Well after almost 5 years of rotary power, I’ve traded in my RX-8. This is by far the longest I’ve ever owned a car.
It’s been a blast, and I’ve enjoyed pretty much every aspect of owner a fantastic sports car. She’s been ultra-reliable, fun, the quality build and value is still evident. I still think the car looks fantastic. Downsides have been tire wear (gotta corner properly!!), exciting moments in the rain, and the fuel economy of a Tiger Tank!
My daughter is disappointed as she views the RX-8 as a cool school taxi. However, as the kids get older the practicality of “suicide” doors are limited and in terms of enhancing the performance of the RX-8 the only real options are quite expensive.
There is no doubt I’ll miss the RX-8. Driving away from the dealership where I sold her, I was already experiencing a few pangs of regret/doubt as I glided the RX-8 into a corner. However, the excitement and anticipation for my next car is still building. Due to long Easter weekend (dealer closed) and a pre-planned short-break, I don’t pick my new car up until next Thursday (a whole 7 days!).
My new car is an Audi A3 2.0 TFSI Quattro 5 door.
- 2.0 Litre turbo charged engine - stock performance 147kw 280nm @ 1700 rpm ~ 7sec to 100km/h
- Comfort Pack - two tone leather, electric lumbar support, Factory Bluetooth
- Aluminimum Roof rails and Inserts
- 18″ S3 Alloy Wheels
- Full Oettinger Body Kit
- Brilliant Red
- 2 year unlimited km warranty & roadside assist.
She’s not new (2006) but is in excellent condition and has had one very careful and expert owner (more of this later).
So what attracted me to the car? Especially to replace something as sporty and classy as the RX-8.
Well if you’re either a Audi or BMW person, I’m the former. I’ve always desired an Audi, didn’t quite get one when we lived in the UK, and until now I’ve not had the opportunity or budget to get one that ticked all my boxes.
Of course I wanted performance, ideally a Quattro (an Audi signature technology), good looks (always subjective of course), practicality, better fuel economy, and the potential to cheaply and easily improve the car.
This car ticks all those boxes, and indeed I believe there is an element of fate/kismet/luck to this whole sage.
After seeing the car advertised online, I went to view the car last weekend, but it was off-the-yard having some paint chips fixed. The dealer (Gavin) called me Monday to say it was back, and I arranged to go view it. However, before I could escape from work, Gavin called me to say it was sold “subject to finance”. I was disappointed (understatement) but thanked him and asked if he could keep an eye out for anything similar.
The following day I was on a course when the dealer’s number flashed up on my mobile and I listened to the voice mail at the earliest opportunity. The car was back on the market due to the the other buyer’s accountant who pointed out that the buyer couldn’t afford it.
You’ve heard of “being subject to finance” but never dream it will fall through for the other party. But it did.
So I escaped once again from work, and shot down to the Brisbane Audi Centre used car lot. Showed my license and a few minutes later took it for a test drive - a very fun experience (helped by the fact that the Audi dealers didn’t accompany me). Tested the brakes ( 
courier vans ), pulled over 2 minutes later and rang my better half to inform her I wanted the car, and drove it around for another 20 minutes and then returned to the dealer.
A few minutes later I had traded in my RX-8 and agreed a reasonable change over and shaken hands. By the far the easiest and most grown-up car buying experience of my life
Her previous owner runs Harding Performance - who specialise in improving already impressive Audi’s, VW’s and Porsche’s. The car was a technology demonstrator and his wife’s daily drive. It was fitted with the Oettinger Body kit and a full raft of go harder technology including
- APR ECU Upgrade
- APR full turbo back exhaust
- APR Carbonio Airbox
- Haldex performance controller
- RNSE Navigation & TV Tuner
- German factory Ipod interface
These improved performance to ~200kw and 411 nm @ 1600 rpm!
Naturally I plan to get a number of these reinstated to get the car back to her former glory.
Now all I have to do is wait another week.
) and a couple of idiots (hazard of those roads 
) it was really good fun.
.
