I've posted before about the fact that I sold my Supra and am in the process of selling my Evo. I'll drive something less expensive for the next year and will hopefully be getting a GTR next year. I've been looking for a $10,000 fun daily driver to get me through til next Summer.
I've located a 2004 Mazda RX8 GT (loaded with everything except Nav) with 79,000 miles (quite a few). The pictures look great and it would be less than a four hour drive for me to see it. I've got them talked down to $10,500 because the clutch may be going. What do you guys think? I used to think that RX8s were pretty good cars, but the reliability for the 2004 model on Consumer Reports is not that great. It's a good looking car imo, and they handle well from what I remember. Any comments on this possible purchase? I don't think they have alot of power mods available, do they?

Thanks

 

Another car I've located is a 2005 Tiburon GT with 64,000 miles. It looks to be in great shape and can be had for $10,000. Any comments on the Tiburons?

 

dont buy the rx8. i bought a rx8 used with 50k miles. my car flooded, car clutch and flywheel changed right after i bought it, clutch bracket broke(previous owner's weight problem), alternator failed. I sold it when it hit 78k miles on it and got a 350z nismo. I think the rx8 spend more time at the shop than driving... and also dont buy the hyundai, i have no good reasons for not buying it but please dont do it. If you plan on getting a gtr soon, why not just get a daily driver and safe gas money. Buy a mini cooper type s and sell it after you plan to get the gtr. I hear mini cooper has the best resale value. Or you can just buy a honda accord, just not a sports car because it will depreciate so fast. Just my 2 cents.

 

btw, you should have kept your supra TT. that car will always be priceless.

 

The Supra was great, but it was nickel and diming me to death. It sounds like an RX8 would do the same. The Tiburon seems to be rated ok on reliability. I'm just not sure what I'm going to do. Still have the Evo, so I don't have to make a decision yet.

 

We have an RX8, it's a great car if you don't beat the **** out of it. Decent power, excellent interior, just a good daily driver.

To the other guy, wtf? Clutch and flywheel are wear items having to do with how much the previous owner failed at driving stick, as is the clutch fork. Alternator issues? Could possibly be from the fact that your car was filled with water? Maybe?

 

Reliability on rotaries are always on the shady side compared to pistons. Good luck on your decision.

 

Fixed.

Really, they're decent engines if you take care of them. You have to know how to take care of them though, most owners don't.

 

It all depends on your financial situation. Seeing how you had a supra and evo it seems like you're pretty finacially secure... And in the market for a GTR. If I'm off a bit and you're kind of scrounging for a GTR, I would save all the money I could over the next year. Buy something practical and cheap to hold you over for the next year. Just look at the big picture. If you have to drive a civic for a year to get a GTR it's definately worth it. If you can afford something better then it's all up to you. Either way, a tiburon or a RX8 coming from a supra and evo isn't going to satisfy you. So why waste the extra money for something like that? Just offering my opinion.

 

You're right. They won't satisfy me. But a decent handling car can still be fun even if it does not have the HP. The RX8 handles well even if it does not have the oomph I'm used to. Haven't driven the Tiburon yet, but will be driving one tonight.
You're also right that I am doing ok in finances. Not rich by any means, but my wife and I are both pharmacists. We are going to use the next year to pay down our house quite a bit. I won't have to scrounge to buy a GTR but it's not like I can walk up to the dealership and lay down the cash for one. We will save up a good sized down payment over the next year and finance the remainder. I figure if I spend around $10,000 on a used car, I can get a pretty reliable daily driver to get me through to next year. My Evo sold today, by the way. I'm carless until I decide what I'm going to do. Saving quite a bit on insurance at the moment though
Thanks

 

They drink a ton of oil according to the car magazines...

 

NO RX8!! I'm 5'10, and it's like sitting in a clown car. They're tiny. It had NO torque what so ever, not even comparing it to the evo, just in general. Really to me it's not a fun car at all. No torque, little power, decent turning etc. I say go with the mini s or something along those lines.. just my .2

 

You can probably get a decent WRX for the same price category as the tiburon or the RX-8. More power, handles better and its pretty reliable. My .02 cents.

 

Did you not adjust the seat?! I'm 6' 155 and I fit EASILY in the RX-8. No problems at all, it's great. The passenger side is a bit tighter though. The car has great torque, regardless of what the numbers say. It has good low-down grunt and power delivery thanks to the electronic throttle. Granted you have to flog it hard to get the power down but that's half the fun.

 

I had 04 rx8 and it was fun, but I was in the midst of the recall of the engine(04 specific) and I made a move to the evo. Gas mileage sucked, but beside the recall I was ok with it.