Still not really a steal for used '05 GT. The dealer down the street from me is selling same car NEW for $24,000. All NEW Rx-8 '05 are offering $8,000 off sticker in my area. Remember it is '06 and they are clearing all the '05's out. You probably could've got a new car for the same price if you looked around some more.

 

If you want an investment, buy some bonds.
If you want a car, buy something you enjoy.

Dont even think of a car as an investment, youre going to lose any way you look at it.
You especialy lose if your intent is just to trade it in a couple years later. Why even bother? Just pay it off, keep it around until it no longer runs, and buy a new one.

CARS ARE NOT INVESTMENTS

(unless you buy double-digit produced cars, or classics)

 

The question is NOT whether a car is an investment—no car is. (I'm assuming we're not talking collectible classics.) The issue is how will 8's retain their value relative to other new cars. I think most of us sense they won't hold their value well. Fortunately many of us don't care because we love the car and plan on keeping it a long time.

 

I think it's silly to be basing a car purchase on what you can turn around and sell it for 3 years down the road.
If you're looking for a short-term vehicle, leasing is for you.

Only idiots turn around a car every few years.

 

One of the most foolish things anyone can do is sell a car they bought new in the first 2 years.

The first 2 years is when the greatest (by far) depreciation takes place.

 

The car as depreciated A LOT more than I expected it would. I have to agree with Shaolin's reasonings. If I had realized how bad it was actually going to depreciate, I may not be in it now. Just gotta be honest.

 

I bought the car because I fell in love with the way it handled, (and it was red), and did not like having the same car as everyone else. Low re-sale values may keep more people from buying one, and that's fine. It's still the car I bought for enjoyment, no matter what everyone else feels it's worth.

 

i got a used '05 GT for 23k out the door with 13,000 highway miles on it. now that's a steal!!! i keed...but i think it was a fairly solid deal 2 months ago when I bought it. anyway, depreciation sucks, it's true, but to be quite blunt about, what difference does it make? if you all love the car so much, drive the hell out of it until it dies, which shouldn't be until at least 8 years down the line, if you take care of it. what's the obsession with money and cutting your losses and getting a replacement that doesn't quite fit the bill? call me old fashioned and un-american for not having the pervasive attitude in america of keeping up with the jones' and perpetually wanting the best and newest...but I plan on keep this car for the next ten years. it's my first car, but it will be my first car for a very long time. and if it's in decent shape when i get something new, i'd probably like to keep it provided it's not terribly cost prohibitive. clearly there are those who get/lease new cars every 3 years, and I appreciate that, but am I the only one who isn't already looking forward to purchasing something specific in the next few years?

 

I bought the 8 for the long haul(10years) depreciation will not affect me unless I become disatisfied and want to trade it early. Most jap cars last 10 years with minimal problems. finding a car you won't tire of and holding 10 years is the most economical thing you can do as an owner. That will be hard with all the new stuff comming out. Glad I have a car as unique as the 8.

 

These posts made me think because everything I had seen had shown the S2Ks depreciating just as badly.
I know several people who have purchased used S2Ks because they are so cheap now. Dealerships around here have had the same cars sitting on the lot for a year or more.

Just for fun, I did the KBB value on the S2K using the same information as Rotorocket:
http://autos.yahoo.com/kbb/report.ht...ubmit=Continue

So, private party KBB on the same year, same condition and same zip code is...
$23,540.

The RX-8 was $23,255.

Yep, certainly seems like the S2000 is the way to go for resale value.


Now, all of that being said, to be totally honest, I'm still disapointed in the depreciation on all the cars in this class. But, it's a bit of a fact of life with any "niche" sporty vehicle. I mostly accept it.
I was kind of spoiled with my previous car I guess, so it all works out. I had a 99 Civic SiR, bought new for $23,300 Canadian (plus taxes.) Sold it 4 years later with 84,000km on it for $17,000 Canadian. Oh well.. can't win them all...

 

I think the present economy is hitting the luxury and sportscar market resale the hardest right now. Now is not the time to sell but a good time to buy. it's a buyer market.

 

I think that you are correct as that very much has to be a factor.
It seems like everything outside of the "compact car" kind of market is really taking a hit.

I don't think it's a "The Mazda/Honda/Nissan etc blah blah sucks and doesn't hold it's value," kind of issue. It's just vehicles that aren't as effecient and may be a touch frivilous of extravagent just aren't holding up.

 

The first year(2004) 8's will get hit the most imo. Usually first year cars are thought to have most of the recalls, problems and over supplied.

 

Well if people look at how much some 93-95 RX-7s are going for 13 years later I think holding on to the 8 would be a very good decision especially if you take really good care of your car. When the 8 is not so readily available as it is now it will rise in value.

 

I think most sporty cars lose big time in retained value - the RX-8 is no different. Mainstream cars are simply not great investments - period.

Just checked out my 2001 SLK320 - $44000 plus 5000 taxes etc - now KBB (Private Sale at 40000 miles) - just $23000. seen them saling on eBat for less than $20000.

Just enjoy the car - and suck it up.

Personally my 2004 Rx-8 will probably see the year 2015 or more - and I'll still be enjoying it then.

 

Well, if part of the reason people think it depreciated so much is that there are too many of them, good news for those who are buying 06's. There will not be a huge number of them due to a very short production year for the US market that started in February. The 07's are expected in late October early November.

 

I do know that my RX-8 is going to go down in value, that's a no brainer. I'm ok with that. The reason why I started this question, is I just was suprised to see them going for so cheap, AND I was wondering if that low price was Nation Wide.
Thanks!

 

Not just nation-wide, but across other nations. Resale value seems to be low here in Canada as well. But, as was indicated, this isn't an RX-8 thing, it's seems to be a sports car thing.

 

Just got my 2005 GT AT a couple weeks ago for 24200. Brand new with 60 miles on it. Chicago area.

 

one of the reasons for the poor resale value is the discounts dealers have to offer on new models just to push them out the door. Even then , the average 8 spends 162 days on the lot (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...0373/1121/AUTO) with the popularity of the car on the slide (30% lower volume every year), it's hard to keep the resale up, i wouldn't be surprised if real values are actually below kbb...

edit: and it's not the whole sporty / sports segment either, lexus is and cayman are some of the hottest cars right now. it appears to be the mazda marketing dept, mazda has the most cars on the "COLD" end of the scale of any manufacturer.

 

i dont think its a sports car thing at all... look at the old twin turbo supras, those hold value like nobodys business. it might be a mazda thing though. my g35 6mt isnt really a sports car, but its holding value extremely well.. only lost about 3k in depreciation since i bought it. As does the bmw 3 series. my mom's Mazda millenia on the other hand.. is only worth about 2 thousand bucks and change now , and its had a lot of problems over the years. we are getting a TSX to replace it, hopefully it will fair better.

 

The more incentives they put on our cars thee faster they depreciate. I think the 8 will come around in a few years but on the short term I feel they will not. I paid $23K for mine out the door in Nov. 05 with 14K miles on it and trade is $20K at our local dealer. Not to bad but still loosing money. On one had when I buy my Fords on the X-plan I never have lost money. BUt I still like my "8" alot and paln on keeping it.....Unless the NEW Challanger shows up in the near future!!!

 

It does depend on the car. Look at resale values for the G35 coupe and mini cooper S compared to the 8. A car that holds it's value well should be around 40-50% after 5 years. 04 RX8s are around that now or soon will be.

 

50% after 5 years would be exceptional resale value.

 

Nope, a car being sporty has little to do with it. The Evo, STI, G35C, 350Z, and Mini have some of the highest retained value according to KBB.

http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/23/pf/a...alue/index.htm