Alfa Romeo GT vs. Mazda RX8

aidofitz

Hey all,

Am thinking about buying myself a nice(r) car. To be honest, am not a bit petrolhead, so the look is probably more important than anything else for me Probably something 3 or 4 years old, for about €25k. Am thinking about either an Alfa Romeo GT or Mazda RX-8.
At the moment leaning towards the GT, mainly cause its a bit different... Any thoughts? Anything else I should be considering around that price range?

Thanks,

Adrian

Bluefoam

There is lots of maintenance in the RX8, it eats oil. I love the GT.

ds20prefecture

You really shouldn't be thinking about either of these cars here on boards. A nice 320d coupe would do the job and let you moo along with the rest of the herd.

If it were me, I'd have the RX8. The GT is just a little bit fat and the trick doors on the RX8 are more than just a trick.

The RX8 will consume more oil than a normal car, because it is not a normal car. Just keep an eye on the oil and you'll be laughing.

Depreciation wise, the GT is probably the safer bet, particularly if you get the diesel.

bazz26

Both cars are stunning imo.

The RX-8 has a rotary engine and I have read that it uses a bit of oil, the rotary engine is also a bit thirsty but other than that the car is very reliable. I love the suicide style rear doors on the RX-8 too. There are two versions of this car, a 192bhp and a more powerful 231bhp version, both 1.3 litre but classed as 1.8 litre for road tax.

If I were choosing an Alfa GT then I would go for the 1.9 litre diesel Multi-jet version. 150bhp from a diesel and good economy too. Typical Italian car with plenty of style and flair. Avoid servicing/maintenance from an Alfa Romeo dealer as they are generally poor, find yourself a good Alfa specialist instead.

Best of luck, it's a nice dilema to have.

Cyrus

has to be the rx8, it seems the diesel is the best engine in the alfa but a diesel in an alfa is just wrong

ciarsd

Cyrus wrote:

it seems the diesel is the best engine in the alfa but a diesel in an alfa is just wrong

Gotta beg to differ having owned both The diesel is perfectly suited to this car. It might not have the nice sounding petrol engine, but thats it, there is not much else to speak negatively about.

I've never driven an RX8 however

C_Breeze

Mazda Rx8 ......mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Definitely the Rx8 ! without a question ! Such a slick car .. and go for the 231

Lucky you

prospect

Alfa GT, 1.9Jtd.

cjt156

Nice dilemma...
I'm a huge Alfa fan & would love to eventually replace my 156 with a GT (or a Brera if depreciation is kind to me) but the RX is one of the few cars that could change my mind. I'd say test drive a few models to get the feel of what suits you best. Obviously both need to be maintained but would be hugely rewarding as weekenders and daily drivers alike.

...or you could get a 316i with a big bore exhaust and 18" rims & be a real Boards-style petrol-head... :rolleyes:

Stephen

Jesus, an Alfa thread and nobody has jumped in to say that they're all sh1te and it'll fall apart within days?



I'd pick the Alfa GT myself. Nice.

edit: speeling

Cyrus

ciarsd wrote:

Gotta beg to differ having owned both The diesel is perfectly suited to this car. It might not have the nice sounding petrol engine, but thats it, there is not much else to speak negatively about.

I've never driven an RX8 however

i know and i know the 1.9jtd is a decent engine but starting an alfa to diesel clatter just seems wrong to me

easyontheeye

some more opinions here

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055090972&referrerid=&highlight=alfa+GT

rowanh

Would you consider an rx7, if looks are your main concern.. The rx7 is a beast though, might be more car than you want.

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=539659

Wossack

would you consider a honda s2000 or even a boxster? you could probably also get a pretty new mazda mx5 for that too

good few options around in that price range anyway - good luck with the search

testicle

Cyrus wrote:

i know and i know the 1.9jtd is a decent engine but starting an alfa to diesel clatter just seems wrong to me

That's just your variator gone

su_dios

Buy a GT and you won't regret it! Amazing car all around. But just please don't buy one with black leather seats..it doesn't suit the small interior. Get tan or red depending on the colour car you go with! It'll make a huge difference.

How could you even contemplate an rx8 when you're thinking of a GT?!? :eek:

My dads thinking of gettin a new jtd to replace his 04 2.0ltr but wants to keep the same sound...and wow is it a nice sound

Cyrus

to be fair ,imo anyway, the gt is the better looking car but it is what it says it is, a GT

the rx8 is a proper little sports car

ciarsd

Cyrus wrote:

i know and i know the 1.9jtd is a decent engine but starting an alfa to diesel clatter just seems wrong to me

Ok when do you want a spin?

colly10

I wouldn't be overly keen on the look of either tbh (although that probably doesn't help). I don't think using oil should put you off the RX8 though.

Would you consider an s2000 or RX7 (spirit R). Think the spirit R had over 300hp, can't go wrong

Hotwheels

I'd go for the 1.9 JTDm 16V, excellent machine, cost of running it pretty good also when compared to a T-Spark...

On the M-Way today my 159 JTDm was averaging 50MPG at 120K'ish, Alfa diesel's are Frugal and great fun to drive...

And lets face it, the GT looks the dawg's dangly's

best of look with the car...

aidofitz

Thanks very much for all the responses folks.... think I'll deffo start looking for that Alfa!

motown

Hey,

Did you end up buying the Alfa. If not and you are still on the market for a car go for the RX8. I have driven both the Alfa and RX and can tell you that the RX8 is the champ hands down
Style wise I personally prefer the Alfa but the RX8 is such a drivers car. With a 9K redline and a rotary engine that actually loves to be redlined (redlining it helps stop carbon from building up in the engine). It is such a smooth handler. I personally have never driven anything like it. It is a true sports car where the Alfa aint.
It has perfect 50:50 weight distribution which keeps it glued to the road and is simply a pleasure to drive on Irish roads!!
As for maintaing it. True as other member have pointed out it does consume quite alot of oil. Mazda recommend that you top it up after every two petrol fills but this isn't a problem as it takes 2mins to do and oil is not very expensive.
The best advice that I can give you is take both of them for a test drive and I'm sure you will know exactly what to do after that (providing you haven't purchased already)

unkel

It's unfair to compare the RX-8 to any GT, unless it is the 3.2V6. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that yet

That's a different beast altogether compared to the small 4-pots and surely every bit as sporty as an RX-8. Beauty&beholder and all that, but the person that feels the RX-8 looks better, needs their head examined imho

Both are great cars, the RX-8 is RWD with even weight distribution. Alfa is the only mainstream manufacturer that make FWD cars well over 200BHP that drive well. Mmmm, choices

I haven't driven either. For me the test drive would be the crucial factor

Edit: oops this thread is quite old. Perhaps the OP will come back to tell us what he went for?

Sonnenblumen

He's constantly in and out of the garage, so guessing shouldn't be difficult!:D

Biro

Did he buy the Alfa?
I like the RX8 as much as I like the Alfa GT, but I'll have no problem admitting that the Alfa is a much better looking car, and a fantastic design.
I do like the RX8 styling, but thats a personal affection for that kind of style, I'd never argue that it's a nicer design than the GT, cause it isn't!
However, if I wanted comfort I'd go for the Alfa GT with the diesel engine. If on the other hand I wanted a drivers car, I'd go with the Mazda. And I do want a drivers car, so the RX8 would be my call. Don't have the money for one though at the moment!

Triangle

Maybe a bit late on this one - but I have the RX-8 and it's got me for life. It's a sweet car with a beautiful design (Personal choice i reckon here)
The sound of the engine is incredible, the drive is absolutely incredible - i wouldn't change it for the world.

Although there are a few 'tricks'

1) Eats oil - i refill every 1K
2) 240 Miles to a 61 Litre tank (Galway-Dublin and back)
3) Slides on corners in the wet (if you push it)
4) Bose Speakers could be better in it.

Now saying this - i still wouldn't even dream of changing cars!!!!! It's an absolutely fantastic car.

5) Also you can't move it 5 yards and turn it off - it needs to heat up or floods.


Edit: I have the 231BHP version (exclusive) i hear the 192 isn't worth thinking about.

tuxy

Triangle wrote:

2) 240 Miles to a 61 Litre tank (Galway-Dublin and back)

17 MPG?!? ouch :eek:
Or have I miscalculated?
At today prices that's €70 to travel 240 miles.

Triangle

Yeh 60ish Quid. The light comes on at around 50ish Litres used - so it's really 240 miles for 50 litres, But i push it (i.e. high revs)


I think they says its around 24 MPG

tuxy

Triangle wrote:

Yeh 60ish Quid. The light comes on at around 50ish Litres used - so it's really 240 miles for 50 litres, But i push it (i.e. high revs)


I think they says its around 24 MPG

I guess that's a little better, sounds like you are getting about 22 mpg

C_Breeze

unkel wrote:

Beauty&beholder and all that, but the person that feels the RX-8 looks better, needs their head examined imho

The RX-8 is a thousand times better looking than the alfa , interior and exterior!!!!! Alfa is too curvy and overstyled and not as clean and slick as the RX-8 imo

each to their own though!

unkel

C_Breeze wrote:

The RX-8 is a thousand times better looking than the alfa

Off to the head-examiner with you so

Triangle

Unkel,

you're not a bespectaled person now are you?


Or in need of them

Trig

BostonB

aidofitz wrote:

...To be honest, am not a bit petrolhead, so the look is probably more important than anything else for me Probably something 3 or 4 years old, for about €25k. Am thinking about either an Alfa Romeo GT or Mazda RX-8. ...

Both the Alfa and the RX-8 are going to need someone who looks after them and keeps an eye on all the vitals and ensure they get serviced correctly. Are you that person? While I think they are both great, I would say something like the S2000 is as flash but you could treat as a regular car.

unkel

Triangle wrote:

Unkel,

you're not a bespectaled person now are you?


Or in need of them

Trig

I am very lucky to have ended up with 20/12 vision many years ago (granted, after an eye operation)

Triangle

Well, I have to respect your view then (damn it!!!!!)


Well, only a little bit

unkel

Seriously though. Apart from any other factor, do you not feel the Alfa GT is better looking than the RX-8?

Triangle

I've forever had a crush on the '71 corvette.
When i saw the RX-8 - it immediately reminded me of it.

the sweeping fenders, the sloped rear window, the low 'fat' sleek design of it.

It was like getting my dream with a modern car that was comfortable to drive, didn't break down every 200 miles and handles corners.

There is (in my mind) no comparison.

Alfasudcrazy

As an ex owner of a GT 1.9JTD I could not recommend them highly enough. I sold mine as I had too many cars and had to balance the budget - nothing to do with the car itself which was great.

The rear hatch area can suffer from rattling though but once you don't let that get to you you will enjoy the car.

pburns

Mmmm...

I know all the scare stories about Alfas but the GT would probably be the most 'sensible' of the range and the 1.9JTD has a decent reputation for reliability AFAIK.

Personally I think the GT is far better-looking than the over-hyped Brera...

ciarsd

Interesting replies and comments on two very different cars! Good read.

Johnny Storm

Mmmmm ... think I'd go with the RX8. Both are fine looking cars. Arguably the Alfa is a bit better looking. The Rx8 looks a bit odd from the back around the rear window and rear quarter lights. Not too sure about the interior either. Alfa looks good from all angles.
If you have any need for 4 doors then its no contest.
The Wanker engine adds the cool factor