RX8 or 944 help!
Discussion
Hi guys I am wanting to get a new car for under £2500 and it has to be a sporty 2+2. The rear seats being just in case when I need to ferry extra people for a 10 min drive down the road.
I am torn between getting a classic: Porsche 944 Lux (Can't afford the S2's). Expensive when things go wrong.
or
A mazda RX8 231PS. Thirsty car oil and fuel-wise.
The reason for this is I cannot quite afford to buy a GT-86 yet which is the car I am aiming for so I need a quick fix for an F-R set-up (50-50 weight distribution). Any thoughts?
I am torn between getting a classic: Porsche 944 Lux (Can't afford the S2's). Expensive when things go wrong.
or
A mazda RX8 231PS. Thirsty car oil and fuel-wise.
The reason for this is I cannot quite afford to buy a GT-86 yet which is the car I am aiming for so I need a quick fix for an F-R set-up (50-50 weight distribution). Any thoughts?
I vote for the RX-8 but I'm bias!
See reader's car post for a genuine view on ownership:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
See reader's car post for a genuine view on ownership:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
The RX8 I am eyeing has just got the engine rebuilt so it should have compression up-to-spec. Not sure about the coilovers though will have to ask. But yes, a v8 conversion haha!
But yes, my friend has a 944 and i am quite surprised how reliable the car is as long as you maintain it well.
I'm planning to keep this new car for a year or two anyway. But if I do buy the 944 I will probably keep it as a weekend/classic.
But yes, my friend has a 944 and i am quite surprised how reliable the car is as long as you maintain it well.
I'm planning to keep this new car for a year or two anyway. But if I do buy the 944 I will probably keep it as a weekend/classic.
Ozzie Osmond said:
944 Lux will still have some value in 3 years time.
What do reckon the value of an old RX-8 ??
That is very true though. I'm pretty sure I can buy an RX-8 then for the same price or even cheaper. Maybe the values of 944's are gonna start going up as they are getting rarer. The RX-8 seems to need a lot of TLC with anyway. What do reckon the value of an old RX-8 ??
Leaning towards the 944 now.
Owned a lovely 06 RX8 PZ (Prodrive spec) for 18 months and never had a single issue with her. Great cars providing you keep on top of the oil and any necessary maintenance.
However - the Tax is a killer from 06+ I think? Mine was £475 for the year which is a nasty kick in the teeth, fuel economy is not ideal either but shouldn't put you off one.
However - the Tax is a killer from 06+ I think? Mine was £475 for the year which is a nasty kick in the teeth, fuel economy is not ideal either but shouldn't put you off one.
944's are generally very reliable- good strong engines that do 200k miles with ease. Lots of people have used them as daily drivers. With 150k on the clock, my Dad's S2 Cab drove fantastically for it's age.
Servicing isn't too much although you have to bear in mind it's a Porsche over 20 years old so some things MAY go wrong and can sometimes cost a bit to fix - that said Dad never really had a massive or surprising bill with his.
Also recently Porsche dealers have been trying to get older models back into the dealer network for servicing. As a result servicing costs have dropped - It was applicable to our 2001 986 S, perhaps it's the same for older front engined stuff?
Insurance isn't a big cost. My father paid circa £150 a year for a classic policy, 5000 miles a year, garaged.
When looking out for one have a really good look at sills. They do tend to rust - I can't say how much they are to fix/ replace, but im sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon
Hope this helps
Servicing isn't too much although you have to bear in mind it's a Porsche over 20 years old so some things MAY go wrong and can sometimes cost a bit to fix - that said Dad never really had a massive or surprising bill with his.
Also recently Porsche dealers have been trying to get older models back into the dealer network for servicing. As a result servicing costs have dropped - It was applicable to our 2001 986 S, perhaps it's the same for older front engined stuff?
Insurance isn't a big cost. My father paid circa £150 a year for a classic policy, 5000 miles a year, garaged.
When looking out for one have a really good look at sills. They do tend to rust - I can't say how much they are to fix/ replace, but im sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along soon
Hope this helps
V8RX7 said:
Arguably less fun than the RX8 but at this budget I'd be looking for an E36 328 Sport - certainly if you intend to cover many miles
Or a 330 if you prefer comfort at the expense of feedback.
However of the 2 - I'd go for the RX8 - as long as you buy carefully and can justify 20mpg
Sorry not a BMW fan at all. Or a 330 if you prefer comfort at the expense of feedback.
However of the 2 - I'd go for the RX8 - as long as you buy carefully and can justify 20mpg
It's the 20mpg and the pecularities of a rotary engine is basically the only two things that's stopping me. And my short commute (5 miles) will probably end up killing the cats quickly (or maybe not)
I bought my old 944 at around the same time my Dad bought his RX8. I think it 
on his chips a little, as naturally, we swopped for a bit, and he really enjoyed the 944. That was a 250 Turbo, mind you, so maybe the Lux would be closer.
My boring sensible head says that a purchase budget of £2.5k isn't enough to get a decent 944, unless you have a huge slush fund (to cover either car going expensively wrong). In which case, up the purchase price and get a decent S2.
Is it urgent that you change, or can you suffer a little longer?
on his chips a little, as naturally, we swopped for a bit, and he really enjoyed the 944. That was a 250 Turbo, mind you, so maybe the Lux would be closer.My boring sensible head says that a purchase budget of £2.5k isn't enough to get a decent 944, unless you have a huge slush fund (to cover either car going expensively wrong). In which case, up the purchase price and get a decent S2.
Is it urgent that you change, or can you suffer a little longer?
randlemarcus said:
I bought my old 944 at around the same time my Dad bought his RX8. I think it on his chips a little, as naturally, we swopped for a bit, and he really enjoyed the 944. That was a 250 Turbo, mind you, so maybe the Lux would be closer.
My boring sensible head says that a purchase budget of £2.5k isn't enough to get a decent 944, unless you have a huge slush fund (to cover either car going expensively wrong). In which case, up the purchase price and get a decent S2.
Is it urgent that you change, or can you suffer a little longer?
I don't have a car at the moment. But I am tempted to wait a little longer to find a turbo but they are all so damn expensive. LUX it is for me, I've heard great reviews about the fun these cars are capable of. on his chips a little, as naturally, we swopped for a bit, and he really enjoyed the 944. That was a 250 Turbo, mind you, so maybe the Lux would be closer.My boring sensible head says that a purchase budget of £2.5k isn't enough to get a decent 944, unless you have a huge slush fund (to cover either car going expensively wrong). In which case, up the purchase price and get a decent S2.
Is it urgent that you change, or can you suffer a little longer?
Guess from a person who's had experience from both an RX8 and a 944 I can say you are a big fan of the 944?
I've had a couple of 944 turbos and while I did like them, they can be pricey if they go wrong - probably slightly less of a worry with a lux. But they are now pretty old and they do rust (sills from the inside out).
I test drove an RX8 when they first came out and as much as I wanted to like it I didn't. Sounds like a washing machine on a spin cycle and is gutless. They are very cheap secondhand now though, but can have engine trouble.
Of the two, if that's really what you've narrowed it down to, I think I would go RX8.
I test drove an RX8 when they first came out and as much as I wanted to like it I didn't. Sounds like a washing machine on a spin cycle and is gutless. They are very cheap secondhand now though, but can have engine trouble.
Of the two, if that's really what you've narrowed it down to, I think I would go RX8.
leepox said:
V8RX7 said:
Arguably less fun than the RX8 but at this budget I'd be looking for an E36 328 Sport - certainly if you intend to cover many miles
Or a 330 if you prefer comfort at the expense of feedback.
However of the 2 - I'd go for the RX8 - as long as you buy carefully and can justify 20mpg
Sorry not a BMW fan at all. Or a 330 if you prefer comfort at the expense of feedback.
However of the 2 - I'd go for the RX8 - as long as you buy carefully and can justify 20mpg
It's the 20mpg and the pecularities of a rotary engine is basically the only two things that's stopping me. And my short commute (5 miles) will probably end up killing the cats quickly (or maybe not)
The problem is that if you want 2+2 and RWD there really aren't many options other than BMW.
The old 944s are a bit rubbish - S2 is ok and Turbo is good - you won't get adults in the back either if you are a reasonable size.
EDIT - Just thought - have you considered an NA Mk4 Supra - not a great car (I currently have one) but might be ideal for you manuals from £2k if you look hard.
Edited by V8RX7 on Friday 3rd January 17:10
leepox said:
It's the 20mpg and the pecularities of a rotary engine is basically the only two things that's stopping me. And my short commute (5 miles) will probably end up killing the cats quickly (or maybe not)
20mpg?, from what I hear you'll be lucky.I know someone who has had one for 7 years and his running costs seem on a par with a Maserati 4200/Gransport, except his tyres are cheaper. If you count his eye-watering depreciation (not such and issue at your purchase price) then probably higher.
I was going to suggest a Ford capri, but they're over budget (in fact a 1977 2.0S is more then the £7k I think my dad paid for a new one!).
If you don't really need the rear seats and want RWD, then MX5, MR2 if you have no possessions, Ford Probe as long as you debadge it, and there's probably 3 unmodified Nissan 200s left inthe country.
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