I'm going to be getting my first car soon and was really attracted by the look of the rx8. I noticed that you could also find then used with fairly low miles for 12-15 grand. I honestly have no idea how much insurance would be on this car for a 16 year old and whether this is a viable option or not at my age. Any help would be appreciated .

 

I probably wouldnt no.

 

Its a FOUR DOOR coupe by a lot of insurance company, so it will be a little bit better than a 350Z / S2000. For your first car (assuming at 16 you have no motorsport racing/gokarting/motorbike racing experience, just a newly licensed driver), I recommend buying a POS and beat on it for about a year before you move to nicer ones.

Financially, its viable.

In reality, its not a good choice.

In terms of street cred, it is SLOWer than your friends Accord, Camry, Altima and any family sedan with a V6 above 2.5 litre...its NOT a good choice to fck around.

Why don't you get a used VW 1.8T (Golf/Jetta). They are relatively cheaper, easy on gas, and can haul *** if you want...
check out www.vwvortex.com forums for more advices

Hope this helps.

 

**** the rx8 was my second car but i only had my first one for lke 2 months and im 17 now but i pay a whole lot more for insurance then r probally gonna want to but i got a couple speeding tickets lol

 

I got mine used and it was my first car here in USA. Though I was 23 by the time I got mine. I think it is a good idea to call the insurance companies to get a quote before you make any decisions. I did the same when I purchased mine. I was getting quotes in a range of $2000-$3500 for 6 months. IBut I kept looking (must have contacted 20 agents) finally I got a quote for $460 (full coverage) for 6 months. Since you are 16 you might have a higher rate. Just look around and consider your monthly payments for the insurance (you wud'nt want to pay as much as you are paying for ur car monthly for the insurance ). Anyways good luck

 

NO way! ... oh wait thats what I did, but I was 21 and more mature (vs me at 16)

I would wait till you get out of HS, then get the RX-7?/8?/9? with the 16x!

 

Insurance is going to be a Lot. Count on 300 bucks a month or more for full coverage.

Gas is going to be a lot. I average 300-400 miles a week. thats about $75-100 a week in gas.



Get a cheap, efficient beater. Drive it for a few years, get your first couple car accidents out of the way in the beater while you learn how to drive, and then you can get your sports car. The first time I took my friends out in my old accord, I was reversing out of a parking spot, forgot that the front end of the car swings wide when you cut the wheel, and smashed the front fender into a concrete pillar. I was pissed enough I did that to my accord. I can only imagine how upset i would have been if i had an 8 back then.

There will be plenty of time in your life for driving a sports car. Right now, you're better off getting something inexpensive and learning to drive, so when you get your expensive sports car, you won't accidentally mess it up.

 

Definitely not a good first car... Insurance will rape you. You can bank on at least 2k every six months, but it will be bad for any car for you seeing as how you're a 16 year old, well I'm assuming your a boy too.

 

How can you guys be paying that much in insurance?
Is there that big of a difference from state to state? or different companies?

Here in Cali, where we have some of the most expensive insurance in the nation, I pay less for my 8 than for my plain jane toyota 4-banger pick up.

According to my insurance company, the 8 is a 4 door 1.3l sedan. It is cheaper to insure than a corolla.

 

Yeah, I pay $135 monthly for my RX-8 here in LA even I have couple points on my record. (but I'm expirienced driver )

 

You need to do more research. Read the FAQs on this site to learn specifics about the RX-8. Pick up the annual "all the cars" issues of Motor Trend, Consumers Reports, and Car & Driver. Read through those, and check out sites like this for any models that appeal to you.

Have your parents check with their insurance agent about what insurance would cost to add whichever car you like to their policy. Keep in mind that once you get your license, as long as you're still living at home their insurance is going to jump to cover you, even if you don't have your own car.

IMHO, there's nothing wrong with an RX-8 for a teen. Its lower straight line performance might keep you from doing too many stupid things. Get one with DSC to help you out for some of the stupid things you'll inevitably do. Very good crash ratings. The tiny back seat, with an obstruction across the middle, will please your girlfriend's father.

Ken

 

Thanks for the advice guys, i'm probably going to look into a focus, mazda3 and mazda6 for now. If anyone else has any other advice on this to offer please feel free to add it to this thread, ill be checking it from time to time.

 

mazda3 or 6 yes. RX8 no.

 

get a 87 volvo wagon, reliable, safe, and when you get older and get something nicer, you will appreciate it more!

 

1 dont get it unless its stick trust me i made that mistake.
2 dont get it as a first car learn on something else first get a hoopty
3 if you got it dont be a dumbass.

 

He's 16, not 96.

 

i had a audi TT quattro as my 3rd car. i was 16 at the time. and my insurance wasnt bad at all!
in 18 now and my insurance is 1000 a year or somthing like that..

GET the car!
iv had a bunch of cars and none of them compare to the 8.

 

I say get it, BUT only if you can truly afford it (gas, maintenance, insurance, etc.) and the following:

-1 track day the week you get the car.
-1 defensive driving course the day after track day.

0 issues so far, and I push the car hard. I learned the limits of my skills and the car, and so am not stupid enough to take a corner at 150mph when I can't handle it.

 

if you get it respect it, take care of it above and beyond what is called for, and yes dont be a dumbass. granted this car dosent have horsepower ratings like most on the market but that dosent mean you cant get in trouble hurt or killed in this car. its a great car but i say get a rwd somthing and get some drive time under your belt so you dont wreck the 8, trust me its exspensive and you ins. will probably cancel. g/l with your decision making.

 

It really depends how mature you can be with the car, which is something we can't measure. Even a low powered RWD car can bite you, and really, it's just easier to stay out of trouble with FWD or AWD. If you drive it properly, then there's probably no issue, but it's likely something you have yet to find out. I'd personally default to FWD unless you absolutely know you'll drive responsibly with nobody watching over your shoulder.

Then there's also the money aspect. The 8 can be an expensive car to maintain. If you have the means, it's definitely a rewarding driving experience.

Good luck with whatever you get, and definitely listen to the people telling you to track your car. No matter your choice, you will ultimately be a better driver if you learn your limits in a controlled environment. I thought I was the best driver to ever grace a steering wheel back when I was 16, after my first autocross I was knocked clean off my pedestal and I now realize that I have a lot of learning to do.

 

No please don't......search around and see y all the other youngsters were directed in a different way...i'm really tired of tell the same thing all the time

 

You don't really have to be a dick about it.

I'm 17 and the 8 is my second car. I'm going to be honest, the only thing I think the 8 has going for it from a teenage standpoint is the looks. It isn't exactly 'fast' stock... low torque... very different to maintain than any other car, some major faults with the car, etc. The car looks clean though, and I have to say I do get a lot of looks for it (compared to a 97 hatchback civic).

I wouldn't buy it to be honest. When I bought mine, I didn't really know much about the 8 beyond the look and the 'revolutionary' rotary engine.

If you are leaning towards an 8 though, make sure you aren't too quick to decide on one. I'd even go out and test drive some other cars close to it's class to see how they feel. I hear 2003 350z go for 15~ now, so I'd give that a shot too.

 

Older people tend to be smug about **** they've got, and will want kids to ride shitty cars so they feel better on the inside when they see them in shitboxes.

IMO, best way to kill your kid is to buy him a shitty car.

EDIT: Note that an RX-8 is a great choice for a first car if you can afford it. What other car in it's category changes directions as quickly (active safety measures) with 7 airbags (passive safety)??

You're covered both in avoiding accidents AND being safe when accidents happen. You'll be crushed in an S2000, and the 350z won't change directions as quickly.

Just make sure to take a few performance driving and defensive driving courses. Those will help BIG TIME.

 

Don't listen to the haters, get it, respect it, have fun, and drive safe.

These type of questions should be stickied, its always asked "used 8 as a first car?"

 

please dont take traction control off....you WILL get cocky...and dont say you wont...