Had my test drive today ...
08-29-2003, 07:37 AM
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Had my test drive today ...
Blagged my test drive today at Brooklyn. Many thanks Paul for the slight over exention of the drive.
Heres a summary of what I found driving a Hi power (231ps) Titanium car (my opinion, and sorry in advance for the lengthy post);
Looks - Stunning. Made a point of test driving a 330ci yesterday and the BM looked ordinary. The 8 was low, lithe and ready to pounce. It even converted the wife. Very happy. (5/5)
Interior - Very special and very well screwed together. No rattles or creaks. Very solid but I think, like all things, the plastic will mark easy, when getting in and out of the car.
The driving position was perfect with a nice view of the dials and road. Even reversing seems OK. Paul being taller lacked some headroom at the front as there was a moonroof fitted. Fine for me, and the hump in the floor is not an issue. Dash illumination makes my wifes Yaris look old. (5/5)
Driving - Did not stall once:D . Pedals are smooth in operation and perfectly placed. Ergonomics look good but familiaristion will things better. Handbrake and gear **** too are excellent. I was worrying about the Handbrake, but need not now. Steering effort is exactly right and it did not feel one bit (electrical) artificial. Every thing was so smooth, but the gearchange was very mechanical (slight notchy) but the car had only done 3K. (5/5)
Performance - I got up to a really silly speed (not sure I should own up), very quickly BUT there was no feeling/sensation of speed. I think this was because the engine was just so very smooth. My biggest concern was the debate about torque. On take off, its all about BHP so problem there but I purposely dropped down to 6th at 20 mph ... ouch ... nothing. Fifth was much more tolerable, but 6th is 20 mph/1000 revs so I would have expected less protest. It performed no differently than my previous Nissan 200SX (1.8 Turbo not 2.0 Turbo)
. The traction control only lit up once following a full bore take off, and it still wheelspun in second. This traction control still lets you have some fun. Excellent. Overall though I am more than happy with its performance (provided you get your gearing right). (4/5)
Handling and Ride - Sublime. Beautiful poise, accuracy and security (on damp roads - it pi$$ed it down last night). Always felt planted and even at ***mph around a (not to severe) bend never got me panicked. Sorry Paul.
The ride was firmer than I thought but wonderfully controlled, and the so called "body roll", must be a trackday extreme. Body roll and control were delicately damped, with no bumps sending us of course. Brilliant, made the Nissan feel twitchy and nervous. (5/5)
Stereo - Now I have a decent home separates setup, and my Focus has a brilliant Alpine setup, so it was a little disappointing to listen to the radio (why no standard DAB ?) that was flat and lifeless. Install a CD (Evanescence - Bring me to life) and play with the Bass and Treble settings, and it great clarity almost 3D sound but whacking the Bass to far up and it gets a bit muddy. With Bass at 3 (max is 6) and Treble at 5, I don't think anyone will be changing the stereo for any aftermarket stuff. Great, focused and deatil sound, with nice rounded bass. I do think some might add a SUB but I like to hear my HiFi (yes its proper HiFI not car stereo) and not have my skull crushed in. Oh it went alot louder than I need (and I like loud) without distorting. (5/5)
A very happy AnilS.
Heres a summary of what I found driving a Hi power (231ps) Titanium car (my opinion, and sorry in advance for the lengthy post);
Looks - Stunning. Made a point of test driving a 330ci yesterday and the BM looked ordinary. The 8 was low, lithe and ready to pounce. It even converted the wife. Very happy. (5/5)
Interior - Very special and very well screwed together. No rattles or creaks. Very solid but I think, like all things, the plastic will mark easy, when getting in and out of the car.
The driving position was perfect with a nice view of the dials and road. Even reversing seems OK. Paul being taller lacked some headroom at the front as there was a moonroof fitted. Fine for me, and the hump in the floor is not an issue. Dash illumination makes my wifes Yaris look old. (5/5)
Driving - Did not stall once:D . Pedals are smooth in operation and perfectly placed. Ergonomics look good but familiaristion will things better. Handbrake and gear **** too are excellent. I was worrying about the Handbrake, but need not now. Steering effort is exactly right and it did not feel one bit (electrical) artificial. Every thing was so smooth, but the gearchange was very mechanical (slight notchy) but the car had only done 3K. (5/5)
Performance - I got up to a really silly speed (not sure I should own up), very quickly BUT there was no feeling/sensation of speed. I think this was because the engine was just so very smooth. My biggest concern was the debate about torque. On take off, its all about BHP so problem there but I purposely dropped down to 6th at 20 mph ... ouch ... nothing. Fifth was much more tolerable, but 6th is 20 mph/1000 revs so I would have expected less protest. It performed no differently than my previous Nissan 200SX (1.8 Turbo not 2.0 Turbo)
. The traction control only lit up once following a full bore take off, and it still wheelspun in second. This traction control still lets you have some fun. Excellent. Overall though I am more than happy with its performance (provided you get your gearing right). (4/5)Handling and Ride - Sublime. Beautiful poise, accuracy and security (on damp roads - it pi$$ed it down last night). Always felt planted and even at ***mph around a (not to severe) bend never got me panicked. Sorry Paul.
The ride was firmer than I thought but wonderfully controlled, and the so called "body roll", must be a trackday extreme. Body roll and control were delicately damped, with no bumps sending us of course. Brilliant, made the Nissan feel twitchy and nervous. (5/5)
Stereo - Now I have a decent home separates setup, and my Focus has a brilliant Alpine setup, so it was a little disappointing to listen to the radio (why no standard DAB ?) that was flat and lifeless. Install a CD (Evanescence - Bring me to life) and play with the Bass and Treble settings, and it great clarity almost 3D sound but whacking the Bass to far up and it gets a bit muddy. With Bass at 3 (max is 6) and Treble at 5, I don't think anyone will be changing the stereo for any aftermarket stuff. Great, focused and deatil sound, with nice rounded bass. I do think some might add a SUB but I like to hear my HiFi (yes its proper HiFI not car stereo) and not have my skull crushed in. Oh it went alot louder than I need (and I like loud) without distorting. (5/5)
A very happy AnilS.
08-29-2003, 07:48 AM
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out of darkness cometh light - great review. Thanks a lot for the effort in typing it all in. I re-read mine again earlier when Contingo posted a reply and realised how much I loved the car. Its got to be worth the wait, darn this rollercoaster of misinformation.
Last edited by renegade_si; 08-29-2003 at 08:19 AM.
08-29-2003, 08:11 AM
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Great Review!! Thanks!
If Rael, MarkW and my old buddy Morgan post a great review, it will only boil down to what do we get for being so patient!
Cheers
Oilman
If Rael, MarkW and my old buddy Morgan post a great review, it will only boil down to what do we get for being so patient!
Cheers
Oilman
08-29-2003, 08:14 AM
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AnilS,
You said 20mph in 5th was poor - but what was it like in normal driving around town, 30mph in 4th? Did you have to drop it down to 3rd or 2nd to get it to accelerate from 30mph or did it manage it in 4th?
Well done on getting a drive!
Stuart
You said 20mph in 5th was poor - but what was it like in normal driving around town, 30mph in 4th? Did you have to drop it down to 3rd or 2nd to get it to accelerate from 30mph or did it manage it in 4th?
Well done on getting a drive!
Stuart
08-29-2003, 08:25 AM
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Well , MarkW is off tomorrow I believe for his test drive , and I for one am really looking forward to it. Coming from a Scooby300 which pans the RX8 in performance (but nothing else
) it will have to be good to impress him.I too want a rael review and hope it will be forthcoming....
As for a Morgan review - well , it wont happen I am afraid. My dealer has shown no sign of arranging test drives , and I am not going to bother having one. It will only make the wait worse as I know I will love it.... All I want is that magic delivery date !
M.
08-29-2003, 08:31 AM
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Nice review AnilS, just confirmed mine for tomorrow now as Mr Rogers said and you have got me looking forward to it again now.
Look forward to my 'war and peace' review hopefully later on Saturday.
Fingers crossed.......
Look forward to my 'war and peace' review hopefully later on Saturday.
Fingers crossed.......
08-29-2003, 08:56 AM
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Sorry chaps. Just read my review and realised how many spelling mistakes I made. Firstly;
Edo - I took the car back home (well bar the Stanav and Moonroof it is my car ) to show the wife as she did not like the Blue one (doing the rounds) and was stunned to silence. She wants a TT but was highly complimentary. My lads (5 and 6) easily fit in the rear but the 5 year olds' legs are short so are straight and touch the rear of the front seat. I sat in behind my adjusted drivers seat (for me) and theres plenty of room, but a slightly claustrophobic feel once the doors are shut. Theres more room in the back than the 330ci I tried yesterday. I'm 5'6.5".
Stuartt - I stated that in 6th at 20mph there was nothing, but at 5th it was tolerable. In all other gears, town driving was fine but 4th was a little lazy for acceleration. Third was better but in second (at 40 mph) this thing takes off.
Rael - I intentionally tried a 330ci for (fresh) back to back comparisons and the 8 did not disappoint.
Some corrections to my review;
Performance - after the word BHP, I should have put the NO in (as in; BHP so no problem).
Stereo - ...and it has GREAT clarity (missed great out of that sentence).
MarkW - You'll have a ball tomorrow.
One final thing. The chap waiting for me to return for his test drive, took with him; his daughter and two mazda reps. On his return I asked him how it felt laden and he was extremely happy with how it performed. He currently drives 1.7 Puma.
AnilS.
Edo - I took the car back home (well bar the Stanav and Moonroof it is my car
) to show the wife as she did not like the Blue one (doing the rounds) and was stunned to silence. She wants a TT but was highly complimentary. My lads (5 and 6) easily fit in the rear but the 5 year olds' legs are short so are straight and touch the rear of the front seat. I sat in behind my adjusted drivers seat (for me) and theres plenty of room, but a slightly claustrophobic feel once the doors are shut. Theres more room in the back than the 330ci I tried yesterday. I'm 5'6.5".Stuartt - I stated that in 6th at 20mph there was nothing, but at 5th it was tolerable. In all other gears, town driving was fine but 4th was a little lazy for acceleration. Third was better but in second (at 40 mph) this thing takes off.
Rael - I intentionally tried a 330ci for (fresh) back to back comparisons and the 8 did not disappoint.
Some corrections to my review;
Performance - after the word BHP, I should have put the NO in (as in; BHP so no problem).
Stereo - ...and it has GREAT clarity (missed great out of that sentence).
MarkW - You'll have a ball tomorrow.
One final thing. The chap waiting for me to return for his test drive, took with him; his daughter and two mazda reps. On his return I asked him how it felt laden and he was extremely happy with how it performed. He currently drives 1.7 Puma.
AnilS.
08-29-2003, 09:03 AM
#12
Originally posted by AnilS
Stuartt - I stated that in 6th at 20mph there was nothing, but at 5th it was tolerable. In all other gears, town driving was fine but 4th was a little lazy for acceleration. Third was better but in second (at 40 mph) this thing takes off.
Stuartt - I stated that in 6th at 20mph there was nothing, but at 5th it was tolerable. In all other gears, town driving was fine but 4th was a little lazy for acceleration. Third was better but in second (at 40 mph) this thing takes off.
08-29-2003, 09:18 AM
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Thanks for the good review AnilS - I think you may start a scoring system trend.:D
At the end of the day I hold far more stock in the views of forum members as they have no outside influences besides their desire to own the car. The views from those lucky enough to get a drive so far are positive and that means a lot IMO.
At the end of the day I hold far more stock in the views of forum members as they have no outside influences besides their desire to own the car. The views from those lucky enough to get a drive so far are positive and that means a lot IMO.
Last edited by AndyPearce; 08-29-2003 at 09:33 AM.
08-29-2003, 09:19 AM
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20mph in 6th sounds crazy I must comment and no wonder there was no pull.
60mph in 2nd I can understand and imagine that 5th and 6th will be motorway stuff only but watch the fuel gauge move! Cannot see getting much out of 4th on ordinary roads.
rael
60mph in 2nd I can understand and imagine that 5th and 6th will be motorway stuff only but watch the fuel gauge move! Cannot see getting much out of 4th on ordinary roads.
rael
08-29-2003, 09:56 AM
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In my Leon Cupra the acceleration is flat below 2krpm and it nearly stalls at 1.5krpm. Thankfully 30mph in 4th is around 2k.
With all this talk of the RX8 not pulling from low revs I was concerned I'd have to drive it with atleast 4krpm - a bit noisy around town!
Is the RX8 the perfect car for quiet relaxed fuel saving crusing but can turn into a rev happy monster with a couple of downchanges? I think so..........
Stuart
With all this talk of the RX8 not pulling from low revs I was concerned I'd have to drive it with atleast 4krpm - a bit noisy around town!
Is the RX8 the perfect car for quiet relaxed fuel saving crusing but can turn into a rev happy monster with a couple of downchanges? I think so..........
Stuart
08-29-2003, 10:00 AM
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You are all making far too much of this !
You will notice no difference from any 4-pot motor when cruising at low speed and high gear.
i.e. below 2K will make it 'lug' (not good).
It will drive just like a normal motor (just smoother).
The only bit that will be alien (to those of you not driving Honda Vtecs) is just how hard you can rev them when you choose to.
The key phrase here is 'Can rev them' not 'have to rev them'.
A car that cannot function below 4K ? Now that would be madness....
Rest assured rotary virgins - you are in for a treat !
You will notice no difference from any 4-pot motor when cruising at low speed and high gear.
i.e. below 2K will make it 'lug' (not good).
It will drive just like a normal motor (just smoother).
The only bit that will be alien (to those of you not driving Honda Vtecs) is just how hard you can rev them when you choose to.
The key phrase here is 'Can rev them' not 'have to rev them'.
A car that cannot function below 4K ? Now that would be madness....
Rest assured rotary virgins - you are in for a treat !
08-29-2003, 10:20 AM
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Originally posted by morganrogers
It will drive just like a normal motor (just smoother).
The only bit that will be alien (to those of you not driving Honda Vtecs) is just how hard you can rev them when you choose to.
The key phrase here is 'Can rev them' not 'have to rev them'.
It will drive just like a normal motor (just smoother).
The only bit that will be alien (to those of you not driving Honda Vtecs) is just how hard you can rev them when you choose to.
The key phrase here is 'Can rev them' not 'have to rev them'.
08-29-2003, 10:55 AM
#20
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Originally posted by Stuartt
With all this talk of the RX8 not pulling from low revs I was concerned I'd have to drive it with atleast 4krpm - a bit noisy around town!
Is the RX8 the perfect car for quiet relaxed fuel saving crusing but can turn into a rev happy monster with a couple of downchanges? I think so..........
Stuart
With all this talk of the RX8 not pulling from low revs I was concerned I'd have to drive it with atleast 4krpm - a bit noisy around town!
Is the RX8 the perfect car for quiet relaxed fuel saving crusing but can turn into a rev happy monster with a couple of downchanges? I think so..........
Stuart
I didn't think this possible, BUT 3,ooo, 4,000, 5,000 rpms you'll hardley notice any different engine sound. I had to make myself stay at a constant speed... say 50MPH, then change the gears and LISTEN to the engine for a SOUND DIFFERENCE between gears!
It is actually pretty hard to tell, you'll be amazed how really SMOOTH and QUIET it is (I know you've heard that a million time, but it IS true!) just going along at some RIDICULOUS RPM, compared to a piston engine. <ps AnilS is correct, the road noise is greater than the engine noise at most speeds above a crawl>
Now if you are ACCELERATING it is a different story, you'll get a nice ripping sound as the RPMs go up. But steady state is totally different.
Try it!!
:D
Last edited by Spin9k; 08-29-2003 at 11:33 AM.
08-29-2003, 11:06 AM
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I must say the engine, and I'm a rotary virgin, sounded turbine like, and so creamy smooth. The closest engine I can think off that I've had was the 1.6 unit in the first Toyota MR2 (it was also first in my Toyota Corolla GT coupe). What struck me was the road noise was greater than engine noise. That said, Mazda have down a great job in eliminating any wind noise from what would be the B pillar area. Also the car sounded quieter at 114mph (DOH given it away) than at 70mph.
Refinement is first class.
AnilS.
Refinement is first class.
AnilS.
08-29-2003, 12:14 PM
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Great revue AnilS. (did you get my message)
How long was the test drive for.
I am booked in for 11am on Saturday.
Looks like I might be following MarkW. (Please dont be late getting back Mark.)
How long was the test drive for.
I am booked in for 11am on Saturday.
Looks like I might be following MarkW. (Please dont be late getting back Mark.)
08-29-2003, 04:22 PM
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Originally posted by Topic
Great revue AnilS. (did you get my message)
How long was the test drive for.
I am booked in for 11am on Saturday.
Looks like I might be following MarkW. (Please dont be late getting back Mark.)
Great revue AnilS. (did you get my message)
How long was the test drive for.
I am booked in for 11am on Saturday.
Looks like I might be following MarkW. (Please dont be late getting back Mark.)
I dont know how long ive got, but I would think it is 1/2 hour so there may be a 10:30 as well between us. I'll try my best to remember to get it back on time
Mark
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