Faults:

CD skip on rough surface road.

Driver side mirror rattle.

General Comments:

First off I would like to say that I’m the second owner of this car. I think the previous owner was a female.

The car was keep to almost perfection when I got it. Just a few minor scratch and around 32k on the odometer.

My previous car is a 99gst eclipse. It’s turbo, 5 speed, fwd. Now the Rx8 with 1.3L Rotary, 6 speed, rwd.

So as you can see. This is just like a new ball game for me except the manual transmission, which turn out to be new also.

Looks:

I would say it’s one of those acquiring taste, love it or hate it style.

Me personally I love the look more and more everyday. It’s so unique. It come with almost a wide body that many people spent thousand of dollars for.

The Rx8 also come with clear tail light, LED rear turn signal, and two extra door that other wish they have on their sport coupe.

Inside it’s very smooth looking. Start from the dash I love how it just continue all the way down and back to the rear seat.

The shift knops is so low/short that it look like it’s not even there.

All the control panel have just enough light to make the cabin feel cozy and yet functional.

I was every surprise how comfortable the rear seat really is. With the middle conceal splitting the rear seat. I feel like I’m the secondary pilot on an airplane.

The rear seat even have a usable window that would open about an inch to let the air circulate. I can’t think of any other coupe that have that feature for the rear passenger.

Now. I know many people might say it’s way too small for a grown adult, but just keep in mine that you are looking at a sport car.

Power:

I will compare to what I know and that’s my 99 gst eclipse.

When it come to torque the Rx8 doesn’t even come close the my old eclipse. Because of that the eclipse feel much faster. I did say Feel. I never take my cars to the track so I don’t really know how fast they are. Don’t get me wrong the Rx8 still have the get up and go power when compare too many other coupe out there. Also because of this reason when It come to taking off from a dead stop. I have to give the Rx a little more gas than the GSt, and I shift the Rx at around 4-5K RPM vs. 3500 on the Gst.

Handling:

Hands down to the Rx8. My god this thing if so much fun to drive. It take corner like hot knife through butter. I’m not going to get into all the tech. part so I’m just going to tell you how I felt when I’m behind the wheel of the Rx.

At 50mph into a 90 degree right turn and the car feel like it just glide into place. I’m pretty sure the car slide a little, but the thing is I don’t feel like I’m fighting the car or the road.

The gears are just M-Azing. Click, click, click.

Now compare the 6 speed Rx8 to my 5 Speed with B&M short throw kit on my Eclipse and the Rx8 still come out as the winner by a very long shot.

The best part about the Rx8’s engine is of course the 9k red line. I’m going to look past that and tell you what I think is the best parts about this engine. It’s the way it sound when you’re step on it. As a turbo car owner, the way the rotor turn inside the Rx8 sound almost like a turbo spooling with out the stress.

The other night I started the car on a cold day. As a good owner, I let it warm-up. As I was sitting in the car and listen to the engine idle. It’s just like music to my ears.

All I have to say is this.

I pick the Rx8 over the S2000 because of Memphis weather. Unless I’m in one of the coast line state and sunshine is all I gets most of the time. a.k.a. San Diego, CA. I don’t think a convertible is good for me.

The other reason I pick the Rx8 are:

It’s a sport car with the future in mine, and I’m talking about kids. (no the back seat is not design for grown adult). Have you heard how many people have to sale there S2000, 350Z because they’re “having a family”?

It’s unique. The engine, the body, the extra door and the fact that it’s very undervalue when it’s use. That’s make it a great value for me as the second owner.

Did I mention I paid $17,000 for it.

Faults:

Please read this review before buying.

Since I've had my car, I had something puncture my A/C, which of course was not under warranty.

Then my air bag light came on, which they said was perfectly fine. It was just a pin that holds the air bag that was defective, and they had my car for a couple of days until the part came in, and then it took two times for them to correct the problem.

Now here's the best one: one morning I got up and went to start my car, and nothing happened. Everything else worked, but it wouldn't turn over, so I was stuck at home. I was late for work, and the vehicle was towed. Lucky because I was just under my warranty of 50k, or they wouldn't have towed it without a charge I'm sure!

Found out they had a massive recall on the starters, that I guess they forgot to mention to me. First they ordered the part for an automatic, but mine's a manual, and then kept my car for 4 days! Talk about unreliable! and no compassion whatsoever!

And the tires are soooo expensive - $850.00 for 4.

But don't get me wrong! I get tons of compliments, and I love the look of the car, and they are very quick and fun to drive, but not worth the trouble.