Car advice needed. RX8 v Z3 v Celica

**NZsarge** · 19th July 2009, 21:33

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 19th July 2009, 21:40

Originally Posted by peasea

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...

**short-circuit** · 19th July 2009, 21:55

Originally Posted by 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.

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

+1 Z3 for bum banditry

**Headbanger** · 19th July 2009, 21:57

Originally Posted by NZsarge

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.

**NZsarge** · 20th July 2009, 09:12

Originally Posted by Headbanger

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** · 20th July 2009, 09:29

Originally Posted by sil3ntwar

honda s2000 or mx5?

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

**Marmoot** · 20th July 2009, 09:44

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** · 20th July 2009, 10:27

Originally Posted by 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.

Any guy that gives a fuck is gay and doesn't know it

**Forest** · 20th July 2009, 11:24

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** · 20th July 2009, 11:25

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

**SMOKEU** · 20th July 2009, 12:25

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** · 20th July 2009, 14:47

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** · 20th July 2009, 15:04

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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

**Brett** · 20th July 2009, 15:31

Originally Posted by Blackbird

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.

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...