mBot

Hey guys n gals;

I just sold my "fun" car and am looking for something to replace it with, priced in the mid teens $$.............this is just something to be used in good weather, for fun, not a weekday commuter-car.

It needs to have a use-able back seat, as I have a 3 yr old in a carseat. This rules out some cars that I had originally considered (ie, Porsche 944 turbo, 300ZX 2+2)

It needs to be sporty and quick, and I'd REALLY prefer a manual transmission. I'd like to take it to the track a couple times a year, for a High Performance Driving School.

Originally, the thought was to get a convertible (my daughter is in love with "top down" cars, lol). But, everything I can find has some big drawbacks that I'm not sure I can live with:

'05+ Mustang GT (need to add a partial cage to go to the track, and EVERYONE has one........interior is pretty cheap, too). VW EOS Convertible (retractable hardtop looks like it will cost a FORTUNE to fix when it breaks, ouch!) Volvo C70 (auto-only, in the price range I can afford........and they're snoozer boring).....A4 Cabrio (auto-only)

...............then they're is the RX8. It's sporty (I love the lines), it's affordable, it's got sufficient back seat space for the little one, I can take it to the track, and it sounds as though it's pretty quick if you're willing to wind out the tach, which I am

So, a couple Q's.............

If I have, say, between $17-18k to spend, I can probably squeek into an '08 or '09. Any specific options or packages I should TRY to get?

1) I'd like a sunroof (hey, if it can't be a convertible, at least my daughter can look through the sunroof, right?), but I'm not sure which option packages have it, as some of the RX8s don't.

2) I'd like as new/low mileage as possible.

3) I don't particularly care for the R3 body effects.

4) '09 had some upgrades as far as higher numerical gearing, etc, right?

I've read up on the whole Flooding issue, and I think I can avoid taking real short trips, moving it around the driveway, etc etc.

Any help appreciated,

Thanks! Ben

cornholio135

iTrader: (2)

what is your zip code?

mBot

49635, Frankfort Michigan

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

I know mostly about my car which is an 04. I think most of the options are the same for other years outside of the R3 but I could be wrong so take my info for a foundation as opposed to absolute fact.

1) The GT package comes with the sun roof and leather seats.

2) You should be able to find a 08 for pretty damn low mileage within your price range. You could probably easily find a 07 or 06 with mileage in the 20K range and leave yourself some space for some very affordable fun mods (exhaust or short shifter). I would highly recommend the short shifter as it really changes the car and I think (don't know) that there is no short shifter for the R3 yet.

3) Early model RX8's have tons of appearance mods available. The car begs for some addition but if you do add a package or kit I would also recommend lowering the car to complete the look. There are a bunch of springs available that work great with the stock shocks and give just the right drop for most kits.

4) Gearing for 09's are definitely different. How exactly I don't know. I just know a tranny from an 09 wouldn't work for my 04.

Flooding issue is really so much an issue in colder climates. But you know about it and you just need to let your car warm up before you shut it off.

Whatever 8 you fall in love with, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure you get a compression test. The engine is warrantied to 100K but you never quite know what might have been done to the done that would void the warranty or how cooperative your local dealer will be with replacing it. If the compression is good then it is one less thing that you will have to worry about.

Hope this helps.

cornholio135

iTrader: (2)

Here's an 06 shinka from a private seller in your area... had to expand the search to within 200 mi...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

here is the base search I used...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1284576930327

mBot

Well, I realize that this car is a RHD model, and I'm not sure what it's gone done (wheels, definitely) but I think appearance-wise it looks pretty darn good Not sure who's it is, I came across it on Wikipedia and I think it's one of the best photos I've seen of an RX8....

mBot

Thanks for the links..........

If I stretch, I can probably spend $18-19k on one, though only if it gets me a much nicer /lower mileage example.......

mBot

Question: How bad is the low end torque on these? ie, With 3 people onboard and the A/C on, will it even *move* without a 4,000 RPM launch?

I'm coming from a 2005 VW Passat 1.8T stick, which drove like a little 4-pot until the 15psi of boost came on

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

That car has wheels, strakes, clear corners, lip wing and an exhaust. All aftermarket. Depending on your wheel package imagine like 2K for all of that.

Here's mine, did everything you see here for like 4K.

mBot

...good to know. THANKS for the responses, incredible that people actually take the time to help out

...car will NOT be driven in cold weather, in response to the earlier post.

...so re: the exhaust/intake......do these mods actually do ANYTHING for the Renesis, or not? I read somewhere that the only mod that actually yielded any power was the Cobb tuning flash that is no longer available...........that the intake/exhaust really didn't do much.

Yes/No?

Ben

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

False. You definitely get a return on the intake and exhaust. Great thing about these cars is that you feel the smallest of modifications. However you won't be getting huge returns on those additions. Cobb with gain you some as well but nothing big. Cobb will help the longevity of your engine. FI is the only way to get real big power gains.

mBot

....sweet Nothing like the sound of un-restricted airflow in and out

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

Oh and no problem with the response. If you become an owner you will find that this a great community with lots of resources for while you own your car. I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned about 8's and cars in general from this forum. Best of luck!

mBot

Thx, I have been on a dozen or more message boards over the years, and never had such tremendous response as this.

Thanks

chunbelievable

iTrader: (5)

Oh yeah, one last thing. If you haven't moved on yet, you should really check out this thread.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

New Yorker

Helpful article from October '09, so prices mentioned would be lower now:
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...da_rx-8_page_6

Good luck!

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

As a weekend toy to take to the track, the RX8 wont let you down.

Bolt on's dont yield big power on these cars, but they make it sound much better and will get a little more airflow as mentioned. Bear in mind, the RX8 was very well engineered from the factory so there isnt a whole lot of untapped power.

Nice set of lightweight wheels, sticky tires, and a catback to toughin up the sound will probably be enough to make you happy.

Good luck and hope your next thread has pics of your new 8

Roidz

Good luck and if you do get one, you won't look back. It's a great car.

Kevin McMahon

Biggest thing to note, if you are a tall person, you might want to stay away from the sunroof. Mainly because at 5'10'' myself, with a helmet on at autocross, i have to adjust my seat to not be up against the ceiling. If you are taller, it will present more of an issue. Otherwise i think this car fits yours needs pretty well.

mBot

I read that thread before I posted up

mBot

Hmm, I'm 5'-8", wonder if this will be an issue.........

reaper1

If your looking for something with lots of torque , this won't work for you . Drive one so that you'll have an idea about it . Otherwise its a great car .......

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

Im 6'5'' and have no problems....

New Yorker

Probably not an issue for you. Are you long leg/short trunk, or vice versa? If long leg/short trunk, you're definitely good. If short leg/long trunk, you're still most likely okay. I have a sunroof; I'm 5'7" with 32" inseam, and I can raise the seat as high as it goes and still not touch the headliner.

04Green

iTrader: (1)

I did not see them here yet, so here goes..

Read the two posts in my signature. They are both for first time folks. Lot of data, lot of references...