Mazda RX-8 vs. Neon SRT-4

hey everyone

i don't post here very often but today i just took a test-drive of a few cars and needed your opinion.

Here's the deal. I went out to test drive an Acura RSX Type S which i ended up not liking. I tried it back when it first came out, didn't like it then and still don't like it now. During the test drive i was already talking about how i'd really like to own an RX-8. He said he could get me one that had been used as a rental car (for places like AVIS etc) for about 16-17k... i'm gonna stop right here and ask: Is that even realistic? Is it going to be a beat up RX-8? I mean that's 10k under its new price tag and he suggested there would only be about 30-50k miles on it... The cheapest RX-8 cars i've seen used were still at around 24k (and yeah i'd want the 6MT)

anyway, he told me he'd keep me informed if he could find me an RX-8 at around that price. Fine. So just for fun, he says "hey wanna test drive the Neon SRT-4?" and quite frankly i kept thinking "dude it's just a Neon...". Then i test drove the damn thing... holy shit it was awesome!! Lots of low-end torque and the machine didn't let go as i shifted up. Lots of fun! From the reviews i've read it even handles great although i did notice the car squealing in tight turns... but at a price tag of under 20k, although the SRT-4 looks like ass, it drives great and was lots of fun.

to be fair, i've never gotten a REAL test-drive in an RX-8. The first time i asked for one, i was told i couldn't just take a test-drive unless they could check my credit first to make sure i could afford one. "We can't just give you a joyride in a 30 thousand dollar car sir"... So i found a used RX-8 and the test drive consisted of 6 right turns. 2 right-turns to get out then into the dealership and the other 4 around the block... in 30mph zones... Since then i've given up on test-driving one...

Before i finish, i'd like to make it clear that i'm much more into windy roads than i am into drag races. So the looks and handling of the RX-8 sold me. But now the SRT-4, although lacking in the looks department, seems to have both handling and power... So which one should i go for?

sorry for the looooong post. :)

i would go with the srt-4 i have drivin a few and i really like um. i have never takin out a rx-8 so i dont know how they handle. i just got an evo and if your looking in to spending that much, there frickin nice i love that ca. but that just me. but ya the srt-4 is the best bang for your buck and wut not

Don't ever buy a rental car. Ever. For any reason. people beat the shit out of them, My dad rents cars all the time in his work, and I know for a fact that people drive a rental car like there will be no tomorrow...The srt4 is very fast for 20G's, However i don't think they handle very well...A rx8 is not really that fast, but it does look somewhat better and handles much better...

ricesucks, thanks a lot for that piece of advice on rented cars. I have to admit i was a little weary when i heard he could get me an RX-8 for 10k under its "new car" sticker price. What kind of damage am i looking at on a rented car? I mean i'm guessing the body would be intact and if anything, it'd be the engine that would take the biggest hit. Is that what you mean? And would the damage to the engine really be that bad?... (i'm still trying to justify the idea :))

thanks for your input guys

i think one of the problems with owning a used rental car would be engine problems. I guess rental cars get rented out as new, so people dont really "break them in," as companies recamend. I dont htink a Rx-8 would be a normal rental car, i think might have been one of those cars you can pay a liitle extra for, which mean the people who rented it probubly rented it for one reason: preformance.
I dont think i would ever own like a used cavalier rental, but an rx8 for that price is down right amazing. I do love Srt-4's so i would have to go with that, but not without test driving the used rx8 rental car first.

Mostly its because the motors are not broken in, they change the oil wayy late, people drive them really hard, and It might be an auto...If it seems to be ok them I might look twice at it, but if its an auto, I would not even look..Oh and people use the worst gas on a rental...If it has less then like 5,000 miles the damage could not be that bad...

Most likey it will be a auto if its a rental Rx8 one.Most retal place only have auto.So that be a probnlem if you want a 6Mt..

I wouldn't buy a rental car, my dad's truck was being truck was being repaired, so we got a Ford Contour, I ratbagged that piece of crap, haha I kept doing e-brake slides and what not. I was lucky enough not cause any damage or burn the tires that badly, my friend had some rented Pontiac, and drove it so hard, and replace the tires :grinno:

Needless to say, most rental cars are treated like crap, because it's not their own, and they can't get in that much trouble for putting in crappy gas, etc., and SRT-4's are really cool cars. Only reason I would not consider it personally, it's FWD. THE RX-8, yeah I'll bet you'd rather have one, their worth more, but they have little to no tourque, and costly maintenace repairs (or so I've heard). So if you don't care that it's FWD, go with the SRT-4.