DanThMan

Hi All,

[I'm not sure what the proper etiquette is, but this is actually a repost. I originally posted this story to the General Automotive section. After browsing the RX-8 Discussion section for a few days, I began thinking this was probably a better place for it. Also, if you check out the original thread (see http://www.rx-8forum.com/showthread....&threadid=8908 ), I had an odd experience with the handling on my test drive that has yet to be explained. I was hoping that someone here might be able to help out. Anyway...]

I've had my Prelude since it was new. It's a 1998 model with the "Type SH" package, which I think means it's supposed to have "Super Handling," but some people have come up with less flattering interpretations as well.

Anyway, the car does handle well, at least for a front driver. What I like the best, though, is that the steering wheel, pedals, and shifter are so carefully engineered. There's no torque steer to speak of, no slop in the brake pedal, and no vagueness in the shifter. The throttle response and steering are both quick and the suspension is well damped. What this all means is that its easy to this car hard.

The problem is, good engineering can get only take a front driver so far. Even though the steering is very precise, it still feels kind of reluctant when I'm trying to accelerate and steer at the same time. Another issue is that the Prelude is the anti-BMW when it comes to front overhang. It's long, and this means lots of extra braking to avoid chin scraping when pulling in and out of parking lots and driveways. Similarly, the turning radius is just wide enough to be a nuisance.

Otherwise, the car is sort of middling. The interior pleases me with its minimalism but it's far from Audi TT beautiful. The exterior has clean, sharp lines, but again, you won't find anyone drooling over it. The car is comfortable and quiet enough for long trips, but a "Grand Tourer" it is not. The engine is very high tech and fun to rev, but its gutless below 2,000 RPM. Finally, real people can fit in the back seat and real luggage can fit in the trunk, it just better be short people and small luggage. So, all in all, the Prelude has been a pleasure to own, but it's beginning to lose its luster.

So, now my challenge is to find a worthy replacement. The ideal car for me would be a Performance Packaged BMW 330i...if someone else were paying for it. With price as a consideration, that leaves but a few choices. The Mitsubishi EVO, Subaru WRX STi, Infiniti G35, and, of course, the RX-8. On paper, the EVO and STi strike me as cartoonish outside, cheap inside, loud, and breathtakingly fast. In other words, great in town and on the back roads, exhausting on trips, and somewhat embarassing to be seen in. The G35 sounded good on paper, then I drove it. I came away disappointed with its "big on the outside, small on the inside" packaging, reluctant shifter, long doors, wide turning radius, and most importantly, it's utter lack of lightness.

So, without further adieu (I know, that was a *lot* of adieu), on to the RX-8. Before driving it, I was expecting great things from the suspension, a Miata-like shifter, sharp steering, and an engine that never gets sick of revving. I also thought the "Freestyle" door system and reasonably roomy back seats, all in a lightweight, compact body, were just what the doctor ordered. On ther other hand, I kept asking myself, Where's the torque? And, What's with that fuel economy? I had also hoped the trunk would be a bit larger and that the back seats would fold down.

So, driving by my local Mazda dealership yesterday, I did my now customary "RX-8 check," and for the first time, I didn't come up empty. In fact, they had several. In a flash, I was behind the wheel of a black stripper RX-8 with a 6-speed. The first thing I noticed was how close together the pedals were. Then I noticed how well they worked. The throttle was responsive and the brake pedal felt taught, just like my Prelude, only tighter. The steering also felt right, and the shifter was precise and engaged with just the right amount of resistance.

And then it dawned on me how seriously lacking the torque was, and how little I seemed to care. I proceeded to experiment with various combinations of high gears and low speeds, and I came to a most remarkable conclusion: the rotary engine is one smooth operator. I was doing things that would cause my Prelude to shake itself to pieces or throw a rod, and the engine just kept purring. True, it wasn't doing much in the way of accelerating, but I was thinking, "I could get used to this." With that revelation behind me, I put my foot into it and let the revs climb to the far reaches of the tach. *Now* I was accelerating, yet the engine continued to just purr nonchalantly. Amazing.

I began slowing down, realizing that I was going a tad fast for the road I was on, then I looked over and noticed that the motorcycle cop sitting on the side of the road also thought the same thing and was waving me over. Unable to sweet talk my way out of the ticket, I sheepishly pulled away and resumed the test drive, albeit with somewhat less enthusiasm. At least I could still test the handling without getting myself into any more trouble. As we entered a long highway entrace ramp, the familiar 30-MPH left hander beckoned, and we rapidly approached. The car turned in beautifully, but then I began to notice a strange tugging sensation. I wasn't sure what it was, since I didn't think base models had stability control, but whatever it was, it didn't upset or noticeably slow the car, it just felt wierd. The remainder of the drive was pleasant but uneventful.

And that pretty much sums up my experience. I still can't figure out if I should love any car that's good enough to get me in trouble, or curse it for being unlucky All in all, I came away surprised with how much I liked the rotary but a little confused about the handling. Everthing else was as good as I was expecting, although the fuel economy and trunk are still issues. So, I guess I'm still up in the air on what my next car will be.

So, if anyone out there has comments, explanations, or advise for me, I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers,

-Dan

Wankeler

Damn,

A ticket issued on a road test.... sorry to hear that. You should have blamed the salesman. "He made me do it!" "I was happy at 5000rpm, but noooooooooo, take it closer to the redline he says..."

As far as your thoughts on the 8... as a Prelude driver.... what'd ya think? Think you could live with the "feel" of Mazda's new car? I'm sure the Prelude, when purchased new, wasn't close to the tag price of a new 8, but personally, I really like the cabin of the new RX-8. Better than any of the Honda's I've ever owned (couple of Accords and an 86 Prelude Si - all manuals)... hell I think it even surpasses the comfort of my 93 Signature Series Town Car (back seat not included - ever try fooling around in rear bucket seats? Ouch!)

Now that I think about it... my new 8 will cost me more than the Lincoln did.... but then that was 1994 dollars.

Peace

DanThMan

Hi Wankeler,

Thanks for your sympathy Judging from the grin on his face, this cop seemed to take a distinct pleasure in issuing me a ticket expressly because I was on a test drive. I think he had staked out the road I was on knowing full well that the many dealerships in the area often use it for test drives.

Could I live with the RX-8? I've been anxiously following the RX-8's progress since I first read about it a couple years ago or so, and after driving it, I can't say that I'm disappointed. On the other hand, I can't say that I'm entirely convinced I want one either. I'd like to be able to find a car that improves on my car in as many ways as possible yet doesn't exceed the low $30K (US) range.

I may be forgetting a couple things, but here's a list of features and how the RX-8 stacks up to my Prelude (all IMHO of course):

* Engine: much smoother, more ultimate power (how much apparently remain to be seen!), low-end torque no better
* Fuel efficiency: (much?) worse (my Prelude generally gets 22-23 MPG in mixed driving, which I was hoping to improve on)
* Shifter: an extra gear, shorter throws, feel not quite as good
* Clutch: equal to better, less travel
* Steering: better
* Brakes: better
* Handling: potentially much better but I'm still confused by my experience (see the beginning of this thread)
* Ride: not enough information yet, but it felt more "taut" than my Prelude (probably a good thing)
* Comfort/space: driver seat at least as good, back seats definitely better, free-style doors very cool
* Interior design: more style (most of it tasteful), far better steering wheel, more luxuries, even more minimalist instrumentation
* Exterior: more interesting for sure, some angles quite striking, no angles offend me
* Trunk: a bit smaller, limited by no fold-down seats, at least there's a pass-through
* "Urban convenience factor": much better turning radius, seems much less likely to scrape it's chin/nose when pulling into and out of driveways (something my Prelude does sometimes even if I slow way down), doors can open wider without hitting car next to you (San Diego has very compact parking spots)

So, on balance, the RX-8 definitely looks to be a good step up for me, and emotionally, I want to like this car. I have a lot of respect for the impressive package Mazda has put together here. No other car I can think of has the same combination of virtues for such a good price. What other rear drive four seater has such a light and nimble feel? What other car manages to fit such a roomy cabin into such a compact sporty shape? The major disappointment for me is that Mazda wasn't able to eek quite the same efficiency out of the thirsty rotary engine or the small, non-expandable trunk.

If I can get past these issues and nothing better comes along, I'll probably be very proud to one day drive home an '05 RX-8.

-Dan

P.S. The Prelude Type SH actually had an MSRP of about $26K (US) in 1998, so the RX-8 would really not be a much more expensive proposition, depending on how I option it out.

graphicguy

Good to see an abjective view in here.

Whatever you decide to get, you sound like the sort of person who can make an intelligent decision.

Good luck in your quest.

PS....that's a bitch about the ticket.