Check out the rotarynews.com report on the production RX-8

Well they at least got the pics up. Hopefully the review will be in a few minutes....

The text report is now in, with the A to the Q's.

What kind of camera were they using, a webcam or something?! I've not seen such shoddy images for years.

Originally posted by Lensman
What kind of camera were they using, a webcam or something?! I've not seen such shoddy images for years.

LOL, ungrateful bastard!

J/K :)

sorry for the images.. the camera settings were all screwed up, and we were so excited about being there, that we didn't even think to check them before shooting all the pics! We noticed after we downloaded them. Dan is going to reduce some of the image sizes and try to get better quality images up... sigh!!!

Write-ups coming in a few hours...

BTW, we actually have a couple pretty decent Sony digi-cams, it was just the operators who failed this time. Oh yeah, I ran out so fast in the morning, I forgot my camera at home.... I just couldn't wait to drive the 8 again!

Again our apologies!

-Bern

Originally posted by bern
sorry for the images.. the camera settings were all screwed up, and we were so excited about being there, that we didn't even think to check them before shooting all the pics! We noticed after we downloaded them. Dan is going to reduce some of the image sizes and try to get a better quality images up... sigh!!!

Write-ups coming in a few hours...

BTW, we actually have a couple pretty decent Sony digi-cams, it was just the operators who failed this time. Oh yeah, I ran out so fast in the morning, I forgot my camera at home.... I couldn't wait to drive the 8!

Again our apologies!

-Bern

Well considering my venom that was a most graceful and kind reply. Thanks.

I notice they all have the same licence plate. I wonder if they all have the same VIN, too. JM1FE173040100509, perhaps? ;)

I am not concerned about the pictures, unless they are yellow. I am waiting for the great report. Will the magazines also report about this event? Thanks for the coverage.

Q: Can torque be greatly improved on the RX-8 RENESIS by turbocharging/supercharging and is MazdaSpeed working on such an enhancement?

A: 1st, I'd like for everyone to drive the car before asking about torque!! It will push you back in the seat . But as for future projects, Mazda was tight lipped as normal.

We in for a surprise? :D

Rotarynews.com (http://www.rotarynews.com)

;)

Bern -- did you by any chance get a chance to drive an automatic version or speak to someone who has? Thoughts?

Originally posted by laferle
Bern -- did you by any chance get a chance to drive an automatic version or speak to someone who has? Thoughts?

Unfortunately, they didn't have a AT car available. But, for all those that missed our last reviews of the car, please read the review at:

http://rotarynews.com/view.php?id=152

This is actually a good refresher and background to this latest story.

I did mention the AT car earlier in the forum somewhere. Unfortunately, it wasn't too positive. It's just that the great gearing of the 6-spd car that makes up for the lack of torque of the RENESIS, is completely absent in the AT car. Do a search for AT or automatic or something like that...

I think the comment was something to the effect of, "a senior citizen would be asking for more ummph"! The car just doesn't seem to want to get out of it's own way. On the other hand, if your intention is to own a car that's a very stylish GT, with an occasional spirited drive, you will be perfectly satisfied!

It definitely will be no match for your G35 in the acceleration department, but get it in the twisties and the 8 will be right there... I speak of the AT car, of course. The 6-spd will be more than a match or exceed the Infinity in all performance departments!

Just my observations.

Cheers,

-Bern

p.s. still working on the write-up, so you guys need to quit interupting me. :D

Hey Bern was the Titainum color darker in person then the pics suggest. I remember seeing the blue in alot pics, but when I saw it in person it was alot darker. Does the grey have the same affect?

Thanks

Man I've been waitin for the rotary news write up all day today haha I was wondering why it wasn't up yet, its because everyone has been asking bern questions on the forums instead of waiting for the write up haha.

Originally posted by bern

The 6-spd will be more than a match or exceed the Infiniti in all performance departments!

Just my observations.

Cheers,

-Bern



:D Good to hear. Look forward to test drive one in a month. Sounds like fun.

Originally posted by Skyline Maniac


:D Good to hear. Look forward to test drive one in a month. Sounds like fun.

See: miracles DO happen... ;)

Originally posted by Lensman


See: miracles DO happen... ;)

haha, don't bet on it. Maybe someone can head down to FA and see if there's a new "entertainment thread" about how RotaryNews "doesn't know shit". I would not be surprised.

Originally posted by chenpin


haha, don't bet on it. Maybe someone can head down to FA and see if there's a new "entertainment thread" about how RotaryNews "doesn't know shit". I would not be surprised.

I am sure that will be more entertaining than the "BM people don't know shit" thread we got over here. I think Mazda will start allowing people to test drive the RX-8 on their REV IT UP event starting July.

Originally posted by Skyline Maniac


I am sure that will be more entertaining than the "BM people don't know shit" thread we got over here. I think Mazda will start allowing people to test drive the RX-8 on their REV IT UP event starting July.

hey, they are both entertaining. At least people are posting again heh.

Originally posted by chenpin

haha, don't bet on it. Maybe someone can head down to FA and see if there's a new "entertainment thread" about how RotaryNews "doesn't know shit". I would not be surprised.

Shoot, if I even knew what FA was, I'd go down there and post sh@# on myself. It sounds like fun!

You know what's funny; that at the end of all this, it's always going to be up to each individual on how they feel, like, appreciate any particular car. No one media outlet can ever pretend to talk for all the enthusiast. Our slant at RN, is obvisouly to report from a Rotary owners perspective and give feedback to the average rotary joe out there, like ourselves. Hopefully we'll also enlighten a few new folks along the way.

Oh yea, did I mention the production car is quicker 0-60 than the pre-prod models. Reported 0-60 of 5.9 will drop by a few tenths.


BTW, what is FA?

Still working on the write-up.. sorry! ;)

-Bern

When do we see the review!?!?!?! :)

Originally posted by bern

BTW, what is FA?
-Bern
www.freshalloy.com A nissan enthusiast site/forum.

Oh yea, did I mention the production car is quicker 0-60 than the pre-prod models. Reported 0-60 of 5.9 will drop by a few tenths

I'm not sure what the bigger anticipation is today ---

the arrival of the newest Harry Potter book (what my wife & kids have been anxiously waiting for), or the darn report from Rotary News.

Bern, stop looking at this website and get that report finished!

GIMME THAT REPORT, BOY!!
blahahahahaha


FASSSTTEEERRR!
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comeon Bern- at least post a paragraph!

OK, just for you guys... the intro!

FROM ROTARYNEWS:

Mazda went ahead and did it. They invited RotaryNews.Com back for a second round of test-and-evaluation of the all-new RX-8. But unlike our first round with pre-production test cars, this time we drove the real deal final production model. And we are happy to say: they actually did it.
Gone this time, were the smooth track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and the scenic beauty of California’s Highyway-1. No, this time we unleashed the RX-8 into the real world. You all know the one, urban freeway drudgery and stop light grand prix’. Yes, this time we drove the RX-8 on our turf, and it impressed. Actually, we also did an hour or so on a auto-x course prior.
-----

I made so many observations that I'm battling to get them all down in something that might actaully read half-way decently!


-Bern

bern,how long till full report?getting anxious.

Bern

when you have the time....what other magazines were at the event? just curious on what mags to look out for in the coming months.

thank you

santino

Originally posted by Renesis08

www.freshalloy.com A nissan enthusiast site/forum.

The real funny and ironic thing is:

I own a daily driven '01 Nissan Altima. How great is that?!?!

Bought it because the Mazda-6 wasn't out yet.

-Bern

Originally posted by akrx8
bern,how long till full report?getting anxious.

Sorry guys, but it should be up later this morning. I finally completed it and I sent it over to Dan, but he was out tonight.

-Bern

Originally posted by santino
Bern

when you have the time....what other magazines were at the event? just curious on what mags to look out for in the coming months.

thank you

santino

Well the day RN attended, and if I remember correctly, the following were there:

-Import Racer Magazine
-HCI import Magazine
-Edmunds.com
-speedoptions.com
-overboost.com
- Ventura Gazette

the previous day, the more traditional press were on hand

-Car and Driver
-Road adn Track
-Sport Compact
-etc..etc..

-Bern

It's up guys! Again, thanks all for the patience!

part -3

http://rotarynews.com

-Bern

Great article.

Let the "lack of torque" concerns be put to rest. It seems our testers were having way too much fun drifting in and out of the real world to care about the navi system or nit pick the interior.

---which is exactly the way it should be!!!!!!!!:D :D :D LET THE FUN BEGIN.

Yes, a very informative and welcome article, thanks very much. I'm concerned about the comments regarding the slightly lower quality interior plastics compared to pre production cars though. I've seen a pre production car and the plastics were something we all thought they'd IMPROVE not degrade. Otherwise I can't wait. Nice to see you chose a Titanium coloured car too, good choice.

"Interior panel materials differed some from the pre-production model though. The very nice lacquered center console and accents remain pretty much intact, but there did seem to be a shift to a lighter plastic material on the dash and assorted panels. Fortunately, the stylistic appeal and feel of the cabin remain. Satisfied that we had explored enough of the cabin, we mounted up and headed out."

I interpreted "lighter" to mean in weight, but not in quality. Maybe we need Berny to elaborate. Maybe he even means lighter in color???

excellent write up, its good to hear that the quality is high and the comfort levels are also fairly high. but more importantly that driving the car int he real world is an absolute blast (when you ignore the rules, of course) and that the lack of torque issues with rotaries have been vaporized due to the perfect and seemingly seemless integration of the gearbox, tranny and engine.

excellent write up and....YOU LUCKY BASTARD!!!!
________
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Looks like the RX-8 might be even a BETTER vehicle than I had thought when I decided to pre-order.

I'm starting to get excited.....

Thanks for the report Rotary News !

In the end, even with POSITIVE reviews... you have to drive the car to know for sure.

Bern, quick Q... how would you say this stacked up to the FD?

Just curious, seeing as I'm not an RX-7 owner it's nice to get some comparisons in that regard.

Cheers!

What an awesome review. I am starting to get real antsy. I can't wait.

Seeing that most of the magazines were present, do they intend to review the production models?

Thank You!!!!!!! Rotary News,

Great article, I was beginning to wonder if I wanted to wait any longer but this article helped a good bit. I am good for another 3 or 4 weeks at least. After that well, who knows. The video of the off-loading at the port helped as well. I was hoping for more info about the room in the back seat. I wonder if RN would follow up with additional comments about the leg room, and getting in and out of the back seat. Any time you get some information like this it always leaves room for questions but it sounds like the production models are all we expected and maybe even a bit more.:D

Guys:
If you wouldn't mind leaving comments and follow-up questions at the following RotaryNews link:

RotaryNews RX-8 Review follow-ups and questions (http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?action=read&pgid=194)


Please feel free to comment or ask anything you'd like and we'll try to answer it as best we can.

Thanks,

-Bern

Originally posted by Puppy1
Great article.

Let the "lack of torque" concerns be put to rest. It seems our testers were having way too much fun drifting in and out of the real world to care about the navi system or nit pick the interior.

---which is exactly the way it should be!!!!!!!!:D :D :D LET THE FUN BEGIN.

Puppy1:
I answered your questions at RotaryNews.Com Comments (http://rotarynews.com/comment.php?action=read&pgid=194)

-Bern

Originally posted by Lensman
Yes, a very informative and welcome article, thanks very much. I'm concerned about the comments regarding the slightly lower quality interior plastics compared to pre production cars though. I've seen a pre production car and the plastics were something we all thought they'd IMPROVE not degrade. Otherwise I can't wait. Nice to see you chose a Titanium coloured car too, good choice.

Actually, our reference to pre-prod car goes to the ones we drove at Laguna a few months ago, which were actually quite good in the interior department. The plastics on those cars seemed production ready.

Please don't mistake our comments to mean pre-prod car as in the show cars which we remember as being a step below the cars we last reviewed at Laguna. Just wanted to clear up our comments.

Titanium.. you can thank Dan for that! ;)

-Bern

Originally posted by P00Man
excellent write up, its good to hear that the quality is high and the comfort levels are also fairly high. but more importantly that driving the car int he real world is an absolute blast (when you ignore the rules, of course) and that the lack of torque issues with rotaries have been vaporized due to the perfect and seemingly seemless integration of the gearbox, tranny and engine.

excellent write up and....YOU LUCKY BASTARD!!!!


YOU LUCKY BASTARD!!!!

Thank you, we resemble this remark! :D

This is a real world car, more so than our beloved RX-7. Don't get us wrong, the 8 is torque challenged in the motor, but Mazda has done an excelent job with the tranny and final gear combo. Where the RENESIS really shines is in it's incredible rev range and, although low, very flat torque curve.

Boost would still be cool though!

-Bern

blahahahahhaha lol
so what do you guys plan to do to your project rx-8?
________
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Nice choice of color also!


Vince

Originally posted by Hercules
In the end, even with POSITIVE reviews... you have to drive the car to know for sure.

Bern, quick Q... how would you say this stacked up to the FD?

Just curious, seeing as I'm not an RX-7 owner it's nice to get some comparisons in that regard.

Cheers!


Hercules:
You are absolutely right about it being up to each individual to decide if this car is for them or not. One really needs to drive the car to decide.

What we can do and did for the folks out there, is flog the car like no one will be able to on a dealer test drive. The optimal test would be for a buddy to let you borrow their car and let you at!! I doubt anyone will allow this.

As far as the FD comparison, this is tough. This is not really a fair comparison.. the cars are really different. Both were designed with different goals in mind.

The RX-8 is definitely a better daily driver and commuter. The FD is a better ULTIMATE sports car and track weapon, but requires a higher driving skill to master. The RX-8 has a chassis that is at least equal to or better than the 1st gen FD available in the US and is easier to drive at the limit. The brakes on the RX-8 are a step above, for sure, the US available FD. The FD is definitely a sexier and sleeker looking ride though.

In a straightline battle, the FD is a hands down winner, you can't argue with the power and weight advantage. On the road race track with equal drivers, the FD will prevail, but introduce some differing skill levels and the RX-8 is right there.

Like I said, this is a real hard comparison, but all you have to do is watch that video comparison of the Spirit-R-vs-RX-8 at the track in Japan, to appreciate its skills... maybe someone has a link to it.

These are just MY observations.

-Bern

Originally posted by P00Man
blahahahahhaha lol
so what do you guys plan to do to your project rx-8?

Stay tuned... but I hear MazdaSpeed!

-Bern