so far:
The sun/moon roof when open.
The lack of "any" spare tire.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Originally posted by 7to8
so far:
The sun/moon roof when open.
The lack of "any" spare tire.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel.

For me so far:

People complaining about little things ;)
The fact they even made an automatic much less shift paddles ;)
Waiting :mad:
Waiting :mad:
Waiting :mad:
Waiting :mad:

Originally posted by 7to8
so far:
The sun/moon roof when open.
The lack of "any" spare tire.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The sun/moonroof I could give or take. Unfortunately, it comes in a package.

Do we want a spare tire or trunk space? I'm a little apprehensive about this one, but this is when AAA comes in handy.

If you don't want shift paddles, buy a manual tranny. If you want an automatic, don't use the shift paddles.

My $.02

Well, the lack of a spare tire kind of worries me, but they do give you a tire repair kit and it comes with run flat tires so I guess it's not too bad. The only thing that really has bugged me at this point is the parking brake handle. Whoever came up with that idea at Mazda should be covered with t-bones and thrown to a pack of hungry wolves... whoa, got carried away there... :)

Originally posted by JTek_55
Well, the lack of a spare tire kind of worries me, but they do give you a tire repair kit and it comes with run flat tires so I guess it's not too bad. The only thing that really has bugged me at this point is the parking brake handle. Whoever came up with that idea at Mazda should be covered with t-bones and thrown to a pack of hungry wolves... whoa, got carried away there... :)

I agree...the only thing I really dislike as far as I can see is the E-brake...a nice simple, small leather covered brake would have been nice...thats it, I don't want it anymore !!! :D :D

Originally posted by 7to8
so far:
The sun/moon roof when open.
The lack of "any" spare tire.
The shift paddles on the steering wheel.

get the sport or base package then you don't have the moonroof. and it opens the same as in the pic you posted, do you not like that one also?

buy youself a wheel and mount a tire on it and throw it in the trunk. or take advantage of the 24 hr roadside assisstance that is included for the life of the warrenty.

get the 6-speed. 6-speed = no paddles

Yeah, I don't like the e-brake either. I wish it was one of those pedal types on the far left of the foot well. :D

If the e-brake is all I can think of to complain about, I'm happy.

I may be bashed for not being a true manual fan, but I think a SMG or F1 style tranny would be a perfect match for the smooth, high revving Renesis.

-Stephen

why would you want the e-brake in the footwell, and not between the seats?

I was just kidding.
-Stephen

oh ok. I was racking by brain, and couldn't think of any logical reason one would want it down there.

digital speedo - YUCK!

Originally posted by justinm2
why would you want the e-brake in the footwell, and not between the seats?

that's where they always used to be and still are in some vehicles (like my wife's truck-bench seat ya see) of course it's more fun for power slides in icy parking lots and 180's and such if it's a hand brake.:D

personally i'd like to see a return of the floor mounted dimmer switch for the headlights. i always found it easier to click that thing with my toe rather than remembering which way to push/pull whichever wand that function is on.:D

Originally posted by zoom44


that's where they always used to be and still are in some vehicles (like my wife's truck-bench seat ya see) of course it's more fun for power slides in icy parking lots and 180's and such if it's a hand brake.:D

personally i'd like to see a return of the floor mounted dimmer switch for the headlights. i always found it easier to click that thing with my toe rather than remembering which way to push/pull whichever wand that function is on.:D Who needs a handbrake for a 180 when you have a 250hp RWD car with a LSD :D

Originally posted by zoom44


personally i'd like to see a return of the floor mounted dimmer switch for the headlights. i always found it easier to click that thing with my toe rather than remembering which way to push/pull whichever wand that function is on.:D

I too miss the days of the floor mounted high beam switch. It was the only thing I liked and miss about my first car....the widely heralded 1979 Chevy Monza.:D

Originally posted by rotory_it_up
1979 Chevy Monza.:D

The very car, BTW, that was originally slated for the GM Wankel engine.

Having driven it... This is my list of what I don't like:

Digital Speedo... Plust the fact that it updates relativly slowly.. IE skipping numbers as you go fast.

Stereo... well, it actually kicks butt, but I'd like to see it a standard DIN, for upgradability in the future. I guess Mazda accessories are OK, but what happens in 10-15 years when they don't carry the parts anymore?

Passenger side bulge in the footrest area... but what the hell do I care, I'll always be driving it.

Under-hood plastic. I haven't confirmed if it serves a purpose like air direction/deflection.

ABS/DSC lines in the way of changing spark plugs. Although I was told it may be possible to change them through the driver's side wheel well.

Too Quiet. This is the boy racer in me talking here.. (even though I've been out of high school for nearly 10 years) I'm quite used to loud rotaries... I supposed for the older-set it is OK. And I can always put a cat-back on.

Trunk release on the dash, gas release on the floor. I'd like to have seen them both in one place.

No numbers on the temp gauge. I couldn't confirm if it was a true gauge, or a dumb dumb gauge like the FD.

Lack of White in the US. That white looked really good on the track. True, it didn't photograph well, but in person it looked sharp.


Now, that entire list goes out the window because it did bring a grin to my face when I smashed the gas, hopped the wheels and rowed the gears.

A number of the issues above I know Mazda is aware of, and may address with future releases of the 8. All in all, I can't wait to get my car, as my daily driver FD is showing its age. (build date of 3/92)

Originally posted by inittab
digital speedo - YUCK!

Amen, that is the only thing I don't like.

I don't mind the big centermount Tach ala Porsche with 8000 RPM at the 12 o'clock position (as good as a shift light in my opinion :))

But I would wish one of the other dials was a true analog speedo.

-Mr. Wigggles

That is the first I've heard of run-flat tires - anyone else heard this before?

yeah, they are actually becoming more and more common, they basically have enough sidewall strength to support the weight of the car and keep it off the rims... the speed is limited, and the tire usually is unrepairable, but at least it saves the rims!

Originally posted by rotarynews.com
Having driven it... This is my list of what I don't like:
...Too Quiet. This is the boy racer in me talking here.. (even though I've been out of high school for nearly 10 years) I'm quite used to loud rotaries... I supposed for the older-set it is OK. And I can always put a cat-back on.

Trunk release on the dash, gas release on the floor. I'd like to have seen them both in one place.
Having finally had a chance to hear a rotary (got to blip the throttle a bit on a stationary FD at my dealership) I am glad the RX-8 is quieter. As a member of the 'older-set' the FD might be too noisy for me as my daily driver.

Having different locations for trunk and dash release might be good - in my current car they are both on the floor overlapping each other and I 'fat-finger' the lever and open both sometimes when filling up.

I just don't like the ugly handbrake (what's wrong with the standard handbrake that cars have used for over 70 years) and I am unsure about the digital speedo (but adding a 4th dial for an analog speedo would ruin the look of the dash). Not keen on the ribbed leather for the seats either - looks ugly and definitely will collect food and drink stains from the baby - I doubt it helps to prevents sliding as other vehicles have never needed it.

Originally posted by rx8daniel
That is the first I've heard of run-flat tires - anyone else heard this before? I am pretty sure the RX-8 wil have regular tyres. I thought it was going to be either Bridgestone RE040s or Michelin Pilot Sports (most people would prefer Bridgestone Potenza S-03). Run-flats are not preferred (unless you have a flat of course) due to negative impact on handling, grip, noise, comfort etc - see reviews of recent BMWs with run-flats as standard.

Originally posted by pelucidor
Having finally had a chance to hear a rotary (got to blip the throttle a bit on a stationary FD at my dealership) I am glad the RX-8 is quieter. As a member of the 'older-set' the FD might be too noisy for me as my daily driver.

I'm guessing it had an aftermarket exhaust on it? A stock FD is actually very quiet, and most aftermarket exhausts are MUCH louder than stock.

You are probably right - the engine was not too loud but the exhaust was definitely too much. The car is owned by Jeff Haas of Jeff Haas Mazda in Houston - a pristine '95 in silver that is now for sale.

Originally posted by pelucidor
I am pretty sure the RX-8 wil have regular tyres. I thought it was going to be either Bridgestone RE040s or Michelin Pilot Sports (most people would prefer Bridgestone Potenza S-03). Run-flats are not preferred (unless you have a flat of course) due to negative impact on handling, grip, noise, comfort etc - see reviews of recent BMWs with run-flats as standard.

sorry p-diddy, it's bridgestone RE040 runflats all the way around at least in the states. i have asked mazda several times and that is the answer i got every time. :cool:

I am sure you are correct - but why include a can of fix-a-flat with the car if it has run-flats? Also the show cars had RE040 and S-03 non-run-flats on them (but I realize these are not production vehicles).

BTW the Lexus SC430 has Bridgestone RE040 245/40ZR18 run-flats as standard and it apparently provides a noisy and hard ride.

I've had RE040 on my TT and I have them now on my A6. They are not run flats, whats makes people think that they are?

but why include a can of fix-a-flat with the car if it has run-flats?

when did mazda say they were?

I've had RE040 on my TT and I have them now on my A6. They are not run flats, whats makes people think that they are?

because mazda has said it. the run flat version is standard fit on several new cars. i think they developed it as an OE tire for car manufaturers. i checked with a tire guy near here and they said retail would be @$250.

Originally posted by inittab
digital speedo - YUCK!

Yeah, I'm not sure if I'm going to be that happy with it also (Won't know until I get to drive one) - Plus, I'd like to have a voltage/battery gage (with all of the other gages) that work accurately, too!

And maybe on the next version of thew RX-8 there can be fastback/hatchback version with a trunk that fits 4 golfbags ... (and a spare tire).

:D

On the Brigestone web site they do show one RE040 that is a run flat, it's the 245/45/18 and it is oem on the Lexus SC430.

Originally posted by alarabie
On the Brigestone web site they do show one RE040 that is a run flat, it's the 245/45/18 and it is oem on the Lexus SC430.

Exactly,

A 225/45/18 isn't even listed.

I don't really care if it is run-flat or not. I've never been a fan of OEM tires and the RE040 sucks according to my Lexus dealer who doesn't like the RE040 on the IS300 or the SC430. Typically he refuses to recommend any of the dealer add-ons at the time of sale except the tire warranty for the IS300 and SC430 because the warranty is worth it for those cars. Well, sure enough my friend hit a decent sized pot-hole in his SC430 and his run-flats went flat on him. The warranty paid for itself in just that one instance.

With spirited driving, the tread will be gone in 12,000 miles or less anyway. I will be moving to different tires and maybe rims at that point.

-Mr. Wigggles

Originally posted by MrWigggles


Exactly,

A 225/45/18 isn't even listed.


-Mr. Wigggles

they have not updated the website:( i checked their too of course, but my tire guy was able to pull the 225/45 18 RE040 runflats on the screen from his supplier and give me a price:D

I really hope its not the Bridgestone Potenza RE040 225/45R18 tires (whether they are run-flats or not). These reviews are pretty damning: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE040&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=245WR8RE040

Here is where I heard about the fix-a-flat and pump being standard in the USA and Germany: http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1555

The only place I've read that the car will have run-flats is in the UK CAR magazine preview (prior to Detroit and Laguna Seca). All photos and auto show information have suggested otherwise (including the car I saw in Houston).

The RE040's come in a run-flat version. I personally would lobby any dealer to put on the S03's instead. A much better tire.

Originally posted by pelucidor
Here is where I heard about the fix-a-flat and pump being standard in the USA and Germany: http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1555



i don't see in that thread where it says usa and germany. the post only says germany as far as i can tell. with a mention of a kit for the uk as well.

The thread I pointed to said that there are two scenarios:
1. The country requires by law for a car to have a spare tire (e.g. Canada). The USA does not fall into this category.
2. The country has no law saying a car must have a spare tire (e.g. Greece and by a process of elimination, my example of the USA), and the car comes with a can of fix-a-flat and pump.

Draw your own conclusions...

Digital Speedo SUCKS, especially on a car of this calibre and perofrmance. Gonna gat an aftermarket analog speedo from somewhere . . . anywhere!!

i feel like i'm fighting with pelucidor:o i don't mean to be so please let me apologize if i have some how made you angry.

i understand the path of your logic, it seems a sound judgement. maybe its time for an email to rx8orders on this subject? :)


edit:email off to mazda i'll post a reply when i get one

Zoom44 - you are right, I am getting carried away - my apologies. I wish there was some new info out on things like vehicle weight and final brand of tires etc. Let us know when you get a reply - perhaps a new thread would be useful.

Back to topic - things I don't like: run-flat tires ;)

This is supposed to be "Things I don't like" and it turned into a tires tutorial........but that is cool..

Originally posted by pelucidor
Zoom44 - you are right, I am getting carried away - my apologies. I wish there was some new info out on things like vehicle weight and final brand of tires etc. Let us know when you get a reply - perhaps a new thread would be useful.

Back to topic - things I don't like: run-flat tires ;)

a new thread it will be then! and any new specific info from mazda would be definetly be good thing! :D

on topic: i don't like the fuel econmy numbers given by car and driver. according to those numbers there has not been any gain in fuel economy to speak of:(

Speaking of tires, the 4/03 Car & Driver comparison article mentioned the tires were Brigestone Potenza RE040 225/45WR-18