I'm investigating this now, but I can tell you Subaru has one of the strongest AWD systems out there. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooQRxlChvMw

I'd highly suggest checking out this comparison of AWD cars by Road & Track:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=1

Summary of results here:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=9

Their standings - price does not matter ( include everything from fit & finish to performance ):

1 Audi A4 2.0 T Quattro
2 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B
3 BMW 325xi
4 Lexus IS 250 AWD
5 Mazda Mazda-Speed6
6 Infiniti G35x
7 Volvo S40 T5 AWD

Standings - considering price/value:
1 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B
2 Audi A4 2.0 T Quattro
3 BMW 325xi
4 Mazda Mazda-Speed6
5 Lexus IS 250 AWD
6 Infiniti G35x
7 Volvo S40 T5 AWD

Price/dollar the subaru pretty much crushes it, however if you are going for image this really isn't the car for you.

I'm also told the new Acura SH-AWD system is excellent, but I haven't driven one. Here's an article on the Acura's AWD system vs. the new G37's:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=135807

LOL retirements. If you do it right you can live like a king in ur prime and then drop dead of a massive coronary right before you run out of money.

i really like the A4 and 3 series 2009 models over the previous generations for both.
When will I be able to buy a CPO'd 2009 car for say 2/3-3/4 the value. Will this be possible in say September 2009 or will I have to wait until 2010.

Also i heard its not good to get a used car with mileage under like 20k and relatively new, usually means there was some problems with that car and person decided to return it. Was advised to get new or get something with 50k+ in mileage

The 335 has been roughly the same since its launch in ~2006 as far as I know. Maybe a few updates have been done that I'm not aware of, what exactly is the deal breaker for you on a 2009 vs. 2007 335?

It will take about 2 years or maybe a little less for a new 335 to lose a third of its value.

Complete BS. People have short commutes, run into financial difficulties, etc. Way too many possibilities for someone to draw any real conclusions based on mileage alone.

When buying used, ask to see service records (all newer BMW's should be well maintained since they come from the factory with free 4 year maintenance plans). Do that and have a private party inspection to make sure you're not buying a car that has been in a wreck before.

the 335 didnt even exist in 2006, top model was 330.. 45 less hP, 80lb less torque

similar to the audi 2.0

http://en.research.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/autos/compare/default.aspx?year=&make=BMW&model=3+Series&ts=245^ ^74257962009,507^^6143112009,245^2541^6008862006,& pos=0&pg=CompareOverview&rem=1

it launched in 2006 as a 2007 model

I'm seriously considering trading in my 2003 Honda Accord, EX coupe with 45,000 miles for a 2005 or newer Mazda RX-8.



for


My accord is less than stellar condition, lots of dings and nicks with scratched paint and some problems with the interior upholstery. All in all, it has all the extras but the 2003s didn't come with GPS or satellite radio. Probably could get ~8k or so for it...

A newer RX-8 is going to run 12-15k depending on mileage but I would love going back to a standard. I have a friend with an RX-7 and he swears by it and absolutely loves the rotaries. I've never driven one but what do you guys think?

Accords are nice cars and all but I may be looking for something sportier/faster... anyone have any personal experiences with the RX-8s?

RX-8 is a boring/slow car.

RX-7 is a very good car with one of the least reliable engines ever made.

Love my RX 8. It is not slow and has great pickup. Lots of fun

Test drive it. Numbers wise they don't do as well so a lot of magazine racers are going to tell you it sucks.

One thing for sure, the mpg isn't great. That wouldn't bother me one bit but it might for you.

I know a lot of people who really like them, and I think they're a great looking, great sounding car.

I read somewhere they are great for picking up chicks

My parents have a RX-8 from ~2005.

It has low gas milleage, is terrible in the snow, and has had more service problems than any other car they have owned (not really surprising since every other car has been a Honda accord or equivalent). The engine was replaced after 2 years, and there have been some other problems as well. However, the warranty was good and repairs were timely and thorough for the most part.

Overall, I believe they are slightly dissatisfied with the car. There has also been some mention that they might try to sell it this year.

YMMV

Test drive one. Test drive a mazdaspeed3 while you are at the mazda dealership -- it will knock the rx's socks off.

I read somewhere they're coming out with a new RX-7 in a couple years.

OP, I'd recommend looking at Subaru WRXs before you pull the trigger on the RX-8. Same price range, good in all weather, more reliable.

go 350z imo

Hatchbacks are uuuuuuuugly.

They look like mini hearsts.

this. Nissans are better cars in general and the Z gives way better performance for about the same cost...

I dunno about the RX-8 mpg, but I get like 27 on the highway

350zs are like a 35-40k car while RX-8s are like a 25k car off the lot.

Top Gear reviewed it and really liked it. After driving it Clarkson said it was the best car he's driven all year. He changed his mind after driving it on wet pavement as it changed the handling a little, but overall they thought it an excellent car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA

Also 350Zs are pretty terrible.

this

Isn't this the one with the wankle for an engine??

If this is the sentiment you felt then yeah.

a 3 is a FWD car and the RX-8 is RWD. There's no way I'd buy a "performance" FWD if a RWD car was even a remote possibility.


An 8 is going to be just as bad as any other rwd car in snow, which isn't bad at all provided you have decent tires.

RWD + dedicated snow tires is going to do very well in the snow.

Just about every cop car in the US is RWD, how bad do you think it is?

Of course, this is irrelevant if you live in Florida.

Just go test drive it and test the 350z while you're at it.

Saying Nissan makes better cars than Mazda is odd, they're both decent imo

.02

Weight, weight distribution, and wheelbase are also big factors in how a car handles the snow. The RX-8 is at a disadvantage in all of these areas to nearly every other car out there. Definitely in comparison to a cop car.

Recently, my friend started dealing in a private new york live 5/10 that is frequented by rich businessmen who love to lose lots of money in poker. Almost every hand is straddled to 50, and there are multiple guys who will literally look at their hand, grab a handful of black chips, and throw them into the pot almost every hand. Needless to say, I want to play in this game as much as possible over the summer so I'll be needing a car. However, I'm studying abroad for Fall 2009 so I will only be needing it for this summer. Does anyone know what my options are here?

I looked at lease trading websites but they dont have much of a selection as far as 3 month leases go... Any advice will be appreciated