So, I finally had a chance to get behind the wheel of an 8 and actually drive it.

My tester was a yellow MT GT. From the car's styling to its color, the RX8 definitely attracted attention and comments from other drivers. Anyway, so, I pulled out of the dealer's lot into light traffic, hit the gas and...went on my merry way. No zoom-zoom, but it went where I pointed it and it felt good getting there. When traffic was behind us, I downshifted with the revs up a bit, gave it some gas and...a little better acceleration. It still didn't have real "thrown into your seat" kind of feel but it didn't feel sluggish either. So, what's the problem? For starters, Me. I'm used to driving my car much differently. Even thought it's heavier, it has gobs of torque down low and 263 peak hp. And that's the way I started off driving the RX8. Hence, problem.

So we got onto the highway to see what it would do....and it did. With traffic out of the way, I was able to get the RX8 moving nicely. I felt a little more comfortable pushing it so I was able to keep the revs higher in the band. The real problem I found (which isn't a problem at all) is that you really don't feel speed in this car. As I approached (what I thought felt like) "55 mph" I started to think, "I should be going much faster than this". I then looked down and noticed I was actually going 78mph. Oooops. True acceleration was very deceptive. Aside from feeling well built, part of the trickery is aural. At 5K rpm the engine doesn't sound like its working (because it's not). It's just whirring a long like a jet engine at idle....and that's a sensation I'm not used to. All in time.

We drove around some more and the more I drove it, the more I loved it. As most of you have said, it's not a stop light queen (unless you thrash it like an S2K). And, as much as I'd love a little more oomph at lower rpms there was just something about the whole car that worked perfectly....kind of like a Miata.

At low RPMs I'd compare acceleration to that of a CooperS. Drive it the way it wants to be driven and it starts to really shine.

I never stalled the 8 during my test drive. The clutch felt perfect and actuated right where it should. If you can remember the first time you got behind the wheel of a modern Porsche you know what a strange clutch feels like. The seats were very comfortable and supportive. The bolstering felt right to me. Obviously, I don't know how they'd feel over a long haul but short term use felt great and, to me, indicative of a comfortable seat. I think seats should be firm and supportive. These are the closest to a Euro-seat that I've ever felt in a non-German car. I even left the driver's seat in position and fit myself comfortably into the back seat after driving it. At 6'1", I find it impressive that the car could accomodate someone my size sitting behind me on a drive.

I also loved the position and feel of the 6 speed shifter. Each gear was just a short, light snick away from the next. The only thing I wasn't used to was the position of reverse (which is up and to the left on my TT). Big deal.

The 8 handles just like a Miata...which is to say that it handles extremely well. It's moves were light and nimble and its steering was well weighted and very responsive.

Now its time to wait. Damn test drives. :D

-Eric

 

Yes...the MPHs will sneak up on you real fast...I have noticed that too. ooopsie!

 

Ok so are you buying the car or what ?? =)

 

I have almost a year to decide.

I'm not rushing to get rid of my TTR (certainly not before the summer) and won't have an immediate need to do so...but I can definitely see the RX8 as a possibility....(despite my wife pushing hard for a 330ci or 530i.)

My preferences have always been towards unique (and sporty) over run of the mill or practical.

-Eric

 

Eric... your review jibes 100% with mine.

I think the Canzoomer Stage 1 will be exactly what we need to give the powerband a little more "hit."

But I have a 2-yr-old and the car seats fit great in the back. No, you can't fit much in the trunk, but it's exterior (and small rear windows for the claustraphobic in back) really belie the roomy interior.

My wife has Volvo V70, so the 8 should fit nicely in the family... room for 4 when needed, and the wagon for hauling 5 people and their stuff.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna find me an old VW bug... Something that makes me feel like I'm really doing something to attain, then maintain 65 mph. This RX-8 is just so boring at legal speeds.

 

Test drove too pretty much the same experience.

"Man I wanna give this thing some real gas.. whoops 15 over speed limit."

Also realized the start-up is VERY light/smooth and the only way I knew I had turned on the car was that the gauges lit up.

How exactly are you going to wait a year. I couldn't imagine. (I've got under 1 month)

 

Yes the RX-8 is very deceptive in how it gathers speed. My last car was a Celica GT-S and at 6k rpms it would throw you back in the seat, but then you had to shift at 8200 rpms (which came very fast) and then hope to land in 'lift' and then get thrown back in the seat again. It was very addicting, as is gobs of low end torque. Even more addicting is the smooth sedate way the RX-8 accelerates, it is seemless and seemingly unfussy, in fact the engine NEVER cries foul.

 

My test-drive response was exactly like Eric's. I was a little "ho-hum" about the whole thing until I realized I was doing 25 MPH more than it felt like I was going. I didn't get to really thrash it around too much, as it was a dark and rainy night, but the handling with my regular driving habits was very similar to my Miata. I did stall once on the test drive after switching with the salesman (felt like such an idiot, as my last three cars have been MT) When I get closer to actually buying one, I'm going to get a real test drive in dry and sunny weather.

 

Same deal on my test drives of the RX-8. What sold me was the way it habdled two back to back 90 degree turns. I couldn't get the smile off of my face for hours after the test drive.

I, like you, am also in wait mode for another two months before I can get the 8.

 

Nice test drive report.. couldnt have said it better myself.

 

so, first time I test drove a 8, haha, now just let me say Im a baaaad a** driver w/ a stick ok... well I hop in the 8 thinkin', ah this will be like just any of the other 10 or so sticks I've drove in my time, so I buckle up and stall! hah i said well thats weird, I NEVER stall, I stall AGAIN...he looks @ me ...I stall 3 or 4 times, weird, NEVER felt a stick like that ever.

well, it doesn't catch till like a grand or so, Im not used of a car catchin' @ such a high rpm?

great car though!!

 

Not sure what you mean by "not catching" till it hits 1K RPM. Engine speed has nothing to do with the clutch, although you shouldn't be on the accelerator while the clutch is in. That's just riding the clutch. Where the clutch catches (low, middle, high) has to do with how far the clutch pedal is depressed in order to actuate the clutch itself.

-Eric

 

And I thought the 8 had one of the sweetest clutches ever.

In fact, I was holding it barely above idle on my first test drive and I selected 6th instead of reverse. Didn't kill it. If I can do that with such a tall gear, recognize it, and still have time to push the clutch back in and save it, the 8's clutch is a sweetheart... in my book.

Like buttah.

I've been in a lot of other cars that were not as forgiving.

 

do you guys think that mazdaspeed is going to make a turbo model for the 8 I'm still waiting (also saving money):D

 

AGREED!!!!

-Eric

 

Yeah, it's progressive, light and utterly predictable.

Come ride in my Ford Contour SE or even go test drive the hot-rod Volvo S60/V70R... you'll find out what POS clutch feel is all about.

The 8's clutch is a dream.