If you are a dolt and don't know how to properly care for the car. One of my good friends got nearly double (yes double) out of his RX8 before trading it in. With only regular maintenance.

The problem with that car is that most owners treat it like a regular combustion engine. The lack of miles can be directly attributed to lack of proper maintenance.

Keep in mind that i'm not saying this engine is uber reliable, but there's a lot of misconceptions about the RX8 that I feel are entirely over played and blown out of proportion.

OP the RX8 is a perfectly acceptable alternative if you're looking for something a bit roomier. Just look for one that has been well cared for, like any other car, and you'll be fine.

 

RX8 is a perfect example of a car that you have to buy from an Enthisast. Look for the one that is modded by someone that has owned multiple Mazdas and you'll likely find someone that has babied it.

 

How about a new z4

 

It sounds like I'm hating on the RX8 but I'm really coming from a place of non-bias. I actually really wanted the RX8 back in high school when it first came out and I think that it's still one of the best looking cars ever made. I love the curves on it. And I give credit where it's due, the handling on the RX8 is close if not very similar to the S2000 with the extra room in the rear as a bonus. Tried to convince myself recently to get one but couldn't.
Every mazda and rotary owner or enthusiast's argument for the RX8 is that someone must be an idiot if their engine died early (less than 100k) but the RX8 forums are flooded with engine problems and shorter life expectancy. It's not impossible to get an original RX8 rotary past 120-140k miles but that truly says something if the benchmark for longevity is 140k or even 150k miles.
I'd say 70% of the clean title actually running RX8s on craigslist has had their engine replaced around 80-90k miles, I see/saw this all the time when I was in the market for one.

And who knows maybe all those people didn't maintain it properly with the adding of the oil, regularly taking it to 9000 RPM, etc. but that brings my next point. The RX8 is discontinued so there's no way to even know if the dude you're buying it from or any of the previous owners took care of it the "proper way". It was too much of a time bomb for me to pull the trigger on, which is a damn shame. 50/50 weight distribution (close) and a really lightweight car that revs up to 9000k like butter. Mazda offered the 100k mile warranty for a reason lol.
Also engine problems = new engine. No rebuilding the heads or cylinder, rods, etc. If the seals go out, you pretty much need a new engine. Gas mileage also is equivalent to my v8 mustang.
I kind of came off like I was bashing the rx8 but I really do love the way the car looks. A shame, I really tried to justify getting one cause of the bigger storage space and the hardtop compared to the S but couldn't do it. It's a lot cheaper than the S though particularly for this reason so maybe it'll be a collectible car in that sense as the rotary die off. You can get one around $6000-7000 that's a clean title and in running condition. I wonder why there aren't any RX8 track cars

 

Looking at the core question in the original post, "Is there a sports car out there that is larger but handles about the same as an S2000?", the question is too vague. There are plenty of cars that handle as well, by the numbers, as the S2000, and they're pretty much all larger

Is there a car that embodies all of the good things (handling, character, reliability, high revving NA motor, and so on) of the S2000, just bigger? Nope. Plenty of good alternatives that bring their own set of desirable characteristics to the table though!

 

What about a M3? I know they are a little heavier but they have the high revving NA motor, handling is pretty decent, more power, more refinement, reliability (eh, it's german).

 

RX-8 has all those characteristics but reliability may not be up to Honda standards.

 

So what you're saying is that it doesn't have all of the characteristics...?

 

What the heck are you doing dancing around while you are supposed to be driving? The S is plenty big enough. With two hands on the wheel, there's enough room for your arms. If you are on a long trip, stop and get out to stretch every two hours or so. I know I'd never be happier with a sports car than I am with the S2000.

 

R171 SLK55 AMG...