Hello all. I am currently toying with the idea of trading in my Toyota FJ cruiser for a 2007 RX-8 touring edition. I drove a manual sport model at a local dealer today. It was not at all what I wanted as far as the color and the equipment it came with. I think I would llike a touring model better, but I would have to drive two hrs. just to take a good look at one, as there are none left in this town at either dealer. ( two sport models and one GT between two dealers and only one with a 6 speed - I am told everyone is waiting on the 2008s )I can get a touring model using the S- plan pricing ( employee, employee supplier )and rebates for 25,900.00 . I owned a 1983 rx-7 in high school in the early 90's and we had it heavily modified with all sort of parts from racing beat and mazdatrix . The car I drove today seemed way underpowered compared to what I once owned. I have my doubts about buying a car for this kinda money that just didn't blow me away performance wise. I will say that I have never felt more comfortable sitting in a car as I did today, the entire cockpit is laid out as though it was built for my body size ( 5'-8" 190 lbs ) and I enjoyed driving it down the road. It truly is a fun car to operate and I can appreciate that but even winding it up to 7-8k rpms just didn't hold me in the seat like I hoped it would. Aside from that, I am concerned about the reports of some people on here getting below average gas mileage for what is essentially a compact sports car ( my FJ gets 20 m.p.g - twice the size with basically the same " horsepower" ) , and then there is the insurance. I am 29 yrs old, with a squeaky clean driving history yet I was quoted 160 a month for insurance. I am paying 110.00 a month for my FJ now. Also, I am not happy about the lack of trunk space , as I need to carry a suitcase and two other small bags in my car each time I go to work. I can't see me tossing my suitcases into the backseat of this car, as I think the interior space looks fantastic and I don't wanna use my backseats as a trunk. I can always keep the spare tire that I have to buy separately at the house, but what good is it there when I have a flat away from home, as my path to work is 30 miles from my home, all interstate , and a flat tire would be a inexcusable reason to be late to work because " my spare is at home " . Is there any room left over in the trunk with the spare back there? Also, I use my ipod just about as much as I use my sirius satellite radio, and with the bose system I can only have one or the other hooked up and functioning with the factory radio. Not to mention I will be giving up room for my 2 12" alpine type-R subs and my three amps, which I would end up selling because I just wont be able to have my bass and my trunk space ( rhyme not intended ) in this car together.

I have wanted this car since it came out, and my ex-girl wouldn't lemme have it, and she works for Toyota so I got a decent deal on my FJ last year She. said it was impractical, and so does my current girl, BUT she also says it my money and I should do what I want? but I am afraid that while this car is one of the best looking cars out on the market in a long time, I am afraid of it just being very unpractical as a day in day out driver for me. I love so much about this car, but it just let me down in the really go fast department, as I am comparing it to my old rx-7 and my ex's IS350 , and her car before that ( and my favorite lexus of all time ) the IS300. I would have hoped the rx-8 would have been as peppy as it was. The rx-8 handled superbly and stopped on a dime but I am just not sure If this is the car for me. I am also a little concerned that if I ever do get rid of it, that the resale on the 04-05 models is only in the high teens and I was hoping the would hold a better resale than that. I think new they sell easy, cause rotary guys are like air cooled VW guys, very brand loyal, but the few that come up for sale are not selling that high, and I feel I would take a more than average loss on a resale or trade a few years down the road.

Please see if you can help me change my mind. I really like a lot of things about the RX-8 ..... but is it a real daily driver, is it the ideal only car for a railroad guy that owns a home with no kids? what kinda seat of the pants power gains will a air intake and maybe a cat back exhaust do for these new rotary engines, the days of porting and polishing and rejetting carbs are over now it is turbo chargers and computer re-programming, which can get expensive real quick as well as diminish reliability and fuel economy. Is the lack luster go pedal performance worth the insurance and the car payment, and the costs of after market parts?
I am truly undecided at the moment?

 

Really, you should be the only one making this decision. Forget what we say, forget what your ex or current GF says.

I bought my 05 in 04 under the S-plan and it was PAINLESS. I drove about 350 miles to do so because the dealership gave me no problems and had exactly the car I wanted on hand. It was worth it, and I have zero regrets about it. On the insurance note, check with geico- they consider the 8 a four door four seat 2 cylinder coupe. It rocks.

You've obviously found this forum- it's an excellent source but you have to do your own research and dig around. Keep in mind that you WILL see a lot more bitching, it's a lot easier to complain than it is to praise. Yes, the 8 gets **** for gas milage. That's a given. It is a sports car, there's really nothing else to say here. If you want gas milage, buy a prius. You're worried about power. Yes, the 8 could use more torque, but it doesnt make me enjoy the car any less. Talk to the dealerships and see if you can get the car overnight, or on a longer term try. Wrap it up to 9k, drive it like you stole it and you will get the enjoyment you're looking for out of the engine. You won't get much power out of intake/exhaust. Forced induction is what you're looking for.

Make no mistake, this car is not an RX7. You might consider waiting a couple more years and seeing what mazda releases in that regard- the 8 is even supposedly due for a face lift next year and rumor is a new rotary car in 2010. Don't be in a rush to buy a car. All the information you need about the rx8 is right here on this forum. Research all you want, we're not going anywhere.

 

power gains are very minimal. 'decent' power can only be obtained through FI.

I've seen plenty of daily drivers and they are just fine. as long as they are taken care of properly and have a warranty just in case you'll be okay.

mpg varies on your foot.

don't get it if you don't like the power now because, again, only 'good' source of power is obtained through FI. yes, i stated this twice because there's always someone who buys the car THEN doesn't like the power.

idk what to tell you about trunk space.

unless you like to track, auto-x, canyon-run or something that requires technicality, then this car isn't for you because it's not oh-so fast in a straight line.

 

I used to own a '74 FJ40 Lancruiser, highly customized. 10" lift, 34" mudder tires, heavy-duty roll cage & push bar, sunroof, fiberglass body (the only one that was impervious to rust!) Jensen sound system, "captians chairs" seats.
It was cool to look at but uninspiring on the road; downright unstable if you pushed it, it wasn't a roadster. I couldn't get "off-road" more than a few times a year, where it was really in it's element.

Today I drive an RX-8 and I totally prefer it, much as I miss the old 'Cruiser.

 

If you do get an RX-8, get one in the right color and trim even if it costs a little more.

 

I think you should learn the power of the paragraph.

 

Don't get me wrong. I am not hoping this car will be my red-light dragster, but as I said before, I have never felt more comfortable in the seat of a car than I did in the 8. I am mainly concerned that day to day this car could be more of a inconvenience than a fun driver, because of what I require as far as cargo room and travel luggage storage space, and the fact that the spare consumes most of the trunk.

as far as paragraphs go, I type as i think, not think as I type. so forgive me.

I travel to the town that the touring model is located in by train on a regular basis, so maybe I will get over to that dealership and give it another look and a test drive before I pull my system out of my FJ and return it back to stock and drive two hours to go haggle over trade in value and maybe take the 8 home. I f it still there when I go with my truck then maybe it was waiting on me to take it home.

I am curious as to what will be out in 2009, as everyone else is I am sure. waiting is hard to do when you want something now. I wish I could afford to kepp my FJ and get the 8. man life would be o.k. then.

 

Who is better looking, your ex-gf or your current gf?

 

Theer are a lot of nice cars on the horizon. The new Evo, the new STI, the 128 and135i, Camaro, Challenger, new Z, and I'm sure I'm missing a few. If you're not happy with the stock power in the RX-8 then I'd suggest looking elsewhere for your next ride. If you can deal with getting similar gas mileage to your FJ, don't care that there are a lot of family sedans that are faster than the RX-8, and just like the car for the total package that it is then get it. It's a great car, but it takes a certain type of person to truely appreciate it and look past some of its downfalls.

 

With your list of concerns, I would probably pass on the 8. You already have valid reasons as to why this car may not be for you, and you can bet that your gripes about the car will only be amplified once you are making payments on it. This is not a drag car. It's built for the track, not the strip.

Also, if your commute is primarily highway miles as you've indicated, then you may even beat your FJ's gas mileage with the RX-8...I tend to run about 22-24 on all highway driving...just an FYI. While some folks have had significantly low mileage, overall, it isn't as bad as some people make it out to be.

If you need decent trunk space and don't want to put bags into the back seat, there there probably will not be room for all your stuff with the mounted spare. It takes up a significant portion of the usable trunk space. If you want a spare and a sub-box, then that luggage will HAVE to go in the backseat.

As has been suggested, I'd recommend you consider the Mustang or the upcoming Camaro/Challenger. For more torque, look elsewhere. There is however a larger displacement Renesis in the works which will provide more power, but we may not see that until 2010 or 2011.

 

Take you time look around. Test drive them all. And be happy with what you get. WGAF what others think. I dont like the 300m you might but thats whats makes us not alike in character or quality, Different!
Your going to love this car Its not bullet but lets put it this way, when your going 120+ it wont feel like it

 

I think there's plenty of trunk space if you don't put in the spare tire (and most people don't, I think). You have the fix-a-flat kit in the trunk already and you have mazda roadside assistance that will tow you.

This is my daily driver and I find it very practical - especially being a 4-seater. How often do you need to put luggage in your trunk? I guess I just use mine to get around town and I have more than enough space in the trunk for that...actually the only things in my trunk right now are a funnel, oil, flashlight, sleeping bag and a basketball. :-P

 

My current girl is way hotter than my last one. major improvement in the looks and brains categories.

I think I will make every effort to check out this other car when I get to jacksonville this next trip out for work, then I will decide what to do.

Everyones opinion has been rather genuine and helpful. thanks again. I will post back here when I make my decision.

 

A Ford F-150 beat me off the line yesterday (ok, I wasn't really pushing it and for some unknown reason he was), but I instantly gained 100 yards on him thanks to the hard turn entry ramp.

This is a low torque manueverability machine, not a high torque straight liner.

Dealers readily exchange vehicles so you can get just what you want. Mine got 'imported' across half the state.

Nice GF "upgrade."

 

Firstly, i didnt read your whole post.... i dont have the attention span for it.....

Secondly... i flew 1k miles just to look at the car... i did buy it... but was prepared to fly back home if necessary.

Get the car with the options/color you want... otherwise you'll be like "i wish i had", "i should have gotten"....

and Thirdly... there aren't many other cars around that have as much sex appeal as this one... What would you rather say to some wrench head... how fast you do the 1/4 mile or how many girls you get in a month because of the car?

You could drive around in a mustang that does a 12s 1/4.... or a stock rx8... which will get you the girl in the short skirt and heals, and which will get you the girl with ripped jeans and converse all stars?

 

We all know the car is not a torque monster but I think your missing the platform on what this car is based on. The car is not slow it just does not have that throw you into your seat feel, which you stated you wanted. If you want ***** fast off the line get the cars Ike mentioned. I don't think those cars look as bad as some people do but you would be losing a good looking car. If you dont get the Rx-8 because of the lack of torque then your really missing what this car is about and you wont find it's designed performance in your everyday car. Like every other person that ponders the 8, you worry about the 0-60. Put a flywheel, racing beat flash, lightweight rims and a few other non FI stuff on and you will be just as quick as most other non FI cars. Now your Sti's and Evo's will get you all around performance but why spend the money of a cracked out go-cart.

 

I have yet to meet an RX-8 owner who, after their first test drive, had to "think about it". I, as most of us here, KNEW it was the car for us after the test drive. I test drove a WRX minutes before i test drove my 8. It wasnt even close.

No offense, but after 1 or 2 test drives, you have NO CLUE on how to extract the true power out of this car. I am soooooo tired of hearing the same old story about low torque (again im not attacking you). When you "learn" how to drive this car the low torque is no longer an issue. Anything under 4-5k rpms is going to seem mediocre at best.

My advice to you is at your next test drive (and there will be one), drive that thing like you stole it!! Screw the sales guy, you are test driving a friggin sports car. The car can handle it. From the start take the car to 4-5k and ride out the clutch a lil until it fully grabs (if you simply drop clutch it will bog), then keep that bitch above 7k (at least) on all shifts.......then come back here and tell us what you think.

Oh, and if gas mileage is a big concern....you shouldnt even be looking at this or any sports car for that matter. Good luck!

 

Yes, this is a decision only you can make but in my opinion the car is not as impratical as some may think. I have had three people in the car for 7 hours with no complaints and a trunk filled with a mini cooler, and three suit cases. No problem. I don't have a spare but the car comes with a repair kit which should get you by unless the tire is shredded. I have had a few slow leaks and used the cmpressor to inflate the tire back to normal range until I could take it in to be repaired.

The only time it is impratical is when I need to haul something for the house or I have a few large friends. In which case we take their car. I also agree with the other posts in the fact that you know whether you want the car or not. I test drove it once and there was no need for another test drive.

 

Well, I think after driving the car again today that I am going to have to bow down and walk away. With the insurance, the strange desire that I think a car should have a spare without giving up much needed trunk space, and many tales of cars being left with the dealer for 2-3 days at a time - well - maybe in another year I will find a used one as a second car. I travel way to much for work, as I sometimes have to go two hrs. to catch a train and spend a couple of days there before returning home.

I DO like this car alot. and Jones, I DO know how a rotary should be driven, I dumped thousands of dollars into my 83 in high school , probably modding that car more heavily than most of you will ever do under the hood of your current ride. I am fully aware of keeping the revs way up, and I don't think anyone here should assume anything about a member of this forum based on his current needs. I appreciate all the comments everyone here has made and they certainly made me give this car a very close second look.

With the fact that my current vehicle is a 2007 model, I would lose alot on my trade in, so much so that between the negative equity, the insurance, and the gas mileage being worse that what I get with my FJ cruiser, I will opt out for now.

I will always look at one of these cars at a red light and wonder if I made a mistake, but for now, I think I am making the right choice for what I need a vehicle to be, as a necessity and as a toy to unwind in.

thanks again......

 

Well at least your honest. Unlike other who make the purchased then they complaint about gas, oil and torque.

Good luck......

 

..and what did your girlfriend think of this decision?

 

How much more was the insurance on the 8 going to be compared to the FJ Cruiser?

 

Yea, hope he anwers you . I mean my RX8 is consider 4 doors so insurance ain't that bad .

 

$160 a month??? Are you sure? I'm 27, no tickets in 3 years/no accidents and pay $45 a month, full coverage, through State Farm. My 03 Z06 is $69 a month. Granted the Z06 ins. has gone down quite a bit in the 3 years I've owned it.

 

dont compare your premiums with anyone else's. Cuz it's apples to oranges.
I asked him to compare the two cars cuz for him, that would be the only factor that will be different between the two prices.