Wantarotory
03-22-2009, 09:06 PM
Hi Guys,
On Saturday we had a beautiful day here in Melbourne - So I decided to test drive the new RX8.:lol2:
I am good friends with one of the guys at the Mazda dealership and decided to have a go in one of their new little pets and thought I might share my experience with all of you. (this is the first time I have done this so bear with me please!)
firstly - a few distinctions I found between the old and the new versions. In my opinion, astatically I find the new version a bit too contrived up close. While the 04-07 models have rounded edges and smooth lines that just grab you when looking at them – on the new one Mazda seems to have attempted to look at all the things people liked and twisted it themselves. Up close I didn't like the new backlights and the 'obvious' exhausts. Maybe it's because I fell in love with the 04-07 model, but I just didn't like the look as much. (no offence 08 model owners, this is just my opinnion)
Driving - I was in the standard version with nice leather seats.:yumyum: The new interior is just beautiful and stunning, I think its just so much cleaner than the old (IMO), and as my girlfriend says "you have to keep reminding yourself your sitting in a Mazda" and not a Porsche or an Audi, its just that beautiful and well finished. The first difference I found was the improvement in the ignition (the last '05 model I drove spluttered to life, this one growled like a Rottweiler in heat). Secondly the 6 speed Manuel gearbox is just as good, if not a little tweaked for greater feel,
owners of RX8 - you are proud owners of one of the best gearbox's in my opinion and this has not changed in the '08 model. The drive was great (as you would expect) cornering and revving is still brilliant in this car, second to none. However I did notice that the braking system was a little stiffer on this one (can anyone back me up on this?). I cant remember reading if this was an issue on the older versions, but the fact I noticed this means it may be a new issue with the 08 model...not sure.
The final thing that all owners will want to know about is this car still commands total respect on the road, I had people slowing down to have a look, people staring as I red lined it( Responsibly :icon_no2:) - as well as just cruising down city streets…The car is in a league of its own when compared to everything on the road, and its like other drivers know it and just stop and stare!!:ylsuper::ylsuper:
In conclusion, I love this new version, its still the RX8 that everyone here loves, just tweaked and improved on…
However I still am going to get me a 04-07 model over this new one, just because it’s the car of my dreams. The one i drove is the car of my dreams in a new dress and better legs and NOT the car of my dreams!
(…also ill be getting the old model in 2 months as apposed to 12 months I will have to wait to get the cash for the new one!)
On Saturday we had a beautiful day here in Melbourne - So I decided to test drive the new RX8.:lol2:
I am good friends with one of the guys at the Mazda dealership and decided to have a go in one of their new little pets and thought I might share my experience with all of you. (this is the first time I have done this so bear with me please!)
firstly - a few distinctions I found between the old and the new versions. In my opinion, astatically I find the new version a bit too contrived up close. While the 04-07 models have rounded edges and smooth lines that just grab you when looking at them – on the new one Mazda seems to have attempted to look at all the things people liked and twisted it themselves. Up close I didn't like the new backlights and the 'obvious' exhausts. Maybe it's because I fell in love with the 04-07 model, but I just didn't like the look as much. (no offence 08 model owners, this is just my opinnion)
Driving - I was in the standard version with nice leather seats.:yumyum: The new interior is just beautiful and stunning, I think its just so much cleaner than the old (IMO), and as my girlfriend says "you have to keep reminding yourself your sitting in a Mazda" and not a Porsche or an Audi, its just that beautiful and well finished. The first difference I found was the improvement in the ignition (the last '05 model I drove spluttered to life, this one growled like a Rottweiler in heat). Secondly the 6 speed Manuel gearbox is just as good, if not a little tweaked for greater feel,
owners of RX8 - you are proud owners of one of the best gearbox's in my opinion and this has not changed in the '08 model. The drive was great (as you would expect) cornering and revving is still brilliant in this car, second to none. However I did notice that the braking system was a little stiffer on this one (can anyone back me up on this?). I cant remember reading if this was an issue on the older versions, but the fact I noticed this means it may be a new issue with the 08 model...not sure.
The final thing that all owners will want to know about is this car still commands total respect on the road, I had people slowing down to have a look, people staring as I red lined it( Responsibly :icon_no2:) - as well as just cruising down city streets…The car is in a league of its own when compared to everything on the road, and its like other drivers know it and just stop and stare!!:ylsuper::ylsuper:
In conclusion, I love this new version, its still the RX8 that everyone here loves, just tweaked and improved on…
However I still am going to get me a 04-07 model over this new one, just because it’s the car of my dreams. The one i drove is the car of my dreams in a new dress and better legs and NOT the car of my dreams!
(…also ill be getting the old model in 2 months as apposed to 12 months I will have to wait to get the cash for the new one!)