HeelnToe

Any predictions what the side impact ratings will be?

I assume no agency has tested it yet for side impacts? I haven't found any info... just frontal crash data.

I'm specifically moving out of my Eclipse into an RX-8 because of the Eclipse's dismal side impact ratings. But I'd like to know the RX-8 will be better.

I realize the 8 has side airbags, but that lack of a real B-pillar has me wondering how the heck it's supposed to resist an impact. Is there some sort of reinforcing in the doors to at least pretend to be real pillars?

himitsu

There is a report already out... in fact a few of them, which we dont know yet.
The virtual B pillar works very well, and it received a good rating on the test. 4 out of 5 stars...
Just as a comparison...the Mazda 3 with conventional 4 doors, received only 3 out of 5 on the side.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=side+impact

Do a search... thats just 1 thread.

Gord96BRG

There IS a real B pillar - it's just part of the rear door, rather than permanently welded to the rest of the frame. It's designed to do very well in all current and near future side collision requirements. There have been videos posted of the Mazda side impact tests, and I believe it's been tested in Europe already.

Mazda was specifically concerned about how it would do in side impacts with the freestyle doors, so it is in fact over-engineered for side impact safety.

Regards,
Gordon

ptiemann

I remember to have read on this forum that the RX-8 got better side impact ratings (4 stars) than the BMW 330i (3 stars).

In that test they did not have frontal results yet because of the airbag recall.

Other_Dave

The side impact tests done by nhtsa basically said "side airbags good, no side airbags bad." The Rx8 has side aribags standard and therefore scored quite well.

HeelnToe

Yea, my apologies, I didn't search very well... now I'm finding the threads though

But that's fantastic news... I didn't think it would do nearly as well as it apparently did in side impacts.

I'm trying to find a reason to NOT buy this car, lol... and so far, all my concerns (except milage) have been resolved. Darn it

Hard 8

You're toast, dude: Try to find another new car under $30,000 that: (1) Has rear-wheel drive; (2) Has at least four real seats; (3) has four doors; and (4) Weighs 3,000 pounds or less.

I don't think another such car exists. This is the only one that I can think of. Everything else is heavier, and/or clumsier, and/or more expensive, and/or wrong-wheel drive, etc.

HeelnToe

LOL, I've driven the Evo, WRX, TSX, RSX, GLI... some were fast, some were classy, but none of them seemed to be Just Right for me. I had pretty much resigned myself to getting a Civic or Mazda3 since I'm not spending 28K on a car unless it's PURRFECT.

Then this sweet little 8 started calling at me every time I walked past. And I gave in.

Dang it Mazda. Dang you all to heck!

ranger4277

Or you can see crash tests here . Too bad they're in stupid Real format.

himitsu

Dont worry about milage... you see, most of the people with bad milage are those who are easy on the throttle. The rotary will guzzle any amount of fuel you inject into it, fast slow, it just keeps turning... so you drive fast, you get less than 10mpg, you drive conservatively you can hit 20+ yes huge difference, unlike normal piston engines.

You know you want it! :D

Go down to the dealer, listen to the seductive purr of the engine one more time for "assurance"...

Loaded8

Are you a hypnotist? lol.... :D