Having driven an XR8 for 8 years, last week's test drive of an RX8 was an eye opener...:D
My only previous encounter with the way of the Wankel was watching the odd RX3 tear down a dragstrip....Did not get a chance to endanger the redline though....What's it like way up there???

Regards from the converted,

Gomez

 

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!
Revs so smoothly that you wish it could go for another 2 or 3 thousand.

This is my first rotary, having been converted by my cousin who's got a RX4 with a PAC performance 11 sec package.

Thought VTEC was great until I drove the 8.
Fell in love and brought it there on the spot.

You'll love wringing its neck!

 

If my experiance is anything to go by, the test drive is about 10% as good as driving it on a windy road ... I even had a breif trip on dirt on way back from Noosa, an accident blocked the highway, and its so well balanced on dirt is amazing !!

 

I plan to order the car next week, can anyone recommend the factory alarm, or is a decent aftermarket jobbie the way to go?


Regards, Gomez.

 

Go Quicktrak or don't bother with an alarm at all.

 

Good advice..

The dealer had a few stolen from the backlot one with an alarm.

He basicly said that if a professional is going to steal your car they will take it no matter how good your alarm is.

For an amature the 3 way system that comes stock with the car would be hard enough to get the car moving.

Regards
Phillip

 

Gomez,

If you haven't already done so, go and see Fig at Penfold Mazda in Burwood before you order your 8.

Regards,
Tony

 

Gomez,

Welcome from another previous V8 owner. Except I came from the "other" camp :p . Although I miss the sheer grunt of the 5.7L LS1, and the 13 second bracket 1/4 mile times, I absolutley enjoy my '8. I'm still smiling! The handling, balance, and braking is outstanding.

About alarms, sorry, I don't have any advice to offer. I like the GPS / GSM type trackers, but I guess they can be circumvented, and cell coverage is no 100%. In fact as part of my job I have worked on some web based in-vehicle GPS/GPRS tracking. Fun stuff! We did do "spatial alarms", but the market my company targets is not in the consumer space.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Thank's Tony....I have been dealing with City Mazda up to this point, they practically threw the keys at me the first time I walked in, so I have nothing but praise for the customer service up to now .

Penfolds; good price , good service, or both???

Gomez

 

Gomez,

I too went to City Mazda initially and was impressed with Jay and had every intention of ordering the car from him. I accidently came across Fig at Penfolds and was also impressed with his professionalism and attitude. I got the best price from Fig and I have been very happy with the service thus far.

Regards
Tony

 

Gomez... Patrick the manager is the one to talk to! Brain the cheif manager also listen to him. He is a bit slow on delivery but I have to say the predelivery guy Chris and the whole garage is 100% fantastic.

I also went to Penfold... they are very nice. Also check out Brighton too, they offer me a Mazda 6 to drive while waiting for the RX-8! I don't know where to get it but just get it fast and cheap! After service is just excellent every where. I recomand going to city for service (I hope they do Sat). Remember I top up my engine oil and they did not charge me a cent? This is how good city Mazda is!

 

Thanks guys for all your recommendations....What led me to the Rx8 was the negative comments regarding build quality on the BA Falcon and comments about poor service and support at dealers...The last thing I wanted after forking over 50 odd gorillas was grief from dealers .

I was this far from a deposit on a GT when the COTY was announced..I've had V8's for 20 years...

Its great to hear that the Melb dealers are looking after you guys...There don't seem to be too many major quality or reliability issues with the RX8...Ford Forums have huge threads of woe.
Particularly with brakes..

Hymee, the loss of torque after stepping out of a V8 will not be greatly missed if the RX8's handling is all that I've read it is!!!

My test drive included too much perve and not enough curve:D


Gomez

 

Gomez,

After just cracking the 1000 km on the clock as i drove to work today, i took a corner that normaly should be taken at around 45km/h at 90km/h and the rx8 went around it as if i was still going straight and changing lanes. I could not believe it did not oversteer at all. i got out of the corner with a big smile on my face.

Then i had to slow down as the customer was outside my office already, ( early bird ).

I cant not wait for the drive home

Regards
Phillip

 

It makes the everyday commute to and from work a whole lot more exciting doesn't it?

 

I came here to learn, and learn I did.

This forum has been enlightening and informative. All good things must come to an end, however.

Thanks to all who have made my stay enjoyable, you know who you are.

 

Ciao.... .

 

Ciao made your stay enjoyable??????

 

he is even thinking of Ciao when he is leaving.... how sweet?!? (why not think of L&L too?)

 

He's leaving? He got a new car? Or he doesn't like us anymore?

 

What's going on? Did I miss something?

 

yes gomez, what is going on.. other than bringing up a post from the dead?

beers

 

why do ppl kept on asking questions when you know he will not be here answering...?

 

Have fun, see you around the neighbourhood

 

Good question! Who knows?

It is written the answer to that question was lost centuries ago.

 

Why do you keep answering questions with another question?