RX-8 or Civic Type R
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Am in the process of changing cars and due to, unforeseen circumstances, I now need to get a car with a little more practicality. Not masses but enough to allow for the possibility of taking 2 people with me at times (and perhaps folding down the back seats and put my bike in the back!) Looking 2nd hand/nearly new probably, around £17,000.
I like the look of the RX-8 but haven’t tested one yet. I have been looking at the ads and the PZ edition looks pretty mean but, other than the spoiler and the fact that it looks slightly lower, is there a massive difference between that and a standard car?
Also thinking about the new civic type r, been driving one recently and it seems a very good car well put together and practical enough but also sporty enough to put a smile on my face.
So any advice guys? Which one is best really?
Am in the process of changing cars and due to, unforeseen circumstances, I now need to get a car with a little more practicality. Not masses but enough to allow for the possibility of taking 2 people with me at times (and perhaps folding down the back seats and put my bike in the back!) Looking 2nd hand/nearly new probably, around £17,000.
I like the look of the RX-8 but haven’t tested one yet. I have been looking at the ads and the PZ edition looks pretty mean but, other than the spoiler and the fact that it looks slightly lower, is there a massive difference between that and a standard car?
Also thinking about the new civic type r, been driving one recently and it seems a very good car well put together and practical enough but also sporty enough to put a smile on my face.
So any advice guys? Which one is best really?
RX8 rear seats don't fold. Owners club members get a discount on Fuchs semi-synth oil that makes it cheap enough, IMHO, not to worry about. Just a bit of a faff, but everyone should be checking their oil weekly anyway, shouldn't they? 
The PZ is a touch stiffer as well - I've not driven one myself, but it is supposed to handle better on track.
The PZ is a touch stiffer as well - I've not driven one myself, but it is supposed to handle better on track.I went on a Mazda day at Prodrive & drove the PZ around the track there.It was excellent, one of the best handling cars I have ever driven.
A week later I took one for a test drive from the dealers & it was so hard on the suspension I thought they had left the delivery chocks in the suspension!
I just couldnt live with it day to day on our crap roads.
A week later I took one for a test drive from the dealers & it was so hard on the suspension I thought they had left the delivery chocks in the suspension!
I just couldnt live with it day to day on our crap roads.
I was getting 14mpg on the road and 8mpg on the track.Hmm… didn’t realise the MPG could be quite that bad!!!
Reason for question is that I was (was being the operative word here!) getting an S2000 but I took one out on my own and managed to spin it. It was wet but I was not driving like a maniac, however, too much right foot going round a corner and the back end flipped out, thought I had caught it but overcorrected and then chaos. Fortunately no one was hurt by the whole thing and I was just shaken up a little. However, it has made me think that I am maybe not 100% ready for a car without Traction Control quite yet and that I should spend some time in the next year or two doing some trackdays, skid pan that type of thing until I can be reasonably confident in my ability. That way, hopefully, I won’t hurt anyone or myself. A salutary lesson for me anyway.
So now I don’t know what to get. My mum has a Civic Type R and I like it a lot, quick and quite nice looking though I suppose some could say slightly “chav” looking. However, it is FWD. The RX8 looks great IMO and seems quick enough, RWD which is a plus but with Traction Control in case I get out of shape. I would look at the 231 version but I actually quite liked the lower, slightly more aggressive look of the PZ version hence my question relating to them.
Reason for question is that I was (was being the operative word here!) getting an S2000 but I took one out on my own and managed to spin it. It was wet but I was not driving like a maniac, however, too much right foot going round a corner and the back end flipped out, thought I had caught it but overcorrected and then chaos. Fortunately no one was hurt by the whole thing and I was just shaken up a little. However, it has made me think that I am maybe not 100% ready for a car without Traction Control quite yet and that I should spend some time in the next year or two doing some trackdays, skid pan that type of thing until I can be reasonably confident in my ability. That way, hopefully, I won’t hurt anyone or myself. A salutary lesson for me anyway.
So now I don’t know what to get. My mum has a Civic Type R and I like it a lot, quick and quite nice looking though I suppose some could say slightly “chav” looking. However, it is FWD. The RX8 looks great IMO and seems quick enough, RWD which is a plus but with Traction Control in case I get out of shape. I would look at the 231 version but I actually quite liked the lower, slightly more aggressive look of the PZ version hence my question relating to them.
Iceman82 said:
Hmm… didn’t realise the MPG could be quite that bad!!!
MPG is governed by the performance of the car and driving skills of the owner !!I owned a 231 RX8 for 2 years, prior to that an S2000. The RX8 has compatable performance and handling of the S2000 ....but with 2 more seats. The handling is truly excellent although I've never driven a PZ, which has harder and lower suspension, racy door mirrors and exhaust. The fuel consumption is not the best but better than 14mpg. I guess I averaged 20 -22 which dropped somewhat when hard driven but no worse than the S2000 at pace. The oil consumption is part of the design !, but no big deal, a top up every 2nd petrol fill up is the required interval.
The whole advantage of the RX8 is the 4 seats , and these are real seats not +2's. My son is 6' 2" and was quite happy in the back on longer journeys. The car was very comfortable and roomy for a " sports car " and the marmite design is unique, love it or hate it !.
At today,s prices there are a steal, £17K will practically get you a new car.
Edited by buckman63 on Monday 14th April 16:08
Iceman82 said:
Interesting, thanks for that Buckman!!
I did think about a 350Z but I am not sure about controlling that if I can't hold an s2K!!
I've owned both - the 350 will light up its tyres at much lower revs as expected, but then it has a pretty good traction control system for when its wet (as I found out again yesterday when I hit a puddle of diesel on a motorway sliproad).I did think about a 350Z but I am not sure about controlling that if I can't hold an s2K!!
Very different drive to the S2000. but just as entertaining.
Import RX8's are a different spec - 210 or 250 instead of 190 or 230. UK cars are "Sport" spec - bigger brakes and 18" wheels which not all imports are. Lots of insurance companies tend to load up the premium as "parts will cost more" even if the cars are identical (e.g. MX5 vs Eunos Roadster). I think the JDM 350Z has quite a different suspension setup.
Talk to the appropriate forums on the net about import specs for the cars is my suggestion.
From what I hear the 350Z imports can be a lower spec than the base UK spec. But that doesn't apply to all makes and models. So once you know if a car is a contender start looking for the differences.
From what I hear the 350Z imports can be a lower spec than the base UK spec. But that doesn't apply to all makes and models. So once you know if a car is a contender start looking for the differences.
I personaly wouldnt touch an imported RX8 , especialy when there quite a bargain used.
I never got on with a CTR, plasticky looking crap, FWD and nasty interior, also shreds tyres. I got average 20-22 mpg ou of my 8 but that was mostly city crawl which is its worst enviroment. Its actualy more ecconomic screwwed on fast A-B roads...
Loved my RX8 miss it still.
I never got on with a CTR, plasticky looking crap, FWD and nasty interior, also shreds tyres. I got average 20-22 mpg ou of my 8 but that was mostly city crawl which is its worst enviroment. Its actualy more ecconomic screwwed on fast A-B roads...
Loved my RX8 miss it still.
Ok, well I am leaning towards the 8. Off to look at a couple tonight around the £15k mark for an 05 plate with 11,000 on the clock. It's a 231, however, the dealer is also pointing me towards a special edition Kuros(sp?). I get the impression that the only difference is side skirts etc as I know they don't touch the engine on the special editions. However, it's slightly more but is in black rather than the standard 231 which is in red.
Iceman82 said:
Ok, well I am leaning towards the 8. Off to look at a couple tonight around the £15k mark for an 05 plate with 11,000 on the clock. It's a 231, however, the dealer is also pointing me towards a special edition Kuros(sp?). I get the impression that the only difference is side skirts etc as I know they don't touch the engine on the special editions. However, it's slightly more but is in black rather than the standard 231 which is in red.
Iceman, at current prices £15K for an 05 sounds a lot, you need some serious haggling if your interested. That's about the price for an O6 and with less miles. I sold my Sept 06 231 RX8 ( full leather & metallic paint ) with 6K on the clock in February for £14.5K..... and that was hard work. It's a buyer's market !!!!!! Good luck !
Edited by buckman63 on Tuesday 15th April 13:46
Ok the PZ has Eibach springs / Bilstein shocks with a 15mm drop, also has a nice set of OZ Racing alloys and different spoiler it comes in either Galaxy Grey (300) or Brilliant Black (500). This is my second RX8 and the difference in ride is not that noticeable between the standard and the PZ but does stop the car pitching as you turn in giving a flatter ride through corners, oil is not an issue you'll get to "know" when it needs checking about 1tl per 1000miles on mine. It's not the quickest car in a straight line my any means but for the money there's very little that will carry 4 adults come with leather, climate, a Bose 9 speaker 6cd changer and handle like an RX8. Even the service costs are very reasonable, 1st service £100ish with the big 36k/3yr service coming in at about £350.
It's not all good news though 20-24 to the gallon is the best you'll get, less in stop-go traffic but weirdly not so if you "push on" ...
If you test drive one try and get a long test and get it to "beep" ... you'll know what I mean when it happens
It's not all good news though 20-24 to the gallon is the best you'll get, less in stop-go traffic but weirdly not so if you "push on" ...
If you test drive one try and get a long test and get it to "beep" ... you'll know what I mean when it happens
Iceman82 said:
Hmm… didn’t realise the MPG could be quite that bad!!!
Reason for question is that I was (was being the operative word here!) getting an S2000 but I took one out on my own and managed to spin it. It was wet but I was not driving like a maniac, however, too much right foot going round a corner and the back end flipped out, thought I had caught it but overcorrected and then chaos. Fortunately no one was hurt by the whole thing and I was just shaken up a little. However, it has made me think that I am maybe not 100% ready for a car without Traction Control quite yet and that I should spend some time in the next year or two doing some trackdays, skid pan that type of thing until I can be reasonably confident in my ability. That way, hopefully, I won’t hurt anyone or myself. A salutary lesson for me anyway.
So now I don’t know what to get. My mum has a Civic Type R and I like it a lot, quick and quite nice looking though I suppose some could say slightly “chav” looking. However, it is FWD. The RX8 looks great IMO and seems quick enough, RWD which is a plus but with Traction Control in case I get out of shape. I would look at the 231 version but I actually quite liked the lower, slightly more aggressive look of the PZ version hence my question relating to them.
If you managed to spin an S on your first drive I would definitely get the Type-R, move to RWD when you have some more experience. Traction control is not a substitute for driving skill, nor will it save you from yourself in every situation.Reason for question is that I was (was being the operative word here!) getting an S2000 but I took one out on my own and managed to spin it. It was wet but I was not driving like a maniac, however, too much right foot going round a corner and the back end flipped out, thought I had caught it but overcorrected and then chaos. Fortunately no one was hurt by the whole thing and I was just shaken up a little. However, it has made me think that I am maybe not 100% ready for a car without Traction Control quite yet and that I should spend some time in the next year or two doing some trackdays, skid pan that type of thing until I can be reasonably confident in my ability. That way, hopefully, I won’t hurt anyone or myself. A salutary lesson for me anyway.
So now I don’t know what to get. My mum has a Civic Type R and I like it a lot, quick and quite nice looking though I suppose some could say slightly “chav” looking. However, it is FWD. The RX8 looks great IMO and seems quick enough, RWD which is a plus but with Traction Control in case I get out of shape. I would look at the 231 version but I actually quite liked the lower, slightly more aggressive look of the PZ version hence my question relating to them.
Hang on, this is PH, how come nobody's said "Get an MX5" yet?
I'd better fix that... The S2K is allegedly twitchy on the limit. I've not taken one that far to know personally. The RX8 is okay, understeers a lot, but as with all cars you can lose it. The MX5 is utterly benign and is a great way to learn RWD handling.
I'd better fix that... The S2K is allegedly twitchy on the limit. I've not taken one that far to know personally. The RX8 is okay, understeers a lot, but as with all cars you can lose it. The MX5 is utterly benign and is a great way to learn RWD handling.
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