Hi everybody!
I'm new to this site and have just ordered a 190bhp Winning Blue RX8. However, after seeing so many people on here with the 230 version I wonder if I should change my order!
So what do people think? what would make the most difference in driving...the little extra torque of the lo power, or the extra bhp of the hi power?
I'll be doing most of my driving around London, although I will get chances to do dual carriageways and motorways on a fairly regular basis.
When I asked my dealer this question he said that you can't really feel the difference in the two cars until you rev the engine really hard, but I've read in some of the magazines that the lo power car has noticably more pull at lower engine speeds. Has anyone driven the two types enough to be able to judge a difference? I've only test driven the lo power so far and loved it so much that I ordered one immediately!
Please help!
Thanks

 

I don't live anywhere near London, but 1 question for you. The 190 that you've ordered, is it a 5sp manual or is it an auto??

 

Its a 5sp manuel. They don't do the auto option in the UK. I did look into importing it, but it ended up being too expensive

 

Three comments:

1) For everyday driving you won't notice much difference
2) The 230 BHP version has loads of torque. I just got back in my Xedos 2.0 SE and it felt like a slug in comparison
3) You really will miss the thrill of the sound of a renesis as it catapults you from 7,500 to 9000 revs

Sorry, just thought of another: The Xenon headlamps are fantastic ... just like daylight when you are driving at night.

 

Hi ac,

I was in the same position as you. I test drove both models, and I must admit that I liked the idea of an extra gear.
Not any noticable difference between the two really, but what made me plump for the 230 was this......I will probably have this car for a fair few years, so would I always be wishing I had spent just 2 grand more for the Hi-power model. Lets face it, 2 grand over a few years dosn't amount to much !
The difference in insurance costs was only £80 for me aswell, so there was no competition. The dealer also said I could get hold of a Hi-power model a lot sooner than a Low-power. Im expecting to pick mine up in the first week of Jan, so I hope, after reading other posts on this web site, that its not delayed !!!!!
Coz I cant wait !!!

 

IMO theres little in it (below 7k rpm) but I think the Hi-power is better value.

 

I just called my dealer to change my order to the hi power car!!! gjwinn, you're right, if i had gotten the lo power, I'm sure i would have regretted it in a couple of years. I'm willing to spend the extra 2k, just to erase any doubts that i have over getting the car. I know that day to day there won't be any difference in driving around town, but on those odd occasions when I can really push the revs up I'm sure it'll be worth it! I sat in my mates boxter S the other night, and he has the xenon headlamps. Never really noticed before, but they really do make a difference! really glad that I'm getting them.
Well, my car should be here in March. Now all I have to decide on are accessories!!

 

A must have accessory are the bonnet dampers (£100). Considering that Mazda recommend that you check the oil level every 500 miles or so, the bonnet on this car will be getting raised rather a lot more than any other 4 pot car!
I went back to my dealer in the dark (not hard this time of year) to see the effect of the illuminated gear stick......very nice!
The car comes quite loaded to start with, so besides the all important leather upholstery, there isnt much more that you need to fork out on. Mud flaps may be handy, but I think they are far too pricey, and most of the other little 'aluminiumy' things I feel detract from the cars flowing lines.
But thats just my opinion.

 

PS. Congrats on plumping for the 230, Im sure we wont regret it !

 

In response to the comments of mr digital. I though that the Low power actualy had more torgue than the High power. Loads of torque - rose tinted spectacles.

 

Theres 9nm of torque difference between the 2. Thats less than 5% - I'd be amazed if anyone could notice the difference.

 

ok , OK, it wasnt worth saying twice...

 

Ok Rob but isn't it true taht peak torque is at lower revs on the Low Power. Anyway my rose tinted remarks related to the RX8 in general not to the difference between the High and Low power. Just playing devils advocate.

 

Yep - lower revs , 500 lower, which is a blink of an eye in this car (5000rpm instead of 5500rpm).

In real world stuff below 7k rpm I doubt anyone will notice the difference between the versions.

As to rose tinded spectacles, huh?

This car is great - and IMO its only drawback is its fuel consubption - half of which is my problem as I do most of my driving un urban crawl, it'd be much better if I didnt.

I do admit I dont think anyone will see 32mpg in this car, or even close.

Apart from that it does exactly what it should. Quick, fine handling , refined 4 seater sports car with practicality. No - it sot an all out racing car, but then I wouldnt have bought that car, as there are quite a few of those already available.

And the Renesis engine is a wonder - it IS incredibly smoothe and free reving, I love the way it glides along on motorways or its brrrr brrrr bike like noise when accelerating up through the gears.

I had one of the first RX-8's in the country, have 3000 miles on mine now and am loving the car, only wish I had more time to drive it properly , and better weather.

 

Don't agree. The bonnet is made from Aluminium. How weak are you? Its as light as a feather. Dampers are purely for show.

AnilS.

 

AnilS.....
Havn't you heard........everyone's going hands free mate !!!!!

 

AnilS, I think it will only br a matter of time before you get your first £30 fine for 'rigging' your plate, police are getting prety strict on them now.
Mine is X8 GJW, I might get hold of a badge off a Honda type R, and trim the r off, then glue that onto my plate just before the X8.
Shouldnt look any worse than an England/Scotland/Wales emblem !

 

Stop, stop, stop. You're really starting to scare me. I'll let you know when I get pulled. Thats if I'm not shopped first!

AnilS.