Ok, first of all , I am still not over losing my MINI!

All I will say about the incident (due to embarrasment etc) is that it took place off public highways in the confinds of a legal driving event, and insurance is covering it. I made no mistake whatsoever, it was just a feak accident. Anyways now, I must move on...

I have a few cars that I am considering. An R50/R53 is among them. I am sticking with something less pricy than my MINI due to graduating college soon and having loans to pay etc...

I will spare you the list of cars I am looking at just to ask about one. I have wanted an RX-8 since they were introduced. They are gorgous and I LOVE the way they drive.

Has anyone here owned one or known someone who has? I specifically want to know about fuel economy, because I have read it is not that great...

Thanks guys!

 

Depends on what you compare it to. Basically identical to a 2010 Chevy Tahoe. EPA 16/22.

 

I heard recently that Mazda may re-introduce the RX-7. You can search for that information but it may just be talk. Also, I love the looks of the RX-8 but I'm still not on board with a rotary engine.

 

I sold my '03 JCW to a guy who had just gotten rid of his RX8 due to the cost of repairs on it, draw you own conclusions.......

Buy another MINI.

 

I met a guy who traded his RX8 for a Mustang GT because the mileage wass killing him. You'd be going from one of the thriftiest sports cars in the world to one of the thirstiest. That said, I'd still love to have one.

 

My buddy has a 2008 and likes it a lot aside from the MPGs. I personally did not enjoy driving it. Not a huge fan of the rotary engine. No TQ!! Although I loved driving a new twin turbo rx7 back in 93.

What is the price range you are looking for?


J

 

Putting on my flame suit.

Ok, here it goes.

This may not be an option, but I don't know what you're considering cheap. Personally, I really like the idea of the new Mustang V6 with the Track-Pack. You get a 310hp V6, I believe they come with a 6speed. And you can get the Track-Pack, which I think has stiffer roll-bars, maybe different springs, etc.

Still, to me, that has the makings of a great little AutoX car. 310hp, RWD and reasonably priced, compared to what you'd be paying if you got a GT. I'm having a hard time finding it on the Ford website though when you try to "Build your own".

 

My buddy in Hawaii had an Rx-8 and if I am not mistaken it was an '04. The interior is georgeous and very comfortable. The engine sounds great and it has great performance. Thats where it stops for me, the exterior is a not very sporty, and the next part is why I will never own one and maybe never a rotary engine (even though the are better then piston). My buddy and I got back from a deployement and went to pull the cars out of storage. My Nissan at the time started right up and ran like a champ. His Rx-8 on the other had did not. Acctually it would start sputter and then die. With out constant giving it gas it would just stall. Well he was not to comfortable driving it to where he could get it fixed, so I drove it. What a pain in the rear end driving a manual and have to feather the gas and stopping it. Well when we got into the shop they looked at and said that the spark plugs, plug wires, and battery need to be replaced, a total cost of about $400 dollars to fix it. The sad thing was my buddy was like no way I will fix it. He got the part numbers went out and tried ordering them and the price came out to about $3 difference and that $3 was the more expensive fixing it himself. That right there made swear them off that I would not own one for how expensive the parts are. Mazda is the only one that makes these motors and no very many people make replacement parts because it is such a small market. If you go Mazda get an RX-7 casue they look way better. Also the handling is def different then the MINI in a good and bad way. But if that is what you want go for it.

 

hmmm

Interesting responses. I LOVE the looks of the RX-8, and that SOUND!! I haven't driven one enough to feel the handling but Ive heard its amazing!

A new car is waaay outta the price range. A used Mustang GT is on my list but insurance and a solid rear axle are keeping me from it. lol

Ok, so how about the new (06+) Civic Si?? 197 Hp, and almost the fuel economy of an R53...

 

Friend of mine had two. A silver 2004 and Red 2005 or 6. Loved the half 3rd door to access the rear seats. Interior fit and finish was excellent. He had no mehanical issues/problems.

Gas mileage was never an issue....it's a sports car. And, bang for the buck out of the box race ready car meant to be driven......

 

I have a friend that has one and we swapped cars for a week.

Positives:
-Looks very nice on the outside, great design, sporty design.
-Interior is nicely designed.
-Fits like a glove when you sit inside of it.
-Short shifter is very clicky and easy to shift.
-Good enough power for passing in every gear and every RPM.
-Engine revs forever.
-Handling is very nice as a 50-50
-Rear wheel drive is awesome.

Negatives
-Interior sucks for a big/tall guy - knee will hit the steering wheel when braking, and virtually no room in the back for passenger (same as a MINI)
-A bit claustrophobic
-Exhaust is very quiet for a sports car
-Gas mileage SUCKS big time and I mean BIG time.
-Rear wheel drive makes it very easy to kick the rear around in a corner
-Very small market for upgrades.
-Builds up carbon easily
-Expensive to maintenance in terms of tires and etc.
-Clutch is a bit soft for me
-No torque

 

don't forget to carry some motor oil.... Like the Boxer your supposed to check the level at every gas fill up

 

Every gas fill up? That's great news! It used to be every stop light.

 

it's called progress but the fuel mileage and oil consumption is the reason i've never had much interest in either one

 

Why don't you just buy a used Mini?

 

 

dude, i have BOTH an R53 and an RX-8, and i LOVE both. i'm qualified to answer this question!

what kind of driver are you? in terms of handling and driving dynamics, the RX-8 is one of THE best out there. for the money (especially if you buy used), there's perhaps nothing with as good a chassis and suspension, for leisure driving or autocross. it's very very easy to drive, quite neutral, very sharp and rewarding, yet still quite easy to live with every day. the engine, you love it or hate it. i'm a big rotary engine nut, so i love it. it's very high strung and what you hear about torque and power is true; it has very little torque and power is modest by today's standards. the modest power i actually like, 'cuz that just makes driving it hard that much easier and fun (i used to have a 3rd gen RX-7, and you have to constantly watch yourself when pushing it). redlining it is fun, and it's very smooth. you won't win any drag races, and it's not a *numbers on paper* car. but if you do any autoX or track days, this car will amaze you. the downsides to the RX-8 is the fuel economy as you know. if you drive it with a lead foot all the time (tempting and easy to do), expect as low as 13mpg, but drive like a gentle commuter, you can coax 24mpg out of it; reality (or average) is somewhere in between. mpg also improves with age/mileage for rotary engines. and by modern standards, it's pretty high maintenance. it consumes oil (designed that way) so you need to mindful of checking (they say every other gas stop). if not fully warmed-up when shutting off, it tends to flood and foul the plugs (replace). the back seats are perfectly useable; it's not a 2+2 but a genuine 4-seater, but a claustrophobic one. upside of this is you can claim it as a 4-door for insurance, i'm serious. used prices are very good, terrific value. and they all have 8yr/100,000mile engine warranty from mazda. you do have to careful about picking the right car; the right car is one that's had all the engine flashes, proper maintained, properly driven (hard), and reasonably priced. there're lots of other quirks and pointers that i can tell you if you want

so there. i LOVE my RX-8; it's a brilliantly-engineered sports car and i'll never get rid of it if i can help it. i'll also concede that it's a pretty weird car in some ways and definitely not for everyone. i can't really compare it to my R53 'cuz it doesn't get more apples-to-oranges, but i love 'em both. lemme know if you have any other or more specific questions

 

oh and sorry about your totaled mini

 

I'll chime in since I had an '05 RX-8 Shinka and currently have an '09 JCW. I think the biggest difference is that the RX-8 always felt composed, while the JCW always feels a bit nervous on less than perfect roads due to torque/bump steer issues. I love the raw character of the JCW, but the RX-8 was a bit better at excelling at both relaxed everyday driving as well an enthusiastic blast.

In terms of straight line acceleration, they're probably pretty close overall numbers, but very different in how they get their. The JCW has no traction out of the hole and, while the RX-8 has no guts out of the hole unless you abuse the clutch with a high RPM drop. The rotary does lack torque, but it's power delivery is so smooth and linear you won't really miss it, and being in the right gear is rewarded with excellent acceleration right up to the fuel cut off @9500, while being a gear too high can require some waiting until the revs come up. The JCW is much more forgiving with excellent mid-range torque but does leave a bit to be desired at the top end.

Handling wise, I'd put the advantage with the RX-8 keeping in mind my JCW has the standard suspension (necessary with all the potholes and horrible roads here). The RX-8 simply has perhaps the best balance of anything close to its price range (or probably even double the price). Being rwd with even weight distribution and minimal mass ahead of the front axle, the front tires provide exquisite precision and feedback. The JCW has high limits but they are reduced significantly if the road is less than perfect. I always knew exactly where the RX-8 was going and exactly what effect throttle and steering input would have. With the JCW it is much more sensitive to the road, with bumps, pavement texture and surface differences causing it to grip like nobody's business sometimes and be darting all over the place others.

Braking with both is superb. The JCW probably has slightly better ultimate stopping power, but the RX-8 was more quicker to bite and more linear in response. Also the JCW occasionally wants to pull one way or the other in a hard stop (I've checked tire pressures to see if there was an imbalance but that's not it).

Appearance wise, each has it's own unique character. I like them both about the same although they are quite different.

Interior goes to the RX-8 hands down. Seats were much more supportive and comfortable, and had better adjustability and the gauges were much better. I find the tach in the JCW hard to see, perhaps because I'm somewhat tall at 6'2" but the steering wheel obscures it even at the highest adjustment. I'm not a fan of the orange on white, the RX-8 with the white and red on black with blue LED highlight at night was awesome. Options wise MINI does offer a bit more, but nothing earth shattering. The rear seats in the MINI are useless while the RX-8 was quite usable and the 3rd door made entry exit much easier. RX-8 cargo capacity sucked, simple as that, trunk was small and has small opening. MINI makes good use of the hatchback design for decent cargo carrying.

Overall, I'd say the RX-8 is the better driving car, and probably a little nicer inside, but I average about 14 MPG, while in the JCW I'm over 31. On the highway I can get well over 500 miles on a tank vs. maybe 320. Both really are great cars, and I have been happy with both.

Also, on the RX-8, just don't start it up and shut it off without letting it warm up (moving in the driveway or something). That's the only time it has startup issues. Or just rev it up a bit to like 4500, and turn it off, that will get all the fuel out so it's not flooded when you go to start it. And it burns oil by design, so just add a little oil every few times you fill up, no big deal for an enthusiast.

 

how about an s2000? drive it back to back with the rx8 and make your decision.

 

Either get a new JCW or look for a GP. I think you are leaning towards getting another Mini or you would not be here asking. You know you love us Mini owners.
Ronnie

 

I'd take an S2000 over an RX8 anyday. No speed equipment for that darned RX8, not even a hot camshaft.

S2000 while a great car, IMHO would suck as a daily driver.

How about a nice low mileage GP?

 

S2k isn't too bad as a DD. My buddy had one and even when he put a stage 3 clutch in it it still drove great. They handle well and are quick but, like the rx8 the don't have a huge aftermarket backing. The s2k does have an aftermarket backing but its freaking expensive. You got to have some serious money.

 

I bought a 2009 RX-8 R3 last November. It's an awesome car and an excellent choice. Nevermind all the trash talk about the rotory. They have their issues but are easier to work on that a VW flat four. There's nothing like the sound and feel of winding out a 13b and the stock handling is as close to perfect as you can get. As for speed equipment I still have an Esmeril Turbo kit(400+ whp) for the RX-8 for sale I bought but never got the chance to install before my buddy totaled it. Also have a 13brew and 20b if your interested in a motor swap.

 

u know u wan a MINI.. anythign esle does not matter