Ok, finally today, the test drive...

Some background.

Currently I drive a 225 TT Coupe.
Pervious cars have included a Westfield (2nd car!) a 206 GTI, (mistake, fell to pieces!), A3 1.8T Sport, Puma, and a couple of MX-5's - oh and my first car - a 1.0 Polo "Fox"!
I've also driven (more than just for 5 mins), VR6 Corrado, 944&968 Porsche, 520 BMW, A number of Volvos, Honda CRX, Peugeot 205 GTI, Saabs, Honda, Mercedes 320 CLK, and loads I cannot recall.
So reasonable spread of machinery!

TW Whites in Weybride this morning had a Silver High Power in the showrrom (the one that features in the Mazda magazine). It has Strakes, and Black leather and Navigation.
They had 2 Red High powers to drive - both with red/balck and navigation.

Must say the metalic red looks very nice - nice specks in it. Glad I ordered Black though - more strkiking IMHO.
Happy with the car in the flesh - back is not the most pretty, but the side and front make up for it.

My run (with Rob, who is a top chap), was down some A roads over (and at one point around twice!) a roundabout, and slip roads down to M25.

Gear shift and clutch are excellent. The car had done about 5k, and felt great. Just under 70 is possible in second - I recomend you drive in low gears with the windows open to hear the engine. I would describe it as like a supercharged engine without the engine!! (if that makes sense?!)
70 in top is under 4k, and you cannot even hear the engine. Putting your foot down in top at 70 does not give great acceleration, but it pulls - the engine revs so sweetly that it is a joy to pop down a cog or two. Beep is just audible - but only just.

As has been said many times before the linear power delivery means that your gathering of speed is dceptive. I came of a roundabout and thought after a few seconds I was doing 50 - WRONG! Try 80!
Saw 120 on the motorway briefly with no effort whatsoever.

I would say flat out acceleration is on a par with the TT. Mid range is not quite so good - but just use the gears!
Brakes are phenominal - far better than the TT. Stearing and handling are excellent - perfectly balanced, and very direct.

Interior fit and finish was great. Sat Nav was good. Bose I would say was not quite on a par with thqat which I had in my A3. But plenty good enough with tweaking.

Got to pop out - so will post again later - but I WILL NOT BE CANCELLING MY ORDER!!

L8rs

Ed.

Nice review Ed.

When you get back, where does it fall in your list of cars you have driven?

A review I have been waiting for considering present car ownership. Nice one and sounds good versus the TTC.

rael

Nice review Mr Owen.

Did you have a camera to take photos of the silver with strafes/strakes - did it work or did they get "lost" with the silver body.

Also, have you got your limited edition picture yet from them?

cheers

Si

OK. Back - sorry about the terrible spelling!
It's difficult to make a call on a car in such a short space of time. In the same way, the novelty of a different and new car can cloud your judgement. I tried to be unbiased!

I have enjoyed the TT, and think it is a fantastic car - relaible, well put together, and probably a nicer design than the RX - Sadly a victim of it's own success now - and too common!

The VR6 Corrado has a great engine - always been a fan of that. I think it is fair to say that the RX8 is a great all-round package and nthing can touch it for value for money.

I like the idea of the Audi S4 - but cannot justify (or afford) the extra 15k or so premium.

Completely forgot about the picture! Will ask. They did an apprasial of the TT and will be letting me know a figure shortly... Also a saleswoman came over and said someone was interested in the TT already..?!?!?

Completely forgot about taking a camera - sorry. Grab this months Mazda mag tho - it has the SIlver with Strakes - They look good - although not as noticable - I think they will look great on Black...

Other bits I forgot;

Navigation works well - postcode search. Coudlnt shut the woman up or turn it off though! Loads of cuby-hole space. Dials look great with lights on too.

Put my golf clubs in the boot - fitted easily - 2 sets in there no problem fyi any golfers out there (which I am definately not - as anyone who has seen me play will tell you!)

Thanks for the review Ed. Looks like another happy customer.

Can't remember the last bad forum review.

Good news about the clubs (9 hcp) !

Cheers
Oilman

Oilman - all I can say is - too much time on your hands ;-)

Think you can cure my chronic slice on anything abive a 5iron??!

Yes Ed.

Start with your grip, it may be too weak. You should be able to see 3 knuckles on your left hand.

Then check that you are square to the target and finally check that the clubface is not open at address.

See how you get on and let me know.

Oh, not too much time, just 25 years perfecting my technique!!

Cheers
Oilman

At the risk of this thread loosing direction completely, I think it is my right hand that is wrong. I think I need a couple of lessons to sort it out once and for all!

thanks for the review edo, can't wait for mine.

i've always been impressed with VAG brakes so nice to hear the '8 out-performs, equally i've always hated VAG steering so i would have been horrified if you'd felt the TT had the edge.

How did you rate the '8 in terms of visibility compared to the TT?


also off topic...
have you noticed that the general tone of the euro forum is greatly improving, really is a rollercoaster, seems to peak whenever the car appears in public, and dies during the information lul's between

further off topic...
how about a golf thread, or feel free to shanghi my american football thread over in the lounge.

Kef,

Visability towards the rear is resonably poor - not sure if it is worse or better than the TT - about the same I would say.

Steering and breaks far better than the TT. The only thing lacking was the mid-range punch of the TT's turbo engine - but it was great fun to use the gears and the revs - just need a different driving style (and deep pockets for the higher fuel bills!)

Ed

Ed,

have you got the picture yet? Still nothing from T W Whites in Webridge for me....don't want to hassle them about it especially as it was promised by Swee that she would call as soon as it was in...