18ME
08-31-2003, 04:39 PM
The wife and I turn up at about 12.30 this lunch time at Brooklyn. Turned into the the dealership carpark and there it was with a couple of guys looking at it, one was Paul and the other a prospective buyer I presume.
When we approached it I wished I hadn't seen it ever before in pictures or the pre-pro blue one as it sort of spoiled it for me. If I can expain.....you know when you look at your own car on the drive everyday it looks nice but you've seen it a thousand times before hence that wow factor has more or less gone, this is how I felt when I seen it today although I know it's a stunner.
The car went out for a test drive for about 15 mins with the other guy before us, so I had heard it then when they pulled away. The sound was unusual, very much like a 4 cyl car but with a whine. It did look good pulling away and although it did sit lower than the blue one we have all seen before, I do think that it would be more suited to 19" alloys as the wheel arches are so big.
Our turn....
Getting in.....the first thing I noticed when I got into the drivers seat was the sports seats aren't really that bolstered in comparison to the Konig's in the R32, although still very nice I cannot comment how comfortable they would be over a long distance. Adjustment seem fine maybe a bit lower would have suited me more. Lights on the dash are a very nice touch and probably stunning at night. The clutch did feel light but probably wouldn't have noticed if others hadn't commented before, so I was more aware of it. Didn't stall;)
Driving.....I set off normally and changed gears as I would in my Audi Tdi "trying to save fuel mode" and didn't notice the lack of torque for everyday driving although I do admit if you wanted to overtake quickly then of course you've got to go down a few cogs. When we got onto the dual carriageway I did reach for the buzzer with my eyes straight ahead at the tacho..... never experienced anything like it before, it was like going on a plane but with a little less thrust as there was no noticable pull but just kept on picking up the revs. I knew we were going quite quick because we were overtaking other traffic, it just didn't seem quick. I can only put this down to the lack of normal engine/exhaust noise you get from other cars, if you have a sports exhaust you think you are going faster because its louder, thats my perception anyway. The closest car I've had to compare the sound to is a Mini Cooper S with its supercharger whine but then its still not the same.
Handling wise I didn't push it around any bends so no comment but it's certainly a lot softer than the R32 which can be a good thing on longer jouneys. Gearbox seemed a bit notchy which is expected for a new car but felt precise and close.
I've just asked the wife for any comments to add to this little review (please bare in mind that she is not into cars and gets a bit fed up at times with me changing our cars). Anyway she did say that its NICE. I did get a bit more out of her with the comments "its smooth but doesn't roar like an animal", I must agree with her on that point as this was my biggest concern. The R32 in my mind is the best sounding 6 cyl on the road bar the 996 with optional sports exhaust, so I love to blip the throttle, I cannot imagine doing the same with the Mazda. I believe that the RX8 needs a meatier exhaust.
My overall view of the RX8 is that it is a fantastic package for the price and if you want all that the RX8 has to offer there is no other competitor. But for me, I don't need 4 seats and I don't need a soft ride for long journeys but I am looking forward to my RX8 hopefully in October for its looks, its uniqueness and its individuallity.
Sorry if ther's any spellig mistakes as i'm getting tired now and i'm not going to re-read it:D
I'd just like to add. Thanks to Paul Gill for letting me test drive the RX8 today as I haven't ordered through Brooklyn (wish I had) so he didn't have to offer the test drive.
Enjoy the pics
Regards
Martin.
When we approached it I wished I hadn't seen it ever before in pictures or the pre-pro blue one as it sort of spoiled it for me. If I can expain.....you know when you look at your own car on the drive everyday it looks nice but you've seen it a thousand times before hence that wow factor has more or less gone, this is how I felt when I seen it today although I know it's a stunner.
The car went out for a test drive for about 15 mins with the other guy before us, so I had heard it then when they pulled away. The sound was unusual, very much like a 4 cyl car but with a whine. It did look good pulling away and although it did sit lower than the blue one we have all seen before, I do think that it would be more suited to 19" alloys as the wheel arches are so big.
Our turn....
Getting in.....the first thing I noticed when I got into the drivers seat was the sports seats aren't really that bolstered in comparison to the Konig's in the R32, although still very nice I cannot comment how comfortable they would be over a long distance. Adjustment seem fine maybe a bit lower would have suited me more. Lights on the dash are a very nice touch and probably stunning at night. The clutch did feel light but probably wouldn't have noticed if others hadn't commented before, so I was more aware of it. Didn't stall;)
Driving.....I set off normally and changed gears as I would in my Audi Tdi "trying to save fuel mode" and didn't notice the lack of torque for everyday driving although I do admit if you wanted to overtake quickly then of course you've got to go down a few cogs. When we got onto the dual carriageway I did reach for the buzzer with my eyes straight ahead at the tacho..... never experienced anything like it before, it was like going on a plane but with a little less thrust as there was no noticable pull but just kept on picking up the revs. I knew we were going quite quick because we were overtaking other traffic, it just didn't seem quick. I can only put this down to the lack of normal engine/exhaust noise you get from other cars, if you have a sports exhaust you think you are going faster because its louder, thats my perception anyway. The closest car I've had to compare the sound to is a Mini Cooper S with its supercharger whine but then its still not the same.
Handling wise I didn't push it around any bends so no comment but it's certainly a lot softer than the R32 which can be a good thing on longer jouneys. Gearbox seemed a bit notchy which is expected for a new car but felt precise and close.
I've just asked the wife for any comments to add to this little review (please bare in mind that she is not into cars and gets a bit fed up at times with me changing our cars). Anyway she did say that its NICE. I did get a bit more out of her with the comments "its smooth but doesn't roar like an animal", I must agree with her on that point as this was my biggest concern. The R32 in my mind is the best sounding 6 cyl on the road bar the 996 with optional sports exhaust, so I love to blip the throttle, I cannot imagine doing the same with the Mazda. I believe that the RX8 needs a meatier exhaust.
My overall view of the RX8 is that it is a fantastic package for the price and if you want all that the RX8 has to offer there is no other competitor. But for me, I don't need 4 seats and I don't need a soft ride for long journeys but I am looking forward to my RX8 hopefully in October for its looks, its uniqueness and its individuallity.
Sorry if ther's any spellig mistakes as i'm getting tired now and i'm not going to re-read it:D
I'd just like to add. Thanks to Paul Gill for letting me test drive the RX8 today as I haven't ordered through Brooklyn (wish I had) so he didn't have to offer the test drive.
Enjoy the pics
Regards
Martin.