My first car was an '87 RX-7, so I know the ups and downs of rotary ownership. My last car was an'02 Protege 5. Great car! I drove 70 miles one way to work for a few years and racked up the miles. When my company moved my office closer to home, it was time to start looking for something new. I've always had my eye on the RX-8, thought it was one of the most unique cars I'd seen. I test drove an 06 350Z and then the 04 RX-8. IMO, there was no comparison. The fit and finish of the 8 far surpassed the 350. It drove like a dream. So it wasn't as powerful, but I'm not going to go cruising around Friday nights looking for Civics to burn. I can't tell you how much I love this car. My wife thinks I'm crazy. I find myself just wanting to look at it, it's a work of art. I look forward to going to work, just because I know that's 30 minutes of 75mph with my 8. Gas mileage and maintenance worries are quickly rationalized after driving this car. If you don't get the same feeling, then I think you should keep looking. It's definitely a unique car. No regrets here.

 

My 2004 has 76,000 happy miles on it now and still zoom zooms just fine.

Tires? If you want to keep the big grin on your face when you go around corners, the performance tires are what you want and they are only good for 20k-25k miles tops. I've had two sets of Kuhmo (and the stock Potenzas). If you want higher mileage out of your tires, you are going to be giving up some degree of handling.

Mileage? I usually get around 20mpg. Have had as good as 23 and as bad as 15. depends on close your foot is to the floor and how long you keep it there.

All in all, it's a great car. It is a sports car though. Know what you are buying and buy what you want.

 

Don't think about it , just get it .

It's a fun car to drive .

 

Keep in mind that a few of the people in these forums are much younger, and will have a different opinion based on where they are in life. This isn't a negative comment at all... just something to consider.

As a husband, father, and responsible adult, you know inside what you should do. I just purchased my 2007 RX8 last week, and I too had a bit of a struggle. So did my wife until she rode in it.

First off, if you are leaving a Camry with 150K miles on it, then why not reward yourself a little and get into something new. Or get a used car with an excellent track record (Honda, or Acura come to mind). I don't know your financial situation, so I can't really make any suggestions. The RX8 *can* be very finicky. Can you afford to spend $1000 on repairs, and not have a car to get you to work for a few days? Does your life permit it? If you fell in love with this car, which I hope you have, then your only question should be which model is the right one.

Personally, even if the offer was sweet, I would pay the extra money for the piece of mind of a new car, and a new warranty. Why take the chance? I'm married and own my own home, and kids are on the way, so I know what thoughts are going through your head.

This is cheesy, but write a list of costs / benefits to owning a new one VS a used one VS a different car altogether. If the good outweighs the bad, and you can handle the bad, then it's a done deal.

Let us know how it turns out. Hopefully you'll be Zoom-Zooming with the rest of us!

 

Hopefully you're not still considering the 3.. I've drove the 3 as well as the 6, and both feel like the typical economical family mobile... The engine response for the 3 is hesitant and unpredictible, the handling is tipsy and boat-like, and it just doesn't look like a sports car at all..

The RX8 feels like it could turn 90 degrees going 70, engine response is immediate, and it looks like an exotic sports car..


Even if you don't choose the 8, do you really want to be one of those middle-aged boring guys who always go with the sensible choice rather than doing something exiting???

 

Your spouse has it right.

Few things in life go down more often than an RX-8. Ours has been in the shop 17 times in the past 18 months. It is now having its engine replaced. Regretfully, we had to buy our son a jeep for a replacement vehicle. Once the RX-8 is returned with a new engine in it, we intend to keep it in the garage until the lease is up. (It's too costly to gamble on driving) Even the manager of the Mazda maintenance department admitted the only way he would ever drive an RX-8 was if it was already running and he wouldn't have to shut if off before returning it.

Perhaps you'd care to buy ours?

Wonder why someone is selling a 17,000 mile RX-8? It's not because they don't like the design.

 

Wow, what an awful first post Lesson..

You guys should take a look at the Customer Satisfaction Survey on the main discussion page...



//it may not be a civic, but it's reliable enough...

 

wow is right - there are so many things wrong w/that post.

sorry you have such issues Lesson. But damn - just damn.