I know i'm not Ralphy, but i had a similar dilema recently and do like the cars alot.
For me it would be an easy choice. One is a 200bhp front drive hot hatch, the other is a coupe, with suicide doors, which has won awards for it's handling balance and poise.
Given the choice it'd be the RX-8 everytime (sorry Ralphy) simply because the handling has won the RX-8 awards and has had many other tasty accolades thrown it's way.
The press say you should go for the 190bhp RX-8 over the 230, because the torque curve on the 190 bhp is better and the 230 bhp lacks grunt unless you absolutely rag the bollocks off it.
Through the bends the RX-8 would leave a Type R behind, i suspect on a straight there wouldn't be much between them but i suspect the Type R would have a slight edge.
I'd also be careful of the Wankel, not for it's oil drinking capabilities, but because the engines, supposedly, don't last quite as long as a conventional unit and in comparison we all know Hondas last forever. Low mileage or replacement engined RX-8 for me, if for nothing else but because there's less of a hooligan element to it's image.
