mazda rx8 or honda civic si

[clutch-monkey]

yeah, pity they only made three SP's.
i guess it wasn't viable.
still, RX-8 engine into first gen RX-7

[f6fhellcat13]

I'd keep the Civic. Better practicality, reliability, mpg etc... and it ain't a bad car.
That and buying from friends could be risky business.

[Matra et Alpine]

if you were trading for a corvette or a 350z or something like that, id say go for it, but not for an rx-8, your not getting much more car.

The 'vet I can see the point, so much more torque.
BUt a 350Z ? You serious ? THe RX-8 is a way better driving cvar, performance in the real world ( ie A to B on ROADS ) and much MUCH more fun.

Warranty has been over-played. Tho' the US does have an issue with the way the engines cope with the crappy oil delaers seemed to be putting iin over there. Why does everyine think getting a $20 oil change in some lube store is "saving money" ??????

However, a swap of a 30k motor for a 65k motor will end in tears for sure.
EIther get moeny in the deal or better still, if you REALLY want to enjoy and RX-8 go look in the market and buy one second hand with lots less milage

[roosterjuicer]

im not a big 350 z fan i was just thinking of a RWD asian car that was comparable to the rx-8. but yeah, i think its probably the better car. more power, more torque, more potential. i assume more parts out for it. i think both are pretty ugly. i guess you could substitute s2000 in there instead.

haha i actually think rotaries are pretty sweet! but yes, the rx-8 is in dire need of a blower or a turbo...or another rotor! if it had more power id say rx-8 all the way.

[clutch-monkey]

^ agreed on the S2000, imo the 350Z is nowhere near as sporty (or pure? whatever) as the '8 or the s2k.

[roosterjuicer]

well it doesn't happen often but I'd say we are all in kind of agreement here ehh? ...awwwkkwwaarrrddd

[Matra et Alpine]

rooster, you don't get the point
The RX-8 has plenty of power.
Trust me .. and trust the embarrassed faces of "performance cars" on trackdays
It's well balanced and as long as it's driven properly -- ie keep the beep going then it's faster than cars with lots more power. Handling makes a difference. Lightweight and very low down mass of the engine is a big plus -- like the Scooby boxer

Mate sent me pic of what has been described as the ultimate Mk2 competiion Escort.
THey fitted a NO rotary. THe point the owner made was that the power was comparable to the BDA, but the engien was lighter and the weight WAY lower making the complete package "better"

"More power" should belong to an RX-7 replacement IMHO
Too much compromise to up the handling when the power grew making extra seats and doors a pointless and ultimately weight-consuming negative.

[roosterjuicer]

guess what matra....i agree with you there too.

ive never once denied that the rx-8 is the better track car than a civic or a 350z, and i think among most average drivers, probably a vette too.

however, this thread never really talked about him using it as a track car. i have been operating under the assumption that it would just be used as a normal car. which means that most of the time, in america at least, your not pushing the car's handing much. but when having a friendly street light to street light competition or hauling balls up an interstate on ramp, the rx-8 needs more power when compared to its competition.

and trust me...and trust the sad faces of rx-8 owners on drag strip days, the rx-8 is low on power.


ps...this really shows the big differences between America and europe. automatically, i am thinking accelleration when comparing cars. and automatically you are thinking handling and overall balance. i dont think either of us is wrong or right, its definitely interesting to me though.

[cmcpokey]

i really want to agree with you peter, but i just cant. i know we have had this discussion before. i was really keen on getting an rx-8. it would have gone very nicely with my RX-7 and CX-7. the only problem with it was i drove other cars. the 8 would have been a great upgrade to the mini, a bit more power, the shift to rwd, and the back doors.

but i drove the g35, and it was faster in real world speeds, had torque, the interior was vastly more spacious, nicer, better build quality, and the back seats were truly more livable (my wife did the test drives in the back seat since that was a valid concern for me). the balance of the g is similar to the rx, but it is definitely heavier, and that is noticeable. but it is so far down on power that it just felt sluggish, even on full song. in addition it was plagued by the one problem i have found in every mazda i have driven with the exception of our CX, the transmission was crap. but rx-8s i have driven had the worst gear change, and i found myself routinely missing gears. the g has a great gear box, my only fault with it is 1st is geared too low, so you cant get a real smooth start with it. i often start from a signal light in 2nd.

[orshow]

Sell the Civic, buy your friends' RX-8, use the leftover cash for maintenance/running costs

Makes sense..

[digitalcraft]

RX-8 is one of my favorite modern cars and I'd still probably keep the civic just because of the situation.

Now, I might sell the civic and pick up an RX-8 elsewhere....


Actually honestly I'm scared of buying a used sporty car because they're often used for what they're intended for.

[wwgkd]

Really what I wanted was an S2000 with an updated engine, versus an RX-8 or a Z (although the 370 is growing on me a little.) But I guess that's not going to happen. I think I'm over my disapointment with the 350Z enough that the 370 isn't bad, but I do like the RX-8. They just need another rotor.

[clutch-monkey]

you can buy 4 rotors from a new zealand workshop i believe, don't know if i'd reccomend it for an RX-8 though

[wwgkd]

you can buy 4 rotors from a new zealand workshop i believe, don't know if i'd reccomend it for an RX-8 though

Anyone ever done a rotary muscle car? I'm thinking 8 rotor madness could be cool.

[clutch-monkey]

i think someone here or elsewhere had a pic of a 47L rotary engine
i know one of those 4 rotors i mentioned wound up in a e46 3 series...
edit: i did have a pic of a rotary engine that was unusual (and apparently unworkable), possibly because it had larger number of rotors than usual, will have to dig it up. iirc it looked kinda long