Why should/shouldn't I trade my 3 for a RX8?

[k13]

Very briefly:

I:
Drive 20,000-30,000kms a year
Plan on only owning one car (no winter beater)
Live in Mississauga, Work downtown Toronto (not financial district), drive to work.
90% of the time I drive myself
90% of the time I don't carry anything large in the trunk (hockey bag is the biggest usually)
Wish to own a manual this time (:bang)
Love hatchbacks
Love sunroofs

My Hatch:
70k kms, 2008 GT with upgrades

The RX8:
2005 GT, manual with ~35k Kms.

The price is about the same. Why should or should I not trade my car for it? RWD in winter? Rotary reliability and maintenance?

[stevenma188]

Shouldn't:
-Gas. RX8 gets like 13MPG.
-Engine does not last. Burns oil like crazy.

[FLIPDADY]

Should: RX-8 is a head turner, suicide doors, looks good when modded right, rear wheel drive, rotary's are cool:)

Shouldn't: Burns oil (normal), lack of spare tire, no trunk space, cold starts in winter, rear wheel drive, maintenance parts are pricey, lack of power, gas pig.

Overall, if the car is well maintained and not beaten up is a great sports car. Take it to a rotary specialist though when doing repairs.

My advice trade up and get a Mazdaspeed 3. Best of both worlds...hatch and it's a manual. Not to mention more power.

[coriolis]

First of all, how about a WRX?


Second of all, Wow, I thought I just read my own thread. I am in a very similar situation, almost freakishly similar.



I:
Drive 10,000-15,000kms a year
Plan on only owning one car (no winter beater)
Live in Markham, Work and drive all over the Golden Horseshoe region, have a company vehicle parked at home
50% of the time I drive myself
90% of the time I don't carry anything large in the trunk (hockey bag is the biggest usually, I play goalie, which is a space hog)
Wish to own a manual this time (this)
Love hatchbacks

My Hatch:
190k kms, 2004, currently uninsured and parked in the garage, rustbucket of a hatch.


So while I definitely don't drive as much as you do, I've been eyeing a RX8 R3 (theres a few for under $20k) cause it seems fun, and the gas economy & maintenance isn't a big issue. Something small and fun, yet has utility. This is basically an obvious hot hatch thing going on, which leads back to the MS3. Looking at the used market, the GTI may be out of the question for obvious reasons, the CooperS could be the same. Other then that, the Volvo C30 R-Design is too expensive, Caliber SRT4(well, might as well put it out there I guess...lol). The Civic Si might be an option as well.


While I do agree the Mazdaspeed3 is a logical step up, I'm not sure if in your case, you want to drive a car that almost looks the same (granted, it definitely won't feel the same).

[k13]

First of all, how about a WRX?


Second of all, Wow, I thought I just read my own thread. I am in a very similar situation, almost freakishly similar.



I:
Drive 10,000-15,000kms a year
Plan on only owning one car (no winter beater)
Live in Markham, Work and drive all over the Golden Horseshoe region, have a company vehicle parked at home
50% of the time I drive myself
90% of the time I don't carry anything large in the trunk (hockey bag is the biggest usually, I play goalie, which is a space hog)
Wish to own a manual this time (this)
Love hatchbacks

My Hatch:
190k kms, 2004, currently uninsured and parked in the garage, rustbucket of a hatch.


So while I definitely don't drive as much as you do, I've been eyeing a RX8 R3 (theres a few for under $20k) cause it seems fun, and the gas economy & maintenance isn't a big issue. Something small and fun, yet has utility. This is basically an obvious hot hatch thing going on, which leads back to the MS3. Looking at the used market, the GTI may be out of the question for obvious reasons, the CooperS could be the same. Other then that, the Volvo C30 R-Design is too expensive, Caliber SRT4(well, might as well put it out there I guess...lol). The Civic Si might be an option as well.


While I do agree the Mazdaspeed3 is a logical step up, I'm not sure if in your case, you want to drive a car that almost looks the same (granted, it definitely won't feel the same).

Haha, freakish indeed... I turn 25 as well this year... 0.o

The only other cars I'd look at (within price range) is a 2008 Audi A3 S-Line, manual, 2.0T, pref. with tech package, titanium package, and in black... Likely not happening lol.

2010+ GTI's look good to me too, wasn't a whole fan of the rabbit...

Sister has a Mini, too small for me. Ditto with the volvo.

WRX isn't as cheap as I'd like, and even then, I'd take the Audi or GTI over it.

Guess its best (and most economical) to stick with the 3. *sigh*

[SirWanker]

Why not a 1996 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR - V-SPEC - RHD ( http://www.rightdrive.ca/inventory_cars/view/334). Pretty much virginal with 38,000KMS.

[thanu31]

E46 M3 :)

[eSS]

If you're willing to put in the necessary time and effort into owning an RX8, go for it. Rotaries are much different then the regular piston engine with that in mind there are a few quirks. Yes it does burn oil by design at a very rapid rate. I would check at every fill up and add when necessary. It is also a bit on the thirsty side with varying numbers from 16-18mpg and 24 if your doing straight high way. Also remember these motors were made to rev. There's a saying amongst rx8 owners, "redline a day keeps the carbon away" something to keep in mind. On top of all that it's recommended every 25k the coils wires and plugs should be replaced.

The biggest issue with rotaries is flooding. It's not a car you can just pull out of your garage shut off wash it then start it up again. Let the car reach operating temperature before shutting it down or rev it to 2500 rpm then turn it off.

Yes it seems like a lot but the driving experience is like no other. IMHO stay away from 04-05. 2006 wasn't bad but it was t till 2007 and up Mazda fixed most of the issues with the 8. For rotary specialist try mazdees in Pickering. Dave and his team and quite knowledgeable on them

Good luck

eSS

[coriolis]

Haha, freakish indeed... I turn 25 as well this year... 0.o

The only other cars I'd look at (within price range) is a 2008 Audi A3 S-Line, manual, 2.0T, pref. with tech package, titanium package, and in black... Likely not happening lol.

2010+ GTI's look good to me too, wasn't a whole fan of the rabbit...

Sister has a Mini, too small for me. Ditto with the volvo.

WRX isn't as cheap as I'd like, and even then, I'd take the Audi or GTI over it.

Guess its best (and most economical) to stick with the 3. *sigh*

I would of already been driving a GTI if there wasn't three within my friends and family circle. It's a great car, but I want something different (I assisted in their purchase).

I've actually also started looking at entry level luxury coupes, mainly the A5 and G37s.

[Booter22]

if anything get an RX7. better car overall. more power, wayyy more fun to drive and gets about the same fuel economy :P can pick up one in good shape for 12-16 000. but unless you make a small fortune you will need it for the gas either way. but if your not worried about that. its a costly car to maintain. but if it were me i would go the RX7 road before even considering an RX8.

[Booostin]

Should: RX-8 is a head turner, suicide doors, looks good when modded right, rear wheel drive, rotary's are cool:)

Shouldn't: Burns oil (normal), lack of spare tire, no trunk space, cold starts in winter, rear wheel drive, maintenance parts are pricey, lack of power, gas pig.

Overall, if the car is well maintained and not beaten up is a great sports car. Take it to a rotary specialist though when doing repairs.

My advice trade up and get a Mazdaspeed 3. Best of both worlds...hatch and it's a manual. Not to mention more power.

Mazdaspeeds burn oil too

[eSS]

if anything get an RX7. better car overall. more power, wayyy more fun to drive and gets about the same fuel economy :P can pick up one in good shape for 12-16 000. but unless you make a small fortune you will need it for the gas either way. but if your not worried about that. its a costly car to maintain. but if it were me i would go the RX7 road before even considering an RX8.

Better car performance wise no doubt but reliability between the two are much different. Plus half the rx7s currently for sale are modded to the tits or have extremely high mileage and would require a rebuild sooner rather than later. I'd buy the 7 as a project or weekend car to take to the track. The rx8 is easier to love with for day to day driving

[shu5892001]

buy a FRS :P

[Rob23]

buy a FRS :P

this!

[Booter22]

Better car performance wise no doubt but reliability between the two are much different. Plus half the rx7s currently for sale are modded to the tits or have extremely high mileage and would require a rebuild sooner rather than later. I'd buy the 7 as a project or weekend car to take to the track. The rx8 is easier to love with for day to day driving

i mean you do make a good point there are tons that are modded, and there are a few that are stock just have to hold out and find them. but they are there. or just get right drive to import one. but even for a daily driver the rx8 wouldnt be fun. stop and go traffic would suck. unless your taking the back roads and can put it through the gears its not any more exciting then a mazda 3. just looks a bit cooler.

[eSS]

i mean you do make a good point there are tons that are modded, and there are a few that are stock just have to hold out and find them. but they are there. or just get right drive to import one. but even for a daily driver the rx8 wouldnt be fun. stop and go traffic would suck. unless your taking the back roads and can put it through the gears its not any more exciting then a mazda 3. just looks a bit cooler.

http://m.autotrader.ca/Ad/Detail/Vehicle/PICKERING%2c%20ON/100?categoryId=2%2F7&vehicleStatus=All&make=Mazda&model=RX-7&id=11422702&sourceId=5&pageNum=1&pageSize=60&yfr=1900&yto=2013&kmfr=0&kmto=999999&prfr=0&prto=999999

Here's a prime example of one that's waiting to be plucked. And yes you're right with only 159 lbs ft of torque compared to the sevens 200 something lbs ft its a less entertaining drive. Guess it really depends on the OP preference if he needs the added practicality of the 8 or pure sportiness of the 7. Both are great but have their caveats.

Personally, I'll take both please

[Booter22]

http://m.autotrader.ca/Ad/Detail/Vehicle/PICKERING%2c%20ON/100?categoryId=2%2F7&vehicleStatus=All&make=Mazda&model=RX-7&id=11422702&sourceId=5&pageNum=1&pageSize=60&yfr=1900&yto=2013&kmfr=0&kmto=999999&prfr=0&prto=999999

Here's a prime example of one that's waiting to be plucked. And yes you're right with only 159 lbs ft of torque compared to the sevens 200 something lbs ft its a less entertaining drive. Guess it really depends on the OP preference if he needs the added practicality of the 8 or pure sportiness of the 7. Both are great but have their caveats.
Personally, I'll take both please

and thats an awesome price for being a left hand. find the same car right hand and it will be about 3-5 grand less

[Wes08M3]

Very briefly:

I:
Drive 20,000-30,000kms a year
Plan on only owning one car (no winter beater)
Live in Mississauga, Work downtown Toronto (not financial district), drive to work.
90% of the time I drive myself
90% of the time I don't carry anything large in the trunk (hockey bag is the biggest usually)
Wish to own a manual this time (:bang)
Love hatchbacks
Love sunroofs

My Hatch:
70k kms, 2008 GT with upgrades

The RX8:
2005 GT, manual with ~35k Kms.

The price is about the same. Why should or should I not trade my car for it? RWD in winter? Rotary reliability and maintenance?

Based on a few of the things you said, a speed3 seems like a way better choice than an RX-8. Not to mention the 130+ extra ft.lbs of torque you'd have to enjoy. And the overall reliability would be much better.

And if you really don't want a speed3, the GTI still looks a lot better on paper than the RX-8.

[k13]

Yeah, consensus seems like the speed3 is the logical choice, but if I were switching cars, I'd go with something different.

I only created this thread because I noticed the scores of low mileage RX8's on kijiji going for less than what my 3 is worth =/

[DumpInfo]

I see. Well don't get stuck with an rx8 you'll regret it sooner then expected.

[Wes08M3]

Yeah, consensus seems like the speed3 is the logical choice, but if I were switching cars, I'd go with something different.

I only created this thread because I noticed the scores of low mileage RX8's on kijiji going for less than what my 3 is worth =/

Yeah the RX-8's are strangely cheap considering how low the mileage is on many of them. But I think the price reflects the fact they tend to go boom after 100,000km. Not usually the case with internal combustion engines.

[Scottobot]

For anyone considering an RX-8: have you driven one? IMO this is a must - it's a very, very different kind of ride than the other cars people have been suggesting here.
Drive it. You'll likely either love it or hate it. I took one for a test drive nearly 4 years ago and was instantly obsessed the moment I passed 6k rpm. Under different circumstances I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Others hate the lack of torque and/or grow to hate the quirks. Up to you to decide if the experience is worth it to you.

[titan182]

Don't even ****ing think of it man, seriously. Mazda POS.

[Booter22]

For anyone considering an RX-8: have you driven one? IMO this is a must - it's a very, very different kind of ride than the other cars people have been suggesting here.
Drive it. You'll likely either love it or hate it. I took one for a test drive nearly 4 years ago and was instantly obsessed the moment I passed 6k rpm. Under different circumstances I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Others hate the lack of torque and/or grow to hate the quirks. Up to you to decide if the experience is worth it to you.

scott come up to brampton and go for a ride in tylers. then you will think 7 before 8..

[eSS]

For anyone considering an RX-8: have you driven one? IMO this is a must - it's a very, very different kind of ride than the other cars people have been suggesting here.
Drive it. You'll likely either love it or hate it. I took one for a test drive nearly 4 years ago and was instantly obsessed the moment I passed 6k rpm. Under different circumstances I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Others hate the lack of torque and/or grow to hate the quirks. Up to you to decide if the experience is worth it to you.

Agreed. It's a vehicle that needs to be driven to be appreciated. My dad had an 89 rx7 turbo II and that's where my love for rotaries came from. Before purchasing my 3 I was pricing out an rx8. At the present time I Just don't have the time and funding to own a rotary. One day though...

[asyed]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269175_407903489265432_1968506551_n.jpg

saw this on facebook and thought i might share it since it relates to what people say in the thread

[Odin]

Agreed. It's a vehicle that needs to be driven to be appreciated. My dad had an 89 rx7 turbo II and that's where my love for rotaries came from. Before purchasing my 3 I was pricing out an rx8. At the present time I Just don't have the time and funding to own a rotary. One day though...

I'm in the same boat man. I currently drive a speed 3 but want to someday own one. I fell in love with the car as soon as I drove one, but the reliability and the rear wheel drive made my wife nervous, especially in winter. Speed 3 was the compromise.

[eSS]

I'm in the same boat man. I currently drive a speed 3 but want to someday own one. I fell in love with the car as soon as I drove one, but the reliability and the rear wheel drive made my wife nervous, especially in winter. Speed 3 was the compromise.

The 3 was the compromise for myself as well. A rotary powered car is as reliable as you make it. Keeping up with the small things such as keeping your oil levels up, redlining once a day and what not will give the best results. On the rx8 forums there's some members with well over 200,000 miles on their original motors. My dad rx7 didnt need a rebuild till about 170k. Keep in mind as well most complaints came from the states where Mazda wants them to use a different weight oil compared to the rest of the world which lead to many engine failures in the us.

That being said if they do bring out an RX9 with the new 16X engine I think that will be my next purchase

[Booter22]

I'm in the same boat man. I currently drive a speed 3 but want to someday own one. I fell in love with the car as soon as I drove one, but the reliability and the rear wheel drive made my wife nervous, especially in winter. Speed 3 was the compromise.

lol you cant drive the rx8 in the winter. and if you do. god be with you. even with winter tires with some light and i mean a dusting of snow. sure it will go. but anything more. it spins tires all over the place. an friend of mines dad has a mint 05 in blue. thought hed try a winter. purchase over a grand in rims and tires and drove it to the end of his drive way. tried to go down the street. spun like crazy. back in the garage and parked it. no more winter. RX= summer fun only. not much of a winter car.. mind you most "sports" cars arnt made to go in winter. except the GTR with its strange winter mode :S but that was about as smart to put heated seats in the MX5. most people store that for the winter too...

[DamagedGoods]

..... How about a Speed6? lol.

Honestly I liked the RX8 looks, and its crazy ability to rev, but I wasn't much of a fan of its less than stellar torque. Also they like to flood in the winter, and its a PITA.

[captobvious75]

I wouldn't touch an rx8 for a DD. Get yourself a speed3 or something else. Gas mileage blows for what little power it makes.

[rzapata]

Been there... This was around the same time I bought the speed. Tested out the RX8, and loved how it handled (regardless of the lack of power). I did contemplate on getting this one over the speed3 but glad I didn't. Read lots of negatives on the rotary that just wasn't worth it for me. An amazing car but the negatives just outweigh the positive.

But hey, it's totally up to you. If you do get it, make sure you know how to maintain it. It's got a separate compartment for oil because it does burn oil. As FLIPDADY said, it is normal with these cars. As for flooding, well, just know how the engine works and you won't have to worry about that.. Read, read and read more. :) Good luck!

[Cudgel]

lol you cant drive the rx8 in the winter. and if you do. god be with you. even with winter tires with some light and i mean a dusting of snow. sure it will go. but anything more. it spins tires all over the place. an friend of mines dad has a mint 05 in blue. thought hed try a winter. purchase over a grand in rims and tires and drove it to the end of his drive way. tried to go down the street. spun like crazy. back in the garage and parked it. no more winter. RX= summer fun only. not much of a winter car.. mind you most "sports" cars arnt made to go in winter. except the GTR with its strange winter mode :S but that was about as smart to put heated seats in the MX5. most people store that for the winter too...

Of course you can! :P I drove 3 winters in my RX8 without any problem but If you have never driven rear wheel drive cars, it might be tricky.

FOR:
RX8 revs like crazy and is super smooth
Amazing handling
Unique styling
Rear seats fit adults comfortably
Rear wheel drive

AGAINST:
Very high gas consumption
High engine oil consumption
Need to keep a bottle of engine oil in trunk
Can flood

If you like rear wheel drive sports car, can afford the extra money in having to look for a gas station regularly, am willing to check the engine oil regularly, am willing to rev your engine to 4k rpm before shutting down everytime, then this is the car for you.

If not but you want a affordable, nice handling rwd sports car, don't need to put adults in the back seats regulary or need a large trunk, then consider the FR-S/BRZ instead.

Good luck!

[Odin]

If not but you want a affordable, nice handling rwd sports car, don't need to put adults in the back seats regulary or need a large trunk, then consider the FR-S/BRZ instead.

Good luck!

....Except a BRZ/FR-S cost 3-4 times as much as an RX-8. I can find RX-8s for as low as $6500.

[FLIPDADY]

Of course you can! :P I drove 3 winters in my RX8 without any problem but If you have never driven rear wheel drive cars, it might be tricky.

FOR:
RX8 revs like crazy and is super smooth
Amazing handling
Unique styling
Rear seats fit adults comfortably
Rear wheel drive

AGAINST:
Very high gas consumption
High engine oil consumption
Need to keep a bottle of engine oil in trunk
Can flood

If you like rear wheel drive sports car, can afford the extra money in having to look for a gas station regularly, am willing to check the engine oil regularly, am willing to rev your engine to 4k rpm before shutting down everytime, then this is the car for you.

If not but you want a affordable, nice handling rwd sports car, don't need to put adults in the back seats regulary or need a large trunk, then consider the FR-S/BRZ instead.

Good luck!
How was the insurance on your 8?

You can easily scoop up a 09-10 model for cheap. I'm sure most dealers are very motivated to sell.:)

[Odin]

How was the insurance on your 8?

You can easily scoop up a 09-10 model for cheap. I'm sure most dealers are very motivated to sell.:)

I'm still so tempted to trade in my speed for an RX-8.

[coriolis]

RX8 R3 or bust.

[Odin]

RX8 R3 or bust.

Don't you mean R3 or boom? :)