Assumptions:
1) You drive 12,000 miles/year
2) Fuel cost at $2.25/gallon
3) Annual insurance based on averages from http://auto.consumerguide.com/
4) MPG based on averages from Consumer Reports

 

I really hope that someone wouldn't choose a car based on a 600 dollar a year difference. That's really not that much when you're talking about a sports car, and I certainly wouldn't involve that in my decision. Now, if it was 25K brake jobs every 15K miles, then yes, I would care.

 

At real world speed, excluding the track, the MINI will out handle a RX8. But the RX8 is better balanced and the faster you go, the more you appreciate the distinction. Still, for around city, legal freeway, there's probably nothing more agile on America than the MINI (exept for a Lotus). But the RX8 has a smoother ride, and a quieter interior. I'd travel across country in an RX8 (provided somebody else paid for the gas) before I would in a MINI. But I'd rather take a MINI autoXing.

 

Thanks for all your input guys. From what I understand from the posts is the Rx8 has a nicer interior and smoother ride that the STi. Many of you dont like the childish looks of the STi. That said being I'm only 23 and feel the need for speed, I think I made a good choice. To each there own. And to the Tampa guy yes billfromtr is bill from toms river, new jersey. I too live about a mile from the police station located on the corner of Oak Ave. and North Bay. Lots of cops here in Dover Twp. but they are very laid back.

 

Power & speed were not the main consideration. An sti has both, but nothing else. That being said the RX8 is a sports car, I don't believe the sti is. I f I wanted strictly power and speed I would of went with naturally aspirated american V8 w/300+ HP. Slap a turbo on (like the sti) and the sti will become dust. But once again, i fell in love with the RX8 package which includes power/speed/luxury and great looks.

In addition the RX8 is naturally aspirated, when the turbos start coming into play, what is the speed comparison now.

 

In your opinion it has nothing else it humors me, however, that you call the 8 a sports car but not the STI. What are your reasons for this?

While I don't think the STI is especially pretty, I don't think it's ugly. Black with spoiler delete and gold rims would look pretty good. I like the interior. Sure it wasn't as luxurious as the 8's, but I liked the fabric (can you get the GT package with fabric in the 8?), the seats were comfortable and supportive, nice driving position. On top of that, it's very utilitarian, lots of room for all my sports gear.

 

The RX8 is the overall best "SPORTS CAR" of the bunch. The 350Z is a very good sports car and the STI is just a killer. But, when you look at the overall package (light weight, nimble, great balance, very good handling, pretty fair price, and usable back seats) made the RX8 my choice. There are alot of other little things (I suggest you go check out the little things thread) but while it's not the best in a straight line it makes up for it on the curves.

 

STi & EVO : Killer performance at a bargain price. Can't really go wrong with either, but I'd prefer the EVO. But in my eyes, their normal variants (i.e. plain jane Lancer & Imprezza) are something I'd never consider. Kind of like when you go to McDonalds, you got to like what you start with before you decide to Supersize it. Also, I wanted something with "sports car" like looks & styling. Plus, I'm really too old not to feel silly in one of those, but the kid in me still likes 'em.

G35c & 350Z : Never cared for the looks of the G35c for some reason. I do like the Z. Numbers wise, these cars are suppose to faster than the 8 in terms of pure acceleration. But my test drives of the Z did not impress me enough. Sure it maybe a little faster, but not in the same way that an M3, EVO, STi, or my old FD RX-7 TT are faster than both the 350Z & RX-8. In terms of real world driving, I felt the nimble chassis of the RX-8 to be more fun and the ride was better as well. And, I really wanted a back seat.

So being a long time BMW guy, as well as a confessed RX-7 junkie, it really came down to the E46 M3 vs. RX-8 for me, with the 350Z as a close third place. I chose the RX-8 over the M3 because of its unique and more sports car like looks, nimble lightweight chassis, and it was much cheaper to boot. Also, I really missed my FD RX-7 and was a little tired of BMWs, time for a change back to the mystic rotary of my yesteryears. No regrets whatsoever with my choice!

 

I also think the RX8 has more "sports car feel" in a lot of ways and it illustrates why the fastest cars aren't always the most fun. However, I gotta disagree with your statement about the STI being only about power and speed: not only is the STI silly-fast, but it has excellent handling and braking; it will dust the RX8 in pretty much any race. But I still prefer the 8's driving dynamics: it's more nimble and balanced, has slightly better steering, has a smooth short-throw shifter (STI shifter is not bad, but not great), and doesn't understeer as much as the STI. I find the 8 is easier to slide around in, which I enjoy doing now and then. Also the STI's stiff ride is punishing for an everyday driver... and what's with its fatass seats?

Having written all that, a big part of the reason I went with the 8 was cost: I decided I wanted to spend <$25k, making the STI ~$8k too expensive for me. If it was as cheap as my 6MT 8, I very well might've gone with it instead.

 

man, i was literally at the negotiation table for the 350Z and bailed out at the last second because something just didn't feel right about the car. The ride was so bumpy i had a headache after the test drive. interior was cheap plastic, no room for passengers, front tire "cupping" problems, yada yada yada.

STI's tires cost $400/piece, and the stock tires can't even handle snow...even with AWD! Not the most aesthetically pleasing automobile, and doesn't "wow" people for $32k. Interior feels like a honda civic with some fancy embroidering.

RX-8 just has it all, with the only drawbacks being 1st gear and worse gas mileage than a corvette with a V-8/400 horses.

It's hard to put into words...it's just a visceral feeling that you are connecting with the car in a deeper way. It molds to your body and knows what you want to do before you do it. You have to drive it to understand. On paper the car is different than it is in person.

 

You know, you don't have to buy the same tires when you replace them. As well, any car that has summer tires on it, will not do well in the snow, even AWD cars. I guess WOW factor is a little subjective. I am wow'ed by them when they drive by, as are many of my freinds, maybe you meant to say "wow women". :p

Other than that, I agree

 

I travel to shows and events regularly. The 350Z was my first choice, but there was no useable trunk space and it only seats 2. I hated the RX-8 until I saw my first one on the road, my buddy Mark bought a black one. I saw it turn the corner to the ice cream place where he was meeting us and I instantly fell in love. I has the best of everything. Room, trunk, seats 4 (semi-comfortably) and it is somewhat fast.

 

The Z was out because I needed 4 seats. Plus it's just not me at all. Too "tough" or gangsta seeming, like it's looking for a fight.

The STi was out because it has a turbo and I really couldn't afford it. Don't like turbos much anymore, though I can't deny their effect on performance. But I'd dealt with turbo lag for six years, and wanted to feel revs, not air pressure making my power.

Same with the Evo, though I actually like it's looks (in black). But it's poor safety ratings and questionable clutch reliability (at the time) ruled it out.

The 8 is just so "me." There was never any debate. After driving it for about 200' it was all over.

 

My reason is because the 8 looks like a sports car and the STI does not. IMO. And as for the cloth in a GT, I wanted part luxury which to me means leather. I don't race my car so the leather feels just fine. Also let me tell you something, I have talked to owners of STIs(2) and the only thing they ever speak of is speed & power. To me that states those are the reasons they bought the car and nothing else. I don't hear them talk about the style, interior, the stereo (if it came with one) etc. And that wing...Ugh! And I don't care if it's functional, they can keep it.

 

You crazy, yo. I got everything except Nav for 41 including all taxes. Sure I could have thrown in some weird options but I did get GT, leather, sunroof, tint, etc.

 

I think the RX-8 actually LOOKS like a sportscar. If you showed both of these cars to a "non-car" person...say, some old lady that didn't know what they were. And you asked "which one is the sportscar?". Most would say the RX-8. It looks faster than it is

 

STIs are to a lot of people U-G-L-Y. Call it purely subjective but alot of people don't want a monkey bar for a spoiler.

 

But then, who cares what "non-car" people think, infact, who cares what other people think

 

Why the RX8?

Because its the most fun to drive, by far. And...I've always loved Rotary-Powered cars.

 

Especially when that "monkey bar" isn't entirely functional.

 

I would love to have the STI's beautiful power inside the RX-8. I just couldn't handle the looks of the STI. Perhaps it will improve on the looks department in a few years.

 

You could always replace the trunk with that of a regular wrx. Then you could have the smaller wing, or no wing.

 

Care to offer proof?
Maybe you can also let us know how functional the wing on your car is?

 

I may be the only one, but I'm tired of people coming to this forum and asking why they should buy the 8. If you took a test drive and you're still not sure, then don't buy it. If you're looking for an argument from the people on this forum why to buy an 8 vs. a 350Z or G35 or GTO vs. Mustang vs whatever, who cares.

A test drive tells you right away that you have to work a bit for speed. Low end torque is not what this car is all about. For me either you love the hi-revving rotary or you don't. If there's a doubt in your mind and you're not sure, stay away. You will be dissapointed by our torque-less wonder.

Go buy the muscle an you'll be much happier. You don't need to come here for justification on your purchase.

Sorry, but I'm just sick of these "Why buy an 8?....Go away.....

Ready....set.....Flame me!

 

True.