I've had my RX8 since Aug.'04. Have 5400 miles on it as of 12/04. Put it in the garage, don't want to drive in the salt and slush. Probably come out in late March. No problems with anything, mileage ave. about 20 mpg. Oil consumption about 1 qt./3k miles. Took it to dealer, who I bought it from, once for servic, before I stored it. Experience was very good. There are a few things I would like to change or add, but I knew about them before I bought it, so I can't complain now. Anyway, it's a GT so it had about everything on it I wanted, except the in-dash 6 disc CD changer. I found a pretty good deal on a factory unit, which they say does not come with any directions for installation. I'm pretty good with cars (restored several vintage English sports cars) but would like to know if any one has done an installation and what they might have run into.
You are absolutely correct. The RX8 did its job very well in protecting me. I looked at the car and you'd think there should have been some sort of serious injury in the wreck. That wasn't the case. I'm a little skittish (in addition to being really sore) about driving right now. Went out in the rental Cavalier (GM should be flogged for still selling this thing) to go grocery shopping last night. For the first time in my life, I was going 10 MPH UNDER the posted speed limit.
My nose is broken, so my face is all bruised and still a bit swollen. Grocery shoppers around me stood far away from me, like I was some sort of "Frankenstein". But, I'm walking around and have the use of all my limbs. My legs are sore from bracing them so hard preparing for the impact. My arms hurt from the burns and my chest is bruised from the airbag deployment. My Dr said I must have broken my nose by hitting the steering wheel after the airbag deflated. You couldn't prove that by me. It all happened so fast, I don't know what part of my body hit any part of the car.
The police estimated that the guy in the RAM pick-up who hit me must have been going 40 MPH on impact. I feel very fortunate. I'm still taking a couple more days off work, though (which is why I'm spending a lot of time posting here, currently).
Mazda ealer said that the damage is right on the dividing line on whether to total it out or not. They say there's about $18K worth of damage. My Insurance company said they'd go to bat for me if I want the car totalled. They are giving me a guideline for additional payments for my pain. I'll heal, so I don't know that I need any money for that, but if they're willing to pay me, so be it. I am pushing to have my car "totalled out" though.
There's scant information on the Corvette's crashworithiness. I don't know that anyone has done any crash testing of the Corvette. But, because of the fiberglass body, I think that I'll just shelve that idea.
I don't think the skin of the C6 (or C5) is fiberglass, but even if it was, I don't think that would have much of a bearing on the crash rating. I would be very interested to see a crash test of the car, it is built on a very rigid frame.
Ya know, I didn't think about this before, but I believe, even if they don't total it, you can take the check, put it down on the new car, and sell the wreck as is.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I know that you were the only occupant but I'm curious about your accident: how well do you think rear-seat occupants would have fared? Do you remember if there was any intrusion into the rear-seat area?
Aside from the airbag deployment, the enitre passenger cage held up extremely well. There was no inclusion whatsoever of the passenger compartment, front or back.
Thanks. That makes me feel much better contemplating the RX-8 as my 'family' car. Getting smacked in the rear by a 2+ ton full-sized Dodge pickup moving at a closing rate of 40mph is a pretty good indicator of the passenger cell integrity.
Planning to get myself an RX-8. Maybe even the Shinka, if I can. My dilemma: I've driven the manual and thoroughly enjoyed doing so. I can't imagine not getting the manual, but my knees can't take the clutching anymore (even though the Mazda makes it easier than some others). I know that most of you have the manual, but are there any of you that have the automatic, and would care to tell me what you think? Would I be making a mistake getting the auto. If so, I'd need to look for a different car - boo hoo!
I'm sure cheezeboy will happen along here eventually. He's the local automatic expert. He loves his. What does the SHINKA version bring to the table that a regualr RX8 GT doesn't?
Haven't actually seen the Shinka. It's a limited edition of 2150 vehicle.
Black Cherry Exterior, special bright finish wheels, and bright-chrome head and tail light fixtures. On the inside, parchment leather seats and more use of piano black accents provide a look and feel of luxury.
Suspension cross member injected with foaming urethane improving performance and ride quality
Unique Suspension tuning with thicker 14mm damper shafts (up from 12mm) (I'm not sure how the suspension tuning will change things. I'm almost afraid to mess with what seemed to me to be a pretty good ride in my test drive).
Includes some of the packages that would ordinarily be available anyway. Also, I think some more leather details inside, but I'm not sure about that.
Winning blue was the color of mine. There really isn't a bad color in the bunch, though. I've seen them all. Some of the prettiest paint I've seen on any car. The Nordic Green and the Red have specs of gold metalic in them. I think Mazda offers a pealescent white for '05.
The Nordic green could look almost black depending on the light. The Red took on a "gold" hue in bright sunlight.
I even think the black had metalflake in it.
My winning blue had streaks of silver metalflake as does the Titanium.
FYI...The Shinka has been canceled for the remainder of the model year. A few are out there but thats all.....I had 5 of them on order that got deleted by mazda...They also scrapped all Miata production for the rest of the model year and they deleted the SP23 for the rest of the model year...
...jeeze...I go away for a few weeks and all hell breaks loose.....
GGUY - I am SO pleased you are ok...I offer up a wish and a prayer for your swift recovery. My folks went through this twice (a rear-end collision) and my mom has stopped driving because of it. Please get back on that saddle again....another RX8 or Vette or Z....if I hear you've gone Volvo (and nothing wrong with a Volvo!), I will have strong words with you...LOL...please, get well...I make the offer, next time I am in your area, you are more than welcome to take "Shima" for a spin! I know, I know, she's just an AT, but she's fun!.... :-)
Speaking of an AT, eql, I tested both, man & auto, and, yes, the manual is quicker/zippyer...My main reasons for the AT were a) my father may be driving and he only has 1 leg, b) I spend 80% of my driving day doing less than 30mph - stuck in traffic on the freeway, only to get off the freeway and be stuck in traffic doing less than 15mph.....just too much stop/go/stop/go/stop/stop for me and c) I, for some odd reason, just think those paddle shifter thingys are just too wacky! I am kinda goofy like that.....too many video games or something, I guess. I am so pleased with car, I can't say enough! Either version you will be quite happy with, no doubt. 1st you must test drive it back to back with your other choices - that should make it a 'no-brainer' for ya!
I light of GGUY's 'adventure' I will close with this: let's all drive safe and have fun!
I really liked the Winning Blue. I wish one had been available when I bought mine. I liked the yellow, but realized that it might not have been a "long term" color for me. When I found my sunlight silver, I knew that was "my" car.
I've been afraid of buying another red car. My very first car was red. I just felt that it attracted too much attention. (like from the police to eyeball me even if I am not speeding) I liked the Black and the Green, but I didn't want to have to deal with how much time it takes to keep them looking good.
On RX-8Club website, they joke about the "curse of sunlight silver" because several of them have been wrecked by other drivers just not seeing them, or sometimes deer/dogs, etc.
I hope they totaled your car out for you and you can get a new one.
Thanks...I'm recovering just fine. I actually look worse than I feel (if it's possible to make me look worse than I did before the accident).
Nope....No Zs or G 35Cs for me. Didn't want one before, don't want one now.
Because of the accident, yes Volvos are something I may look at.
Fact is, I don't know what I want. I settled with the insuance company yesterday. Not getting into the particulars, they gave me what I consider a very fair amount for the RX8 plus some extra for my pain and inconvenience. They are covering all of my medical bills, too. I wasn't looking to "break the bank", though. My lawyer was chomping at the bit, however. If I was incapacitated in some way, maybe I would have gone that route. But, I'll heal and be no worse for the wear.
I'll do some research and start looking around next week. This rental Cavalier that the insurance company got for me just isn't cutting it. I think they put people in these things to get them off their duff to buy something quickly so they don't have to pay the teeny fee they pay any longer than they have to for renting them. They aren't rushing me along, though.
Not to defend the Cavaleir or anything, but remember it costs 1/3 what the RX-8 does (based on adds I watched on TV yesterday - had me laughing). "You get what you pay for" ;-).
Are you sure about the Shinka being cancelled? Mazda just updated their Shinka page on the web site this Monday! Any reason given for the cancellation? What about the MazdaSpeed 6?
pathstar....true enough...the Cav is 1/3 the cost of an RX8, but still...
I'd rather have a nice used Corolla rather than this Cav I'm driving with 4,000 miles on the clock. I realize it's a rental, but the think sounds like a metal coffecan with bolts rattling around in it. Eco tech engine? Feels like a tractor motor. Vague steering is too much of a compliment for it. Crashes over any bump in the road and hits the frame stops(where's the suspension travel?) But, the auto tranny shifts smoothly. Heater works.
I am 100% positive. They built some and they are out there...but the balance of the run was canceled..
It has been discussed on here...mazda had a major fire at the factory that caused them to make alot of changes to keep the volume cars like the MZ3 rolling, they also are suffering from a steel shortage...Mazda lost production of thousands of cars. I get a list from mazda everyday with the status of the cars I have on order...apx 30% are being delayed by either the fire or steel shortage.
Thanks for the perspective. I figured that the manual would be zippier, and probably more fun to drive (when I would actually be moving . Even though I know I need to get auto, I didn't want to do anything stupid (or unsafe) by getting an underpowered car. If the auto works for you, it will probably work for me. I'm more into handling, than power, as long as I can accelerate fast enough to get out of the way of those drivers trying to get around the seniors here in Florida who are traveling at 40 mph in a 65 mph zone (with actual average speeds of 75)!
Go for the auto rrany egl, you won't be sorry. I suffer from lower back pain and passed on the manual also. 8k miles and a year later the ear to ear grin is still there even when stuck in commute traffic.
Thanks to all of you for giving me feedback on auto tranny. During test drives I thought that it might be okay, but getting your longer-term feelings about it is invaluable.
I have a yellow lightning 2004 rx8, auto tranny. Love it, and cant wait for summer....the yellow does draw attention..... I thought it might be too loud, but my wife would tend to tame me down on things like this, and she loves the color
Yes, I have a Mustang GT on order. Now, from what I'm hearing, these beasts are hard to come by. Supposedly, mine is going to be built sometime in the next two weeks. If (BIG IF) what the dealer is telling me is true, I'm hoping to take delivery by the end of March. Some people are saying that they've waited 3 months on their orders for GTs. Ford's supposedly backed up on production on the GTs since they are selling so well.
I've had two test drives. They are pretty amazing vehicles for the price. Mine will be about $25,500 all loaded up (with the discount). They are very fast and very solid feeling. Steering is quick (but not as quick as the RX8's...close enough though). While the Mustang's shifter is solid and light (for a V8 car), it's not going to make me forget how well the RX8 shifts. The Mustang rides better than the RX8, though. Two things that strike me about the Mustang is....it's a lot faster than the RX8. And, the level of "sports car" feel with the Mustang is something I'm not used to in domestic muscle cars. Make no mistake. The Mustang won't compare to the RX8 in the handling dept, but it has enough of that feeling to hopefully satisfy me.
Since I'm currently "carless", I'm sharing a car with my 18 year old. That's a constant source of aggravation given my son is commuting back and forth to college. Plus, he's also holding down a job that he has to get to daily. Fortunately, I work out of my home and only have to have a ride back and forth to the airport for when I travel. But, "synching" our schedules for him to give me a ride to the airport (or even the grocery store) always turns into a "I have to be here, you have to be there" event. Of course, I trump his need for the car. But, it's still a big hassle.
Which leads me to the GTO "thing". I can get one of those right away and have been tempted several times to just do that. Clearly, my first choice is the Mustang and I'm trying to hold out for it. But, if my dealer "hiccups" at all, I may make a move towards the GTO (or maybe another 8).
The GTO is very fast, too. It feels very ponderous with the way it drives, though....even compared to the Mustang. Neither can approach how sweetly the RX8 handles, though.
I qualify for Ford's X plan (golfing buddy works for Ford). Dealer's are holding out for MSRP (and sometimes above MSRP) on the GTs. It took me a while to get a dealer to accept X plan pricing (a little under invoice, but the dealer is compensated by Ford for their effort). Plus, I'm not particularly fond of the salesperson I'm working with (he tried to get me to buy some sort of fancy "wax" for $1,000 on my deal since "all our cars come with it", which X plan doesn't allow). The sales manager and the fleet guy (who ordered my car for me) seem to be pretty straight up, though).
Cheeze...I was going for the 'vette but since the accident, I'm real skittish about a fiberglass body car. I can't find much in the way of crash test data on the 'vette, either. I may becoming a "nervous nelly", but rightfully or wrongfully, I've got it in my head that a steel bodied car will protect me better than one made out of fiberglass.
Saw one of the "shinka" RX8s at my Mazda dealer. He says he'll "hook me up" with a good deal on one if I'm interested.
Not so much following you around (you're not getting paranoid, are you?), but just a similar interest in cars. I'll need to replace my Celica GTS in a year or so and really, REALLY, want a RWD manual tranny sportscoupe of some description to replace it. But, it must have adequate rear-seat room and accessibility for my 2 daughters. And can't exceed my personally imposed $30k threshold.
Based on this criteria (RWD, manual, decent rear-seat room/access, no more than $30k), I'd say my choices are fairly limited.
That's right. You mentioned you're criteria before.
I must be getting paranoid (did you hear that?). Any of those we've talked about (RX8, Mustang, GTO) aren't going to offer the back seat room one would expect of a sedan. Based on what you've said so far, I'd say the RX8 by virtue of the rear doors. Plus, those rear doors come attached to a really nice car in your price range.
Have you thought about the G35 sedan with the sports package? I haven't shopped them for a while, but I know the local Infiniti dealer was willing to make me an attractive deal on one when I was shopping for the RX8. That was almost 2 years ago, though. An Accord V6 is kind of swift, too. It's not going to be like your GTS, but it's a nice ride. I don't know, but maybe the Accord V6 hybrid is going for that price and is supposed to exceed the regular V6s capabilities. Plus, Honda is in a sales downturn right now and you may be able to strike a good deal with one of their cars.
You can really go over the top and get a Ford F150 lightning with 4 doors.
"You can really go over the top and get a Ford F150 lightning with 4 doors."
THAT WOULD BE PERFECT!!!!! Thanks dude!
Oh, wait.....they don't make a 4-door version of the Lightning......drats....
Accord coupe doesn't offer enough rear-seat legroom. If I were willing to accept a FWD coupe, I've got a whole range of options to choose from (probably give serious consideration to a TSX). But, I really miss having RWD.
Yeah, I think my personality would best fit a RX-8. I really like the razor-sharp steering/braking feel I have in my GTS and think the RX-8 would be the closest (and in many ways better), plus offering a bit more room and MUCHO more accessibility than any standard coupe out there.
Oh, if only the GTO didn't drive so 'large' (and I could get past the GM stigma I have in my head), it would be a serious contender.
Or, I could just drive my Celica into the dirt, continue to torture my kids with the climb into the back, and build myself a nice 1300 lb. Lotus 7 replica with an RX-8 drivetrain......
I'm trying really hard to justify the GTO, but it does drive "heavy", which is the total antithesis of the RX8. Mustang falls somwhere in between the two.
Accords are cars that everyone says we should like, but I've never been impressed by them. No matter which iteration, I think they are too vanilla for my tastes. Plenty of folks like vanilla in their cars, though.
I think it was a mistake for Acura to continue to push the TL and the TSX as FWD for the same reasons you state.
Now, that Lotus is a tasty number and just think of the looks the other parents will give you when you drop your kids off at school when you pull up driving it.
gguy - well, I had a feeling you were going to go Ford on us...being all the connections you've talked about before....I have a bad after-taste in my mouth from the stang I had....and some of my friends who've had them....but I do like how the new one looks - in the retro sense. And for the price, you can not beat it!! if you do end up in one, please don't leave our RX8 board - visit from time to time...or pathstar, rorr, and I will have to search you out in the Ford section.....drag you back screaming......
maybe the car I was parked next to today would be your car : Ferrari 612 Scagleitti !!.(I believe is what it's called) ..it's metal....bigish....drives well (I hope!)...and it was in a beautiful blue!
cheezeboy....you're a good person. No way I'd leave you here to carry the RX8 banner by yourself.
I guess indirectly I'm staying in the Ford family since I'm leaning heavily towards replacing my much loved RX8 with a Mustang (Ford owns Mazda by virtue of a 33% stake). My all too brief ownership of an RX8 (by a year and 7 months). It was wonderful. It really can't be supplanted by any other car.
Based on my ownership experience (all positive), I can't, in good faith, abandon this thread.
lemmer....short of washing machines and can openers, I certainly wouldn't consider CR as a credible source for a review of the RX8 (or any car, for that matter).
gguy - well good...don't leave...cause I think I am here only for "comedic value".....lol...(I can hear everyone else nodding their heads.)
now, I was just over at the Ford Mustang site and they do make it in a nice blue (Sonic Blue Clearcoat Metallic)like your RX8..so you should be able to live with that!...I 'built' my version of the GT just now..came out to $30,300...so it's in the same ballpark as the RX8, for me....you might not want the AT...LOL....(I would hope not!)....
and if/when you do get this new car, please, no stories of 'young women' laying on your hood!..I couldn't take it!...you have all the fun!... :-)
If its any consolation, im a huge fan for the RX8 Ive had it since January 0, havnt looked back. I love waking up in the morning knowing that i will be driving the car. Cant wait to take the snow tires off and put the 19's on and really give it a workout. Those warm summerSaturday mornings waking up, make a coffee and go and wash,shine it up to a mirror like finish. Good Times!!
Actually CR has improved a lot over the years with their auto reviews. Their ratings of sports cars has the RX-8 far above the 350Z for many of the same reasons you have mentioned before.
I was just wondering how the reliability is overall according to CR. You get kind of a skewed view on these boards.
Has anyone taken the 8 to the limit (speed) i was driving home last night and decided to see how far i could push it. was about 170 km at 7000rpm before i shut it down. seemed a lot faster than that .
Well, that translates to about 106mph. I know the 8 is capable of substantially higher speeds (in the appropriate venue, of course). I don't think a public road is the best place to determine the 8's top speed. As far as how fast it seemed, well that depends on how familiar you are with those kind of speeds and how familiar you are with the car.
Let me warn anyone wanting to experience very high speed - the car will be lethal if -anything- goes wrong at speeds higher than about 80 MPH. If you really want to find the RX-8's top speed, I recommend finding a performance driving course to take. They will educate you on helmets, proper belts, roll cages etc. and use on a track.
Please don't missunderstand me - I'm not lecturing. I've seen the results of too many high speed incidents. Cars are not designed to protect you above about 80 MPH - they tend to disintigrate above that. Most people who haven't raced on the track don't have experience with the forces involved and don't understand how lethal they can be.
To answer your question however, the RX-8 has approached 150 MPH on the track.
I don't know how CR has rated reliability for the RX8. For me, my RX8 was very reliable. It always started and ran like a fine swiss watch. Plus, it was very solid feeling during it's tenure with me as it's owner.
If history is any indicator, RX7 rotaries were known for great durability. Just about every RX7 I've seen that has been properly cared for has shown that they wear well.
Also, I'm told that top speed on a track is limited by the length of the straightaway. An unlimited straightaway would allow you to reach red line (rev. limiter) at 9650, as I recall, which would translate to about 160 MPH or 260 km/hr. It takes a long time to get up there, however. There may be a "speed limiter" in some countries, but not in North America. We only see the rev. limiter. The buzzer comes on around 9000 RPM, and gets louder and more insistant as you increase from there, then ignition cut comes on around 9650 RPM. The engine explodes around 11,000 RPM. Don't go there! ;-)
Hey guys, I just found this forum today. I'm looking into purchasing a RX-8. My knowledge on cars is pretty sub-standard. I'm willing to learn more though. I had a couple of questions if anyone would be kind of enough to help answer them for me.
1. Are there any huge differences between the 2004 and 2005 model? Which one is the better deal to get?
2. I've heard that the oil consumption is pretty extensive for the RX-8, compared to other cars. Is this true? If yes, then how often would I have to put oil in the car?
1. Nope. albeit the Shimka supposedly has some minor suspension and interior "tweaks".
2. I wouldn't necessarily say the oil consumption is extensive. By design, it will use some oil. While ownership experiences vary, mine used about 3/4 of a quart every 5K miles (about the time I had the oil changed anyway). As with any car, it's always a good idea to check the oil level every 2nd or 3rd fillup.
Another question, what do you guys think is a reasonable price for a 2005 Grand Touring RX-8 and a 2005 Sport RX-8?
I'm thinking of getting a car loan from a credit union for a certain amount and coming into the dealership with a "take it or leave it" stance. Is that a good idea?
I know there's some factory cash on the '04s (if you can find any left). I don't think there's any available for the '05s, but I've not looked recently.
Look here at Edmunds to see what, if anything, is available.
I would think $500 over invoice would be a good target, though.
Comments
My nose is broken, so my face is all bruised and still a bit swollen. Grocery shoppers around me stood far away from me, like I was some sort of "Frankenstein". But, I'm walking around and have the use of all my limbs. My legs are sore from bracing them so hard preparing for the impact. My arms hurt from the burns and my chest is bruised from the airbag deployment. My Dr said I must have broken my nose by hitting the steering wheel after the airbag deflated. You couldn't prove that by me. It all happened so fast, I don't know what part of my body hit any part of the car.
The police estimated that the guy in the RAM pick-up who hit me must have been going 40 MPH on impact. I feel very fortunate. I'm still taking a couple more days off work, though (which is why I'm spending a lot of time posting here, currently).
Mazda ealer said that the damage is right on the dividing line on whether to total it out or not. They say there's about $18K worth of damage. My Insurance company said they'd go to bat for me if I want the car totalled. They are giving me a guideline for additional payments for my pain. I'll heal, so I don't know that I need any money for that, but if they're willing to pay me, so be it. I am pushing to have my car "totalled out" though.
There's scant information on the Corvette's crashworithiness. I don't know that anyone has done any crash testing of the Corvette. But, because of the fiberglass body, I think that I'll just shelve that idea.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Quite a feat, given the severity of the impact.
Get well soon.
Haven't actually seen the Shinka. It's a limited edition of 2150 vehicle.
Black Cherry Exterior, special bright finish wheels, and bright-chrome head and tail light fixtures. On the inside, parchment leather seats and more use of piano black accents provide a look and feel of luxury.
Suspension cross member injected with foaming urethane improving performance and ride quality
Unique Suspension tuning with thicker 14mm damper shafts (up from 12mm) (I'm not sure how the suspension tuning will change things. I'm almost afraid to mess with what seemed to me to be a pretty good ride in my test drive).
Includes some of the packages that would ordinarily be available anyway. Also, I think some more leather details inside, but I'm not sure about that.
by the way, these cars are overall 4 star crashworthy. They are safe cars!
The Nordic green could look almost black depending on the light. The Red took on a "gold" hue in bright sunlight.
I even think the black had metalflake in it.
My winning blue had streaks of silver metalflake as does the Titanium.
GGUY - I am SO pleased you are ok...I offer up a wish and a prayer for your swift recovery. My folks went through this twice (a rear-end collision) and my mom has stopped driving because of it. Please get back on that saddle again....another RX8 or Vette or Z....if I hear you've gone Volvo (and nothing wrong with a Volvo!), I will have strong words with you...LOL...please, get well...I make the offer, next time I am in your area, you are more than welcome to take "Shima" for a spin! I know, I know, she's just an AT, but she's fun!.... :-)
Speaking of an AT, eql, I tested both, man & auto, and, yes, the manual is quicker/zippyer...My main reasons for the AT were a) my father may be driving and he only has 1 leg, b) I spend 80% of my driving day doing less than 30mph - stuck in traffic on the freeway, only to get off the freeway and be stuck in traffic doing less than 15mph.....just too much stop/go/stop/go/stop/stop for me and c) I, for some odd reason, just think those paddle shifter thingys are just too wacky! I am kinda goofy like that.....too many video games or something, I guess. I am so pleased with car, I can't say enough! Either version you will be quite happy with, no doubt. 1st you must test drive it back to back with your other choices - that should make it a 'no-brainer' for ya!
I light of GGUY's 'adventure' I will close with this: let's all drive safe and have fun!
I've been afraid of buying another red car. My very first car was red. I just felt that it attracted too much attention. (like from the police to eyeball me even if I am not speeding)
I liked the Black and the Green, but I didn't want to have to deal with how much time it takes to keep them looking good.
On RX-8Club website, they joke about the "curse of sunlight silver" because several of them have been wrecked by other drivers just not seeing them, or sometimes deer/dogs, etc.
I hope they totaled your car out for you and you can get a new one.
Nope....No Zs or G 35Cs for me. Didn't want one before, don't want one now.
Because of the accident, yes Volvos are something I may look at.
Fact is, I don't know what I want. I settled with the insuance company yesterday. Not getting into the particulars, they gave me what I consider a very fair amount for the RX8 plus some extra for my pain and inconvenience. They are covering all of my medical bills, too. I wasn't looking to "break the bank", though. My lawyer was chomping at the bit, however. If I was incapacitated in some way, maybe I would have gone that route. But, I'll heal and be no worse for the wear.
I'll do some research and start looking around next week. This rental Cavalier that the insurance company got for me just isn't cutting it. I think they put people in these things to get them off their duff to buy something quickly so they don't have to pay the teeny fee they pay any longer than they have to for renting them. They aren't rushing me along, though.
I've got a check and will take my time.
Again, thanks for the well wishes.
I'd rather have a nice used Corolla rather than this Cav I'm driving with 4,000 miles on the clock. I realize it's a rental, but the think sounds like a metal coffecan with bolts rattling around in it. Eco tech engine? Feels like a tractor motor. Vague steering is too much of a compliment for it. Crashes over any bump in the road and hits the frame stops(where's the suspension travel?) But, the auto tranny shifts smoothly. Heater works.
It has been discussed on here...mazda had a major fire at the factory that caused them to make alot of changes to keep the volume cars like the MZ3 rolling, they also are suffering from a steel shortage...Mazda lost production of thousands of cars. I get a list from mazda everyday with the status of the cars I have on order...apx 30% are being delayed by either the fire or steel shortage.
MZ6Speed is still on schedule...as is the MZ5.
What a "hurt" that will put them in.
On the other hand, anyone getting an '05 SHINKA will have a collector's item on their hands (if that means anything).
I'd like to see one in person. The color alone looks interseting.
audia8q....is NAV available on the SHINKA?
still think you should get another 8 or at least the vette! :-)
I don't think a Mazda6 is anywhere in the cards for GGuy.
Yes, I have a Mustang GT on order. Now, from what I'm hearing, these beasts are hard to come by. Supposedly, mine is going to be built sometime in the next two weeks. If (BIG IF) what the dealer is telling me is true, I'm hoping to take delivery by the end of March. Some people are saying that they've waited 3 months on their orders for GTs. Ford's supposedly backed up on production on the GTs since they are selling so well.
I've had two test drives. They are pretty amazing vehicles for the price. Mine will be about $25,500 all loaded up (with the discount). They are very fast and very solid feeling. Steering is quick (but not as quick as the RX8's...close enough though). While the Mustang's shifter is solid and light (for a V8 car), it's not going to make me forget how well the RX8 shifts. The Mustang rides better than the RX8, though. Two things that strike me about the Mustang is....it's a lot faster than the RX8. And, the level of "sports car" feel with the Mustang is something I'm not used to in domestic muscle cars. Make no mistake. The Mustang won't compare to the RX8 in the handling dept, but it has enough of that feeling to hopefully satisfy me.
Since I'm currently "carless", I'm sharing a car with my 18 year old. That's a constant source of aggravation given my son is commuting back and forth to college. Plus, he's also holding down a job that he has to get to daily. Fortunately, I work out of my home and only have to have a ride back and forth to the airport for when I travel. But, "synching" our schedules for him to give me a ride to the airport (or even the grocery store) always turns into a "I have to be here, you have to be there" event. Of course, I trump his need for the car. But, it's still a big hassle.
Which leads me to the GTO "thing". I can get one of those right away and have been tempted several times to just do that. Clearly, my first choice is the Mustang and I'm trying to hold out for it. But, if my dealer "hiccups" at all, I may make a move towards the GTO (or maybe another 8).
The GTO is very fast, too. It feels very ponderous with the way it drives, though....even compared to the Mustang. Neither can approach how sweetly the RX8 handles, though.
I qualify for Ford's X plan (golfing buddy works for Ford). Dealer's are holding out for MSRP (and sometimes above MSRP) on the GTs. It took me a while to get a dealer to accept X plan pricing (a little under invoice, but the dealer is compensated by Ford for their effort). Plus, I'm not particularly fond of the salesperson I'm working with (he tried to get me to buy some sort of fancy "wax" for $1,000 on my deal since "all our cars come with it", which X plan doesn't allow). The sales manager and the fleet guy (who ordered my car for me) seem to be pretty straight up, though).
Cheeze...I was going for the 'vette but since the accident, I'm real skittish about a fiberglass body car. I can't find much in the way of crash test data on the 'vette, either. I may becoming a "nervous nelly", but rightfully or wrongfully, I've got it in my head that a steel bodied car will protect me better than one made out of fiberglass.
Saw one of the "shinka" RX8s at my Mazda dealer. He says he'll "hook me up" with a good deal on one if I'm interested.
We'll see how all of this plays out.
Based on this criteria (RWD, manual, decent rear-seat room/access, no more than $30k), I'd say my choices are fairly limited.
I must be getting paranoid (did you hear that?). Any of those we've talked about (RX8, Mustang, GTO) aren't going to offer the back seat room one would expect of a sedan. Based on what you've said so far, I'd say the RX8 by virtue of the rear doors. Plus, those rear doors come attached to a really nice car in your price range.
Have you thought about the G35 sedan with the sports package? I haven't shopped them for a while, but I know the local Infiniti dealer was willing to make me an attractive deal on one when I was shopping for the RX8. That was almost 2 years ago, though. An Accord V6 is kind of swift, too. It's not going to be like your GTS, but it's a nice ride. I don't know, but maybe the Accord V6 hybrid is going for that price and is supposed to exceed the regular V6s capabilities. Plus, Honda is in a sales downturn right now and you may be able to strike a good deal with one of their cars.
You can really go over the top and get a Ford F150 lightning with 4 doors.
THAT WOULD BE PERFECT!!!!! Thanks dude!
Oh, wait.....they don't make a 4-door version of the Lightning......drats....
Accord coupe doesn't offer enough rear-seat legroom. If I were willing to accept a FWD coupe, I've got a whole range of options to choose from (probably give serious consideration to a TSX). But, I really miss having RWD.
Yeah, I think my personality would best fit a RX-8. I really like the razor-sharp steering/braking feel I have in my GTS and think the RX-8 would be the closest (and in many ways better), plus offering a bit more room and MUCHO more accessibility than any standard coupe out there.
Oh, if only the GTO didn't drive so 'large' (and I could get past the GM stigma I have in my head), it would be a serious contender.
Or, I could just drive my Celica into the dirt, continue to torture my kids with the climb into the back, and build myself a nice 1300 lb. Lotus 7 replica with an RX-8 drivetrain......
I'm trying really hard to justify the GTO, but it does drive "heavy", which is the total antithesis of the RX8. Mustang falls somwhere in between the two.
Accords are cars that everyone says we should like, but I've never been impressed by them. No matter which iteration, I think they are too vanilla for my tastes. Plenty of folks like vanilla in their cars, though.
I think it was a mistake for Acura to continue to push the TL and the TSX as FWD for the same reasons you state.
Now, that Lotus is a tasty number and just think of the looks the other parents will give you when you drop your kids off at school when you pull up driving it.
All arrows point to the RX8 for you.
maybe the car I was parked next to today would be your car : Ferrari 612 Scagleitti !!.(I believe is what it's called) ..it's metal....bigish....drives well (I hope!)...and it was in a beautiful blue!
enjoy the car shopping and get well!
I guess indirectly I'm staying in the Ford family since I'm leaning heavily towards replacing my much loved RX8 with a Mustang (Ford owns Mazda by virtue of a 33% stake). My all too brief ownership of an RX8 (by a year and 7 months). It was wonderful. It really can't be supplanted by any other car.
Based on my ownership experience (all positive), I can't, in good faith, abandon this thread.
lemmer....short of washing machines and can openers, I certainly wouldn't consider CR as a credible source for a review of the RX8 (or any car, for that matter).
now, I was just over at the Ford Mustang site and they do make it in a nice blue (Sonic Blue Clearcoat Metallic)like your RX8..so you should be able to live with that!...I 'built' my version of the GT just now..came out to $30,300...so it's in the same ballpark as the RX8, for me....you might not want the AT...LOL....(I would hope not!)....
and if/when you do get this new car, please, no stories of 'young women' laying on your hood!..I couldn't take it!...you have all the fun!...
:-)
Ive had it since January 0, havnt looked back. I love waking up in the morning knowing that i will be driving the car. Cant wait to take the snow tires off and put the 19's on and really give it a workout. Those warm summerSaturday mornings waking up, make a coffee and go and wash,shine it up to a mirror like finish. Good Times!!
I was just wondering how the reliability is overall according to CR. You get kind of a skewed view on these boards.
before i shut it down. seemed a lot faster than that .
Any comments.
Please don't missunderstand me - I'm not lecturing. I've seen the results of too many high speed incidents. Cars are not designed to protect you above about 80 MPH - they tend to disintigrate above that. Most people who haven't raced on the track don't have experience with the forces involved and don't understand how lethal they can be.
To answer your question however, the RX-8 has approached 150 MPH on the track.
Would love to put it on the track and see.
150mph is what in KM
If history is any indicator, RX7 rotaries were known for great durability. Just about every RX7 I've seen that has been properly cared for has shown that they wear well.
1. Are there any huge differences between the 2004 and 2005 model? Which one is the better deal to get?
2. I've heard that the oil consumption is pretty extensive for the RX-8, compared to other cars. Is this true? If yes, then how often would I have to put oil in the car?
Thanks for any help!
1. Nope. albeit the Shimka supposedly has some minor suspension and interior "tweaks".
2. I wouldn't necessarily say the oil consumption is extensive. By design, it will use some oil. While ownership experiences vary, mine used about 3/4 of a quart every 5K miles (about the time I had the oil changed anyway). As with any car, it's always a good idea to check the oil level every 2nd or 3rd fillup.
Another question, what do you guys think is a reasonable price for a 2005 Grand Touring RX-8 and a 2005 Sport RX-8?
I'm thinking of getting a car loan from a credit union for a certain amount and coming into the dealership with a "take it or leave it" stance. Is that a good idea?
Look here at Edmunds to see what, if anything, is available.
I would think $500 over invoice would be a good target, though.