New Daily Driver

[mikester]

You mean this wasn't an April fools joke?

[Sarc]

Nice find. They are pretty fun cars. Great color too.

We've been very happy with our Mazda 3, though the advanced development of rust in all the door jambs at 80K miles has us thinking this will be the last (newer) Mazda we'll own.
Though I doubt you'll have that problem under your ownership.



BTW- How do you find the backseat room compared to the 996?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Nice find. They are pretty fun cars. Great color too.

We've been very happy with our Mazda 3, though the advanced development of rust in all the door jambs at 80K miles has us thinking this will be the last (newer) Mazda we'll own.
Though I doubt you'll have that problem.



BTW- How do you find the backseat room compared to the 996?

Mine came from NE and was a 4 seasons car (hence the included snow tires), it has a little bit of surface rust on the underbody seams and inside the wheel wells. I'm going to hit it with some white POR15 and it should be fine. I'm a big fan of the new Mazdas, my in-laws have a 2005 Mazda3, a 2009 Mazda6, and a 2011 Mazda3. All are driven by teenage girls ignorant to all things mechanical, and all have been flawless cars.

There's no comparison of backseats, with my seat adjusted normally (I'm 6'1") you can seat an adult guy behind me and he can actually access the seats via the suicide doors. Similar situation in the 996 is a little kid only. Like I said, practicality is one of the things that really sold me. Since you brought up the 996 though, I'll also say that the RX8 is a much more nimble car. I can see it being a lot more fun in an autocross than the 996 just because it seems so happy to change direction. I still love the 996, it's just a different sort of fun.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

There's no comparison of backseats, with my seat adjusted normally (I'm 6'1") you can seat an adult guy behind me .

Wow, I had no idea. I had always assumed the back was just a +2 setup as in the 911s--great fro little kids and pets and nothing else.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nope, you can actually fit an adult back there.

[vash]

what the over/under (in months) until he sells?

..

nice car!!

[pavulon]

in at 4 months

[Brillo]

I'm going long term 7 months.

BTW congrats on the latest DD. I look forward as always, to your comments about the car.

[onewhippedpuppy]

7 months, we got a gambler here! I'm trending towards normal with my drivers, I think I've had the Land Rover a solid 7-8 months now. Of course, I'll be selling it soon.....

Initial RX8 impressions are all favorable. It's a very fun, nimble car that's also reasonably comfortable. The steering and shifter are superb, and it has really good sport seats. It's nicely styled and seems overall well made. The rotary is different but in a good way. I'm a big fan of smooth rev happy motors, this definitely fits the bill. While it doesn't have V8 low end torque it's not totally gutless either, and it revs quickly enough that it doesn't feel slow around town.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just a follow up after a month, I still really like the car. While there isn't an abundance of low-end torque the engine is so responsive and linear that it doesn't really matter, I don't find it to be lacking around town. Revving to 9k is addictive as well, and it is smoooooth. It's a very lightweight feeling (approx 3000 lb) and tossable car, it doesn't feel as large as it is and is very easy to rotate, I would describe the handling as balanced and playful. The shifter is fantastic, the best factory setup I've driven. I've hauled adults and kids in back without problems, it's proving to be very practical. The front seat, driving position, and relationship between controls is excellent as well. Good ride/handling balance, though the Konis make it a little on the brittle side on rough roads.

Overall I'm still damn happy with my purchase. Considering how cheap they are in the used market, I'm really surprised that they don't have more of a following. Except for so-so MPG it's a fantastic daily driver, and I struggle to think of anything else in this price range that delivers the same balance of fun and practical.

[juan ruiz]

With a few up grades we'll have you moving

Pica Rx 8 6.85@ 196Mph New Record - YouTube

[porsche4life]

Idk Matt, how can you have so much fun in a "chick car".

[vash]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Just a follow up after a month, I still really like the car. While there isn't an abundance of low-end torque the engine is so responsive and linear that it doesn't really matter, I don't find it to be lacking around town. Revving to 9k is addictive as well, and it is smoooooth. It's a very lightweight feeling (approx 3000 lb) and tossable car, it doesn't feel as large as it is and is very easy to rotate, I would describe the handling as balanced and playful. The shifter is fantastic, the best factory setup I've driven. I've hauled adults and kids in back without problems, it's proving to be very practical. The front seat, driving position, and relationship between controls is excellent as well. Good ride/handling balance, though the Konis make it a little on the brittle side on rough roads.

Overall I'm still damn happy with my purchase. Considering how cheap they are in the used market, I'm really surprised that they don't have more of a following. Except for so-so MPG it's a fantastic daily driver, and I struggle to think of anything else in this price range that delivers the same balance of fun and practical.

someone put me down for 11 months.

[JavaBrewer]

Bummed you sold the Discovery Matt. You had a nice one.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Brillo

I'm going long term 7 months.

BTW congrats on the latest DD. I look forward as always, to your comments about the car.

I think Ray is the big winner at 7 months.

So after purchasing the S8 a week ago, I put my RX8 up for sale today. Typically I'm ready to sell my cars after a little bit, I get the itch and start shopping. The RX8 was very different, this is the rare car that I really don't want to sell, and if it seated five I wouldn't. I tend to compare everything to Porsches, just because I've had so many and they're just so damn good. The RX8 is the closest I've come to a Porsche in another make, because it has the same attribute of just being "right" in every way. Excellent steering and brakes, fantastic and short factory shifter, rev happy and responsive rotary, well placed controls, great seats, fun and tail-happy handling but also a great ride, and PRACTICAL. I have carried four adult men in this car with reasonable comfort, you can't do that in any other coupe.

So long story short, I really enjoyed this car. They're a real steal in the used market, I think one of the best deals going. For anyone looking for a new daily driver I would highly recommend it. A few parting pictures......

[Brillo]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I think Ray is the big winner at 7 months.

So after purchasing the S8 a week ago, I put my RX8 up for sale today.

Now for the S8 thread

[aigel]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The RX8 is the closest I've come to a Porsche in another make, because it has the same attribute of just being "right" in every way.

Except that it looks hideous?

How much are you asking / what's KBB private party?

Too bad i missed you buying it, I would have loved to partake in the pool. Does the A8 thread have a pool going yet?

GL on the sale and thanks for sharing your car adventures.

G

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Brillo

Now for the S8 thread

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/713701-just-bought-new-car-its-your-fault.html

Originally Posted by aigel

Except that it looks hideous?

How much are you asking / what's KBB private party?

Too bad i missed you buying it, I would have loved to partake in the pool. Does the A8 thread have a pool going yet?

GL on the sale and thanks for sharing your car adventures.

G

Different strokes, I actually really like the RX8 bodystyle. The flared fenders also make it very easy to place, much like a 911.

I have it out there for $14,950 OBO, which is a bit over KBB. Book values are funny on these, I shopped for several months and never did find a nice one for at or under KBB pricing. As usual, take book prices with a grain of salt. I bought this car to drive, and paid to get exactly the car I wanted. Even at my asking price I'm losing money on it, but that's how it goes sometimes.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Anybody need a good daily driver? The wife wants it gone, she says we have too many cars. I tell her no such thing, but she's not buying it.

2005 Mazda RX8 - Only 26k, Immaculate, Xenons, Bluetooth

[BReif61]

Seven months... not too bad. Looks like Brillo nailed it.

edit: should have read more of thread. Carry on, nothing to see here...