After deciding to not join the Army, I've been thinking about a new car that would be more exciting than my Accord. I've been doing some research online and I think I want to buy an RX-8 Base 6-Speed manual for around $25000(This is somewhere inbetween the MSRP and the Invoice on Consumerguide.com)

I wanna know what you guys think about the RX-8. What I'm looking for is some stories about reliability or any other problems related to the car.

As for reliability, I'm not sure how good it is, because it's fairely new, but I hope that 1 car in Mazda that is made in Japan is somewhat closer to reliability like Toyota.

In terms of looks, I thought it was ugly until I saw the Auto EXE body kit. Can anyone tell me out to post an image? I've got the picture but I don't get out to put an image on the net. I see the button but I can't figure it out. I'll see if I can ask someone.

 

This is my first time posting a pic. Hope this works.

 

Another pic of the bodykit I wanted to get.

 

YEAH!!!! I can finally post images!!!!! Sorry, it feels like a monumental achievement to me.

 

Ok, after this I wanted to buy this car in black and get some nice carbon fiber GT wing.

I just wanna know how you guys feel. I feel pretty good except that I've haven't heard to much excitment about the car. I know it's up to me so I just wanna know what you guys think?

 

I think we had a member or 2 here buy one. It is a wonderful car inside and out. Great for the price. Good choice. I'd get the red leather seats...

http://www.rx8club.com/index.php?

I'm a member here, met some pretty cool RX-8 owners.

 

I think we had a member or 2 here buy one. It is a wonderful car inside and out. Great for the price. Good choice. I'd get the red leather seats...

http://www.rx8club.com/index.php?

I'm a member here, met some pretty cool RX-8 owners here in Atlanta.

 

aren't there rumors of a new twin turbo rx7 coming out in a couple of years?



this was one of the pics i found... not sure if its for real or not.... but if they are gonna go into production... i would wait out for it... that or the new skyline (r35)... don't get me wrong, the rx8 is a nice car but being the first year of production, there's a lot of room for improvments...

 

Kirby, no RX-7 coming. Mazda does not have the money for anothe low production car.

 

damn that sucks....

 

I'm still not sure that the plans for another RX-7 have been completely scrapped. I know that Mazda was gauging the success of the RX-8 as one stat to decide on a new RX-7, and that the plan was to build it on the same platform with the next generation Miata (late 2005 I think). Having owned several RX-7's, including an incredible 93 twin turbo, I am hoping and praying for a 4th generation RX-7 to be available sometime in 2006.

To answer the original post question, the RX-8 is a great car. Very fun to drive, and it looks great inside and out. I agree on the black & red leather seats, and would go with a Titanium, Black, or Red exterior. The aftermarket appears to be aggressively making performance mods for the RX-8, and I know MazdaSpeed has a version coming out in 2005 with a nice body kit.

Good luck,

David

 

The RX-8 is a great choice if you really like carving up winding roads. You asked about reliability....Mazdas traditionally are better-than average in this area....not quite to Toyota and Honda standards, but close. Like Honda VTEC's, The new Renesis-generation rotary engine doesn't have a whole lot of low-RPM torque but will go to 8000-9000 RPM as smooth and quiet as an electric motor. The new port design for the rotary chambers has cured some of its former backfiring and oil consumption problems. The chassis and steering is absolutely first-rate, and probably the closest thing you can get to BMW M-standards in a Japanese sports car. The Honda S2000, by comparison, also has great handling but is very noisy and harsh-riding and would be tiring on a long trip.
The two small rear semi-doors give the RX-8 some flexibility. The only possible problem I can see with the car is that the removal of the two B-pillars to open up.those two rear half-doors, despite Mazda's engineering claims, may take out enough body rigidity from the roofline to cause some premature squeaks, rattles, and leaks there after a while....but only time will tell that.
Good luck with your decision.