I'm just going to talk about my own experience with a corolla...

My dad has 93 toyota corolla dx......bought it about 15 years ago new.

He handed to me a few years back to use as a beater in winter.....

During 15 yrs.....we drove and abused that car like crazy mad toyota haters...

-Skipped all major tune-ups.......... ( only changed spark plugs an air filter twice)

- Only changed oil 2 times a year......and never changed it the whole last year..only topped it off a bit a couple of times...and we used like different grades.....never really knew what grade toyota recommanded...lol...we just buy random oil......lol

- there were a couple of years...we forgot to change oil for 10-11 months straight.....when we remembered...there was no oil in the engine virtually........and the car still ran like a champ...never broke down or stopped running.....

I don't remember ever changing brake fluid or any other fluild....unless my dad changed it and I wasn't aware of it.......I don't think he ever did...

So.....what i'm trying to say is......... after 15 years of abuse and neglect ...the car still runs like a champ........never broke down on us....never really had any major mechanical issue....except....spark plugs and other wears and tears..

So..now tell me...if we can do that with our 8s? lol

 

Price is 26k and 32k

The RX 8 is more expensive.

Just because you can get a better deal doesn't mean the pricing is wrong on Honda's and Corrola's

 

THANK YOU! that needed to be said. I hate hearing people trade off their vehicle, go into more debt just to buy another vehicle that gets maybe 10 more miles to the gallon. Doesnt anyone calulate how long it is going to take them to break even on their gas savings?

Instead of trading in my vehicle because gas prices go up, I just try to eat out less per month, maybe don't go to the bar one weekend? People complain about gas prices but allways have the funds to drop for alchohol and smokes.

 

Yea?? But we're not talking about a celica...aren't we?

 

thanks for agreeing with me, ppl are only concerned with short term with respect to money. look how we got into this subprime crisis with adjustable rates

ppl = dumb and the market is based on ppl

 

My old Toyota Tercel and Honda Prelude could drive for TWO weeks without gas...but I love the 8 too much. Since I don't smoke and drink very little...this money is used for gas. Still weird to see that even these cars have risen in value.

In memory!!!!!!!!!!!

 

yeah all gas savings vehicles are more expensive because everyone is driving them...personally even at over 4 bucks a gallon we (the US) are paying less than anywhere else(for the most part) but it is good to see it go down...

 

my civic is gawdddlike

never have to care about anything, just drive

forever

 

Hybrids are the same way. One of the major car magazines did a calculation, on when you would break even if you bought a Hybrid Camry instead of a regular Camry. The higher premium on the hybrid, higher gas mileage on the regular.

The result?

You break even at 100,000 miles. Before then the hybrid is more expensive, after, the regular is. And both of them would be paid off by then.

But people like several of my co-workers, who have no appreciation for any car, at all. It is no more than an appliance to them. One with cushions. That can kill you.

So the only motivation for one over another is either safety or -apparent- cost of ownership. They give me crap all the time about my 8, "bad weather?" "gas hurting you much?" "that thing is a death-trap!". Arguing with them is pointless, since they don't get that looks-fast doesn't mean it kills you like the sports cars they grew up with in the 70s, and although the 8's mileage isn't the greatest, i am spending $50-60 a week on gas for my 8, when I was spending $200-250 a week on gas in my Protege5 before taking this job and moving here. (Yeah, i drove a ton...frequently a tank a day)

Sorry, but the price of gas needs to hit ~$20 a gallon before I start spending as much as I was before...

Incidently, I also found out something interesting. Apparently the Mazda5 is nearly impossible to get now (according to OHara Mazda in Fairhaven Mass.), since it is the best fuel economy for it's class (mini-van). Intrigued, I took a look at 5 other Mazda dealers in the week since, and I have not seen a single Mazda5 on the lots, and I realized there are a ton more of them driving than I used to see when I got my wife hers.