I cannot believe the screwed up comments about HP that I am seeing on this forum. Did the car suddenly become less fun to drive? Did people on the street suddenly stop gawking at the car not that the stated HP is down? Did you suddenly stop blowing away other cars at stoplights? Did the engine now start vibrating like all other "cylinder" engines?
If you don't like the car along with all of it's innovations and refinement, then by all means, take Mazda's offer. If HP is your concern, then you should have NEVER bought an RX8. The RX8 is NOT about HP.
I love mine! My wife loves it too! The fact that it has less HP than was stated when I bought the car, I don't care. Mazda did not remove any HP from my car...as far as I can tell, it has the same power that it did the day I drove it away from the dealership, and the smile on my face still hasn't disappeared!
Oh yeah, and when we decide to put the baby seat, or two friends in the backseat, the smile will still be there!

PS I had a 1993 RX7 with some PFC work...I would take the RX8 over it EVERY day of the week...Are any of you old enough to remember the sticker price of a 1995 RX7?

Amen to that. I am still waiting for my car to get here, but I have driven it twice allready. All I can say is that it rides awesome and the hoursepower issue is just overblown here. I do remember not being able to afford the 95 RX7. It was something like 40k

I'm with you guys. I test drove the RX-8 and feel that the car is spectacular. From a power standpoint, the Gen 3 really spoiled us all, but the chassis on the RX-8 is light years ahead of the Gen 3. There's no doubt in my mind that Mazda will get the power number up because they know that's what sells cars (i.e., penis factor), but I haven't seen a "trade in" thread started yet, so I'd have to say that most on this Forum are fairly happy with their new cars. Here's looking forward to the MazdaSpeed RX-8, the Renesis-powered next Gen Miata, and of course the FE3S (Gen 4 RX-7), all of which would not have been possible with out such an excellent predecessor.

I'm with you RCCAZ1, I know that they will eventually get the power back (2005 ?) and fix some other bugs (AC, fuel economy) and that's what worry me.

Even if I love the car, look and feel, I want a motor that goes with the look; I think that I'll take the "buy-back", get myself a used inexpensive car for the winter, check how the Rx-8 situation evolve, what Mazda does, and look at the new cars from other manufacturers coming to the market in 2004 and 2005.

I owned a TT, loved it but found it a little weak on the power side; great look, great handling, but so-so power... now with the 247hp Rx-8 and a lighter car, I was expecting to find the power I was looking for... deception once again!

So I think that I will back up for a while... watch the situation unfold and then make my choice after a real test drive! My last 2 cars were bought "on paper"... no test drive, only reviews from magazines. I won't do the same mistake a third time.

I love the car, but I would hate to see Mazda fix the problem in the future and me having remorse because I took my 500$, 6 oil change and a car that as less value because it a pre-fix model!

Most of the people throwing fits don't even own the car.

Originally posted by Kuf
Most of the people throwing fits don't even own the car. *nod* which is why I'd like the moderators here to actually MODERATE and remove the trolls that take away from good debate and discussion.

Originally posted by TT2RX8
I think that I'll take the "buy-back", get myself a used inexpensive car for the winter, check how the Rx-8 situation evolve, what Mazda does, and look at the new cars from other manufacturers coming to the market in 2004 and 2005.

Man, I couldn't wait that long. This version of the 8 is TOO MUCH FUN to wait for something for years that is just "vaporware" for now. I personally don't see how you could sit by watching all the fun the 8 drivers are having while you're driving your "used inexpensive car". I know I couldn't.

Hey swoodka! Nice to see you on the boards! Love the looks of the car...saw it up close when talking with a buddy of mine, Ryan, from Peter Farrel Supercars...not sure if he is a member here or not. Sounds like PFS will be working on a turbo kit for this car over the next few months. Good luck....let's meet up and go driving sometime!

all i have to say its pure enjoyment driving the 8.

I'm with shocka
I love the car
and when I tell people about the HP issue they dont even listen because they are staring at the car