Looking to get an RX8 or a GT86
Discussion
Hey guys, I used to have a 2005 6 port RX8 that I bought with low compression (didnt know much about rotaries at that point) and long story short the engine failed a couple months ago. Now the RX8 has always been my dream car, I loved it since first seeing it on NFS Carbon. I loved the sound, the handling and the great acceleration (sure it wasnt a supercar but it was pretty quick)
Now my only complaint was the gas mileage, gas here is VERY expensive and my 8 used to drink up about 30€ of fuel a day. That kinda killed the fun so I was wondering if I should get a GT86 or another RX8 again. I dont like the 86 nearly as much but if its similar enough at least I'll be able to drive it more often than the 8. Has anyone got any experience with the 86 compared to the RX8? Mileage, handling, power? Or should I get a dead 8, rebuild and streetport the engine and generally go nuts on performance and reliability mods? Is the mileage a LOT better on the 86?
Now my only complaint was the gas mileage, gas here is VERY expensive and my 8 used to drink up about 30€ of fuel a day. That kinda killed the fun so I was wondering if I should get a GT86 or another RX8 again. I dont like the 86 nearly as much but if its similar enough at least I'll be able to drive it more often than the 8. Has anyone got any experience with the 86 compared to the RX8? Mileage, handling, power? Or should I get a dead 8, rebuild and streetport the engine and generally go nuts on performance and reliability mods? Is the mileage a LOT better on the 86?
I had an RX-8 for 3 years, and have driven a GT86.
The GT86 has a similar feel to it - low CoG, engine mounted low and far back. I really liked it. The performance is broadly similar, though I much prefer the sound, smoothness and linearity of the RX-8 engine. I believe that the GT86's mid range torque dip can be improved to some extent with a remap. The Toyota should be much more economical and the engine should be relatively bulletproof. The RX-8's back seats are properly usable, the GT86's are pretty tight.
The GT86 has a similar feel to it - low CoG, engine mounted low and far back. I really liked it. The performance is broadly similar, though I much prefer the sound, smoothness and linearity of the RX-8 engine. I believe that the GT86's mid range torque dip can be improved to some extent with a remap. The Toyota should be much more economical and the engine should be relatively bulletproof. The RX-8's back seats are properly usable, the GT86's are pretty tight.
I had an RX8 for 5 years and test drove a GT 86 when first introduced as a potential replacement.
FWIW my view of the GT 86 in comparison was:
Less practical (obviously)
Less well built (in spite of comparing new GT86 with 7 year old RX8)
Less grip/easier to slide about (too easy?)
Slower when both really thrashed
Would make a better town car than the RX8 due to more torque low down - but you wouldn't buy either if that was what you wanted a car for.
Overall- GT 86 felt ordinary by comparison.
And finally- a new GT 86, in spite of not being as good, would have cost me 10X value of my RX8.
So I kept the RX8 for a while longer, considered a Cayman, and bought a Mustang which does not invite comparison with the RX8. Happy days!
Edit to Add: Now, I suspect you could buy an RX8 every year for the depreciation cost of a GT86? So even if they blew up after a year...(And that won't necessarily happen anyway)
FWIW my view of the GT 86 in comparison was:
Less practical (obviously)
Less well built (in spite of comparing new GT86 with 7 year old RX8)
Less grip/easier to slide about (too easy?)
Slower when both really thrashed
Would make a better town car than the RX8 due to more torque low down - but you wouldn't buy either if that was what you wanted a car for.
Overall- GT 86 felt ordinary by comparison.
And finally- a new GT 86, in spite of not being as good, would have cost me 10X value of my RX8.
So I kept the RX8 for a while longer, considered a Cayman, and bought a Mustang which does not invite comparison with the RX8. Happy days!
Edit to Add: Now, I suspect you could buy an RX8 every year for the depreciation cost of a GT86? So even if they blew up after a year...(And that won't necessarily happen anyway)
Edited by mac96 on Friday 1st March 13:24
Haltamer said:
If the RX8 is still your dream car, "one life, live it" - Get one. I'd have thought that prices would allow you to squeeze in an RX8 + A cheap banger for runabout use at the same price as a Gt86, whilst nullifying the fuel price concerns.
This. If your budget will allow, get a nice R3 and an economical runaround. Edit - you already have the BMW so just need the R3 now
Edited by Nickp82 on Friday 1st March 14:20
otolith said:
Kurochan said:
Can the 86 engine get any meaningful gains from bolt on mods (no forced induction) to get to RX8/S2000 levels at least?
Don't know - but it's already 100bhp/l, so maybe not much headroom.Suspension wise: https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/track-tests/20...
Never even been in an RX8 let alone driven one, but had a GT86 for over four years.
The handling is very good from the factory and easily improved further with after market goodies. Remap will give modest improvement but not sure I'd bother if I were to get another. They're not fast on the straights but quick enough in the bends.
Mid-low thirties mpg (uk).
Click.
The handling is very good from the factory and easily improved further with after market goodies. Remap will give modest improvement but not sure I'd bother if I were to get another. They're not fast on the straights but quick enough in the bends.
Mid-low thirties mpg (uk).
Click.
Had an RX8 for a few years, great car, great (with caveats) engine.
GT86 is the nearest to it in my opinion with a less hand grenade engine (again, thats actually a matter of opinion and mine was actually fine, but did suffer poor starting due to coil packs)
Problem is, the second hand values of 86's are high and make a value comparison to a Rex virtually impossible, but on a car by car basis ?, I like the RX in everything apart from MPG and engine worry.
Sold mine in the end as I could not justify a gallon of petrol for work every day (I only live 7 miles away !) and final nail was over £500 for road tax.
GT86 is the nearest to it in my opinion with a less hand grenade engine (again, thats actually a matter of opinion and mine was actually fine, but did suffer poor starting due to coil packs)
Problem is, the second hand values of 86's are high and make a value comparison to a Rex virtually impossible, but on a car by car basis ?, I like the RX in everything apart from MPG and engine worry.
Sold mine in the end as I could not justify a gallon of petrol for work every day (I only live 7 miles away !) and final nail was over £500 for road tax.
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