RX-8 vs S2000

[osnap]

So by the end of next year I want to be in a new car. New as in 01+, and lets say under 75k mi, tops. I'm looking to spend up to $15k, and I want something moderately quick - NOT fast, but enough to make me grin. A sports car, if you will. The obvious contenders are the S2000, the RX-8, and the 350Z. I know the 350Z is the most powerful of them all, but I just see way too many of them and they're just not my personal preference, so it comes down to the Honda and the Mazda.

I've always been a Honda guy and my plan was always to get an AP1 (~$15k for a clean example with relatively low mileage), but I recently started looking into similar options and the RX-8 really started to catch my eye. They both have around 240HP and 9,000RPM redlines. They're both good looking cars.

The RX-8s happen to run a lot cheaper (Autotrader has a 1-owner 04 model with 70k mi for $11.5k!). They also have a back seat which is nice. Also you RARELY see them modified and done right, at least compared to S2ks which are becoming a dime a dozen. The Mazdaspeed kit (pictured below) is BEAUTIFUL. The car is a more comfortable daily than the S2k, so I've read. The cons mostly focus on the Renesis engine simply because the notorious rotary reliability makes me a bit skeptical. Also I hate the stock front bumper lol.

The S2000 I think is overall the winner in the looks category, though not by a drastic margin. The fact that it goes topless is a big plus for me, as I love my del Sol. Mods are more accessible and easier to come by, and I'm much more familiar with Honda and the F20 motor than I am with Mazda and the 13B. The cons are the steeper price, the growing abundance of the modified S2ks on the road, and I guess the lack of a back seat, though thats not a huge deal for me.

All in all, what would you guys choose and why? Motortrend picked the 8 over the Z and the S. I think I need to just go out and drive both, but in the meantime I'm looking for some input.

Everyone's seen clean S2ks, but here are some pics of RX-8s done right, with the MS kit The last one is my favorite... add some wheels and call it a day.

[OneSlow5pt0]

Id vote RX-8,love how they look,they have back seats,handle great...as u said everyone is gretting S2ks.......only thing the s2k gets betetr gas milage

[osnap]

the gas mileage is kinda a non-issue cause honestly they both suck lol.

RX-8 is 16/22
S2k is 17/23

as far as handling is concerned, they both handle beautifully and they both have 50:50 weight distribution.

One thing that might be a factor is for some reason I think the RX-8 would be cheaper to insure... not sure about that though.

[OneSlow5pt0]

the gas mileage is kinda a non-issue cause honestly they both suck lol.

RX-8 is 16/22
S2k is 17/23

as far as handling is concerned, they both handle beautifully and they both have 50:50 weight distribution.

One thing that might be a factor is for some reason I think the RX-8 would be cheaper to insure... not sure about that though.

damn,didnt know s2k was that bad,i know id deff get a MR-S or Miata over it for roadster now

but if ur looking at RX-8s,make sure u get the 6speed,it makes 237hp compared to the 185hp 5speed..........ive had a RX-7,and when taken care of the engine is so fun to drive.........and i dont like hondas really at all,so im pretty biased

[osnap]

yeah i know you're biased haha... and yeah 6-speed all the way, I'd never consider anything else.

[osnap]

and to choose a non-MS miata or a mr-s over an s2000 is just... silly, imo. haha.

[DrAE86Toreno]

lol dude i was researching all night! hahahaha those MS kits look sick tho!

[OneSlow5pt0]

and to choose a non-MS miata or a mr-s over an s2000 is just... silly, imo. haha.

u still have lots fun with good MPG,lol.............u looking at MSs?

o,and as for RX-8s newer the better,like 05............and i would think it would be cheaper since its a sedan and the s2000 is a sports car

but u already know all the answers ur gonna get in this thread right

[scabtastic]

MAZDA FO LYFE!

[osnap]

u still have lots fun with good MPG,lol.............u looking at MSs?

Nah, too slow and not aggressive enough for my taste. I already have a 2 seater roadster with only 20 fewer horses haha. If I get a roadster I'm getting an S2000, no question.

[Random Hero]

Chris

This is kind of tough and I'll tell you why.

If you get that RX-8, a part of you is always going to want that S2000. So, from experience, I'm saying you get the S2000 and get it out of your system. If you find out later down the road that the S isn't as fullfilling as you had imagined, then sell for an RX-8.

Trust me, I've sold so many Supras in the past that I just kept coming back and coming back...I could ditch one for a new IS-F right now but know I would never be 100% satisfied unless I had it parked next to the Supra in the garage.

So, I'm a fan of the S2000 (I'd never own one b/c like any other Honda, they're played out), but it sounds like you love that car so you should go ahead and pull the trigger.

That's my from experience.

Good luck.

[DrAE86Toreno]

i think ryan secretly wants an rx-8 and he doesnt want you to get it cuz he wants to be the only one.. thats my 1 cent from assuming...

[matthewAPM]

get the RX8. more room, its not a honda, and it shoots huge flames with no cats

[DrAE86Toreno]

it reli shoots huge flames? def gna get it now

get the RX8. more room, its not a honda, and it shoots huge flames with no cats

[joseph dale]

rx8..is sexier.... and has the best transmission ever made!

[osnap]

Ryan you may very well be right. I've been in love with S2000s for YEARS, and I think I've just been looking at them for so damn long that I'm almost getting tired of them and I've never even driven one. But that would probably change if I owned one, I might fall in love with them all over again. BUT I think I really need to drive them both, cause seriously the RX-8 is growing on me very quickly.

rx8..is sexier.... and has the best transmission ever made!

you're REALLY drinking Mazda's Kool-Aid, aren't ya? lol

[joseph dale]

Ryan you may very well be right. I've been in love with S2000s for YEARS, and I think I've just been looking at them for so damn long that I'm almost getting tired of them and I've never even driven one. But that would probably change if I owned one, I might fall in love with them all over again. BUT I think I really need to drive them both, cause seriously the RX-8 is growing on me very quickly.you're REALLY drinking Mazda's Kool-Aid, aren't ya? lol

its the truth the tranny is silky silky smooth....

[DrAE86Toreno]

dammit i cant rep you lol..

[alpine_aw11]

If it were me, I'd definitely go rx-8. My uncle has had an 06 since it was brand new, has no problems and absolutely loves it. By some miracle he let me drive it, and I fuggin' LOVED it. I know I'm going to get one with an MS kit somewhere down the road. He's also had no issues with it mechanically. I think the whole anti-rotor debates come from people who don't maintain them correctly, as that's what most rotary owners claim. Just go drive both and see what you like, you may pick the S, you may pick the 8. Just need to get some seat time in both.

[eYezs1ck]

chris,

s2000
rx-8

[Deke]

I'd go with an rx8 for all of the reasons you listed. And I would also imagine that insurance would be cheaper due to the extra semi-doors and seats.

They're both great cars, but you don't come by nicely done 8s nearly as often as s2000s.

[osnap]

...all the girls are sayin s2k! lol

[DecoyOctopus]

actually the automatic makes 185 the manual makes 237 i dont think there was a 5speed rx 8 i think they all 6 speed

damn,didnt know s2k was that bad,i know id deff get a MR-S or Miata over it for roadster now

but if ur looking at RX-8s,make sure u get the 6speed,it makes 237hp compared to the 185hp 5speed..........ive had a RX-7,and when taken care of the engine is so fun to drive.........and i dont like hondas really at all,so im pretty biased

[welery]

google RX8 and oil comsumption

[DrAE86Toreno]

lol oh noez! gota go with what the girls say! lol

[DecoyOctopus]

i love mazdas ive driven a rx8 and ive driven a s2k the s2k is a sick ass, fun ass, fly ass, fast ass car man and then the convertible factor is such a plus, gauranteed to get you laid. rx8 is a great car too but there are more drawbacks when it comes to the engine

[gtikid]

Being a new S owner myself I say go with the S man. This thing is soooooooooo much damn fun to drive! I'll admit, before I got the car, I was like man i'd never put that top down....now you never see me with the top up! Lol

Of course, my opinion is super bias, and i've never ever been inside an RX-8. Take'em both out for a spin before you make a decision of one over the other. Yes there are a lot of S2K's on the road, but I put money on it that there's only a handful that are done correctly around here

[87 Turbo II]

The rotary engine doesn't have reliability issues, it has dumbass owner issues. Pretty much ,if someone buys a brand new Rx-8 and has no idea how to maintain a rotary, they'll blow it at 120K and wonder WTF happened. If they keep adding oil as it's burned, and redline the engine every-now-and then to clear out carbon buildup, then they'll see the 200K mile marker just fine. Seriously, if that's the ONLY thing keeping you skeptical, forget about it and buy the 8.

[osnap]

actually the automatic makes 185 the manual makes 237 i dont think there was a 5speed rx 8 i think they all 6 speed

exactly, i just didnt feel like arguing semantics with him. you're right though.

Being a new S owner myself I say go with the S man. This thing is soooooooooo much damn fun to drive! I'll admit, before I got the car, I was like man i'd never put that top down....now you never see me with the top up! Lol

you sunnuvabitch! whens my test drive? lol... and what happened to the hatch?

lol oh noez! gota go with what the girls say! lol

lol dude im totally serious though, and the phrase "if you go topless, i will too" was used.

[osnap]

some s2k pron to balance the thread out... including a bunch of grand prix whites cause thats what im leaning towards






Jay!

[gtikid]

you sunnuvabitch! whens my test drive? lol... and what happened to the hatch? lol dude im totally serious though, and the phrase "if you go topless, i will too" was used.

I sold the hatch Thursday night man I was sad to see her go...but then Friday came around and I got the S I definitely enjoy this car A LOT more

[pinoyboy]

I never thought about an RX-8, but it sounds like everything your looking for.
-lower price
-lower insurance
-more uncommon than S2000s and 350Zs

It also sounds like a better daily driver with more interior space. What people also forgot to mention is you can only fit one girl in an s2000, but you can fit three in the RX-8

[gtikid]

I never thought about an RX-8, but it sounds like everything your looking for.
-lower price
-lower insurance
-more uncommon than S2000s and 350Zs

It also sounds like a better daily driver with more interior space. What people also forgot to mention is you can only fit one girl in an s2000, but you can fit three in the RX-8

Quality over quantity

[blackshine007]

I like both cars and have driven both. I've driven an '02 and revving to 9k in an piston engine is great. Top down hearing that exhaust note out the back is second rate to being in a formula ford cart. the steering wheel is perfect, and it doesn't make you feel like you're boxed in like how the 350Z roadster makes you feel. It's definately the only other Honda I'd consider buying with my own cash. The other is the NSX.

I would probably go with the RX8 on the simple fact that you don't have to worry about the top getting damaged by your ex, and even though I wouldn't wanna put anyone back there, if I decided to go on a road trip with my lady, I could keep a cooler and a small bag on the back seat and worry about keeping the real bag in the trunk. You can't do that in the S, and on top of that, you can get more women inside the 8. The S is just p---y magnet for 1 chick. The 8 means the hot chick plus her friends

[Maniacc]

I didn't read the thread just the thread title so don't bash me if what I say has been repeated - Look wise they're both pretty good looking cars. I personally like the Rx-8 better than the s2000. But power and potential wise the s2k has it beat. Back in '05 I was debating between the two and was really leaning more towards the Mazda just because you don't see that many modified around Atlanta.

[matthewAPM]

some s2k pron to balance the thread out... including a bunch of grand prix whites cause thats what im leaning towards

now post that many nice looking RX8's... GET SOMETHING DIFFERENT


BTW, HOLY #@*^

[Elbow]

RX-8...too many S2K's they are boring

[Maniacc]

some s2k pron to balance the thread out... including a bunch of grand prix whites cause thats what im leaning towards

After seeing these two pictures, my opinion about the RX-whatever looking better has changed.

[redrumracer]

rx8 all the way man

[Z33_kid]

get the s2k it will be alot more fun
the rx8 ur gonna have problems with that engine and gas