supercharged IS200 vs RX8 as b-road + trackday car

[Eramian]

My dd is a IS300 sportcross (no sunroof no nav, but LSD).
Tracked it once: it is heavy, but power was sufficient to me and it behaves beautifully.

Now I would like something lighter and more fun, but with 4 seats just in case. I am not afraid of having to work on it.
My RWD options are IS200 supercharged (manual+LSD) or an RX8.
IS200: certainly more fun because of the FI engine, sc noise and a "less perfect" chassis than the RX8.

RX8: perfect chassis, engine revs but is "boring", very subjective opinion.
I educated myself about everything this engine implies so no worries, wont be my main car anyway.

Weight is almost the same, power too, certainly more room in the IS but I do not care. Price is similar.

RWD because I have the occasion to drive on a watered track, but I know it is much easier to pick everything in "cheap, 4 seats, light, fun" with FWD.

What would you choose?

[cybertrophic]

I’d go with the LS200. Can always drop in a JZ supra engine (as per the altezza in JDM spec). Bit less likely to land you with massive bills and doesn’t require as much oil as fuel.

The rx8 is just one of those cars that didn’t really reach its potential - a poor alternative to the RX7 it replaced, despite the claims of reliability in the Genesis engine. Back in the day (before wannabe drifters drove the price up), the Nissan 200SX would have been the ideal voice.

[Krikkit]

IS200 with the 400/430 swapped in

[otolith]

I’d take the Mazda. I loved the engine, they’re dirt cheap and cheap to rebuild (cheaper I suspect than “dropping” an anything into something else) and while I am sure the Lexus is a lovely family saloon it doesn’t seem like a good place to start.

[Nickp82]

cybertrophic said:

The rx8 is just one of those cars that didn’t really reach its potential - a poor alternative to the RX7 it replaced, despite the claims of reliability in the Genesis engine.

I think you’re in a Land of Confusion

[samoht]

I'd go for the better handling car for trackdays, because you can really push a car to the limit on track and better handling will be more entertaining for longer than a car where you're forever managing it.

[cybertrophic]

Nickp82 said:

I think you’re in a Land of Confusion

Having seen many an RX8 spend more time in bits due to dodgy oil seals than on the road, I’d say no.

[Nickp82]

cybertrophic said:

Having seen many an RX8 spend more time in bits due to dodgy oil seals than on the road, I’d say no.

Well, Jesus he knows me and he knows I’m right.

[LasseV]

Both are good and nice cars. Tough choice for sure. I would take sc IS200. I owned one and it was a great car if little bit slow. Mine was n/a not a sc one. Is your is300 in good shape? If it is, keep it too. Will be desirable car in the future.


What about Altezza with a 2.0 beams engine?

[ZX10R NIN]

It would be the IS200 for me if you could find a 2.0T then that really would be the sweet spot.

[mrtwisty]

It's not going to be your main car, but it needs to have four seats 'just in case'?

Well colour me confused...

I'm guessing the budget is 3-5k? Why not something (much) lighter with two seats?

[evil.edna]

Nickp82 said:

cybertrophic said:

Having seen many an RX8 spend more time in bits due to dodgy oil seals than on the road, I’d say no.

Well, Jesus he knows me and he knows I’m right.

RX8 is one of those cars where you are In Too Deep, before you know it, and end up Throwing It All Away.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Option C: Mini Cooper S / Clio 182 / mk5 Golf GTI etc etc. All cheap, all with 4 usable seats and I'd guess all much better on a track than an IS and far more reliable than an RX8.

[otolith]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Option C: Mini Cooper S / Clio 182 / mk5 Golf GTI etc etc. All cheap, all with 4 usable seats and I'd guess all much better on a track than an IS and far more reliable than an RX8.

He did say;

Eramian said:

RWD because I have the occasion to drive on a watered track, but I know it is much easier to pick everything in "cheap, 4 seats, light, fun" with FWD.

Personally, for the use suggested, I would find an RX-8 in need of an engine rebuild (you can pick them up for a grand) and take it somewhere like this;

https://www.ryanrotaryperformance.com/rx8-engine-r...

(I'd do my homework to see if they were any good, but there are a few places offering this kind of service for that kind of price)

[samoht]

One more thing, the RX-8 owners club has an impressively active & well-supported trackday calendar
https://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewforum.ph...

So if you'd enjoy being part of a group, having advice/support with car issues at a trackday, that's a factor well worth considering. Of course not everyone enjoys that sort of thing.

[seiben]

I've owned an RX8 as a road car, and have run one as a dedicated track car for the last few years. As a road car I found it very disappointing, but as a track car with a few suitable tweaks (coilovers, ARBs and and an alignment being the best bang-for-buck) it's really very good.