http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...031_135488.htm

EDIT: The person who wrote this article turned out to be male, but I am keeping my original comments here in an effort to flaunt my sexism.

She ranked the car 3 out of 5 and basically takes a bunch of swings at its unusual maintenance needs and poor gas mileage. (Typical complaints I'd expect from a female.) On the other hand, this is also the first review I've ever seen that actually comments about the car's poor sales. She also didn't particularly like the car's exterior too much and wasn't a fan of the cockpit like interior. Yup, definitely reminds me of an ex-girlfriend of mine.

 

What time of the month did this jugdement come on?

 

what a stupid bitch of a reviewer. someone start signing up her email onto **** spam sites or something... LOL

 

^^ That's really not necessary. If her opinion hurt your heart, you can post a reply to her article on the last page. (Calm down underlings, I think everything is going to be ok.)

 

LOL... i know, i was only kidding.

Here's what I posted, though it's not showing up on the site for some reason.

4 Stars

As the owner of both a BMW 3-series and a Mazda RX-8, I feel that this reviewer has made some seriously biased comments that unfairly represent the qualities of RX-8 and its target audience.

First, it's ignorant to lump sports car enthusiasts in the same category as "most drivers" and review the RX-8 out of context of its target demographic, which is specifically- the sports car enthusiast. The last time I checked, great handling, responsive throttle, vigorous-sounding exhaust, sleek cockpit-like cabin, sleek exterior, and unique styling were the EXACT things sports car ethusiasts look for. Yet, these are the very qualities of the RX-8 that she continuously criticizes. Does she just not like sports cars altogether, or does she just not like the RX-8?

Second, she marginalizes the very features of the RX-8 that were specifically designed to make the car more practical than your typical, run-of-the-mill sports car, such as it's 4-passenger seating, fully-useable trunk, and 4-door coupe design. Many adults who want to buy a sports car sometimes wrestle with the idea, because they know traditional sports cars are impractical- due to their limited 2-seat spacing and lack of trunk space. Ironically, the RX-8 specifically answers these concerns and even provides them w/ lower insurance costs. So how does this make the RX-8 impractical and unappealing?

Thirdly, the rotary engine has been around for a long time. And, the author's "sky is falling" portrayal of it is merely a reflection of her own ignorance of this technology. Rotary engines have been continuously developed and running in production Mazda vehicles for many, many generations. In fact, even today- here in Southern California- it's an everyday thing to see many 1st generation RX-7s on the roads- all running on rotary engines. So, to paint the rotary engine as this "purely experimental, risky beast" is hardly fair. In fact, the rotary engine is one of the very things that puts the RX-8 into a class of its own and shines.

There are too many weak arguments in her article to pick apart. But, the bottom line is clear.

If you (a) are not a true sports car fan, (b) are a woman, and (c) are completely ignorant about rotary vehicles, then yes maybe the RX-8 is not the car for you.

If, however, (1) you truly love sports cars, (2) are willing to educate yourself a bit on the history and background of the rotary engine, (3) are not afraid of technology, then definitely do your homework first and then go test drive the RX-8. You will not only be overwhelmingly surprised at what a remarkably enjoyable and wonderful vehicle it is, but you'll be wondering why you didn't buy one sooner.

Detrich

 

It's a He though. But I guess you can call him a she if he's being a bitch.

 

Saw this article post in another forum. The writer knows nothing about the 8 nor cars in general. An idiot.

 

maybe she can decide if your post should be on or not. lol

 

It's a guy...unless Jerky purposefully categorized him as a girly mahn.

 

I could have sworn I read something there where the reviewer was making an insult about low percentage of female owners compared to the Eclipse, and with the complaint about the rear doors and the cockpit interior, I was almost positive it was a female. Oh well. Sure as hell sounded like one. This just makes me angrier now.


EDIT: This was this line that made me believe the gender was female: "The guys at Car and Driver love the RX-8 because most of them are, well, guys, and this is pretty much a guy's car."

 

yah, i read the article too, and i thought "he" sounded like a "she." just the way in which he described certain things- very feminine. maybe he plays for the other team...

 

Overall it seems like a pretty realistic review to me and is more informative about some things (buying one and demographics) than most car mags are.

 

wow this woman is obviously a douche bag...

-she says "The car is rated at 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway with the small engine, 18 and 24 with the big engine."

I was unaware that we have differences in engine size

so yeah i wouldn't view anything that she says as a basis for anyone thinking about buying this car to consider.

-also she says "The downside is that the engine has a high-pitched whine (a little like a motorcycle engine's) that can be annoying. Also, if you're looking for a cushy ride, this isn't the car for you. The RX-8 makes no apologies for being a sports car. You feel the bumps and rough patches on the highway, and every bump on back roads"

I dont think the engine sound is annoying nore do i think the ride is harsh, actually it is better than alot of cars I've been in

 

"The RX-8, which hit the U.S. market five years ago".....really...did you guys get it in 2001 did you?

"The bottom line is that this is an unconventional, almost eccentric car. It isn't for everyone. But if you're looking for a sweet-handling sports car with distinctive styling, it might be worth taking a chance on the RX-8. "

Yeah, just like an Evo, STI, GTO, GTI, Mazdaspeed 3 or 6.....

Well put 'Detrich'

For anyone to say they dislike the sound of the rotary engine...is a very unusual comment, for ALL the RX-8's faults this is one I have not heard of before....

 

Thane Peterson has worked as a BusinessWeek reporter and editor in Minneapolis, reporter and editor in Minneapolis, Toronto, Paris, New York, and Frankfurt. Among other world events, he covered the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and Europe's transition to the euro in the late 1990s. As a New York-based editor in the mid-1990s, he helped launch BusinessWeek.com and was one of its first employees. These days he writes a weekly car review for BusinessWeek.com, as well as articles on art and other collectibles for BusinessWeek.

A total Fruit cake!!!

 

Thought as much...another "great all rounder" journalist that "makes' a story on ALL matters and expects their views to be believed....I for one would give the guys at Car and Driver, WHEELS, Motor-Trend, Road and Track far more credibility on the subject of reviewing and or road testing ANY make of car....

He should stick to "Business"....

 

...that and 11 year old boys...

 

There are men that play for the other team (and drive 8s) that know more about cars than this neutered and castrated idiot could ever learn.

And dont forget plenty of perverted men look for young girls too.

 

Ahem. I'm not a fan of you're "are a woman" comment... I know quite a few females who appreciate the awesomeness that is an RX-8.

I DO agree with you though on the fact that whoever posted that review needs a bit more education on the car before bashing it but... *shrug*... each to their own.

 

everyone gets all pissed off when someone doesn't liek the rx8, its an article, who cares.

 

Pics?

 

all the good bits have been said about this woman... she's either not a true sports car enthusiast, on the rag, or just plain stupid.

Not to bash any of the cool RX-chicks on the board here, but I do believe there is the "typical woman" that just wants to put gas in the car and never think about anything else. Soooo many girls I know when I ask them about their car say "i dont know i just put gas in it, nothing else"

This woman in the review needs to stick to Hyundia's, Kia's, and other cookie cutter plain cars. She bitches about the exotic looks, and poor fuel milage, two of the big defining characteristics of a sports car.

This is a woman who deserves no more thought on our part... she's just one of those women that will always see a car as "just a thing to get me to my next hair appointment"

 

It's a dude, jeff

 

Spoken like a true RX8 believer. Don't let the facts get in your way.

 

Though the review doesn't get all the facts right, I think it does reveal how non-enthusiasts tend to perceive the car, which would be consistent with US sales figures.