Mazda RX-8

claytondennis1

Hey, some of us need a minivan and we're not all idiots. I love my Protege, and drive it whenever I can (215,000 miles so far). But there are times when I need my minivan too. I'm on my third one now: '85 Vanagon, then '93 Eurovan, now '03 Odyssey. The leading candidates to replace the Protege are the RX-8 or Honda S-2000. BTW, the Odyssey is the performance minivan.

graphicguy

"That's the bad thing about pride I guess. It easily overrides common sense."

G35...oh, how true that is.....

C&D also called the RX8 "magical" (their term, not mine).

carliker

mazdafun - "fairly comparable" I don't think so. The Viper (two seater exotic) is nothing like the Mercedes AMG. The RX-8 and STI are nice cars for their price, but compared to a Viper or high end Mercedes? C'mon. There is no comparison. Even on the best value side of things, the Viper is a decent value compared to other high performance exotics. The SSR in that category is just down right silly, too.

claytondennis - No such thing as a "performance minivan". I know that the Honda salesperson probably told you that it was to get you to buy it. Better hurry up and get that RX-8! There is absolutely no reason why minivans need to exist --- SUVs look better, are faster, have off road capability and can carry the same cargo. Plus, most don't even ride like a truck these days and gas mileage is improving. Perhaps I'll agree with you concerning "performance minivan" when either Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Infiniti decides to make one.

pathstar1

This needs to be discussed on another section, however, go look at an Odyssey, for example. You can carry 4X8 sheets in there. Nothing like a SUV. Each vehicle has its' purpose.

carliker

Since when can't an SUV carry 4x8 sheets?

Anyway, has the gas mileage improved for the RX-8 over time for those who have it for a few months now?

graphicguy

My MPG has steadily improved as I've gone past 3K miles. I'm getting exactly what my sticker says I should be getting....18 MPG in town and 24 MPG on the highway. I'm getting 19 MPG in "mixed" driving.

revdrluv

I finally test drove the RX-8 and I am very impressed.

I was expecting that the engine would have to be revved really high to get any power like in most 4 cylinder sporty cars I have driven. It wasn't like that at all, the car pulled strongly thoughout the rev range (and there were 4 people in the car!). The brakes felt really good and the pedal was very responsive. The steering was sharp and direct. I would prefer maybe a little more communication, but comparitvely it had better feel than any new car I have been in. Handling of course was beautiful, you can really feel how balanced the car is on the first bend you enter. It felt very solid as well and the build quality is superb.

imo Mazda did a bang up job. I think this is the most attractive 30k sports car on the market right now. If I could afford one I would be tempted...

cheezeboy

my update sounds like a broken record - I, too, am getting what the sticker said after 4000 miles. Mine is the AT version, but shouldn't make a difference anyway....

Also, while others here <cough>GGuy<cough> may drive at top speed, I prefer to take curves at above the posted speed - I made a new personal record tonight. I took a local, posted 25MPH Off-ramp/Cloverleaf exit at 62mph.....I love this car.......

rorr

OT but....

"Since when can't an SUV carry 4x8 sheets?"

My wife's 4runner certainly qualifies as an SUV but the only way I could carry a 4x8 sheet is after 2 passes with a table saw; one rip cut and one cross cut. I think you have to get up to Expedition/Sequoia/Suburban territory before you get 4x8 capability.....

sroc2004

Greater Boston received its first snow storm. Happy to report that RX8 did fine on partially cleaned or uncleaned roads with Blizzak snow tires. The car slides sideways a bit on uncleaned roads or roads that have deep snow (& muck) ridges from traffic. But it all feels very controllable and the car does not slide or spin out of hand.

Only problem - don't like how those ridges sound against the underside of my car. Hope no lasting damage - will have underbody washed more often.

revdrluv

The RX-8 handles beautifully. It is very confidence inspiring and adjustable mid-corner, but that doesn't mean it would beat any other car in a bend.

The EVO, for example, has such an awesome level of grip that most cars twice it's price can't keep up. CAR magazine called it possibly the fastest point-A to point-B car ever produced. It is interesting to note that after stating this, they choose the contender as the champion of this particular comparison test. The EVO may have been the fastest car, but the other car proved a more rewarding driving experience an thus got the nod (that was a BMW M3).

I have had more fun going the speed limit through a bend in a Miata than I have had going much faster through the same corner in a more powerful car. Maybe it is not how fast you are actually going as much as it is how fast you feel like you are going that matters. This kind of sums up the RX-8 driving experience to me. It felt much like a bigger, faster Miata, which is a big compliment to the suspension tuners at Mazda.

carliker

My point was that a mid size SUV (Trailblazer, Explorer, etc.) could basically carry the same amount of cargo as a minivan thus making minivans useless in my opinion. If a minivan can carry those 4x8 sheets, then I know a Trailblazer or Honda Pilot could.

gkouris - I'm going to have to agree with geecoupe on this one...and you can say the same about your races against the 350Z and Mustang GT.

gee35coupe

But then again it's all about power and weight. My 95' GS300 does 142 and my 94' LS does 150 (according to the mags) so make sure you know who you are against. And I don't mean just the cars.

Mr_Shiftright

All posts referencing illegal street racing have been deleted and will be deleted in the future, so don't go there, okay? (as per Town Hall rules)

thank you

shifty the host

gkouris73

gee35coupe-- Don't get me wrong, I totally respect the Civic Si, its a sweet ride....especially for the price.

But the reality of the matter is this: my RX-8 has more power and torque at all RPM levels and I redline alot higher than you. You are really pushing the civic to get to 130mph, its your top speed....i wouldnt say its "easy".

PS: Does anyone know about Fords rev limiter? I think Ford puts that cursed Rev Limiter on all its cars(including Mazdas) except the SVTs...sucks.

Mr Shift right-- I will refrain from talking about racing, we are just talking about car specs right now, thats all..sorry

Mr_Shiftright

Okay, thanks very much!

gee35coupe

The trip up to redline in fifth is amazingly short. And even more so when you consider the redline is a "low" 6800 rpm. It's not really stressed at all. The car won't go any faster than 130 since it's at redline, but getting there is not a problem since that's where the horsepower is.

Kinda like the last 300ZX Turbo, it redlined at 165 or so. Any mod for it only made it quicker unless you messed with the rev limiter.

evaddave

There is no way an SUV could carry as much cargo as a similarly-sized minivan. By the time you throw in the increased ride height and the 4/AWD driveline, you've eaten up a serious chunk of cargo capacity. Our MPV has about the same exterior dimensions as our Grand Cherokee, but the MPV can haul *way* more stuff.

revdrluv

Although max cargo load in weight is much higher in most SUVs. Hey both vehicles make sense for different jobs. A mini-van is better for moving people/driving around town, and the SUV is better for towing/hauling.

CASE CLOSED!

Back to the subject.

carliker

Though I'll never reconize the mini-van as having any purpose, it's time to bring this discussion to a close.

I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned the stereo system in the RX-8. I thought that was one of the best parts about the vehicle. The sound was fantastic.

revdrluv

I didn't even turn it on during my test drive, I wanted to hear the engine.

wongpres

Here's the performance data:
http://members.rogers.com/ajac/PDF/ratings_summary_2004.pdf

Here's the ratings:
http://members.rogers.com/ajac/PDF/ratings_summary_2004.pdf

Again, all cars were tested at the same place on the same day (don't know if it was same driver). So the performance data between the listed cars are pretty much apples-to-apples.

carliker

The performance of a Viper and an RX-8 can not be seen as apples to apples. Hence, one is $80-$90K and the other just over $30K.

carliker

I know you mentioned that you bought a Civic to drive this winter while keeping your RX-8 clean and safe in the garage. What do you do in matters of maintenance while keeping it stored? I know about turning the engine on ever so often and revving to keep it clean. Is that good enough or do you actually have to drive it a good distance (even if the weather is bad) to make sure the battery doesn't die among other things? I'm keeping my S2000 in the garage until the rain/snow stops and the roads get a little cleaner around where I live. We've got a lot of rain recently which has made the roads really dirty. I'm not to sure when this will end either. However, I want to do the best for the car, and if it needs to be driven more often, then I will. Have any tips?

wongpres

Obviously, what I mean is that all the performance numbers in that PDF were done on the same days at the same track (I don't know about the driver). As such, those numbers are an apples-to-apples in regards to the testing conditions for the most part.

graphicguy

We've been lucky in the OH valley, so far. All we've had is rain and a few snow flakes that didn't stick.

So, I usually drive the Civic during the week and reserve the RX8 when it's dry outside. Since I travel a lot, the Civic gets "airport driving/parking" duty.

If it's dry outside, I drive the RX8 (no airport runs, though).

So, temperature doesn't matter to me (or the RX8) when I decide to drive it.

I will say that I'm driving the RX8 more than I expected since the weather turned. I doubt the RX8 will sit in the garage more than a couple of weeks at a time. If it does snow around here, it usually doesn't stay on the ground any longer than a couple of days. I try not to drive the RX8 in the rain, but it's tough not to. I have not had any problems with the 18" tires in the rain....the car "sticks" well. I don't know if I'd want to try my hand in the snow and ice with these tires, though.

To answer your question directly, I don't do anything special with my car. I just make certain that it has a full tank of gas if it's going to sit in the garage more than a week or so.

Gotta hand it to my (well used) Civic. It sits outside most of the time, in all sorts of weather, and all it asks of me is to put gas in it. As a side note, since I now get about 19 MPG on my RX8 in mixed driving, the Civic offsets that number by getting about 38 MPG on the highway and 30 MPG in town, on the cheapest regular fuel I can find.

As much as I like the Civic for its frugalness, it's always tough to see the RX8 sitting there, begging to be driven...when I do get into my 8, I like it even more.

wongpres

Sorry, in post #1482 I posted the same link twice (and it was the ratings one not the performance one).

Here's the 'apples-to-apples' performance data from the AJAC testfest:

http://members.rogers.com/ajac/PDF/Performance_Data_2004.pdf

graphicguy

Went into my dealer yesterday to get an oil change. They told me they were backed up and asked whether I could leave the car and take their shuttle to where I needed to be. "Of course...that'll work".

Ended up, their shuttle driver was about 50 miles away picking up parts and wouldn't be back for a couple of hours.

The sales manager happened to be in the shop area and overheard this. He came up to me and asked "Mr. Graphicguy, if you aren't going to take a long trip, I'll let you use my demo". Took him up on his offer.

It was a 6...totally loaded with the V6. Nice car.

Handles great...quiet on the inside...nice materials...I was impressed.

Surprisingly, I thought my RX8 rode better and of course was quicker and handled even better.

I would have thought a sedan would have rode better than the 8, though.

Still, for a car that would probably sell for around $23K, the 6 is a very nice piece.

ashutoshsm

... hmmm, in my personal opinion, the RX-8 is an absolute piece of work - great, supple, composed ride AND great handling. The quality of the ride comparison between the 6 and 8 is bound to be a tossup, because the 6 is geared a bit more towards comfort, if not outright opulent luxury.

The handling comparison - I'll grant the 8 that, having been in one on a - shall we say - very fun drive! Massive grin factor

crazy_eight

Took delivery on a titanium MT with the Grand Touring package, black/chaparral and, as it worked out, I had the week off (convenient huh?) to spend driving it for the "break-in". I LOVE this car!!! It's tight, it's fast, it corners like it's got a gyroscope on board, the ride is plenty comfortable, the sound system more than meets my needs. There's the "small" back seat but it's plenty big enough for me to drive around with my wife and 21 yr old daughter in the car (wife usually gets stuck in the back.) Mileage might be an issue for some but I'm getting 16.3 on my last fill-up and that's with a mix of open road cruising, some frisky driving getting the hang of the 6-speed and some stop-n-go driving. I traded in a 2001 Mustang that I thought I loved to drive. This is so much more responsive and just downright fun. I love the looks, the styling of the car and it's nice to have people walk up and admire the car when you stop for gas and such. I could go on and on but have probably said more than enough. If you've been thinking of one, I'd say testdrive one.