Which one of these is better?


Mazda RX8
4-speed AT
210 HP
164 ft.lbs.
RWD
3000 lbs.


Acura TSX
5-speed AT
200 HP
166 ft.lbs.
FWD
3250 lbs.

that depends on style,speed, amount

TSX. More luxurious. I'd guess the performance is close?
TSX is likely to be much more reliable (the RX8 is a brand new car that is bound to have first year issues), have a higher resale value and much better gas mileage.

If you want the RX8, get the 6 Speed. The automatic is very mediocre.

Originally posted by Haris
Which one of these is better?
That is a such a vague question.. :confused:
Better how? Which criteria are more important to YOU?
Pure numbers? "Feel"? Handling, comfort, trunk space, and on and on..

I meant which car is better overall? Like if you compare everything luxury, performance, style, price, resale, reliability, quality, etc, etc, etc. Which car would win in most of those categories?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Haris
I meant which car is better overall? Like if you compare everything luxury, performance, style, price, resale, reliability, quality, etc, etc, etc. Which car would win in most of those categories? [/QUOTE

Luxury: TSX
Style: Depends, but I'd say RX-8
Price: TSX
Resale: TSX
Reliability: TSX
Performance, straight + highway: Similar
Handling and nimbleness: RX-8
RWD: RX-8
Gas Usage: TSX
Insurance: TSX
Quality: TSX
Brand Name: TSX

Originally posted by Haris
Which one of these is better?

Apples and oranges. What's the point of trying to compare two such totally different cars with totally different purposes?

I was comparing the 2 when thinking of purchasing. Although I REALLY wanted the RX8 so I got what I wanted. I figured if I picked up a TSX, I would save some money now and save some on gas and insurance but anytime I saw an RX8 my heart would sink.

I got the car I WANT and when I see a TSX I just think "boring"!

Although it is a NICE car, it's no RX8.

I don't think performance is very close, the TSX is HEAVY and it's a 4 banger.

Apples and oranges. What's the point of trying to compare two such totally different cars with totally different purposes?


Well, these are the top two on my current list. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense with the differences, but the price range is similar, and for someone that holds owner comfort as high as performance (reliability, service/maintenence/ease of ownership, brand name recognition, re-sale value), I suppose a half-assed comparison can be leveled.

The way I see it, I wouldn't really be as passionate/excited about owning a TSX. I do like the way it looks, and I've heard raves about handling and 'decent performance' for it being a FWD 4-cyl sedan (one example, a guy I know that believes in the no replacement for displacement mantra really liked the way it drove around on a test drive, and said if he had the $, he'd have bought one on the spot). But it would be a purchase more for overall comforts sake than anything.

I'd be more passionate about owning an 8. But I'll be keeping a close watch here on the forums, etc, about how the comfort issues pan out, at least up through next summer. If fairly reliable overall, the 8 could be something I'd maybe make a mod or two to the suspension/etc and take to the autox. I wouldn't mind doing DIY jobs to a certain extent, being if it got too $$ doing too many from reaping the benefits of the handling too often, or if drivetrain components needed repair.

Of course this all depends on employment out of college (as a tech guy), and where I end up next year, etc, etc. At least I have about 4-5 years corp experience under my sleeve unlike most college grads my age :)


Edit: I just saw the auto vs. auto as I re-read the original post. I'd have to say even though I wouldn't consider an auto in either, to wait for a 5AT or SMG in the 8, from what it sounds like.

Originally posted by Wing
I don't think performance is very close, the TSX is HEAVY and it's a 4 banger.

The TSX engine is a 2.4 liter inline 4 with 166 torque, 200 horsepower, and iVTEC with a 5 speed auto FWD. My wife drives a Honda CRV with a 2.4 liter inline 4 161 torque, 161 horsepower with a 4 speed auto and AWD, and we were both pretty surprised how quick it is. Put the pedal down, and it revs right up to 6,000 RPM in a jiffy. I'm assuming the TSX engine is just a retuned version of the one in the CRV.

Now, neither of us has any experience with real sports cars, we can only compare it to other vehicles we've driven. But I'd bet the TSX is still quite impressive for a (naturally aspirated) four cylinder.

TSX and RX-8 are both good.

Both are excellent choices. But probably I would get TSX over RX-8 basically because I know Acura is reliable but rotary engine is still....hehe......at least I don't know how it does in a long run.....By the way, the interior of TSX is impeccable, especially the black(charcoal?) interior.

I don't think the TSX and RX-8 are really that comparable. I'd put the TSX against a Mazda 6... And I still like the 6 better.

you're comparing apples and oranges. just drive both and decide.

I think that the TSX seems like a better choice for you. Since you are going with an automatic transmision I would assume sport isn't the top priority for you. The TSX has more space a more geared toward comfort than the RX8. The RX8 is more of a sports car with some luxuary.

So if you want more sport go with the 8, but if you want more comfort go with the TSX.

Originally posted by neit_jnf
I don't think the TSX and RX-8 are really that comparable. I'd put the TSX against a Mazda 6... And I still like the 6 better.

Not to mention the Mazda V-6 is much more powerful than the TSX I4, and in my humble opinion the 6 looks much better, too.

Not to mention the Mazda V-6 is much more powerful than the TSX I4, and in my humble opinion the 6 looks much better, too.


Isn't that the old ford 3.0 duratec, and not really a 'Mazda V6'? Most who have any knocks on the 6 will mention that it's a tad anemic, considering the VQ in the altima and V6 in the accord, but the thing with the 6 is how much car you get for the $ overall. Numbers-wise I think the 6s and the TSX are right on with each other in 1/4 mile, whatever that's worth.

The TSX is more of a stylish, comfort car than the 6, but I don't know if it's worth the $8k in difference. That would kind of hinge on how the 6 holds up over time, from duratec to interior, etc...because the TSX will most likely age very well.

The 6s is still on my list as a "Crap, I don't want to spend almost $30k on a car" car :)

The 3.0 Mazda6 has a Duratec block.... but Mazda re-engineered the entire engine so it is decidedly 'Japanese'.

Even still, the Mazda6 (as with the RX-8) isn't for everybody. In a culture (the US) that obsesses with power over handling (as opposed to Europe) it's easy to see why cars like the SRT-4, Mustang, and 350Z are so easily marketable here and the RX-8 becomes more a niche audience car.

Even still... I fit that niche and I'm happy to be in it.

Originally posted by blizz81


Isn't that the old ford 3.0 duratec, and not really a 'Mazda V6'? Most who have any knocks on the 6 will mention that it's a tad anemic, considering the VQ in the altima and V6 in the accord, but the thing with the 6 is how much car you get for the $ overall. Numbers-wise I think the 6s and the TSX are right on with each other in 1/4 mile, whatever that's worth.

The TSX is more of a stylish, comfort car than the 6, but I don't know if it's worth the $8k in difference. That would kind of hinge on how the 6 holds up over time, from duratec to interior, etc...because the TSX will most likely age very well.

The 6s is still on my list as a "Crap, I don't want to spend almost $30k on a car" car :)

Mazda massages the Duratec for 219 horsepower and 192 torque, I believe, in 3.0 liter displacement using 87 octane gas. If I recall correctly, the VQ V-6 Nissan is 3.5 liters and uses premium fuel. That's about 25% more horsepower and torque from 17% more displacement and a higher compression with premium fuel. Mazda doesn't look too bad there, I think.

On the other hand, Honda gets 240 horsepower and 212 torque from the same 3.0 liter displacement and 87 octane fuel. Mazda doesn't look so good in that comparison, especially since the two cars have similar weights but the Honda is rated for better gas mileage.