Oz review: http://www.racv.com.au/Coporate/RoyalAutoArticle.asp?d_id=2354

Truth be told.

YIKES! Did you see the price of the air filter on the RX8??

Isn't this pretty much the same review as everyone on the entire planet? Competitors cars: better on track, better numbers, better street and track performance, can out-perform the RX-8 - usually, even in the twisties.

But the RX-8 is always more fun to drive.

All of the reviews are variants on:
"There were no losers... but there was a clear winner."

Originally posted by Wing
YIKES! Did you see the price of the air filter on the RX8??
The prices are in AUD.

Yes, but it is 8 times more expensive than the air filter for the 350Z!

And what about the "fuel filter"... 329$ AUD = 216$ US or 295$CAD !!!

We at least the air filter should be covered by the 3 year maintenance. $80 for an air filter??? That's CRAZY.

I'm not sure if the conversions are accurate though, the car itself is WAY more expensive in Aus, so I expect the parts are as well. We would probably pay $150 for a fuel filter.

But how often do you change them?

Did I read that right?

They prefered the automatic version of the RX8 better than the 6 speed Z?

Did you see those performance figures?

100 km/h is 62 mph and 400 m is 0.249 miles.

They got 0-100 km/h in 8.1 sec and 0-400 m in 16.0 seconds.

Judging by the figures they got for the 350Z they were doing a fairly sedate launch, but even so the figures look pretty bad. I think the Australian car has the same rated horsepower as the US model.

Are Mazda's Australian horsepower numbers dodgy too?

This article is exactly what I found to be on the ride, etc. of the Z I drove this weekend (as a test)

The article does not prefer the RX 8 automatic really but rather builds on the fact positively that there is an automatic option and also adding- broader market appeal, trim performance, less mpg.

There is a clear winner IMO in this article.

GREAT ARTICLE except the acceleration figures have to be off on both cars. 0-100 km/hr is 0-62mph.

That filter price is ridiculous. On this site, there are directions for using home filters and making them yourself. SUpposedly one of the best filters you can buy is that 3m Filtrete 3000. What is the Mazda filter made of? Is it paper?

Originally posted by lbrintle
Isn't this pretty much the same review as everyone on the entire planet? Competitors cars: better on track, better numbers, better street and track performance, can out-perform the RX-8 - usually, even in the twisties.

But the RX-8 is always more fun to drive.

All of the reviews are variants on:
"There were no losers... but there was a clear winner."

Yeah, in truth both cars are winners.

great post

Aye, thats a grand review.

If you notice the specs listed below, they did indeed test the automatic RX-8, and even comment on the poky acceleration due to the same.

FYI - U.S. price on the Mazda OEM air filter direct from the dealer here in the Bay Area (CA) is $50.37. Talked to K&N a couple weeks ago, they have one but I dont' know what they go for.

Originally posted by Genom
If you notice the specs listed below, they did indeed test the automatic RX-8, and even comment on the poky acceleration due to the same.
The specs are for the high power car (which is manual). Power is given as 177KW at 8200 rpm. This is 237 hp, the spec for the Australian high power, and very close indeed to US spec.

50USD for an air filter? Well good thing it will be covered by the maintenance.

Originally posted by RodsterinFL
This article is exactly what I found to be on the ride, etc. of the Z I drove this weekend (as a test)

The article does not prefer the RX 8 automatic really but rather builds on the fact positively that there is an automatic option adding too- broader market appeal, trim performance, less mpg.

There is a clear winner IMO in this article.

GREAT ARTICLE except the acceleration figures have to be off on both cars. 0-100 km/hr is 0-62mph.

That filter price is ridiculous. On this site, there are directions for using home filters and making them yourself. SUpposedly one of the best filters you can buy is that 3m Filtrete 3000. What is the Mazda filter made of? Is it paper?

I like this article it says a lot. By the way What is "IMO" I see it a lot?

In My Opinion

IMHO= In My Honest Opinion

why the first is not an honest opinion i have yet to understand...:confused:

Originally posted by zoom44
In My Opinion

IMHO= In My Honest Opinion

why the first is not an honest opinion i have yet to understand...:confused:

Thanks!!!!!

Originally posted by zoom44
IMHO= In My Honest Opinion

why the first is not an honest opinion i have yet to understand...:confused:

I've always seen IMHO defined as In MY Humble Opinion.

Originally posted by Rich


I've always seen IMHO defined as In MY Humble Opinion.

Me 2.

a K & N AC filter??

Originally posted by lbrintle
Isn't this pretty much the same review as everyone on the entire planet? Competitors cars: better on track, better numbers, better street and track performance, can out-perform the RX-8 - usually, even in the twisties.

But the RX-8 is always more fun to drive.


If all you wanted was something that was "fun to drive", you should have just bought the Mini Cooper S. For the same money you spent on the RX8, you could have bought the new S2000 with the 2.2L motor and had some real performance instead of a bunch of hype from Mazda that they didn't deliver on.

nice internet tough guy
dont be made because the only thing you can fit in your trunk is a newspaper

Originally posted by mikeb
nice internet tough guy
dont be made because the only thing you can fit in your trunk is a newspaper
I'm not trying to be tough. If I bought a car because of it's trunk, I would have bought a 4 door Audi A6. I bought the S2000 because I love a car that is a great track performer. The S2000 is exactly that. It is not a big V8 beast of a car that eats 1/4miles for breakfast like the SVT Cobra. It's not a high dollar, "look at me" car like a Corvette or a Porsche. It's not meant to hold anything except the person driving it. I bought it because of that. If I need a trunk, I'll take my wife's car.

Now, why did you buy the RX8? Was it because it looked good? Has a trunk? Something new and fresh? The next rotary? I ask this because you certainly can't say you bought the RX8 because it was the best bang for your buck like the S2000. You can't say it gets great gas mileage like the S2000 and still equals the performance of a Porsche. You can't say it has plenty of power, because it simply doesn't for the weight it's at.

So I guess you are left with the fact that you bought the RX8 for it's trunk and it's good looks. And good looks are subjective to everyone.

It's funny that you even try to use the "my car has a bigger trunk than yours" line. That's gay. I bought the S2000 because it is a beast on a track, and add a Vortec supercharger and it is better than the ZO6 on a track, hell, maybe even the Modena,......Ferrari that is.

Originally posted by S2000

If all you wanted was something that was "fun to drive", you should have just bought the Mini Cooper S. For the same money you spent on the RX8, you could have bought the new S2000 with the 2.2L motor and had some real performance instead of a bunch of hype from Mazda that they didn't deliver on. Yep, I am having *no* fun driving my RX-8. It's like driving a power wheels car.

Now where is that rolls eyes icon we sorely need?

And yet again, a great reason to enforce a no-trolls policy. Whoever's with me...

Originally posted by Hercules
Yep, I am having *no* fun driving my RX-8. It's like driving a power wheels car.

Now where is that rolls eyes icon we sorely need?

And yet again, a great reason to enforce a no-trolls policy. Whoever's with me...
Did I make a personal attack on anyone? No,.....then shut up.


Just stating facts here. The RX8 is quickly turning into a novelty car like the Mini, the Turbo PT Cruiser(which has more power than the RX8), etc, etc. The RX8 is a beautiful car, but it has been raped by Mazda. The power just isn't there for the weight of the car. Sorry if the truth upsets you. Take it like a big boy.

Originally posted by S2000

Did I make a personal attack on anyone? No,.....then shut up.


Just stating facts here. The RX8 is quickly turning into a novelty car like the Mini, the Turbo PT Cruiser(which has more power than the RX8), etc, etc. The RX8 is a beautiful car, but it has been raped by Mazda. The power just isn't there for the weight of the car. Sorry if the truth upsets you. Take it like a big boy. Remind me to cry about it later.

Mind you, the S2000 was my strongest consideration alternative to the RX-8. But with the fact the S2000 is obscenely loud inside (with the top down), only has two seats (takes away from occasional practicality), and the fun-to-drive factor is comparable (though the S2000 wins out in performance in every aspect), I couldn't justify it. I was looking for a four seater.

The RX-8 is a compromise car, and I realize this. However it's more fun to drive than the G35 Coupe, 330Ci, and countless other cars. The S2000 has all the advantages of the RX-8 except in a louder, more expensive, and two seat package that I can't afford with 'reason', not for price. I had the money for any car I drove.

Now for those of us looking for a car that's fun to drive, seats four, performs reasonably, and fits our price range... the RX-8 is really the only car that fits the bill. Did I ever say the RX-8 is the king of any performance number? Nope. And do I care? Not really.

I buy a car because of the smile it puts on my face. I will ocassionally track the car just to see what kind of skill level I can achieve by pushing it to its limits. Now if your goal in mind was to constantly track your car, then you got the right car. I got a car I can *use* every day, that accomodates four, and still is fun.

The G35C was fun, until I drove the RX-8 and started noticing the nuances I hadn't before. Understeer and a poor shifter being the most standout of those. The 330 is a dime a dozen and very expensive, also on insurance. It didn't offer anything over the G35C or the RX-8 for the price point anyways.

Your recommended option (as you 10 year old trolls enjoy so often) was the Mini Cooper S. First off, if your idea of 'fun to drive' is found in a front wheel drive car, and you can compare it to a *reasonable* (not even good) RWD car, then you simply have no place to drive a 'performance' car at all. Go get the mini van right now, because your driving suggestion is laughable.

The Mini Cooper S is fun... FOR A FWDer. But the experience of a RWD car is not comparable, as it isn't comparable (as much as revhappy would like it to be) to an AWD car. Each drivetrain is in a world of its own. Your owning of an S2000 should illustrate this example to you every time you start it. However given your prior comments and trollish nature, I think the only RWD car you've driven is a cab.

Go back to your home at the S2000 forums where most people are adults, and learn something from them in manners.

Herc,
Don't forget, Herc, a RWD car can be tuned to understeer (i.e. like a FWD car). I would suggest a bit of open-mindedness about which wheels spin on the cars on your shopping list. If handling is your thing, no one can deny the old ITR (FWD) when it was out) and EVO (AWD) aren't great handling cars.

Now, your love with RWD is due I assume to your like of oversteer/wagging the rear end out and dislike of torque steer. However, the RX8 is tuned for understeer (mass-market car) and is one of the most stable RWD sporty cars I know of. From your signiature, it appears you have two other cars with back seats. If you really loved these RWD characteristics, it only seems logical that the S2000 would have been the better choice.

BTW...I've driven the RX8 and the S2000 and they are not nearly as similar in "feel" as you suggest, IMHO.

why is it the first person to defend s2000 is not a rx8 owner.
s2000, you didn't make a attack on anyone but why are you here. I don't go to s2000 forums and talk about my car.

Originally posted by revhappy
Herc,
Don't forget, Herc, a RWD car can be tuned to understeer (i.e. like a FWD car). I would suggest a bit of open-mindedness about which wheels spin on the cars on your shopping list. If handling is your thing, no one can deny the old ITR (FWD) when it was out) and EVO (AWD) aren't great handling cars.

Now, your love with RWD is due I assume to your like of oversteer/wagging the rear end out and dislike of torque steer. However, the RX8 is tuned for understeer (mass-market car) and is one of the most stable RWD sporty cars I know of. From your signiature, it appears you have two other cars with back seats. If you really loved these RWD characteristics, it only seems logical that the S2000 would have been the better choice.

BTW...I've driven the RX8 and the S2000 and they are not nearly as similar in "feel" as you suggest, IMHO.
I completely agree pretty much with everything you said. You can not judge a car by the fact of which wheels pull or push it to make it go. I owned the MP3 prior to the S2000, and I will tell you right now that the MP3,....all 140hp of it, will completely embarass the RX8 on a track. Add a turbo to the MP3 and it is a complete track car.(with a big trunk by the way for you trunk lovers)


Originally posted by mikeb
why is it the first person to defend s2000 is not a rx8 owner.
s2000, you didn't make a attack on anyone but why are you here. I don't go to s2000 forums and talk about my car.
Why am I here, to learn more about the RX8. I love all cars, I'm not narrow minded like most people that are religious to one brand. I have owned pretty much every brand that makes a good car. The dumbest statements that I ever read on these forums are the one's that say, "go back to your (insert your car brand here) forum". That's just stupid.

its not stupid, if you are here be respectful dont be a troll.
You dont go up to someone on the streets and say we did you get that car, I dont like it.

Originally posted by S2000

Did I make a personal attack on anyone? No,.....then shut up.


Just stating facts here. The RX8 is quickly turning into a novelty car like the Mini, the Turbo PT Cruiser(which has more power than the RX8), etc, etc. The RX8 is a beautiful car, but it has been raped by Mazda. The power just isn't there for the weight of the car. Sorry if the truth upsets you. Take it like a big boy.

I never said I didn't like the RX8,.....please see my above post.

Originally posted by mikeb
its not stupid, if you are here be respectful dont be a troll.
You dont go up to someone on the streets and say we did you get that car, I dont like it.

If anything, you guys should take your anger out on Mazda instead of me. They are the ones that screwed you. If they had advertised the car at 210hp like it's at now, would you have even got excited about it, much less bought one. The only reason people in the US got excited about the RX8 is because it was supposed to be the new reliable highpower rotary engine. Well, we all know it's not high power now, is it going to be reliable? We'll see.

Originally posted by S2000
Why am I here, to learn more about the RX8. I love all cars, I'm not narrow minded like most people that are religious to one brand.

Really. So why did you just trash the RX-8 and call it a pretty car with a trunk, inferior in every other respect? You learned that here? That's not narrowminded?

By the way, I don't care what an RX-8 turns on a dyno (have you learned from here yet that the RX-8 control systems are falling back into a safe mode when the car is run on a dyno, thus making any dyno run show less power?). It doesn't matter if the RX-8 is only making 150 hp, when it can turn 0-60 in 6.0 seconds and a 1/4 mi in 14.0 at 101 mph. (Posted by a forum member last month, measured with a GTech Pro Comp).

Regards,
Gordon

Its like trying to talk to a brick wall

Originally posted by S2000
If anything, you guys should take your anger out on Mazda instead of me.
Many of us have no anger against Mazda. You are displaying animus against Mazda the RX-8, and forum members with your off-topic, non-constructive and self-contradictory posts. Using inflamatory and insulting language speaks volumes about your level of mental maturity and further undermines your opinions.

The current issue of EVO also rates the RX-8 higher than the more expensive "favorite hot hatch", the Golf RS!:D

Originally posted by S2000


I never said I didn't like the RX8,.....please see my above post.



If anything, you guys should take your anger out on Mazda instead of me. They are the ones that screwed you. If they had advertised the car at 210hp like it's at now, would you have even got excited about it, much less bought one. The only reason people in the US got excited about the RX8 is because it was supposed to be the new reliable highpower rotary engine. Well, we all know it's not high power now, is it going to be reliable? We'll see.


Wow, are you saying S2000 is reliable? It was on top 10 lemon cars for awhile. it might still be on there. I dont know the issues it had, but it sure wasn't better in reliability than RX8 so far. And this is stupidest thing I have heard:

You came to learn about Rx8 and all you have learned was RX8 has nice trunk and looks nice but it sucks in every performance category?

You better do your homework! And get a life...

Originally posted by Hercules

The RX-8 is a compromise car, and I realize this. However it's more fun to drive than the G35 Coupe, 330Ci, and countless other cars.

The G35C was fun, until I drove the RX-8 and started noticing the nuances I hadn't before. Understeer and a poor shifter being the most standout of those. The 330 is a dime a dozen and very expensive, also on insurance. It didn't offer anything over the G35C or the RX-8 for the price point anyways.



How do you prove that a car is "more fun to drive" than others? If the rx8 has a better shifter (which is debatable) and less understeer does that mean its more fun to drive? Does power not have ANYTHING to do with driving fun factor? I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but i just don't get how someone can flat out say one car is "more fun to drive" than another. Theres just no way of proving that. If anything that should just be your personal opinion, instead of a fact.

Originally posted by revhappy
Herc,
Don't forget, Herc, a RWD car can be tuned to understeer (i.e. like a FWD car). I would suggest a bit of open-mindedness about which wheels spin on the cars on your shopping list. If handling is your thing, no one can deny the old ITR (FWD) when it was out) and EVO (AWD) aren't great handling cars.

Now, your love with RWD is due I assume to your like of oversteer/wagging the rear end out and dislike of torque steer. However, the RX8 is tuned for understeer (mass-market car) and is one of the most stable RWD sporty cars I know of. From your signiature, it appears you have two other cars with back seats. If you really loved these RWD characteristics, it only seems logical that the S2000 would have been the better choice.

BTW...I've driven the RX8 and the S2000 and they are not nearly as similar in "feel" as you suggest, IMHO.
The RX-8 in my opinion, has a very neutral balance which I found quite refreshing. I'm well aware that RWD cars are prone to understeer if they would be designed for it. The case is clear in the G35 Coupe and 350Z.

I have never denied the Evo and S2000 aren't great cars for performance; they just aren't what *I* was looking for. And time and time again I'm reminded constantly by the childish trolls that don't get the attention they need at home, that sadly, I've bought the wrong car. According to them, of course. Their requirements. Their 'important' criteria. Not mine. And I tire of it, because it is a tired arguement to make.

All the buyers of the RX-8 (with the exception of the unhappy few that returned the car because it didn't have the numbers or other niggles) drove the car, and after careful decision with our $25-$30 THOUSAND dollar purchase, made that decision and went with the RX-8. I followed this same procedure, weighed the cost of performance against the cost of livability, driveability, and other little things I looked for and combined it to see that the RX-8 was the car for me.

The fastest? Hell no. The best handling? Nope again. Best looking? In the eye of the beholder. But combining what it doesn't do well with what it does there is a car in my eyes (and others) that cannot be matched, especially given what we have been looking for (and found).

As an addendum, the reason I wanted a RWD car over an AWD one wasn't because I wanted to kick the tail out, I just didn't want any hand-holding from AWD. My goal with the car was not only to have fun transportation but also to learn the limits of a RWD car and how to properly control the understeer and oversteer that I can dial in with throttle and steering. I'm slowly learning that now as I drive this car daily, though my skills will improve greatly when I attend my classes next year (I'm still savin!). If I decide after that, that I want an AWD car, my prowess in RWD driving will help me become far superior when using an AWD car because the limits of AWD are generally higher and more controllable. So if I've mastered the harder to drive of the two drivetrains, the easier one should make me look damn good.

As they say... AWD can make a bad driver look good, and RWD can make even a good driver look bad. I'd rather be the latter of the two that is learning and then if I feel so inclined, jump into the former drivetrain and show everybody up :)

Originally posted by zthang


How do you prove that a car is "more fun to drive" than others? If the rx8 has a better shifter (which is debatable) and less understeer does that mean its more fun to drive? Does power not have ANYTHING to do with driving fun factor? I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but i just don't get how someone can flat out say one car is "more fun to drive" than another. Theres just no way of proving that. If anything that should just be your personal opinion, instead of a fact.

Proof that the RX8 is more fun to drive than a 350Z is the mere fact that I chose it over the 350Z for that very reason.

I'm driving the RX8, therefore, it's more fun to drive.

Originally posted by graphicguy


Proof that the RX8 is more fun to drive than a 350Z is the mere fact that I chose it over the 350Z for that very reason.

I'm driving the RX8, therefore, it's more fun to drive.

Yeah!! LOL... I like your way of thinking!!! Proof enough for me!! ;)

Originally posted by graphicguy


Proof that the RX8 is more fun to drive than a 350Z is the mere fact that I chose it over the 350Z for that very reason.

I'm driving the RX8, therefore, it's more fun to drive.

Wow...up until now i thought people on this board were pretty intelligent and not very childish at all. I parouse this forum to see what RX8 people are up to and what they think of other cars. Up until the whole HP thing, most people were nice and no one made remarks that were not subjective or factually based. Graphic guy, if you were just being sarcastic, I apologize...if you were being honest, then thats cool too :D. I'm not Blue350 or whoever it was that you were having an argument with so I'm not gonna bash your car, nor do i feel the need to defend mine...i was just asking if there was another way of telling if one car is more fun to drive than another that i didn't know of...apparently any non-RX8 owner isnt really welcome on this board, so i won't be posting very much anymore. Enjoy youre little RX8 world guys.

Originally posted by zthang


Graphic guy, if you were just being sarcastic, I apologize...

That was how I took it. ;)

Originally posted by zthang
How do you prove that a car is "more fun to drive" than others? If the rx8 has a better shifter (which is debatable) and less understeer does that mean its more fun to drive? Does power not have ANYTHING to do with driving fun factor? I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but i just don't get how someone can flat out say one car is "more fun to drive" than another. Theres just no way of proving that. If anything that should just be your personal opinion, instead of a fact.

Some of this 'fun-to-drive' factor is opinion, but much is quantifiable (if not measurable by the ordinary driver). Go test drive a 240 hp Honda Odyssey, and then a 142 hp Mazda Miata. Which is more fun to drive? That comparison is much closer to fact than personal opinion.

First define the characteristics that make a car enjoyable to drive - then rank your contenders in each of those characteristics, weight the relative merit of those characteristics, then come up with a combined, weighted-average score for your fun-to-drive ranking. Not that tough... and fwiw, Mazda products (especially their sports cars like RX-7, Miata, and now RX-8) have always been ranked very highly by reviewers in the fun-to-drive category. Further, check out the Evo review of the RX-8 (available on-line at www.evo.co.uk ) and read the last paragraph of their RX-8 vs. Golf R32 comparison - it explains perfectly why they prefer the RX-8 even though the R32 is faster and corners better on paper.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by Hercules

The RX-8 in my opinion, has a very neutral balance which I found quite refreshing. I'm well aware that RWD cars are prone to understeer if they would be designed for it. The case is clear in the G35 Coupe and 350Z.

I have never denied the Evo and S2000 aren't great cars for performance; they just aren't what *I* was looking for. And time and time again I'm reminded constantly by the childish trolls that don't get the attention they need at home, that sadly, I've bought the wrong car. According to them, of course. Their requirements. Their 'important' criteria. Not mine. And I tire of it, because it is a tired arguement to make.

All the buyers of the RX-8 (with the exception of the unhappy few that returned the car because it didn't have the numbers or other niggles) drove the car, and after careful decision with our $25-$30 THOUSAND dollar purchase, made that decision and went with the RX-8. I followed this same procedure, weighed the cost of performance against the cost of livability, driveability, and other little things I looked for and combined it to see that the RX-8 was the car for me.

The fastest? Hell no. The best handling? Nope again. Best looking? In the eye of the beholder. But combining what it doesn't do well with what it does there is a car in my eyes (and others) that cannot be matched, especially given what we have been looking for (and found).

As an addendum, the reason I wanted a RWD car over an AWD one wasn't because I wanted to kick the tail out, I just didn't want any hand-holding from AWD. My goal with the car was not only to have fun transportation but also to learn the limits of a RWD car and how to properly control the understeer and oversteer that I can dial in with throttle and steering. I'm slowly learning that now as I drive this car daily, though my skills will improve greatly when I attend my classes next year (I'm still savin!). If I decide after that, that I want an AWD car, my prowess in RWD driving will help me become far superior when using an AWD car because the limits of AWD are generally higher and more controllable. So if I've mastered the harder to drive of the two drivetrains, the easier one should make me look damn good.

As they say... AWD can make a bad driver look good, and RWD can make even a good driver look bad. I'd rather be the latter of the two that is learning and then if I feel so inclined, jump into the former drivetrain and show everybody up :)

Nice explanation, it makes sense (though I wouldn't say exactly what you said regarding AWD). :)

Originally posted by zthang


Wow...up until now i thought people on this board were pretty intelligent and not very childish at all. I parouse this forum to see what RX8 people are up to and what they think of other cars. Up until the whole HP thing, most people were nice and no one made remarks that were not subjective or factually based. Graphic guy, if you were just being sarcastic, I apologize...if you were being honest, then thats cool too :D. I'm not Blue350 or whoever it was that you were having an argument with so I'm not gonna bash your car, nor do i feel the need to defend mine...i was just asking if there was another way of telling if one car is more fun to drive than another that i didn't know of...apparently any non-RX8 owner isnt really welcome on this board, so i won't be posting very much anymore. Enjoy youre little RX8 world guys.
I agree. I give differing opinions on the RX8 and they all get mad. When you tell me that the S2000 is loud inside the cabin,....I agree. When you tell me the S2000 was a lemon,....sorry, I disagree and I don't think you know what you are talking about. The ONLY problems the S2000 ever had was the oil bolts on about 1% of the cars produced. This caused cylinder wall scoring and broken rods in those cars.

But when I say the RX8 is a great car but shouldn't be compared to any performance car, you all get all pissy. I'm sorry guys, but the RX8 just doesn't have the hp/wt ratio that all the other cars have. This has been proven on the track. Hell, the WRX greatly out-performs the RX8 on the track.

The RX8 is a fun to drive car on the trip to and from work, but not on the track. A souped up civic could probably beat the pants off of it.

Sorry, just my opinions.

Originally posted by S2000

I agree. I give differing opinions on the RX8 and they all get mad. When you tell me that the S2000 is loud inside the cabin,....I agree. When you tell me the S2000 was a lemon,....sorry, I disagree and I don't think you know what you are talking about. The ONLY problems the S2000 ever had was the oil bolts on about 1% of the cars produced. This caused cylinder wall scoring and broken rods in those cars.

But when I say the RX8 is a great car but shouldn't be compared to any performance car, you all get all pissy. I'm sorry guys, but the RX8 just doesn't have the hp/wt ratio that all the other cars have. This has been proven on the track. Hell, the WRX greatly out-performs the RX8 on the track.

The RX8 is a fun to drive car on the trip to and from work, but not on the track. A souped up civic could probably beat the pants off of it.

Sorry, just my opinions.

And most of us could care less about how it does on a track. We won't be driving on any track. For us it's about making that everyday drive more fun and doing it with style. The RX-8 does that just fine thank you. :p

And I can take my kids along for the ride too! :D

Originally posted by Wave
And I can take my kids along for the ride too! :D

I can fit two small children in my trunk.:p :D

To be honest, I'm thinking of buying a RX8 when they have been out for a year or two. I dont like to jump into a brand new car, I like to wait until the bugs have been worked out. But it will be my daily driver if I get one. I'll keep the S2000 as a weekend toy and track toy.

But like you said, it's all about making that daily drive something to look forward to. It makes going to work so much easier.:D

Originally posted by S2000


I can fit two small children in my trunk.:p :D

To be honest, I'm thinking of buying a RX8 when they have been out for a year or two. I dont like to jump into a brand new car, I like to wait until the bugs have been worked out. But it will be my daily driver if I get one. I'll keep the S2000 as a weekend toy and track toy.

But like you said, it's all about making that daily drive something to look forward to. It makes going to work so much easier.:D

Hey if I didn't have any kids I would love an S2000. Saw one at the Grocery store last week and it was sweet! I have owned two Preludes in the past and I love Honda's. The best sporty car for me now though is the RX-8.

They wouldn't like the trunk. ;)

Originally posted by S2000
The RX8 is a fun to drive car on the trip to and from work, but not on the track. A souped up civic could probably beat the pants off of it.

Do you just care about lap times? If so, then nothing short of a pure race car can be fun on a track. Any street car, including the S2000, is not fun on a track, if you only care about lap times.

Is a Miata fun to drive on the track? YES! Is it fast? Well, not faster than an S2000, but much faster than many other cars and slower than a bunch of others. However, it's also going to be more fun than many of those that are faster...

Sorry, but you've defined a pretty narrow criteria which suits the car you happen to own. Your opinion is obviously biased.

Regards,
Gordon

Actually, a turbo Miata will give the S2000 a run for it's money. They are pretty damn fast and they handle like race cars.

But yes, I agree that my opinion is biased.

Performance - functioning usually with regard to effectiveness.
(webster)

some RX 8 "effective" advantages

regular gas preferred - savings!! Effective?? YEA!
seats 4 -
50/50 weight balance - any better?
cheaper-


OKAY!

The RX8 does PERFORM well. The S2000 (the winner in the S2000/350Z shootout) is a great car but it is more of a MIATA than an RX8.

How can you compare a tiny car with a larger vehicle. Just look at the 2 cars from the interior and then consider the track specs. Is it worth it to have an all out drag and have the S2000 maybe a car length ahead? (0.4 sec dif on 1/4 mile/1.7 sec on 0-100mph) over that of space and functionality. Maybe for some. THe MPG observed by road and track was also 18.5 mpg S2000 and 19 mpg on the RX. IN the new world of cars I think flexibility is a key factor. An S2000 is a great toy car like a miata for people who have other cars. Even in the S2000 Nissan 350 faceoff they recognize that fact and that if they were considering one of them that it would be a weekend car.

I guess the more I read on here about the 350Z and the S2000 and the G35C (useless backseat car) that after spending hours considering them, am surprised that people praise them as overall performance winners over the RX - no way! IN all out speed ONLY! The RX 8 is a great car with actual compromises kept to a minimum - IMO.

Originally posted by RodsterinFL
THe MPG observed by road and track was also 18.5 mpg S2000 and 19 mpg on the RX.

The guys on s2ki.com get better MPG in the real-world than that. I think it was like 24-25 MPG, with a few even reaching 35 MPG once or twice. The median MPG in the poll on this board for RX8s was around 18 and the highest one-time mileage was around 26 (I think??).

Originally posted by RodsterinFL
some RX 8 "effective" advantages

regular gas preferred - savings!! Effective?? YEA!


What MPG are you guys getting now? Is the whole low MPG controversy solved yet? I get about 375 miles from the 16 gallon tank in my Z. I have no idea how big the tank in the 8 is...anyone know? Regular gas is a bit cheaper, but if you don't get good gas mileage on it, then its really not that much of an advantage.

Originally posted by revhappy


The guys on s2ki.com get better MPG in the real-world than that. I think it was like 24-25 MPG, with a few even reaching 35 MPG once or twice. The median MPG in the poll on this board for RX8s was around 18 and the highest one-time mileage was around 26 (I think??).
The lowest I've ever gotten was just above 19mpg. And I hit vtec rpm's all the time. I got 30mpg once when I was keeping the revs low.

Originally posted by zthang


What MPG are you guys getting now? Is the whole low MPG controversy solved yet? I get about 375 miles from the 16 gallon tank in my Z. I have no idea how big the tank in the 8 is...anyone know? Regular gas is a bit cheaper, but if you don't get good gas mileage on it, then its really not that much of an advantage.

So, you're getting about 23 MPG- 24 MPG with the Z. That's about the same as what I get on my RX8. In mixed driving I get about 20 MPG. All city, I get about 18 MPG. I have yet to run anything but Premium, though.

Originally posted by graphicguy


So, you're getting about 23 MPG- 24 MPG with the Z. That's about the same as what I get on my RX8. In mixed driving I get about 20 MPG. All city, I get about 18 MPG. I have yet to run anything but Premium, though.

Call me crazy, but a 17% - 31% difference is significant to me? :confused:

Originally posted by revhappy


Call me crazy, but a 17% - 31% difference is significant to me? :confused:

I don't follow????????

Originally posted by revhappy


Call me crazy, but a 17% - 31% difference is significant to me? :confused:


3.5/20 = 17.5%

5.5/18 = 30.6%

This is based on the numbers you provided on your previous post (RX8 MPG 18-20 and 350 Z 23-24 MPG).

Now, I don't think the cost difference would break the bank of most people over the life of the cars. However, for me, its more of a principal thing.

Anyhow, here are some estimated costs:

RX8 = 100,000 Miles/18 MPG = 5,556 Gallons Used

5,556 Gallons Used * $1.75/Gallon (estimate) = $9,722

350z = 100,000 Miles/23.5 MPG = 4,255 Gallons Used

4,255 Gallons Used * 1.75/Gallon = $7,447

Total Difference = $2,325


I'm not sure if the Z and RX8 use different grades of gasoline, so if they do, then this should be revised. Of course, if the price of gas increases over the next few years, this could be a lot worse.

Originally posted by revhappy



3.5/20 = 17.5%

5.5/18 = 30.6%

This is based on the numbers you provided on your previous post (RX8 MPG 18-20 and 350 Z 23-24 MPG).

Now, I don't think the cost difference would break the bank of most people over the life of the cars. However, for me, its more of a principal thing.

Anyhow, here are some estimated costs:

RX8 = 100,000 Miles/18 MPG = 5,556 Gallons Used

5,556 Gallons Used * $1.75/Gallon (estimate) = $9,722

350z = 100,000 Miles/23.5 MPG = 4,255 Gallons Used

4,255 Gallons Used * 1.75/Gallon = $7,447

Total Difference = $2,325


I'm not sure if the Z and RX8 use different grades of gasoline, so if they do, then this should be revised. Of course, if the price of gas increases over the next few years, this could be a lot worse.

I think your assumption that there is a huge MPG difference between the Z and the RX8....I don't think that difference exists if everyone were honest.

Originally posted by graphicguy


I think your assumption that there is a huge MPG difference between the Z and the RX8....I don't think that difference exists if everyone were honest.

If I remember correctly, those Z figures were close to the median on MPG poll I saw on the my350z.com. The last I checked, 18 MPG was the median on the poll on this forum. If Im wrong, let's change the calculations.

If it comes down to money, I live in texas so gas for me is cheaper than most places :D