If you want raw power, neither of these cars are your boat. The RSX-S is only a tiny bit slower than the 8, so don't let the HP fool ya.

Don't be scared off by the price tag, the 8 can be gotten far below invoice if your willing to pick up an 04.

The 8 does burn oil but you really only need to add 1/4 of a quart every 2 tanks or so. It can be annoying from time to time, but you get used to it.

Take a look on the web, there are plenty of rotary descriptions. Try howstuffworks.com

Finally, the 8 is bad in snow on the stockers. If you get new tires (which can be expensive), and a GT, the car will be solid in bad weather. However, the car is fairly low to the ground, and in high snow clearance may be a serious issue.

Good luck, and make sure you drive the 8 extensively before you buy it, the car does not deliver power the way most cars do, you really need to get on it.

 

I drive an 02 rsx-s and I admire the higher redline of the 8. All the comfort features on the 8 are definetely worth the money. For a good driving experience, I would suggest you get RWD over FWD. The rsx is good when you're 18, but when you're 22 I feel a horrible urge to buy the 8. Too bad i'm not in a financial situation in where I can buy it. My rsx is my baby so selling her off isn't an option. I guess admiring the 8 is all i can do at the moment. Performance wise i believe they handle pretty similar except the understeer you get from FWD.

 

That was the next thing I was going to say. I have been chatting to a few members over on the RSX forum and it seems most of them are 18, 19, 20 years old. Seems to me the 8 is more of an adult sports car whereas the RSX is more of a younger adult, just in college type of car.

I believe I have made up my mind...just a matter of negotiation now

 

These are the exact two car choices I was considering, until my wife made my mind up for me. We stepped out of an RSX-S and while I was talking to the used car salesman, she saw the RX-8. I told her it was $5k more (25k vs 20k, both used ~ 16,000 miles, both loaded except nav) and she said "so, it looks more like you." So I drove it and she liked it MUCH better, of course I did, but I didn't think of bringing it up before because I thought she might give me a hard time about the price difference. The next day, I called a local dealership and got a brand new '04 for 24k with the touring package (which is everything but leather, I highly suggest it, used one was GT with leather). I love my car and I have not once regretting not getting the FWD car that I see a hundred times a day in Dallas (even more if you include the Integras all over the place) over the car I see 2 or 3 times a day (with the exception of my own of course).

As a side note, yes, the age demographic is VERY different. People of every age, from 16 to 80 look at my car and talk about how sharp my car looks, how clean it is, how expensive and exotic is appears and rides, etc. As a matter of fact, I make my grandmother jealous when she rides in my car instead of her Benz SLK 230. People look at an RSX and immediately think you're some punk kid that thinks he's fast.

 

If I could find a new '04, that would be great...

 

I am researching what has changed between the 04 and 05 and I really don't see much. Same HP, torque, wheel base, fuel efficiency, etc... However Edmunds noted that the '05 goes 0-60 in 7.08 seconds. Is this correct?

Thanks!

 

That's the time for the automatics, the standards are around 5.9 to 6.1, depending on how much you abuse the clutch and transmission.

**Edited because I typed 4.9 to 5.1 instead of 5.9 to 6.1

 

wow..5 seconds? flying!

 

Check out the “polls’ section…I started a thread there about the most overrated concerns people have about the 8 and I also started a poll that asked what specific problems the owners of this club have had. That might be helpful to you…

From my experience I’ve seen that the 8:

Is not the fastest car on the road but faster than 95% of cars on the road so it’s fast enough. And…while the RSX is a fine car the 8 should take it without a problem.

Oil consumption has been slight for me. I’ve put in less than two quarts of oil in 3.7K miles.

My fuel economy has been better than I expected from what I read here from other members. My average for the life of the car so far is about 19.2mpg in 80% city driving & 20% highway driving. When I do 100% city I’ve gotten no lower than 18.7mpg and normally get about 19mpg. I have not taken a trip in my 8 yet so I can’t comment on the highway fuel economy.

Here is another place where my experience seems a little better than the standard. I got my base 6-speed for 25K out the door with TTT. This is a great time to get an 8 so you should be able to get great deals right now. Shop around…as someone told me I’ll tell you, GET YOUR LOAN FIRST like that you will know your payment and what you can offer to the dealer. Keep it realistic but it really helps cut out a lot of their BS.

Note: Don't get me wrong...the 8 is listed at about 26-34K but you should be able to avoid going over 30K without a problem now a days.

As I did back in August 2004…READ READ READ READ READ and learn as much as you can about the RX8. The members here (mostly) are very helpful and have taught me a lot about all sorts of things (even monkey sex from one disturbed member…LOL) RX8 related…specifically the do’s and don’t of the rotary engine.

1) Never turn off a rotary cold (there is something called a flood that you don’t want to deal with)

2) Let the rotary warm up before smashing the pedal to the floor (a good idea for piston engines too)

3) Check your oil after every other fill up…add oil when needed

4) Rev it to 9K heaven at least once a week since the rotary tends to do a self cleaning type thing

5) If you want good (for a sports car) fuel economy cruise in 6th @ 47mph or more instead of cruising around in 6K range all day long. Also...skip 5th if possible, that's how I've done it since I got the car and my 8 is one of the better fuel economy 8's out there. But remember...there are alot of conditions that take part in fuel economy.

If you have any other specific questions do a search and read read read, you will learn a lot here. I’m a rotary noob but there are some members here that have a lot of history with rotary engines. So far…3.7K and it’s been a delight to own. I actually feel “safer” with the rotary engine for some reason. It’s like all the moving parts in the piston engine compared to the rotary has conspired to make me “feel” as if the piston engine is about to blow up at any moment…lol.

I hope the best!!!

 

I mistyped that, it's 5.9 to 6.1 or so, I was in a hurry to Alt+Tab so I could do some work at... work...

 

I think you are off by a sec...lol

The 6-speed 8 get's between 5.8-6.1 0-60mph and 14.4-14.7 in the 1/4 mile...from the tests I've seen (more than one source). Members here have confirmed the 14.5 number but some also have had problems getting into the 14's in the 1/4 mile. Driver? Slower than normal production RX8? Bad track or conditions? Etc etc...not sure but that's what I've read about here.

 

All I've got to say is... everyone and their mom has an RSX. Its a great car, but I when you put an RSX and a RX-8 together on the same road, not many will look at the RSX twice. Its just as common as a Civic!

 

I agree--RSX is a nice car but its not as mature or 'exotic' as an RX8. RX8 is in another league--acceleration wise the RSX is just a little slower than the RX8--but it responds better to modifications. Oh--I hate FWD.

 

i wanted to get an rx8 and im probably gonna have to settle for an rsx-type s because the rx8 is rwd, and this cars gonna be my daily driver.
if you have a jeep for bad weather, id go with the rx8 in a heartbeat

 

Thanks for your help. What is TTT? Is your car an '05? $25k for a 6-speed..not bad! Leather?

Thanks.

 

In Texas its TTL--Tax Title and License

 

Yeah same with WI - Tax, Title, License.

 

Ahhh, so the dealer did give me the flash last oil change. I was burning 1 quart every 1000 miles. Now it's less than 1/2 of that.

 

Can I ask why you are comparing two completely different types of car? The rsx and Rx8 only share the first letter of their names, that's about as close as it gets.

I think you probably should go drive some competitors like the g35 (if you need 4 seats), or s2000 and 350z (if you dont need 4 seats). Heck, maybe even the new mustang.

Good luck!

 

I realize these are two different types of cars, but they are the two cars I decided on. Both catch my eye for different reasons.

 

The funny thing is, I've seen posts like this over at clubrsx.com and even THEY (for the majority) often tell people to get the RX-8.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

^ were you posting your camping pics there too? :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

 

WEll then all you have to decide is what reasons are most important to you!

In all honesty, i'm very pleased with my purchase (chosen over the g35). My only problem with the car is the gas mileage. My 300hp 540 got better gas mileage, was faster and had more room, i was willing to give up some HP and torque for some better mileage, but unfortunately i didn't get that either.

No biggy, it's my only gripe. Of course my bad mileage could have to do with the fact that i just can't stop redlining this thing

 

Yes, yes I was. Sigh.

 

Exactly! Problem solved.