Okay, it's getting stuffy in here, so I've decided to re-hash another old debate that had me beaten with reeds, then burned at the stake before.
It's not a secret to the regulars here that I'm a big fan of the RSX Type-S and have been for quite a while. It's extremely well-equipped with all the luxury bells n' whistles, handles incredibly well (not just for an FWD car, but overall -- it handles really, really well), is a hoot to rev out to 8,000 RPMs with its gloriously smooth engine and has one of the best 6-speeds going. Being an Acura, it's as reliable as rising gas prices, death and taxes and has the practicality of a hatchback and very decent fuel economy.
The RX8 on the other hand is a little meaner-looking -- particularly from the front (and lets face it, when you buy a sports car, you want it to look sexy too); is slightly quicker in acceleration than the little Acura and in a track setting due to its phenomenal suspension set up, perfect weight balance and RWD drivetrain. The RX8 provides a visceral thrill the likes of which I've not experienced in any other car I've driven. It's the sort of machine that would make a person legitimately want to go seeking the long, twisty way home, as cliche as that may sound.
The Sept (I think) issue of Car and Driver pits the RSX against the WRX and the rest of the noobie "cheap sports machines" (ie. Cobalt SS, SRT4, etc.) and chooses the RSX-S for being such a perfectly balanced, practical, all-round enjoyment machine. In the same issue is the wrap-up test for the much-loved RX8 that identified a number of mechanical and design concerns.
At this time, the lease rate on a new RSX is 2.8% for 48 months -- coupled with strong residuals and that means the top-model RSX works out to about $100 per month less than the entry-level RX8. The RX8 GS has no leather, no heated seats, no sunroof (which of course is 'no problem' for a real sports car anyway, right?). If you work in the Mazda's higher fuel costs and more expensive 18" tires to replace, the difference is probably closer to $125+/month overall (accounting for insurance costs are lower for the Mazda, I'm told).
Having recently driven an RX8 on a nice, half-hour, aggressive test drive, I came away wanting to take one home that very minute. In the two weeks since though, my memory of the exhilaration has faded slightly, and I've begun to wonder... can the RSX give almost the same emotional appeal; be more reliable; more practical and save a person more than $6000 over a 4 year lease that could otherwise be spent on vacations or investments? The two latest RX8 recalls this week certainly make me fear that after the first few years into the enjoyment -- are things gonna start melting down on that rotary-powered fun machine?
Now, I know for some of you, you'd use the car for Autocross competition -- the RX8 is a no brainer choice then. For others, a car seat is a must. Again, it'd be a pain having to forego the mini-doorlets of the RX8 for the RSX's full two-door layout. But in real life, day-to-day living, with rising gas prices, hectic schedules prohibiting regular visits to the service department, snowy winters, stop-and-go traffic and vehicular law-enforcement that frowns upon bad-ass, tail-sliding cornering, does the RSX-S represent a better value?
(now where did that flogging-a-dead-horse smiley go?)
