[phil200tdi]

Right my girlfriend wants a newer car as the Mondeo is not cool enough any more!!

She really wants an Audi a3 or golf and we have around £6.5k to spend. I'd prefer a 2.0 tdi of either but this means 2005 models ish with 50k miles. She'd be happy with an underpowered engine but I wouldn't - saying that I don't drive her car much..

She does around 10000 miles a year so fuel economy is not a huge issue.

Rx8's are just so cheap - ive seen 08 plates with 17k miles for £6.5k.. I know they are thirsty and in the high tax band but Jesus!!

I've seen alfa gt diesels and thought they look good and get 45mpg ish - any issues?

Any recomendations?

[toxicnerve]

If you can stomach the fuel costs then the RX8 is supposed to be a pretty decent car for the money, quite a few of the PH crowd like them.

Just remember they drink oil like a Texan and need servicing (oil/filter) more regularly too.

[Kerr]

I like the RX8 but knowing a couple of people who have owned one they have fallen out with it quickly.

Both had issues with starting from warm that never seemed to be far away.

Barely 20MPG was normal and running costs seemed too high for the performance.

[mowflow]

I can't believe you've just asked if an Alfa will have any issues . As the salesman at my local Alfa garage said to me "it's a purchase of the heart, not of the head". It will be lovely to drive, you will look back at it lovingly as you walk away and every time you get into the stylish interior you will smile..... until you turn the key and the dash lights up like a christmas tree with engine warning lights etc.

The RX8 is a hateful thing. A friend has one and I can't really think on anything nice to say about it other than it's reliable and quick. It's a hateful thing with a terrible drinking habit. I'm sure Roger (or Peter as he's now known ) will be along shortly to tell you just how bad owning one was.

If you can't stretch to a Golf or A3 then what about a Mini Cooper? It's cool for girls.

[peterg1965]

Roger will be along shortly to wax lyrical on the virtues of the Mazda RX-8. He liked it so much he kept it for about a month.

[mowflow]

If you want a Mazda get an MX5. Again, cool for girls.

[phil200tdi]

Do alfa make the 1.9 jtd engine? I thought it may not be that bad reliability wise..

Mate of mine has a Brera v6 - lovely noise and looks but 20 mpg and not very quick! He nearly cried when I booted my 335i and showed him the trip computer showing 33mpg av. Ha ha.

V6 audis and golfs are cheaper than the diesels too.. Might have to check the insurance on a 3.2/ 2.0 tfsi.

We'll probably keep the car 2/3 years so high rate of tax is offset by lower purchase price.

[rogerxp]

Bang on cue, I'm here to advise you NOT TO BUY AN RX8. It really is truly shite and I just cannot quite get my head round how some people love them .

It's not really all that fast, it's plasticy inside, sounds like a hair-dryer, feels flimsy, drinks like you'd never believe (my calculation made it 14mpg), the 'suicide' doors didn't aid getting into the back whatsoever but the name gave me inspiration if I couldn't sell it...

...the list goes on. Think they're still quite a good looking car, especially from the back.

Sorry, what was the original question .

[KadeSdad]

The RX8 rotary engine is actually a pretty good engine, it's whats built around it that makes the RX shite.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Think they're still quite a good looking car, especially from the back.........and the car's in Blackpool and your in Glasgow.

EFA

[RockIt]

I had an RX8 from new, having previously driven an RX7. Unlike Roger I really enjoyed mine. At the time it was a rare sight, the Prodrive handling day that was gifted with it was a revelation and I learnt to appreciate the car for what it is.

The interior is much like many Japanese.cars, the engine requires high revs and it has an oil habit. It's quirky and not for everyone, as demonstrated through such polarized views.

If you are really serious about finding out about them try the RX8 Owner's Club forum.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

The RX8 rotary engine is actually just as shite as whats built around it that makes the RX totally shite.

Corrected for you Marcus (you been drinking tonight ).

Gav; straight-jacket on its way over mate .

edit - actually, a mate of mine had one from brand new (04/05ish) and at the time he loved it, but 5+ years on I really thought it is now shown up. In fact, it was on his say so that I bought my RX8 without a test-drive; I've since found a new friend .

[davyk31]

I wanted to like an RX8 when they came out as they seemed a good option for a "family" Coupe. Had a long test drive, interior horrible, engine sounded terrible, absolutely no torque and no power unless you completely revved it out. Left it back to a smiling salesman expecting me to say I loved it and please can I buy this one at full retail cost, he was slightly deflated when I said I hated it.

[zltm089]

I think they're ok.....i really like the R3 model....and the Mazdaspeed bodykit...Think it does need a kit to make it look more aggressive...

they handle pretty well aswell....

Have you looked at the Honda Integra Type R dc5?.....

[dobbo99]

i cannot recommend highly enough that you stop thinking about alfa gt.
my looked lovely, and to be fair the engine was actually pretty decent (1.9jtd) actually, but everything just fell off it. like the dashboard, doors, panels.
i wish id paid the extra money for an A3 or Golf tdi.

surely a Mini is the cool option.

[phil200tdi]

I think I'll leave the rx8 and alfa..!

Just seen a very nice 06 plate a3 2.0tfsi for £7k which is much more tempting. Also considering an ibiza fr tdi..

Mx5 may be too small for me, I'm 6'4"

Unless it's a cooper s I find minis a little boring..

[willhollin]

Seat Leon FR or maybe even a Cupra should be available.

[phil200tdi]

Been looking on the web at Honda civics, anyone got any thing to say about the 2.2 ctdi? I think it looks quite cool and i like Honda's reputation for quality.

Another mate had a 2.2ctdi accord and loved it.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

Been looking on the web at Honda civics, anyone got any thing to say about the 2.2 ctdi? I think it looks quite cool and i like Honda's reputation for quality.

Another mate had a 2.2ctdi accord and loved it.

Well, you'll have a breakdown before it does .

[phil200tdi]

Ps gf now says low tax and fuel economy is high priority - hence the diesel Honda.

[hmi1750]

Shame you changed your mind on performance... i would highly recommend a Mazda6 MPS otherwise.. 2.3 Turbo... all-wheel drive and very much a Q-car. I loved mine, very understated, spacious for family use, not too thirsty (compared to an RX8) but an accomplished all rounder. Of for a smaller hot hatch, the Mazda 3 MPS.

You will be looking at high tax with either but that accounts for the drop in price and why I sold mine too before the depreciation really kicked in. Now the prices are stabilising so you can enjoy it a while.

[phil200tdi]

This is my gf's car.

I have a 335i with jb4 so don't need another high performance car, just don't want it to be painfully slow/dull..