Had my lo-power test drive.
09-02-2003, 09:14 AM
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Had my lo-power test drive.
Let me get the main point for the lo-power pre-orderers out of the way. If you wanted a performance car then that’s what you've got!
Performance - I'm comparing this car to my Volvo C70 T5 GT (o-62 6.8s) and my old V Corrado VR6 (0-60 6.9s) and the performance of the RX-8 was very similar. I'd be pushed to notice the difference. The torque issue is a non-event IMO, there is less of a feeling of acceleration but it never feels lacking as long as you select the right gear. It's pretty much what we knew already, you have to drive the car with the right gear changes to get the best from it, but you are rewarded for doing this. Three figures on the speedo came up quicker than I expected, mainly due to the lack of change in engine not. You will really have to watch the dials to know what sort of speed you are doing, the road and engine noise give nothing away. The warning ping was loud enough but not a surprise, as I couldn't take my eyes off the rev counter. The dials are beautifully lit in daylight running mode and the steering wheel never encroaches on the view of them. I did find the digital speedo hard to pick out even though I am used to one of them on the gf's Picasso.
I have to confess that I found nothing special about the sound of the engine - it's so unobtrusive when in the car that you don't really notice much of a difference from a piston engine, even at high revs. It maybe that I was too engrossed in the driving experience to pay it the proper attention but for me the engine sound is not a reason to buy this car but it's not a reason to dismiss it either.
Handling was very responsive but feedback was a little less than I had in the Corrado - nothing worth worrying about though. The clutch was fine IMO; I didn't have any problems finding the biting point. The brakes reacted very well, even after 4000 miles of wear, with no diving or snaking when braking reasonably hard- I didn't go as far as an emergency stop though! The gear throw is short and as others have said, a little notchy but I'm sure you wouldn't notice after a few days. There was a lot of vibration through the gearlever when I was waiting at the traffic lights, the only time I was actually aware of the engine. The seats are comfortable enough but not figure hugging tight. I've never had a problem with seats not being supportive enough even though the Volvo has armchairs, so I suppose it's what you're used to. The leather is nice enough but I'm beginning to wish I had saved £1200 and bought the cloth.
The rear view is pretty poor when reversing, I had no idea where the back or corners of the car were - I can see why they have split mirrors.
Aircon worked very well - I dread to think how hot it gets in America if the aircon isn't cool enough for them!
I didn't bother with the Bose as I didn't have a CD but he told me to pop back with one if I wanted to test it out
The interior trim was much better quality than that of the blue pre-prod - much more impressive although the front ashtray had already come lose. You never know if the press have been deliberately tugging at the fittings though so I can give it the benefit of the doubt. The piano black finish on the stereo and around the switchgear in the doors looked very nice, as did the door release handles. I'll be interested to see what they do with the SatNav space; hopefully we get a solid dash rather than a 'filler' panel. The moonroof clearance was not as much of an issue with my seat in the driving position, it's more intrusive when the seats are further forward. I did not even notice the lump in the footwell, it never intruded although I never moved my foot far away from the clutch (I was having too much fun changing gear!)
The wheels were shod with Potenza RE040's
but the dealer is going to confirm with Mazda as to what ours will come with.
The Titanium colour looks fantastic - this car screams out for attention already so an understated colour doesn't do it any harm.
The car looks very low slung and mean when you see it surrounded by Mazda 6's and the like, very nice.
An interesting piece of information that I don't believe has been posted before is the service intervals. I spoke to the service manager while waiting for the previous test drive to come back and he told me that he had just found out that the service intervals had been confirmed at 12,500 miles but no suggested costings had been released. For me 12,500 is good news, only 2 services a year needed but I think it's more important than ever that you get into the routine of checking the oil. The service manager thought that this aspect would be covered in the prodrive day.
In summary this is a great drivers car, and if no-one had told me, I might have thought it was the hi-power version and wouldn't have been too disappointed with it's performance. I can't wait to get my hands on the 231ps version!
I am even more gutted now though because size / practicality may be an issue. If I can't own this car because my passengers are such freaks I think I'll cry!
Performance - I'm comparing this car to my Volvo C70 T5 GT (o-62 6.8s) and my old V Corrado VR6 (0-60 6.9s) and the performance of the RX-8 was very similar. I'd be pushed to notice the difference. The torque issue is a non-event IMO, there is less of a feeling of acceleration but it never feels lacking as long as you select the right gear. It's pretty much what we knew already, you have to drive the car with the right gear changes to get the best from it, but you are rewarded for doing this. Three figures on the speedo came up quicker than I expected, mainly due to the lack of change in engine not. You will really have to watch the dials to know what sort of speed you are doing, the road and engine noise give nothing away. The warning ping was loud enough but not a surprise, as I couldn't take my eyes off the rev counter. The dials are beautifully lit in daylight running mode and the steering wheel never encroaches on the view of them. I did find the digital speedo hard to pick out even though I am used to one of them on the gf's Picasso.
I have to confess that I found nothing special about the sound of the engine - it's so unobtrusive when in the car that you don't really notice much of a difference from a piston engine, even at high revs. It maybe that I was too engrossed in the driving experience to pay it the proper attention but for me the engine sound is not a reason to buy this car but it's not a reason to dismiss it either.
Handling was very responsive but feedback was a little less than I had in the Corrado - nothing worth worrying about though. The clutch was fine IMO; I didn't have any problems finding the biting point. The brakes reacted very well, even after 4000 miles of wear, with no diving or snaking when braking reasonably hard- I didn't go as far as an emergency stop though! The gear throw is short and as others have said, a little notchy but I'm sure you wouldn't notice after a few days. There was a lot of vibration through the gearlever when I was waiting at the traffic lights, the only time I was actually aware of the engine. The seats are comfortable enough but not figure hugging tight. I've never had a problem with seats not being supportive enough even though the Volvo has armchairs, so I suppose it's what you're used to. The leather is nice enough but I'm beginning to wish I had saved £1200 and bought the cloth.
The rear view is pretty poor when reversing, I had no idea where the back or corners of the car were - I can see why they have split mirrors.
Aircon worked very well - I dread to think how hot it gets in America if the aircon isn't cool enough for them!
I didn't bother with the Bose as I didn't have a CD but he told me to pop back with one if I wanted to test it out
The interior trim was much better quality than that of the blue pre-prod - much more impressive although the front ashtray had already come lose. You never know if the press have been deliberately tugging at the fittings though so I can give it the benefit of the doubt. The piano black finish on the stereo and around the switchgear in the doors looked very nice, as did the door release handles. I'll be interested to see what they do with the SatNav space; hopefully we get a solid dash rather than a 'filler' panel. The moonroof clearance was not as much of an issue with my seat in the driving position, it's more intrusive when the seats are further forward. I did not even notice the lump in the footwell, it never intruded although I never moved my foot far away from the clutch (I was having too much fun changing gear!)
The wheels were shod with Potenza RE040's
but the dealer is going to confirm with Mazda as to what ours will come with.The Titanium colour looks fantastic - this car screams out for attention already so an understated colour doesn't do it any harm.
The car looks very low slung and mean when you see it surrounded by Mazda 6's and the like, very nice. An interesting piece of information that I don't believe has been posted before is the service intervals. I spoke to the service manager while waiting for the previous test drive to come back and he told me that he had just found out that the service intervals had been confirmed at 12,500 miles but no suggested costings had been released. For me 12,500 is good news, only 2 services a year needed but I think it's more important than ever that you get into the routine of checking the oil. The service manager thought that this aspect would be covered in the prodrive day.
In summary this is a great drivers car, and if no-one had told me, I might have thought it was the hi-power version and wouldn't have been too disappointed with it's performance. I can't wait to get my hands on the 231ps version!
I am even more gutted now though because size / practicality may be an issue. If I can't own this car because my passengers are such freaks I think I'll cry!
09-02-2003, 09:53 AM
#2
12500 mile service???
lol, 5000-7500 in US, different again in Japan.
Wierd, and we get the longest. Will def need oil topups for that.
Warenty is 3yr, 36000 mile, so 3 services?
No way will mine go 12k without an oil change at the start!
lol, 5000-7500 in US, different again in Japan.
Wierd, and we get the longest. Will def need oil topups for that.
Warenty is 3yr, 36000 mile, so 3 services?
No way will mine go 12k without an oil change at the start!
09-02-2003, 09:55 AM
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Nice review and thanks.
One issue you highlighted was that we cannot drive this car by engine noise alone, unless we want to rev up to the alarm! This will take a bit of getting used to because at the moment I drive according to the engine noise/ vibration and sometimes the rev counter especially as I normally blast the BOSE and I cannot hear the engine until its time to change up. :D
This will need more time looking at the rev counter and hence why its centre stage.
rael
One issue you highlighted was that we cannot drive this car by engine noise alone, unless we want to rev up to the alarm! This will take a bit of getting used to because at the moment I drive according to the engine noise/ vibration and sometimes the rev counter especially as I normally blast the BOSE and I cannot hear the engine until its time to change up. :D
This will need more time looking at the rev counter and hence why its centre stage.
rael
09-02-2003, 10:02 AM
#4
I think (apart from motorway driving) I'll be in 2nd or 5/6th.
2nd for urban acceleration (unless from standing start, then 1st first ofcourse), then crusing in highest gear pos.
Sort of scary that it cossets you so much from the cars real spead, will have to watchit around some I guess, get to norty speeds in my poor ikkle focus already..
2nd for urban acceleration (unless from standing start, then 1st first ofcourse), then crusing in highest gear pos.
Sort of scary that it cossets you so much from the cars real spead, will have to watchit around some I guess, get to norty speeds in my poor ikkle focus already..
09-02-2003, 10:16 AM
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Great review Andy, my journey will be much easier now the low-power has had a favourable review.
Did you find you were getting much attention from other drivers/pedestrians? Most people won't know what the hell it is, they will be blown away when you open those rear doors to get your bag out in the work car park!
If you are sliding around those leather seats then turn the heating up and drive naked, you'll have plenty of grip then!
:D
Did you find you were getting much attention from other drivers/pedestrians? Most people won't know what the hell it is, they will be blown away when you open those rear doors to get your bag out in the work car park!
If you are sliding around those leather seats then turn the heating up and drive naked, you'll have plenty of grip then!
:D
09-02-2003, 10:31 AM
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Andy isn't that 12,500 mile service the major service interval?
I thought the Americans said ther was a 'lube change' service arond 6000 or 7000 miles.
I thought the Americans said ther was a 'lube change' service arond 6000 or 7000 miles.
09-02-2003, 04:03 PM
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Thanks Andy, another review to show that its hard to know how fast you really are going, except this time even in the lo power car. Interesting info on the service intervals. 12.5k is actually very good, pleased with that! I think that others (including me)had pointed out about why the rev counter was centre stage and not the speedo due to the lack of engine noise and not having a clue about the speed from the engine/ehaust note. It really is a shock to realise what speed you are going.
Also, you're right - tit is great.
Si
Also, you're right - tit is great.
Si
09-03-2003, 03:16 AM
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Originally posted by rael
Nice review and thanks.
One issue you highlighted was that we cannot drive this car by engine noise alone, unless we want to rev up to the alarm! This will take a bit of getting used to because at the moment I drive according to the engine noise/ vibration and sometimes the rev counter especially as I normally blast the BOSE and I cannot hear the engine until its time to change up. :D
This will need more time looking at the rev counter and hence why its centre stage.
rael
Nice review and thanks.
One issue you highlighted was that we cannot drive this car by engine noise alone, unless we want to rev up to the alarm! This will take a bit of getting used to because at the moment I drive according to the engine noise/ vibration and sometimes the rev counter especially as I normally blast the BOSE and I cannot hear the engine until its time to change up. :D
This will need more time looking at the rev counter and hence why its centre stage.
rael
Originally posted by RobDickinson
I think (apart from motorway driving) I'll be in 2nd or 5/6th.
2nd for urban acceleration (unless from standing start, then 1st first ofcourse), then crusing in highest gear pos.
Sort of scary that it cossets you so much from the cars real spead, will have to watchit around some I guess, get to norty speeds in my poor ikkle focus already..
I think (apart from motorway driving) I'll be in 2nd or 5/6th.
2nd for urban acceleration (unless from standing start, then 1st first ofcourse), then crusing in highest gear pos.
Sort of scary that it cossets you so much from the cars real spead, will have to watchit around some I guess, get to norty speeds in my poor ikkle focus already..
09-03-2003, 03:18 AM
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Originally posted by Titanium Grey
Andy isn't that 12,500 mile service the major service interval?
I thought the Americans said ther was a 'lube change' service arond 6000 or 7000 miles.
Andy isn't that 12,500 mile service the major service interval?
I thought the Americans said ther was a 'lube change' service arond 6000 or 7000 miles.
09-03-2003, 03:26 AM
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Thanks for the informative review. Did you notice any rattles or sqeaks during the drive. When I had my test drive in a Hi-power there were none at all and I was very impressed!
09-03-2003, 04:03 AM
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Originally posted by RX-Late
Thanks for the informative review. Did you notice any rattles or sqeaks during the drive. When I had my test drive in a Hi-power there were none at all and I was very impressed!
Thanks for the informative review. Did you notice any rattles or sqeaks during the drive. When I had my test drive in a Hi-power there were none at all and I was very impressed!
Goose - I didn't notice any attention but I wasn't really looking - as I said, all I was interested on was zoom zoom!:p
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