Ok after years of lurking here and gaining knowledge about this car. I have joined not too long ago, because I was planing on buying an 09 White Sport in February. Well I just realized I may have a slight "problem." It turns out I needed to switch to a different college just a two year since I decided to do something different.

This college is in a pretty bad part of town and I'm afraid for my car. I only go Mondays and Wednesdays. Mondays I am there till 4:45 and thats not too bad. But then Wednesday I am there till 10:00 at night. I really don't want it to be vandalized or stolen, ete.

What do you guys think? Should I just go ahead and buy it or what?
Thanks You guys are great!

 

If you're worried just wait two years until you graduate. They'll only get cheaper.

 

Well I went to University of Houston-main and it is located in 3rd ward, extremely ghetto and people getting held up at gunpoint. I never had anything happen to me or my car, the only real damage was from ppl opening their doors too far and dinging the car. I had night classes and never had anything happen but maybe I was lucky. It's a risk to take but how is the security on the campus? UH was pretty good I have to say..

 

Even though it is more likely to happen some places than it is others, you can have your car get vandalized or stolen anywhere... Plus, most really good cars that you would want would have some chance of having something like that happen to them... I say go for it, and don't let the possibility of somebody doing something to it keep you from getting the car you want... Also, these days more people break into cars to steal whatever is inside them than they do to actually steal the car itself, so just don't leave anything too valuable out where it is visible and you should be fine.

 

You have to worry about the SUV and the door banging.

Get yourself a junker, else the 8 will be a dented junker.

 

parking situationally helps a lot. parallel parking, parking against a wall, tree, curb etc. do all the little things that wouldn't put your car in the way of harm

 

go with the wait 2 years (shaunv24) deal, price will drop, fewer worries, deal with school first, that is hard enough.

 

Ok guys thanks for the replies. I have another option. To just buy a older model used one (like 05ish) and still keep my DD and put the RX-8 down as a weekend car. This way I can also just have a fun car instead of having to worry about reliability.

So I have two options:

1.) I buy the new 09 white one as my only car, take the chance of something happening. But also I do love this model with the M'z Custom Body kit. It would be my DD.

2.) I keep my DD and get an 05 White one and have it was a weekend driver. I would most likely have some shiny toys on it sooner or later. Mazdaspeed Bumper, ete.


I have read over all the improvements of the 09's and I like that it seems more reliable. Though I believe any car can be as reliable as the knowledge of the owner who drives it. I have driven only a 2010 sport... I dont think there is any difference in handleing (besides the R3) with previous models. Money is also not an issue with schooling or insurance.

What do you guys think. I am most likely going to do one of these options.

 

If it were me, keep DD and get older one, just research and understand the engine history. It is a smallish car. I use it for my DD, but have a "6" and a Ford Expedition for when needed. Check your insurance options and total costs. You may save enough to do whatever the heck you want to an older one and have it run rings around a new one.

Then again, above is exactly that I did. I got an 04, suspension was like a grand, MM AP was another $900. $1,500 later, I am really happy and beat Porsche's and Corvettes at the track.... The best part is when you have to open the hood to show a 'vette driver that it really is stock. This is followed by passing the Porsche that cost 5x what I spent.

 

Hmm, good question... Thats a tough call. Unless you realllllly like the Series 2 more (which it doesn't sound like you do), I say keep the DD and get an 05...

Judging from your first post, it sound to me like if you go with the newer one you are going to spend a lot of time worrying about it, which would take away some of the fun of having it... You don't wanna be sitting in class nervous about whether your car is getting broken into or vandalized, so if you think you will do that with the newer version, I'd go with the older one... Plus it never hurts to have 2 cars encase one of them starts acting up.... Either decision you make would be a good one, but if it was me I'd probably go with the DD and '05. Sounds like you'd be able to enjoy it more that way....

Just noticed your username.... You from AL? I'm from Montgomery

 

Thanks for your opinion 04Green thats what I was thinking.
I'm still torn by it though. I know I would most likely be spending some time worrying about the car if I get the new one. I do like the body style of the newer ones, but the overall experience is what I'm after. I think I may go with #2; That way I am stress free. I am still not 100% on that decision yet though.

Yes I am from the sweet home lol. Although I'm down here in Mobile.
Its good to see others from here though.

 

This^^