Mazda RX-8... what does everyone think?

[ProfJohn]

Ok, want a new car, something sporty and fun to drive.

Thinking RX-8 since I can get one for around $400 a month on a lease. Seems like a really good deal.

Any thoughts on this car?

 

[AmigaMan]

Not sure I would do a lease, but that's just personal finance opinion. I think the rx8's are sexy and fun to drive. I took one out for a test drive a year ago and was impressed with it's handling. Not a whole lot of power, but then again I'm not a wanna-be street racer. It'd be fun to take up in the twisties in the mountains here in NC.

 

[Demo24]

handles great, looks good, and engine is supposedly pretty nice and smooth.


Sadly not the most powerful engine and it will go through a lot of gas. So if you can afford the gas for it go for it!

 

[jagec]

Underpowered and not great mileage, but good handling and looks. Plus it has a backseat, which many sports cars do not. High RPMs can be fun too. Haven't heard of any reliability complaints.

There is no such thing as a "great lease deal" IMHO, but that's your call.

 

[theeedude]

I'd rather save the money and get an MX-5.

 

[imported_K3N]

they're slow and like to guzzle up fuel. But otherwise handling should be better than a mustang.

 

[thedarkwolf]

You have to get it with a manual HAVE TO

 

[geokilla]

I'd take one only if it was manual. RX-8 and automatic is a no go, even though I don't even have a license yet.

If you want something sporty, fun to drive, and great handling and power, I suggest importing a Skyline GTR R32. Or you can get a Honda S2000, Lancer Evolution X or STI.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
handles great, looks good, and engine is supposedly pretty nice and smooth.


Sadly not the most powerful engine and it will go through a lot of gas. So if you can afford the gas for it go for it!

in a nutshell

 

[iamwiz82]

That's not a good lease deal.

 

[Manok]

lol at import an R32. Good grief. Just get the RX8. Very nice car.

 

[ProfJohn]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
That's not a good lease deal.

Edmunds.com rated it as one of the 10 best deals of the month.

400 a month for a 27,000 car is a decent deal.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
That's not a good lease deal.

Edmunds.com rated it as one of the 10 best deals of the month.

400 a month for a 27,000 car is a decent deal.

John, u sure about that?

also, it might not be bad to check out cars (as geokilla has recommended) just to see if there are other options you'd prefer

 

[Pliablemoose]

Do you need those vestigial rear seats?

Drive a new Miata, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Remember when you drive a Miata, only the car is gay, not you

(not that there's anything wrong with being gay)

 

[dawp]

Originally posted by: jagec
Underpowered and not great mileage, but good handling and looks. Plus it has a backseat, which many sports cars do not. High RPMs can be fun too. Haven't heard of any reliability complaints.

There is no such thing as a "great lease deal" IMHO, but that's your call.

no true sportscar has a back seat


I thought about getting a rx8 a couple of years ago when i was in the market but it was new on market and decided on something else.

I'd shop around and see I could find a low milage used one and save some cash.

 

[Demo24]

As much as I like the RX8 I would probably never buy one. I'd much rather have an s2000 and hell you can get them down into the 12 grand range which would make your monthly payments a whole lot lower than 400 a month, plus you'd be actually owning the car.

 

[ProfJohn]

I suppose that if I am going to buy that a recent model used one makes more sense.

But if I want to lease then of course I need a new one.

And I have looked at serveral other cars too and am still looking.

Need to take a Mini Cooper convertable out for a spin next

 

[AmigaMan]

it's not as slow as everyone says it is. Top Gear says it's as fast as an M3 around their track http://www.gametrailers.com/pl...usermovies/108105.html
And honestly, who really cares how fast it is straight line? Are you all that insecure with your manhood that you have to prove yourself at every stoplight?

 

[Pliablemoose]

If you can find a Mazdaspeed3, give it a shot.

BTW, I love the RX8, it just doesn't make my cut because of the MPG & oil consumption

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/01/21/thirsty-little-rx-8/

 

[bruceb]

The RX8 is nice. But you must up the power. Headers and a K&N Air Intake will
add about 20 HP to the engine. And it sound a lot better. Don't lease it. Either buy
a new one or a slightly used one. If you want a real performance rotary, look for the
3rd generation models 1992 - 1995 which had up to about a 255HP engine.

And it looks a lot better and handles much better.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-7

 

[canadageek]

its also about ten million times more difficult to properly maintain and repair. it's not something you buy because you want something "sporty".

 

[Stunt]

You'll burn a ton of money on gas...
There's lots of other sporty cars out there that will be cheaper to operate.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

the rx-8 is not a sports car. its a coupe. very smooth engines. i love my 7. driving on the highway or anywhere its quite smooth and very enjoyable ride. if it wasn't for the fart pipes the previous owner put on it. great handlers from what i've heard. of course yeah they don't have a whole lot of power. but they get decent mpg. in comparison to other cars of the size and power.

edit: the mpg and oil consumption is down considerably from the 7's. the 7's consumed on average 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. and fuel consumption was a bit higher even on the n/a versions. the 3rd gen rx-7 is a maintenance hazard. you'll be lucky to get that thing on the road with all the work they usually require. they look nice in your garage.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
the rx-8 is not a sports car. its a coupe. very smooth engines. i love my 7. driving on the highway or anywhere its quite smooth and very enjoyable ride. if it wasn't for the fart pipes the previous owner put on it. great handlers from what i've heard. of course yeah they don't have a whole lot of power. but they get decent mpg. in comparison to other cars of the size and power.

edit: the mpg and oil consumption is down considerably from the 7's. the 7's consumed on average 1 quart of oil every 1,000 miles. and fuel consumption was a bit higher even on the n/a versions. the 3rd gen rx-7 is a maintenance hazard. you'll be lucky to get that thing on the road with all the work they usually require. they look nice in your garage.

Not really. The 350Z (60hp more 400lbs more), S2000 (10hp more 150lbs less), Saturn Sky RL (30hp more same weight) all get better mileage than the RX8.

(It gets the same combined mileage as the Mustang which has a V8 and is significantly heavier)

 

[thomsbrain]

A $400 lease on a car that you can frequently buy for around $20K? That's a TERRIBLE deal. Do the math! You could buy the car outright with a 5-year loan and probably have a LOWER payment. Jesus.

This is especially terrible when you consider that the car has been pretty much dismissed as a flop (one reason dealers tack on such huge incentives to try to move them). Reliability issues, multiple overestimates on power output, worse than useless back seat. I'm sure it is fun on the twisties, but you could practically finance the PURCHASE of a $35K S2000 for that much money, and get a much better car, AND you'd own it and still have a $15K when you finished payments, instead of no car at all.