Four weeks and just under 1300 miles: General Thoughts

Mister Man · 06-13-2008, 02:01 AM

In one word: Phenomenal.

I had always wanted a vehicle with a rotary engine. I like the way they sound. I like the looks of a tach with a really high redline. When I was in my twenties that meant an RX-7. But, when I finally got the money to buy what I wanted, my life circumstances were such that having a two seater simply garnered a "No can do" response. All of you know that the RX-8 actually has four real seats, so I'll leave it at that. I'm thirty-five, I'm happily married and we have two kids: a 7 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. For what its worth, the Mrs is also thirty-five.

The kids like the car almost as much as I do. Anytime we are going out, they head straight for the RX-8. The two year old is saying "Zoom-Zoom" through his pacifier while I load him up in the other car. Sadly, most of the time we all go out, we jump in the Saab. It's a '04 9-3 that is no slouch but compared to the RX-8, it feels like a grandpa car.

The Mrs finds the RX-8 car to be a much needed "break". She can and does drive it but prefers to be a passenger whenever possible. So if I'm driving it means we are taking the fun car. We both work full time but the reality is that she still has to play taxi driver more than I.

Getting the Mazda was not a mid life crisis purchase. I call it the "family sports car" and the family seems to concur. We can go for a drive and even stop off for groceries on the way home. No one has ever been uncomfortable. Nor does anyone complain that the trip is taking too long. The phrase "Are we there, yet?" has not been spoken in the car.

I have, however, been asked to "take the long way home" on more than one occasion.

Then, there are those times when it is just me. I'm 5'9" and I weigh in at 150 lbs. The car just feels, right. Those are the times that the corners marked "10 mph" are taken at the fastest speed possible. I've taken one at 52 and another at 47. Those were back-to-back turns. I had a white Mustang GT behind me. He caught up.

Eventually

I didn't buy this car because it was the fastest car. I didn't buy this car because it was the prettiest car. Hell, to be honest I didn't even really meant to buy this car. Opportunity met need and Viola I have a car I've always admired. The Mrs. said, "Yes" and I've been saying "Thank you thank you thank you thank you" every since.

My last two vehicles were SUVs and the one before that was a truck. The SUVs had 5.3 liter engines that gave me over 330 hp. Not bad. But I am still trying to grasp the concept of a teeny 1.3 liter engine pushing out 232+ hp. The SUVs were giving me 62.26 hp/l but the RX-8 pumps out 178.46 hp/l.

Wow. Does that mean that a 5.3 liter Wankel would be capable of 946 hp? I don't know but that'd be wonderfully cool?

This is also the first vehicle in 10 years that I've actually wanted to work on. With my previous four vehicles, I was content to drop it off for service and pick it up later in the day. With this car, I want to do it all. I want to touch it and get its messy oil all over my hands. I want to get to know this vehicle and have an integral part in its upkeep. I want to be (in a word) responsible for its longevity.

I've already taken the head unit apart to install the Audio Link. I enjoy checking the oil. I've just installed a K&N air filter. This weekend, I will change the oil. Next weekend I will (finally) put on the clear corners I keep saying that I have. I plan to do the brake light mod (RX-8 or Zoom Zoom). I also plan to change out the bulbs to LEDS. This summer, I might even change the sway bars. I'd also like to install a short shifter.

As of now though, driving it is pure pleasure. Some like to complain about the "poor" gas mileage. I do not like to complain, at all. For me, getting approx 20 mpg in mixed driving is a blessing. My monthly gas bill has decreased 60%.

If I were to pick something to complain about, I'd complain that I don't get to drive it as much as I'd like. Right now, I am here typing this up wishing that there were a way to surf the internet and simultaneously drive (safely) at the same time. I'd also complain that the sound system needs "work".

But all in all you get a car that is great to drive, can haul around you and the family with ease, is fair at the pump and likes to have the throttle opened up widely. What more could you possibly want?

Zoom Zoom

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Renesis07 · 06-13-2008, 02:04 AM

Thats great man, Im very happy that the cars going good for you. My brother is 32 and he owned a Z. He always talked trash about how his modded Z was faster but everytime he got in my 8, he loved the four seats and he always said the 8 was more fun. Especially when his 2 boys were able to ride around with us!!

Have fun.

kersh4w · 06-13-2008, 11:22 AM

awesome. im glad you enjoy your 8.

dozer · 06-13-2008, 11:36 AM

SWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! your story brought a tear to my eye....i simply love this car and have the same story except for the fact that im 22 not married and dont have any children.....and WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION!!!! enjoy!

ken-x8 · 06-13-2008, 12:12 PM

Excellent, Man. I never had a burning desire to own a rotary, but when I was car shopping a couple of years ago and discovered the RX-8 I was mystified as to why I didn't. Buying Zoomy at age 61 was not a mid-life crisis. It was a deliberate second childhood. Which I'm now enjoying even more than my first.

Ken

jlf12345 · 06-13-2008, 12:25 PM

well, I do understand where you are coming from fairly well. To be honest, while intrigued by the rotary, I have never really liked imports. I've always wanted a late 60's fastback mustang, but that isn't really an option right now due being in the military, and not owning a garage. The other day, on a whim, I took a used RX-8 for a test drive after my wife and I purchased her new CX-7. I spent probably the next week searching the San Antonio area for an RX-8. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wanna just go cruise in my car, but due to low income (stupid military pay..) and high gas prices, that isn't really an option. I fell in love with this car, and despite any annoyances I've come across, in the end, it is a beautiful, magnificent machine, which, I always feel I have full control of when I am in the driver's seat.

jdoo · 06-13-2008, 12:31 PM

It took me 6 months to put 1400 miles on my new 2007 and I basically agree with everything you said. The RX8 wasn't exactly on my radar either until I made the decision to actually go ahead and buy a sports car. I'm really amazed at how such a practical car can be so fun.

phobi · 06-13-2008, 12:36 PM

aside from the Warranty Extention Thread (Woohoo! btw), and the "little things" thread, this has already become my favourite thread...

I look to be in the same situtation in a couple years (now 26...so maybe a bit longer than a couple) but anyways, this car ALLOWS us to realistically have kids + child seats, get groceries or whatnot...and when it's just me or me and the lady, i can redline the hell out of it and make my lady as well as my baby (car that is hehe...) happy as can be

risky business · 06-13-2008, 10:30 PM

i love mine too... hehe put over 1000 miles on her in the first week.... it would have been more, but i ran outa money, and i had to work 5 days that week

risky business · 06-13-2008, 10:33 PM

"Wow. Does that mean that a 5.3 liter Wankel would be capable of 946 hp? I don't know but that'd be wonderfully cool?"

hehe, it might.... but think about that for a second.... it would get like 5 Gallons to the MILE.... so no1 would buy it lol!

Mister Man · 06-13-2008, 11:04 PM

Well, thanks to all that read and all those who posted.

My wife is happy for no other reason then she believes that I will finally stop going from vehicle to vehicle every few years.

I just needed to find a car I really liked, was all.

04RX8man · 06-13-2008, 11:36 PM

a 5.3 making 946HP even at 5 gallons per mile I would think about it ha that would b an amazing machine haha....anyway I'm glad u r enjoying your 8 I'm sure about everyone on this site feels the same way about the car including me...I always catch myself "accidentially" missing my exit or turn just to have a few more miles with her haha but all in fun its just like getting a new toy when you're a kid however I at least have not gotten "tired" of this toy haha...Welcome to the Addiction!!!

xsnipersgox · 06-14-2008, 12:00 AM

since ur financially secured... i highly suggest the RP short shifter. i mean, i personally love the stock shifting already... but i tried an RP and let me tell you, you are going to fly through those 6 gears and begging for more. NO MORE mis-shifts.

Mister Man · 06-14-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsnipersgox

since ur financially secured... i highly suggest the RP short shifter. i mean, i personally love the stock shifting already... but i tried an RP and let me tell you, you are going to fly through those 6 gears and begging for more. NO MORE mis-shifts.

That sounds appealing. It had been ten years since I had been driving a stick on a regular basis. For some reason, almost a month later, I still have "issues" with fourth gear! Maybe I'll move the shifter "up" on the priority list.

I've almost gotten use to the carpal tunnel movement you need to make to get over to fifth, however.

kvndoom · 06-14-2008, 01:15 PM

I'd invest a little bit into putting some quality speakers in. If my 6 is any indication, Mazda head units have really great sound, but the speakers are AWFUL (typical cheap-ass factory crap that isn't even worthy of being sold at walmart). I haven't replaced mine yet in the RX8, because it isn't my daily driver and I'm hell-bent on paying off the 6 next year before I put any more leisure money into these cars. I think that mod alone will bring bliss to your ears, though, long before you change the HU or add an amp.