I'm looking for a car to replace my '97 Protege, probably sometime next winter, maybe sooner. (I'm thinking after the hype for the RX-8 dies down, and it goes on the S-plan.) I'm also looking for something to replace, in spirit, my long-gone '89 RX-7, which died an untimely death at the hands of a Chevy pick-up driver who didn't know that red meant stop.

I have two worries about the RX-8. First of all, I'm 6'4", 280, with relatively short legs, so I'm worried that I might not fit comfortably in it (I certainly couldn't fit in a '93 RX-7). I also have three four-year olds, and although I rarely (if ever) take all of them anywhere (that's what the MPV is for), it would be nice to be able to...which the RX-8 definitely wouldn't be able to.

With that in mind, this past weekend I test-drove a Mazda 6. I was impressed. It had a great feel, and felt like it had really good power. I don't think it is in the same class as the RX-8, but it seems to be at least in the same school. And so I started to tally the differences. I could get a more-or-less fully loaded Mazda 6, with room for the kids in back and my wife in front, for about $4000-5000 less than a suitably equipped RX-8.

I'm definitely going to wait for the RX-8, and see how it feels, but I'm wondering if anyone else had made this comparison and is in the same boat.

 

Don't take offense at this, but, with your size, the 6 would be a much better long-term car for you. After the newness of the RX-8 model wears off, the day-to-day stuff will bother you. If you have a good car that you're comfortable in, and that fits your family, and save $4000 in the process, do it.

How do I know this? I'm 6'3" with long legs, and have bought several cars for their "aura", not the practicality. Got rid of all of them in 6-9 months. Maybe someday I'll learn!

 

well, if you have three 4 year olds, and the rx-8 has 4 seats, then unless my math is wrong, all four of you should fit.

The only reason what you said makes sence, is if the bucket seats will not hold a 4 year old correctly. If this is true, then you are supposed to be using booster seats anyway.

 

I almost posted the same thing... he states later in his post that he has a wife.

 

the mazda6 is a great car as well! with your size and the size of your family it makes sense to get the 6:o but if you decide to go that route than i suggest waiting until fall if you can. the hatch version will be out then and my opinion is that it is definetly worth waiting for. the kurakiri folding rear seats are amazing. definetly get the 6 cylinder 5-speed and if you can hold out even longer than wait for the MPS/Mazdaspeed version due out in about a year. search this forum for some pics. that car is smokin!! :D

 

I'm with you on that one!



Hey here's a side note about using the front pasenger seat for a child (even if you've disabled the airbag), it's much safer to keep them sitting in the back seat. I'm not sure when it's considered safe - something to do with their weight and height and nolonger needing child car seats or booster seats ...



Edit: did a quick search and found this:

http://www.tempe.gov/fire/b%20burns/tip2.htm

I found a lot more - anyone else is welcome to do their own search.

I've got two kids: a soon to be 5 year old girl plus an almost 2 year old boy - so this topic is close to my heart - which is why the RX-8 ... will be my next car!

 

No offense taken; the practicality of the 6 is definitely one thing working in its favor. Based on how I drive the Protege, though, I don't think the RX-8 would be too impractical -- if the wife and kids and I all go somewhere together, we take the MPV (keeps the kids from beating each other up). If I go anywhere with the kids, it's usually just one or two of the kids, but in a pinch the third could sit in front (emphasis on the word pinch).

It's probably too early to determine this, but I was wondering if anyone has driven both cars, and has a comparison of sorts. Or just if anyone's in the same boat. I'm definitely waiting until the fall, so maybe there will be a different comparison then.

Thanks for the comments.

 

I has to be the 6. You, the wife and 3 kids irrespective of size will not fit into the Rx8. Because of the transmission tunnel there are only 2 seats in the back, no 3rd middle seat.

rael

 

I can't comment on fitment since I'm not nowhere close to 6'4" and 280lbs, but if you fit comfortably in a Protege, you shouldn't have too much problem fitting into a RX-8. Whether or not you will be comfortable in that position for long trips can only be determined from a test drive.

Regardling practicality, I don't see owning a RX-8 as a problem in your situation, even with 3 kids. Since you have a MPV (my favorite minivan) and that's the vehicle you take on trips involving the whole family, the most passengers you will ever need to take will be 3 (wife takes the MPV for shopping duties and you are stuck with the kids).

On the other hand, the 6 is a superior vehicle to the 626 and I love my 626. I have the loaded, top of the line ES V6 with the manual tranny and though it only has 170HP it has no problems passing cars at highway speeds when I down shift to 3rd. I would get a Mazda6 s with the manual tranny (6 s is available with a 5spd auto) in a heartbeat if it was available when I bought my 626.

Frankly, though, we are not living in the past and if wanted to buy a daily driver now, I would get the RX-8 over the 6. Enough practicality for every use, but enough spirit to make it fun. Not to say that a manual tranny 6 wouldn't be fun, just that the RX-8 would be more fun.

Personally, I'm waiting a few of years to see what Mazda plans to due with their MazdaSpeed line and the spread the depreciation cost on the 626 out a little longer and maybe have a couple of years without any car payment.

Good luck.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

I test drove a Protegé5 and Mazda6, back in January and actually liked the "Protegé5's" feel behind the wheel better.

:D

The Mazda6 didn't feel that it had enough power with the 4, so IMHO the 6 is the way to go! But, I needed to get a new car quickly, so I went with the Protegé5 - but my guess is that if the 6 hatchback was out, that my choice would have gone that route!

As it stands now, for me, the next 2-3 years I'll be driving my Protegé5 ... than trading it in for the RX-8 (hey, I've been waiting for it since 1999, what's a few more years ... right?)

:p

 

My wife's car started to make funny smoke signals form the exhaust which told me it was time to trade. With not know how long her car would last, I decided to move quickly. We road tested a bunch of cars and finally settled on a Mazda6. We tested both the S model (V6) and the i Model which has the four. Being a total car guy, I would have opted for the V6. It really smoked! But when thinking of my wife's usage, the four made more sense. Moreover, I felt it had sufficient power for all conditions.
We picked up a loaded i Model and put about 600 break-in miles on it and then decided to do road trip/vacation. With that decided, we headed out form Dallas for St. Petersburg Fl. Over 10 days, we put 3000 miles on the car and let me tell you; the four cylinder i Model is a blast to drive. It had plenty of power even for passing on two-lane roads and got great gas mileage (average 29.5 MPG even running a lot of the trip with cruise set at 79MPH) It handled like a dream as it is a lighter car then the V6. Looking back, I thought I would be disappointed with a four but I certainly am not. For us, it was the right decision. (Besides, it will look nice sitting beside my 8 when it gets here.:p

 

I believe the RX-8 has a airbag disabling switch for the front passenger.

 

Good

And either way, you should be pleased.
________
Bondage Cams

 

Come join us (especially you, boowana!):

http://www.mazdaatenza.com/forums.html

 

Well i've driven both and to tell you.

The Mazda6 and Rx-8 a quite comparble head room wise.

The Rx-7 is totally different.

I can fit people up to 7.2 into the GSX Mazda6 (No Sunroof)
And up to about 6.5 into a M6 with a Sunroof :D

Hope this helps.

If I had a choice I would wait till the RX-8. Then make your decision