DC2 vs. RX8

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MikeHiow

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

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A completely hypothetical thread, but a question that was perplexing me earlier after reading a thread on another forum earlier where someone was suggesting an RX8 in a thread asking about the DC2. I'm a fan of both, and don't think I could choose, personally, but with a gun to my head, I think I'd lean toward the RX8, if nothing else, for the image.

You have £5k and you have a choice between either of these, which would you choose?

The way I see it:

RX8: Newer, more attractive, looks more expensive than it really is and really feels like a sports car should. Downside is the possibility of apex seals, fuel costs and its perhaps not as quick as it should be, although a top gear repeat earlier showed it lapping their track in the same time as an E46 M3 :o

DC2: Being a Honda, its likely to be more reliable than the RX8, cost less to run an maintain and has potential to be a future classic and thus the potential to appreciate if looked after. Probably just as fun and sporty feeling as the RX8, and is starting to age - meaning finding one in decent condition is also difficult.

Both are great looking coupe's, both are similar in terms of pace and ability, both are a similar price.

So which would you choose? I'd like to avoid FWD vs. RWD debates, but preferring RWD (or FWD) is a valid reason.
 
I might be slightly biased so will remfrain for commenting :D

Well I will for now as I'm still at working and aching to leave for beer!

But I'll get some proper reasons up for choosing the better one ;)
 
RX8, because the DC2 is simply a 1990's Honda most of the time.

When you are on a fantastic road, with miles of tarmac stretching in front of you, fantastic - DC2 for the win. It'll be great. But how often is that? Hardly ever. The rest of the time it's just an old Honda. I dispute that its a great looking car, either, to most people it is simply an old car.

The RX8, however, still has it in the looks department, is better to live with, and is just a better car, more of the time.
 
I'd have the DC2 easily, but it's a bit of an unfair comparison as they're from totally different generations...so to even it up I'd say DC5 vs RX-8, and pick the Honda again!
 
MikeHiow said:
There was no (W) and yep, apparently so. You'd be surprised just how balanced the RX8 is, and how much of a difference that makes.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's so much better balanced than the 50/50 balance of the M3 it can overcome the 110bhp power deficit without issue.

Here is the extract from the Top Gear power board:

Porsche 911 Carrera 2S 1.26.2
Porsche 911 Carrera S 1.28.9
Porsche 911 Turbo 1.31.0
Honda NSX Type R 1.31.6
BMW M3 1.31.8
Mazda RX-8 1.31.8
BMW 535d 1.31.8
BMW 130 1.31.9
Click to expand...

I think that tells us all we need to know about how worthless this particular data is.

Unless you really want to think a BMW 5 Series diesel is just 0.2 seconds off the pace of a Honda NSX-R, obviously. Or that an M3 is no quicker than a 130i. Or that a 911 C4S is quicker than a 911 Turbo. Or that a C2S is quicker than both.

ie, its worthless :p
 
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MikeHiow said:
There was no (W) and yep, apparently so. You'd be surprised just how balanced the RX8 is, and how much of a difference that makes.
Click to expand...

Actually, I wouldn't, I am well aware the RX8 is genuinely sporty compared to something mundane like a 330i Sport, I just wasn't aware that it was M3 good considering the power differences.
 
ugly fast car vs ugly fast car.....id choose the rx-8 because the interior is nicer but i really really cant stand the looks of them. awkward ugly things.
 
Seeing as it will no doubt be referred to a lot now, i've taken it upon myself to post a selection of surrounding laptimes from the Top Gear board.

# 1:31.0 - Porsche 996 Turbo (very wet)
# 1:31.2 - BMW 760Li (wet)
# 1:31.3 - Vauxhall VX220
# 1:31.3 - Vauxhall VXR8 (wet)
# 1:31.4 - Audi TT Mk.II 2.0T
# 1:31.6 - Honda NSX-R (very wet)
# 1:31.8 - BMW M3 E46
# 1:31.8 - BMW 535d
# 1:31.8 - Nissan 350Z
# 1:31.8 - Mazda RX-8
# 1:31.9 - BMW 130i (E87)
# 1:32.1 - Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (wet)
# 1:32.2 - Ford Focus RS Mk I
# 1:32.2 - Mazda 6 MPS
# 1:32.5 - Renaultsport Mégane 225 Cup

Interesting to see the 130i only 0.1s slower than an M3, even if the 130i is a fair bit newer...
 
I think, seeing as the E46 M3 is getting on for 10 years old now, I think its not quite as special as it once was.

For example, the chap who's X5 I did at the weekend used to have a CSL and has also had the E92 M3. He claims that the E92 M3 is more capable than his CSL was.
 
The Top Gear RX8 lap is a bit of anomaly when comparing it against the M3. Pretty much every other mag/test lap time puts the E46 M3 considerably ahead.
 
[TW]Fox;17253108 said:
What about the mundane 130i Sport that lapped in the same time ;)
Click to expand...

I would imagine a one series is significantly lighter and smaller than a 3 series? It may even be lighter than an RX8? And with an extra 30 or so BHP? Yea I could see that happening, so no, I wouldn't be surprised by that either. Modern BMW's seem to have come a long way since the RX8 was released.
 
I appreciate that, but with the rotary engine, the RX8 has an advantage on weight distribution and a very low centre of mavity with the small engine and its placement, its also a fair bit lighter. I see that its more than surprising having the RX8 equalling the M3, I just don't see it as impossible.
 
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