I have just had what could passably be called my second test drive, (i.e. 15 minutes driving round built up areas in Birmingham, never out of a 40mph zone).

Here are my comments and thoughts after driving the car for the second time (and seeing the red leather for the first time)

Colour - The car was dirty and weather was cloudy which made the red look dull and nothing special. However, I have seen it clean and in the sunshine and it is awesome. No regrets there. I am also pleased with the red/black interior as it adds to the sporty feel and compliments the exterior. I find the all black to dour and oppressive, but this is all down to personal opinion.

Engine - It was great to hear that engine noise again, I think I'm in love with it already. I didn't really open it up, but again it felt strong and progressive in a linear fashion and it is a joy to drive. I think I will need to re-evaluate my driving style and gear changes, there is a tendency to want to change at 5000/6000rpm that I have to wean myself out of. Im sure I'll be used to this in a few days though.

Handling and Ride - Didn't really test it, but car feet sure footed, steering seemed to weight up nicely, gear change is short and crisp and positioned well for me. The ride feels softer than my Impreza (a good thing!), but still firm as you feel the uneven surfaces in the road beneath you.

Inside - I still love the instruments and don't think I will ever tire of them. The Nav is great and I wish I had ordered it, other than £1500 makes it an expensive toy. I managed to adjust the seat and be comfy very easily. I guess to need a 2 hour journey to tell how good the seats are though.

Outside - I honestly don't think the ride height is that bad, although lowering by an inch would give the car a more aggressive stance. This car had strakes and rotary crest, which I think I will begrudgingly order. It also has the RX-8 piano black door emblems which looked good.

Bose - listened to a CD that was already in the car, sounded OK but didn't wow me. Didn't fiddle with any settings though so I sure it would improve. I wasn't impressed with the stepped volume control. It seems to go up too much in each step, so it is either too quiet or too loud. A minor(ish) point, I think I had read this in the US forum in the past.

I did notice whilst driving round a few roundabouts a number of stares from various drivers. I think the car will definitely turn heads, at least until they become a common sight on the roads.

Electric windows - I was sure from my previous drive (Tit Grey car) that the drivers window was one touch up as well as down. This one was down only, anyone else noticed this.

It is not as fast as my Impreza at all, but its chalk and cheese to compare the two. The Impreza has no power to 3500 rpm, then the turbo thrusts you ahead like hell broke loose for the next 3500rpm. It is a pain to drive slowly, and if you drive it in its power band you are at highly illegal speeds. The great thing about the RX-8 is that it is still fun to drive slowly, and gets progressively better as you wind it up.

I think in 6-12 months I will want more power from it, but for now its fine. I love it.

All in all, every time I see this car all the negatives just go away and I just want to get my own. This car rocks!

I took a few pics of the RX-8 by my Impreza so I can see a comparison of 'old' vs 'new'. There is no comparison from an aesthetic point of view, but here they are.......

 

rear view

 

last one

 

Mark, nice write-up. A couple of points;

1. The windows on the Tit car that we both drove, did have one shot windows, up and down.

2. The volume control needs half graduations to step the volume up progressively. It is too loud/quiet at certain settings, but my Alpine is exactly the same in this respect anyway.

3. Finally, I'm sure there will be those offering ride height reduction and power increases shortly after the car gets publicity. I'll join you in the queue.:p

AnilS.

 

Thanks AnilS, I thought I was going mad :D. This red one was one touch down only. I guess they are pre-prods, but I hope we get both as Im a lazy sod

Mark

 

Yep - daft isn't it ?

My integraR is one touch down , but you have to hold on the way up.
Going into the car park every morning I have to get the window down and then hold the button while is c-r-a-w-l-s back up again.
Drives me nuts.....

 

Morgan, you're not alone, my Focus is the same.

Mark, talking about second opinions, has the recent liaison cemented your thoughts on the car. I ask as (hold you're breathe) with all the doubt mongerers and the valid points ChrisW has put over about the missing BHP, I'm beginning to twitch again about the car, i.e;

1. Will it live up to my expectations, day to day ?

2. Will I have to compromise my driving style too much, to rev and change gear lots ? I compare to my lazy auto Cartlon GSi 24V, that rode a waves of low down torque.

3. Will the compensation issued out in the US grate, as we have lower power cars and no compensation ?

On a final note, is it just me, but is the 8 a "sink or swim" car for Mazda. I do believe that if the 8 lets Mazda down (and Mazda a doing a pretty good job by themselves) Mazda will suffer badly.

Mazda, its make or break time. Over to you to prove us all wrong.

AnilS.

P.S. Mark, nice pics.

 

Anil, good questions.

All I can say is that it lives up to my expecatations, and more. I would like more power, but I would ALWAYS like more power :D. Im happy to take the car now and see what the market throws up in the next 12 months.

The only thing I would say is that Ive now seen the car several times and thousands of pics, so Im getting more used to the shape and it doesnt wow me like it first did. I think this is only natural as you get used to anything over time. However, for the first 6-12 months of ownership at least, the RX-8 will be a rare sight and you will stand out from the masses.

Ive put my take on your questions below.

 

I like that black STI, but hate the bug eye headlights. That's been remedied here in the US.

 

and also here.

 

But not on mine....

I like the bugeye STi lights (not the WRX ones), but its going soon anyway

 

From an American, but the cars here are not supposed to have one touch up. It is in case some child has their head hanging out the window and hit the button it does not choke them. Just a safety feature.

 

As I recall, in the UK we can have one-touch-up windows only if the window senses an obstruction and winds down again.

This featured appeared first in the US, but soon was removed because of fears about car jacking. (someone trys to grab you, you wind up the window, it hits their arm and winds down again!!). I think in the US all cars are one touch down, but press and hold for up.

 

i always liked the bug-eyes! what i really can't stand is that wing! :o

 

Hmm..isn't the Spec C available in the UK? Finally an STI that out-handles a comparable EVO!

 

Having to hold the button to close the window will be less of a hassle when you realize how quickly they move. Between being fast and not too tall, I would say the windows close in less than 2.5 seconds. Okay, now I am wondering so I will go time it...

Okay, I didn't have a chronometer, but my second hand indicated it was no more than 3 seconds. It's a lot faster than other cars I have owned.

 

MarkW,

I have ordered the Velocity Red with red / black seats also.

I am also interested in the strakes and rotary crest. Can you tell me if they had the polished or brushed finish in the car you drove and how they looked.

I was thinking of having the strakes in the brushed finish to match the wheels and to have the polished crest.

Topic

 

Topic,

This car had polished strakes and crest, and they looked fine although the car was quite dirty.

I am having the same dilemma myself. I would prefer brushed, but the brushed rotary crest at the roadshow was a funny grey colour and I thought it was horrible.

Therefore, I think I will get the polished crest, and brushed strakes like you have suggested. My wife thinks I should have a brushed fuel cap as well.

Cheers
Mark

 

Well the new brochure confirms we have 'one touch down' only.

 

Thanks MarK for the info.

I have seen the polished crest on a car somewhere, perhaps at Gaydon or on my test drive, I cant remember which but I do remember that it looked good. The brushed crest I saw at Gaydon on display as you rightly say looked awful.

I also saw the polished and brushed strafes at Gaydon on display and thought the polished would look the best especially next to the standard wheels.

I think I shall wait to see one in the flesh before deciding as my car is on the second ship hopefully!

I am also looking at having the scuff plates but at £199.95 they seem very expensive. The only other thing would be to have the pedal and foot rest.

Perhaps Mazda could offer the pre-orders a bogof or a buy three accessories and get the cheapest free!!!!!!!

 

Just noticed in the exterior section of the Vehicle specifications that came with the brochure this morning that the "Scuff plates Aluminium" is a standard item although in the accessories price it is shown at £199.95. Whats it all about.

Topic

 

Topic, if you have ordered a Hi power model, then the alloy pedal set (plus footrest) is standard. Alu scuff plates are not standard.

IMHO, go for polished emblem and strakes.

AnilS.

 

Hello people.

I think there are two kinds of sill plate. The standard one as shown at the top and the optional one at bottom. The standard one has a small piece of aluminium on it which would match the description in the brochure. Does anyone know differently please? Oh, and how wide are the primo plates? Do they cover the whole sill including the rear door area?

 

Welcome back Lensman

Yes you are correct about the sill plates. The optional ones are nice, but like everything not worth the money when most of the time you wont see them. I think they cover the whole sill, but cant be sure as havent seen a full picture,

 

Hello Lensman (welcome back) Are you reborn?

Thanks for the info and pictures.

Scuff plates Aluminium. That should read plastic scuff plates with an aluminium logo. Very misleading IMHO.

Anil,

Low power / 192 for me so I shall have to pay extra for the aluminium pedals.

Still have a dilemma with the strafes has anybody seen pics of the polished and brushed ones on a velocity red for comparison.

Topic