TTAC: RX-8 vs FRS
11-20-2012, 11:16 AM
#1
TTAC: RX-8 vs FRS
Mountain State Review: 2013 Scion FR-S vs. 2006 Mazda RX-8 | The Truth About Cars
I think he kinda wimps out in the end, but amazing how a decade-old design beats (IMO) the latest and greatest from Toyota/Subaru.
I think he kinda wimps out in the end, but amazing how a decade-old design beats (IMO) the latest and greatest from Toyota/Subaru.
11-20-2012, 11:29 AM
#2
11-20-2012, 12:14 PM
#3
^ True. However, I do think the sway bars on the 8 are soft compared to most sports cars. With my Tokiko D-Specs cranked to cushmobile, even with stiffer springs (RB), there's not that much difference in interstate cruising ride quality between it and my Camry Solara. The complaints Karesh had about the BRZ in highway cruise mode, pretty much aren't there with the 8 and the softer bars are a significant contribution to that.
11-20-2012, 03:05 PM
#5
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11-20-2012, 03:16 PM
#6
But i will give it to Toyota and Subaru they made i fun little car much like the RX8.
Last edited by Vorsanss; 11-20-2012 at 03:19 PM.
11-20-2012, 03:28 PM
#8
good point!
11-20-2012, 09:45 PM
#10
I HATE SPEEDBUMPS!
11-21-2012, 02:51 AM
#11
Super Moderator
It is a much better comparing Toybarus' with the MX-5/Miata which is not a fixed coupe BTW, but a Roadster...so not really fair.
And I use 'comparison' loosley...how can you 'compare' a BANGER with a Rotary really gets me.
There is NO fecking comparison, the RX-8 tactile 'live' feeling is something that has to be owned to be appreciated.
ANYONE who says the Toybaru is a better option than the last of the RX-8's (S2's) needs castrating...seriously you are a disgrace to even compare.
And no I have not read it and will not bother...
And I use 'comparison' loosley...how can you 'compare' a BANGER with a Rotary really gets me.
There is NO fecking comparison, the RX-8 tactile 'live' feeling is something that has to be owned to be appreciated.
ANYONE who says the Toybaru is a better option than the last of the RX-8's (S2's) needs castrating...seriously you are a disgrace to even compare.
And no I have not read it and will not bother...
11-21-2012, 03:03 AM
#12
Super Moderator
Still have not read it...but some of the comments I have...DUMB, '''Mazda should have put a banger in the RX-8 and call it an MX-8'''......what a FW...
This guy gets it...
Great review, MK. Honestly. You nailed it.
I’m probably getting older and much crankier, but I detested my test drive in the FR-S.
Hopping back into the RX-8 and driving back home LITERALLY like getting into a Lexus in terms of interior quality, quietness, ride quality (not a marshmallow Lexus, but a clean tracking one that has a magical combination of ride quality and handling) and visibility & room.
About the steering effort, the Toybaru feels artificial to my perceptions, but maybe that’s just me. The Mazda’s steering rivals any that’s a beacon of teutonic excellence, with appropriate boost from the electrical assist, and no kickback over rough roads thanks to some nice engineering using magnesium components.
Even IF the Toybarus were as refined, the RX-8 handles just as well, tracks faster all things being equal, and actually has a rear seat that is large enough to really do sedan duty if one needs to.
I average about 20.2 mpg consistently (with a 6MT) in the Mazda, with about 35% highway and 65% city driving, which is fine by me, especially since I’m often in the 5,000 rpm+ zone that the Mazda prefers.
I don’t dislike the Toybaru, but it feels too unfinished, plasticky and is too loud and uncomfortable for my likings. It’s the type of car that would give me frequent headaches to have to live with on a daily basis.
I’m sure the kiddies love it some, though. They’d probably have loved it a whole lot more had Toyota/Subaru put 50 more horsies under its hood, naturally aspirated
WHO IS THIS GUY>>>>
I’ve tried on a BRZ and didn’t like it at all. The most irritating impression was how close my head was to the edge of the roof on the driver’s side, and I’m only 5’8″. Perhaps the seat could have been lowered, but that would have only emphasized the feeling of being in a submarine, or worse, a Camaro.
Also, I spend way too much time on interstates and rough pavement to deal with crappy ride quality. The Mazda does just fine in cruise mode, even moreso with the adjustable Tokiko D-Spec shocks I have on mine. The “cost” if you will, is relatively soft sway bars which result in more body roll. However, as Ahmad has pointed out, overly-stiff bars may give the illusion of “sport”, but may well be a detriment to cornering.
This guy gets it...
Great review, MK. Honestly. You nailed it.
I’m probably getting older and much crankier, but I detested my test drive in the FR-S.
Hopping back into the RX-8 and driving back home LITERALLY like getting into a Lexus in terms of interior quality, quietness, ride quality (not a marshmallow Lexus, but a clean tracking one that has a magical combination of ride quality and handling) and visibility & room.
About the steering effort, the Toybaru feels artificial to my perceptions, but maybe that’s just me. The Mazda’s steering rivals any that’s a beacon of teutonic excellence, with appropriate boost from the electrical assist, and no kickback over rough roads thanks to some nice engineering using magnesium components.
Even IF the Toybarus were as refined, the RX-8 handles just as well, tracks faster all things being equal, and actually has a rear seat that is large enough to really do sedan duty if one needs to.
I average about 20.2 mpg consistently (with a 6MT) in the Mazda, with about 35% highway and 65% city driving, which is fine by me, especially since I’m often in the 5,000 rpm+ zone that the Mazda prefers.
I don’t dislike the Toybaru, but it feels too unfinished, plasticky and is too loud and uncomfortable for my likings. It’s the type of car that would give me frequent headaches to have to live with on a daily basis.
I’m sure the kiddies love it some, though. They’d probably have loved it a whole lot more had Toyota/Subaru put 50 more horsies under its hood, naturally aspirated
WHO IS THIS GUY>>>>
I’ve tried on a BRZ and didn’t like it at all. The most irritating impression was how close my head was to the edge of the roof on the driver’s side, and I’m only 5’8″. Perhaps the seat could have been lowered, but that would have only emphasized the feeling of being in a submarine, or worse, a Camaro.
Also, I spend way too much time on interstates and rough pavement to deal with crappy ride quality. The Mazda does just fine in cruise mode, even moreso with the adjustable Tokiko D-Spec shocks I have on mine. The “cost” if you will, is relatively soft sway bars which result in more body roll. However, as Ahmad has pointed out, overly-stiff bars may give the illusion of “sport”, but may well be a detriment to cornering.
11-21-2012, 07:17 AM
#13
The Slow and the Serious
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I still stand by my point, which was not that it shouldn't have been a rotary, but that even if the Renesis got panned, the body of the car itself shouldn't have gone to waste, and Mazda could still have a halo car. Why not give it a turbo 4, with more HP, more torque and better MPG, when Americans buy cars based on numbers, not handling. But whatever, I guess it's better for them to have no car at all than one with a different engine...
11-21-2012, 11:24 AM
#14
That was me...
I still stand by my point, which was not that it shouldn't have been a rotary, but that even if the Renesis got panned, the body of the car itself shouldn't have gone to waste, and Mazda could still have a halo car. Why not give it a turbo 4, with more HP, more torque and better MPG, when Americans buy cars based on numbers, not handling. But whatever, I guess it's better for them to have no car at all than one with a different engine...
I still stand by my point, which was not that it shouldn't have been a rotary, but that even if the Renesis got panned, the body of the car itself shouldn't have gone to waste, and Mazda could still have a halo car. Why not give it a turbo 4, with more HP, more torque and better MPG, when Americans buy cars based on numbers, not handling. But whatever, I guess it's better for them to have no car at all than one with a different engine...
The day Mazda drops the rotary engine from it's "soul" is the day I walk away from Mazda forever. If I wanted a piston powered car, I wouldn't bother with Mazda personally. My brand loyalty only extends so far as the continued development and proliferation of the rotary engine. That's the only thing that would convince me to purchase a Mazda piston engine car.
11-24-2012, 10:18 PM
#17
The day Mazda drops the rotary engine from it's "soul" is the day I walk away from Mazda forever. If I wanted a piston powered car, I wouldn't bother with Mazda personally. My brand loyalty only extends so far as the continued development and proliferation of the rotary engine. That's the only thing that would convince me to purchase a Mazda piston engine car.
11-26-2012, 12:41 PM
#18
I agree, it's a nice car, but I would rather have a Lotus or Porsche at that point. I'm more into the GT sized cars than the small roadsters. Doesn't mean that the MX5s are any less capable though, or that I wouldn't by say... an MX5 sized rotary car.
11-27-2012, 08:27 AM
#20
Rockie Mountain Newbie
They have no driving skills (nor usually any hair), and all they have left in their life is hopes and dreams (like hoping and dreaming that people think they are driving a cool car).
Thanks for fully clearing up the whole Camaro love fest thing for me.
It's been bugging me for a while.
BC.
11-28-2012, 04:03 PM
#22
Super Moderator
Says a lot...about MX-5 or Miata....and Elan.
Comments in the last few minutes says it all....like..
I get out of a Miata and think that the rest of the car industry is broken.....
11-29-2012, 12:20 PM
#23
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12-01-2012, 09:37 AM
#25
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X2. They seem to like to poke at the 8's mpg which I find funny since MT and C&D got poor mpg on the FRS when driving hard.
I looked at the FRS before I got my 8, not only could I not fit it, my wife and kids were SOL. The frs costs 25k in Canada before freight, taxes etc. I got my 09 r3 for 16k, the mpg advantage of the frs will never make up the 10k price difference
I looked at the FRS before I got my 8, not only could I not fit it, my wife and kids were SOL. The frs costs 25k in Canada before freight, taxes etc. I got my 09 r3 for 16k, the mpg advantage of the frs will never make up the 10k price difference