zoom44

it's called "double bubble" the 3rd gen rx-7 had it also. there was some concern awhile ago that this would be lost with a moonroof. but people that saw them at shows(elara being one) said this was not the case and this was confirmed with the posting of the pics of jsg's car as well. thanks lensman for the other great pics.

oilman

Guys!

I am absolutely thrilled by the enthusiasm about the 8 now, it was only a week ago that it was all doom and gloom.

Poor old Oilman has to do the County Show this week so no chance to see the car

Can any of you who have seen it cheer me up and post the picture in your collection that best represents the true image of the 8 in the flesh????

I'm greatly encouraged by what I'm reading from all of you and feel sure I've made a great decision.

Cheers
Oilman

PS. What's the sound system like? Anyone heard it??

Lensman

It's hard to capture the true essence of the car in one image but this comes close. This image makes it look small, low and poised which is the impression it gives me. Don't be fooled by the nose though, it's not the shovel that this implies, it's just right. The RX-8 looks like a really nice sports car (argue amongst yourselves about the appropriateness of the word 'sports') and has a whiff of Aston Martin about it, not in the quality so much as the general shape and eye catching curves (quality's not bad though). It could easily be mistaken for a two seater. Not everyone I saw looking at it realised it had rear doors.

I didn't hear the audio system and it wasn't the premium unit anyway (not enough speakers).

You won't be disappointed. Even if you find you have to push it to get it above 30mph you'll still love it!

oilman

Lensman,

Thanks for the pic and the earlier ones of the blue car.

Only one comment:

That rear light cluster is a bloody "work of art" truly amazing for detail and on a 22k car!!

Cheers
Oilman

Stu C

still jealous - I cant even get to Canary Wharf or Goodwood etc.

Still, glad to know i'll fit in it now. Roll on July/August/September etc. (I want this car now!)

:D :D


Talking o the sound system, is there a thread anywhere discussing cabin levels of noise?

STU

ChrisW

The best thing about the styling for me is the front end and I haven't seen any pictures that really capture it (the front cover of The Book is as good as any but it doesn't really do justice to it). It's just too three dimensional.

I think the closest you can get to it is to view the 360 degree view on Mazda's UK RX-8 website. Rotate it round to the front three-quarter view. Then keep rotating it a couple of positions backwards and forwards and look how the angled outer sections of the bonnet which swoop down and inwards to the headlights seem to grow out of the flanks - they are like a continuation of the front wheel arches and almost appear to float unsupported above the front wheels, giving it this muscular "ready to pounce" look, as it says in the book somewhere.

In photos from the side all you can see is the strongly emphasised wheel arches, and you wonder why they exagerated them to that degree. From the front you only see the sharply angled lights and parts of the bonnet and it looks dramatic, but not necessarily very pretty. Even front three-quarter photos naturally seem to emphasise only one of these views. Only when you can see both aspects simultaneously does it all make sense. This happens naturally and automatically when you see it for real.

In fact I'd even go as far as to speculate that the reason there is more hype and media excitement surrounding the 350Z than the RX-8 is down to the slab-sided nature of the Z's styling - it's much easier to "get" what the stylists are trying to do from a photo. I think RX-8 sales may really start to take off when people see them out on the roads and in the dealers.

GarySargent

This pic shows the front lines quite well, but you do need to see it really as photos don't seem to do it justice.

More photos here: http://www.garyspictures.co.uk/rx8

AnilS

Looking at some of the excellent pictures of the engine bay, I can't help but wonder why Mazda has not kept the rotor engine "cod-piece" silver, under the bonnet !



AnilS.

rael

Can anybody tell me how long the show is on for an how late in the evening it is open to.

Thanks,

rael.

PS Sighting reports sound great.

RobDickinson

2nd - 7th June, 10am - 6pm

www.motorexpo.co.uk

Lensman

Something I forgot to mention: I asked the Mazda rep about checking the oil with the dipstick. The dipstick is directly accessible but the oil filler is underneath the main plastic engine cover but this is easily removed.

Stephen

Have just returned from motordrive at Canary Warf. RX8 looked fantastic. Staff very helpfull.

Plus points: Great front end; most comfortbale seats ever; beautiful gear change; good rear view; excellent rear space (i'm 5'11".)

Bad points: Flimsy interior (Hopefully because it's a pre-production model.) Ridiculous wheel arch space (again, hopefull because it's Jap spec.)

I went back to it three times and each time it took my breath away. Unlike the 350ZX which just looks like a typical yank sports car.

Finally, it's bigger than I though too...BMW coupe size...

copperband

Steve,

I really am envious that you have seen it in the flesh while I have to sit here salivating at the pics, I share you concerns on the interior, its something that put me off the Subaru a little (last model). Anyway the rest makes up for that from what you described

It's a pity really that the mazda reps weren't helpful enough to let you take the car away inexchange for the herse that you currently drive:p

Ed

rael

I was not going to go and allow your positive comments plus the new picture keep my expectation high pending delivery but I decided to have a lookon Saturday.

rael.

Lensman

I was told that it was a Japanese production car, anyone know for sure?

shahpor

I was told it was a Japanese production car at motordrivelive and that it was a pre-production car at the motorexpo!

I tend to think that it is a pre-production car as the fit and quality of the interior was not up to scratch. Also, this car has been in the UK for some time and Japanses production has just started.

Shahpor

Lensman

Well then this just proves that information is fluid because there's only one RX-8 in the UK and we both saw it twice at two different locations. Unless you know different.

shahpor

That is exactly my point, it was the same car and both you and I saw twice.

One of the guys told me that this is indeed the only 8 in the country and it was not even suppose to be here! He said that the car was sent to Europe from Japan for some promotional work and that they wanted it back.

Apparently Mazda UK didn't want to send it back, so they didn't. The guy said that Mazda Japan didn't want to send us in the UK a car at all until September!

If what he says is true, than we should be grateful that we even saw a car at all.

Shahpor

Lensman

Oh, I see. Your first comment was ambiguous and seemed to imply that you were told there were two cars. Reading it again I can see that you meant that you'd been told it was one car but that this one car was a different build depending on who you spoke too. Better late than never!

MarkW

Well I went yesterday and my views mostly agree with what has already been said.

You really have to see this car, it is true that no pictures do it justice. No complaints with the exterior of the car at all.

With reference to the ride height, one of the staff (all v helpful) showed me a typed sheet about the car detailing all the differences between that car, and a UK production model.

It said that the car was pre-production, and the reason for the excessive ride height is that the car came with 16" wheels and the appropriate suspension, but they have put the 18"s on as thats what we will be getting. This seems to make sense, but I cant fully understand wht this would raise the height so much.

Other differences we already know, such as foglights, BOSE etc etc. They also said the interior finish will be better on production cars.

I liked the feel of the seats (not keen on the cloth but think they will look good in leather), and the gearchange felt good. The handbrake is not in the way at all. Sat in the back, leaving the drivers seat where I have it and there was minimal legroom (Im 5'11'') but would be OK for shortish journeys which is all Im bothered about.

Boot was a decent size but the opening is restrictive.

There was a lot of interest generally, I was told they had taken about 20 more orders at the show and total pre-orders are almost 1000 now. Then again I was also told that first cars could be resold at a premium and they could get £30k for the show car if it was for sale!

They also told me that the insurance was confirmed as we know, and the performance figures would be officially released today on the internet - though they arent there yet. I told them I knew them anyway!!

Had a look at the 350Z from some angles I like it a lot, and think the interior was nicer than the show RX8. The huge strut brace in the rear makes the hatch almost unusable for many items though. The Rays alloys arent that spectacular. It looks a bit like a cross of a 911 and a TT that didnt quite work. Still a very nice car though.

I took a mate along who hadnt seen either car in the flesh, and he hated the 350Z and loved the RX8 and told me Id definately chosen the right car

Overall Im very pleased and with all the other good news over the last week or so I am very much looking forward to September now!

Took some pics but nothing new so not really worth posting.

ricm56

Markw
Were the cloth seats really bad or are they liveable with??
I went for the cloth as it springs back to life alot better than leather and doesn't crease from having the dreaded baby seat in the back!!! (oh and it saved me £1,200 which I was going to spend on some mazda performance upgrade, but from what I have read here it looks like they wont be offering one now anyway - even though dealer said he was sure they would!!)
I thought they looked alright in the pictures posted on this site but not having seen them in the flesh you have me worried!!
Anybody else who has seen them up close and personal I would appreciate your comments.
Thanks

MarkW

ricm56,

Dont worry, the cloth seats are not really bad at all. The seats feel really comfortable to sit in and to me felt quite low down in the car as you would expect in a sportscar.

They are fine and I think you will be happy with them, I just personally think the leather is nicer but that is only my opinion.

Also the cloth will hold you in better when going round corners!

This is the only pic I took which shows the seats:

ricm56

Thanks Mark

Lensman

Doesn't make sense to me. If the gap between the arch and tyre is to be maintained as a constant on the 16" and 18" rims then the suspension height must surely be lower with the 16" wheels not higher. Therefore attaching the 18" wheels to 16" suspension should have the opposite effect to that claimed?!

Good that you liked the car though.

MarkW

Nor me, thats why I said .

That was my thinking as well. They werent just makng it up though, as they showed me the paperwork that stated this.