Car advice needed. RX8 v Z3 v Celica

[colsan1]

We're looking at getting the wife a sportier run around
and have narrowed it down to an RX8, a BMW Z3 or a toyota Celica.
Personally i like the look of the Z3 but the newest i could hope for is a 2001
where as for the same money i could get a a newer RX8 or Celica.
If anyones got any opinions on either of these cars i would like to hear it as
its better to hear first hand opinions rather than bullshit sales patter from a dealer

[Dave Lobster]

My 2c..

RX8 - Look 'ok', but REALLY thirsty. I know a couple of people that have had them, and they moved them on within a year.
Z3. Gay.
Celica - yellow person's boy racer car.

What was on your longer list?

[hayd3n]

get a mx5!! cheap to run, a REAL modern classic, and missus loves it to pieces,
1997 + EARLIER have pop up lights 1998 onwards fixed lights

[shafty]

Z3 - $$$$ to maintain (If you can't afford a new Euro Car you can't afford a Euro car)

RX8 - nice but thirsty and devalue as km's creep up being a Rotary

Celica - my pick

Or a 350Z?

[Blackshear]

Altessa RS200 or whatever one has the beams motor.
Not even kidding.

[stify]

don't get an rx8.... if you do, you'll get to know your local mazda dealer really really really well..

[Slyer]

Celica FTW
Definitely the cheapest to buy, maintain and run but still be a "sports" car. :bleh:
(I have one)
Get 6th generation one though, the new ones are bit urrglee

[sil3nt]

honda s2000 or mx5?

[Devil]

Z4 = Sex
Z3 = Gay sex.

It's just wrong.

Go look at the MX5. You might even enjoy driving it! Little rear wheel drive zinging machine.

[Gixxer peter]

Hmmm buy a bike??

[hayd3n]

yea the mx5 rocks even i drive it on occasion 18oo injected rwd great fun the cage only weighs a ton
missus bought her 1997 manuel 70 thou ks with 17in mags full leathers ohlins adjustibles full sports exaust/ intake +racing struts 9990
a great we car
or a mg

[SMOKEU]

I've been in an RX8 and I wasn't impressed by its performance, it was rather slow even when revving the shit out of it. Have you thought about a WRX STI or Mitsubishi Evo?

[Mully]

I was told that RX8s are a ticking time bomb once they get past 80K or so.

Dunno how true that was - maybe the salesman at the dealership just wanted to keep it as his drive car.

BMW = Break My Windows.

Hot VW Golf GTi?
Hot Peugeot hatch?

[Blackbird]

One of my riding partners has an RX 8. It's as fast as hell but keeps having on-going minor niggles - nothing serious but enough to annoy. I think Shafty hit the nail on the head with the Z3. The MX 5 is huge value for money, reliable and really handles. What you save compared with the other makes can be spent on modifications/bling if you're so inclined. Mrs B is on her second MX 5 now, a MazdaSpeed-tuned one and it's bloody impressive to drive and you don't actually need to go fast to have fun. Being out in the fresh air is great too, second only to a bike. Does your wife want a solid top or a convertible?

[Highlander]

...you don't actually need to go fast to have fun..
That applies to Motorcycling too


... Being out in the fresh air is great too, second only to a bike.

Distant second though.

[Blackbird]

Correct on your second quote and I'm beginning to believe your first quote too :rolleyes:

[Laava]

We have a Corolla RUN X. 1.8 6spd, same motor as the Cillicar but practical, good resale and 180 hp! Beemers are a waste of money, in 5yrs time they are Hyundai prices!

[Zapf]

Check out the Silly cars... they are known to handle real well, just shy of a Integra. They should be the most reliable and cheapest to run car in that list.

[driftn]

Check this out. Belongs to a mate of mine. A very tidy little car, very well looked after and serviced probably more than really required.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mazda/MX5/auction-229433882.htm

[barty5]

mate had an RX8 he traded his v8 in on it took it back 3 weeks later was cheaper to run the v8
as for the Z3 as said gay go the Z4
the same can be said for the MX5 dont get caught drivin it yourself guys allways look gay in them.

[Kiwi Graham]

My Mrs has the CLK convertable 230 kompressor. She loves it and its cheap to run. Like the 4 proper seats and the drop top at the touch of a button.

[Headbanger]

Amazing, every single one of you have shit taste in cars.

I just looked at a dozen Celica's on trademe, fuckin revolting. Thats some shit to be ashamed of.

:clap:

[Edbear]

get a mx5!! cheap to run, a REAL modern classic, and missus loves it to pieces,
1997 + EARLIER have pop up lights 1998 onwards fixed lights

+1!!!


honda s2000 or mx5?

+1!!!


One of my riding partners has an RX 8. It's as fast as hell but keeps having on-going minor niggles - nothing serious but enough to annoy. I think Shafty hit the nail on the head with the Z3. The MX 5 is huge value for money, reliable and really handles. What you save compared with the other makes can be spent on modifications/bling if you're so inclined. Mrs B is on her second MX 5 now, a MazdaSpeed-tuned one and it's bloody impressive to drive and you don't actually need to go fast to have fun. Being out in the fresh air is great too, second only to a bike. Does your wife want a solid top or a convertible?

+1!!!!


mate had an RX8 he traded his v8 in on it took it back 3 weeks later was cheaper to run the v8
as for the Z3 as said gay go the Z4
the same can be said for the MX5 dont get caught drivin it yourself guys allways look gay in them.

:Pokey:

We have a '94 Mk1 1800 manual and we BOTH love it! Only one cheeky person suggested it was a "hair-dresser's car", everyone else is either envious or went and bought one for themselves!

[peasea]

We're looking at getting the wife a sportier run around
and have narrowed it down to an RX8, a BMW Z3 or a toyota Celica.
Personally i like the look of the Z3 but the newest i could hope for is a 2001
where as for the same money i could get a a newer RX8 or Celica.
If anyones got any opinions on either of these cars i would like to hear it as
its better to hear first hand opinions rather than bullshit sales patter from a dealer

Having worked for dealerships in the past and knowing Toyotas fairly well (still using a Corona for a shopping basket) I'd go the Celica.

Steer clear of BMW automobiles; over rated, over priced and over here.

[peasea]

+1!!!



+1!!!



+1!!!!



:Pokey:

We have a '94 Mk1 1800 manual and we BOTH love it! Only one cheeky person suggested it was a "hair-dresser's car", everyone else is either envious or went and bought one for themselves!

My sister-in-law had one for ages, was very reliable and was most definitely a hair-dressers car. Some of my best friends are hair-dressers.

[Timber020]

The celica series are all good cars, made to high spec and just go and go and go.
Mx5's are one of the best driving cars out there, my dad and brother have em, guys who call em hairdresser cars tend to be a little iffy in there own sexuality so drive falcons and commodores and skylines to mask there insecurity. The MX5 is a car you wont regret owning and will never forget. Get an older one and blow the rest of your budget on a supercharger and suspension upgrade.

[mossy1200]

I think you should convince her she needs a van.Then spend the remaining coin on a race bike(make sure the van is big enough for a bike to fit in first).

We have had 4celicas of various ages in the past.All of them fun cars.
Now we have a van((I WON)I THINK.it still worries me how easily)

[NZsarge]

If you want to go euro get a Gen 5 VW Golf GTi.
What about a Nissan 350Z?

[Edbear]

My Mrs has the CLK convertable 230 kompressor. She loves it and its cheap to run. Like the 4 proper seats and the drop top at the touch of a button.

You mean CLK or SLK? I like the SLK 230 Kompressor.

[Flip]

The Celica is the best car frim this lot. Don't like German cars, they lost two world wars and BMWs are a kind of sneaky revenge on the world. The rotarys are a little short lived for my liking.

[NZsarge]

The celica series are all good cars, made to high spec and just go and go and go.
Mx5's are one of the best driving cars out there, my dad and brother have em, guys who call em hairdresser cars tend to be a little iffy in there own sexuality so drive falcons and commodores and skylines to mask there insecurity.

:laugh: I had Skyline... And a Falcon... And a commodore... What are you trying to say?
I did try a MX5 once but they're built for pip squeaks, the top of the windscreen was right in my eyes line of sight. Was fun to drive though..

[Edbear]

My sister-in-law had one for ages, was very reliable and was most definitely a hair-dressers car. Some of my best friends are hair-dressers.

Well, okay, I admit I always make very good friendships with my hairdresser's... They have you at a disadvantage if you're not nice to them... :rolleyes:

[short-circuit]

Z4 = Sex
Z3 = Gay sex.

It's just wrong.

Go look at the MX5. You might even enjoy driving it! Little rear wheel drive zinging machine.

+1 Z4 all the way FTW. Handles like a go-kart on steroids.

+1 Z3 for bum banditry

[Headbanger]

:laugh: I had Skyline... And a Falcon... And a commodore... .

Same, Well, the Skyline is the wifes, Wouldn't own one for my use.Horrible poky little car, Seat,door, console and dash all crowd me and dig into various body parts, I have to drive it leaning forward and to the side.

Then all the boy racers want to buzz the car, then they don't want to play when they see me at the wheel. Seen them do some strange stunts at the lights when I start to have words with them. All their bravado seems to vanish in an instant.:devil2:

[NZsarge]

Same, Well, the Skyline is the wifes, Wouldn't own one for my use.Horrible poky little car, Seat,door, console and dash all crowd me and dig into various body parts, I have to drive it leaning forward and to the side.


Is your wifes Skyline a R32? I had a R33 GTSt Coupe, much much more room in the R33's but still not a large car by any means.
Of all the cars i've owned i'd say the Skyline was the best handling car i've had, was real nice to drive up to 9/10th's but after that the pesky rear wheel steering muddied the waters and it was to an extent trying to drive itself out of slides and it was counter intuitive to what you wanted to do. I must mention that this sort of driving was only undertaken on a race track. There were ways to disconnect the rear steering but I never got around to it and I spent precious little time at the track so it rarely bothered me.

[Hans]

honda s2000 or mx5?

Absolutely agree. Z3 worse of the lot. Expensive everything and mushy handling to boot.

[Marmoot]

Celica is practical but cannot be said as really "sport". It's a bit gutless, the FWD (front wheel drive for those unfamiliar with car terms) is uninspiring and boring market garden variety, bordering on understeer and totally au contraire to the way a bike handles. I would only get a Celica if I need to think about where the baby seat goes and if I want to use it for grocery shopping once every 2 days. Not to mention rather heavy power-to-weight ratio to be called a sports car. It's a "sportier" normal car.

RX8 is a rotary engine, which is prone to two problems: unbalanced engine load (it vibrates) and flat apex seal. They're susceptible to failure. Take is as the "2-stroke car", typically requires more maintenance than normal cars.

Z3 is gutless unless you go for the 1.8L variety, but they can be expensive.
The soft top is prone to leaks. And storing soft top cars outside (i.e., ungaraged) will lead to mildew and tears. Don't buy this unless you have a garage.

Other alternatives worth considering in terms of prices:
- NA/NB series MX5. Get a hard top while you're there. It adds practicality and improves handling a lot due to added rigidity. $4k-$6k for NA model and up to $10k-$12k for NB model. NC model is grossly overpriced at $40k-$50k.
- MR2 or MR-S.
- Toyota Supra. Even non-turbo gives quite a punch due to 3L engine size. Don't let the car size discourage you because it handles better than the celicas. You can get a decent non-turbo for $12000 or even less.
- Celica GT4 (ST205). Different car to the Celica. The only thing they have in common are the 4 headlights. Cons: very rare to come by.

Other nice models to consider:
- Z4. They're totally different beast to the Z3, and you can get a good one for $20k-$24k or somewhere around there.

Other models to avoid:
- RX7. Maintenance!

[Pixie]

mate had an RX8 he traded his v8 in on it took it back 3 weeks later was cheaper to run the v8
as for the Z3 as said gay go the Z4
the same can be said for the MX5 dont get caught drivin it yourself guys allways look gay in them.
Any guy that gives a fuck is gay and doesn't know it

[Forest]

The Z3 is famous for a serious design defect in the rear-subframe.

Do some research on the web. There's a ton of info about the problem.

Unless remedial strengthening work is done, the welds eventually come apart and the subframe will tear itself into pieces.

[Forest]

My advice is to take a look at a Honda S2000.

[SMOKEU]

The RX8 I was in is the smoothest engine I've ever experienced, because it goes round and round and round instead of up and down like a piston engine.

[Brett]

Best bang for buck in the car arena would have to be something like an S14 or S15 Nissan 200sx. The S15 can really move.

Of the cars you have noted:

Anything Euro will cost you a fortune. Trust me, we have one. They hurt.

RX8 - look ok, but not as good value and as much fun as the S15 200sx...have driven both.

Celica (assume ur talking about a GT4 - Ie turbocharged - anything else is just lame to be honest)
Celica is an asian boys car...but they handle brilliantly and are one helluva lot of performance...close competition to a late model EVO IMO.

[Blackbird]

Best bang for buck in the car arena would have to be something like an S14 or S15 Nissan 200sx. The S15 can really move.


KB'er Freebird from Wellington has a tweaked S15 Nissan 200 SX which he races competitively as well as drives on the road. A seriously nice car to drive and has lines that don't date easily.:clap:

All said and done though, it's what your wife fancies and hard top vs rag top!

[Brett]

KB'er Freebird from Wellington has a tweaked S15 Nissan 200 SX which he races competitively as well as drives on the road. A seriously nice car to drive and has lines that don't date easily.:clap:

All said and done though, it's what your wife fancies and hard top vs rag top!

Yeah I know a few boys that race them and they are very reliable even when worked. I know a few guys who had them pushing out 300 - 350kW at the rears and they were still daily drivers that kept going and going...

[SMOKEU]

It's not hard to get big power out of SR20DETs, 400bhp can be achieved on standard internals with appropriate fuelling.

[Forest]

The RX8 I was in is the smoothest engine I've ever experienced, because it goes round and round and round instead of up and down like a piston engine.

A straight six is smoother than a rotary.

The straight six has perfect primary balance, so there's almost no vibration.

[steelestring]

Go the Honda S2000!!!

[Blackshear]

Go the Honda S2000!!!

So, care to show us a road speed vs powerband chart? :rolleyes:

[hutchy52]

We have a '94 Mk1 1800 manual and we BOTH love it! Only one cheeky person suggested it was a "hair-dresser's car", everyone else is either envious or went and bought one for themselves!

and if you buy another one, you can use them as rollerskates :2thumbsup

[Edbear]

and if you buy another one, you can use them as rollerskates :2thumbsup

Ha ha! We fit just nicely in thanks!

[Headbanger]

Is your wifes Skyline a R32?.

uh...I dunno. Its a sedan, 1998, has 25GT written on it.

any idea what its worth?

[cambridgedan]

Hmmm buy a bike??

exactly just buy a bike problem solved :clap:

[owner]

Car advice: they suck

[Rayray401]

hmm..RX8=thirsty, Z3=gay, celica= what someone said at the start...asian boyracer...i'd say 350z orelse mx5

[roadracingoldfart]

don't get an rx8.... if you do, you'll get to know your local mazda dealer really really really well..



Really , Im the foreman of a Mazda dealership and we hardly see them for anything but normal servicing. And no im not talking them up , i fuckin hate the piss ant revvy pieces of small , hard to get into crap.

:rolleyes:
hopes the boss never looks at KB.

[ducatilover]

Absolutely agree. Z3 worse of the lot. Expensive everything and mushy handling to boot.

You must have been in a jap market or singapore z3. I have driven a few z3s and a nice nz new 2.8 does very well for itself. The rx8 are great to drive but have a disturbing lack of torque, a celica will not be fun near the limit, they lsd front diff likes to make your day hell and you have even less power and torque than an rx8. the z3 are a reasonably reliable car, many people I know say bmws are expensive etc etc etc, I have had a few, they did high kms and I wasn't nice to them, my brother had a few, neither of us had any problems, just keep the basic servicing [no it's not expensive] and be carefull picking your car [eg - never buy a bmw with a jatco box, common in jdm e36 and e34s]
My pick would be, go try an s2000 :banana: Lovely car to drive, I had more fun in one than an mx5, being the mx5s are gutless, they needed alot more flexible power.

[ducatilover]

uh...I dunno. Its a sedan, 1998, has 25GT written on it.

any idea what its worth?

With good miles, 8-9k if you are very very lucky, unless it's a gt-t then it's worth a bit more

[ducatilover]

It's not hard to get big power out of SR20DETs, 400bhp can be achieved on standard internals with appropriate fuelling.

Try price up an sr20det doing 400hp. I wouldn't use standard internals, the top end wouldn't last either. The ecu/mapping alone will be upwards of $2k. It won't be flexible.

[Ooky]

Try price up an sr20det doing 400hp. I wouldn't use standard internals, the top end wouldn't last either. The ecu/mapping alone will be upwards of $2k. It won't be flexible.

he jsut said it could be done! not cheaply or lasting :Playnice:

[stify]

Really , Im the foreman of a Mazda dealership and we hardly see them for anything but normal servicing. And no im not talking them up , i fuckin hate the piss ant revvy pieces of small , hard to get into crap.

:rolleyes:
hopes the boss never looks at KB.

I was a foreman at a mazda dealership...an I got to see plenty of em cause my shithouse boss wouldn't hire any decent techs

we were always having them towed in...flooding etc

[roadracingoldfart]

I was a foreman at a mazda dealership...an I got to see plenty of em cause my shithouse boss wouldn't hire any decent techs

we were always having them towed in...flooding etc


Yes there was an issue with flooding but that was mainly due to dipsticks who started the engine and only ran it for 2 mins then stopped. When you tried to restart after washing the car or whatever it flooded due to wet plugs. It used to be called the Monday morning issue, after washing the car at home Sunday arvo.
Mazda cured the issue with a new level plug and a revised PCM update.
The only other thing to happen to RX8s was some of the Manuals had a starter motor update as the rotory has to wind like a bitch to fire due to the nature of the design.

We had a customer that moved to our areas in Feb this year and had owned the car from new , we did the warranty mod to the plugs etc and told him and he stated he had never had an issue as he knew to run it till it was warm at least everytime he used it. The mod was a fix for idiots and had not affected the efficiancy of the car.
They are a nice enough car but at 6 ft 2 in i hate them as i cant get "out " of them , "in" is no problem lol. Not my cup of tea im happy to say.

The MX-5 turbo 1800 is a fair bit of fun as a side subject , much nicer that the normally aspirated engine but its a bit of a beast to keep in a straight line in the wet , so that makes for a fun test drive. :rolleyes:

Paul.

[NZsarge]

uh...I dunno. Its a sedan, 1998, has 25GT written on it.

any idea what its worth?
That'll either be a R33 or a R34.
Yeah the price mentioned below probably would'nt be to far out I should imagine, kinda lost track on car values these days, too interested in bikes.

With good miles, 8-9k if you are very very lucky, unless it's a gt-t then it's worth a bit more

I should imagine if it was turboed it'd be worth quite a bit more, non-turbo's don't hold their value too well but it seems to be the opposite for GT turbo's.

[NZsarge]

Try price up an sr20det doing 400hp. I wouldn't use standard internals, the top end wouldn't last either. The ecu/mapping alone will be upwards of $2k. It won't be flexible.
'Bout 300 Hp is a good reliable figure for an SR20det, and lets face it in a 200SX the a fair chunk of horsepower for a car that light.
I forget now what the last generation of 200SX is called but the turbo manual one of those is a really nice wagon.

[ducatilover]

I should imagine if it was turboed it'd be worth quite a bit more, non-turbo's don't hold their value too well but it seems to be the opposite for GT turbo's.
The gt-t has held it's value very well as you would expect. Nice car too.

'Bout 300 Hp is a good reliable figure for an SR20det, and lets face it in a 200SX the a fair chunk of horsepower for a car that light.
I forget now what the last generation of 200SX is called but the turbo manual one of those is a really nice wagon. The s15/200sx drive very nice. 300hp is a rather easily achieved figure but still flexible for daily driving.
Nothing wrong with a decent mx-5, but, it all depends on your budget. There's no doubts that they are a giggle to drive, that chassis just gets ya hard :clap: Slide a nice grunty motor in her and hey presto, lamp post! [with my driving]