Hi,

I've been lurking on this forum for a while, but I wanted to come out and say hello. I am a current 2002 SE Mazda Miata owner, and love the handling on my car. However, I feel like I have outgrown it now, although I've only had it for two years. I am just looking for something a litle bit bigger, and a bit more agressive feeling/looking.

Here is my dilemma, I want the RX-8, but with rumors of a RX-7 re-release, and a Mazdaspeed version of the 8 next year, I am having trouble trying to decide. My lease with the Miata is up in June, so I'm not sure if I should buy it off and wait another three years to get something else - or get the 8 now since, well to be honest, I'm so impatient.

BTW, how does the 8 handle in comparison to the Miata? And in terms of just raw speed, how do the two differ. Thank you for any feedback you can give me - I greatly appreciate it.

 

ive had my 8 for 2 weeks and love the power and handling...plus all the looks and compliments i get.

it just feels great as you get it up to about 4500 RPM and the power really starts to kick in.....zoom zoom.

but your ultimate decision is yours....you wont be sorry you bought an 8 right now i can tell you that...but if you want to wait on possibile Speed version or other cars...thats your perogative.

good luck...

 

Jona-
I can give you the input from a former Miata owner that did some autocrossing- I had a modified '96M that was the best handling car I'd ever driven (I installed adjustable shocks & shock tower brace, among other things). That was until the RX-8... it has more body roll than I expected for a car that handles this well, but it's really amazing for a car it's size and weight. It's not quite as nimble and tossable as the Miata due to the higher weight, but the increased power and matching braking make it feel like a 'supersized', more refined Miata... and the smoooooth 9k rpm rotary is the icing on the cake.

The only aspect I miss about the Miata is the drop-top... it was a fun little car, but the RX8 has made me forget about everything else. I haven't brought the 8 to the track or autocross yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to it. Not to mention the traction control and stability control for times when you're not wanting to toss the rear-end around, like crappy weather. I personally think it's a great upgrade from your MX5. There's also lots of owners on this board that kept their Miata as well- so you'll probably get more feedback from them as well...

 

I traded in a 2000 Miata towards my RX8. I was ready for a coupe living in the Northwest with all the rain. The Miata surely feels more "tossable" and is more of a sports car than a GT car like the RX8. The RX8 is clearly more powerful as you likely know, but it is also a car that handles better at speed than the Miata.

As far as the engine is concerned, I have owned 2 Miatas, 2 RX7's and the RX8. The rotary engine is an awsome design and a pleasure to drive. The power is very linear. I liken it to riding a 4 cylinder sportbike which also just loves to rev.

After owning the RX8 for 2 months now I can clearly say that i haven't missed the Miata. And that is said even with the sun shining here now. Good luck.

 

Hey, thanks everyone for your feedback. That is exactly what I was looking for. The RX8 is one fine looking car. It actually is probably one of the most unique cars on the road right now.

I currently drive most of the time going back and forth to work, 21.5 miles each way to downtown Los Angeles. Considering the traffic is always a factor, I am not sure if I have the income to be spending on gas twice a week. However, I know one day, whether it be this June, or three years from now.. I will have an RX something. Maybe an 8, maybe a 7, maybe a 9? Who knows, but these cars are just too sweet to pass up.

 

Yup the only thing I miss is the drop top. But I love the extra space and power. If my Miata had been paid off I would have kept it though just because a Miata is a GREAT second car.

 

Yep... would have kept mine as a weekend toy if I had a three car garage, or if I hadn't been able to sell it to a 3rd party at a decent price (dealers tried to give me less than half it's value it sold for).

 

Same here. This lady that works with my mom was going through her mid life crisis and I made 1k off the sale vs what I owed. Better than a trade in.

 

My ultimate car would be a Miata with the 8 engine in it. I came out of a 01 Miata. I thouroughly enjoyed that car as well. The 8 is a considerably larger car.
Don't worry about the fuel burn. I put about the same milage on my car as you. It only costs me about the price of a lunch at Wendy's per week. I think that is well worth it for the increase in the pleasure of driving a rotary again, even over the Miata.

John