[fly2low]

First hand thoughts and comparison? Thanks.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

First hand thoughts and comparison? Thanks.

Hey there -- this is a car that I seriously considered. I'll watch this thread for comments, but ultimately, I decided against it for reasons of reliability, poor fuel economy, and poor power. I know this car is very fast on the track, and everyone raves about its handling. Have you been in one recently? For me, it felt surprisingly dated.

 

[djdennehy]

I drove a few RX-8's about a year ago, and ended up purchasing a 13 Focus (car I traded in for the 14 FiST) during that search. The interiors seem to have all aged very poorly, even in cars that were very well taken care of. The driving dynamics though were nothing short of fantastic, the engine and transmission in them are so much fun, those engines just want to rev forever. I wouldn't know about their reliability, but I will say that if I could find one for cheap, it would be a great track day car. I don't think it would be very good as a daily though,

 

[Cligedy]

I had an 05 for about a year and a half. I really liked the car. Hands down the best handling car I have ever driven. It drives like a bigger Miata, but with more grip. Not much torque, but the car was not slow by any means. The power was fine if you rev the snot out of it. Revving to redline is considered maintenance on rotary engines Gas mileage was poor, ~17mpg using strictly premium. A really light foot would get you up to 19mpg.

The interior was a good place to be with comfy, supportive seats and a good driving position. The ride was comfortable and quiet. The interior materials were poor, the plastics scratched easily and the upholstery looked kinda crappy. The back seats were surprisingly useful, but not a good place for claustrophobic people, just because of the small rear windows.

Reliability was fine, the rotary will sip oil, but just check the level as a habit when you stop for gas. Gas aside, running costs were nominal. The one I bought had been wrecked and modded by the previous owner. I didn't realize until I already owned the car that the frame was likely bent and I couldn't get the car aligned right. I still think if I had bought a different RX-8, I would still have the car.

 

[Mayhem]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume that op wants more thoughts about a fist in comparison to having driven the rx8. . Rather than rx8 feedback? That would make more sense on this forum anyway. Probably looking to upgrade ? My bad if I'm off on that.

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[Cligedy]

In that case, the RX is faster, handles better, and I prefer the driving position and seats. Rear-wheel drive is the best-wheel drive.

The FiST is hugely more practical, with much lower running costs (I hate paying for 18" tires) and much more cargo area. It's a toss-up which is a better daily driver as the RX is more comfortable, but is crazy thirsty and has pitiful torque.

One thing that always bugged me about the RX8 was that driving it up into the mountains was always disappointing. As soon as you started to gain any altitude, the engine lost a lot of power. It felt like it was down by 40-50hp. I don't expect the FiST will have that problem

 

[McRib 1s Back]

In that case, the RX is faster, handles better, and I prefer the driving position and seats. Rear-wheel drive is the best-wheel drive.

The FiST is hugely more practical, with much lower running costs (I hate paying for 18" tires) and much more cargo area. It's a toss-up which is a better daily driver as the RX is more comfortable, but is crazy thirsty and has pitiful torque.

One thing that always bugged me about the RX8 was that driving it up into the mountains was always disappointing. As soon as you started to gain any altitude, the engine lost a lot of power. It felt like it was down by 40-50hp. I don't expect the FiST will have that problem

You just nailed it. Your reference to power is how I meant that it was lacking (and why I love turbo power!). If Mazda made a modern-day RX7, I'd be all over it. I have blitz-passed RX-8s in the local mountains.

My car isn't a DD, yet I picked it for the much lower running costs as a track day and weekend warrior car. Also, my car already accelerates faster than a stock RX8. When I'm done, it will be a lot faster.

The driving position in the RX8 is tops, it shifts great, but the engine ends the party early. Sometimes I still think about how one as a dedicated race car might be. As a weekend car, sure -- but all of my friends that have tried one as a DD have given up and sold them. I don't know anyone with one now.

At Big Willow, an RX8 on track tires is much faster than the FiST! It does it with incredible preservation of momentum and superb handling, not power. I hope to modify mine to make it a lot faster, but we're talking about several seconds in stock form. I suppose I like the "wrong wheel drive" challenge. This car has single-handedly changed my view on what FWD cars can do.

 

[kvetcha]

The RX-8 is a fantastic car. Mazda really understands chassis, and steering, and transmission, and the harmony between them.

And I know the Wankel burns oil and seals and has no low end torque, but it's just a unique motor, and I feel like the automotive world is a little less cool now without it.

 

[chr0n0phage]

2004 GT owner here with 75k on my original motor. MazdaManiac tuned with BHR coils and BHR catless midpipe. Compression is within spec and I hit 9300RPM at WOT daily.

I am incredibly torn between keeping my 8, dropping in a Pettit Racing built Renesis and continuing to enjoy my RWD coupe for many more years or just straight up trading it in on a MUCH more economical but still (apparently) fun as hell FiST.

I've weighed gas mileage, tire prices (SO MUCH CHEAPER!!!) and enjoyment heavily and to be honest, if it wasn't for Matt Farah and Mike Musto giving glowing reviews, I wouldn't even bother considering it. Next up is a test drive.

I'm really going to miss RWD but what I keep mind is how much fun to drive this thing (again, apparently) is regardless.

I'm looking at a an Oxford White model with the Rado Gray wheels, Nav and the Recaro's.

I'm looking forward to a warranty again!

 

[Cligedy]

That's a tough question to answer. Like I said, if I had bought a different RX8, I would likely still have it. I swore I would never buy a FWD car, but the FiST is really good. I liked the idea of flogging new cars around an autocross for free, so I went to the Ecoboost challenge. I walked out ready to buy, it was so much fun, there was no comparison to my G35S. The lower costs make it a no brainer to autocross. With the RX8, I would have had to make some sacrifices to get the car to be truly competitive. Just a set of wheels /tires would have run an extra $500.

I do know this, I always felt a little guilty driving the RX hard, like hey, that hard launch just cost $2 in gas and 5% my tire life. I can thrash the FiST and still get 24mpg.

The great news for you is that you'll have a fun car either way.

 

[djdennehy]

I spend a good amount of time in my car, so for me it really came down to the interior. Ford products have really upped their game as of late, and between my 13 Focus and 14 FiST, my mind has completely changed about Ford. The handling is extremely neutral, with some fun lift off oversteer to boot. Power, well I would define the FiST as a mini torque monster, the power is just so quick and low in the rpm range, the opposite of an RX-7 or RX-8. In terms of practicality, my Fiesta has already been a great companion for my wife and I, moving to a new apartment within Pittsburgh. If I had the budget to have a second car, than maybe I would pursue an RX-8,

 

[McRib 1s Back]

The RX-8 is a fantastic car. Mazda really understands chassis, and steering, and transmission, and the harmony between them.

And I know the Wankel burns oil and seals and has no low end torque, but it's just a unique motor, and I feel like the automotive world is a little less cool now without it.

That's a very nice epitaph. Like a fine artist that is only truly appreciated after his untimely death...

You see, it's effectively dead. You can snap one up, and you'll have plenty of aftermarket support for a long time. This is the best "almost car" I never had. I can't believe how many times I've considered it and cross-shopped it. At around 30 cars, the answer is at least several times!

It really is the little stuff. As enthusiasts we simply muse that it "sips oil", "the fuel efficiency isn't all that great...", and "sure it lacks low-end torque and big HP, but man that 9K RPM redline is amazing...". In reality it's all that "little stuff" that keeps us from being happy with it. As an only car? No way.

Yet, somehow, I still think I'll have an eye on one in the future. So it goes...

 

[chr0n0phage]

One thing is for certain, I will own another rotary powered sports car in the future. Preferably an FD

 

[kvetcha]

I sincerely hope Mazda brings back the rotary in the next decade. It's too elegant a design.

 

[Cligedy]

Depreciation has not been kind to the RX, they are a real steal right now and are cheap enough that they make a very reasonable weekend ride.

 

[chr0n0phage]

I truly wish I could keep mine. Do a slow rebuild of the motor myself. If I was to keep it and not get a new car, I was going to drop in a Pettit Racing shortblock but at $6000, if I did that there wasn't going to be a FiST anytime soon. One or the other...

Anyway, I feel i'm making the right decision financially for the long run.

 

[fly2low]

Depreciation has not been kind to the RX, they are a real steal right now and are cheap enough that they make a very reasonable weekend ride.

You nailed my considerations precisely. I do LOVE Fist. But with 55% residual (based on Ford's financial 36 months, 10500mi/year), it seems that RX-8 is quite a steal compared to FiST, even if the wenkel ends up needs rebuilding. FiST is not a "comparatively cheap" car to own. I love it but I can't seem to pull the trigger.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

You nailed my considerations precisely. I do LOVE Fist. But with 55% residual (based on Ford's financial 36 months, 10500mi/year), it seems that RX-8 is quite a steal compared to FiST, even if the wenkel ends up needs rebuilding. FiST is not a "comparatively cheap" car to own. I love it but I can't seem to pull the trigger.

It sounds like you have your answer! I'd love to see your RX-8. Maybe you can bring it to one of our track days.

Seriously, it's great to have choices like this! I wish I had your patience and discipline when it comes to cars. I spend/waste money on cars, but it's a passion I don't have to justify to ANYBODY.

 

[Cligedy]

I spend/waste money on cars, but it's a passion I don't have to justify to ANYBODY.

That must be nice, my wife is very open minded and reasonable, but always has the veto hammer handy

 

[RodMoe]

That must be nice, my wife is very open minded and reasonable, but always has the veto hammer handy

Mine on this build has taken a different approach.. "Well I'm keeping track of what you spend so I can spend it on redoing the bedroom&bath" and she kows car parts are not what I say they cost... LOL