I think that the 8 is an awesome car. I don't have kids but I bought a 2004 RX-8 about three months ago despite my wife urging me to pick up a used BMW 325 or 330. I just really wanted the 8 so much more (and also saved almost 10k dollars too).

I haven't regretted the purchase and even my wife admits now that she likes the car. Its roomy enough that I have easily been able to seat 4 people. The only time it became an issue was with some of the bigger guys, but it still worked out ok. The backseat is surprisingly comfortable.

I'm not gonna win a drag race against a true muscle car, or an EVO or anything, but the car is plenty fast for me. And can handily beat most ricer Hondas.

One of my good friends had a Z06 with around 500hp at the wheels that he sold recently. He drove my 8 and despite the relative lack of power compared to his Vette, he said that the RX-8 handled much better, had tighter turning, and had the best braking of any sports car he has ever driven. And he has gone through lots of them. He was impressed and told me he hadn't expected it to be so much fun to drive.

 

Why did your wife want the BMW models? Snob/Badge factor?

 

I guess you could sort of say that. My wife is Japanese and very brand conscious. I wouldn't necessarily call it snob factor per se. She is an extremely nice and friendly person.

Her family is not wealthy or anything, but she did grow up with money and she naturally gravitates towards companies and products that have a luxury brand image.

I had my eye on the 8 for a long time. I like the classy sporty look of it. I'm not a big fan of the boxy rally car body style like the EVO or WRX. I like the innovative freestyle doors, and I like the way it handles and drives. But most of all, I liked the price compared to other sports cars in or above it's class. It really is a bargain in my opinion.

 

Since you have two kids, yes. I have three, so I had my father test drive one and I'll get it from him in another year or two, when my oldest is large enough for the front seat. Then all I'll need is a divorce and the RX-8 will suit me perfectly.

Since you only have two kids, no need for the divorce.

I've driven a lot of cars. There is not a more tossable four-seater you can buy, certainly not for under $60,000, probably not at any price. Didn't read the whole thread to see if you've driven one yet, but if you have you've figured this out.

You can read my review by clicking on the review link on my site's page for the RX-8:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/RX-8.php

I actually prefer the RX-8's handling in many ways to the S-2000's. It's one of two cars I feel I can drive quickly down just about any road, with virtually no learning curve. The other is the current 3-Series. But a 3-Series will never feel like a sports car, even in M3 form. The seating position is wrong, and it just doesn't rotate like an RX-8.

The car is a steal for what it costs.

 

 

Should you buy an 8? Hm... well as much as I like turning people on to the world of rotary I must say no. If only because you are asking a bunch of strangers to evaluate your life and then give you their opinion so I would say definitely, NO!

I am 29 a father of 3, my wife owns a Honda Odyssey I own a full loaded Velocity red '06 GT Rx-8. ( Be warned, I am about to go into my Stephen Colbert style rant.) However, I am of the opinion that owning any sports car requires *****. Whether those ***** hang low or they are tucked up neatly inside (a nod to our sister owners) owning a sports car still requires a big pair of ***** and a passion for your autos. Plain and simple, *****, you must have or find a pair or you will be unhappy with a sports car.

 

I drive a 98 Prelude now and i went to test drive the RX-8 a couple weeks ago. The only thing the Prelude has going for it is the driver sits lower in it and it gives a better driving position. I noticed the same with the FC and FD RX-7s as well, the driver sits lower. But in interior quality, features, rev range, and space the RX-8 beats all of them. It is definitely worth buying given the prices currently in the market. If you need power later on you can consider porting, SC, TC, or N2O.

Good luck.

 

How about a WRX, EVO or Legacy GT?

 

I don't have a wife and kids but... this car is roomy for a sports car, I mean, I'm 6'2" and I can fit in the back seat and I fill up the car when I go out to lunches and haven't heard any complaints about space. Its pretty roomy, although doesn't look like it.

Bottom Line, go to a mazda dealer, take a test drive, fall in love! heh then sit in the back seat and decide weather or not your wife and kids will be happy with it.

A lot of people feel as though when they get over 30 they can't own a sports car... I never understood that, I guess its cause I'm not over 30 yet... however this car was made with safety and family in mind, thats why it has 4 seats and the suicide doors. I have actually seen more women (wives no dought) driving the automatic RX-8's around town than men, so apparently mazda has made it appealing to the wife too.

Anyway, I would say get one, but thats only cause I have one and love it! The decision is yours to make, and thats why they have test drives.

 

I know I"m gonna get flamed for this one... but I test drove these cars, and I have friends that own them... so keep that in mind as I tell you this.

If you want to get pulled over a lot get a WRX STi or Evo VIII or IX... They are really loud and have obnoxious spoilers. Perfect if you want to go street racing with your friends or take it to a track or rally race, but I would never own those cars with a family. This is just my opinion, they are fast, and they are fun, but they are also only really good for what they were made for, showy rally cars. It's hard to look professional when you drive up to a meeting in a toy.

The RX-8 is a bit more refined, It's sporty but it hides it well. If you want something that is really fun to drive, sporty and also a nice family sedan you should try test driving the Mazdaspeed 6. It has variable AWD, valve timing and a Direct Injected 4-cylnder turbo charged engine. It handles like a dream and was actually the car I really wanted, however i found the RX-8 for a better deal... As I said in my previous post I was coming from a normal sedan, it blows that out of the water, yet on the outside you would never notice the difference between it and the standard Mazda 6. Only when you look at the hood and then under it do you see that its got a turbo and is pushing 270hp. Its fast, fun and practical. And it costs less than STi or Evo. Put this on your list when you go to test drive that RX-8

 

Totally agree on the STI and Evo. Though they do have a hard to find STI Limited this year that gets rid of the huge spoiler.

Legacy GT and MS6 both good options among sedans. I also hear that huge discounts are available on 2006 Saab 9-3s, up to $10,000.

But the RX-8 is much different, a true sports car rather than a sedan. My father drives one almost daily--and he's almost 69. He'd never drive a car that looked like it was meant for a young punk. His other car is a Lexus GS 400. But it tends to sit in the garage except for trips since he got the Mazda.

 

drive them all. Sit in them in the front and the back. Look at the price. And choose the one you like best. That's the only way to really decide. We love our 8's and you'll love it too.