So been I've been driving the brokeswagon aka a VW golf with the coil pack eating 1.8t in the mean time. It was/is on its last legs at 208k decided it was time for a new daily. Its sort of turned itself into a project car and It’s been a fun car but very much full of its quirks that I wish to never deal with again.
Enter the RX8 I wanted something RWD/AWD under 15k that I could Auto-X HPDE and cruise some of the Alphabet roads in. Realistically that left me with a few options I'm not really for domestic vehicles so that took out a few options. Locally that left a few choices G35s MR-S Evo/Sti 350z and a few BMW/Audis and the RX8 still on the list.
I didn't want another VAG car so that bumped Audi off the list in short order. All of the Evo/Sti vehicles that I ever see are usually beaten within an inch of their lives and then returned to stock to be sold to the next victim. The M3/M5 BMWs that I was finding looked promising until I realized the now 12-13k car had parts are still priced for a 40k-50k car. $2000 for a Vanos solenoid no thanks you. The G35 is basically a fatter plusher version of the 350z and I wasn't really a huge fan of the ones I have ridden in or driven. I've owned an AW11 before and the MR-S while reminiscent of the AW11 just didn't do anything for me.
Of course this basically leaves the Rx8. It’s really hard to look at the RX8 and not immediately compare it to the RX7. The difference in Power the extra doors it all seems so very wrong. I was lucky enough that a pair of them were at my local Mazda dealership. I will freely admit I had some reservations until I got into the car and started it. I very quickly got over the extra doors and the back seats and remembered why I loved the rotary power plant. The power band, the smooth acceleration, and awesome handling were very much present in the RX8. Upon the conclusion of the test drive I realized what Mazda was trying to do with the RX8 and immediately regretted anything negative I have said about them before. The nice interior heated leather seats fancy sound system. It was so very tame and yet still fun. A more mature older half sister of the RX7 and I had to have one. I immediately put down a deposit and proceeded to the bank to get the rest. A full 2 days later and I am loving every minute of it.
Anyways if you scrolled this far down and bothered reading what must look like those awful erotica novels except instead of talking about naughty bits. It’s instead about leather interiors what is underneath the bonnet. Then I applaud you. Since this thread is useless without pics please see below.
Photo of the Brokeswagon courtesy of Spaz.
Image size reduced, original size: 809 x 540. https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31.0-8/p180x540/1265229_10101428135771430_2059285165_o.jpg to view the image in its original dimension.
And of course here is the RX8 I picked up Spaz also took these photos. Its pretty much stock although I do have a sneaking suspicion it has at the very least an AP tune as Redline is higher than it should be.
Image size reduced, original size: 809 x 540. https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/p180x540/1075557_10101767505935900_5663752174256980672_o.jpg to view the image in its original dimension.
Image size reduced, original size: 809 x 540. https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/p180x540/1077049_10101767505915940_4696352397692572477_o.jpg to view the image in its original dimension.
Image size reduced, original size: 809 x 540. https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/p180x540/1888907_10101767505895980_1432516093430414618_o.jpg to view the image in its original dimension.
with the exception of proper tires at some point the ones on it now are brand new but I have a sneaking suspicion I will need some by next summer. 
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