The two best cars I've ever had, out of a total of 11, have been MX-5's, otherwise known as the Miata. '98 and '02. To say I've enjoyed these cars is simply not strong enough. For eight years I've been smiling my way through my driving. I've driven a 2004 RX-8 on perhaps 15 occasions (owned by a good friend), and to be completely honest I prefer the MX-5. Some of you may understand, and some may not.

So I went to select a new vehicle, fully prepared to pick up a 2006 MX-5. Much to my surprise I realized that Mazda has completely boned up the packages made available to Canadians. I can get the full GT package, with leather, side air bags, etc., or I can get a sports package with the LSD, sports suspension, etc... but not both.

Both of my former chariots were leather packages with all of the performance toys. In the face of this ridiculous need to choose, suddenly the price seemed high. To pay the same price and get substantially less aggravates me to no end. So I made the difficult decision to move away.

It was time for something with a bit bigger trunk, and maybe even a back seat. But I am a driver at heart, and I was having trouble finding something that fit both my need for fun, and my greed for features.

And fate smiled down on me, in the form of an incredibly timely promotion and 12% raise... and my 2006 Silver RX-8 GT is in transit from port.

I was strongly considering Brilliant Black, but my first Miata was Brilliant Black. It looked prematurely old, despite great care, and it was a tremendous amount of work. When it was clean, it looked incredible. But I want to spend more time driving, and less time polishing.

I don't think I need any tips. I understand the pitfalls and needs of rotary engines, and I'm not new to the car.

So I guess this is just "Hello".

 

Congrats!!! My 06 winning blue is now sitting in the back lot at my dealership still covered mostly with plastic!!!

 

welcome to the team.

 

Welcome to some happy driving.

I too have a silver RX-8 and no, they are not cursed ;-)

 

I sincerely hope not. But I'll prepare anyway. I need a bucket of cat blood, three perfectly round chunks of horse manure , and my aunt Ginger's assistance.

I'm hoping when I'm done with the cleansing I'll be able to get a reduction in my insurance. I'll keep photos of the proceedings as proof of execution, in case they question it.

 

Welcome from an owner of an 04 Silver RX-8 Touring model. I hope you enjoy your's as much as I enjoy mine.

And silver is not cursed. (knock on wood)

 

No problems so far in my silver 05 GT. It's a beautiful car. Once the salt is off the road I intend to Zaino it so bright you can't look at it without sunglasses.

 

Welcome, fellow ex-miata driver.

I think you'll get used to the 8 right quick. It shares many traits from the miata, but goes about doing things very differently.

One thing I found.. the 8 tires me less than the Miata did. The miata was fairly refined, as roadsters go, but the 8 is an entirely higher class of refined.

 

Welcome aboard---a 97 dark blue/green Miata was my very first car.

 

Congratulations.

Silver is scientifically proven to be the most aerodynamic color.

 

Had a 97 Miata, great car and autox'er. You may have made a mistake though, an RX8 is a better sportcar, but a soft-top is a soft-top.

I ride motorcycles on sunny days so I never fully exploited the convertable part on my Miata, so I don't miss that. But, if that open air feeling is part of why you always had Miatas, you'll no doubt miss it a great deal.

Hopefully the 8's greater performance attributes will offset that for you.

 

Congratulations! I took the plunge a month ago after three Miatas over 15 years.

How true. When I got out of the Miata, I wanted a bath. When I get out of the 8, I want a martini.

 

Excellent choice, I can tell you that black is sooooo hard to keep clean and looking perfect, damn near impossible to keep looking perfect that is. I think the MX-5's look like a lot of fun to drive, but for some reason I have just never been interested in a softtop roadster, don't know why.

 

er..........sorry to bust your chops, but they didn't produce a '98 Miata??? Just curious if your newer one was the 2nd generation.................

 

Heh. Welcome aboard. I've got the best of both worlds...
a 10AE and an RX8.

 

Welcome, and enjoy your new 8!!!

 

You're absolutely right. Mine was one of the first 500 2nd generation MX-5's delivered to Canada. I say '98, but it was really model year '99. Thing is, I received it in the first week of June '98, so I occasionally screw up the year when I reflect in type.

 

hey congrats! once you go 8 can't go back... lets just hope that you can break the silver 8 spell.... anyway good luck and congrats

 

Congrats, Welcome and enjoy your RX8

 

I disagree with your assessment that the 8 is a better sportscar than the MX-5. At the zoom zoom event last fall the 5's balance was a lot more neutral which made it more fun to drive. Don't get me wrong, they're both really fun cars, just that I'd technically classify the 8 as more GT than pure sportscar.

Btw, RX-7 R1 edges both as far as "purity", IMHO.

 

Neutrality does not make a great sportscar, like an earlier 911 isn't neutral but still is a great sportscar. My assessment that an 8 was "better" was based on the total package, you can't compare the renesis to the 4 banger. But, the lighter weight of the mx5 and its inherent "toss-ability" cannot be overlooked, so maybe a tossup.

Fact is everyone has a different definition of what makes a sportscar. Yes, the last gen. RX7 was harder core, but more satisfying to drive? Not for me.

 

If you can't decided between an MX-5 and an RX-8 it seems the logical choice would be an S2K unless you just can't swing the price. Regardless, enjoy the 8!

 

Wow, I agree with Ike!