Personally, I'm waiting for the convertible version in 3rd gear around 7500rpm. With some supercharger whine. And the top down. On a sunny day. Make mine a deep lusty red. mmmmmmm....
You need to get a test drive as soon as it comes out. If you like the sound of your 7, you will die for the sound of the 8 at 8,000 rpms. I only got 15 minutes in one yesterday, but oh that car is sweet. Aside from the engine, the steering to me felt perfect. That car was the most fun I've had in a Mazda.
Also got to drive a friend's Miata with a Flyin' turbo kit (close to 200hp at the wheels) - yesterday was a good day!
The car has a wonderful drift, but not wanting to put it into a curb, I didn't give it much power in the turns. as far as power goes, it's not the RX-7 but I don't think the torque ever bothered me as the revs come sooo smooth. The engine feels so natural at high RPMs and the vibration just isn't there. 60-125 happens plenty quick for me.
I could hear very little engine noise, but rather exhaust note (wich was well tuned). As I said earlier, vibration (I assume you mean engine) isn't a factor in this car.
Matt, what did you think about the overall handling, weight, and balance of the RX-8? Does it compare favorably to two-door sports cars/sports coupes, or is it more like a sports sedan?
No I haven't put down a deposit on one yet. As much as I love this car, I need to a) save a bit more money for a nice down payment, and b) at least get to see it in the flesh, sit in it, get a feel for it, and maybe even take if for a spin, before I can put down the money and lock myself to a car loan :-)
Used to live there myself...now that I am a family man, I have moved out in the "country" (western Loudoun county).
I agree with your sentimates exactly...I am trying to accelerate my 02 MPV payments so I can pay it off in 3 more years and transfer that payment to the RX-8. That will give me plenty of time to test drive, decide on a color, etc.
Plus my protege only has 50K miles on it, so I have 3 more years easily...in 3 years the trade-in probably won't be much, so I will probably just keep it for a beater and try to hit 500,000 miles in it. (I can always dream!) If I have the rx-8 to satisfy me, I won't mind driving an old Protege for a long time.
I do happen to work a very short distance from Browns Mazda in Fairfax, so they know me VERY well. I will be living in the rx-8 at least once a week whenever they start getting them in regularly.
Based on the www.rx8forum.com discussion I would think they would have something middle of July. I think most of the volume dealers are getting a prototype demo that people can test drive.
We should get together and check it out on a lunch break sometime...I hate doing this on a public forum, but my temporary email is thecman@techma.com (It pays to be sysadmin, I will give you my real email once I get a message from you!)
The RX8 could be great since it has sports car style with room for 4 and better rear seat access than a coupe. You could use it in a daily commuter carpool with short people in the back seat, but it isn't practical for long trips for 4 because there is isn't enough trunk room for that much luggage. The ride might also get draining on trips over an hour or so. Also, with 4 people on board the performance will be slow because of the lack of torque. I don't know if it has the power to accelerate quickly on a freeway onramp if it were loaded down with 4 adults and a/c on and automatic transmission/lower power standard engine chosen to deal with city traffic.
dinu -- without the slushbox, even niche builders like Porsche would be hurting. I agree that an automatic sports car is oxymoronic, but the market gets what the market demands.
Thankfully not in the S2000 or the M5 (at least through 2003). I applaud Honda and BMW for essentially telling the manually challenged market to look elsewhere and not wasting any engineering effort on a slushbox for those (limited production) cars.
As for the RX-8, I think Mazda may have been better off not offering a detuned automatic version, given the high rpm, low torque nature of the engine. Lose a few sales to those who are AT dependent, but reduce the likelihood of embarassing performance that may have an adverse affect on overall image. Note that I said "may". Seems like a lot of automakers get away with compromises today, with minimal penalty. As in the overweight 350Z.
I finally had a chance to sit in an RX-8 at the MazdaRevItUp event in Boston. I have to say that it looks much better in person than in photos. The blue was stunning. In terms of style, I like it much better than the 350Z or G35C.
The shifter was very nice -- short throws, very precise. The clutch had a somewhat long throw, but the stiffness was about the same as my Prelude, which I liked -- not too stiff, not too soft.
Unfortunately, there was no chance to test drive it at the event -- so I can't say how it measures up in the driving department. However, the Mazda rep fired up the RX-8's RENESIS and revved it to around 6K, and it had a nice sound -- not quite as exciting to my ear as the VTEC scream, but very smooth.
(I did get to drive a six-speed Miata LS on their course, and that was good for some fun in the sun...)
James Healey's review had the RX8 rated at 18/24 mpg. Is this a mistake? I've seen previos posts that stated this car would get considerably better mileage, 21/30. Does anyone know the correct figure? IMO, 18/24 is terrible for a car of this size and power.
Rotors are thirsty, especially when they're kept above 6000rpm.
habitat -- Keep in mind that BMW will offer the SMG in the next M5, and given the fact that Honda is looking to bump the torque and lower the redline in the S2200, there might be an auto in the near future for that car.
- - have presented a sin/cos review for us: love the reference to an easy, light BMW-esq clutch but wonder about the body roll aspect. Not that I'd drive it like I stole it......best, ez
Living in the snow belt, it's tough for me to rationalize buying the RX-8 instead of, say, a WRX wagon. But, I'm concerned that rational thought might not play such a prominent role in the process once I actually drive the '8.
I have to see exactly how high the beltline is, and if the trunk will offer the utility that I need. If it passes the smell test on those counts, who knows?
well on another note, i have just been informed my local dealer (Brown's Fairfax) has several RX-8's in, I'm gonna leave work in a few and go check them out.
god forbid i lose my senses and buy one on the spot...
Comments
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5696
over 40 RX-8s showed up!
this is a true enthusiast's car!
I can't wait to drive this car and find out what third gear above 6000rpm feels like!
Also got to drive a friend's Miata with a Flyin' turbo kit (close to 200hp at the wheels) - yesterday was a good day!
perhaps you can shine some light about your personal experience with the 8, you being probably the first person on this forum to actually rode in one.
I'm coming over all the way from VA to Irvine just so I can get my hands on one of them!!!!!
No I haven't put down a deposit on one yet. As much as I love this car, I need to a) save a bit more money for a nice down payment, and b) at least get to see it in the flesh, sit in it, get a feel for it, and maybe even take if for a spin, before I can put down the money and lock myself to a car loan :-)
I love cars, but I'm not stupid... yet ;-)
I agree with your sentimates exactly...I am trying to accelerate my 02 MPV payments so I can pay it off in 3 more years and transfer that payment to the RX-8. That will give me plenty of time to test drive, decide on a color, etc.
Plus my protege only has 50K miles on it, so I have 3 more years easily...in 3 years the trade-in probably won't be much, so I will probably just keep it for a beater and try to hit 500,000 miles in it. (I can always dream!) If I have the rx-8 to satisfy me, I won't mind driving an old Protege for a long time.
I do happen to work a very short distance from Browns Mazda in Fairfax, so they know me VERY well. I will be living in the rx-8 at least once a week whenever they start getting them in regularly.
Good to find another car buff in the area!
Have you heard anything from them regarding RX-8 arrival to their dealership?
Based on the www.rx8forum.com discussion I would think they would have something middle of July. I think most of the volume dealers are getting a prototype demo that people can test drive.
We should get together and check it out on a lunch break sometime...I hate doing this on a public forum, but my temporary email is thecman@techma.com (It pays to be sysadmin, I will give you my real email once I get a message from you!)
Thanks!
they were invited to the MNAO RX-8 press tour that was taking place in Gaithersburg, MD on Wednesday. They took plenty of pics of the cars.
I can't believe it's here! yet so far away!
No seriously, that stinks.
Oh well, patience is a virtue.
It cracks me up that the rx-8 is such an awesome category busting vehicle, yet very few people are discussing it. The Mazda 6 forum is overflowing.
See ya..
But, I'd be willing to bet that the RX-8 crowd is even more hardcore in their dedication to the car than the 6ers.
The 6 is a great car, but between that and the RX-8, there's no doubt in my mind where my money would go.
here's the in car video, look at that tach rise!!!!
http://cs.erin.utoronto.ca/~e0g8jw64/rx8.mpg
Dinu
Other Mazda folks will remember him as being among the most critical of Mazdas in general.
Dinu
Dinu
You could use it in a daily commuter carpool with short people in the back seat, but it isn't practical for long trips for 4 because there is isn't enough trunk room for that much luggage. The ride might also get draining on trips over an hour or so.
Also, with 4 people on board the performance will be slow because of the lack of torque. I don't know if it has the power to accelerate quickly on a freeway onramp if it were loaded down with 4 adults and a/c on and automatic transmission/lower power standard engine chosen to deal with city traffic.
Dinu
Thankfully not in the S2000 or the M5 (at least through 2003). I applaud Honda and BMW for essentially telling the manually challenged market to look elsewhere and not wasting any engineering effort on a slushbox for those (limited production) cars.
As for the RX-8, I think Mazda may have been better off not offering a detuned automatic version, given the high rpm, low torque nature of the engine. Lose a few sales to those who are AT dependent, but reduce the likelihood of embarassing performance that may have an adverse affect on overall image. Note that I said "may". Seems like a lot of automakers get away with compromises today, with minimal penalty. As in the overweight 350Z.
The shifter was very nice -- short throws, very precise. The clutch had a somewhat long throw, but the stiffness was about the same as my Prelude, which I liked -- not too stiff, not too soft.
Unfortunately, there was no chance to test drive it at the event -- so I can't say how it measures up in the driving department. However, the Mazda rep fired up the RX-8's RENESIS and revved it to around 6K, and it had a nice sound -- not quite as exciting to my ear as the VTEC scream, but very smooth.
(I did get to drive a six-speed Miata LS on their course, and that was good for some fun in the sun...)
habitat -- Keep in mind that BMW will offer the SMG in the next M5, and given the fact that Honda is looking to bump the torque and lower the redline in the S2200, there might be an auto in the near future for that car.
Dinu
They compare the looks to an Avanti and don't care for the roll of the suspension.
nice timing I would say ;-)
http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=197
http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=199
They received a pair of 6-spd models this AM. One is already sold. The other I should be driving on Saturday.
Notes to follow!
Drive one? DEFINATELY.
Living in the snow belt, it's tough for me to rationalize buying the RX-8 instead of, say, a WRX wagon. But, I'm concerned that rational thought might not play such a prominent role in the process once I actually drive the '8.
I have to see exactly how high the beltline is, and if the trunk will offer the utility that I need. If it passes the smell test on those counts, who knows?
I will be driving a red one, after all.
well on another note, i have just been informed my local dealer (Brown's Fairfax) has several RX-8's in, I'm gonna leave work in a few and go check them out.
god forbid i lose my senses and buy one on the spot...
And have fun!
Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago that the Mazda salesperson (sarahmazda) was saying that there wouldn't be any availability until October?