Hey guys,

I went into a dealership today to test drive the 8. During my 10min drive, this is what I've discovered

At idle, the car is quiet, yet the gear shifter was vibrating violently. You can calm it down by holding it, but I was surprised to see it move like that.

I hate the clutch. It feels like it was designed for a girl with no leg muscles. No clutch feel at all. It's so light that I couldn't tell if I was engaged or not, until the gears jerked in position when i let go. I guess I have to get use to this. I prefer a stiff clutch, because you know immediately if you're doing any harm. (or good).

I drove in a GS model. The seats were too high IMO. I prefer sitting low. The GT model can lower the seats electronically a bit, which is a slight improvement. Talking about seats, I had to move the seats back for more leg room. This leaves very little room at the back. No normal adult can fit back there. I'm 5'10". This car should have been a coupe. No point in the suicide doors with that little leg space.

The steering wheel is small, which is nice, but sometimes I find it difficult to read the guages, speedometer, tach etc. Maybe if they made them bigger, things would be easier. But it may just a matter of time to get use to it.

The rotary engine is very nice. I noticed right away that it's not your typical piston engine. I can drive at 6000rpm without even noticing. Very smooth linear power. Not much torque, but it speeds up quite quickly.

Compared to my MR2 Turbo, it didn't give me the thrill I expected. It's rather a calm and refined type of car. Maybe I have to push the car to it's limits, but I wasn't going to do that during a test drive with Mr. Dealership man beside me. These guys worry to much.

During the trip I smelled something funny. Didn't know what it was. After I got back, I asked to open up the hood. I guessed correctly, there was smoke coming from the engine. I think it was oil leak (white smoke). Doesn't say good things about Mazda quality.

Because of this experience, I don't think it really like the RX8. Let me know if this car deserves a second chance. If I drove a civic previously, I definately would be in love with this car. However, my background is Mid-Engine Turbos. After jumping from the RX8, back to my MR2, the MR2 felt more lively and steering/suspension feel was noticable.

Also, it was difficult to bargain with these guys. I could get freight PDI off , but I want at least $2K off the sticker price. There is also about $400 of extra stuff I wasn't aware of. Like Admin, A/C tax, some other tax ??? Even more reason not to buy a new car. I'm getting ripped off. Let me know if any of you decide to sell their 8 :D

Thanks,
Ken

 

A bit of vibration is normal for a rotary at idle. Violently? Methinks you exaggerate a bit. The shifter is mounted directly to the transmission, no mushy cable to hide the feel. At anything above idle, the shifter vibration disappears, and the gearbox is the best on the market. period!

Quote:

I hate the clutch. It feels like it was designed for a girl with no leg muscles. No clutch feel at all. It's so light that I couldn't tell if I was engaged or not, until the gears jerked in position when i let go. I guess I have to get use to this. I prefer a stiff clutch, because you know immediately if you're doing any harm. (or good).

Actually, a light clutch is better for feel - there isn't anything macho about a stiff clutch anymore, as it's completely unnecessary with modern clutch designs. I much prefer a lighter clutch, as it's easier to modulate - the feel doesn't come from the stiffness, but from the dynamic responses. You just need to get used to driving a modern clutch!

Quote:

I drove in a GS model. The seats were too high IMO. I prefer sitting low. The GT model can lower the seats electronically a bit, which is a slight improvement. Talking about seats, I had to move the seats back for more leg room. This leaves very little room at the back. No normal adult can fit back there. I'm 5'10". This car should have been a coupe. No point in the suicide doors with that little leg space.

I'll strongly disagree. Unless you drive riceboy style (reclined, arms straight out) , there is real room. I'm also 5'10", and I drive with my seat positioned as they teach in driving schools - relatively upright, I can place my wrist on top of the steering wheel without moving my shoulders forward from the seat. With the drivers seat positioned properly, I can seat in the rear seat behind it, with my knees just barely brushing the back of the front seat.

Quote:

The steering wheel is small, which is nice, but sometimes I find it difficult to read the guages, speedometer, tach etc. Maybe if they made them bigger, things would be easier. But it may just a matter of time to get use to it.

The steering wheel is height adjustable (tilt).

Quote:

During the trip I smelled something funny. Didn't know what it was. After I got back, I asked to open up the hood. I guessed correctly, there was smoke coming from the engine. I think it was oil leak (white smoke). Doesn't say good things about Mazda quality.

Oil smoke is blue or grey (coolant smoke is white). If the car was pretty new, all RX-8s gave off fumes when new - it's the coatings on the exhaust systems burning off.

Quote:

Because of this experience, I don't think it really like the RX8. Let me know if this car deserves a second chance. If I drove a civic previously, I definately would be in love with this car. However, my background is Mid-Engine Turbos. After jumping from the RX8, back to my MR2, the MR2 felt more lively and steering/suspension feel was noticable.

The car definitely deserves a second chance! Remember, by Mazda's own tests, the RX-8 outhandles the 93-96 FD RX-7, even though the suspension is softer. It feels more refined, but it is incredibly capable - a stiff suspension doesn't automatically mean better handling.

Regards,
Gordon

 

if it's not in the seat of your pants enough for you, wait for the mazdaspeed 8 or rx7 :D

 

Well, the clutch isn't going to get heavier, the shifter will always vibrate, the seat doesn't go lower (the manual seats are lower though), the gauges are as big as they're gonna get, and the Renesis was designed to be smooth, not peaky.

Can you get used to all that? I dunno, it's all a matter of personal taste and preference, and it doesn't sound like your cup of tea.

Personally, I love the light clutch. Playing with this car for hours is a delight, not a workout. I enjoy perfect shifts, up and down, with excellent feedback. It's my favorite part of driving the car.

The shifter only vibrates at idle. I don't shift at idle, lol.

The manual seats (which I have) sit lower. Visibility is excellent. I'm nearly 6'3", and people can still sit behind me. And I don't drive Nascar style.

I see the gauges fine. I love the centered tach. It's almost TOO much fun to watch. It took a few days to get used to reading the digital speed, but now I love it.

The engine was specifically designed to be linear and smooth, not peaky. True, it doesn't give a kick in the backside feeling - but I've trade that for a more controllable, predictable throttle response. Sudden turbo boost or VTEC surge isn't for me - fun in a drag race, but not so great when carving up twisties.

I have no idea about the smoke. If you read around the forum, you'll see that the Renesis is darn reliable. Mazda quality poor? Aside from some minor first year issues, the car is very nicely done.

 

As for space, I have had 4 adults, of 6 feet tall and over, no problems. The only difficult part was getting the guy behind me out, had to move the seat forward, lol, as is with all smaller cars, but the suicides make it so much easier.

 

The clutch is not all that friendly on the car right out of the factory IMO, it gets way better after a bit of use. Initially mine tended to catch very quickly right at the floor. That was totally opposite to my Audi and I had a hard time getting use to it. I would say it took me 3000Km to really get comfortable with the car overall, 10 minutes won't do it. There is not much to really not like about the car after you have driven it for a while, actually it's a total hoot to drive. Switching between cars is a tricky thing, you become one with the machine after a while and everything else feels wierd when you first drive it. IMO what you know will always feel better when comparing similar classes of cars. Other than an oil change and a firmware update to the ECU my car has required no other maintenance. The vibrating stick is a weird quirk but there is no vibration transmitted to the cabin so it's inconsequential. The guages are great except I still would have prefered an analog speedo. The smoke/smell will burn off in a couple hours if you work the car hard though some twisties. I would give it another try . . .

 

Thanks guys. I still do like RX8.. maybe its the new car feel or something. Other than the rx8, I was considering wrx or sti. I would like to have more room, hence the change from my mr2. I don't drive rice style or nascar style - i think. I prefer the seat upright, but low and far enough back so my legs feel comfortable. This is usually a little further back than most people. It's still better than 2+2 seats, it's more like 2++2, but not the same room as a true 4 door.

I assumed that new clutches are light now. I don't think light is always better, it's just different. Requires getting use to.

The tach is not bad, but the digital speedo is not always visible. I can adjust the tilt, but i like the wheel a certain way. Getting use to these things take time.. who knows.. i may like it in time.. or dislike it even more.

White smoke, no matter what someone says, is BAD. This wasn't from the exhaust, it was from the engine bay.

I didn't get to go wide open throttle during the test drive. Can you get 0-60 in 6 seconds ? Or is that a myth ?

I would like to wait for the mazda speed RX8, but I probably wouldn't be able to afford it. Considering the price of the Mazda speed Miata, I expect a big price jump.

The funny thing is I'm still excited about the car even tho I didn't like certain things at first.. I liked Ti Gray, but winning blue is getting more attractive everyday.. hmmm.. :D

 

Not all clutch are soft this day. WRX are very heavy compare to RX8. Its really depends on the personal perference.

 

I test drove a red RX8 GS 6speed manual yesterday. Gotta say the clutch is on the soft side as compares to my current weekend car, a 2000 Miata. Like people mentioned here it is all about personal perference. Personally, I like my clutch a bit harder to get the better feel. The RX8 is so forgiving. It revs freely and the overall refinement. Before you know it, you are driving way pass the speed limits. Not as nimble as Miata around the tight corners, but it is flat and predictable. Was thinking about treading in the Miata and get the MS Miata but I may want to re-consider now...

 

hey, this guy doesn't like the car...thats all right, dont buy it then!!

 

I have had some issues with the clutch, but they relate to pedal throw and pedal position.My Fb had a very light clutch, but it was short throw and relatively high, so very little foot movement was required.

In my 8 I am finding that the long pedal travel and (relatively) low friction point takes some getting used to. The clutch engages so low that I have to have the seat so far forward that my gas leg is always bent.

In my Fb both legs were straight, so I could heel/toe, heel/toe, through all the gears. In the 8 it's more like heel/knee, heel/knee.

HOWEVER - it's one heck of a car so I'll forgive it it's peculiarities.

 

I initially had problems doing smooth upshifts.

I was lifting my entire foot onto the clutch, and I found it difficult to release the clutch without it catching abruptly.

What I found works well is to actually place my heel on the floor, and lean my foot (toes) back to release the clutch (versus basically lifting my entire leg and foot).

Basically the same thing you do with the accelerator.

Heal/toe downshifting depends on my shoes. My casual shoes have a short heel and work well wherever I sit. But my dress shoes have a taller heel, so I need to sit back farther to give my foot room to swing over onto the accelerator. Otherwise I end up catching the edge of the pedal with the side of my foot.

 

in reference to the Mazda speed 8, I had Maurice order me the spark plugs, and Airfilter for the mazdaspeed. Other than the Flywheel and a different tune, there is not much difference. Once we throw in those plugs, we are going to tune my car this weekend......I can't wait. The plugs will allow us more flexibility in tuning the stage one. So other than a few small differences, I guess I can convince myself I have the mazdaspeed version.........lol.......minus the body add-ons which I am not a fan of anyway.

 

I agree with heelintoe, I was shifting the same way at first. I had just gotten rid of my accord. Before that I had never had a true sports car experience, other than borrowing or test driving.

I actually really prefer the light clutch, I have a lower back problem that flares up occasionally, not needing heavy pressure on the clutch is easier on my back. I have to disagree on seat comfort, I have the base model with the manual seats. Mine's almost all the way down because I'm 6'3". I find those seats are the most comfortable I've ever sat in. If I could have one of those seats in my office... .

 

Ya, I agree, if you don't like the car do not buy it. I love it and that is all I have to say!!''

doug

 

No worries. I'm not planning on buying it anymore. I may take a look at it again next year when some more money rolls my way. Perhaps the 2005s will have some improvements. Thanks.