Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
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From: Tampa/Largo
Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
I am 15, turning 16 and looking to buy an '04 or '05 manual rx8. Is this a good idea? I've heard its a great all around car with fantastic handling on professional review sites, but I've also heard complaint after complaint about the rotary engine and its problems in many forums. Please respond, thanks.
Also, does anyone know the optimal shift points for this car? Just wondering.
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From: New York, New York
RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
No, it's not a good idea. If you want a Mazda, I suggest a 3 or a 6.
Why? First car, RWD, 250+HP = bad things, trust me. Get a sedan for your first car, and learn how to drive something more forgiving like FWD or AWD before you start messing around with a sports car. You'll be glad you did later in life.
Not that there's anything wrong with the RX-8...it's just that it's a car for specific people, and we young guys aren't them...too much temptation to push the car all the time. Hell, I do that when I get a chance, and I drive an auto sedan. [8D]
Just saying, the RX-8 is for an experienced driver, as is any sports car...and anything you'll find in your price range (I'm assuming it's not high) will have very high mileage...and that's never good on 2-3 year old petrol cars.
Why? First car, RWD, 250+HP = bad things, trust me. Get a sedan for your first car, and learn how to drive something more forgiving like FWD or AWD before you start messing around with a sports car. You'll be glad you did later in life.
Not that there's anything wrong with the RX-8...it's just that it's a car for specific people, and we young guys aren't them...too much temptation to push the car all the time. Hell, I do that when I get a chance, and I drive an auto sedan. [8D]
Just saying, the RX-8 is for an experienced driver, as is any sports car...and anything you'll find in your price range (I'm assuming it's not high) will have very high mileage...and that's never good on 2-3 year old petrol cars.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Tampa/Largo
RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
haha well i actually do have somewhat of a high price range. between 18 and 20,000 max. and i actually drive slower than most people, at most 5mph over the speed limit. i meant more if there were any consistant problems with the car. thanks.
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From: New York, New York
RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
Apart from the rotary being a difficult engine to work on, there's not much against it.
Oh, and I know I'm contradicting myself, but the RX-8 needs to be treated like a sports car - 5 MPH over the limit now and then would waste the car. [8D]I just kind of went into old man mode in my last post, haha. If you do get one, rev it up and have some fun, just be smart about where you mess around...if you're near a track, then I say go for it.
Oh, and I know I'm contradicting myself, but the RX-8 needs to be treated like a sports car - 5 MPH over the limit now and then would waste the car. [8D]I just kind of went into old man mode in my last post, haha. If you do get one, rev it up and have some fun, just be smart about where you mess around...if you're near a track, then I say go for it.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Tampa/Largo
RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
weeell, i sooorta might have exaggerated how slow i drive...i may bump it up to 10 mph over the speed limit but im a little crazy wen i see cops so i slow wayyy down, atually under the speed limit sometimes. haha. don't get me wrong, i know how to treat a sports car, but i most definately stay safe, i know cars cankill people with just one mistake. i might even mod it a little bit 
but i definately know where to drive fast, and where to stay legal. im thinkin abouta magnaflow cat back, and aemcold air intake or something like that. any ideas on any other performance parts? thanks
but i definately know where to drive fast, and where to stay legal. im thinkin abouta magnaflow cat back, and aemcold air intake or something like that. any ideas on any other performance parts? thanks
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From: Tampa/Largo
RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
the only car i mightpush ita little too much in is my dads '07 bmw750li . but i dont live with him so i have no idea when ill ever be able to drive it.
haha but im mostly rollin up in my moms '04 auto honda pilot or my grandaprents' '05 or '06 auto mercury milan. and surprisingly the pilot seems to have wayyy better response and pickup
haha
. but i dont live with him so i have no idea when ill ever be able to drive it.haha but im mostly rollin up in my moms '04 auto honda pilot or my grandaprents' '05 or '06 auto mercury milan. and surprisingly the pilot seems to have wayyy better response and pickuphaha
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RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
ORIGINAL: Marcel727FL
and surprisingly the pilot seems to have wayyy better response and pickuphaha
and surprisingly the pilot seems to have wayyy better response and pickup
haha
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RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
Hey Marcel, before plunking down 18-20G's, have you looked into the insurance rates yet? Insurance companies are not kind to young dudes, and are really unkind to young dudes in sports cars. It's not uncommon around here (Louisville) for young guys to pay upwards of 2,000 dollars every 6 months. Areas vary, obviously, but there are a lot more hidden costs with a sports car. You'll also pay a quarter more per gallon of gas because it takes premium, and your mileage will not be very good. I get 22 highway, and 12 when I'm putting my foot in it around town.
The real problem is that there will be a lot of temptation to push the car, and it takes an experienced driver to drive a RWD car hard. And with this car, should you ever break traction in a corner, you will be going MUCH faster than you would be in, say, a Ford Focus. The consequences of not knowing what you're doing are extremely high, and not just for yourself.
If you're looking for good performance, I'd definitely be more comfortable steering you to a Mazda 3. FWD is much smarter for a new driver. I don't have any kids, but if I did, the RX-8 is the last thing I'd want them to have. I love the car, but I'd rather they survived to graduation.
Now, if you have experience driving high-powered go-karts in competition, I'd say go for it.
The real problem is that there will be a lot of temptation to push the car, and it takes an experienced driver to drive a RWD car hard. And with this car, should you ever break traction in a corner, you will be going MUCH faster than you would be in, say, a Ford Focus. The consequences of not knowing what you're doing are extremely high, and not just for yourself.
If you're looking for good performance, I'd definitely be more comfortable steering you to a Mazda 3. FWD is much smarter for a new driver. I don't have any kids, but if I did, the RX-8 is the last thing I'd want them to have. I love the car, but I'd rather they survived to graduation.
Now, if you have experience driving high-powered go-karts in competition, I'd say go for it.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: New York, New York
RE: Good idea to buy '04-'05 rx8?
ORIGINAL: Squish
Hey Marcel, before plunking down 18-20G's, have you looked into the insurance rates yet? Insurance companies are not kind to young dudes, and are really unkind to young dudes in sports cars. It's not uncommon around here (Louisville) for young guys to pay upwards of 2,000 dollars every 6 months. Areas vary, obviously, but there are a lot more hidden costs with a sports car. You'll also pay a quarter more per gallon of gas because it takes premium, and your mileage will not be very good. I get 22 highway, and 12 when I'm putting my foot in it around town.
The real problem is that there will be a lot of temptation to push the car, and it takes an experienced driver to drive a RWD car hard. And with this car, should you ever break traction in a corner, you will be going MUCH faster than you would be in, say, a Ford Focus. The consequences of not knowing what you're doing are extremely high, and not just for yourself.
If you're looking for good performance, I'd definitely be more comfortable steering you to a Mazda 3. FWD is much smarter for a new driver. I don't have any kids, but if I did, the RX-8 is the last thing I'd want them to have. I love the car, but I'd rather they survived to graduation.
Now, if you have experience driving high-powered go-karts in competition, I'd say go for it.
Hey Marcel, before plunking down 18-20G's, have you looked into the insurance rates yet? Insurance companies are not kind to young dudes, and are really unkind to young dudes in sports cars. It's not uncommon around here (Louisville) for young guys to pay upwards of 2,000 dollars every 6 months. Areas vary, obviously, but there are a lot more hidden costs with a sports car. You'll also pay a quarter more per gallon of gas because it takes premium, and your mileage will not be very good. I get 22 highway, and 12 when I'm putting my foot in it around town.
The real problem is that there will be a lot of temptation to push the car, and it takes an experienced driver to drive a RWD car hard. And with this car, should you ever break traction in a corner, you will be going MUCH faster than you would be in, say, a Ford Focus. The consequences of not knowing what you're doing are extremely high, and not just for yourself.
If you're looking for good performance, I'd definitely be more comfortable steering you to a Mazda 3. FWD is much smarter for a new driver. I don't have any kids, but if I did, the RX-8 is the last thing I'd want them to have. I love the car, but I'd rather they survived to graduation.
Now, if you have experience driving high-powered go-karts in competition, I'd say go for it.
