Which to Buy?

[Eddie Wetzel]

An 04 Mazdaspeed RX8 or a Mazdaspeed 3 ?

I know I know, the mazdaspeed rx8 never really existed. Well this one does, I drove it, it's at the corner on the lot at the dealership. SOmeone probably dropped TONS of money and wrenchtime into it to get it to be a MSRX8 replica. EVERYTHING is on it, and it hauls ass. I compared it to driving a 350Z after the drive, and low and behold Car and Driver did the same thing. They compared the MSRX8 to the 350Z R-Tune in Japan!!!! It was that nice to drive fellas.

It's loaded. Sunroof, power driver seat, Mazdaspeed EVERYTHING (sway bars, strut bars, rims, body kit, cai, exhaust), leather, 6 speed, and metallic blue with tint.

I am going to offer 15 if I decide I want it. They got it at auction and another mazda rep said 14-15 would be good pricing


So what should I do? Get it, or wait it out for an MS3 and hope to get one for around 15?

 

[Savate]

Having owned 3 RX-7s in the past I was looking forward to the RX-8. By the time I could afford it or nearly so, the MS3 came out and I drove it and that was it. SOLD! The power and handling was great for a fwd car, plus the practicallity of a hatchback. Maybe Im just older now but people always wanted to race my 7's at every light and that got old after a couple years. Just be honest with yourself about what you want from the car. I loved the high revs of the rotary but that eats gas. I loved the nimbleness of the 7 but no room for a nice TV in the back. you have mods to consider too, MAzdaspeed all the way with 8 sounds great, but how beat up is it?

 

[major error]

Depends on the warranty they offer for the 8. Personally I'd avoid a used, modified vehicle unless the dealer did the work....

It's your money after all, and you're the one that needs to be happy with the purchase in the long run.

 

[mckraut]

I vote MS3 just because it's more practical and I would assume your insurance would be lower.

 

[Je5ter]

The RX-8 sounds pretty nice, but I wouldn't buy a heavily modded car either.... Asking for problems..

 

[Powerslave]

ms3 blows away the rx8

 

[Eddie Wetzel]

the mods are ALL MAZDASPEED mods. and I'm willing to bet they are all from a dealer since they are ALL MAZDASPEED!

I 'am 28, getting married in June and planning on starting the family. We already have 2 cars and this would be my "weekend car" so to speak. Practicality would be nice, but when will an MS3 come along for this price..... I am stuck on this decision but I do appreciate your feedback guys!

 

[rc50cal]

You will probably have to wait another year or two to get a MS3 in decent shape for $15000. Buying the Speed would save you money in the long run though, as you wouldn't need a separate "weekend car" and daily driver. The same care works great for both. I always owned coupes before and now I can't see myself not having a hatch. Man I am getting old.

 

[Gasological]

Or, ya know, keep the money in your pocket. Six months expenses for those "oh sh*t my world is falling apart" times are good, especially if you've got a kid.

That said, I'd buy the Rx8.

 

[Falconx84]

I almost bought an rx8... only trouble I had with it was the size of the trunk. I loved the way it felt/handled, but the fact that I couldn't take it to get groceries or anything was a deal-killer. I have just one car, and I'm a single guy, but it will take 5 yrs for me to pay it off and I don't plan on being single for 5 years. Shoot, by that time I could have a wife and kid. I started to imagine how much fun it would(n't) be to put a car seat in the back of the 8 and then try to fit even a weeks worth of groceries and whatnot in it. And it pretty much limits the kind of trips you can take in it.

enter ms3....

 

[PaulVincent]

Offer 'em $14,000.

 

[Eddie Wetzel]

rc50cal. I commute about 70 miles per day. Whatever car I have as my second car WILL NOT get a lot of miles, but at the same time, on nice days I can drive it whenever I want. My beater/commuter has about 120K on it, and it's a pontiac grand prix. Oh, and it will be paid off in the next 3 months, so having a second car will not "cost" me much.

Either car will not get a lot of miles. And we have a Kia Sorento also (which totally kicks ass). It's like a small SUV jobby that is very nice for us and that will be the main kid-mobile, grocery getter in the near future!

This is seriously going to be the definition of a "second car".

Oh, and I do like the idea of "saving that money for the OH SH*T" moments in life, but I am already saving up.

 

[Eddie Wetzel]

Offer 'em $14,000.

I think I like that one the best! haha

 

[LazerBlueP5]

Eddie, sounds like you have your mind made up already and just want reassurance from the group.

 

[Eddie Wetzel]

well. I want a car, but ... i am seriously listening to what guys have to say. on the way home i made up my mind to NOT buy it. bascially because of the advice i got from here and the 2gstratus forum.....

I am just searching for more advice that's all.

 

[1QWIK7]

I wouldnt get an 04 8, get an 05+ if you can.

Im in the same dilemma as you anyhow. But my choices are the 8, MS3 and the GTO. Yeah wide range of cars for a daily driver but i like soo many cars, its hard to choose. Im surprised i even narrowed it down to those 3. lol