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Comments
oh and Civictd04....you know how many times I'm gonna be on a 'closed circuit race course" in my baby?...never......that being said, I wish I understood Japanese to get a better idea of how the drivers felt about the cars. Interesting video - I gather you are an S2000 owner!.....
So anyway, it is certainly not any conclusive evidence by itself, and I would not let it discourage you from buying an rx-8. The cool thing is that it is almost as fast as an S2000, and you can still double-date in it!
Let the jealous Hondaphiles strike all they want!
Lots of people want the 8, but for a wealth of reasons, can't swing one. So, they do the next best thing...they spread FUD about it to make their car choice look better.
Anyway, take the video with a grain of salt.
When the 8 first came out and all of us "early adopters" bought one, there was a lot of jealousy from those who didn't wait around for it to arrive, so they bought something else. They then came back trying to post a lot of FUD about it.
As mentioned, that video was one that has circulated a while ago. It has been debated ad nauseum for a long time and the source is suspect.
If you're the least bit interested in the RX8, you really owe it to yourself to test drive one. It's everything the trade rags said it is (and more). To be fair and balanced, it isn't as fast as a Cobra. A 350Z is marginally quicker on the track (hard to prove in the real world, though). It's very similar to an Infiniti G35 Coupe.
It is really unique and quite the sports car.
seriously though, what was the other Honda car?
Question for all: what dash/interior surface cleaner do you all like/use? Had a disagreement with a friend as to what I should/shouldn't be using. Just curious!
Since the dash is nicely textured, I woudln't want to put any sort of "stuff" on it. I've done this for the last decade in all my cars (just dusting the dash) and have had no problems with cracking or greasy stuff adhering to the dash. I find dust "sticks" to the dash more when you put treatments on it.
I love the black, "piano finish" on the center stack and the door/window controls. I just use a glass cleaner on those surfaces to remove the fingerprints. My favorite is Sprayway "Glass Cleaner". It's cheap and the most effective stuff I've found for cleaning windows (without streaking) and glossy surfaces.
Best thing to do is to go to the Progressive web site and get an on line quote from them. At least that will give you some idea of the cost of insuring an RX8, with your particular variables taken into account.
For the record, I pay ~$700/year in insurance on my 8.
GGuy - thanks for your suggestions on interior cleaners - Not familiar with "California Duster" but I will investigate it!!...sounds like a good idea!
My impressions of the RX-8 were quite favorable. Under 6,000 rpm, it's at least as quick and quieter than the S2000. Between 6,000 and 9,000 rpm, the S2000 takes over with it's V-tech kick. The RX-8 remains smooth and quiet up to 9,000 rpm, but there isn't any "kick". I was on a fairly straight highway, so I can't comment on "twisty" handling, but the RX-8 seemed nice and tight. Brakes were excellent.
I was impressed with the rear seat room. My head didn't hit the roof as it did in the G35 coupe. As for interior quality, the RX-8 and S2000 are comparable IMO. The S2000 is a bit more spartan, but with clean lines and a little less "busy-ness".
I fall into the category whereby the RX-8 would neither fit my need for a sedan or quite fit my desire for a "fun" car like the S2000 or Boxster. But for someone who has different needs, the RX-8 is quite a nice alternative.
P.S. I did mention to the dealer that I bought my S2000 at a $1,000 discount and he indicated they could do "at least that good". They had approximately 8-10 unsold units on their lot.
There isn't the V-tec "kick" as in your S2000. It just pulls strong from about 3,000 RPM to the 9K redline, although I do feel a power bump at 4,500 RPM, 6,500 RPM and again at 7,500 RPM. Not as pronounced as the s2000, though.
Regarding the clunking, that is indeed the ABS self check and calibration sound...entirely normal.
Nice. I took a good look last Friday after a friend called me about it from his cell phone as he was leaving (he knows I've been thinking about it for a while). Leather, moonroof, and I think a 6-CD changer.
Color of choice: Nordic Green.
I am considering buying the spare tire kit for my RX-8. But, I am worried that the tire will take up too much space in the trunk. Has anyone else purchased the spare tire kit? Can you tell me if there is enough room in thee trunk or do you regret getting the kit????? Thanks.
Kramer18 - With the roadside maintenance that comes with the car, you can get the temporary assistance which is necessary to get you to the service station. Like Big_h said, the actual tire takes up too much space and really isn't worth it.
As carliker points out, you have roadside assistance with the RX8. That, coupled to the fact I can't recall anytime in the last 1.5 decades of driving ever having a flat tire, would make me think twice about the spare.
Have you all heard about the lawsuit against AAA? A woman was raped and murdered while waiting on her said roadside service....long story short, if you care about trunk space, buy an Accord/Camry.
'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
No thanks on the Accord, BTW.
'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
Plus, you get to test drive a damn fine car.
'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 heard about this from The TRUE Stella Awards. The story is currently being used as the sample issue, but the sample issue changes periodically.
Tom
Not rationalizing why I bought the spare tire...just think people shouldn't worry about the size of the trunk in a sports car. (even though it's larger than a lot of sports cars) I do agree with the weight issue. Every little bit of weight you can cut is great!
there are some importers that import these from other markets, I don't have the names of the importers, maybe do a search on the web?
there were already Mazdaspeed parts available for sale, but this is the first announced 'Mazdaspeed-equipped' RX-8 right off the showroom floor.
This was just announced at Tokyo Motor Show couple days ago.
I will still have one of my two older cars to beat around (RX-7 or Protege, depending on which one I'm trading in)
In general....(don't have the manual in front of me)
-5K miles oil change (severe service schedule)
-change airfilter, plugs, etc at normal (read, piston car) intervals.
Maintenance costs should be about the same as it is on Mazda's lowest model (Protege).
In short, don't worry about maintenance costs.
If you've driven an RX8, you'll understand all the accolades it is receiving. It's unlike any other car on the market (in a good way)!