Optical TDI

iTrader: (2)

I drove a 2007 RX-8 today. It was red and the sport model. Only option is the rear spoiler. I currently own a 2007 GTI with 25,000 miles and will trade it.

But I'm torn on what to do. The RX-8 is much better looking, brakes are similar, suspension is similar, but I'm not used to the power delivery of the RX-8. I do love the 6 speed in the RX-8. My GTI has the DSG transmission which is fun, but I miss rowing the gears, plus I really like the RX-8 gear box. Even though the 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are nearly identical on papaer, the GTI feels so much quicker.

I do a few HPDE's per season, so the 50/50 weight distribution is appealing, plus I really miss RWD. However I'll be giving up the sunroof and Sirius radio which I love. My monthly payments will be about the same, so I'm torn about this.

I've owned a 1982 RX-7, a 1984 GSL-SE, and a 1987 RX-7 Turbo. The RX-8 just feels slow, but maybe it's becuase I'm not used to the power delivery. I've been driving turbo cars for a while.

Help me decide with what you all love about the RX-8!!! I need to make my decision in the next few days.

Soravia

RX-8 is NOT slow once you have the car going. It just runs slow from 0-60.
If you're going to drive it for speed, all you have to do is keep your foot off the brake, because you won't need to use it as much as the GTI.
If you want power, just get the Sport model and add in $4,000 on a turbo kit and ECU retune. You'll get about 300+ wHP for about 50LB of weight on the front.

Nuff, said. RX-8 is simply the best sport car for under $30K. Just needs to slow down on the gas consumption.

V Vette

iTrader: (-1)

Never buy a RX8 for speed.

deadphoenix52

it sounds to me like you'll be disappointed

Optical TDI

iTrader: (2)

I was hoping for more words of encouragement from you all! I've got a deal on the table that they say will expire today, but I'm sure it will be there next week too!

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like straight line speed is what ur really after. Dump the Gti and buy a V8. ONLY way the 8 is going to appease your straight line hunger is w/ SC/TC.

DarkBrew

Buy one with a sunroof and get the adaptor to plug the Sirius into the radio.

RX26b

First, I don't think the VW's strut suspension is similar to the 8's forged aluminum A-arms. One's an antiquated design, while the other is simply what a proper sports car should have.

Second, as for acceleration of the 8 vs the 182 hp TII - find an 8 with a well broken in engine (say more than 10,000 miles), start out in 3rd and redline that gear and then upshift to 4th and run it to 9000. I guarantee the '87 turbo wouldn't keep up (assuming it wasn't modded). True, there's no torque rush like you have with a blower, but the acceleration is very deceiving, as you'll see when you run it to its stratospheric 9000+ RPMs and experience its turbine-like smoothness at those revs, whereas the old rotaries (and virtually every piston engine) simply ran out of breath long before the 8's warning buzzer chimes in.

chancejat

iTrader: (2)

the 8 feels slower because of the deceiving power band.....it just constant accel for a longer period of time......if you want to toss you head back then just rev high and drop the clutch..........but say goodbye to the tranny after a short while with that kind of abuse

Roaddemon

Turn off the traction control rev to 5k and let out the clutch. Then shift at red line in each gear through 6th. See if that feels faster to you.

New Yorker

I had an '02 GTI 337 Edition.

I think, once you get used to the totally different driving technique of the 8, you'll like it better than your GTI. The feel and handling are simply in another league. If speed is important, just remember to live up in the higher reaches of the tach—the same way people with inline-4 bikes do. (Of course, be prepared to spend more on fuel.)

delhi

Get one of those ABT or Neuspeed chip and your GTi will be a monster.
Trading an 07 in would be taking a bloodbath on depreciation. Financially unsound. Perhaps you should've tested more cars prior to the GTi and I am surprised you didn't look into the rx8 considering you had other rx cars prior.
The 8 is slow for the driving incompetent. Point and Shooters need not apply.

Roaddemon

VW GTi, isn't that a modern version of the VW Rabbit? That right there should help you decide. Why would anyone buy a VW when it is well known how bad the reliability is on those things. Everything breaks on them. Been that way forever. Get a mazdaspeed 3 and be happy. It should be more your taste.

nt5k

What's wrong with your GTI exactly? You will prob take a huge hit on your trade. Which unless you are made of money should factor into your decision too.

Optical TDI

iTrader: (2)

The trade works out okay because the $3500 Mazda rebate takes care of my negative equity. I really miss RWD.

nt5k

<shrug>

Just don't come back here and start another mpg thread.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

I know Ill get flamed for this, but ive r-c-d GTis from stoplights in my car and smoked them. if you want raw numbers 0-60 GTi-6.8 seconds/ RX8 5.9-6.5 depending on launch. The "slow" youre feeling is a nonbroken in engine and a lack of torque. Next time, watch the speedometer and youll be surprised. Btw, its rumored that stock RX8s before theyre broken in do 0-60 in like 7 seconds. Dude these cars get faster with age and honestly theyre not built for straight speed but for cornering and driver feel. This car is for enthusiasts. I think you need to try an infiniti G35 or Nissan 350Z. Same types of cars, RWD, and more torque so they dont "feel slow" to you.

daisuke

I just test drove for the first time the other day and I was also struck by how little power seemed to be available when the engine is revving low, you really do need to be in the right gear to get the power, but when the revs are high enough it really does start to pull hard. I think the gti feels quicker because it has less weight and more torque down low. After I got back in my car I realized how the rotary works in almost the opposite way a piston engine does. In hindsight I also realized that part of the reason it feels so slow is because it's so smooth, only once I got it up to speed AND up to revs did I feel like I was driving a properly fast sports car. And if you rev it to the redline you certainly do feel excited.

Also... I took the car out for an 8 mile drive, half the time driving normally and half the time flogging it and I sucked down 2 notches of the gas tank, from 1/4 down to close to 1/8. So it's a valid point to not complain about the gas mileage once you get it.

Groundrush

+1 on 350Z if you're looking for more torque. Just saw an ad in the local paper today selling of the remaining '07s for $4k off. If you're questioning if the car is right for you now, that discontent will only be amplified when you're making payments.

Roaddemon

There is only 3gallons between full tank and 3/4 tank. Thats when the guage drops the fastest. I watched the gallons when I filled at the pump. The 8 only has a 16 gal tank. Gas mileage is a concern for most people but not in the 8. If you can't afford the gas don't drive it.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

^^agree......dont rely on good gas mileage in the 8, check out my signature for my city/highway average.