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Comments
Your RX-8 off-centered complaints though was funny haha!
graphicguy: Again, your simple but profound answers really get to the heart of the matter, bravo!
Another thing to remember: While the husband may be the "King" of the house, the wife is the "Prime Minister" ... Just like in the UK where the King is a mere figurehead, and the Prime Minister is the one that really makes the decisions ... well you get the picture
bwahahahahaha
Maybe everyone is just simply missing my point. Why go through all the trouble of advertising this car as roomy enough for 4 adults and design in the extra doors if it really offers no advantages? Why make it easier to get into a back seat that is actually more restrictive? Obviously no one in here has plans of actually using this easier to access back seat so why did Mazda put so much thought into it? It seems to me they could have made the structure more rigid by not using those half doors and been able to reduce the size of the center tunnel, thus actually making the car more livable and still keep the sporty aspect. Anyway, I'm just throwing out what-if and why scenarios. I'm not trying to slam the car.
One last comment about the door...I think it is a big deal to see a 30k car's door shudder visibly and sound tinny when shut. I mean it sounded as bad as a 2000 Kia Rio and shook as if it was made out of paper. If I spend that much on a car, I want all aspects of the car to sound solid and be of high quality. I'll take yall's word that this car was an anomaly though. Heck, I may go back this Sunday and see if I get lucky twice and the cars are still all unlocked and kill my curiousity.
been trying to break the cycle, with the purchase of a sports car I was hoping to feel more macho ...
but you are right, I will just have to throw in the towel, sell the 350Z, and get me them hod-rod minivans.
EDIT: I hope my post does not get deleted, this has nothing to do with the RX-8, unless there is a minivan version of it that I dont know about
"Obviously no one in here has plans of actually using this easier to access back seat so why did Mazda put so much thought into it?"
What?! The main reason why people bought this sports car is that they needed the practicality of back seats. That's the whole point! That's where the niche market is!
No, I think we need to be much more obnoxious about your comments!
Part of the fun of driving (and parking) is watching the heads turn and answering questions about the car. Some people even want to have their pictures taken standing next to it.
I bought it Aug 23rd and I've had no problems with it at all. I've opted for the $500 + free servicing which makes the entire deal (invoice + $517) even sweeter.
For those who have one - you're amongst an enviable few.
For those who don't have one - you're missing out on a remarkable vehicle.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I have heard from others that most will fit, and because of the way the doors open, it is actually easier than a normal "sedan". You just get out, open both doors, and pull the kid out. No problems, no door to walk around 3 or 4 times, easy enough.
I am really surprised that no one has done a normal sedan with freestyle doors. I guess the structure would be hard to do if the back doors were longer. But even if it had a center pillar, it seems like the door opening the other way would be very convenient.
When you look at other sport car/GT coupe options with the 2+2 arrangement, you also have to consider the ease of entry/exit in addition to the back room space. On most cars, I would have to bend over significantly to put/take my child in/out as the child's young. Doing that in a parking garage when you have to watch how close you are to another car is a little painful! Also, even if a child were able to enter on their own, an additional slight inconvenience is moving the front seat forward so they have enough room to get in the back. And I'm not sure power seats are better in this regard because you have to wait (I'm not always at my patience peak on the morning or evening commute!) a spell for them. I found the freestyle doors are easier in this regard.
mngpao - congratulations! I am strongly leaning towards getting blue now as well. I went to Town North Mazda in Dallas/Richardson yesterday, and they had every color on their back lot. The blue definitely catches your eye the most when all the colors are head-to-head!! Do you find you like the color more over time?
gbrozen - my young toddler was actually asleep in his car seat when I went for a test drive. I carted him AND the seat over to the RX-8 and installed it without him waking! It worked out quite fine. And I have one of the big clunky forward facing seats. I would think rear facing seats would work as well, but it may restrict the amount of driver side front passenger room you have. I looked up the company Graco and they have a few models of car seats that look sporty and are more, how shall we say, svelte than the normal child seats. They're called their turbo booster seats and may be used for children over 30 lbs. My son is only 23 lb or so, but in the next 6-12 months, I will definitely be making a trip to Babies R Us (hopefully in an RX-8) to buy this style. Or maybe I'll just order it from Amazon along with some cool import UK dance CD's for playing in the RX-8. . .
But the back seat is a superb thing to have. Now, when the wife and I go out with married friends, we can all take one car. Plus I can take my girls out for drives. And since I carpool with 2 other guys, they can still ride with me on those days when I take the rx-8 instead of my beater.
The Rx-8 is not a replacement for an ordinary Sedan...if that was the case, then why sell the Mazda6? The Rx-8 is for people like me who pine for a sports car, but can't justify it if it is only driven when I am by myself. Only occasionally do I ever drive by myself or with only one other person.
It's a great concept, and hopefully is a modest hit for Mazda. If the stigma from the horspower thing doesn't hit too hard...(I say modest hit, because I don't want to pay anywhere close to MSRP when I buy it in a year or two!!)
For example, I think it would be interesting if, like the Miata, they have several editions from which to choose (limited, special, etc.).
Back on topic...I use the back seat to haul friends all the time in my RX8. It's a sports car that I can live with daily. Easy in, easy out. If you want something even easier, may I suggest a nice Avalon with the gold lettering package. I have seen pictures of people who have put a car seat in the back. Being past "toddlers at home" stage, I couldn't even begin to guess the brands/sizes of those car seats, though.
Boy, I just don't know about rattling doors in the RX8. They feel very solid on mine. It always amazes me how the doors close with a very noticeable and solid "thunk" when I close them. Matter of fact, the whole car is so solid. That console that runs down the entire legnth of the middle of the car actually houses a structural "backbone" which is part of the reason the car is so solid feeling.
All that said, if napping in the back seat is a priority for your next vehicle, don't shop for an RX8. Look at a Camry, LeSabre, Accord, Crown Vic, Impala. Those should satisfy the prerequisite.
'05 RX8s? Who knows. There's quite a bit of discussion that Mazda will reflash the current ECUs to return the 9HP. Whether that's true or not, I doubt Mazda will tip its hand. European models have little lights under the side mirrors....maybe that will become standard on the U.S. spec '05s. Maybe they'll offer the 6-disk CD changers at no charge.
Mazda has stated that they want to put the rotary in more than one model. Pure speculation, but there's talk about a single rotar that would fit in the Miata. I think the next Protege is slated for a piston engine, though. Also, talk of a new Millenium being marketed. Will they use a 3 rotor RENESIS for that? Again, all speculation at this point.
Short of some very minor color variations or feature content, I wouldn't think Mazda will do much to the '05 RX8s.
This is only speculation, but I heard that they are thinking of making two more freestyle doors to satisfy those that still feel the RX-8 is not accessible enough. Actually, it's more likely that the whole body of the car will raise up off the axles (like those old matchbox cars used to do)! A limosine version has also been considered!
Possible options...cots, pillows and alarm clocks for people who desire to sleep in the back seat (w/o that pesky center console that gets in the way)!
BTW....when do you get your S2200?
I will be able to get $500.00 off right from the start, but of course, I'm not done yet. Thanks graphic for showing interest. It's been nice discussing the RX-8 with you. From what I know now, the S2000 will be keeping its S2000 name with higher displacement (2.2), 163 lbs. of torque (up from 153) and improved suspension/shifting to deal with this. Mild style changes in the interior/exterior too!
As to improvements - I would like to see larger side mirrors. I would also like to get 50mpg but the low 20s are OK for now. They've hidden the power plug under the sliding console cover but I haven't had to use it yet and so I'm not sure I would ask for its position to be changed.
was there any doubt? ;-)
carliker: Excellent suggestion, pink is a great color. I hope they do it like some Cadillacs out there.
Its a sport car with practicality thrown in for good measure.
Its for people who bake their cake, and like to eat it too.
I thought Honda (with the Element) and Toyota (with the Scion) would have learned something from Pontiac given the Aztec.
Jaquino....just prepering you for those days of marital bliss!!!!
I love women, don't get me wrong. They have many useful purposes.
I just don't want them to pick out my cars for me or messing with my home theater....those are "guy" things.
Before anyone gets upset, this is said "tongue-in-cheek".
What will you be driving until the S200o comes in? How's the buyback going?
Rorr - Yes, the Scion looks like a port-a-potty on wheels! At least the Porsche GT Carrera makes up for it on that list. This will sound strange to you guys but I would actually marry that vehicle! "Do you take this Porsche GT Carrera for richer (no poorer, would have to be rich to keep it) and in sickness or in health?"
ANSWER: "YES, I DO!"
The buyback is going okay. I'm just waiting now for the dealership to contact me. It was suppose to take up to two weeks from the time they received the check in their office. While I lose the interest if I have to make another payment (which I doubt that I'd have to do), I enjoy driving the RX-8 for as long as I can.
I actually like the idea behind the Prius and xB
the xB just screams 'the hell with you' attitude, a very quirky, Only-from-Japan design, JDM y0!
and Prius has that hybrid engine fitted in a midsize hatch body, again a quirky car filled with innovations, just like the RX-8
but of course the RX-8 is the prettiest of the group, save for maybe the Carrera GT :-)
My interest in this car is because of the style, performance, AND it has a back seat that is reasonably comfortable. In order for me to convince the other half to get rid of our sedan for this car, it needs to be able to fit the occassional friend on longer drives and the dog. I will NOT have the need to carry babies and my passengers will be in the car longer than 5 minutes. The RX8 seems to meet this need. I was just disappointed in how compromised the back seat is with that "backbone". Sure, the seat is easy to get in and out of, but once u are in there, its like you are sitting deep in a hole with a high hard plastic wall up against you. The back seat would be PERFECT without the backbone intruding on the space. At least than you could move towards the center of the seat and look out the front window, instead of being stuck staring at the front seat or a small porthole window. Can't anyone imagine how livable the seat would be with a nice simple fold down armrest? Do I make more sense now? By all means, I'm not suggesting putting the rear seat above handling or structural integrity. I just wonder if Mazda could have achieved their goal without such a large tunnel.
Once I do get a chance to drive this car, I may forget all about this and you guys can be like, "Hey, I thought this car was too "compromised" for you?"
"for better or for worse, in sickness and in health...till drivers license suspension or death do we part".
Anyway, it's funny that you asked me today about the buyback. Just this afternoon, I got a call from the third party that Mazda is using. I am to wait until Monday afternoon to return the car to the original dealership. So I have one last weekend with the vehicle. How much do you want to bet I'm going to get it up to a 100 MPH and keep it at 7000 RPMS?!!!
Good luck!
I bought it because I was looking for something fun to drive that also had some practicality - seats for the kids and room for the golf clubs in the trunk. This is the only one out there that fits the bill.
I find that cruising on the highway in 5th keeps the RPMs in the power band and I have no problems passing...matter of fact, the RX8 builds speed quickly on the highway in the higher gears. I've never felt the need to drop it down a gear when passing on the interstate.
Speed builds so smoothly and is so stable that sometimes it's hard to tell you are going as fast as you really are.
Regarding insurance....there are so many variables that it's hard to answer what your particular rate would be. Age, marital status, insurance company, driving record, etc. will enter into what you pay. Best bet is to call your insurance company and ask them what the rate would be for you if you bought an RX8.
As far as insurance, mine is actually cheaper than the '02 SVT Focus that is getting replaced. (lemon law- long story). Maybe it's because it's a four-door (hehe), or that's it's only 1.3L. What they don't know!!!
Well, I'm trying to get too hyper at this point since it will be a few a days until I get the $$ back from Ford.... more to come later!!!.....
The rotary is quiet and the road noise is low for a sports car if you're comparing it to a Z or Mustang GT.
Comparing it to a Camry and it's going to seem loud.
I don't find it objectionable at all.
I don't play my stereo much because I enjoy listening to the car do its magic.