I just thought I'd do an individual thread for this as there are a couple of points I'd like to cover that are spread over a few threads.

First of all :D :D :D

I'm sorry, but who in their right mind will be giving up this car just because rumour and conjecture (and yes, delay) have got you down?

I loved this car - not the fastest I've been in, but it is plenty fast enough and still has 4 seats.

I sat in a silver one, no moonroof and had plenty of head room. Then I got out and took the test drive in a moonroofed titanium grey. Even at 6'4" I only just failed to get in comfortably head wise. If Iwere 6'2" then the moonroof would be no problem. I have to say that I made the right choice here - when slid back the moonroof looks awkward and odd as it slides over the roof and sticks up at a 30 degee or so angle. Apparently, the roof curvature stops the moonroof from sliding into it.

Next - silver and tit grey. Both cool, but again, glad I chose black. I can now see the stunning look this will be, especially with the strakes. If I had to choose between the two colours though, surprisingly I have to say the silver won out. Not sure why, just seemed more 'there' than the tit grey. Sorry guys.

I managed a 30 minute test drive and tried every button except the CD player, which, despite my prmise to bring a CD, I forgot. So the sound system will just be a bonus when the car comes.

I drove on roads of 30-50, then on motorway and fast around a few roundabouts. This car has lots of grip, much more than I was prepared to go to at this stage. It also rained like mad when I started and the car barely noticed.

The free revving engine is a dream and has no torque issues. I drove a lot of the town stuff in third no problem. Did not have to change to second unless I practically stopped.

I didn't find any gear problems, didn't stall once
:cool: and the hand brake being in the way is not an issue, and neither is the bump in the footwell.

I accellerated onto the motorway foot hard down. Even going up hill, with 3 big people in the car and air con on, it really went for it. The ping is audible, but i reckon it would get lost if the music was on. Revving in 3rd is a dream on the motorway, and the couple of chances I had to pass people was fun. Straight round them.

After I got back to the dealership I asked about the sat nav as I'm getting one. This car had it, and when it comes up on a button press, it has a separate tilt control to angle it for your height. Way cool for tall guys like myself. The sat is a doddle to use, using a small joystick device not unlike those on modern mobile phones. You can find your destination by post code, street or place of interest. The zoom function works a treat from amazing detail showing the shape of roundaboutd (!) to half the countryside on 1 screen. Didn't use the voice bit, so that'll be a surprise too in November.

Car had leather too. I did not slide about, even on the twisites and I did throw her about a bit. Noticed the air vents had the aluminium bezels and my dealer said they were standard on leather cars. Not sure if this is true, but would be cool if it is.
Noticed both front seats were with heated option. This is good as I thought it might just be the driver.

The dials, by the way, are awesome and I loved the digital speedo. For me the instant feedback is spot on, though most of the time I watched the rev counter!

Overall I think the suspension was terrific, and from reports, it has to be set a bit stiffer than the US settings as I did not get body roll like they seem to be getting (not masses, but enough for them to comment on it. Also, in some vids the pre-prod body roll is noticeable, but it is definitely less in the final UK spec.)

THe car is great and I'd give it 5/5 as an overall, especially for the price.

One final point - I was offerred a tracker fitted for £299 as part of my deal. Anyone else been offerred this? I reckon that's not a bad deal overall.

That's all I can think of for now, but I am DEFINITELY getting my pre-order now.

Stu C

PS OH yeah - a guy came in on spec, having noticed the two rx8's from the road. They got some attention. He had a test drive during a gap between other drivers and ordered one on the spot. Says a lot about the car. He won't get his until at least FEb 2004 though.

Stu

Nice review!:) (especially the bit about the black!) Sounds like you had muchus fun!!

Are leather seats electric as standard as well as heated?

Originally posted by rich606
Stu

Nice review!:) (especially the bit about the black!) Sounds like you had muchus fun!!

Are leather seats electric as standard as well as heated?

The drivers seat is electric - the passengers is not. Had plenty of movement options and took seconds to set up. Way cool.

Stu C

Hi all, just a limited edition comeback (no sign of lensman though) to thank Stu for his review and also to give a vote for Silver. I've not seen the two together and still haven't even <B>seen</B> a Silver in the flesh so to speak. Glad I pre-ordered silver then (hoorah!).

Stu, I didn't think the strafes would work though on Silver - did the one you saw have them - any photos?

Hi to everyone. Maybe post again sometime when I'm not being accused of lying or whinging.

Si

Hi renegade_si

Unfortunately the two cars did not have strakes. I am only going on memory of seeing them elsewhere on forum pictures and they do work well on tit grey and black. Not sure if they would work with silver as much, but as with everything, seeing it for real could change our minds.

I had a blast as you could tell. From now on I'm just gonna ignore any negative stuff as it seems less relevant.

Yippeee

Stu c

Nice review :) Black is a great colour and will look awesome(when clean!)

PS OH yeah - a guy came in on spec, having noticed the two rx8's from the road. They got some attention. He had a test drive during a gap between other drivers and ordered one on the spot. Says a lot about the car. He won't get his until at least FEb 2004 though.

I bet that will happen quite a lot over the next few months as more cars are seen on the road and test drives become available.

Nice review Stu, glad you found the car to your liking.

Questions;

What was the quality of the interior? If all black was it too dark without moonroof? How fluid was the gear stick movement? Comment on engine noise? Did you feel you had a lot of power in reserve?

Many thanks,

rael

AA motor insurance were offering Tracker for just £75 all inclusive for the first year about a year ago for high premium cars. Then just pay Tracker £75 per year thereafter. May be worth checking out.

Saying that, wouldn't it be better to have the insurance pay for a brand new car if they can't find your stolen one rather than getting your joy ridden, dented, scratched, puke smelling, thrashed car back? I'm probably overlooking something here otherwise Tracker wouldn't be in business.

Originally posted by rael
Nice review Stu, glad you found the car to your liking.

Questions;

What was the quality of the interior? If all black was it too dark without moonroof? How fluid was the gear stick movement? Comment on engine noise? Did you feel you had a lot of power in reserve?

Many thanks,

rael

Sorry, been away for a few days due to some robbing bastard burgling my house and nicking my PC. Fortunately the house alarm went off and scared them away b4 much else was taken. Bit of damage though...:mad:

The interior quality was very good, though I did not look in the back area. Also I did not think the black was to dark without a moonroof - especially with all the aluminium highlights, including the air vent bezels.

Cheers
Stu C

Bas***ds!
Hope they catch them for you.

Not much consolation I know but have the insurance company been looking after you?

Originally posted by garygfx

Saying that, wouldn't it be better to have the insurance pay for a brand new car if they can't find your stolen one rather than getting your joy ridden, dented, scratched, puke smelling, thrashed car back? I'm probably overlooking something here otherwise Tracker wouldn't be in business. [/B]

In most cases they get the car back quickly before any damage. I`m definately going have one fitted. Tracker do one which combines there radio signal tracking and GPS tracking. Having either type on its own has disadvantages. They can contact you if your car moves without you knowing.

Thanks Stu, - here's a link to my tester

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=117686#post117686

Originally posted by garygfx
AA motor insurance were offering Tracker for just £75 all inclusive for the first year about a year ago for high premium cars. Then just pay Tracker £75 per year thereafter. May be worth checking out.

Saying that, wouldn't it be better to have the insurance pay for a brand new car if they can't find your stolen one rather than getting your joy ridden, dented, scratched, puke smelling, thrashed car back? I'm probably overlooking something here otherwise Tracker wouldn't be in business.

Well firstly if your new car is stolen with in the first year, the insurance will normall only pay market value, and that means you'll be down a huge chunk of depreciation, and its likely to be a lot less than your outstanding finance. You'll be seriously out of pocket to replace the car. I saw in the Mazda finance broachure they have some insurance plans designed to make up the shortfall, but I bet they aren't cheap.

Secondly even if you get back the full money to conver the cost of the car, how long do you think you'd have to wait for another RX8 given the current demand and low production rate for the first year?

Choosing between a quick recovery and a few days of professional valeting to remove any puke, and waiting another 9 months for an RX8 - at £75 the tracker would definately be worth it, by a grand from Mazda then probably not.

Cheers
---Dave

Originally posted by Stu C


The drivers seat is electric - the passengers is not. Had plenty of movement options and took seconds to set up. Way cool.

Stu C

Heated seats :eek: I want it. In Oz land, we don't have heated ones as an option

:mad: I prob have to wear extra pants during winter