A friend is interested in doing some lapping this summer and picking up a car to use primarily for this use. He previously had a C6 6-speed Corvette but I personally feel a car like that would be too valuable and fast for a first-timer to take out on the track. So we started discussing what would be a good all-around car to take lapping once and a while, and the E36 M3 instantly popped into my mind simply based off its reputation. But then I started looking into the prices for these cars and noticed that they were still in the $15000 range which is RX-8 territory. I've learned from various sources such as the Top Gear reviews that the RX-8, fuel economy aside, is apparently an amazing handling car, and with just the right amount of power to have fun on the track but not get yourself into trouble. Not to mention, the 8 would still have some warranty left on it (especially since Mazda extended the engine coverage).

What are your thoughts?

I figured this is a pretty unbiased place to ask since it seems that not many of us RX-7 guys particularly like the RX-8.

 

These days you into the Fd price(15K) range as well, with that being said both cars are nice street/ track cars, set of sticky tires some brake pads and away you go, the dangerous part would be what track or track's your friend picks to learn on

 

The rx-8 should be considerably faster around the track vs a stock m3 e36.

1:31.8 - Mazda RX-8

1:31.8 - BMW M3 E46

If the rx8 can tie the same time as the E46, which has much more HP than the E36, i dont see why it cant walk on the E36

times are from top gears test track.


and you can find a nice E36 for much less than 15000. 7-8 for a nice one is more realistic, i almost picked one up.

 

Yah but he wants an e36 m3. Which is a completely different car. Suspension is not the same at all. I had a friend who tracked an e36 m3, bushings were his only complaint. Basically because the suspension is SO tight the bushings wear out ridiculously fast.

Both cars are amazing.

 

Nonsense, the E36 M3 is a corner carver. Without a turbocharger or a 3-rotor NA powerplant the RX8 is pedestrian.

 

Although the RX-8, is a great handling and balanced car for the track, it really has no ***** in its stock form. To get any power out of it, you have to be over 6.5k RPM constantly. Having said that, you can make it faster like RacerJason suggested with a turbo and that would change the car drastically if done right.

I recently bought a 2005 RX-8 for $12,000 for a winter car. Having driven it for a few days, the suspension was stiffer then I would have expected for stock suspension. I did some minor testing in this shitty weather and can say the feedback from the car feels like the feedback I get from the GT-R in mid-speed corners but slightly different (meaning it handles really well when pushed). I can tell it has a solid handling platform but then coming out of the corner, the car just has no pull.

I can understand Top Gears statements though. The gearbox keeps it in its powerband if you drive it right and keeps consistent power going to your wheels which would make for a fun car to drive on the track. All the "action" would happen on the corners where its more fun and is what makes the difference between having a fast car and actually going fast.

On a side note I went sideways twice the day I drove the car home testing it out. But thats because of the shitty weather and still running the OEM tires which are really summer tires.

Driving the RX-8 is completely different from driving my RX-7. The first 10% of throttle, its like the car has a lot of potential, and then you put your foot down and your like "oh...". I guess I'm a little spoiled from the RX-7 but still an interesting feeling.

The only fast BMW's I have ever seen at the track are either full race cars or fully stripped machines. But that's just in my experience and I'm not even sure which car your referring to specifically.

I'd say get the car you like best or would be prouder to drive on the track fast.

thewird

 

I'd take an RX8 anyday.

E36 M3's are nice, but RX8's are just better.

 

i used to won a e36 328 with aftermarket blitz suspension. Yes the cars are great in corners, but to say the rx8 cant not hold its own against one in a corner is a BOld statement. Very equal and willing cars, but the rx-8 does lack that UMPH......