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the rx-8 has not been recalled to whoever said that. owners got a buyback option or keep the car with free oil changes. also those old numbers are not from a preproduction engine, but the JAPAN specs. when they were brought to the US, the emissions equipment lowered the hp quite a bit.

riceburner, just because the rx8 isn't that fast, doesn't automatically mean it's crap. that's a weak argument.

 
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I read about the buyback option and the free oil changes. Even if the numbers were from a Japanese spec engine. The engineers KNOW that the U.S. has more restrictions on emmissions which would affect the final numbers. They're not idiots. They were just hoping that they wouldn't get caught.....but they did. No doubt the rx-8 is still a nice ride. And let's be honest most of us wouldn't be able to take FULL advantage of the capabilites of an rx-8, 350z, STI etc.... Unless you take it to a closed track or autocross it anyway.

 
Rep Power: 365

It's cool to have a swapped or built or turbo'd Civic, but I value a warranty, which you wouldn't have with any of those options. So, if you want to go further up the food chain, you've got to do that with a different car.

The RX-8 is overrated in terms of hp and all that. The styling is good, but I think there are better choices. Also, first year of any car = no.

You said the 350Z is out because you need more seats.

If you still like the 350Z, you could get it's twin brother (fraternal - not identical) the Infiniti G35. They start at $29,250, but to get the 6-speed manual tranny, the price bumps up to $32,450. (This would be my choice.) Veilside makes a sick kit for the G35, too.

There's always the Ford Mustang Cobra. Yes, it's domestic, but it basically fits into the whole scene you're looking at. (high hp + rwd.) At 390 hp, they're rediculously fast - faster than a C5 Corvette and only 15hp away from a Z06. For about the same price as the G35 coupe, the Cobra is the true performer of this group.

You still have the Subaru WRX STi. It's going to be the best handling so far because of the AWD, and that's probably a factor since you live in Nova Scotia. You'd have to put some money into the ICE of it because a radio is optional.

Then there's still the Lancer EVO VIII. People have had some problems with theirs as far as rusting, and I don't like the fact that it's got 19.5lbs of boost to get just 271hp, but it's been said that the car outhandles the STi by leaps and bounds.

The RSX-S is a really nice car - especially if you love your Civic, but it doesn't perform near what those other cars do.

My choices would be either the RSX-S or the G35.

 
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Yeah if I had tons of money and my parents were buying me a car, I'd get the STi in a flash, just because I could drive it all year round, and like you said, we live up in Nova Scotia, so AWD is a bonus for sure.

As for the EVO, we don't get it here in Canada, it didn't meet our bumper regulations or something like that, so that's totally out of the picture.

I'd say he should get the STi, just so he can drive it all year round.

 
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G35 without a doubt... then keep your vic for winter or sell it and mod the hell out of the G35 (kit, wheels, suspension, engine)

~nick~

 
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That would certainly be a mean sleeper... People would be more surprised to see you tailights in a civic than in an RX-8...

 
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Stop saying first year car = NO. I bought the 2001 civic and have NO problems with it yet. It's the luck of the draw if you get a lemon. Also, I can't stand people who make blind, one word generalized statements. Man, where's nookiemonster when you need him.

 
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yup i have a 2001 and its problem free

 
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I have a 2002 and it has problems. That's why there are warranties. It all comes down to which car you see yourself driving in. If you can decide which one makes you feel more comfortable with a good amount of features, then you've already made your choice. Don't single it out due to minor things like first year production, hp differences, etc. Rate how you feel about the overall package.

 
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mazda might come out with the a new "rx7" wont it wont be called the rx7, it will be different than the past ones and will still have the problems that the rotary engines have because they cant perfect the design

 
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I would say the STI I find it the best car for all around driving for canadian winters, if you like honda's why not check out the new tl? Out of the Sports Cars I would say G35 Coupe. All around if you plan to drive it STI if not I might as well suggest the s2000

 
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I'm sure it has been said, since i haven't read threw all the replys. But I would go with the RX-8 due to the fact that it does have the backseats thats you need. It has a lot more power than your vic. rotory engines kick ***. It sounds like you got a good deal on one. Unlike getting power from your vic by doing a swap or turbo, you get a lot more power in a diffreent car. And it not strain the engine since it was built for the power, and you still have that wonderful warrenty. It would be nice to have a nice sleeper. But why? its just not logical if you dont have another reliable daily driver. Should be a simple answer. imo

 
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hi Majarvis, i'm in halifax, clayton park area.

well, i've driven the rsx-s and am loving it! i don't think the rx-8 and 350z are for me yet. to be practical, i wouldn't want to drive those cars in the winter, and its not fesible for me to store them over that time and get a beater. i need something i can drive all year round. from what i've read on other forums, you can't get steelies for teh rx-8 because of the brake calipers. so alloy rims + winter tires will cost about $1000. yeah... no...

today going over to subaru to give the sti a run. i just think that the rsx-s is more of a daily runner than the sti, + cheaper.

 
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i got that feeling about my civc. i just don't want to let it go. it's weird like that.

 
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Yeah. . A Honda will do that to a person. I miss my car too when I drive something else for awhile. That's why when I go to get another car, I'll only replace the Vic with a Honda. If I don't get a Honda, then I wont trade, I'll keep the Vic as a second vehicle.

I took my girlfriend home last night, she lives like a block away. My car didn't have time to warm up in that short of distance, so I decided to drive around for a bit to let it warm up. I still like my car alot. Granted it's slow, but it pulls evenly and smoothly, and due to some mods the shifting is smooth, heh. Compared to the other cars I've had, this one is sweeeeeet. So. .. I dunno if I'd say you're crazy. But I would see if I could still get the other car that you want and just keep the Civic. If not then, I guess go with an RSX or make the difficult decision.

 
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ok, its confirmed. i am hooked to the rsx-s. its a practical "sports car" that is not too flashy (work at a university with "kids" all around. already has an incident with my vic) but looks great with mods.

the dealership has a blue and a black one on the lot. thinking of getting the blue one. tired of cleaning a black car.

thanks everyone for the suggestions.

oh, if anyone is interested in a vic, let me know.

-2002 civic si (ex) coupe (Bought in nov, 2001)
-automatic transmission
-26000km
-K&N FIPK II
-TYC projectors

see gallery.

 
Rep Power: 812

Good choice, and you could always do mods to it later like turbo or whatever.