Personally I like the look of the S1 RX-8's over the S2's. But the S2's do have some nicer bits in the interior, more oil metering nozzles and supposedly better engine life. But to me one with a bad engine isn't too big of a deal, hell that's how I got mine so cheap and I enjoyed rebuilding the engine and getting everything perfect.

The Bose amps aren't a super big deal, I don't know about S2's but my S1 had the driver's door speaker not work sometimes. It was just a relay in the amp itself - it's in the door and slamming the door over time isn't great for a tiny relay. It's almost the same relay (same look at least) as the wiper switch relays on FC's of which I've repaired a few. Anyhow, pulled the door panel, pulled out the amp, unsoldered/resoldered the relay which cost a dollar and good to go.

Now it seems the key is finding an RX-8 in general, they are getting super hard to find.

Dale

 

New GR86 is my answer for new sports car. They’re lightweight (~2900lbs), RWD, manual transmission is real nice in them, great dimensions for stability and tossability, and the new 2.4L engine has 20% more torque 3000 rpm lower than last model. If it’s not enough power for you, they’ve proven reliable with low boost levels, ~300rwhp, which is plenty to have fun with. At $30k I think they represent a great value in the modern car market as well. At higher prices, I’d consider an RS3 or M2 Comp in the $65k range, but neither are lightweight sports cars. If you’re looking for the classic sports car feeling then there aren’t a lot of choices with RWD and manual that are particularly lightweight, just Miata and BRZ/GR86.

 

Seems like Evora, Cayman/Boxster, and GR86 are basically it, and two of those are mid-engine, so the comparison there is arguable. The Miata is in a different size/performance category, so not comparable IMO.

 

The Lotus Evora may be retired so I guess it will be the Emira from now on.

 

I think the OP requested recommendations under $60k or so, which is why I didn’t include Cayman/Boxster or Emira/Evora, since those are more $100k range. Nice cars, but a little more pricey for sure.

The ND Miata is faster than a first gen BRZ/86, and the new 2022 BRZ/GR86 is only slightly faster. It’s the same level of performance and the only other comparable car from a driving dynamics category. The BRZ/86 is more usable with a bit more interior and storage capacity.

 

The under $60K category barely exists any more due to inflation and auto manufacturing economics.

GR86 / BRZ, MX-5, Mustang, Camaro, 370Z and Supra are just about it when you're talking about inexpensive new RWD sports cars.

The field widens if you include other formats... then the Civic Type R, Subaru WRX, Audi TT / S5, BMW 2 series, Lexus RC, Mercedes C-class coupe, Infiniti Q60, etc. could be evaluated, but they aren't pure sports cars in the traditional sense.

 

The new BMW M2 Competition looks interesting. ~400hp turbocharged V6 with an optional manual transmission.

 

i6, it's a BMW. This is more of a new Supra than anything else

 

Yes, the M2 Competition seems to be a better (more expensive) car:

 

Alright guys, after driving one of the locals RX-8 I was officially convinced. So here is my 2009 RX-8 R3. Not happy it didn’t come with the stock wheels, but for what I paid for it I’ll manage.

 

Nice pickup! Welcome to the club....... I have an extra set of 19 inch BBS R3 wheels I may be convinced to part with

 

I tell you what. I’ll buy the wheels but only if they come with the paint job ! I actually just picked up a set of Gram Light 57DRs out of desperation bc the tires on the car currently are from 2011 and I refuse to keep 20s on this car (who puts 20s on a RX-8?)

 

The last week of December I bought a 2021 Miata Mx-5 with soft top, grand touring trim level, manual trans. It's still sitting in the showroom at the dealership over 1500 miles away, waiting for the backlogged shipping company to pick it up.

 

Congrats on the purchase! Can never go wrong with the Miata.
That white RF is tempting.

 

How long is the shipping backlog? Maybe if its ridiculously long, you can get a refund for whatever they are charging you for the shipping and hop on a plane, pick the car up at the dealership and drive it home.

 

If you'd like to get another broker, i could give you the information for the one I used. They delivered the car within the week....Iowa to New Mexico. Actually showed up 2 days early too.

 

That is a sweet Rx-8! IIR the black R3 is the most rare. If I had one today I would put 57DRs on it to match the 57CRs on my FD. The R3 wheels look great from a distance, but I always thought that sat a little too sunk in and the 19s offer less tire options. Show us some pics when you get set up.

 

This car temps me to sell the Rx7. Love the fit and finish on the touring. Let us know how the ND2 engine is. Nice buy

 

No miata will ever, ever, ever replace an FD3s. Period. Just saying

Oh, and i'm aware this is an RX-7 site, but to the comments on the R3 19 inch BBS...... I decided to try some 18 inch MS01. Much lighter, needs spacers almost as bad as the OEM BBS. Here we see 20mm front and 25mm rear spacers

 

I’m still firmly in the camp that believes the only thing even remotely comparable today to an FD is the BRZ/GR86. It’s the only 2800 lbs fixed roof coupe with manual on the market as far as I know. The 228hp gives it similar power/weight ratio, and having a flat 4 gives it low CG. I think in today’s market, when you compare with other cars new at $27-30k, you won’t find anything else that is close to what this offers. If you’re looking for the FR lightweight JDM experience, that isn’t a slow af Miata, then the new BRZ/GR86 is pretty much it.

 

That’s where we differ. I have never found this whole “flush” situation appealing. I understand that’s the way cars are designed nowadays which is obvious since the fenders have that lip that’s squared off so it can meet the tire and appear as one continuous thing. However, our cars were not designed with those type of fenders. So if you start to pull the entire wheel/tire out, sure it appears “flush” at the top but then it has at least 1-2inch of tire showing near the middle and bottom.
I believe having a max offset of 45+ on our cars is more than enough. Stock is 50+ and the RX8 goes to 47+ with the R3 wheels. You’ll be pushing it pretty hard with a 40+ offset. Anything lower than that, starts to look silly (at least in my view).

I’ll stick with the stock offset on my cars.

 

i know the miata has that stigma, and the old ones were slow, but since 2006 the miata isn't slow
the ND is 184hp/2300 lbs, so the power to weight is about the same as your BRZ. 1/4 mile in 14.4 seconds, which is basically the same as a stock FD....

 

Sure a new ND is almost as fast as a stock FD, but everyone here who cares even a little bit about speed certainly isn't stock. FD is minimal mods to +100hp, that's hard to match. Add a turbo to an ND or 86 and it levels the playing field, even if the cost is a bit higher

 

a full half second in the 1/4 mile is a significant difference.... I think the Miata is a great car, but comparing any stock Miata to a stock FD when it comes to straight line acceleration is laughable IMO.

2020 Miata Club 6 spd manual:
0 to 100 mph 16.4 seconds
0 to 110 mph 20.7 seconds
0 to 120 mph 28 seconds
0 to 130 mph 39.4 seconds

those figures ^ taken from this link:

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/p...iata_club.html

 

It does exist out there somewhere in Japan. Would give a slightly better power to weight ratio than a stock FD. Of course these are swagged numbers.

230hp/2300lb = ~.1
255hp/2700lb= ~.09

The dream and viable car for Mazda to produce would be a direct injection 13b in an ND miata and call it an Rx-5. Maybe make a turbocharged Mazdaspeed or "turbo" version, like the FC was. I know Mazda will not do it, but I can dream.