here is that the car prices in Singapore are crazy compared to the rest of the world. I guess u can say its hell for car fanatics unless you're very rich. So having 2 cars is out of the question for me. BUT the RX-8 is so bloody tempting! I mean this car stirs me & my wife in a certain way that no other cars have! I'm sure u'll understand! : )

We've thought of the 6 (great car for the $$) but its not quite a turn-on as the 8. Been car hunting a couple of times, seen the Alfa 156, Audi A4, BMW 3, Airtreak Turbo but we keep going back to see the 8! Its really a question of do u go with your heart or your head plus an added constrain $$$. : )

Fab 8

jp8, there are a few Singaporeans over at the Far East forum...
join us for our upcoming meetup and you can check out the interior space and boot size.

jp-8

Thks Fab 8! Will do so.

And AfroCreame, must apologise for getting carried away...congratulations on your latest addition to your family!
Hope u're sleeping well! ; >

rx8ntexas

I have a 2 and 6 year old and they fit just fine in the back....but they mainly ride around in my wife's expedition and only ride in the 8 for quick trips and for fun.....small strollers work well but those big ones won't fit in the trunk..I could get you an 8 here and export it but I don't know what the costs would be

AfroCreame

Thank you for the kind words! I guess no matter where you are in the world, it's great being a father! I wish you the best of luck on your quest for the RX8!

jp-8

Thks rx8ntexas for the offer! : )

I've heard of a few here who imported their own cars in instead of going down to the dealers. And from the sound of it, its a lot of work, mostly paper work actually and basically I doubt my own ability! Or some would probably call me lazy. : )

Great to hear that the strollers fit. The wife and I kinda know that its not the ideal car for the kind of usage we have in mind but like I said, the RX-8 is so dame 'sexy'! Almost pants stirring actually! My wife feels the same too although i didn't like the way she looked and caressed the car at the showroom the 1st time we saw the RX-8 in the flesh. : )

jp-8

Thks! Hope to be zipping around in a 'titanium grey' with the wife and kids pretty soon.

Fatherhood is so under-rated... : )

SQ88

I thought that I should share your feeling for the 8. Sorry to hear the price is very high over there. I too have two kids: 2.5 and 7.5. My son loves the 8 especially when I drive him to school and having his friends admire the car.

As for practically goes for daily family compute vehicle goes, We can live with it consider it is a real fun sport car...room for 4 that is comfortable by far comparing to anything similar out there.

The bottom line here is the car is the most practical family SPORT car. It is also a perfect car for married man at mid-life crisis.

Hope this help!!!

rx8ntexas

Yes, I'm all better now

cueball

The RX8 might not be a prefect kiddy hauler, but I think in your case it would get the job done.
I'm not familiar with the 316 because that model isn't available here. Is it a 2 or 4 door car?
If it is a two-door model than it may be easier to get in and out of the back seats due to the suicide doors. The space in the back probably isn't much less than a 3 series. If you have a four door, you might miss some of its practicality, but I think you would be compensated by a singing rotary.J

So, it seems that the RX8 is a great mix for someone like you. It has enough practicality to haul a family around and is one fun car to drive.

jp-8

Hi SQ88! Toronto? Love your city! Studied in Canada back in the early 90s and love your country. Actually did a 1 mth drive thru from Kamloops, BC to Ontario on one of my summer breaks.

i can understand how your son feels when you pull up to school in the 8 with him in it! My 5 yr old girl is already pestering me to change the BMW coz she hates it when all sorts of cars starts overtaking us on the highway. To make things worst for myself, I've been 'educating' her about the Evo 8, WRX sti and now of course the RX-8. So she's been going on and on about it! I think I better let her know that the reason why the car we have now is 'slos' coz she's in it!

For the $$, we do have afew other 'less exciting' options but Mazda have put alot of thought into extending their market share with the 8. So we do feel as well that it is the most pratical sports car for a family with 2 little ones. Just have to remind my other half to stop leaving her stuff in the car. Present car has her jackets for different occassions as well as kiddy books for longer journey and the list goes on... in fact I think we can live in the present car for a couple of days with the things that she has in it. : )

jp-8

Hello cueball1029 : )

I do feel that it would be good till the kids get to 13 yrs old. my 2 girls are now 3 & 5.

I believe the BMW 316 is similiar to the 318 you hv. Its a 4 door and it does makes it easier to get the small one strap in to the baby sit. I've seen the size of the back and I love the door. It such a cool idea and I think it actually helps that my 2 'monkeys' can't fidget with the door and power windows.

The wife and I keeps think that it is a great mix for us but sometimes it the heart talking and not the head. : ) But it great to hear from all here (those with little ones) that it can work out. : )

I can imagine the whole family cruising along the highway with silly grims on our face. And the girls will probably be edging me on to go faster too! : )

jp-8

Hi Fab 8,

Need directions from u regarding the Far East Forum as well as your upcoming meetup. Would love to be find out more about the car from a S'porean perspective. eg insurance (I've been quoted & I can't believe its so high), to parallel importers (I'm thinking Garage R since I take it that their warranty will be covered by Lester's side) or wait for Mazda and the oil issue as well as how exactly thirsty does the 8 gets in S'pore's driving conditions.

hope to hear from you sson.

Cheers!

M-ster

Hi jp,
I was quoted $2400 for the insurance without NCB. As for warrenty wise, I've got 1 year warrenty with the dealer and 2yrs with MayBank. So total of 3 years, for $1.5k more, which I think was ok (paying for a peace of mind).
As for the MPG, as you can read from the forum here, it's always a concern, most guys started with 16-18 mpg and as the car got run-in they manage about 18-mid 20's. Well look at it this way, it's a sportscar, not just any ordinary 1.3l. And it's probably a small price to pay for not to be over taken again on the highway. I believe the 316 is not much of a fuel economy either right?
By the way, try going down to the Auto Magamart at Ubi, there are couple of 8s laying around, there're more than welcome to let you seat in their showroom piece. good luck.

jp-8

Hi M-ster : )

Thks for the inof. Very much appreciated.

S$2400 w/o NCB! I got quotes from S$2800 to S$3300. May i ask which insurance company u got it from? As for MPG, u're right. It is a sportscar afterall. : )

I've visited AML already. 3 times actually within the last month! I think the salesperson for the 8s are sick of me asking so many questions with no sight of sealing the deal. : ) Can't be impulsive with such a big purchase. : )

It was actually at the car dealer on the 5th floor (wouldn't mention names) with the silver one that gave me the idea that i can't place my butt on the seat. : ) Tried to and was stopped halfway by the salesperson with my *** 15 cm from the seat. They weren't rude or anything just 'careful' with their showroom piece I guess.

Oh well. Would you happen to know which parellel importer gives the best price? I kinda swinging towards Garage R (have not been there yet) coz I think the warranty is under their workshop too.

Cheers!

M-ster

Insurance is from Income

Try Hua Yang, Vin and World of Wheels, they would let you sit in their car. Just give a peace of mind to them that you won't touch anything.

As for who give the best price, it definitely won't be GarageR, but their car do comes pretty fully loaded with accessories and genuine parts, and those that offered you lower price comes bare minium and some even replaces the rear tinted window that's China's made. Basically, you pay for what you get.

Go check out more on the Far East Forum where there are couple of threads askin about who to purchase the 8 from.

Actually if you can wait, you might wanna wait till Mazda Singapore brings in the 8, so you can have a good comparison interms of price and service, maybe you could even test drive the 8 and see if it's what you reallly wanted. The only problem is you really never gonna know when they are bring the 8 in, I've heard, it could be middle of next year.