What car should I get?

[Flibster]

Get a test drive in the RX8.
You must hear the beep!

Things may want to know.

The stereo is pretty damn good.
There is an *unofficial* option to add a aux connector to the stereo unit so mp3 players can be plugged in - these are around £50 iirc
You will need to use all the RPM to get it moving quickly.
It will not feel that quick as the engine revs so effortlessly, but the handling is where it rules.
It's most efficient between 3000-5000 rpm.
The rear suicide doors work well.
The rear seats do fit me in comfortably - there is only 2 though as the driveshaft passes between them.
Fuel economy is due to the ****el. Superb engine, but not that efficient. Better than past efforts though.
Do not get one with a sunroof - it removes a couple of inches of headroom.
The standly supplied tyres *Bridgestone Re040's* are terrible in the wet - the 050's are much better
The Evolve version has a revolting interior. :sick:
The PZ Prodrive version is not worth the extra cash.
The Satnav isn't worth it - get a tomtom unit instead
The Leather interior is worth it.
The interior feels good - everything is in the right place.
Motorway cruising is very quiet.
The alloy trim *strakes, emblem, wheels, kick plates* have a habit of corroding. They get replaced without quibble.

Colours to take a look at - the red looks superb in sunlight, especially with the red/black 2 tone interior.
Black looks great but wil NEVER be clean.
The Silver/grey are disapointingly dull
The paler of the 2 blues is the most popular
The darker blue is very dull
The yellow is mad and rare and I love it.

190/231 differences
231 has more power, slightly less torque, xenons and headlight washers, 6 speed box, metal pedals and most importantly 1500 more rpm's to play with.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Letchworth dealer *my local one - maybe a little far for you though* but get a good long test drive in one - see if you can take it down roads that you know well as it's a superb handling car.

I first drove one in march - since then it has been in pole position for my next car *as I'm still not allowed an Elise/Exige * It pissed all over the competition tbh which included much more powerfull cars *M3, Chipped Astra VXR etc..*

Daz - the RX8 is a reasonably cheap car to maintain in comparison to what it competes with.

12k service intervals and if you supply your own oil *rx8ownersclub members get a big discount on good oil* the services are under £100 generally.

The only other expense is the oil topups *once run in - 1l every 2000 miles* and the fuel.

Simon/~Flibster

[Matblack]

Originally Posted by Flibster

The only other expense is the oil topups *once run in - 1l every 2000 miles* and the fuel.

Simon/~Flibster

You forgot that the fuel consumption is absolutely attrocious

MB

[Flibster]

Originally Posted by Matblack

You forgot that the fuel consumption is absolutely attrocious

MB

Hence it's under expences.

When you compare it to the other cars its designed to compete with it's not too bad really. It's roughly the same as running a Nissan 350z *which has an engine 2.5x the size. *

Still a fabulous car though.

Simon/~Flibster

[Matblack]

Originally Posted by Flibster

Still a fabulous car though.

Simon/~Flibster

Yes and a very interesting drive. I just bunked off work half an hour early and test drive one, the power delivery is certainly interesting, almost completely linear and you just don't know when its reached its redline until, beep beep

Falls into the right price range too, my only concern would be not being able to get to Wales on a full tank, I suppose I would get used to it though, 1/3rd more expensive to fill up and less miles on a tank It will need some consideration and a second test and to get past the wife

MB

[Dr. Z]

Rilot had one and wrote a review when he got shut of his after about a year.

He didnt have that much to say that was good about it IIRC...

[Flibster]

Was it a 231 or a 190 you drove?

They can do 300 miles on a tank...somehow... Not that I'd ever manage it - the beep is too addictive.

As I only do around 7000 miles a year the fuel consumption isn't that much of an issue for me.

Also - take a look at some insurance quotes as well. Some something thats a quick as it is the insurance is stupidly reasonable.

For me - age 28, 4 years NCB, not the best area, on street parking, no points - £470

Thats only £30 more than my Megane Coupe 2.0 16V IDE Monaco

As my drive to work is mainly backroads it's the handling over power that matters for me.

Simon/~Flibster

[Flibster]

Originally Posted by DRZ

Rilot had one and wrote a review when he got shut of his after about a year.

He didnt have that much to say that was good about it IIRC...

Look what he bought to replace it though.

A bigger better sports car?

No.

An Audi A8...

He does many motorway miles and the RX8 isn't the most suitible car for that to be honest.

Simon/~Flibster

[Matblack]

Originally Posted by Flibster

Was it a 231 or a 190 you drove?

It was a 231

Very snug inside and would be a squeeze behind me for a passenger due to leg room but feels great, raised a big smile, its not that much faster than the 172 but it feels much smoother and would be more fun around corners (if thats possible) and in the motorway (which is definately possible), I'm in the same boat as you my mileage is minimal but the trips to Wales would cost me a packet.

I can't search to find Rilot's review, for some reason I seem to have been banned from OcUK

MB

[Daz]

http://forums.over{ARF}clockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17536051

[Flibster]

Try using...

http://anonym.to/?http://forums.over...php?t=17536051

Should hide the origin nicely.

Simon/~Flibster