PART ONE: RX-8

I am a big fan of Mazda sports cars. I have owned and loved a Miata and an RX-7. I also think MX-6 was the nicest sporty car of its kind; MX-3 V6 was a great car too.

I was following the RX-8 story since last summer and even after reading about the power issue I was still certain I would love the car.

Two days ago I finally drove it and was somewhat disappointed.
The lack of power is evident. What makes it especially painful is that the power drops right where you expect the sweet spot to be, and the fact that the rest of the driving dynamics (except for the lack of low-end torque) feels so good, makes this deficiency stand out even more.
Don’t get me wrong. To me power in itself is not very important. I was quite happy with HP in my Miata. Miata just didn’t feel like it is missing any. Unfortunately this car does. It just feels inadequate for this particular car, and to me this feeling that something is not right screws up the whole experience.
I feel bad for Mazda engineers. You can tell people put their heart and soul into this car … and then Mazda screwed it all up.

I didn’t like the Bose at all. The RX-7’s was much better.
I also was expecting the interior to be nicer. It is not bad, except for some cheap pieces here and there, but somehow the very plain interior in my BMW feels nicer. Again, it is not bad, better than any other Mazda, but based on what I have read my expectations were somewhat higher. The seats are great, very comfortable and the cloth looks very nice, I liked it better than leather.


PART TWO: IS300

Being certain that I would love the 8, I did not have any other cars on my shopping list. My wife convinced me to drive an IS 300. I never liked any Toyota products, but what a pleasant surprise this was!
The car feels a lot like my BMW – as solid and precise - but lighter. Even the manual transmission didn’t feel like an afterthought that it is. Of course the handling is not as crisp as the 8, the tall center of gravity and front bias are evident, but as far as sport sedans go to me this car felt more “correct” than any other that I have driven.
My only complaint with this car is that being a Lexus it felt somewhat subdued, but this should be easily fixable with a few simple mods.


PART THREE: Conclusion

Since I had very high expectations of the 8 and low expectations of the Lexus, I am questioning my initial impressions and will drive both cars again.

Another reason why Lexus looks appealing is that I can buy it used and sell it in year without taking a big depreciation hit. In the meanwhile I can watch what happens to the 8, and consider an Alfa when and if it finally makes it to our shores.


Comments and opinions are welcome.

Art

Your loss; go with the Toyota.

Theyre only selling about 900 a month so theyll probably be giving them away.

Yes certainly try an Alfa as well if you can, I guess they are pretty rare over there. They've been really on the ball with their more sporty numbers recently.

edit, adding: And I would agree about the MX-5/Miata. It may be basic and not have oodles of power but it always feels just right. Can't be faulted. (Except I feel the need for a bigger car now :))

atmat, check out www.seloc.net or www.clublexus.com for more on the IS 300 and owners reviews/modifications.

Seems to me that your perceptions of interior build quality and acceleration are highly subjective. I find them both excellent, but I'm not the one car-shopping right now. Buy what feels right to you.

P.S. I would try not to judge a car based upon its stereo. Those are pretty easy to replace, especially on the base or sport RX-8. I don't think of the stereo as an inherent part of the car.

Sorry to hear you didn't fully enjoy your RX-8 test drive.

After 3 months of ownership I am even more impressed than the day I test drove mine. Enjoy whatever you find that suits your tastes.

A lot of people said similar things about the Honda S2000 when it first came out. I think what it boils down to is that most people want torque, not horsepower, and not knowing the difference, their expectations are fooled by the HP number. It seems like most people want to get power from idle "off the line", and are not interested (or uncomfortable) in working the engine up to higher RPMs.

Personally, I prefer cars like the RX-8 or the S2000. It allows me to drive like it's an everyday car by keeping RPMs low, but when I want the power, I can access it by playing in the high rev powerband.

You're crazy. The Miata has enough power to feel "just right", but the RX-8's "lack of power is immediately evident"? The previous poster was right... your impressions are highly subjective.

(excuse my bluntness... not in a good mood today);)

Originally posted by artmt

I didn’t like the Bose at all.


You should listen to my car stereo, it'll make the Bose system seem like a godsend.;:D

You weren't displeased with the power output of the IS300? It may be a smooth runner but I think with its power output it could shed a couple hundred pounds.

Keep in mind that people are working on the 8's ECU mappings to counter-attack the pig-rich conditions that may have been the culprit for what you felt at the top-end.

Just some food for thought. I agree that depreciation (as well as service) should be better on the Lexus. Considering that you're thinking of buying a used one and dumping it after a year, that changes things quite a bit compared to my kind of views (so you may not be willing to wait for a revamped ECU for the 8)...although a base 6MT 8 could be found for a couple thousand less, maybe negating that depreciation factor.

Buy a Z

I agree.....Z.

I used to drive an IS300 for 3 years and I really liked it, but I felt disappointed that it seemed sluggish. Every time I brought it in for service and took out a loaner IS300, they seemed so much more peppy than mine. It was the first year model with the automatic. For me, the RX-8 is much nicer all around than the IS300. The suspension is so much nicer on my back, it handles curves better, accelerates better, and feels smoother all around. And the Bose stereo is much crisper and cleaner than the IS300. Not that the IS300 is bad, but this is just my impression. I like both cars, but I guess once a person gets used to the same car year after year, a new car sometimes feels better, no matter what it is.

To each, his own.

artmt,

as a long-time Mazda/rotary fan I agree completely with your review.

Unfortunately, some people are so devout in their love for Mazda that they cannot accept or face the fact that the RX-8 is not quite the success it should have been. A sales failure? It's too early to say. But as word of this 16mpg business gets out, that is not going to help sales figures at all. I really would like to ask rotary fans how they can possibly be fans of an engine that has less torque, gets worse gas mileage, and drinks more oil than your garden variety V6 built by Nissan.

Ecu flash or not, the car is simply underpowered. Gotta give credit to Mazda for trying something new, but when a simple turbo 4 banger is making more power than a new revolutionary powerplant, it's time to head back to the drawing board.

BTW, I drove the IS300 too...it's nice but I think you'd like the Audi A4 1.8T better....I know I did.

For what it's worth, I took one for a test drive, banged the hell out of the gears. Felt like I was back in my Integra GS-R.

Originally posted by artmt
The lack of power is evident. What makes it especially painful is that the power drops right where you expect the sweet spot to be, and the fact that the rest of the driving dynamics (except for the lack of low-end torque) feels so good, makes this deficiency stand out even more.

I fully expect the power issue to be corrected in next year's model. Just like the Z3 had a too-wimpy engine in '96, but suddenly had a nice 6 cylinder powerplant in '97, I expect the next RX-8 to have some decent power (270 - 300HP would be about right).

My wife convinced me to drive an IS 300. I never liked any Toyota products, but what a pleasant surprise this was!
The car feels a lot like my BMW – as solid and precise - but lighter. Of course the handling is not as crisp as the 8, the tall center of gravity and front bias are evident, but as far as sport sedans go to me this car felt more “correct” than any other that I have driven.

I used to have an IS-300 SportCross. I got rid of it because it wasn't fast enough for me - it had even less power than the current RX-8!

DefB wrote: "Unfortunately, some people are so devout in their love for Mazda that they cannot accept or face the fact that the RX-8 is not quite the success it should have been." Wrong. That's not it. I love the car for the design, uniqueness, and other factors. In my eyes it is a total success. Your analysis is way off the mark. But you are entitled to your opinion, even if it's based on hot air.


"I really would like to ask rotary fans how they can possibly be fans of an engine that has less torque, gets worse gas mileage, and drinks more oil than your garden variety V6 built by Nissan." Partly because it is better engeneering and physics than a piston engine. Torque doesn't matter, except if you are wed to numbers you may not really understand. Burning a little oil is no big deal. Yes, I am disappointed in the mpg. But if you've been reading up on this you would know that it's not just 8 lovers who favor the engine. It was named Engine of the Year by knowldegable people who disagree with you.


"Ecu flash or not, the car is simply underpowered." This is "simply" wrong. For the driving most of us do, it's plenty of power. I'm used to a twin turbo 300 horse 4,000 pound car. This lighter car "feels" like it has more power.

Never mind. Trolls are entitle to their opinions too, I suppose.

Originally posted by LesPaul
Never mind. Trolls are entitle to their opinions too, I suppose.

I'm not trying to be an ars, but IMO this reads like "I would say something if I could think of it, but I can't so I'll just call you a troll." I'm so tired of the troll comment. But then again you may have just not wanted to waste your time. A better way to save that time would have been not to post anything. I personally like the 8, yes it's a little under powered in my eyes, but that's me and my opinion. They're like arsholes everyone has one.
Based off of the "what did you trade for your 8" post, most people came from eco-sedans with 90 hp. Sure it's going to feel like a Rotary Rocket. Alot of the RX-8 owners I've ran into or have spoken to think these rotarys just came out. Like there hasn't been rotarys around for years. Talk about your "Troll".

go for the g35

A lot of people said similar things about the Honda S2000 when it first came out. I think what it boils down to is that most people want torque, not horsepower, and not knowing the difference, their expectations are fooled by the HP number. It seems like most people want to get power from idle "off the line", and are not interested (or uncomfortable) in working the engine up to higher RPMs.

It is not that I was disappointed with the “off the line” performance. While it is nothing special, I did find it overall adequate.
The problem with most high-revving engines (with a few notable exceptions) is that they don’t sound too happy at high RPMs, these cars feel like they are being raped. Rotaries of course are different – with these engines you really do need that redline warning.
I have no problem giving up torque for high-end power. What disappointed me is that the high-end power is not there. I expected to feel extra power above 6K, instead I felt it drop.
Both low end torque and high end power are great, each in its own way. My problem with the 8 is that you are giving up one without getting the other.

P.S. I would try not to judge a car based upon its stereo. Those are pretty easy to replace, especially on the base or sport RX-8. I don't think of the stereo as an inherent part of the car.

I disagree.
I have never seen an aftermarket stereo that sounded as good as some of the better stereos that were designed/tuned for the specific car they came with.
You can easily replace a crappy stereo with a better one, but it is very hard to replace a decent stereo (and I think the 8’s Bose is overall decent) with a very good one.

You weren't displeased with the power output of the IS300? It may be a smooth runner but I think with its power output it could shed a couple hundred pounds.

To me power matters not as the end in itself, but in context.
Unlike with the 8, IS300’s power output felt adequate for the kind of car that it is.

Originally posted by LesPaul
DefB wrote: "Unfortunately, some people are so devout in their love for Mazda that they cannot accept or face the fact that the RX-8 is not quite the success it should have been." Wrong. That's not it. I love the car for the design, uniqueness, and other factors. In my eyes it is a total success. Your analysis is way off the mark. But you are entitled to your opinion, even if it's based on hot air.


"I really would like to ask rotary fans how they can possibly be fans of an engine that has less torque, gets worse gas mileage, and drinks more oil than your garden variety V6 built by Nissan." Partly because it is better engeneering and physics than a piston engine. Torque doesn't matter, except if you are wed to numbers you may not really understand. Burning a little oil is no big deal. Yes, I am disappointed in the mpg. But if you've been reading up on this you would know that it's not just 8 lovers who favor the engine. It was named Engine of the Year by knowldegable people who disagree with you.


"Ecu flash or not, the car is simply underpowered." This is "simply" wrong. For the driving most of us do, it's plenty of power. I'm used to a twin turbo 300 horse 4,000 pound car. This lighter car "feels" like it has more power.

Never mind. Trolls are entitle to their opinions too, I suppose.

So, by your logic, the engine is superior just because it is an engineering marvel? Are you one of these people who like to drive things because they are quirky rather than scoot the car along at a pace matching a car marketed as a $30,000 sports coupe?

I rate cars based on how they look, perform, how well they are built, and how fun they are to drive. I'm not sure what influences your decision on buying a car, but it is NOT as a driver. My opinion is not based on "hot air", it's by the fact I enjoy sporty/sports cars and if I'm plopping down $30,000+ for the flagship sports car under the Mazda banner, I shouldn't have to worry about kids in Acura RSX-S's flying by me on the on-ramp of a highway.

Originally posted by artmt

I have no problem giving up torque for high-end power. What disappointed me is that the high-end power is not there. I expected to feel extra power above 6K, instead I felt it drop.
Both low end torque and high end power are great, each in its own way. My problem with the 8 is that you are giving up one without getting the other.

Exactly. I'm more than happy to rev the hell out of the car, the problem is, there is little power even at the top of the RPMs. At least Honda's have VTEC, the Renesis just runs out of breath.

Originally posted by DefBringer
I shouldn't have to worry about kids in Acura RSX-S's flying by me on the on-ramp of a highway.

If you've got kids in Acuras flying by you on an on ramp, you definitely don't know how to drive the 8.

Originally posted by DefBringer
At least Honda's have VTEC, the Renesis just runs out of breath.

HA HA... VTEC? What are you doing here? Troll...;) :p

Yes certainly try an Alfa as well if you can, I guess they are pretty rare over there.

Alfa never sold a lot of cars in the US and there were very few places that could properly service them. Considering how often you had take these cars to the shop, at some point even dedicated alfisti decided that owning an Alfa is more trouble than it is worth.
In 1995 after the new 164Q at a giveaway price failed to re-invigorate enthusiasm for their cars, Alfa finally pulled the plug on their US operations.
Since then once every couple years Alfa makes a vague promise to come back. Rumor has it this time they are serious and will be re-opening the shop in 2005.

Originally posted by DefBringer
My opinion is not based on "hot air", it's by the fact I enjoy sporty/sports cars and if I'm plopping down $30,000+ for the flagship sports car under the Mazda banner, I shouldn't have to worry about kids in Acura RSX-S's flying by me on the on-ramp of a highway.

I don't think the 8 is regarded as a flagship sports car offering. More like a sports-sedanish blend of functionality & sport. A new RX-7 would be more of the flagship sports car, I would think. It is notably more "sporty" than anything else in the line-up currently, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's balls-out sport.

But blah, I don't even know why I'm responding - this argument has been made a bazillion times about straight-line surging power versus balance, etc.

I think you'd like the Audi A4 1.8T better

A4 is a good car, but to me RWD is a must.

DefB: "So, by your logic, the engine is superior just because it is an engineering marvel? Are you one of these people who like to drive things because they are quirky rather than scoot the car along at a pace matching a car marketed as a $30,000 sports coupe?" By my logic yes, an engineering marvel is superior to a nonengineering marvel.

"I rate cars based on how they look, perform, how well they are built, and how fun they are to drive. I'm not sure what influences your decision on buying a car, but it is NOT as a driver." Wrong again. I driven sports cars all my life, including an RX7, MR2, Stealth and as a driver, I love the way the 8 handles and moves. I researched my purchase for two years and compared all the items you mention and more.

"I shouldn't have to worry about kids in Acura RSX-S's flying by me on the on-ramp of a highway" Who cares about the "kids"? This was not a factor in my decision to buy this car. I don't do stop-light racing since I grew up.

I apologize for calling you a troll, but your broad negative statements, I find insulting.

rtryrktrx7: "I'm not trying to be an ars, but IMO this reads like "I would say something if I could think of it, but I can't so I'll just call you a troll." I'm so tired of the troll comment." If you read my post, I did say something and gave my reasons. Trolls are killing this forum. The moderators have done a lot of good work to clean it up over the last several weeks. When someone just says makes bold, negative, unsubstantiated statements to get people worked up, that's being a troll. But you are right in suggesting that I just ignore it.

Quote by Defbringer as a long-time Mazda/rotary fan I agree completely with your review.

Unfortunately, some people are so devout in their love for Mazda that they cannot accept or face the fact that the RX-8 is not quite the success it should have been. A sales failure? It's too early to say. But as word of this 16mpg business gets out, that is not going to help sales figures at all. I really would like to ask rotary fans how they can possibly be fans of an engine that has less torque, gets worse gas mileage, and drinks more oil than your garden variety V6 built by Nissan.

If your such a long time rotary fan then you would know that the RX-8 has more HP, as much torque, gets better gas mileage, and uses far less oil than any other N/A rotary in history. So if you truly were a fan then, you should be ecstatic with the renesis now. Any long time rotary fan would not even ask anyone to explain why its better than the garden variety V6 or any other piston engine.

If you in fact have ever driven an older N/A rotary, you would know that the renesis is a milestone achievement in the rotary's advancement and developement.

This car opens up after a couple thousand miles, I don't know exactly what mile it happened, but my car has much more power and response today then it did during the first 1000 miles. For example, second gear, 35 to 40 MPH, push on the gas, and this car pull hard all the way to 9000, and then again in third after the shift. Before, I did not remember it putting me back in my seat, but now it does consistently.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I really do pitty all the people that might get talked out of this car by a few of our forum visitors, who truly know nothing about the RX-8. I got my car on July 14th, and still think about being in it constantly.

Originally posted by javahut
If you've got kids in Acuras flying by you on an on ramp, you definitely don't know how to drive the 8.

First of all, I'm not a troll. I've been a member of the 7 forum before you probably had even heard your first Zoom-Zoom commercial. Secondly, I am not convinced that the RX-8 is much faster than the Type S, if at all.

Originally posted by DefBringer
First of all, I'm not a troll. I've been a member of the 7 forum before you probably had even heard your first Zoom-Zoom commercial. Secondly, I am not convinced that the RX-8 is much faster than the Type S, if at all.

According to the power-weight ratios, you are right on the money!

RX8: 220 HP/3,029 lbs. = .0726 or 7.26

RSX-S: 200 HP/2,767 lbs. = .0723 or 7.23

If you disagree with that, then look at the 1/4 mile times:


RX8: Low-mid 15s (by owners)
RSX-S: 15.2

Originally posted by artmt
What disappointed me is that the high-end power is not there. I expected to feel extra power above 6K, instead I felt it drop.


Don't give up just yet. This behaviour doesn't exist in all the RX-8s - quite a few of us do feel power continue to climb to redline rather than drop off (we also seem to get better mileage than others too - My RX-8, with 6K miles, is averaging 20 MPG overall, with up to 24 mpg US on the highway). There are rare times when it has seemed to drop off, but those incidents were probably related to engine heat etc. and the fancy PCM sensors and controls! If you've read here for a while, you will know that the drop in high RPM power (and the lowered hp rating from Mazda) are due to the PCM code being changed at port to make the engine run richer to ensure long catalytic converter life. Soon there will be plug in fuel controllers for the RX-8 that will remedy this situation, providing around 25 hp more and better fuel economy. Forum member canzoomer is nearly finished developing such a device, and plans on selling it as a plug-in setup for around $750 US. There's a 7 page thread in the Tech section of the forum (called "official word from Mazda on dyno'ing RX-8" or something similar) where much of these details are discussed.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by Chuck Clifford
Quote by Defbringer

If your such a long time rotary fan then you would know that the RX-8 has more HP, as much torque, gets better gas mileage, and uses far less oil than any other N/A rotary in history. So if you truly were a fan then, you should be ecstatic with the renesis now. Any long time rotary fan would not even ask anyone to explain why its better than the garden variety V6 or any other piston engine.

If you in fact have ever driven an older N/A rotary, you would know that the renesis is a milestone achievement in the rotary's advancement and developement.

This car opens up after a couple thousand miles, I don't know exactly what mile it happened, but my car has much more power and response today then it did during the first 1000 miles. For example, second gear, 35 to 40 MPH, push on the gas, and this car pull hard all the way to 9000, and then again in third after the shift. Before, I did not remember it putting me back in my seat, but now it does consistently.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I really do pitty all the people that might get talked out of this car by a few of our forum visitors, who truly know nothing about the RX-8. I got my car on July 14th, and still think about being in it constantly.

I don't listen to any car reviews until I drove one myself. I did drive the RX-8. It is not the right car for me and for a lot of people. If it makes YOU happy, then that's all that matters.

However, I do not believe the Renesis is a good engine. My 94 RX-7 got at least 21 mpg mixed driving. It made considerably more power than the Renesis. It did consume oil like the Renesis, but the torque on hand made it all worth it.

Think outside the engine for once. Let's just pretend that you never got to see what's under the hood. WHo in their right mind would choose the Renesis over the V6 in the Nissans? Name one single thing that the Renesis has over the V6 that you, yourself, can tell from the driver's seat. "Engine of the Year" awards are not going to help push your back into the seat. I think the RX-8 is a GREAT car for CERTAIN people. Blindly trying to call everybody who criticizes the car as a "troll" is just ignorant. Understand that many people are not happy with the engine.

I will make a proclaimation. If Mazda doesn't figure out a way to get this engine's power to increase considerably, the rotary engine will be dead within 5 years. Mark my words.

Originally posted by DefBringer
Name one single thing that the Renesis has over the V6 that you, yourself, can tell from the driver's seat.

Sound. Smoothness. High rev limit. Light weight, which translates into the responsiveness of the handling that can be felt from the driver's seat. There's four! Oh, sorry if I'm not a HP whore (to borrow the expression from the infamous Bob Hall) who is only concerned about low-rpm torque. ;)

I don't think you're a troll - now revhappy, he's a well known troll who just loves to jump in with inaccurate statements passed off as facts (to wit, his 1/4 mile time quotes - pure nonsense), just like his troll buddy Blue350Z.

Regards,
Gordon

WHo in their right mind would choose the Renesis over the V6 in the Nissans? Name one single thing that the Renesis has over the V6 that you, yourself, can tell from the driver's seat.

I can name one.
Size and weight of the Renesis allow superior chassis dynamics, which is quite evident from the driver's seat.

Originally posted by javahut
If you've got kids in Acuras flying by you on an on ramp, you definitely don't know how to drive the 8.

No offense but you're an idiot. Last night i watched a RX-8 run a best of 15.5 @ 90mph..the driver also had his low 12 sec RX-7 with him(yes he could drive, probably better than you and me) He has 3 other RX-7s and him and his wife both said the RX-8 is a bit of a dissapointment.

Meanwhile, i witnessed a bone stock RSX-S run a 14.9 @ 93mph...Yeah, the RX-8 is a real monster.. :rollseyes: And to add to that, not one member of this board has run a time even close to what Mazda claimed, oh wait..one person ran a low 14 sec pass..using a fucking GTECH, lol. And another ran a high 14 sec pass...ON RACE GAS, get real people...the RX-8 isn't what Mazda claimed it to be, nor will it ever run a 14.5 stock.


edit...I'll save some of you morons the time...I'm a troll b/c i have a different opinion than most of you on this board. Again, i am a troll.

Originally posted by DefBringer
Think outside the engine for once. Let's just pretend that you never got to see what's under the hood. WHo in their right mind would choose the Renesis over the V6 in the Nissans? Name one single thing that the Renesis has over the V6 that you, yourself, can tell from the driver's seat. "Engine of the Year" awards are not going to help push your back into the seat. I think the RX-8 is a GREAT car for CERTAIN people. Blindly trying to call everybody who criticizes the car as a "troll" is just ignorant. Understand that many people are not happy with the engine.

I will make a proclaimation. If Mazda doesn't figure out a way to get this engine's power to increase considerably, the rotary engine will be dead within 5 years. Mark my words.

Hmmm...well, I can tell the car is quieter, the engine is smoother than any other car I've ever driven, it doesn't fling me back in my seat, which I hate, but instead accelerates in a very linear and smooth manner, but it's still faster than most cars out there. *I* chose it over the Nissan V6s. And oh, yeah- there's that little reliability thing- aren't rotary's some of the most reliable engines ever made??? I'm a GIRL for god's sake and I notice this stuff. I knew very little about cars in general (till I came here ). The idiots that aren't happy with the engine aren't BUYING the car. Or didn't bother to research it enough before they did. Which gives them no credibility whatsoever.

And you and every other 8 hater has come on here and proclaimed "mark my words, the 8's going to be dead in 5 years." Whatever. Give it a friggin' rest. Before that, it was "Mazda will never make another rotary engine" and look what happened.

If all of you guys who hate the car and it's engine aren't trolls, what the heck are you doing on a forum full of people who DO like the car? Why aren't you posting on the forums about a car you DO like? It'd be like me posting on a MR2 Spyder forum about how ugly the car is and how much it sucked because it has no cargo space so why would choose that over a Boxster? True the car sucks, but only in my opinion. And as I see no point in antagonizing a lot of people I don't know, I don't do it. And neither should you. What exactly are you getting out of pissing off people for no reason? You sure aren't contributing anything useful and you aren't going to change the minds of the people who do like the car.

Originally posted by Gord96BRG
Sound. Smoothness. High rev limit. Light weight, which translates into the responsiveness of the handling that can be felt from the driver's seat. There's four! Oh, sorry if I'm not a HP whore (to borrow the expression from the infamous Bob Hall) who is only concerned about low-rpm torque. ;)

I don't think you're a troll - now revhappy, he's a well known troll who just loves to jump in with inaccurate statements passed off as facts (to wit, his 1/4 mile time quotes - pure nonsense), just like his troll buddy Blue350Z.

Regards,
Gordon

Thanks for the Troll comment, Gord - now I feel honored. Of course, a true troll would be following the car for over two years (see who started the thread "The Mazda RX8" in November 2001 on Edmunds).

Anyway, the 1/4 mile times by real owners are comprable with stock RSX-S times. The track performance for stock RX8s has also been dissapointing. Again, its all relative. The car's performance against ~$30 sports sedans is strong, but not so against sports/rally-inspired cars in the same price range.

Originally posted by Elara
Hmmm...well, I can tell the car is quieter, the engine is smoother than any other car I've ever driven, it doesn't fling me back in my seat, which I hate, but instead accelerates in a very linear and smooth manner, but it's still faster than most cars out there. *I* chose it over the Nissan V6s. And oh, yeah- there's that little reliability thing- aren't rotary's some of the most reliable engines ever made??? I'm a GIRL for god's sake and I notice this stuff. I knew very little about cars in general (till I came here ). The idiots that aren't happy with the engine aren't BUYING the car. Or didn't bother to research it enough before they did. Which gives them no credibility whatsoever.

And you and every other 8 hater has come on here and proclaimed "mark my words, the 8's going to be dead in 5 years." Whatever. Give it a friggin' rest. Before that, it was "Mazda will never make another rotary engine" and look what happened.

If all of you guys who hate the car and it's engine aren't trolls, what the heck are you doing on a forum full of people who DO like the car? Why aren't you posting on the forums about a car you DO like? It'd be like me posting on a MR2 Spyder forum about how ugly the car is and how much it sucked because it has no cargo space so why would choose that over a Boxster? True the car sucks, but only in my opinion. And as I see no point in antagonizing a lot of people I don't know, I don't do it. And neither should you. What exactly are you getting out of pissing off people for no reason? You sure aren't contributing anything useful and you aren't going to change the minds of the people who do like the car.

Ok, if the Renesis is soooo reliable then tell me why one of your members already had his car not start due to a compression issue after 3600 miles..lol 3600 miles.

"i'm a girl"...translation..."i dont know shit about cars" Which you openly admit too. And you state you didn't know shit until you came HERE?? Bahaha, half the members on this board still think the car is a mid 14sec car stock, which has already been proven otherwise, but yet still think, somehow..someway the car will run a mid 14 sec pass bone stock. NEWS FLASH...THE CAR TRAPS HIGH 80S-VERY LOW 90mph...NOT EVEN CLOSE TO RUNNING A MID 14 SEC PASS.

I ran a 14.8 @ 95.00 mph last night....again a 14.8 @ 95.00 mph, so tell me how a car that is CONSISTANTLY trapping high 80s,low 90s is MAGICALLY going to run a 14.5.....not happening.

So... one bad engine makes the renesis unreliable?

Ok, closing this, since it's done nothing but get ugly.