sidicks Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 Have posted about this a while back, but we've now decided to investigate further: Golf GT/GTi (2.0 TDi) Audi A3 Sportback 2.0TD i or 2.0T Mazda RX8 Can anyone suggest a good site for getting price quotes (i.e. size of discounts etc) so that I can have a rough comparison and price in mind when I get to the respective dealers? Cheers Sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 '93 Rover 214SEi in Nightfire Red! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UBM Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 kelkoo.co.uk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Mazda RX8 [/ QUOTE ] Ooh, think about all that oil it burns. Check this out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 I'd stay away from the RX8 - thats for sure. The GTI seems a good choice (yes Ari, I have since driven one and whilst I still think it is too expensive I was pleasantly surprised - but no I wouldn't buy one myself!). I just don't like the new A3 grille - its horrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted January 23, 2005 Report Share Posted January 23, 2005 driveedeal.co.uk was one i looked at when arming myself for haggling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Mazda RX8 [/ QUOTE ] Ooh, think about all that oil it burns. [/ QUOTE ] I'm aware that there were/are oil buringing issues, but aside from that it has an awful lot going for it: - looks nice (subjective, but certainly looks more sporty than the A3 or Golf) - 231 bhp rear wheel drive (although admittedley low on torque) - 'suicide' rear doors make access to rear easy (if we had a kid, for example), although boot is quite small sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18ME Posted January 26, 2005 Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Mazda RX8 [/ QUOTE ] Ooh, think about all that oil it burns. [/ QUOTE ] I'm aware that there were/are oil buringing issues, but aside from that it has an awful lot going for it: - looks nice (subjective, but certainly looks more sporty than the A3 or Golf) - 231 bhp rear wheel drive (although admittedley low on torque) - 'suicide' rear doors make access to rear easy (if we had a kid, for example), although boot is quite small sidicks [/ QUOTE ] I'd suggest the RX8 as its suspension is a lot forgiving than the looks suggest and it doesn't ise that much oil either, but the fuel consumption may be a problem if doing a lot of miles. Also has a lot of toys as std. The Golf Gti is also a very nice car to drive with a punchy engine but the cost of options would make it a lot more than the RX8. Not sure what discounts are available on the Mazda but drive the deal were offering £2k+ off. Does this mean the A2's going cheap then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted January 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I'd suggest the RX8 as its suspension is a lot forgiving than the looks suggest and it doesn't ise that much oil either, but the fuel consumption may be a problem if doing a lot of miles. Also has a lot of toys as std. [/ QUOTE ] My wife has done 14k miles in 4 years in her A2............. [ QUOTE ] The Golf Gti is also a very nice car to drive with a punchy engine but the cost of options would make it a lot more than the RX8. Not sure what discounts are available on the Mazda but drive the deal were offering £2k+ off. [/ QUOTE ] I looked at drivethedeal, basically they were offering circa £900 off the RX-8 (was £0 when I looked before Chistmas), £10 !!! of the Golf GTi and about £2k off the A3. [ QUOTE ] Does this mean the A2's going cheap then [/ QUOTE ] I'm certainly open to offers on the A2 - 4 years old, full Audi srvice history, just 14k miles, many options etc etc! It's actually having a full AVS service plus MOT tomorrow ! PM me your bid !! Sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18ME Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Well I can quote you the Glass's retail and trade prices if that helps you. <ul type="square"> [*]Retail (Dealers Forecourt) £7800 [*]Trade: £6400 Those figures are for a 2001 "X" A2 1.4 SE with your mileage into account and met paint, climate control, CD player, but not opensky or leather. TBH I'm not really looking to buy a car more than around £3k - £4k purely because I can't really afford it due to a pending divorce, but I have just sold the Saxo that I was using as a runabout to keep the fuel costs and the mileage down on the Touareg so I do need a second car. If you struggle to sell the A2 (which I don't think you will) I would pay you trade price + a few hundred for the extras as long as I could borrow the rest of the money from my mum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted January 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2005 [ QUOTE ] <ul type="square"> [*]Retail (Dealers Forecourt) £7800 [*]Trade: £6400 [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for these figures - I think that if £6,400 is the trade price then the private sale price must be above £7k, and with the spec of this car (and the fact that it has 12 months MOT, tax, service etc etc) then asking £8k with a view to be chipped down a few £000 is probably not too far off the mark. We will see what the other dealers come back with. Cheers Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vee Posted January 29, 2005 Report Share Posted January 29, 2005 Something a mate told me to try re RX8s . . Go to a dealer, open both doors on one side, close the front one and then try to close the back one. Apparently the back one will not close and you'll damage the paint. No idea whether this is true but my mate is pretty clued up about cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPearce Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Something a mate told me to try re RX8s . . Go to a dealer, open both doors on one side, close the front one and then try to close the back one. Apparently the back one will not close and you'll damage the paint. No idea whether this is true but my mate is pretty clued up about cars. [/ QUOTE ] You're quite right but this is because the RX8 uses the rear doors to create a b-pillar so the doors have to close this way round. I'm part of the RX8 owners club (something 18ME knows about - good to see you again Martin) and I've never come across anyone who has closed the doors the wrong way round. Regarding the other issues mentioned in this and other threads; Oil usage - varies according to how hard you drive it but most owners seem to use a litre every 1500-2000 miles. MPG - I get an average of 23mpg from the 231ps version and some have managed 30mpg but on the other hand there are a few that only get 18-19mpg. Again it depends how you drive it. Flooding - the early RX8's were prone to flooding if shut down before the engine had warmed but a new ECU flash has made this problem far less prevelant. Any work required after a flooding is covered on the warrenty. The positive aspects of RX8 ownership for me are; Driving experience - the car handles better than any of my previous coupes (my favourite car before the 8 was my VW Corrado VR6) and still brings a smile to my face every time I drive it (after 15 months of ownership.) Practicality - I share a long commute (138 miles a day) with 2 other guys and they can fit in the RX8 depsite both being over 6 feet tall. I can take it on a weekend with the 2 children in the back and a couple of suitcases in the boot (although the boot opening is awkward.) The servicing is pretty cheap on the RX8 - my first service (12,500 miles) only cost me £56 and my 25,000 mile service cost less than £100 I think it's a great compromise bewteen sporting ability and practicality and theres' nothing to compete with it for the price. It's not without it's foibles but which car is perfect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
18ME Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Good honest review there.... and welcome to TSN Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 [ QUOTE ] The servicing is pretty cheap on the RX8 - my first service (12,500 miles) only cost me £56 and my 25,000 mile service cost less than £100 [/ QUOTE ] My god, thats not cheap, it's bloody free!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPearce Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] The servicing is pretty cheap on the RX8 - my first service (12,500 miles) only cost me £56 and my 25,000 mile service cost less than £100 [/ QUOTE ] My god, thats not cheap, it's bloody free!!! [/ QUOTE ] I do enjoy one of the cheapest Mazda dealers in the country regarding servicing and supplied 4.5litres of my own oil but it's still very good value compared to other cars I've owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 How old are the kids? COuld you manage with RX8 and young children / buggies/prams etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPearce Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 [ QUOTE ] How old are the kids? COuld you manage with RX8 and young children / buggies/prams etc? [/ QUOTE ] My kids are 2 and 4. We've been away for the weekend and fitted a travel cot, buggy and suitcase in the boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattR32 Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Lots of RX8s around my way -I like them, but not sure about the bright yellow on that parks outside most nights! For som reason they have all been left lone by thieves where as my R has been done twice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted February 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I think it's a great compromise bewteen sporting ability and practicality and theres' nothing to compete with it for the price. It's not without it's foibles but which car is perfect? [/ QUOTE ] Thanks for your comments (and welcome to TS.net !!) A car with a good compromise between sporting ability and practicality is exactly what we are after (so the A3 2.0T Sportback, VW Golf Gti and RX-8 seem to all fit the bill reasonably well for my wife's car - In due course I'll be getting rid of the M3 for something with 'proper' practicality. Am still waiting for the Mazda dealer to contact me despite a promise of a call last Friday, so it doesn't bode well for Mazda so far !! Sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyPearce Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 I think finding a good dealer is half of the battle with any make of car - after 3 attempts I've found a Mazda dealer who is far better than any dealer I've had for any car I've owned. As far as compromise between sports car and practicality is concerned I think the Audi and VW are both more practical cars in terms of load space and rear passennger room but are both hot hatches wheras the RX8 is less practical but is a sports car that can be used as a family car. It all depends on which is the bigger priority for you - if the practicality is more important then I think you'll end up with a car from the VAG range but I bet you'll enjoy driving the RX8 moure (just make sure you take the 230 out and rev it til it beeps in 2nd and 3rd!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now