Another test drive story
 

I`m sure this will repeat a lot of what has already been said but, what the hell.

It's a while since I saw the pre-production model in Manchester and what struck me was absolutely no photo can do the RX8 justice. It has a lot of presence especially with the large 18" alloys nicely filling the wheel arch.

Salesman took us out initially, just to warm it up. He floored it doing a right out of a roundabout which brought a wide smile to my face.

A few B roads later we swapped seats. The steering feels weighty, solid and responsive. Dial cluster looks great, well backlit during daylight hours in white. Comfortable driving position, and visability wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

I was surprised how well it pulled in 4th and 5th. Contrary to what I had read, you don't really have to work at the gearbox unless your giving it some. Its quite happy cruising along.

I didn't go above 7000rpm because it only had 300miles on the clock, but I just loved the sound as the revs climbed about 6000.
Because of the linear response, it's just soooo easy to hit the high revs, your almost compelled to.

Drving it was a pure pleasure and it just kept bringing a smile to my face.

Oh, My December 5th delivery has now changed to 25th Novemebr (Titanium, Leather, Sat Nav) ;) . Can't wait.........

The salesman, my girlfriend and I got the beeper on on our testdrive - and the car was under 300 miles!!

Remind me not to buy an ex-demo car from anywhere near Edo!

PS - glad you enjoyed the drive - it'll be even more fun inyour own one though.

;-)

Seems to be some mixed thoughts (as ever) on run in. A friend of mine razzed the Sh*t out of his S3 from day one, and its still going well after 85k (in less than 3 years). Some people take it very gently for 1000 miles.

I prefer to do somewhere between the two - will take it easy for a few hundred (wont take me long), and use the full rev range occasionally initially once the car is warmed up...

I thinkwith run in in the factory, modern engines, and warranties, it should be ok.

Salesman?

both my test drives have been solo! Just pick up the mates and go cruising!!!!!

Isn't it funny how some salesmen/dealerships are happy to let you go off on your own, and others want to practically babysit you all the way through...

Had my second test drive from JCT600 Bradford yesterday, and all I was going to get was a trip to the top of the M606, down top the M62 and back again. I had to press for an option to go and test out some twisties :(

Got the impression that, since I'd already sold myself the car and preordered on t'internet, he wasn't bothered about giving me an extensive drive as he wasn't going to get any commission out of selling it to me :p

Probably wouldn't have been allowed out on my own with it anyway with it being Bradford and all that... :D

My guy had no problem with me hitting the rev alarm and I think it's a must before buying this car.

Also I agree with Edo with regard to the runnimng-in period, I intend to redline now and then, can't just sit there for 1000K at 6k revs max.

rael

the dealer down here is strictly babysitting all test drives. When i enquired if the demo car had been run in..... i got a smile and a yes. Clarification was.... its done 200 miles yesterday, and today its revving if anything, a little freeer today. Its been redlined and more by nearly every test driver!. Yep, me thinks, i dont think id be keen to buy a ex demo Rx8 for this very reason. (Assuming i wanted to keep it longer than 2-3 years!)