Sell the Volvol do it. Just do it. And get a new 335i sedan and if the budget doesn't let you get a G35 sedan.

 

I still pop in to this thread to check on RX8 stuff.

I still have not bought my "toy" car. I tend to check the autotrader and cars.com for used car deals for RX8s, and S2ks to see where prices are heading. I'm also really interested in seeing the new RX8 when it hits the dealer. I kinda like how the new on elooks. I also like the current model, and wonder if deals will get even sweeter on the "old" body style once the "new" one hits the dealerships.

My volvo still runs strong.

the other car I've become interested in is a Porsche Boxster. I have a relative who has a 2000 base model - 2.7L motor with 217 hp. the one I drove had 18" wheels and an upgraded factory sport suspension package - probably comparable to an RX8 with the Mazdaspeed suspension setup... OMFG that thing is on rails and the sound of the engine is amazing. Totally different than an 8, and while I love the sound of the rotary, I really like the sound of a boxster..especially with the top down, it it intoxicating. it makes the S2000 sound like POS. I really hate hte S2k sound...buzzy and loud. almost annoying.

anyway, a used 2000-2002 boxster could be had in the hihg teens....they really do not hold their value that well. they have similar hp as an 8, 217 on the 2000 -2002 model and if you get an S model they have 250.... but they have more torque than the 8. you can tell at lower rpm it pulls away with more power... the 2000 i drove weighs about 2800lbs or so, a bit lighter than the 8, with less peak hp, but more torque. overall, it felt quicker to me than the 8.

the boxster holds a lot of stuff w/ two trunks. the BIG FEAR is that to get a boxster at or near the price point of a used RX8 - i'd be getting an older higher mileage car off warranty. I could pickup a used 05 or 06 RX8 with 20k miles or less in the high teens. under 20k if I look around.. no problem. that amount of money will get me a 2000 - 2002 boxster with 50-60k on it. while I've done some reading on them and it seems that a boxster is a decent car in terms of reliabilty..i'm sure fixing it will cost more than an RX8.

the boxster I drove would need NO mods. nothing. maybe a short shifter or something.

if I get an 8, I KNOW I will want to upgrade suspension to kill the body roll. I might want an exhaust or flywheel. i jsut know that I'll want/need to do those thigns to totally be happy with one.

not sure what would be better route. the RX8 still has the ability to pull kids around...so I could probably drive it mor eoften, but for pure "fun" the boxster had a nice classy look to it, awesome sound, comfortable to sit in, and the top went down.

when I finally get somethig, - whatever it is, i'll post here. no idea when that will be though. convincing my other half that I shoudl spend 20k on a toy ihs provign to be more of a challenge than I had anticipated.

 

Did you check on the cost to change oil with the Boxster? Maintenance on any Porsche is mucho dinero.
I suggest a Z4.

 

i work at an acura dealership and drive an 8...dependability is gonna go to the acura...the tl-s has some torque steer and the big knock on it is the fwd..0-60 is bout the same 5.8 (depending where u look) the TLS will have navi bluetooth and better safety ratings...the 8 is a more fun ride. def personal preference here, but w fam id go w TLS. u can get great deals on TLS due to redesign coming out later this year.

TLS pluses
Safer
more dependable
Family friendly
more technology
no scheduled maintanence for first 100k (besides wear n tear)
better warranty

minuses
torque steer
FWD
will be old design
for price does not compete well w G35

RX8
fun to drive
50/50 balance
sportier looking

gas mileage
dependability
not a family car

 

I doubt that the TL is safer.

 

 

king spammer, back in action again!

 

I doubt that too. The RX8 is the only car the the Feds couldn't roll.

 

It lives

 

the TL-S has dual stage dual threshold air bags, occupant position detection system, 8 airbags, LATCH system, 5 star crash test rating by NHTA, and "top pick" by the insurance intsitute...as well as ACE body structure....u may not be able to roll the 8 but what happens when u hit a tree? or get t-boned?

i drive an 8 but it is no where as safe as the TL-S

 

I just bought RX-8 last week, and I actually chose rx8 over TL-S. TL-S is a great car. Great interior, and great features for a driver. However have test drove before? Steering whell is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo heavy and I felt I was weight lifting not driving. Also RX-8 is much more fun to drive
Whichever you want to go with, both are great cars haha

yea and rx-8 is much cheaper

 

Since you can't make up your mind... just get a Saturn Aura.

 

I haven't had it back to the track yet, but you can kill a lot of the RX-8 body roll with some Racing Beat sway bars. Can probably pick up up used for about 250 bucks front and rear. There are other good sways out there too - RB is the ones I have and the only ones I can comment on.

 

i've pretty much ruled the TL-S out. if Acura were to drop prices even more to the point that it was filthy dirt cheap, I could see myself buying one due to the great deal, but the pricing on them right now, while aggressive, is NOT in my opinion, all that great. especially when the next gen tL is about to debut, and will probably have more power and SH-AWD...

the cars i'm leaning toward are the RX8 and the boxster. i liked the s2000, and the lease deals are decent, but there are some things about the s2k i just don't like. it's very buzzy, noisy, cramped, no storage capacity.. it's a true toy. i want something I can use as a toy and a daily driver.

if I get an RX8, i'd definitely stiffen up the suspension via springs, sway bars, strut bars...i ighgt just get all MS stuff to make it handle better. i don't mind a stiff bumpy ride, but I'd like some ability to store stuff.

the boxster has two decent sized trunks...I borrowed one fro a family member for a weekend getaway a month or so ago, and we managed to store a large suitcase with weekend stuff, AND did some shopping and got all that stuff into the car too. it holds a suprisingly large amount of stuff between the two trunks. the s2k won't store squat.... the rx8 would store a fair amount in the trunk, and on thsoe "weekend getaways" where you and the significant other go away for a weekend, you have the backseats to toss duffle bags and overflow stuff that won't get intot he trunk...

i also have three kids, and having the capacity to take someone is a nice plus.

the boxster has probably the best engine sound of them all though. with the top down, and the engine wailing to redline..the sound is absolutely amazing. go to youtube and type in boxster and exhaust..and find sounds of the car...the in car sound is wonderful. the rx8 sounds cool, but the so does the boxster.

hard choice. for bang/bck though i think the 8 would get me a bit more fun and practicality and a NEWER car for less money.

i'd like to spend 15-20k. no more. easy to get a nice low mileage 8 in that price range. the boxsters in that range are more like 2000-2002 models, all off warrantya nd all with higher miles. 60-75k miles. the one i borrowe3d was a 2000 model wiht 75k on it...and it still drove wondeful. very tight, very powerful, clutch grabbed hard...it did not feel like an old car...maybe itw as just well maintained and in good condition..but it drove great.

out of curiosity, do you guys think a lighlyt modded or stock RX8 would be able to kep up wth a base model 2000 boxster? the one i drove had the 217hp motor...198 lbs of torque.... i have test driven a few RX8s and while i've not driven them back to back, my instinct is that the boxster felt faster. it's a bit lighter...and has more torque...making the power more usable..for city driving...stop go stuf i thin kteh boxster would pull on the RX8. for flat out driving at the limit..always at redline, maybe the 8 with the slightly higher hp would win out? 232 vs 217?

but the boxster i drove was 2850 lbs or sometehign...almsot 200lbs less...

any of you have a boxster base model and an 8 or have any opnions on what is faster? the boxster i drove had factory upgraded suspension and 18" wheels...so handling wise the boxster was way better... the suspnesion setup on the boxster i drove was probably equivalent of an 8 having wider wheels and mazdaspeed suspension.... the boxster was SUPER stiff....VERYvERY stiff and NO body roll. the stock RX8s i drove had muc more roll...but i suspect with some MS upgrades that could be fixed..

 

Rwd Ftw!

 

have you tried the new MX-5?

awesome car to drive as well.

 

So many TLs out there. Youll just blend in.