Hercules
07-15-2003, 08:45 PM
Well folks, I drove it. Crystal Auto Mall in New Jersey was kind enough to cater to my needs to see and drive the car. My salesperson was kind enough to be a good sport as I played with the car. I drove a fully loaded RX-8 with the 6 speed.
I had previously mentioned that I was considering an S2000 if the RX-8 didn't live up to the hype, or didn't deliver on what I felt was necessary in a great handling RWD sports car. If you read nothing else from this little review, read this... the S2000 has been put out of contention.
Now there are reasons for this... but this is of course, a review, so we'll start at the top.
The S2000 has in its favor OVER the RX-8 is a better gearbox (was more slick, but not much better) and I think at limits... a handling edge. However given that my limits are mediocre, the RX-8 and S2000 driving at 9/10ths to me, would be near identical. Aside from this... the S2000 has no benefit, and actually has things that detract from it over the RX-8.
First and foremost, practicality. My father sat in the back seat as I revved the engine and toyed with the car on Route 22. He said it was claustrophobic (as I had prior mentioned), but not terrible. I have 34" legs and he sat behind me, so you can just imagine how it feels :)
Quietness is another factor. It's true about the engine.. it's silent. But the exhaust is another animal. It's a zing-zing instead of a throaty sound that I'm used to... and it's so damn cool. But even with the windows down, cabin noise is at a minimum whereas the S2000 feels very uncomfortable with the noise levels. This detracts from listening to the radio, a pastime I cannot let go of for the slight benefits the S2000 provides in handling. Speaking of which, the RX-8's stereo is crisp and clean, and leaving all equalizer settings flat (bass=0, treble=0,etc), it was very impressive even from the normal radio stations. A CD would merely make this system come alive.
Quality? The doors give you a good thud when you close them. It's not Germanic in nature... though it's not entirely Japanese. The seats were leather and to me, not too bad. I only say this because I must admit... I wasn't paying much attention to them!
The RX-8 has often been touted for the low torque figures, and slow acceleration. Well folks, revving it without any clutch 'drops' was a very comfortable launch right into traffic, with three people in the car. I admit freely, the G35C felt quicker off the line, as did the S2000. However I noticed as I revved higher, I just gained more and more power. By the time I shifted at 6000, I swear I thought no more power could come from it. Reading other reviews though... it's apparent I will be in for a treat when my car passes its break in period. Fact of the matter is, if the RX-8 isn't fast enough for you, the G35C won't be either. It's a damn fast car and I found myself being waved at by a Camaro (with a throaty V8) and had no problem keeping up with him off the line (and his wheelspin). Granted though, I only indulged the once.. it won't be my primary fun.
Which brings me lastly, to the handling. I got to jump at two jughandles (one of which had a pothole at the base of the merge) and this car well... it's solid as a rock. I flew right around the corner and made the U-turn with great confidence, something in the S2000 I was a bit more apprehensive about doing out of fear. The RX-8 led me along (with the DSC turned on mind you!) and showed me its limits. The DSC didn't cut in once. Yes, the car is that good.
If there's a thing I could change about the RX-8, it wouldn't be the speed, the handling, the looks, etc... It would be the steering. It's got good feedback but with the electric assist it's just TOO easy to move around.. I suppose it's nitpicking at small details, but I like a more sturdy steering wheel, something that gives some resistance when turning. I am not sure if it's what is better.. but it's what I'm accustomed to in sports cars.
Overall folks... The RX-8 is the package I had always hoped it would be. It's fast enough for my tastes; I've always said I am not a stoplight racer and as such... additional power is nice but ot required by my standards. The car is excellent in interior layout and quality, one of my prerequisites I mentioned when I was suggested the WRX or Evo as other choices in automobiles. And it handles like a dream. At limits I do think that the slight weight advantage the S2000 has over the RX-8 will enable it to shave lap times but to be honest, I'm not going to race this car unless it's against myself, just to see what kind of times I pull and to improve my own driving skills.
If you like the idea of high-revving, great handling, good looking, and well built automobiles, the RX-8 has triangulated on success. It doesn't dissapoint in any area, and while improvements can always be made; I'm glad the price I'm paying is only $31,100.
Hope you found this educational, as much as I found it fun! :)
I had previously mentioned that I was considering an S2000 if the RX-8 didn't live up to the hype, or didn't deliver on what I felt was necessary in a great handling RWD sports car. If you read nothing else from this little review, read this... the S2000 has been put out of contention.
Now there are reasons for this... but this is of course, a review, so we'll start at the top.
The S2000 has in its favor OVER the RX-8 is a better gearbox (was more slick, but not much better) and I think at limits... a handling edge. However given that my limits are mediocre, the RX-8 and S2000 driving at 9/10ths to me, would be near identical. Aside from this... the S2000 has no benefit, and actually has things that detract from it over the RX-8.
First and foremost, practicality. My father sat in the back seat as I revved the engine and toyed with the car on Route 22. He said it was claustrophobic (as I had prior mentioned), but not terrible. I have 34" legs and he sat behind me, so you can just imagine how it feels :)
Quietness is another factor. It's true about the engine.. it's silent. But the exhaust is another animal. It's a zing-zing instead of a throaty sound that I'm used to... and it's so damn cool. But even with the windows down, cabin noise is at a minimum whereas the S2000 feels very uncomfortable with the noise levels. This detracts from listening to the radio, a pastime I cannot let go of for the slight benefits the S2000 provides in handling. Speaking of which, the RX-8's stereo is crisp and clean, and leaving all equalizer settings flat (bass=0, treble=0,etc), it was very impressive even from the normal radio stations. A CD would merely make this system come alive.
Quality? The doors give you a good thud when you close them. It's not Germanic in nature... though it's not entirely Japanese. The seats were leather and to me, not too bad. I only say this because I must admit... I wasn't paying much attention to them!
The RX-8 has often been touted for the low torque figures, and slow acceleration. Well folks, revving it without any clutch 'drops' was a very comfortable launch right into traffic, with three people in the car. I admit freely, the G35C felt quicker off the line, as did the S2000. However I noticed as I revved higher, I just gained more and more power. By the time I shifted at 6000, I swear I thought no more power could come from it. Reading other reviews though... it's apparent I will be in for a treat when my car passes its break in period. Fact of the matter is, if the RX-8 isn't fast enough for you, the G35C won't be either. It's a damn fast car and I found myself being waved at by a Camaro (with a throaty V8) and had no problem keeping up with him off the line (and his wheelspin). Granted though, I only indulged the once.. it won't be my primary fun.
Which brings me lastly, to the handling. I got to jump at two jughandles (one of which had a pothole at the base of the merge) and this car well... it's solid as a rock. I flew right around the corner and made the U-turn with great confidence, something in the S2000 I was a bit more apprehensive about doing out of fear. The RX-8 led me along (with the DSC turned on mind you!) and showed me its limits. The DSC didn't cut in once. Yes, the car is that good.
If there's a thing I could change about the RX-8, it wouldn't be the speed, the handling, the looks, etc... It would be the steering. It's got good feedback but with the electric assist it's just TOO easy to move around.. I suppose it's nitpicking at small details, but I like a more sturdy steering wheel, something that gives some resistance when turning. I am not sure if it's what is better.. but it's what I'm accustomed to in sports cars.
Overall folks... The RX-8 is the package I had always hoped it would be. It's fast enough for my tastes; I've always said I am not a stoplight racer and as such... additional power is nice but ot required by my standards. The car is excellent in interior layout and quality, one of my prerequisites I mentioned when I was suggested the WRX or Evo as other choices in automobiles. And it handles like a dream. At limits I do think that the slight weight advantage the S2000 has over the RX-8 will enable it to shave lap times but to be honest, I'm not going to race this car unless it's against myself, just to see what kind of times I pull and to improve my own driving skills.
If you like the idea of high-revving, great handling, good looking, and well built automobiles, the RX-8 has triangulated on success. It doesn't dissapoint in any area, and while improvements can always be made; I'm glad the price I'm paying is only $31,100.
Hope you found this educational, as much as I found it fun! :)