I had a chance to test drive a blue R3 today. The dealer just threw me the keys and let me take it out for a spin. Let me start by saying I have had eight different sports car, so this isn't my first time driving a sports car.

Handling=Excellent, car can corner without lean yet without losing ride quality. It leans less than the C6, yet it rides just as good. It can certain go through bumpy roads without getting send sideways like the Z cars.

Steering=Precise, haven't felt anything that good since the Lotus Elise

Brakes=Spongy pedal, doesn't feel spectacular, but it sure does stop and it does it without any effort or nose dives like the Z cars or the Corvette. Perhaps it's because the other cars are driving 10-20mph down the same straight.

Interior=Not much of a change over the 04-08 cars other than the repositioning of the radio, the R3 didn't have anything special other than the comfy cool Recaros and red stitching everywhere.

Engine=The rotary engine doesn't give you any thrills, yet it just keeps revving like no other engines out there. At no point did I feel the car was slow, but it also didn't feel very fast to me either. I can see the car having a tough time catching up to other cars at the track or even the highway.

The bottom line is this. Would you pay $5K more for the bodykit, Bose, Recaros, special paint and wheels? I know I won't. As a new car, I would pay $23K for this car max. I would only pay $21K max for a base model. With the STIs and the 370z price around the same, I just don't see how Mazda can try to sell this car in the high 20s or even low 30s. You really have to love this car to buy it new. Also the car is virtually the same since 04, so I have a hard time getting myself to pay $10K more for it unless the deal is great. Personally, I think I am going to go back searching for low mileage used ones, I honestly don't think the car is worth anything more than 23K for the R3 and 21K for the base. I guess a lot of people feel the same way as I do as the new cars aren't selling too quickly.

 

ok for 21k you can barely get a new si off the lot or a gti, ms3, the 8 is in a totally different category, not to sound like a fanboy but if i had the money id get an r3 anyday, the fact that they arent selling is the current economic status a sports car becomes a luxury not a nesecity reason why most sports cars are either staying on the lot or highly depreciated for a used model the r3 will retain its value more than anyother 8 just because its a collectable and low production numbers will make it highly desireable in the future

 

All the cars you listed are probably faster than the RX-8 at the track, that's why I said what I said.

 

The RX-8 is a fun driver's car that can seat four adults comfortably and has a useful trunk. It is very good at what it is. Other cars that are a little faster aren't necessarily better cars.

 

I'm only buying another rotary if they finally give the power plant an upgrade. Otherwise...I'm just not doing it.

I love my '05 though.

 

agree, but not at 30K, or even 25K

 

In your opinion that is...

 

rx8 will destroy civics, gti's and MS3's around auto X's. Around a real track though, the rx8 might have a bit of trouble with the MS3 because it has more power and can go faster in a straight line.

 

For 23k, the best "performance" cars you can drive off a dealer lot would be MS3, Civic Si, Cobalt SS, and base Mini. If you are looking for a light weight RWD car with stiff chassis and double wishbones under 23k brand new, you can give up now. You won't find it.

The bottomline is RX-8s are still good value. You are looking at a car that completely dominates Solo B stock (including Zs) and probably DSP too, under 30k.

 

That's why you get a Touring instead of the R3

 

Well that is why the RX-8 is just fading away. No major changes since it was introduced in 2004. Similar to the S2000 towards the end.

However, it makes for a great used market. Evidence: all the noobs with their 2004s.

 

i have a 2004 bought it brand new...

 

well it sounds like you are not too interested in the 8 from that post so....buy a civic!

 

Agree, why buy a new one when the used ones are half the money and deliver 98% of the performance of the new ones. Of course you don't get the new car warranty and smell. I have no problem buying a new one in the low 20s, just not anything higher. That's basically what I told the dealer. The car will probably sit for another two months without huge incentives or discounts. If they decide to cut their losses and get rid of it for 23K, I will jump on board. I would have gotten a new base model, but there is only one in the region and it isn't the color I am looking for.

 

My 04' has been a pain in the *** to own but you cannot compare it to an si or GTI. The feel of the rx8 is just unmatchable. Its hard to explain sometimesto other people but it just feels like no other car. I have owned many faster cars and there are plenty of faster cars in the market but fast is kind of a broad term. I do wish the RX8 did have about 50HP more for the price. I agree that the R3 is overpriced though.

 

Don't quote me on this but, i think the 8 is so high in the price range because it is the only car that has a rotary engine (besides the 7) thats out in the market today.
So basically what Mazda is saying is... "Since we are the only car company that has a rotary engine we might as well raise the price"

 

I drove a number of cars (STI, EVO, Si) before I drove the 8 and none of them compared. Some may be fatser from stop light to stop light but the only one that had the complete package was the 8. IMO

buy used if you are looking at 23K or buy a brand new Si or GTI, which are not even half the car the 8 is. IMO of course, LOL!

 

^ i agree with you im coming from owning and driving alot of powerful cars its not all about power. my dad loves american muscle so we have always had at least 2 muscle cars in our garage including a 550hp+ cobra a tt gto a c6 c5 z06 and then and hes had an m3 too ive previously owned a number too including a 350z and ALL of them were faster than the 8 but IMHO none of them as fun or complete. i love my 8

 

You are exactly right. This is what I say about the cars with a bit more tourque but thats all they have.

 

As someone who recently just purchased a R3, I can tell you deals are out there if you do your homework and is firm on your behalf. Depending where you live, you can get a R3 a little more in the mid 20's (26+). If that's too much, you can always look out for used cars like many suggested here. Or what Darklord mentioned, you can get a Touring with premium package if anything for a bit less (not much though) Of course, if you are looking for a roadster or a straight-line performer, there are comparably "better" vehicles out there for you to choose from in this price range. Again, the benefits of purchasing the new 09's is you get increased reliability on the engine, less body roll, and a few other amenities that the 1st generation does not offer (I owned a 2007 Touring).

For the R3 package, it comes down to personal preference. Do you want the Recaro seats? Do you want a body kit? Do you like the wheels it offers and the suspension set-up? If not, then why the complaints? Just get a different/cheaper model. For "$5,000" more I think it's worth the price. Look the the price of the wheels by itself... Not to forget to mention the price of the Recaro seats... If you were do get your own wheels, body kit, and seats... how much will that come up (including time, labour, etc.). If it's "cheaper" and you have the resources to do so, then by all means do it. It all comes down to convenience, something the R3 delivers directly from the showroom.

 

yeah if you can get one in the 26 range thats good but when i looked they wanted more along the 33-35 range and that was with my 04 as a full trade. But I guess each market is different.

 

I think you undervalue the R3 by a lot. Not to mention that the 5k upgrade is more than what you listed. In almost all car manufacturers your not really getting your money's worth by buying the base model. That again is just my opinion. If your going to spend 23k+ why not spend a few extra and get the GT or R3 models. Again it comes down to personal preference and I think that the R3 was worth every penny. I took mine for a less than 27k (before taxes).

 

I'm sure all the R&D and engineering has nothing to do with it

 

I do love the Recaros and the special blue paint, but 27K is a base 370z at VPP price. This is not really a knock on the car, it's more bang for the buck in my opinion.

By the way, I remember some air sucking noise at the passenger side window cowl area at 8000RPM+, is that normal? I don't recall seeing that in the early ones I drove.

 

Wow, what a mark-up!! I mean, I know some of the dealers around here won't negotiate the price of the vehicle and will only use the customer cash back ($2,500) this month, but still... Take the current price for the R3 w/ SAT for example $33,110 minus $2,500 = $30,610 plus tax. If you do the rebate with invoice pricing, plus any possible MAC Bonus Cash if you qualify... then you're looking at a good chunk of change of rebates.

Not sure why it's coming out so much for you, especially with a trade (unless you still owe). Yes, sometimes it takes months (3 for me) to negotiate a price... but if you wait soon enough, the rebates will increase by the end of the year for the 09's. I think then would be a better time if you can't negotiate with the stealerships around your area...