I will get a new car soon. I currently drive a '94 BMW 325is coupe. Very happy with it but it's almost ten years old. Time for something with a warranty.

Previous cars owned: '84 RX7 GSL-SE, '90 Honda Civic Si, '89 Mustang 5.0 (hot-rodded, errr, that's "modded", to many of you), '85 Porsche 944, '88 MR2, '94 Integra GS-R, '98 Ford F-150 SuperCab Flareside 4.6.

The two candidates seem to be the IS300 and the RX8. They're not as different as you might think. Both are fun to drive, can seat four, and have smooth engines. I'm spoiled by the straight six in my current car. It's my favorite engine configuration - classic architecture, silky smooth, and a leonine snarl in the mid range. So the IS300 is a lot like my 325is.The engine and build quality/reliability of the IS300 really appeal to me.

On the other hand, the '84 RX7 was my first car and I loved it. I only got rid of it cuz the transmission needed replacement. Some of my favorite drives ever were in that car, and it was smooth and quiet as well, though the suspension was pretty stiff. So I have a lot of nostalgia for the rotor motor and Mazda's approach to building an enthusiast car.

One of the first things I noticed upon driving the 8 was that the much maligned low end torque didn't seem to be an issue at all getting the car off the line. I'm not talking about street racing, just ordinary starts. Sure it's only 159 foot/lbs, but it's there at low revs. Yes, it doesn't pull like a small block or new tech V8, or like a Nissan VQ, but that's OK. And, the sound as the revs build is unreal! It rivals a straight six, to my ears. I wound out the 8 in a 1-2 run from a stop and was satisfied with the pull from the engine. In my test drive however, I never got a chance to try roll on acceleration on the highway.

One thing I love about my 325is, even though it's just a 2.5 and not even the 2.8, is that once I'm on the highway I never need to downshift to pass/accelerate/get past traffic. The car is in its midrange sweet spot at 70-80 mph. It will run right up to 100 mph, if necessary, in good time.

Those of you 8 drivers who are coming from similar cars to mine, ones with ample mid range, or engines with even more mid and low end torque than mine, are you frustrated with the 8's top gear roll on acceleration on the highway? I love to shift/heel and toe/double clutch as much as anybody, but will I be forced to drop down a gear, or two, just to get any kind of pull on the highway?

Other than this possible issue, and even if my fears are true, I'm quite enamored with the 8. It's a delightful car to drive, and the lower weight really does translate into a more tossable, lively car. And, it actually has more leg room than an IS300! I'm having a little difficulty in selling myself on such a (over) styled car as the 8, but its character is really growing on me.

My adult (39 y.o.) side sez get the IS300 - it's got four doors and looks a little more subtle and responsible, and it's a Toyota underneath the badging. I may be a little different from some of you - I don't want to my car to draw attention from people. The IS also very fun to drive, very much like a BMW - comfortable ride but with great balance and precision, capable of ripping up the twisties if you desire. It should be pretty reliable. The Lexus ownership experience is said to be among the best.

My other side sez, hey, the 8 has four doors, and seats four as well, and besides, I live alone and have no kids. Don't worry about the more low-slung-ed-ness, less stodgey look of the 8.

So, have any of you been in the same situation as me?

 

First -- if you don't like to row the gears -- don't get the 8! For me it is truely one of the joys of driving the car :D but if you want to just hit the gas pedal and go -- this is not the car for you.

I also had a first gen RX-7 and the fond memories of driving it (my first car) are what led me to getting the 8. I have not been dissappointed -- it is an incredible car to drive -- I looked at an IS300 a few years back and it was a nice car but just didn't grab me.

A just bought my wife an SUV at the Lexus dealership a few weeks ago (to haul the kiddies around) and the sales guys just hovered around my 8 I thought they were going to ask me to move it around back so I wouldn't distract their customers. I took the opportunity to again sit in an IS300 and IMO it is just not as nice as my 8 inside or out. The engine is nice -- I also like inline 6's -- our Volvo has a nice I6 -- great powerband but not as engaging as drivng the rotary.

Everyone here will say get the 8 -- go to the I300 forum and everyone there will say get it! Both are great cars -- comes down to your prefered driving experience. p.s. my 38 year old adult side said BUY THE 8 - the Lexus is boring!

 

Go with the 8! I spent several months shopping for this car. My search lead me to 2 finalists G35c vs RX8. This is after testing TT's, 330's, IS300's, 350z...I had a deposit on a G35(I'll wash my mouth out with soap). Then I asked for a day test drive. And drove the 8 and G35c back to back.

What sold me on the 8 (vs G35) was:
1 Distintive styling
2 Distintive engine (why pay so much to have the same engine which is in a Quest Mini van)
3 Well manners- you can drive a 8 aggresively and have a blast! But when it s time for stop and go your not torquing(?) all over the place....it soooo smooth
4 The interior
5 Rotary reliabilty
The list could go on and on.......

I'm 3,000 miles into my 8 and loving it...no regrets

 

Hi BasenjiGuy, I have both the IS300 and the RX8. I have been driving both quite a bit now and here are my thoughts on ur highway acceleration.

Say around 70mph,the IS in 5th gear and 8 in 6th, I would say the IS kindda pulls a little easier, but not by much. BUT, if we are going upslope on a highway, you can feel the insufficient torque of the 8 if you dont change gears, while the IS can still pull a bit.

So on a flat highway, the 8 can kindda pull a bit without downshifting, but if going upslope you can feel the low end torque is missing, while the IS can still go forward without downshifting.

Like many members said, if you want instant power without shifting, go with bigger engine cars. But if you prefer to shift and get more involved with the car, get the 8. I love both cars btw :]

 

I wouldn't call it "any kind of pull".. I want to get good pull, so I can pass a Boxster in a curve on the outside lane :-)

Yes.. if you're travelling in 6th on an even road @65, you should put it into 5th for passing.

If there's an incline, I put in 4th.. and push it to 8000+ rpm


They built the car that it can handle 9000 rpm, so in some occasions, you will have to use this potential.

 

I guess it depends on what kind of driving experience you really want. For me, it ain't driving unless you're working a clutch and shift lever. Driving on the freeway everyday as I do, I can make a move in traffic while in 6th gear if I want to without worrying about it. If I really need to punch it then a downshift into 5th takes care of it. I went to Las Vegas last week and while pulling up the hills going through the Cajon Pass I stayed in 5th and could accelerate uphill at 70mph easily.

The car doesn't have the gut kicking torque of a V8 or performance V6 but it isn't a quarter miler muscle car either. It isn't intended to be. It has a smoothness and refinement that muscle cars don't have. If you want torque the automatic trans version actually has more than the 6 speed, although less hp. It would make a difference in jumping off the line and around town passing moves. But this car is a true sports car and it would be a shame to miss out on the fabulous action and feel of it's manual clutch and transmission. It's neither heavy nor fragile; it's very nearly perfect...the best combo I've ever used and I've been driving sports cars since 1969.

Winding that sweet-sounding rotary up through the gears is a pure joy. My Miata was fun but not exciting; this car is both.

So I guess it depends on what kind of driving experience you really want. I like fun and exciting. If that's what appeals to you, get the RX8...life is short, enjoy what you can while you can. :D

 

Gee, I hope I didn't sound like a wimpy no shifting loser in my post! I love to shift - the only slushbox I ever had was the F-150. Look at my previous rides - 1st Gen RX, Civic Si, Integra GS-R, 1st MR2, etc., all high revvers. I like to shift just fine. Around town, my 325is needs to be rowed around. It doesn't really get on the boil til 3k and up...

According to you guys, as I expected, I'll need to drop the 8 down a gear or two to roll on at 70 -80 mph. It was also great to hear from someone who owns both and IS300 and the RX8. Thanks.

PS

I'm probably gonna go with the RX8