I am looking to buy either an RX-8 or an 05 Mustang, which should i get

Would you get the RX-8 over the 05 v6?

Would you get the RX-8 over the 05 GT?

I am really having trouble deciding :bang:

 

I'd post this message on a nonbiased forum as everyone here is gonna be quite biased

 

The RX-8 may have the edge over the V6, but not by much- the RX-8 makes 250hp. But you also have to consider the weight, RX-8 is much lighter, BUT rotary engines have torque issues when they come stock from the factory, they don't pick up on it unless you add forced induction. The RX-8 vs. the GT, the GT would definately win any show of brute power, but the RX-8 may lead in twisties and turns. Plus you have to consider the entire scandal where RX-8 owners were getting much lower numbers on the dyno than expected, mostly to what they believe is an over-rating of horsepower. I'm both a rotary fan (specifically the RX-7, not a big fan of the RX-8) and an American Muscle fan. But NOTHING beats the rumble of a V8 (especially not the whiney rotary engine)!

 

I like Stangs. But thats just me

 

yep, my vote goes for the 05 stang, v6 or GT... I'd go for the GT

 

 

The RX-8 is lighter, and thus probably handles better. It has that funky 1/2 door, that makes rear seat access nicer (though from what I saw, it wasn't much bigger). The hatch seems to make carrying things easier/nicer. But milage has been depressing in the RX-8, running much lower than published (as bad as the GT). I saw the interior and it is nice; more modern.

So it is more about the type of car you want. You want a very light, clean little sports car, that runs well -- but you have to run the revs up high to get performance. (High pitched whine and all the power is near redline). Or do you want a heavier, poorer handling American Muscle car -- with power throughout the band, the loud growl of a V8, and so on. Parts are more available for the Stang (if you want to mod it), and it is better value.

Both are great cars, so it isn't like you can make a bad choice. Each has a different personality -- just pick the one that matches what you want to say about yourself. (Light/tight/efficient/sporty -- Economic/powerful/american/etc.)...

 

I think the mustang is a better choice in all catagories when concerning a GT vs RX8. You get plenty of power. Ford also redesigned the suspension package on the 05 mustangs to use coil over type setup on the front and a 3link/panhard bar setup in the rear which makes the handling much much better than anything prior. So in the turns, the mustang can hold its own now (HTT has stated that they based the handling on comparing it to an M3).

The rx8 is a nice car though. I dont like the rear seats or the 1/2 door. It looks good however and in the manual tranny models, it still has pep. Its a high rev car. I'm not sure about the longevity of the rotoary motor compared to the RX7's. I havent driven an RX8 so I cant really comment. Just based on the one I have ran against, i'd much prefer a mustang in all aspects.

 

I don't think the RX-8/V6 Mustang is a fair comparo, just based on the price differential.

One thing that hasn't been said yet is how common the cars are. Right now, the Mustang is rarer on the roads. But give Ford and AAI a few months, and you'll be seeing 05 Mustangs (V6 and V8) all the time. If you want a slightly more unique car in the long run, go with the Mazda. I found a press release where Mazda rolled the 100,000th RX-8 off the line in "just" 18 months. According to the timeline, Ford produced an average 160,000 Mustangs (V6, GT, and SE) per year for 99-03. Anyone have production estimates for the 05 Mustang?

A member of another (driving enthusiast) forum I visit has an RX-8. He now wishes he waited a few months for a Mustang GT. That's just one example, so YMMV.

 

Funny you ask..I test drove both last Sat. afternoon back to back.
Keep in mind I'm biased because I'm a Mustang person and currently drive a 03 Cobra that makes 430RWHP.

My girlfriend was interested in the RX8 and we took it for a drive. I drove it on the way back to the dealership. I'm 6'6" so I just didn't fit. My girlfriend drives an 02 Isuzu Axiom and the first remark she made while driving the RX8 was "this thing has NO power!" I drove it and had to agree. It had no guts. I revved it to 8 grand and the high RPM rush that I expected never arrived. Other than that, It drove great and the interior is amazing. Make it 10-15% bigger so I could fit and give it some power and I'd love it.

WE stopped at the Ford place down the road and I was expecting to see the usual V6 or two and be told they can't let me test drive it unless I was talking #s. I was pleasantly surprised to see a Mineral grey GT out front and they where having a small Ford car show. They let us drive the GT and it lived up to all the great reviews I've read. I wasn't expecting to be impressed with the power considering my daily driver, but it felt as strong as the 01 Cobra I had before the 03 only much smoother. The driving feel, handling ,etc. was amazing compared to the last 9 Mustangs I've had. I was sold!

I ordered a Sonic blue 5sp. GT and will be trading in my 10th anniversary 03 Cobra convertible. I'm going to a car with about 200HP less and happy about it. The car is that much better. Besides I can hot rod the 05 and get it close to the power of the 03.

 

2005 GT OR a used 03 cobra

 

Choose the one with the most doors.

Problem solved!

 

non biased??? they are both ford companies.....

 

COBRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats the decision I struggled with, and I am so glad I chose the Cobra. Right now, the 05's are rarer, and it's neat to see one, but in a few months, the exclusivity of the Cobra will make it the attention grabber again. And the power differential is huge. COBRA!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I WOULD BUY THE GT,BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE A MICROWAVE AT HOME! :P

 

I test drove an RX-8, was very impressed with it. The seating position makes you feel like youre in an Audi R8 cirlcling the LeMans track and the interiot os really cool. Coming frmo a VW GTI with 115 hp, I was very impressed with the HP, feeling that it was about as much power as could be used during street driving. Torque really wasnt too bad although I am sure the 05 GT would quash it.

But for me the overall feel of the new Stang is better. I have only driven a V-6, but the steering on it was VERY nice and I like the way you sit so low in it, staring across the hood. Brakes felt good too.

Style wise, the stang crushes the RX-8 IMHO. Something about the RX-8 is sort of bland and isnt nearly as cool as the Stang.

So If I were you I would get the Stang, no question.