I need a car for a family of 3.
right now im torn between a 2005 RX8 and a 2004 G35x
after reading up on the RX8 alot of people suggest to stay away from them, but i need someone with first hand experience with these cars.
Thanks!
No firsthand experience but my wife was trying to decide between a g35 and a tsx a few years back. She went with the tsx because of reliability, fuel cost, and resale value. I personally don’t like the g35 or 37 but it seems that you get a lot of car for your money. If I had to pick between the two (with family in mind) I would get the g35
unless AWD is important (…you were considering an RX8), and you’re not adverse to FWD, a 04-05 TL 6MT (04 5AT sucked…) is a pretty decent car for a family. I have one and have zero regrets, plus its looks will keep over time. Trouble free for the 14-15k so miles i’ve driven since Feb '11.
If you’re set on AWD or RWD, 2005 RLs are also coming down in price. My friend just picked up a 2007 RL SH-AWD w/ 73k miles for 16k (frankly a steal at that price). The torque vectoring system is pretty cool and under full throttle sends most of its power to the rear (traction withstanding). I like my TL interior but the RL kicks it up yet another notch. And the RL is pretty decent looking and uber luxury (in acura standards) with adaptive headlights, keyless entry and locking and probably a lot more little details.
out of the two OP listed, g35x. I drove a vanilla g35 sedan and from a reliability stand point it’s actually quite good with my old housemate driving over 150k on it w/o major issues (until the cat converter(s) died) but interior isn’t to my liking.
Why would you even consider an RX8 for more than 2 people?
Because it’s a 4(ish)-door, silly.
The ultimate family cruiser… nuff said…
I would not get a rx8 for a family with more then 2 people
don’t like the RX8 anymore after seeing rear seats leg room.
ez12a 04-05 TL is up there on my list.
Im leaning towards mazdaspeed 6, probably be test driving one this week
05+ Legacy GT Turbo 5MT.
AWD, Turbo, Subaru reliability. Uses the STi block and WRX heads and turbo. With a better top mount (or FMIC if you want) and a re-tune at 20psi you will see ~280awhp/330awtq on stock components.
Second the Subaru, especially if you don’t live in a place where they are over priced like in Colorado.
haha where are they not overpriced? i also like the LGT, just be careful about the turbo though…i’ve read on the forums if it’s the stock turbo and it blows it could send chunks into your engine and ruin it, it’s common enough to warrant replacing the factory turbo with something better.
I remember looking at a 2006 and it was still over 18k as of early 2011. blah. With subarus, it seems you trade interior design/quality and feature set for awd and turbo. if you live in an area that snows LGT would be a good option too.
unfortunately 2005 LGTs got most of the bad press, suby reliability does not apply here. :\
http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/anyone-oem-blown-turbo-please-post-83047.html
^huge ass thread dedicated to blown turbos, with some repairs costing $8k. More i read, the more i think i dodged a bullet.
I’m TL biased, but it does have better skidpad and approx same 0-60 (5.6s, 6MT) as the LGT without all the problems of the LGT. Family wise, unless you NEED awd, a TL is really good, with the first major service–plugs, water pump, timing belts, etc.) at 105k. 105k.
edit: i keep editing and adding cause i was in the same position about 1 year ago. Deciding between WRX, LGT, G35, TSX, TL, IS250, 3 series. TL won out. I did a lot of research on the LGT… But i was commuting an estimated 30k a year at the time, and my friend with an 06 LGT Spec B even recommended i look elsewhere if i was doing that kind of mileage… Needed a car that was going to be a comfortable commuter that would be reliable, yet fun. The 6MT TL (vs. the 5AT TL) has brembo fronts, LSD, stiffer springs, bigger RSB, to name a few.
if you can find a 6MT TL, go test drive it. They’re 1 in a million (just kidding, but really, 1 in 40 were 6MT).
If I was buying a family car, I wouldn’t mess with it. That’s just me, though
I’m still getting an LGT. I won’t be using the stock turbo 
Thanks for the input ez12a
I too considered getting a legacy before reading that same article.
Im left with G35x, Mazdaspeed 6 and TL to choose from.
I’m partial to the VQ35 family…at least until the L33 idea runs its course. 
I thoroughly enjoy my IS300. You can find them at great prices. You’ll find four doors to be sooooo handy when you have kids.
I really liked the Mazda 6 when it came out, but after having a Mazda 626 that was a crap bucket, I’m no longer interested. I’d take a TL any day over a Mazda 6.
You can get every Ford vehicle with a turbo now, just FYI.
Im still sketchy about ford. I never really liked how ford cars look like either.
the new ford fusion looks pretty good…poor man’s aston/jag.
http://www.ford.com/cars/fusion/2013/
/off topic devil’s advocate.