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Time for me to buy a new car - interested in opinions

MasterAndCommander

MasterAndCommander

Diamond Member
Update - 9/25/04
Ordered the Mustang GT today with everything - 8 to 10 weeks for delivery...oh man 😀



After 11 years of driving my faithful Camry, I think it's time for a change and have some fun.
I was fortunate to get a Ford X-plan, so I can get Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Lincoln, Mercury, Land Rover, or Jaguar near invoice price.

I'm leaning towards the 'stang, but I haven't ruled out the RX-8.

Wow - lots of responses and lots of Mazda fans too!

Some interesting alternatives that I didn't think of were mentioned too like the Miata and the Volvo S40/S60R. I'm surprised no one mentioned the Mercury Marauder 😀. I like the Miata - it's a very nice car...but I don't want a nice car...I want a kick-ass car. The Volvo S40/S60R have very nice performance for a sedan..but I already have a sedan, which I'm keeping as a daily driver. Plus I'm trying to keep the price well below $30K.

Here are some of the things I liked about both cars

2005 Mustang GT
Looks: Retro Fastback
Engine: 4.6L Aluminum 24-valve MOD 48
300HP / 315 ft-lbs @ 4250 RPM
Performance: 0-60 5.2 sec.
1/4 mile 13.9 sec @ 104 mph
Suspension: Solid rear axle (good for dragstrip)
Transmission: 5-SPD Manual or Auto avail.
Starting Price: ~$26k
Wheels: 17" alloys


2004 Mazda RX-8
Looks: Exotic/Modern
Engine: 1.3L RENESIS twin rotor Rotary
238HP / 159 ft-lbs @ 5500 RPM
Performance: 0-60 6.3 sec
1/4 mile 14.8 sec @ ??? mph
Suspension: Multi-link rear (good for handling)
Transmission: 6-SPD Manual
Starting Price: ~$26k
Wheels: 18" alloys avail


Things I didn't like about both cars:

Mustang
- first year of new model...may have bugs that need to be worked out.
- No sunroof available
- 18" alloys not an option till 2006
- May be a long wait due to initial demand
- Quality/Reliability ? Unknown - new model

RX-8
- Premium unleaded fuel recommended
- less torque/HP compared to 'stang
- less HP if auto transmission selected


There both good cars...tough choice. Still leaning towards the 'stang, but the RX-8 still has me thinking.
 
rx-8's over rated, do you really wanna have to work with a rotary? go with the stang, i think its a smarter purchase, not to mention the huge after market and the history of the car(going back 40 years vs "rx's" 20)
 
I'm a big fan of the direction Mazda is taking, so I'd go for the RX-8 over the Mustang.. but why not consider a CTS or something like that if ur also thinkin Lincoln?
 
Volvo S60R would blow them both away. Actually an S40 2004.5 w/ the i5 would probably run away from them both too...
 
I'd probably lean towards the new mustang, supposedly the entire platform is getting reworked, including the ghetto chassis they've been using for 20 years. Also the RX-8 is kind of a weak car relatively speaking.
 
Originally posted by: OS
I'd probably lean towards the new mustang, supposedly the entire platform is getting reworked, including the ghetto chassis they've been using for 20 years. Also the RX-8 is kind of a weak car relatively speaking.
Click to expand...

Brand new platform - DEW (Lincoln LS as opposed to the old Fox platform)
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Volvo S60R would blow them both away. Actually an S40 2004.5 w/ the i5 would probably run away from them both too...
Click to expand...

Sorry, but you're smoking cock if you think a FWD volvo can burn a redesigned mustang GT.
 
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Nebor
Volvo S60R would blow them both away. Actually an S40 2004.5 w/ the i5 would probably run away from them both too...
Click to expand...

Sorry, but you're smoking cock if you think a FWD volvo can burn a redesigned mustang GT.
Click to expand...

The S60R is all wheel drive.... The s40 is front wheel, but it's a very light car with moderate power. Yeah, front wheel drive sucks. So get the S60R. All the luxury, comfort and safety of a Volvo, with a kick in the pants.
 
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: Nebor
Volvo S60R would blow them both away. Actually an S40 2004.5 w/ the i5 would probably run away from them both too...
Click to expand...

Sorry, but you're smoking cock if you think a FWD volvo can burn a redesigned mustang GT.
Click to expand...

It comes close. And it's turbo charged AWD
Click to expand...

Well, i didn't mean the S60 since that isn't FWD and costs twice as much as a mustang GT. The S40 though is FWD, seems to only come in automatic, and is not particularly light.

link
 
The s60r is a totally bitchin car. Too bad the AWD s40 isn't coming out till next year, I would have chosen that. I guess I'd have to pick the Stang.
 
The new S40 still looks better than the new Mustang. Plus it's probably a better car. Totally different classes of cars though. This guy wants a real sports car, not a fast saloon.
 
The RX8 for handling, the Mustang for straightline. Neither for practicality, or cost of ownership.

It's all a matter of compromises.
 
so what if a mustang gt is faster than the volvo. you'd feel like you are riding in a bus with its all plastic interior ...

the RX8 is a great car. the top gear reviewed it and even jeremy clarkson said it was a great car and a load of fun to drive. the manual model goes well under $30k, has a very nicely designed leather interior, has a smart body design, and it revs to 9000rpm... NINE THOUSAND FREAKING RPM... imagine how that would sound...

the only negatives i can think about it is that it has poor fuel economy, and would probably cost a lot to fix.

but it would be a lot more fun than the mustang. all the mustang got is a massive V8, which has equally poor fuel economy, handles like a boat, and it is made by ford...

fun wise, i'd go for the RX8, which looks better, handles better, is built in japan, has an insane exhaust tone, and a much better interior

if you want to save a little consider the mazdaspeed miata too. stunning little car, now with turbo...
 
Originally posted by: Rickten
RX8 is very small and has NO backseat. You'd have to be 5'4" and wiegh 100 pounds to fit back there.
Click to expand...

You sir.... are smoking crack. You probably have never sat in an RX8 rear seat.

The new Stang may look totally hot but Mustangs... they're always gonna be an "everyman" car. It may be very nice but the fit, finish, and overall polish of the car... if it's anything like previous Mustangs, is going to be toward the crappy side.

The seats aren't that comfy... driving position is wrong... the new interior is nicer, but the plastic is cheap and kinda tacky... that sorta stuff is what the Stang is going to end up like... with the RX8 at least you'll have a truly nice car. It won't be anywhere as fast in a straight line but it will still be quite fun. Heck, the Mustang (other than mebbe the Shelbys) aren't exactly "drivers" cars with their rear live axles.
 
Originally posted by: sniperruff
...
the only negatives i can think about it is that it has poor fuel economy, and would probably cost a lot to fix.

but it would be a lot more fun than the mustang. all the mustang got is a massive V8, which has equally poor fuel economy, handles like a boat, and it is made by ford...

fun wise, i'd go for the RX8, which looks better, handles better, is built in japan, has an insane exhaust tone, and a much better interior
...
Click to expand...

and mustangs ARE fun. test drive an rx-8 and the new mustang gt, neither will be boring, and just drive like a grand ma if you want to conserve gas (dont know if that will work on an rx8's fuel economy).

in the end when your rx-8 brakes down(it will, and how many mazda mechanics do you know? that know rotarys?) it will cost a lot more to fix then the mustang(unless maybe if you were in japan, which i dont think you are). rotary vs v8 exhaust tone is a none issue(how many cops do you like to attract?)

if the case was you blowing money on whatever car you want, i'd say go with the rx8. but this is gonna be your car for the next 11 years (look how long you kept the camry), so i think the mustang is the better choice here.
 
Actually, on the subject of reliability... NA rotaries tend to be extremely reliable unlike their boosted counterparts. I know some people on ATOT can back me up on this not to mention quite a few people I know from my autoX circles.
 
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