Reactionary

So the new Civic Si will have that 200 HP engine that's used in, I think, the Acura TSX. What does this mean for the RX8, other Civics, Acura, etc.?

1. The styling is that classic Honda thing that is ahead of the trends but so clinical in its carefully shaved angles, planes, and lines that is so typical Honda. It employs the same shortened trunk that tapers outward as in the Acura RL along with yet another variation of the parallelogram taillights. Come on, Honda, where the hell is the creativity there?

2. I'm curious how much HP (and mpg as well) the other Civic engines will have for the sedans as these are the models I'm more interested in possibly buying for myself.

3. How much HP will an RSX replacement have and the next year TSX?

4. If an RSX replacement and TSX get more HP, what does that mean for the RX8? Not only is the RX8 getting pulled from above by the HP of the 350z/G35, it's also getting pushed from below. And the pressure isn't only coming from a few carmakers. The picture is clearer now that Mazda will have almost no choice but to enter the HP game more fully.

Gomez

yawn...

Speed-ER doc

THe RX-8 isn't even the most powerful or fastest Mazda. It sure is pretty though.

Mazdaspeed 6 anyone?

cgrx

Mazdaspeed 8 anyone ???

Reactionary

It's kind of a shame that we have to depend on FI to get more HP and it won't even be that much compared to the competition. I'm thinking more along the lines of an increased displacement RX7 getting at least 270 HP. And increased normally-aspirated HP for the Mazda 3 (unlikely in the next year or two since it's kind of new), miata, and Mazda 6.

Shocka

I def will get more looks in my Rx8 then ANY CIVIC!

Civics are nice. but there are just too many out there. I should know i have one as a daily driver.

RevTo9K

Honda's game has almost never been to play a creative design, but rather to use a design that is unoffensive to as many buyers as possible. It works well from a unit sales standpoint, but you're right - for enthusiasts, it's no treat.

I'm simply amazed at the increase in performance across the automotive industry. When the top-of-the-line Subaru Forester has a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds, something good is happening.

cas2themoe

From the 0-60 Numbers I've seen for the Mazdaspeed 6, the RX8 is actually faster. If I remember what I saw in the Magazine the 6 did 0-60 in 6.6 sec. You have to remember they put a heavier body on Mazdaspeed Verison.

Speed-ER doc

Per this month's Road and Track magazine, the new Mazdaspeed 6 has a turbo 2.3L DOHC I-4 worth 274 HP. all-wheel drive, and a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds. Automobile magazine claims 6.2 sec. Whatever, it's a sweet car for $28 or $29K.

cas2themoe

I have to check what mag I got it from when I get home later. Its kinda weird having such a big gap in 0-60 Times, you never know which one is right. But yes it is a great car for that price!

Speed-ER doc

Agreed. What's even weirder is that both mags claimed they got their info from Mazda.

Once they test it, we will see.

RX-Hachi

Until the MS 6 hits the US and we get official times from the car mags (the current mag times are estimates), the RX-8 is still the fastest car in the line up. But if one does the math, the MS 6 has the potential to be faster. Anyway, the MS 6 seems to be targeted at the BMW 330 and other sport sedans. Still, it's a nice piece.

Regardless, my bet is that Mazda does have something brewing for the RX-8 and that we'll get wind of it before the end of '05.

Ike

It doesn't mean much really, there already are plenty of cars that are faster and cheaper than the RX-8, I don't see why one more is going to make a difference. Mazda should have been in the HP game long ago, but they have remained defiant until the MS6, which is probably too little too late because they're still getting outgunned by the competition.

truemagellen

don't forget the CIVI and others like it, TSX, RSX, etc....are Front wheel drive

so competition from below? if you are a Dyno ***** maybe

DARKMAZ8

I honestly think that mazda didn't raise the 8's hp #'s because they wanted to market it for different demographics and letting the added hp up to the aftermarket for those that need/want more power........If mazda gave us a 300hp 8...sure we would love it but insurance would go up if it were turbo and if it was n/a then the added displacement would make the mpg go way down........I like the fact that ppl don't respect the 8's power....so when i do decide to add more hp,,,,there is a suprise factor.....kind of like when i swapped a 200hp 2.5v6 in my mx-3.....I had all those type r's scratching their heads,,,,wondering how I squeazed a 13.7 et......all n/a baby......btw hp can always be bought so I judge a car more for handling and refinement.

neways the new civic looks like a great teenager car! I do think that honda isn't what it used to be....ivtec will never replace the surge that the older vtecs used to make...as well as the mcphearson suspension compared to the double wishbones it used to come with...just my .005

Ike

\

Don't be so quick to discount those cars just because they're FWD, the Civic SI has always been a very good handler and a blast to drive.

truemagellen

close your yap Mr. AWD :p :D

DARKMAZ8

like i just said in my previous post.....the newer civics handle like caca compaired to the older ones with the double wishbones.....

crossbow

Agreed. The new civics are fatter with inferior suspensions compared to yee old models of doublewishbone glory.

Consumers don't notice, so honda is just replacing the expensive and hard to fit double wishbone with the industry standard crappy mac struts.

Funny how their advertising in the 90's used to be all about the double wishbone superiority...

And you guys should really stop getting all upset over the MPS 6...its a GT car. It might have 287 bhp, but its also almost 700 lbs heavier then a base model mtx rx8. (3650 lbs for the fully loaded GT version)

SpeedSeraph

Well from what I hear the S2000, NSX and RSX will all be discontinued in hondas persuit of a more laid back attempt to attract numbers by practicality... meaning good MPG cars with many doors etc. etc. minivans blah blah blah blah blah.... of course it's just rumors at this point but I've heard the words from more than one person including those of the reps and sales managers at both the honda and acura dealerships. Maybe this is why the Civic Si will be brought back in coupe form with the 200 hp (most likely K series?) engine. I imagine being that the RSX will be discontinued (supposedly) maybe the Si will be hondas replacement fighter?

Whitehot

I don't think too many people who bought RX-8's even considered buying something like a civic si...

himitsu

Its only an ok car for me... styling wise doesnt really impress me, its a frankenstein of the Asian Honda Odyssey front and the Asian Honda City back...

I like the thin solid sharp headlight of the Odyssey and Euro R though, but it gets old if they keep using it.

Dinhx8

Easy....are there faster cars than the 8? yes...faster and cheaper?, i wouldn't say there are "plenty" of cars. If you're talking new cars-: s2, sti, evo z, g35, all more expensive. Cheaper and faster I come up with : srt 4 and the mustang GT.

Most everything else is at the very least, the same price. A lot of other cars may be cheaper, but not clearly faster. (rsx, celica's, cobalt ss, saturn red lines, wrx, gti's and even r32 is not "clearly" faster, (using mag times as a control and from 0-60). The quarter may be a diff story, but even at that, its still not worthy of "plenty of cars". Unless you're talking used cars, not sure where you come up with plenty, and would like to find where you get such good prices.

I understand your point, and respect your thoughts on the 8 whatever they may be, but I think a blanket statement like that you have to be careful. I find it hard to find PLENTY of cars faster AND cheaper than the 8-again, speaking of new cars stock. I certainly don't think I have the fastest ride, but its still plenty quick for the buck.

Murray16

I've heard so much about Honda willing to cash in on the import tuning maket. But I'm not so sure they do. Whenever a civic comes up in conversation one of two things will be said. Either, its a great car, very reliable and economical. Or, blasted kids driving around like maniacs smaking them up everywhere. If I were a bigwig of a major car company how do you think I want my cars to be seen.

Murray16

And other than that... who buys the bulk of these cars new?