I am in desperate need of a new car. My Grand Cherokee is getting miserable gas mileage. I can't live with 17mpg any longer. I work at a dealership so I've got the in on two different vehicles. One is a 2007 Civic Si sedan, blue with no Navi, 12k miles. I can buy this car for $17,550. The other car is a 2004 RX-8 Grand Touring, red with everything but nav and the body kit, 36k miles. Price on this thing would be $12,500. Both cars require premium fuel, but the civic will get about 30mpg, the rx8 will get about 20 (hwy, I tested it).

I'm really leaning towards the civic. It's still under warranty and I'm getting it cheap enough that I will have no trouble getting my money back out of it if I decide to sell it. But the RX8 is so fun to drive, and it's 5k cheaper. Any thoughts?

 

RWD, FTL

 

IMO 17->20 mpg is not that big of a difference. Get the Civic Si.

 

The Civic Si feels gutless but handles great and gets great gas mileage.

The RX-8 feels gutless but handles great and gets terrible gas mileage.

Sure you save money in the short term if you buy the RX-8 but when you finally decided the sell the car I have no doubt the civic will be worth more % wise.

 

rx-8 goes through oil as fast and gas, its insane

 

Civic Si!! I had an 06 Si coupe, ton of fun and won't break the bank.

 

rx-8, rev all the way up there and absolutely feels no power.

 

Sounds like an s2000 to me.

 

I'd go with the Si...and no I'm not being a honda fanboy. Realistically, if you're looking for and affordable car to run and maintain then the obvious choice is the Si. The rx-8 has terrible gas mileage and those early ones had flooding issues with the engine.

If you switch cars often however, go with the rx8. you'll take a much smaller depreciation hit if you decide to sell it next year.

 

Civic SI. The RX8's price is low for a reason, great cars to drive but not the best to own. I have yet to have a friend who bought one and didn't get rid of it within 2 years without looking back. They all said the same thing, fantastic car, fun to drive, etc etc but it doesn't justify its gas and repair bills.