....Fantastic.

Picked up my Car , including brushed aluminium strakes, at 10:30am Saturday, First RX-8 mazda warrington had put on the road (sorry TitG).

Mainly because I pressured them into getting it done for my 1st wedding aniversary that weekend (sunday). Which we'd booked ourselves into Old colehurst manor, a 1600's timber framed elizabethan manor house. In depest darkesk shropshire.

What can I say that hasnt been said already? The car has a presence like some exotic italian car. Theres nothing about this car I dont like so far, and I havnt even pushed it yet.

Spent a fair chunk of saturday, sunday and monday driving around shropshire and herefordshire (down to hay-on-why).

First tank was 261 when the light came on, 275 when I got fuel, 53.3 litres, 23mpg, from 'spirited' running in driving. Mostly 4-5k, some 6K, 7k twice.

Everytime I'd pull out to overtake I found I'd passed 2 cars and had plenty os road left for more. Could be very norty in this car.

It handled Herefordshires best A and B like it was born for it.

Cant wait for 600 miles to come up on the clock so I can start winding it out a little more. My wife loves the car too, since she's a biker at heart its far closer to that than the focus ever was.

ROb.

Lucky man Rob.

Sounds like the MPG is going acceptable too.

rael

:D

Glad you are enjoying it as much as I am Rob!!!

Have you found that the car has a lot of "road presence"? I see a lot more other drivers noticing me and getting out of the way than I have before, as much as when I had a bright yellow Elise. On the other hand it could just be because I'm coming up behind them slightly faster and lower and an Exorcet!

Beleive me - I found that 50+ litre tank a shock on the first fill up: I've been used to topping up a Punto once a fortnight for the last couple of years!

Rob, as you know I'm coming out of a Focus, which, as far as shopping trolleys go, is very good, especially in the handling stakes. What I'm interested in (as I only had a short test drive) is how do you rate its refinement and ride ?

Whilst up in Herefordshire, did you get to sample the A49 between Leominster and Ludlow ? Never a truer test for a cars dynamics.


AnilS.

Originally posted by AnilS
Rob, as you know I'm coming out of a Focus, which, as far as shopping trolleys go, is very good, especially in the handling stakes. What I'm interested in (as I only had a short test drive) is how do you rate its refinement and ride ?

In every way the RX-8 ride and handling is better - htis has been a revelation for me.

I know the RX-8 has a soft subtle suspension for a sports car, but it is still a sports car. It rides over uneven road surfaces much better, less road noise etc.

I'd rather go over a pothole in the 8 than the focus - on my trip down to Hey I went over a few sets of railway lines, much, much better in the 8 than the focus.

Apart from the hatchback/rear seats and MPG this car beats the focus on everything.

Originally posted by AnilS
Whilst up in Herefordshire, did you get to sample the A49 between Leominster and Ludlow ? Never a truer test for a cars dynamics.

Twice :) My wife got thta road first time through. Me 2nd. I go down to Hey quite often, and always love the drive, even in the focus. But the focus always ends up suffering severe brake fade a short time into the trip. Not so the RX-8, but I wasnt pushing it that far, still running in n stuff.

Thanks Rob, thats a relief.

My Focus has only done 28K and doesn't feel too tired, I only hope the 8 will take the kids (5 and 6) and dads abuse:p .



AnilS.

Congrats Rob! Where's the pics ?

Im not at all jealous that you've got yours before me!

Thank God for that, for a moment I thought the Focus may nick it!

rael

It's OK Rob, it's the moonroof and leather combo that has held mine up. It should arrive at the dealer this weekend so I should have it early next week.

Was at Warrington Mazda Friday afternoon, there was a Titanium Grey up on the lift getting its tie down hooks removed, thought it might have been yours. :D

Glad you got it for the Anniversary weekend.

But carying on the tradition of historic buildings..

hmm, can scan em bigger if needed. Any1 want to get me a 5+ mp digi camera for x-mas?

Cheers
rob! Enjoy


Stu C

Rob

well done sir!!!

Mines now at 897 miles..........its getting old!!!