Hey everyone, been looking on here for a while now, as I'm looking at getting a new used car. I currently have a 2005 Dodge Dakota, and am sick of the gas mileage, poor performance, and lack of aftermarket support. I want a fun car, but that's also affordable. I'm 17, so my insurance is already crazy high on my truck ($1450/six months,) and a tC is about quadruple that.. Surprisingly, a RX8 is only a couple hundred more ($1600/six months.) So, if I can sell my truck for about $11K, a nice used RX8 is realistic.

Here's my question: 1. What year would y'all suggest in my price range ($11K)?
I was thinking '05-'06. Also considering TSB's and recalls.
2. What is the estimated yearly cost of ownership? (it would be paid in full)
I know they burn some oil, get about 20 MPG, and need the plugs/coils changed more often. I make about $500/month.

LASTLY, my friends sister is selling her 2004 RX8. It's an auto (ugh), 83k miles, but has the leather/bose/xenons (GT?), also a Greddy exhaust. However, they don't take very good care of it. It has a light on that apparently indicates a sensor failure, would cost $200 to fix, so they just left it.. wow. She wants to get what she owes on it, which is about $10k. I'm fairly certain it would only be worth $7-8k...

I know this is a lot, and I've attempted to search most of it, but I didn't find many similar posts, except about the yearly cost, which I can't find again. I've also read numerous FAQ's pertaining to "Potential Owners" and so forth.. so go ahead and flame me, but I just want answers

My truck: Dual exhaust, CAI, E-fan, Superchips tuner, HID's, LED's, tint, Clarion 7", Alpine Type S, Alpine 10" sub.

 

Talk to your insurance company and see what they charge per month.
Will this be your daily driver? What driving conditions (highway/ city)?
Re-read the "Potential Owners" thread, check out the cost per year, divide by 12 and then add that to your insurance and see if it meets your budget...

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

Good luck

 

Thanks for the reply, I'll check it out. I already know what the insurance cost would be, I put it up there^

 

i got mine when i was your age and i can say from experience

don't get it
its expensive
you're gonna wanna spend you money on going out and having fun
believe me hah

 

Don't buy that one. You've got at least three major red flags in that paragraph:

1. Friend's sister
2. Auto (ugh)
3. Don't take care of it
4. Sensor failure...just left it
5. Wants to get what she owes.

I did say at least three, didn't I?

If you can swing an '06 that would be a better than an '05. They're four years old, so some should be coming on the market from people who don't want to keep them beyond the 4 year B-B warranty and from expiring leases.

Ken

 

Very helpful Ken, thanks a lot. I don't think I'd consider hers, but it's nice because he let me check it out and drive it. And chavy, where I live, there's nothing to spend money on to have fun. We most recently got our excitement from attending target on black Friday...

 

this also describes the 8

just saying

 

I know you already said that you don't want that one, which is good, cause like Ken said: red flags everywhere.

But good luck with your decision. Only you can decide if it will work for you or not. If you can afford it and will take care of it, I don't see why not.

 

Yeah but compared to a truck.. It's got a lot more. You can't even get aftermarket headlights for a Dakota much less a choice of exhausts. I did drive an 8 yesterday and the lack of torque was insane.

 

[QUOTE=nola24;3798641]Hey everyone, been looking on here for a while now, as I'm looking at getting a new used car. I currently have a 2005 Dodge Dakota, and am sick of the gas mileage, poor performance, and lack of aftermarket support.

If you are sick of poor gas mileage and lack of aftermarket support this is probably not the best choice for you. You will get some better performance out of the rx8 anyways. I take that back maybe not out of an auto. lol.

 

$500 a month means a stretched budget with an 8.

Consider that it will cost more than a month's salary to:
buy tires
buy an after market cat back and/or midpipe in most cases
buy BHR coils and plugs
replace the clutch

Changing stock coils, plugs and wires is about $300
Decent pads and rotors $300. Good pads and rotors $600

For what it's worth, I spend at least $120 to $160 in gas a month on my 26 mile round trip commute + weekend driving and running errands (I don't try to get good mileage by any means though). That plus your 266.67 a month in insurance is most of your monthly pay.

I love my 8, but if I only had $500 a month, I wouldn't own it. If you think you can swing it though, get it. It's a fantastic driving experience and very addicting.