Good News Story - Test Drive Review
10-18-2003, 07:04 AM
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Good News Story - Test Drive Review
Well I finally got to drive a Hi Power RX8 today in titanium grey.
My current car is an Audi TT 225 so this was my benchmark for comparison.
Here are my thoughts after 30 minutes driving around a mix of dual carriageway and country lanes...
Exterior
In my opinion none of the press photos really do the car justice. After reading the Autocar review I was expecting a giant unwieldy coupe with inches of space between tyre and wheel arch. Instead what I was greeted with was a sleek and elegant design that didn't look significantly bigger that my TT which I parked next to it for comparison.
I think the styling is fantastic, plenty of subtle detailing that isn't apparent upon first glance. I particularly like the rear light detail with the two horizontal strafe like bits of plastic that light up. I thought one guy at the dealers was going to wet himself when he saw the headlight washers appear. :D He by the way was trading in his BMW 325ti compact.
Interior
This is where TT owners are a bit spoilt as the interior is like no other car on the road. The important thing for me was I didn't immediately think the RX8 interior looked low rent, far from it in fact. Good quality plastics have been used throughout. The leather seats were good quality and certainly more comfortable than the TT seats. I also thought they accomodated my 6ft frame with ease. The seats seem lower to the ground than in the TT. The driving position is also very good with plenty of visibility and every control within easy reach. I didn't notice the handbrake when driving which looked like it might of got in the way.
Even more impressive were the rear seats which are a key selling point given the likleyhood of sprogs in the near future. Not much chance of cramming a kid behind my seat in the TT! It was also good to see plenty of airbags and a decent sound system (comparable with that in the TT which is also Bose).
Driving
The first thing that struck me was just how free revving the engine is. The slightest pressure on the throttle sends the rev counter flying :D
Pulling off for the first time in a demonstrater car can sometimes be awkward - not in the RX8. I found the clutch nice and light and the gearbox, although a bit notchy was short throw and direct.
Stepping out of my Audi which has a 1.8 turbo engine I did find the RX8 slightly lacking in low end torque. This is more likely to be about how I drive the Audi and just how different the Renesis experience is. In the Audi I can pull in 3rd and 4th from low revs with no problem. It took me a few roads to get used to leaving the car in-gear for longer periods of time. I kept finding myself changing up at 4-5,000 rpm as I would do normally. Once mastered I thought the amount of power available was superb. Each time I tried to get from 2nd into 3rd I seemed to run out of road!
The steering is much more direct that the TT, plenty of bite on initial turn-in rather than the slightly vague few moments before the Audi beds into a corner. The RX8 felt very stable when pushed through a series of bends.
In terms of suspension the RX8 seems a bit softer than the TT but not to the detriment of handling or body roll. It soaks up bumps with ease, unlike the TT which feels like I am being dragged through every pothole and speed bump.
Overall then I was extremely impressed with the Mazda and can see why everyone on here who has driven one raves about it so much. I've got a couple of other cars to test drive before I reach my decision but I cannot see anything coming close to the RX8.
Cheers
James
PS Whilst I was there a guy with a Porsche Boxster was agreeing a part-ex price on his car. They also had an M3 which had been traded in along with two TT coupes - this in my opinion is high praise indeed and shows just what an excellent drivers car this is
My current car is an Audi TT 225 so this was my benchmark for comparison.
Here are my thoughts after 30 minutes driving around a mix of dual carriageway and country lanes...
Exterior
In my opinion none of the press photos really do the car justice. After reading the Autocar review I was expecting a giant unwieldy coupe with inches of space between tyre and wheel arch. Instead what I was greeted with was a sleek and elegant design that didn't look significantly bigger that my TT which I parked next to it for comparison.
I think the styling is fantastic, plenty of subtle detailing that isn't apparent upon first glance. I particularly like the rear light detail with the two horizontal strafe like bits of plastic that light up. I thought one guy at the dealers was going to wet himself when he saw the headlight washers appear. :D He by the way was trading in his BMW 325ti compact.
Interior
This is where TT owners are a bit spoilt as the interior is like no other car on the road. The important thing for me was I didn't immediately think the RX8 interior looked low rent, far from it in fact. Good quality plastics have been used throughout. The leather seats were good quality and certainly more comfortable than the TT seats. I also thought they accomodated my 6ft frame with ease. The seats seem lower to the ground than in the TT. The driving position is also very good with plenty of visibility and every control within easy reach. I didn't notice the handbrake when driving which looked like it might of got in the way.
Even more impressive were the rear seats which are a key selling point given the likleyhood of sprogs in the near future. Not much chance of cramming a kid behind my seat in the TT! It was also good to see plenty of airbags and a decent sound system (comparable with that in the TT which is also Bose).
Driving
The first thing that struck me was just how free revving the engine is. The slightest pressure on the throttle sends the rev counter flying :D
Pulling off for the first time in a demonstrater car can sometimes be awkward - not in the RX8. I found the clutch nice and light and the gearbox, although a bit notchy was short throw and direct.
Stepping out of my Audi which has a 1.8 turbo engine I did find the RX8 slightly lacking in low end torque. This is more likely to be about how I drive the Audi and just how different the Renesis experience is. In the Audi I can pull in 3rd and 4th from low revs with no problem. It took me a few roads to get used to leaving the car in-gear for longer periods of time. I kept finding myself changing up at 4-5,000 rpm as I would do normally. Once mastered I thought the amount of power available was superb. Each time I tried to get from 2nd into 3rd I seemed to run out of road!
The steering is much more direct that the TT, plenty of bite on initial turn-in rather than the slightly vague few moments before the Audi beds into a corner. The RX8 felt very stable when pushed through a series of bends.
In terms of suspension the RX8 seems a bit softer than the TT but not to the detriment of handling or body roll. It soaks up bumps with ease, unlike the TT which feels like I am being dragged through every pothole and speed bump.
Overall then I was extremely impressed with the Mazda and can see why everyone on here who has driven one raves about it so much. I've got a couple of other cars to test drive before I reach my decision but I cannot see anything coming close to the RX8.
Cheers
James
PS Whilst I was there a guy with a Porsche Boxster was agreeing a part-ex price on his car. They also had an M3 which had been traded in along with two TT coupes - this in my opinion is high praise indeed and shows just what an excellent drivers car this is
10-18-2003, 07:40 AM
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Thanks Lensman.
I forgot to point out that those who are worried about performance being dissappointing....don't be! In my opinion the RX8 was easily as quick as my TT if not quicker above 40mph or so. Its just that the power is delivered in such a linear manner. Rest assured I was very aware of how fast I was travelling. Those with TT's might miss the turbo push in the back that you get but I thought this was countered by not having to change gear for another 3,500 revs!! :D
I forgot to point out that those who are worried about performance being dissappointing....don't be! In my opinion the RX8 was easily as quick as my TT if not quicker above 40mph or so. Its just that the power is delivered in such a linear manner. Rest assured I was very aware of how fast I was travelling. Those with TT's might miss the turbo push in the back that you get but I thought this was countered by not having to change gear for another 3,500 revs!! :D
10-18-2003, 09:37 AM
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Thanks James, ace review.
By the way if you haven't read any of my previous post you might not know that I too am trading in my one year old M3 Coupe for the RX-8. There's more praise for it! :D
By the way if you haven't read any of my previous post you might not know that I too am trading in my one year old M3 Coupe for the RX-8. There's more praise for it! :D
10-18-2003, 09:43 AM
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Lucozade
Don't suppose you are buying from Perrys in Huddersfield are you? This is where I was when I heard about the M3 owner.
Out of interest, what do you dislike about the M3? I had it on my potential next car list until this morning - I just can't see it being better than the RX-8, faster yes but as an all round ownership prospect no.
Don't suppose you are buying from Perrys in Huddersfield are you? This is where I was when I heard about the M3 owner.
Out of interest, what do you dislike about the M3? I had it on my potential next car list until this morning - I just can't see it being better than the RX-8, faster yes but as an all round ownership prospect no.
10-18-2003, 10:49 AM
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Good review. I too am going from a TT (all be it sold a month ago - and driving a 170k Laguna at present!). I think the TT is about the same pace, but less involving than the 8. Again the mid range turbo push isnt there, but the engine is so smooth and free reving that the change in driving style, once you are used to it means that this is no hardship (except perhaps I can kiss goodbye to the 30mpg I used to get in the TT!)
10-19-2003, 07:27 PM
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Another excellent review. Thanks James! What didn't you like compared with the TT just to try and get an even better perspective. The interior you mentioned, but any fiddly bits - cubby holes etc?
cheers
Si
cheers
Si
10-22-2003, 02:51 PM
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Si
The only things I prefer about the TT are the interior. The TT Roadster interior is (IMO) slightly roomier for a 6ft driver like myself - talking just about the front here, obviously there is no space whatsoever in the rear of my car. The RX-8 transmission tunnel makes the interior feel a more cramped as basically there is no raised tunnel in the TT. Having said that there are lots of useful cubby areas and four cupholders.
I can't comment on build quality as I've never owner a Mazda before. The TT is well built but has annoying niggles that the dealer can't fix such as a squeaky passenger seat.
The general opinion amongst my mates is 'ooh, your going from an Audi TT to a Mazda?'
All I can say to them is 'wait till you drive one! Those concerned with driving a prestige marque may find the Mazda hard to stomach but more fool them.
James
The only things I prefer about the TT are the interior. The TT Roadster interior is (IMO) slightly roomier for a 6ft driver like myself - talking just about the front here, obviously there is no space whatsoever in the rear of my car. The RX-8 transmission tunnel makes the interior feel a more cramped as basically there is no raised tunnel in the TT. Having said that there are lots of useful cubby areas and four cupholders.
I can't comment on build quality as I've never owner a Mazda before. The TT is well built but has annoying niggles that the dealer can't fix such as a squeaky passenger seat.
The general opinion amongst my mates is 'ooh, your going from an Audi TT to a Mazda?'
All I can say to them is 'wait till you drive one! Those concerned with driving a prestige marque may find the Mazda hard to stomach but more fool them.James
10-22-2003, 05:01 PM
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Originally posted by JamesRX8
Si
The only things I prefer about the TT are the interior. The TT Roadster interior is (IMO) slightly roomier for a 6ft driver like myself...
Si
The only things I prefer about the TT are the interior. The TT Roadster interior is (IMO) slightly roomier for a 6ft driver like myself...
Stu C
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