This was my car before the RX8, a 1999 996 C2; it had 22,500 miles on it when I sold it to a really good friend of mine a few months ago... Good car but the RX8 is a better car in every way. Some might say no way that is a Porsche! Let me tell you that the RX8 has a better interior, from a design and quality standpoint... The engineering on the 8 is better and the fit and finish on the exterior is better as well... And I think the 8 is a much better looking car. In the handling department the RX8 is better and now with the Mazdaspeed suspension the 996 feels very unbalanced... The only area were the 996 is still just a bit better is in acceleration and top speed, but that will be taken care of soon and the plan is to get the 8 to best the 996; and when all is said and done the cost will still be 35K less!

 

Here is a pic of my new ride...

 

I agree.

See sig. Mine was air cooled.

 

RX8 also gets more looks here in Miami... Way to many Porsches driving arround...

 

I'm surprised about the fit and finish comment. I don't own a Porsche (nor have I in the past), but those that my coworkers and neighbors own seem fairly well put together... In particular the paint quality (smoothness) seems a bit better on the Porsche's that I've seen than many other cars.

I'll have to inspect their cars a bit more closely next time I see them. Anyhow, thanks for the info... Oh, and this morning as I was coming to work in OC, my yellow '8 was getting more looks than the silver 911 Turbo sitting next to me in traffic.

EDIT: Though, I was looking at the 911 just because it looked so sweet. :D

 

Turbos are so cliche these days....

 

WOW! That means alot coming from a Porsche owner.....actually i think the interior of the 996 is quite nice and the paint quality is just as good. But you made a good choice going with the RX8, looks fantastic....post more pics!

 

Yo cortc, we have the same taste, I think brilliant black is a great color for the rx-8! can you please show pictures of interior, side and especially the back of your car? (Your rear spoiler looks nice and I'd like to have a closer look at it...)

As for the porsche, you are forgeting two things.One: its german engineering we are talking about here! I think its unique around the world.Two:the name/badge. Its simply a porsche! Only by throwing your keys on a table with friends around, all the girls -the ones that don't have a clue about cars- will go crazy
(I know, this might sound stupid to you!):p

 

I had a 1988 911 Carrera for a while a couple of years ago. Fun car, fantastic handling and road feel thru the non-power steering. Actually I decided to buy my RX-8 on the test drive because it reminded me so much of the Porsche.

The RX-8 is certainly better in all respects than my 911 was. A bit quicker, better handling, much more refined interior, and no danger of having the back end lose grip and spin out while cornering at the limit because the weight of the engine is hanging behind the rear wheels.

The AC barely kept the 911 cool, the heat couldn't be shut off because it aided in cooling the air-cooled engine. Exposed screw heads and other crudeness never let you forget that the car was built for sport, not comfort. Transmission was hard to shift when cold, and it (like most 911's of that era) dripped oil.

A friend had a '96 911 and the interior hadn't changed much at all from mine.

And if you think RX-8 accessories are expensive, check out the Porsche aftermarket. Not to mention that certain engine problems can cost you 6k or more to repair.

Still, I enjoyed the 911 while I had it, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy the RX-8 more!

 

my dad drives an 03 c4s. I'm google eyed over the rx8. From a quality standpoint, the 8 is so much better. The ride with the sport suspension is unbareable in comparison with the 8, making the 8 a more enjoyable car to drive even though it cant get quite the same grip of the 4s. As far as performence, while the 4s is faster, it is more thrilling to take the 8 up to the 9500 rev limiter. Also, its very difficult to get a smooth 1-2 shift in the 4s, because of the racing clutch that comes with the car (and its not my or my dads shifting, because he has had 2 porsches before this, all of which would not shift smoothly from 1-2). Also, the 8 is so much better looking. The interior design and materials are on a much higher level, but only because the 4s shares many interior materials with the cheaper boxter and boxter s.

.02
roger

 

I'm a "BMW" guy, have had 10 over the past 11 years. Without a doubt my RX8 is way better than the Z3 that I owned for 7 years. Better interior, seats, fit and finish and stereo. Also, I've had more people comment and stop and ask about my RX8 than ANY BMW I've ever had. I'm having a blast with my RX8.

mooneycj

 

Cortc...
That 8 of yours looks absolutly beautiful. I argue daily with a coworker about my 8 and his 996/911. He is a former rx7 gen2 owner. But claims "Once you go Porsche you never go back". Good to know that you feel the way you do. Hope to see you on the streets someday...

 

I agree with all of you, and picosrx8, I also had a 1993 RX7 touring I bought new back in 93 (had that car 2 years, and loved it…) and that was a great car at the time, also would take stock non turbo Porches in 1993 and embarrass them...

 

Wow, that's a surprise. I've always wanted a 911 but was eventually planning on picking up a used Boxster down the road after I get an RX-8. I thought the Porsche would be a step up, but maybe only as a status symbol and not engineering.

cortc - both are beautiful rides!

 

The Porsche is a great car; don't get me wrong; fast and capable... The thing is that for what you pay, it should be much more than it is and that includes the Turbo...

 

How much does the 911 turbo cost in the US? I just want to compair prices with europe...

In germany its about 130k euros, in my country about 185k... I know it sucks

 

About $125k USD last I checked, but that was a while ago (before the 996's)

 

For your reference, in my country, it is USD 300,000 for a 996 turbo...

 

A turbo 996 in the US sells for between 120,000-150,000 depending on how it is equiped, the GT2 sells for about 185,000-192,000; again depending on what options you check off...

The car that really shows off what Porsche is capable of and is worthy of it's price is the Carrera GT, it is priced at 450,000...