RX8: on a different level of handling compared to the Si's. Sure, the car is somewhat anemic, but its handling is great. Turbo the sucker and have an excellent sports car with some utility.

 

$5k cheaper up front and just an overall better car. Go with the RX8. The Si is such a bore. $5k will buy you a lot of gas and oil, not to mention you'll have more fun in that car. No brainer to me.

 

Civic SI ftw

I've driven the rX8 a couple of times and the car just was blah

 

Well from your post, you said you can't stand 17mph any longer. The RX8 isn't much better than that. If you're looking for fuel economy, the SI it is.

 

Looks like it's gonna be the Si. After spending three days in the Mazda, I just don't trust it as my sole means of transportation outside of my motorcycles. The Honda is a Honda, it's still under factory warranty, it's only one year old, it's FWD (imho better for an all season DD) vs RWD, the mileage is MUCH better, it has four full doors, and the average depreciation is much less than the RX8. With the wholesale deal I'm getting on the car, I can pretty much drive it for free for a year or two then sell it for about what I bought for. I'm going to pick it up Tuesday.

 

You obviously haven't driven an RX-8

 

Si is a nice drive, but it's gutless. I haven't driven an RX8 probably is much the same.

 

I would go for the Civic Si sedan.

 

 

I disagree, between 6000 and 8000 RPMs the engine is far from gutless and you get a nice push in the seats. (well it's small but it's there)

The SI has a fantastic engine for what it is, a low displacement 2.0L engine that gets good MPG and sounds absolutely fantastic for a 20K car.