Hey,

My daily driver is a honda Pilot, which is bringing me down with bordom.

So I am looking for a reliable daily driver that is fun.

The two I was looking at are the Rx.8 and the Mazdaspeed 6.

The RX.8 is a fun car, but has that high RPM hp and low torque which is great to stretch legs, but i do a lot of stop light to stop light driving.

The dealer has 06 mazdaspeed 6's for dirt. $21,900 for a car that list at 28,555. The MS6 has a gop of torque compared to rX 8 and handles well (at least seemed to on the test drive).

The RX-8 looks like a sports car (which i like), little light on torque (which i don't like), eats gas (which i'm used to but don't like), and is probably less reliable than the sedan.

The sedan moves well, but it's.........a sedan and 500 lbs heavier than rx8. (and a great deal)

Does anyone have an RX-8 or MS6? What do you think?

I really like the RX-8 looks and handling, but the MS6 suits my driving better and is a better deal. So if any actual owners have some input that might help.

thanks.

 

Buy RX8
Remove Silly Rotary
Insert LS1

 

Isn't the new MS3 quicker than the MS6?

 

MS3, probably is quicker, but i'm not a big fan of FWD. The MS6 has AWD that can be directed 100% front or back and in any combination that the computer decides is best.

Unfortunately the 3 at this time is FWD only.

The 2.3 liter turbo in the 6 is a great little engine. high hp, high torque, coming on without lag. telescoping wheel which makes great driving position, good brakes, though the ABS seemed to come on fast.......i only breaked hard once as a test.

I only test drove once but felt like the power comes on quick and strong, but feels maxed at 5500, making you want to shift at that point instead of gunning to redline. The rx-8 is dying to go to redline.

 

Speed 3 is pretty bad ***.

 

I wouldn't overlook the MS3. It is very capable and Mazda has done a good job controlling torque steer. Plus they should hold their value pretty well since they will be kind of exclusive since Mazda isnt making very many.

 

boo hiss

 

Double boo, double hiss....

 

I really like the Rx.8 and could put a blower on it to get a little more ump....but that's not what i want. i want fun car, out of the box.

Looking at mazda because of price and availability. $22k for a new mazda speed 6 would get you not much anywhere else. Dealer said sign and drive lease, 24 month is $330/ mo which is so tempting.

A used BMW certified would be great, but the used car inventory is pretty low around here since 200,000 cars were flooded with Katrina so for the last year when people buy new they have no trade in.

 

triple boo, triple hiss....

the rotary engine is an amazing engineering feat.

 

That it keeps running, or that it actually makes the power output that it's claimed at (oh wait, it didnt). The old NA 13b's are awesome engine's though.

The MS3 is a complete pile of junk, interior feels like crap, FWD, cant mod it due to the fuel delivery, oh yeah and top mount intercooler with no duct or scoop. Yeah, Mazda almost got it right

 

How bout a Jetta GLI? IMO they are alot more fun to drive then the MZ6. But will also drive better then the RX8 and have more room. Plus a chip and intake does alot for those motors

 

I would wait till you drive the MS3 and MS6. A guy on Automotiveforums drove the MS6 before he bought his RX-8 and he said the MS6 has a weird turbo cut off thing at higher RPMs.

 

Make sure the gearing is short enough to accomondate the high revs on the RX8.
Then get the RX8 all the way, if it's a Mazda that you want. I wouldn't even be thinking about the other models.

 

yup.

Have several friends that run this setup it works well. Rick's car makes 500 on pump gas and his 7 weighs 2600lbs. That aint bad