Well, I've been around this forum for a long while. I think I've made some great posts, though I know I've made some not so great ones as well. This forum is great; the people who frequent it (for the most part) are very willing to debate with an open mind, for that reason I'll stick around... hey, no boos!

After waiting a LOOOOOOONG time to decide on a car, I've chosen the S2000. After following the situation with Mazda, I've decided that I don't want to encourage the sort of behavior that I believe Mazda is engaging in.

After seeing a velocity red make a few runs at a track here in So. Cal., all I can say is I do not believe the performance numbers generated by magazines in which Mazda advertises this car; given that, and the HP issues, I think it is reasonable to conclude that Mazda has over stated the performance nature of the car in an effort to sell more.

I'm honestly really, really suprised that there is not a lot of outrage over the issue. I'm voicing mine by buying from another manufacturer.

Bye, and enjoy your S2000.

The S2000 is certainly a nice car, but it's not without its flaws as well (notably dealer attitudes towards engine failures).

Finally, for those of us who love rotaries, the 8's still the only game in town. Mazda could down rate it to 175 HP and fact is it still feels plenty fast when you drive it and the rotary feels like no other engine. I don't care what the HP/torque numbers are, the question is, does it feel like a slug when I drive it? The answer for the 8 in my opinion is no...

The S2000 ROCKS, but it has no back seat and it's obscenely loud inside. It's a fun, fun, fun car... but in the end I need the car that offers the best 'all around' performance that also has some utility. The S2000 would be a car that's kinda pointless for me even though I'd have a blast driving it.

Enjoy!

Originally posted by BillK


I don't care what the HP/torque numbers are, the question it feel like a slug when I drive it? The answer for the 8 in my opinion is no...

Wow, I test drove one and I DEFINITELY thought it felt slow...and this coming from an RSX driver...:o

The S2000 is certainly a nice car, but it's not without its flaws as well (notably dealer attitudes towards engine failures).

Yeah, I heard about the 4th cylinder problems that some people have faced. From the information I was able to gather, the problem lies mostly with people who abused their cars (over rev on a down shift) or people who purchased the car used from buyers who didnt monitor their oil closely for the first 2k miles. Definetly an issue I took into consideration though.

Finally, for those of us who love rotaries, the 8's still the only game in town. Mazda could down rate it to 175 HP and fact is it still feels plenty fast when you drive it and the rotary feels like no other engine. I don't care what the HP/torque numbers are, the question it feel like a slug when I drive it? The answer for the 8 in my opinion is no...

I hear you, the coolest sound I've ever heard in a car was in my test drives of the 8.... sounds like a jet at times =). Honestly, the car does feel peppy to me... but its clearly not as peppy as an S2000 or similar autos (350Z).

I just feel like Mazda is trying to pull one on us... I don't think anyone can deny that there are bits and pieces of info out there that support the notion. I'm sure Auto companies have done some shady things... but it seems to me that Mazda is taking it to another level; not because I think they've done something severe, but because it appears that they think they can get away with with it without any problems.

Originally posted by Amused


Wow, I test drove one and I DEFINITELY thought it felt slow...and this coming from an RSX driver...:o

I think a lot of people are missing the point of the RX-8 and that's fine.

I have driven the RSX, it's loud (when up in the revs) and I wouldn't want to highway it on a long trip at 3500 rpm for long periods it's annoying.

Honda drivers don't get the rotary because there is no KICK like the VTEC. Instead it is a smooth excelleration.

When I first started driving the RX8 I thought it felt SLOW as well. But then you look at the speedometer and realize WOOP it's NOT slow. The car seems to muffle the speed it's actually travelling at.

This can be good for somethings (like actually racing) and bad for trying to "FEEL" like you are going fast. You have to drive this car at INSANE speeds to actually realize it's full potential.

Now the one thing I LOVE about this car, is I can cruise in it on the highway at 120Km/h and not hear the engine the wind or the road. PURE HEAVEN!

I'm sure this is one thing that Herc likes as well from his posts. I'd love to try out an S2000, I haven't had the chance. But the one thing that irks me is all the talk about it being sooo loud. I couldn't stand that as a daily driver. I had a Tiburon for 3 years, too loud on the highway HATED it.

Good choice on the S2000 (or S2200 maybe) - which colour? As it's been out for several years you have the good fortune to know almost all the issues and how to fix them. I hate buying first year cars and getting little surprises (usually not good), but bad timing on a lease termination gave me no choice...

I've read EVERY post on this thread and the thread Mazda admits and am still numb. I was blown away with the horsepower issue and now an unsettling issue of possibly selling the car back. The cars are not flawed. They are what they were when people test drove them. I still believe that there are some questions unanswered.

As far as buying a different car due to this fact. I am not sure that if I were a non-owner I would be that concerned. The truth (as far as we know) is coming out. They SAY the car still performs the same as it did so the issue is more what you can't say - it has 247 hp.

The S2000 was one of my car pick candidates before buying the 8. I drove one with top up and down. The car handled well. It seemed more sluggish at takeoff and the interior was tiny. The engine resonated inside the cabin with top up.

I hope the best for you and your Honda.

Damn, not another S2000~ I am getting my ass kicked all over AutoX tracks by these cars. :D I respect the S2000 as much as I respect anything else, to me it's the ultimate sport car. Good as daily driver, convertible, fast, number, and very stylish and bold. I call it the 4 wheel motorcycle. (just about as practical as one, too );) Love the way the engine sounds under hard acceleration. Have fun with your new car, and take care of it. I met a kid in an empty parking lot who tried to impress me with 7000rpm clutch drops and burn outs~ I had to really refrain myself from smacking him right across the head.

I have 3 words for you, Silver with Red! :p

Awesome choice!!! A close second place for me.

Originally posted by Amused
Wow, I test drove one and I DEFINITELY thought it felt slow...and this coming from an RSX driver...:o Good, then I suspect you didn't buy one either. That's the whole purpose of a test drive.

I drive a car, I don't give a flip what the numbers are or if an Accord has more HP; if I wanted an Accord, I'd buy one. Same for something like an EVO, which I would never even consider because I don't want to think there's a flipping airplane landing on my trunk every time I look in the rear view mirror and to have people ask me if I know Vin Diesel... :p

Originally posted by Wing
Honda drivers don't get the rotary because there is no KICK like the VTEC. Instead it is a smooth excelleration.

When I first started driving the RX8 I thought it felt SLOW as well. But then you look at the speedometer and realize WOOP it's NOT slow. The car seems to muffle the speed it's actually travelling at.

I definitely agree with this. I used to drive an Audi TT and you could really feel the push in the back when the turbo spooled up. Really nifty.

My current vehicle is normally aspirated with more HP, and it feels "slow" because there's no defined "kick", it just goes. You think it's being a slug and look down to find it going well over the limit, not unlike my experience test driving an 8...

I'm picking up an '03 silverstone/black. Though now I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't wait until ocotober for the '04s to come out.

The '04 model will have a higher displacement (a new 2.2 from 2.0), more low end torque (rumored to be a net gain of 25lb ft at peak), a revised interior, updated instrumentation, larger 17" wheels, and a revised front bumper (which I've seen and don't care for), and unfortunetly a lower redline.

Ughhhhhhhhhh just when I thought I had the car thing settled.

Same for something like an EVO, which I would never even consider because I don't want to think there's a flipping airplane landing on my trunk every time I look in the rear view mirror and to have people ask me if I know Vin Diesel...

Heh, you owe me a new monitor. Mine now has coke all over it.

call me stubbon but a definite reason for me to get the 8 was my second test drive (first one was ok, 2nd one coined it)

it was a night, around 9, took it on the freeway on ramp, get on, then started accelerating fron number 2 lane to 3, bam... i caught myself grinning ear to ear from the stability of 3 people in the car and the rush

i know it was a step down from my 300 flywheel hp wrx to an 8 but i actually get an interior i can appreciate and by god.. the smoothness

i also drove my friend's Sti wrx last night, it sure its fast even w/ 4 adults and AC

but man, the interior reminds me of the regular wrx, and i know it's too much of a niche car for me, i want my comfort

:D

Originally posted by RodsterinFL
They SAY the car still performs the same as it did so the issue is more what you can't say - it has 247 hp.

Who are THEY, Mazda? What is the "official" 1/4 mile number, 14.4-5? Had anyone been able to hit that number? I thought most real world numbers were in the 14.9-15.> field? If so, this car does not perform the same..
The 0-60 time is irrelevant since the power problem from the dyno plots seems to be in the 6200rpm and above range, thus the lower 1/4 mile numbers

Someone got a low 14, like 14.0 or 14.1 or somethign with a G-Tech Pro. Though thats only one example, and w/ 8k clutch drop to boot. The only real trend I see is massive variability in almost every number and I think people aren't seeing this, even if the averages do seem to be a bit on the low side.

and i would say high end power is important for 0-60, at least for first gear. Unfortunately, that doesn't clear anything up