I am back int eh car market and looking at an RX8. I love how the new R3 looks...

I had test driven an 07 and 08 a few years ago and loved those too.

I know the R3 has diffeent gears, the new look, the seats, upgraded suspension... are those things really that noticeable?

for you guys who have driven the 04-08 models... and then moved into an R3... is the difference drastic, or a mild upgrade?

in the used car market.. the price variation is not that huge from a low mileage nice 08 to a low mileage nice R3.. so I"m leanign that way.. but curious what the difference will realy be like?

thanks.

 

I had an manual 04 and moved to an R3. My R3 came with 20' aftermarket wheels and very low profile tires (235/30), so that affects my perception over a stock R3, which I've never tried (but I assume is not that far)

My opinion is that the comfort change is drastic. The R3 rides much harder than the 04. The recaro seats are beautiful but not that great for long trips. Hence I can manage the daily commute on the R3, but long trips are kinda uncomfortable.

Handling wise the R3 has almost no body roll, which makes you feel like it would never ever lose grip on the turns (it eventually does at some point . It inspires much more confidence than an 04.

Now, for actual performance I'm sure there is a difference, but I would not now how great it is since I have not timed anything. But if you ask me I would obviously rather go out on a track on the R3 because of the body roll.

Still, there is always the driver factor in these things. I've seen seasoned drivers kick other people's a** with a stock 04 (against porsches and the like). So it's not like you would get an uncapable car if you go with the Series 1.

In terms of transmission, you would notice a significant difference if you autoX or track your car, since you will have to upshift quicker in 1 and 2 and that can get a bit annoying depending on the course. Aside from that I'm actually happy with both.

And, just to add some spice to the mix....I've heard rumors that the Shinka trim might actually be even better than an R3 since apparently the back end of the car sits a bit lower....but I really don't know (someone please correct me here if necessary).

I guess it all depends on your needs. Is this going to be your only car? will you be doing long trips with it? will you be riding with a partner/spouse frequently? (my wife complains about the R3's ride and seats ocassionally) Then get the 08

Will you be tracking/autocrossing frequently? is this your weekend car? Get the R3

Good luck on the buy.

 

Other than what's posted above, look at ash's series 2 changes thread. There were a ton of reliabilitY changes on the 09 and up models.

 

Get R3, or at least 2009+ models.

 

As mentioned above it really does depend on you. The R3 is a better performing car in my opinion which is why i went with it, being that i had every intention on using it for autox. The things you have to keep in mind with the R3 is you will lose all the "creature comforts". You will lose the option for NAV, heated seats, auto AC, rain sensing wipers and a sunroof. If those really dont matter to you then i see no reason not to get an R3. As for comfortability I have taken my 8 on cruises that lasted up to almost 2 hours with no fatigue or back or butt pain, and i am not a small guy either lol.

 

If you don't want the expense of the R3 but want the suspension upgrades, get a 2008 40th Anniversary Edition. best of both worlds with more comfortable seats. The R3 (2009 and newer models) gets you a better transmission vs the 2008 and earlier models and some engine reliability upgrades.

 

Exactly what I did, LOL!

To the OP: the added luxury of a Grand Touring might add to the driving experience, like navigation, satellite radio, sunroof, etc.. Many people don't care about those, but it might be important to you to have those things.

The R3 has slightly less luxury items, but instead you get a stiff/aggressively tuned suspension and some amazing racing seats - which might not be that great if you are a little on the heavy side

 

One of my friend just bought an R3 and i was planning to see it someday when i get the chance and probably test drive it too. He lowered it the next day right after he got it. He's the one who lowered both of my cars. Anyway, he used to have an 05 like mine, and he's got plans to mod it like what he did with his 05 before.

 

I wonder what the ride feels like with a lowered R3. The suspension is stiff as it is, with lower springs and the Recaros I assume you'll be visiting a chiropractor

 

Please tell me he didn't cut the springs on a brand new R3

 

^lol

 

I assumed he made that appointment already...lol


He used to have the Sprint springs before on his 05. Never asked him what he got now. Planning to see his new whip next time if i have the time. I'll let you guys know and probably take a few shots of it.

 

Besides the suspension tuning on the 09, I would also like to have the improved oiling systems and the different diameter half shafts to help reduce wheel hop. The only problem is the new body style is such a degrade that I would keep the older car and upgrade the suspension. I just can warm up to the new look and changes to the interior, just plain fugly.

 

You couldn't give me an R3.

My buddy's 2010 rides like a Harley without shocks. The seats totally suck. They are hard as rocks and my butt can't even fit within the seat bolsters (I'm only 6' 1" and 210) and my axx hurts after even short rides because of it. Living with it daily would suck whereas my '06 GT gets taken on 500-miles one-way trips all the time. It's a true pleasure to drive which is so rare for a car like this. Add in the moonroof and all other upgrades in the GT and the two cars are totally different. If you can live with an R3 you might as well get an S2000 and/or a 370Z which will eat the R3 and last longer with less problems...especially the S.

Now...before the R3 owners flame back about performance and such...I'm not trying to start something...but be real...the R3 is reported slower to 60 despite the gearing (cause a second shift is in there), it'll not "eat" or "bury" a GT in a race or on the track (stock to stock), and this makes for a big reason the R3 (to me) is a step down overall compared to a GT. The GT makes the same power, has the same good rear diff, handles better (to me) because it holds better over bumpy spots during turns, offers a better ride...I could go on and on.

As for the engine improvements...I see some though very little merit in the change. These motors are unreliable (though better from '06 on) compared to competing cars and neither a GT or R3 will last like that from a Z, or S, or STi, etc.

If you can drive them both! My buddy likes his 19's and seats in the R3. I can't stand them and could never give up my color-matched leather and polished 18's. That's the cool thing about life...buy what YOU want.