Here's my take on the 8. Kinda long and winded.. Just one man's opinion, so take what you want from it..

Honestly, right now, it's really hard to talk about the power on the car. Seeing as I'm babying it for the first 600mi, I'm trying to keep her under 55-60mph.. less than 4500rpm. Mind you this is pretty dang slow and it sucks having people pass you like you're standing still. I keep muttering, "you wait punks..gimme a couple more days.. arrgh.."

Whether or not this method of babying is good, I'm open to comments. Since the manual claims no break in is required, but recommended, it's a no win situation. I figure I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and drive sane for a while. However, what I can say, is that the beast seems to be hidden just over the 4000rpm mark. I've only tapped it past 4500 a couple times and boy is it begging to go higher. Anyhow, I'd rather give a more solid opinion after I'm done break in.. but by that time I'd think most of you will already have your cars to experience it yourself. :)

The engine just purrs. It's so damn quiet, I can't even tell it's running sometimes. The clutch is so smooth, I feel like I'm relearning stick hahah.. The grab is about midway through the travel. The shifter is sweeeet. I love the knob and the short throw.. Gears 1, 2, and 3 just fly by and the short throw make it that much more fun.

The steering on this thing is precise. The wheel is light and the car responds quickly. I really dont have much to compare to carwise as I'm a motorcyclist. But I've driven my wife's Celica here and there, and the 8's steering ranks way higher than that.

The interior is very well done. The materials are better than the pre-pro cars that were in the car shows. The doors are heavy and have a quality construction. Door handles and other door apparatus are strong and not flimsy feeling. The center (tunnel) console is of a solid hard plastic. The metallic strips does fool you into thinking it's real metal, but it's really plastic. It was, however, an eye catcher for some, as they asked, Whoa what's that long thing.. I guess it's not everyday you see such a console run the length of the car interior.

I seem to have a thing with the main door closing though.. you do have to slam it little harder than you'd think.. It feels like the air compresses in the cockpit thus preventing a good door close, but I think it's more to it than that. Sometimes I think it's closed but it's not, so I have to re-slam it. Then again it could be me trying to be too gentle.

I dont know if it was because it was pretty hot today, but the A/C doesnt seeem to chill as much as I'd like. On it's highest setting, it's cool, but not frosty. Personally, I like mine frosty. I hope it's just a new car thing and will get colder later. But I do wonder how it would be for those sittng in the back. Might be a bit warmer back there..

The Bose system is pretty solid overall. I say it gets the job done. CDs sound crisp, with nice range and the Audiopilot does a great job of making the music come out on top. Surely you can do better if you're heavy auto audiophile, but I'm gonna stick with it cuz it's that good. No changes necessary.

Overall, I'm really impressed. I think I'll be even more impressed after break in when it's time to open her up.. I think my secondary ports (or whatever the high rpm ports are called now) havent even opened yet hahah.. I guess I better push it a little harder to make sure they DO open :eek: Anyhow, I cannot wait for you all to get yours so we can really get this forum flowing. Trust me when I say it has been worth the wait.

Thanks for your time in reading my long boring thoughts. :D

No need to apologize thanks for sharing as much as you did. I think I mentioned to you possibly using Costco. I am curious if it worked out? I was told by the dealer that the Costco deal was MSRP guaranteed and that basically no one else other than preorders will now get MSRP.

I am curious about what if any options you got and whether you think they are worth it or not. Also, does it come with carpeted floor mats? I thought it said somewhere it did? Were there any little extra niceties that caught your fancy? Sorry I know you are probably a little preoccupied but if you have answers I am hanging on every word.

RX-nut,

Thanks for the review.

You should be able to go 90 MPH at 4500RPM in sixth.

-Mr. Wigggles

FWIW, Mazda's A/C units have always been a bit weaker than those in comparable brands in my experience. I believe the first few people to take delivery in Japan also mentioned the A/C has a hard time keeping up with hotter summer days...

It's also likely that the a/c compressor is slightly underdriven, to allow operation at high rpm. Since you are breaking in and keeping revs down, I'd be willing to bet that once you start driving through the full rpm range the a/c gets noticeably colder.

RX-Nut,

How is the front license plate attached?

Also, try closing the door with the rear windows open, that should allow for the air to escape and you will have a better idea about the close closing issue that you mentioned.

Congrats dog!

Thanks for the post!

In my experience A/C on new cars just doesn't tend to be as cold as it used to be. This seems like the result of more environmentally friendly chemicals for the A/C. Better globally, but they don't get quite as cold.

Originally posted by B-Nez
It's also likely that the a/c compressor is slightly underdriven, to allow operation at high rpm. Since you are breaking in and keeping revs down, I'd be willing to bet that once you start driving through the full rpm range the a/c gets noticeably colder.

I have a habit of switching off the aircon before revving to redline. Somehow, I feel that the compressor may overwork or blow a fuse or something if I leave it on! :D

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. You can get a vent thermometer at an auto parts store for under $10. Put it in the center vent, and if it is blowing out hotter than 40-45 degrees fahrenhiet, on recirculate, there may be a problem. That is what I have found most new R134a systems to do. My '88 vert with good old R12 can blow out 35-40 degrees and it is chilly. I do hope the A/C is not as weak as you think, I am waiting for a black on in Phoenix, temps now in the 110-115 range.

After watching the "Technical Highlights" cd, and seeing that the #5 and 6 ports open at 7800 RPM, I'd say this engine is -designed- to rev. I know from experience ( 2nd and 3rd gen RX-7) that high revs. don't hurt rotary engines, but this renesis has taken it to new levels. My RX-7 is hitting redline at 7800 RPM, whereas the renesis is just getting into "serious power".

I'd say, for "breakin", take it to 6000 (unless advised otherwise in the manual). The only thing you are trying to avoid during breakin is overheating the bits of the engine that occasionally rub together (final machining). It is important to occationally let it rev. freely, so that moving parts move the extra distance high revs. cause so you don't get a "breakin line" worn anywhere.

So enjoy! My 1993 RX-7 is looking older by the day (technology wise). ;)

Originally posted by Fab 8


I have a habit of switching off the aircon before revving to redline. Somehow, I feel that the compressor may overwork or blow a fuse or something if I leave it on! :D In the RX-8, the air conditioning automatically turns off if you hit the throttle after a certain point.

It's automatic and brilliant :)

At what point does it shut off?

Originally posted by Apex Eater
At what point does it shut off? Under heavy acceleration, but there's no specific point I can give you.

I think it also matters if you gas it immediately, or if you just keep slowly building up the power.

Originally posted by RX-Nut


The steering on this thing is precise. The wheel is light and the car responds quickly. I really dont have much to compare to carwise as I'm a motorcyclist. But I've driven my wife's Celica here and there, and the 8's steering ranks way higher than that.


That's a very impressive observation. IMHO, the Celica has excellent steering.

About the doors. It's the same way on the 7. The doors are much lighter, causing them to have more of an issue in closing against the air pressure.

Thanks Nut!

Glad to hear that the car is meeting your expectations. For most of us the expectations got higher as each month went by. I just tried the VIN check from a week ago and got 2 VIN #'s that could be mine. Now I have to check with someone to find out where they are. (Is there a sight for that?) I'm a little concerned about the front end look with a license plate messing it up. I'll have to check and see if I need one here in Ohio.

Keep us updated. We have to live vicariously until we are behind the wheel ourselves.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom
RX-Nut,

How is the front license plate attached?

Also, try closing the door with the rear windows open, that should allow for the air to escape and you will have a better idea about the close closing issue that you mentioned.

The front plate is attached by two bolts.. very easy to remove. Before the cars even did PDI, there was nothing up on the front grill. My dealer put on the plate holder just before I picked it up. I'll probably be removing it soon.. :p However, I think it's illegal in Hawaii as I got tagged once in my 84 GSL a couple years back.

Thanks for the tip.. I might try that..

Originally posted by Charleston
No need to apologize thanks for sharing as much as you did. I think I mentioned to you possibly using Costco. I am curious if it worked out?

I am curious about what if any options you got and whether you think they are worth it or not. Also, does it come with carpeted floor mats?

Nope, didnt do Costco. My dealer wasn't affiliated with them. I did use People First with my Costco rate though. Worked like a charm.

I have the GT and it came with floor mats. Nice ones BTW.. RX-8 is embroidered on it. I think the heated seats is something I may never use. It doesnt really get chilly here. The options I like the most is the controls on steering wheel (stereo). I know that's probably a common thing nowadays but I dig it. I didnt get any other accessories as my dealer didnt have any of them in stock. They dont know when they will get them. I wanted the get the MP3 and the Rotary Accents and possibly the spare tire.. Maybe Trussville will do nicely hehe..

Thanks for the review. I plan to stick to the break-in "suggestions" too, however agonizing it may be.

When I finally got my WRX broken in, I was amazed at all the power I had been missing the whole time, but I think it's worth it in the long run. (in that case, for the next owner of the car anyway!)

[QUOTE]I did use People First with my Costco rate though. Worked like a charm.

What rate did you end up with if you don't mind me asking? I am still looking at Pentagon Federal Credit Union at 3.9% but I expect it to drop slightly on Augsut 1, which is about when my car should be in. If Costco is better I'll go there :)

Originally posted by Charleston
[QUOTE]I did use People First with my Costco rate though. Worked like a charm.

What rate did you end up with if you don't mind me asking? I am still looking at Pentagon Federal Credit Union at 3.9% but I expect it to drop slightly on Augsut 1, which is about when my car should be in. If Costco is better I'll go there :)

I'll answer that one for you if I may. Go to the "PeopleFirst" thread in the "Lounge" section of this forum. More than enuf info on that & the Costco discounted rates. (Rates are quite lower than those mentioned in the 1st thread posts.)

Okay,

Thanks for the tip.

Hey RX-Nut, ya ever go to this restaurant? Careful where you park it!

Originally posted by daedelgt
About the doors. It's the same way on the 7. The doors are much lighter, causing them to have more of an issue in closing against the air pressure.

Had the same problem on my mx-6....windows down=no problem.
That's good though...should give a few more seconds of air in underwater crashes:D

Originally posted by Racer X-8
Hey RX-Nut, ya ever go to this restaurant? Careful where you park it!

what is that? a Zippy's?

Originally posted by Racer X-8
Hey RX-Nut, ya ever go to this restaurant? Careful where you park it!

what is that? a Zippy's?

Hahaha.. that aint no Zippy's that's for sure!

I dont think we even have a restaurant like that.. that's crazy.

That goes against everything yo mama said about waiting an hour before swimming after eating.. :D

great review,

would be interesting to see your follow up post / review after you've finally broken the thing in and started to really drive it..

I for one didn't really spend a great deal of time "taking it easy" on the car - indeed I suspect I should have, but a spead read of the doco and pushing the techs at the Mazda workshop I was sold on the fact that the new engine, the new designs, the whole "it's a rotary" thing, and a range of folk telling me that a rotary likes revs, as long as you alternate from high to low rather than just high rpm all day or low rpm all day, well I gave it a week taking it easy, until I could not take it any longer and gave in quickly to the "jesus I wan to take this car out on the road and 'fang' it!"..

so I'm sure I speak for a whole bunch of folk when I say we look forward to your follow up post when you get brave enough to find the little beep that lives beyond 9500 rpm * grin *

++dez;

ps: G'day from down under..

Aircon cycles off for 5 seconds on 65% throttle.