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rx8 for a first car?

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Old 10-01-2007 | 03:06 AM
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rx8 for a first car?

i just got my permit and im looking at getting an rx8 for my first car, hopefully
but is it really much of a hassle to maintain?
oil changes,mpg,etc.

what cars a good for a first time driver and is under $36000?
the only other car im considering other than an rx8 is the new honda accord coupe. but id rather have an rx8
what were your guys' first cars?
Old 10-01-2007 | 03:10 AM
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First car I bought? A Sentra.

First car I got from my parents- some old use piece of junk.
Old 10-01-2007 | 03:11 AM
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my first was a 3rd gen eclipse. it's a very good first car IMO.

rx8 is not much to maintain, unlike the rx7, as long as you keep an eye on your oil and coolant levels.

oh yeah, and redline once a day in 2nd gear.

i just hope you're not into drag racing because this car isn't very fast in a straight line. it's more of a track car.
Old 10-01-2007 | 03:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Cody Red
my first was a 3rd gen eclipse. it's a very good first car IMO.

rx8 is not much to maintain, unlike the rx7, as long as you keep an eye on your oil and coolant levels.

oh yeah, and redline once a day in 2nd gear.

i just hope you're not into drag racing because this car isn't very fast in a straight line. it's more of a track car.
unless you have a 3 or 4 rotar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ozz8GqBGQY&NR=1

lol, im not planning on drag racing. just as a DD.
Old 10-01-2007 | 03:53 AM
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my first car was and still is the rx-8, got right after high school and i love it just hate the gas milage.
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:00 AM
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First car, given to me by my parents, a 97 Suzuki Esteem. She drove really well and never, ever gave me any problems! At 130k, still going strong, I sold it.

First car that I bought for myself....Rx8, just a few days ago

Man, what a change...lets hope that my trouble-free luck transfers from the Suzuki.
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:05 AM
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as a daily driver and first car i'd take that accord and run.
better gas mileage, reliability, and room.
But then i love my 8 ^.^
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Wind Dance
as a daily driver and first car i'd take that accord and run.
better gas mileage, reliability, and room.
But then i love my 8 ^.^
yeah, i took a look at the 08 accord just now online.
for a first time car im leaning towards the accord[automatic]. just cause of the mileage and price. also im not sure if im going to be good at driving a manual. my parents dont own a manual car so i dont have one to practice with and none of my friends drive a manual i know all about shifting and i just learned how braking works x] i just havent experienced actually driving a manual.
but then i learned so much about the 8 because of this site and i guess you can say im obsessed with the 8 . when i went to a mazda dealership and actually sat in the rx8, OMG. i fell in love. hahaha. and i know id have bunches of fun just modding it. but then again i know i wouldnt have any money for it. maybe juss clear corners
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ra990
First car, given to me by my parents, a 97 Suzuki Esteem. She drove really well and never, ever gave me any problems! At 130k, still going strong, I sold it.

First car that I bought for myself....Rx8, just a few days ago

Man, what a change...lets hope that my trouble-free luck transfers from the Suzuki.
oh yeah. i read your thread about your purchase. the shinka[:
gl and enjoy your 8
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:54 AM
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I'm of the belief that first cars should be less expensive cars that are safe and not particularly performance oriented. The chances that you'll get into an accident are astronimical, a very high percentage of teens have accidents. But, no matter, all the statistics in the world aren't going to stop you from letting your parents buy you an expensive car. I say get a 4 cylinder Accord Coupe...

My first car was a 1990 Eagle Talon TSI. Not a good first car in most cases but I had been racing karts for years and had done trackdays in other cars. If you really want a performance car skip some options and get a cheaper car, maybe even a slightly used one and ask your parents to get you something like this with the money they save. You'll have a blast and you'll learn a lot.

http://www.bondurant.com/courses/teendriving.php
Old 10-01-2007 | 07:10 AM
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dont usually agree with Ike but this time he's right on. The 8 would be a bad first car. If you are a novice driver it has too much performance. Requires more maintenance than a young driver will want to endure. And the added expense from gas/insurance/tires & tickets.

get a used honda accord and be happy.

My first car was a used 73 Camaro. Loved that car.
Old 10-01-2007 | 07:31 AM
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Just look at my sig. I loved that Vega!

+1 on RX8 being a bit too much for a novice.
Old 10-01-2007 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by briann
yeah, i took a look at the 08 accord just now online.
for a first time car im leaning towards the accord[automatic]. just cause of the mileage and price. also im not sure if im going to be good at driving a manual. my parents dont own a manual car so i dont have one to practice with and none of my friends drive a manual i know all about shifting and i just learned how braking works x] i just havent experienced actually driving a manual.
but then i learned so much about the 8 because of this site and i guess you can say im obsessed with the 8 . when i went to a mazda dealership and actually sat in the rx8, OMG. i fell in love. hahaha. and i know id have bunches of fun just modding it. but then again i know i wouldnt have any money for it. maybe juss clear corners
Manual is pretty easy to learn if you're coordinated :-P Don't be scared to learn because you've never driven one. The 8 is my first manual car. I took one lesson and was driving stick confidently within a week.
Old 10-01-2007 | 09:28 AM
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im 17 my first car was beat up 95 celica traded that in before i even turned 17 got my self a rx8 with low miles no problems for me so far
Old 10-01-2007 | 09:35 AM
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my first car was a 1990 extended bed MT ford ranger... if you can handle the power of a MT rx8 for your first ride.. go for it. dont waste time/money on the AT. test drive one and see how you handle it.. maintaining is no more difficult than that of any other new vehicle for the most part (exception of the oil burning that the rotarys do). keep up on typical engine maintenance.. every 30k miles take it to a Mazda shop and have it checked out, and you shouldnt have a problem.
Old 10-01-2007 | 09:41 AM
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The first car I bought myself was a brand-new, 1977 Plymouth Arrow, June of 1977. High school graduation gift to myself since my parents got me NOTHING!

Second car was a brand-new 1980 RX-7 I bought in the summer of '80. MSRP on the RX-7 was $10,300 back then.

RX-8 is a terrific first car, if you can afford the insurance, don't neglect maintainence and exercise some restraint behind the wheel.
Old 10-01-2007 | 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Jethro Tull
The first car I bought myself was a brand-new, 1977 Plymouth Arrow, June of 1977. High school graduation gift to myself since my parents got me NOTHING!

Second car was a brand-new 1980 RX-7 I bought in the summer of '80. MSRP on the RX-7 was $10,300 back then.

RX-8 is a terrific first car, if you can afford the insurance, don't neglect maintainence and exercise some restraint behind the wheel.
It pains me to disagree because Jethro Tull is one of my favorite bands, but disagree I must.

My first car that I owned was a used 1985 RX-7 GSL, but I had been driving for a few years before that, (family car. 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme POS.) Even with only 101 HP in the RX-7 I got myself into plenty of trouble regarding speeding tickets and accidents and I was 20 at the time. I wouldn't recommend anything remotely high performance for your first car. Wait a couple of years to get some experience, (and the requisite accident,) under your belt. The insurance rates alone for a junior driver running a sports car would be astronomical. If you can't afford more than clear corners for a mod, you won't be able to afford putting the car on the road.
Old 10-01-2007 | 10:41 AM
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I hate to be "this guy" who comes out in every single thread on the internet about cars, but I'm gonna do it.

Please buy a piece of **** for your first car. Something reliable as hell and cheap as hell that you can buy with a small chunk of cash and spend little to maintain.

I only want you to drive it for six months or so. Just so you can improve your driving skills and not have to worry if you get into a minor accident because the car will mean nothing to you.

We're talking a 1990s era Civic or Corolla. Standard transmission. Shouldn't cost you more than $800. You will be able to sell it after the six months for the same $800.

You learn how to drive one of those properly, you will be MUCH better equipped to handle something as powerful and precise as the RX-8.

I got my 8 yesterday after five years of driving a Dodge Avenger (which is essentially an Eclipse). I considered myself to be a pretty damn good driver - but my skills are still not quite good enough to really handle this car perfectly off the bat. It's going to be some weeks before I really know what I'm doing with it.

If you're looking at your first car, you won't have the instincts or raw ability to handle something like this if you get into a sticky situation. You could end up making one simple error and costing yourself thousands of dollars in bodywork or insurance premiums.

I'm going to make a wild guess here: if you just got your permit but you have up to $36,000 to spend on a car, your parents are buying it for you. I won't begrudge you that; sure we're a little jealous because I imagine 99% of the people here are like me and had to scrimp and save to buy one an RX-8. But there's nobody here that wouldn't take the car for free in a second.
However, it's been anecdotally proven time and time again that people who didn't have to pay for a vehicle themselves perceive less personal value in it, and don't worry as much about crashing it or maintaining it until they run into a problem. I have seen this happen too many times to beautiful BMWs and Mercedeses to think that this is just a coincidence. Be the guy to prove me wrong.

So please, do everyone a favour. Put your time in with a shitbox for a while to learn some driving skill, and then upgrade to your RX-8. Maintain it well and treat it well because it may be the best car you ever own depending on how you play your cards.
Old 10-01-2007 | 11:01 AM
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my first car was a pickup truck.......oh well
but hey, an rx8 for a first car is not so much a problem now, but you will need to spend alot of time on this forum in the "the tech garage" section though, it pretty much have everything you need to keep your car in shape and help you with anything you need
Old 10-01-2007 | 11:24 AM
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My first car was when i join the marine corps in 2000 i got a 2001 mitsu mirage then after that i got a 3rd eclipse then one night i had too much fun and ran the eclipse into the red river, Now i have th 2004 rx8 + i have a 2006 mistu endevour
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mikesol
I hate to be "this guy" who comes out in every single thread on the internet about cars, but I'm gonna do it.

Please buy a piece of **** for your first car. Something reliable as hell and cheap as hell that you can buy with a small chunk of cash and spend little to maintain.

I only want you to drive it for six months or so. Just so you can improve your driving skills and not have to worry if you get into a minor accident because the car will mean nothing to you.

We're talking a 1990s era Civic or Corolla. Standard transmission. Shouldn't cost you more than $800. You will be able to sell it after the six months for the same $800.

You learn how to drive one of those properly, you will be MUCH better equipped to handle something as powerful and precise as the RX-8.

I got my 8 yesterday after five years of driving a Dodge Avenger (which is essentially an Eclipse). I considered myself to be a pretty damn good driver - but my skills are still not quite good enough to really handle this car perfectly off the bat. It's going to be some weeks before I really know what I'm doing with it.

If you're looking at your first car, you won't have the instincts or raw ability to handle something like this if you get into a sticky situation. You could end up making one simple error and costing yourself thousands of dollars in bodywork or insurance premiums.

I'm going to make a wild guess here: if you just got your permit but you have up to $36,000 to spend on a car, your parents are buying it for you. I won't begrudge you that; sure we're a little jealous because I imagine 99% of the people here are like me and had to scrimp and save to buy one an RX-8. But there's nobody here that wouldn't take the car for free in a second.
However, it's been anecdotally proven time and time again that people who didn't have to pay for a vehicle themselves perceive less personal value in it, and don't worry as much about crashing it or maintaining it until they run into a problem. I have seen this happen too many times to beautiful BMWs and Mercedeses to think that this is just a coincidence. Be the guy to prove me wrong.

So please, do everyone a favour. Put your time in with a shitbox for a while to learn some driving skill, and then upgrade to your RX-8. Maintain it well and treat it well because it may be the best car you ever own depending on how you play your cards.
i totally agree with you on getting a used car
and yes my parents are getting me a car
the only problem is my parents dont want me to get a used car
they think theyll break down really early
so they say get a new one
i know, theyre weird
i certainly dont mind getting any used car
maybe ill just keep researching different cars
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:15 PM
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Got the 8 last year, my first real owned car.. Haven't had any problems as of yet. Including accidents or tickets.. Damn, I'm good.

Only negative thing is, bad mpg.. I can't help it but redlining the 8 at least once..

If you hate wasting gas, this car ain't for you.. That's all I have to say..
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:32 PM
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I would suggest something along the lines of a 5-7 year old Corolla, Sentra or Civic. Get a manual tranny so you can learn how to drive with one. Obviously, make sure the car is in good mechanical order, but most of these models run for a long time with good preventive maintenance.

Trust me, a young driver in a RX 8 is an easy target for police. If you are stopped, you are sure to be written a ticket. In a non-descript economy type car, your chances are probably 50-50. Just my opinion.
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:48 PM
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1st car? Sure, why not?

I'm giving mine to my kid. I'm due for a new car next spring.........
Old 10-01-2007 | 04:51 PM
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Yea... well, I got my Rx-8 about 7 months into driving. I would really recommend driving a used car first at least 6 months and learn to drive stick before you purchase a car. And your parents do not have an old car you can use for a little while? First car shouldn't be an Rx-8, just get another car for even a little while. No one is that good at driving to start doesn't matter the age. Just get a car to beat up for a little while, then get the Rx-8 or at least use your parent's car.


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