Need A Car For A Beginning Enthusiast

[avp1]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

^^^
Got it, that makes sense. Just a FYI, the weight distribution number I used was as tested by C/D:

http://media.caranddriver.com/files/...test-sheet.pdf

Also better power-weight ratio on paper, but Mazda may have inflated its numbers. The dynos seem to read low for the RX-8 and they were about as fast as the Twins in the 1/4, if not slower in some cases:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

RX8 had the same torque numbers as FRS/BRZ, but you could rev it higher to 9200 rpm. So more power available. I actually liked steering feel better in Mazda. They can be found really cheap (for 3-4 y.o. car). So a good value if you want real sport car, but do jot have much money spend upfront.

[Vracer111]

I'm going to say either a used miata or maybe a new Mazda 3 if $17-18k isn't too much...



Second choice between a Civic or Corolla....

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by avp1

RX8 had the same torque numbers as FRS/BRZ, but you could rev it higher to 9200 rpm. So more power available. I actually liked steering feel better in Mazda. They can be found really cheap (for 3-4 y.o. car). So a good value if you want real sport car, but do jot have much money spend upfront.

Cheap up front, yes, but not necessarily cheap to own or maintain.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

"Enthusiast" means different things to different people.

OEM replacement is $4,700 after doing a bit of research, rebuilt engines can be obtained from reliable sources for < $3,000 and installation labor is about 8 hours ringing up to $1,000 give or take. This does not account for DIY which is certainly possible with an engine that weighs less than some dogs. Feel free to go on a tirade I've heard a million times about how it's unreliable trash that engines get replaced with less than 100,000 miles on them (rotaries are certainly capable of the same longevity of piston engines with proper care and a bit of luck), poor gas mileage, poor torque and whatever else have you.

The RX-8 weighs the same as an 86, has 40 more peak hp, a 50/50 weight distribution, and back seats that are usable for people, all for less than a new Toyobaru.

I'm not saying it's a bad car. I would have been the proud owner of a barely used R3 about six months ago, but the Recaros were a bit tight in the thighs and made my legs start falling asleep. Loved the car otherwise. But I don't think that a budding enthusiast, especially one who seems to want this to be more looks good than goes fast, is going to want to be dumping that kind of money into a car they just bought, or pulling and replacing engines. If she wants to, more power to her. Learn the ways of the rotary, go forth, prosper, all that jazz. Personally I'd look for one already blown and drop in an LS, and it'd be pretty damn close to a perfect car. But LS swaps are still rare in the 8, so I'll wait until they're more common and maybe revisit that another day.

Originally Posted by avp1

You forgot that - warranty.

Mazda will replace engine if it is less than 5 y.o. and 80000 miles. You can always ask for engine check before cutoff date - it will only set you back less than $200 if they find that everything is still good.

That's fine, but I'm also going on assumption that this is an only car since she "doesn't drive" right now and she'll probably want reliable transportation to get her back and forth while she's playing. I didn't forget the warranty. I don't care if it has a warranty or not, if it's sitting in the shop it's not on the road being reliable. Nothing against the car, as I said above I really love the R3 minus the seats.

Just as an aside, I thought they extended that to 8 years/100k miles?

Originally Posted by Marchy

I heard one for the first time a couple weeks ago. HOW DOES IT MAKE THAT NOISE STOCK.

No muffler.

[strat61caster]

Agreed that there are better options for a budding enthusiast that will be more fun and practical with less hassle.
Edit: More in line with the post you were referring to, I don't think the engine issues in the RX8 is as big a deal as most make it out to be and the pros of the car are numerous.

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

No muffler.

Not sure if you're joking or not, Abarth is the sexiest four cylinder I've ever heard built in the last 20 years and it makes one hell of a noise stock (I haven't heard one with aftermarket exhaust).

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shVaAJuXcxw"]Fiat 500 Abarth Stock Exhaust Sound - YouTube[/ame]


Top Gear review on it is pretty good, valid since they're talking about what is essentially the version we get here today:

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/take-abarth

[lbejosano]

If Miatas are out of the question, a similar car I can think of is the 3rd gen MR2 Spyder. 94-01 Integra GSRs are also a good choice if she needs a bit more room but just about as much fun factor.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[Wolfking]

I've never driven an S13, but my '98 S14 was my intro to the tuning world. It was lowered 2.5 inches and on 225/45/R17's...with good rubber. This combo along with a front STB, made the car very predictable and "not" spin happy! perhaps an S13 would behave the same with similar tuning!

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

I'm going to say either a used miata or maybe a new Mazda 3 if $17-18k isn't too much...

I came back in here to post this. The new Mazda3, in that gorgeous red, a bit lower with some nice discrete wheels would be super duper.

Well, when they starting selling a manual transmission that is.

Edit: It looks like you can order the 6 spd manny. oh yeah baby!

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Not sure if you're joking or not, Abarth is the sexiest four cylinder I've ever heard built in the last 20 years and it makes one hell of a noise stock (I haven't heard one with aftermarket exhaust).

Nope, not joking. There's no muffler box and it's a straight pipe. That's how they get that sound. After the R3 broke my heart I actually went and test drove one right before giving the FRS a second drive. What a great little car! And yes, there's nothing else that sounds like it with a four cylinder coming from the factory. The ownership of the Fiat dealership here actually owns one himself - bought one of the first that came in. He and I were discussing the car, went over every little detail he could think of, and then he got started talking about the aftermarket and all. Note that above I said after giving the FRS a second drive.. I actually liked it so much that I questioned if I'd like it more than the FRS, so I tested one again the next day. Well, the short answer to that is no, it's not really comparable. The FRS has the feeling of a real sports car, whereas the Abarth is sporty and raw and loud, but FF and the driving position take away from the experience. I really suggest anyone that has a chance to drive one do so. It's a real shame that there are so many great inexpensive cars and I don't have the room or money to own one of each.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

Nope, not joking. There's no muffler box and it's a straight pipe.

http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/showt...ffler-quot-box



Looks like it came with a little 'muffler box' with minimal baffling for the early 2012 models and went pure straight pipe quickly in the production. No argument that even the baffle is minimal in it's amount of sound dampening.

Agreed it's a great little car, and I decided against it for the same reasons you did, I felt that the FWD layout would mean that I would become disinterested in the car several years down the road and return to the 86 or some other RWD car for more aggressive driving. I do think that for day to day driving on public roads the Abarth is much more fun than the 86, the Toyobaru feels like every other Toyota if you grandma it while the Abarth still manages to have some character when keeping things tame.

[cjsporl1996]

Get a muscle car just not a Ford.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by Marchy

I think i should go out and test drive an abarth sometime soon.

Yes you do. It's not the sportiest car, or the fastest car. But damn it has a mean little growl, and there aren't many other cars that give the same experience. I suppose the Mini Cooper is going to be the most similar, but truth be told I prefer the Abarth. I haven't driven a Fiesta ST yet either, but I've heard those are even better.. So looks like I'll have to put that on my schedule to do.