thoughts after first week
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Joined: Apr 2004
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thoughts after first week
Hi all --
First: hello. I've found this site very useful. I've had a silver touring 6-speed for a week now (bought thanks to the info here, among others) and thought I'd share impressions. First, a little on where I'm coming from:
I've owned about 10 cars so far (between my wife and I). I started as a Honda person (before they got too popular), and have owned 2 hondas, 2 acuras, a toyota, and a mazda. My last car was a 97 Miata -- which I loved to death. But we just had a baby, and it was getting more and more worrying everytime I got cut off by a soccer Mom doing 80. We also have an A4 Avant, so I didn't need anything too practical.
Criteria: had to be fun, had to be "sharp" in handling, not too flashy, no too "young", not too "old". Also -- I really hate exposed cup holders. Looks so unfinished to me. I had to fit (I'm 6'4). And I kinda always liked different cars.
So last Saturday I picked up an RX-8. Silver, touring, 6-speed, 6cd.
What I like, or love:
- the engine, including the smoothness and the noise it makes
- that there's nothing else like it, and only car people "get it"
- the wheel / tire combo
- that I can corner like I did in the Miata
- that the DSC keeps the shiny side up in the rain
- the transmission is almost as good as the Miata's
- that in silver, it looks very grown up for something you cvan be such a hooligan in.
- smooth, smooth, smooth. very relaxing if you want, and scary capable if you want.
- love the cloth seats. I went in wanting leather, and loved the subdued look of the dove grey with the black. It would look nice in leather, too.
- very tasteful cabin, with the exception of the shiny black bits
- a lot of capability and technology for the price
What I'd improve:
- not crazy about the way the b-pillar eats into headroom, forcing you to lean your head towards the middle of the car
- reverse is tricky to get into
- I don't like worrying about a flooding (especially in trying to park it -- with valets)
- milage not great (first tank: 16.7...but it's early days)
...and most of all -- it's not broken in yet, so I can't beat it up.
Overall, this is without a doubt the most capable car I've owned, and one of the most practical. I'm really looking forward to my drive to work tomorrow. I think I have the prettiest commute in the world -- up the Potomac past all the monuments.
Also: I like this community. I'm glad to be here.
First: hello. I've found this site very useful. I've had a silver touring 6-speed for a week now (bought thanks to the info here, among others) and thought I'd share impressions. First, a little on where I'm coming from:
I've owned about 10 cars so far (between my wife and I). I started as a Honda person (before they got too popular), and have owned 2 hondas, 2 acuras, a toyota, and a mazda. My last car was a 97 Miata -- which I loved to death. But we just had a baby, and it was getting more and more worrying everytime I got cut off by a soccer Mom doing 80. We also have an A4 Avant, so I didn't need anything too practical.
Criteria: had to be fun, had to be "sharp" in handling, not too flashy, no too "young", not too "old". Also -- I really hate exposed cup holders. Looks so unfinished to me. I had to fit (I'm 6'4). And I kinda always liked different cars.
So last Saturday I picked up an RX-8. Silver, touring, 6-speed, 6cd.
What I like, or love:
- the engine, including the smoothness and the noise it makes
- that there's nothing else like it, and only car people "get it"
- the wheel / tire combo
- that I can corner like I did in the Miata
- that the DSC keeps the shiny side up in the rain
- the transmission is almost as good as the Miata's
- that in silver, it looks very grown up for something you cvan be such a hooligan in.
- smooth, smooth, smooth. very relaxing if you want, and scary capable if you want.
- love the cloth seats. I went in wanting leather, and loved the subdued look of the dove grey with the black. It would look nice in leather, too.
- very tasteful cabin, with the exception of the shiny black bits
- a lot of capability and technology for the price
What I'd improve:
- not crazy about the way the b-pillar eats into headroom, forcing you to lean your head towards the middle of the car
- reverse is tricky to get into
- I don't like worrying about a flooding (especially in trying to park it -- with valets)
- milage not great (first tank: 16.7...but it's early days)
...and most of all -- it's not broken in yet, so I can't beat it up.
Overall, this is without a doubt the most capable car I've owned, and one of the most practical. I'm really looking forward to my drive to work tomorrow. I think I have the prettiest commute in the world -- up the Potomac past all the monuments.
Also: I like this community. I'm glad to be here.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
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From: portland oregon
watch out with the silver in the rain. the water will pool along the close edge of the rotary "power bulge" in the hood. it won't fling off it will just sit there and do a dance- looks sort of like mercury with the silver cars. the dance is very mesmerizing. congrats and enjoy the car!!
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 573
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From: Tropical Island, Indian Ocean
I can't stand the water that sits in the hood's rotary grooves. Last night we had some rain and I had to get rid of the water sitting on the hood. I did a couple of sharp swerves, left and right (like F1 cars do when warming up their tyres) and a hard braking. That cleared up the water. And it was fun too.
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