Mazdaspeed 6 VS RX-8

[TXspeed6]

Ok so here's my situation...
My lease is ending and the buyout is $17,500. I don't have too much for another down payment to keep the payment low like I would like. I like Mazda, so i was looking to buy a used RX-8 (2004-2005) for about $1500 cheaper than the Mazdaspeed 6.

I know that the forum I am posting on may be a little bias, but what do you guys think? Should I save the money and buy the used RX-8 ( this is the manual GT w/ the Renesis engine ) or keep the Mazdaspeed 6 (few mods)

Thanks for any input.

 

[GSXkiller]

One way to help your choice is....do you like having the back seat? The RX8 you are not going to have any room for some one in the back. Both are great cars, but IMO the RX8 is more sporty.

 

[CnoTataymo]

Yeah, it's really up to you in what you want out of the car.

 

[jgrangers4]

I used to lease a RX8 6-Speed when it first came out. It was a fun car to drive in open road and turns. Always loved to bring it to redline and it was eye candy to other people b/c people thought it was a super car cause no one knew what it was when it first came out(Now they are all over the place). The car sucked with gas mileage(alot of city driving, about 9-11 mpg) and i didnt like driving it in traffic. Also my 3rd and 5th gear loved to grind.

Overall The mazdaspeed 6 is better for everyday driving, has a sleeper look and is quicker than the rx8.

Rx8 has alot of aftermarket support like turbo kits if you want more power(Greddy, Mazsport, PTP etc....) The Rx8 has small interior space and for cargo. If i had a second car, i would of kept the Rx8 as a weekend car, turbocharge it and get the Autoexe front bumper.

If you do get the RX8, check the Vin and get all TSB done. Especially get the Vacuum test done.

 

[ugadogs_11]

I just wish I waited longer to go to the family sedan look, I wish I would have got the sportier car. I love the R3 version, the seats are rediculous.

 

[OJ Bartley]

Depends what you're looking for really... since you're in Texas, you won't have a lot of need for the AWD probably, which was one of the biggest selling features of the car for me, because I wanted a car that would kick ass in snow (see avatar).

If the RX had better fuel economy I'd probably lean towards it for the sportiness, but like mentioned above you won't have a lot of room. I just got back from Christmas at my GF's parents place, and we fit a LOT of gifts and stuff in the car, plus 3 people. No way we could have done in in an RX-8. If you drive around anyone bigger than a 12-year old regularly, or move a lot of stuff, that would make the decision for you right there.

See how either car fits into your lifestyle, and the choice should be easier to make. For the record I LOVE my Speed6, from daily driving to track days, hauling gear, or just hauling arse.

 

[MATT DAMOND]

The back seats in the RX8 aren't "that bad." I'm 6'1" and I can fit in the back of my buddy's RX8 fairly well. If you look hard enough, you can find a damn good used RX8 for alot less than $16,000. The day after I bought my speed6, I found an 05 RX8 with 44k miles, on craigslist for under $9k. I went to look at it, with a friend, who probably now will buy it, and it felt brand new. If you're interested in an Rx8, go test drive one, and see how you like it.

 

[Killer]

dont do it.

 

[Mistersix]

the cars great lookin but the low torque output and bad gas mileage would turn me away. keep the speed 6.

 

[06turbospeed]

keep the 6 its more for ur buck and turbo has so much more potensial to go fast !! i dont think i could go back to a NA car lol !

 

[GoFast]

keep the 6. i have driven both on a track and i am far more impressed with the 6 over the rx-8. its handles better, it doesnt make you ask yourself "when is the power going to kick on" and its much more comfortable. in the 8 i could barely fit in there with a helmet on and i am only 5'10. hell by the mx-5 over the 8 now thats a fun little car!

 

[GoFast]

oh yeah i should also add that the 6 wont have a light blinking at you after 5 laps because there is no more oil

 

[TXspeed6]

Thank you all very much for your input. I think the 6 is going to be the winner, but we will see what Mazda says here in a few days. I would also like to add this...The mazdaspeed6 forum is much better than the Rx-8's forum.

 

[kendon]

Overall The mazdaspeed 6 is better for everyday driving, has a sleeper look and is quicker than the rx8.

OH YES!

 

[Mistersix]

hell by the mx-5 over the 8 now thats a fun little car!

oh yeah i gots me one of dem(rockon)

 

[nolig2278]

i am 5 ft 6 and fit just fine in the back of the rx8 and i am pretty sure taller can fit

 

[amp]

keep the 6. i have driven both on a track and i am far more impressed with the 6 over the rx-8. its handles better..

vote for the speed6 as well but im gonna have to disagree with the handling better comment...
hands down the 8 will outhandle the speed6 stock for stock.. ive autocrossed both

 

[GoFast]

vote for the speed6 as well but im gonna have to disagree with the handling better comment...
hands down the 8 will outhandle the speed6 stock for stock.. ive autocrossed both

really?? hmm. maybe it was just me, but i could not keep the back end under control with the rx-8 at all. it was just ridiculously overly sensitive for my taste

 

[speed6r]

Keep her!!

The speed6 is all-wheel drive!
Last i checked the RX-8 was rear wheel drive. also the Rx-8 has a rotary Motor so going forward your gonna end up shelling out more $$$$ to have it serviced. You see Rx-8's everywhere you dont see too many Speed6's. Speed6's are sleepers! and I'm willing to bet that stock for stock the 6 will come out on top. maybe you should consider a speed3. Just my humble opinion

(gun)

 

[/RX-8Chick]

I have an RX-8 that I picked up in April as a summer/fun car and less than 2 weeks ago I picked up a MS6. Yes, the MS6 is faster with no mods. Yes, the RX-8 handles oodles better on curvy roads than the MS6. Yes, the RX-8 has little room and crappy gas mileage (best I've gotten is 20 mpg). Also, I have had people in the back of the 8 with no problems in terms of fitting. I wouldn't suggest a 5 hour trip but tooling around town, it works fine. And the suicide doors work to your advantage. To be fair with mpg, my first fill up in the MS6 I got 19.9 mpg... You can mod the heck out of an RX-8 easily, which I've dabbled in. I can't seem to find as much info, support, or options for the MS6 and it's actually kind of frustrating. With any forum, you have to weed through a bunch of crap but you're going to find that here and at the RX-8 forum. Another comment about the RX-8 is that they extended the warranty on the engine core. I guess I'm not doing much good telling you to get one over the other because obviously I didn't make that decision. I have to say that the RX-8 is still my first love. It is an amazing car which I'm sure some others will agree with but you really need to get what's best for you.

That's my 2 cents.. hope it helps.