I currently own a 2004 M3 but I must say I now have the hots for the RX8. I have owned every model of the RX7 up to my 1994. I loved the rotary power and was sad when they took them away in 95. When the new model of the RX8 came out several years ago I hated it. Even up to last month I thought it was an ugly car, but then it started to grow on me. I then sat in and drove one at the dealer and I was hooked. When I am in my M3 I feel like I am in the Popemobile. It is all window. and the gear shifter makes me feel like I am driving a truck. Sure the M does 0-60 in 4.8 seconds and the 8 in almost 6 seconds but the feel is totally different in a good way. As a matter a fact the British tv program Top Gear has a video of an RX8 on a closed course against the M3 and you know they have equal times. As a matter of fact the host of the program states that the Mazda is the best performing car he has driven this year. My wife and friends cannot believe that I would give my BMW up for the Mazda but I guess they do not know that they are missing.

 

Hey I will agree that the RX8 is a Great car, I do own one lol. But Damn The M3 is sweet car.......................

 

Hehe, I used to hate the RX-8 too but it grew on me and turned me to the darkside. Now I am the happy owner of a Ti Grey 6sp RX-8. eek!

 

them rotaries r addictive yah :D

the nice thing is you sell the M3 and then mod the hell out of the 8 and still have cash to spend on your wife...

OH wait I figured it out...tell your wife that you are doing this because you wanted to get her something special...get her something nice in the $5K range...use the rest of the money for modding your 8

supercharge/turbocharge it and you could catch up to the M3 in 0-60 and have a lot more fun doing it :D

 

ill trade you

 

I nominate tiga for the fanboi competition.

 

I've also owned each RX-7 when they were new in their day and also used to own an E36 M3. I was pretty set on getting an E46 M3, that is until I drove the RX-8. My brother in-law can't believe I went from owning Benz's & BMW's to a Mazda again, but he just doesn't get the rotary anyway. I'm very happy with my choice.

So you're not alone my friend.

 

+1

 

I bought my rx8 instead of the m3.The two factors were that I was always a fan of the rotary, rx-7 R1, my friends already own m3's .

 

If you are worried about the loss of power for the difference is $ you can get about every power option the RX8 has out there. Get an SSR/SFR or Greddy turbo & you will give M3's a run before you know it. M3's are a beast to fix up. great car out of the box (my friend has an 02'), but nearly impossible to fix up (at least for anything under $10K.

 

ill trade you tooo.. iwish i could afford an M3...

 

Don't do it... I reget not buying another BMW. But hey, thats just me.

 

The M3 is a great car...but so is the 8. While I don't know if I would have made that change (I've never driven or been in a M3) I can tell you that the 8 is a great car.

Today I took a corner going 35mph (no big thing) but it was a sharp corner that I should have been going more like 15mph and the thing is....

...I did not notice I was going that fast until I looked at my speedo, it felt like I was going about 10mph around that curve. The 8 feels so natural and connected to the road that you sometimes take it for granted...UNTIL, you drive something else.

I hope the best in your decision...either way, you will be driving a SWEET car.

 

My friend told me about owning a M3. If you think maintaining an RX-8 is a headache (gas mileage, check oil, warm up, flash that, etc.), go get an M3 serviced and see how much it costs. Performance wise, it's a matter of opinion. Both are very capable cars.

I can't afford an M3. But, if I had the money for an M3, I would gather a little more cash and go to Motorex (does R34 V-Spec II ring a bell as THE ultimate driving machine). In the end, I'll still come out better.

 

I believe Motorex is closing up shop--I think they are being investigated by the government. I like the M3s--the only reason why I wouldn't get one now is because its growing long in the tooth--a new one is on the horizon.

 

atleast your payments will be cheaper! and insurance!! and maintenance/repair costs!!!

 

ignore this guy.

i'll trade you AND treat you to a nice dinner as thanks.

what a deal!

 

i dont like where this is heading.. whats after dinner??? :p

 

I'd say thats a tough decision. I love my RX-8 for so many reasons. I often find myself searching for reasons to take a drive. That being said, I drove an 05 M3 Competition package a couple months ago and was just awestruck. That car is just plain awesome. Yes the shift is like driving a 18 wheeler but the way the car drives is just amazing.

For me, living in Boston, I see maybe 1 RX-8 a week. I see probably 20-30 BMWs per day. There is nothing like a Rotary, but there are things similiar to an M3. I'd sell the M3, pay for a loaded RX-8 cash, spend 7-8k on mods, and pocket the rest. Then you have cash in your pocket, no car payment, less insurance, a sexy car with a rotary engine.

 

I love the rx8
but I will trade if you want

 

depends on the condition of the m3...