shahpor

Hey, just got back from MotorDriveLive.

The RX-8 was there in blue with the cloth interior (no formula women stickers though).

Spoke to two different reps, and here are some of the things they said:

Power is down cause of emissions.
Mazda is apparently organising an event for all pre-orders in August so they can drive the car.
Insurance should be either group 16 or 17. Not more than 18.
Fuel consumption is 26MPG urban (not sure I believe this one)
Customers cars will be here 8th september.
Dealer demonstrators will also be here on 8th sept.
At the moment the blue one is the only one in the country.

Once I told the rep that I was a pre-order, he let me sit inside the car. It is very nce inside and the driving position is very good. The amount of headroom is good although because of the bump in the footwell there is not much space to rest your foot beside the clutch.

Still the gearchange had a nice feel to it, as did the rest of the controls.

I was suprised by the ease at which I got into the back. Also once I was in there was enough room to make me comfortable. The main drawbacks are that is dark in the back and that although my feet had lots of space my knees were up against the back on the drivers seat.

Still, these are minor complaints and overall I was very pleased with what I saw.

If I think of anything else I will let you guys know.

Shahpor

Lensman

I've just got back too and here are my thoughts:

1. The 350Z is not a pretty car. Today was my chance to finally decide between the Mazda and the Nissan. The RX-8 walked it! The RX-8 is GORGEOUS and possibly the best looking car of the show. It does look better in reality as so many people say. Some of the angles that look awkward in photos come together beautifully in 3D.

2. A slight complaint about Mazda UK. Firstly why is there only one RX-8 in the UK? This is unforgiveable. Secondly, the rep I spoke to first didn't know all he should about the car (option combinations for example). Thirdly, the car was situated in a dark corner of the main building (inside) which was hardly showing it off well. Fourthly, I had a long conversation with the Mazda rep, explained I was a pre-orderer and asked if the car was open to be sat in. He told me no, it was locked and I went away. 30 minutes later I returned and he'd opened it up for someone who'd just wandered up and expressed an interest!!! I got my pre-order confirmation out of my bag, showed him it and said 'can I now sit in the car please' quite firmly. He STILL ummed and ahhhed before agreeing. I could have dropped the arrogant little man there and then!

3. The interior is marvellous and easily the best I saw all afternoon (blows the 350Z away as expected). I released the handbrake and it doesn't get in the way of the gearstick (this is a Japanese RHD car). The gear change is slick, small and sweet, you'll all love it. The instruments were in shutdown mode so were glowing a very low blue - even that was impressive. The seats were cloth but comfortable and hugging. I'm 6'1" and had no headroom trouble at all (no moonroof). From the outside the rear windows are tinted almost black (they didn't know if this is a standard feature) and it gave no clue that there were rear seats. You can't see the rear seats from the front of the car. The rear door closed with a satisfying 'clunk' but the driver door was dull and 'dead' feeling.

4. The front number plate was a full width one and REALLY suited the car. Even though I've got a reduced width number available I'll still use the full width plate because it adds to the front end (amazingly).

5. Winning Blue is very nice and suits the car well. However, in my opinion it is slightly too light for MY taste (only just mind you). Having said that, if I'd ordered a blue car then I wouldn't think about changing: it is really good.

6. The rear door shut lines are not an issue. They merge into the body so well that you'll be pleased they're there.

7. The rear end is a lot lower than it appears in some photos. It's a good looking car from the back and doesn't look like a 'shopping mobile' as has been suggested. The rear lights are superb and I look forward to seeing them on.

8. The 18" wheels are in perfect proportion with the body and look magnificent! The brakes are impressive to say the least (visually).

9. The steering wheel is quite small compared to my current car and has a slightly light feel (not turning it, just holding it).

10. The audio system and climate controls do NOT look like a cheap jukebox (as was suggested) they look well made, well laid out and impressive.

11. The front of the car is beautiful, that nose and the wheel arches are great.

12. I'm bowled over with enthusiasm now and fully back on the team guys. Nissan will lose my order very soon and I won't have the slightest regret about losing the 'Z'. The RX-8 is fantastic and none of you should think about cancelling despite the power question. The looks and build quality alone are enough to lust after and even 0-60 in 6.5 seconds will be fun in this machine I promise you. It's the car of my dreams and I didn't expect to say that. Whoo-hoo!!!

shahpor

Well, both rep's that I spoke to didn't want to open the car, but when I mentioned that I was a pre-order they seemed willing enough. Although, the second guy didn't want anyone else sitting in it.

He also said that the tinted glass was standard on UK models as well.

I must admit that it did look very good. It was a little too dark in the building to show off the colour, but the proportions were good.

One complaint I had about the exterior is the ride height. Not the ground clearance, which I thought was good as I was worried it might be too low, but the wheel arches. There was so much space between the arch and the wheel that it could have been a 4x4! Maybe it was just that specific car though.

Shahpor

Lensman

Well you're hard to please! I saw no problem with the suspension height. It looked just fine to my eye and it WAS raised on a platform as you know so I'm surprised that I didn't notice. I took some video of it so I'll have a look and decide if you're right.

shahpor

Well have a look at your video and let me know what you think.

I am not saying that it is terrible or anything, just that if there is one thing I don't like about the exterior, this is it.

Couldn't find anything else to complain about! :D

Shahpor

ChrisW

You really didn't like the 350Z?? I have never liked it in any pictures I have seen, I didn't even want to like it but I thought it looked gorgeous, from just about every angle, even in that yucky bronze colour. I even went as far as asking the rep what the earliest delivery would be if I ordered now (April 04 apparently, which is too long to for me to wait) in spite of the fact that it's really more than I want to spend and the inconvenience of no rear seats would probably annoy me after a while.

However, I agree with you about the RX-8's styling - it looks great in 3D especially the front end. In particular the front wheel arches can look a little exagerated in pictures but in real life they are perfectly proportioned. I am also an instant convert to freestyle doors idea. They are just incredibly cool and I completely take back what I said about wanting it to be a conventional 2+2 coupe. Oh and I love the transmission tunnel/backbone chassis thing. Makes the interior feel really snug and sports car like.

I am also delighted about the news on insurance groups, which was a big thing for me.

If I also had an order on a 350Z I would have a horribly difficult choice to make. But I haven't and I am now more excited about the RX8 than I have been for months. Basically, if this thing drives as good as it looks I'm having it.

oilman

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'm so pleased you're impressed and welcome back on board!!

I was bowled over the day I saw the photos from Laguna Seca and I WANTED ONE! I love the look and concept of this car.

One question:

How low is the front of the car? 5-6inches clearence? and what did you think of the stance "ready to pounce"?

Oh, one last thing, any comments on the boot size?

Any Pics???????????

Cheers
Oilman

Lensman

It's low but not seriously so. You won't lose parts on speedbumps. The radiator is well protected too.

The stance is great! The only cars with a similarly good stance were a Viper that was there and the Honda S2000. It genuinely looks fast standing still. The vertical curve of the sides is amazing too, just beautiful. It will look fabulous in red but I saw an S2000 in grey and realised I'd made a good choice too. 'Elara Green' will look just right and I wish I'd had the guts to gamble on it.

I didn't take any stills because the car was in such darkness and flash bounce would have ruined the images. I got some video and I'll try and capture some relevant frames if I get time.

Lensman

That choice has been hanging over my head for months and bugging the life out of me quite frankly. I really hoped that I'd not like one of the cars today and the nightmare scenario would be loving both but the 'Z' just doesn't hit my spot whereas the RX-8 certainly does. Combine that with the awesome audio system on the Mazda (coupled with a quiet engine) and most importantly for me the sat-nav (I got lost between Cambridge and Millbrook today!) then it's a no brainer. I'll happily lose the slight performance difference for all that.

ChrisW

Not huge but certainly not tiny either. Very useable. Slightly better than the 350Z's which is very shallow due to the huge strut brace. It extended further forwards into the car than I thought it would. It also has an indentation in the floor, which is where the space saver tyre would go for those markets where they don't have the puncture repair kit.

It looked about the same size as my Prelude (4th gen) boot, although the specs say it's a about 3 square feet less.

zoom44

that's not correct. the tire mounts with some bracketry all the way forward and up against the parcel shelf. that indentation is for a cargo tray to keep things organized and from rolling around in the boot. there are 2 versions available from Mazda as accessorries.

thank you both for your wonderful comments on the car, they make the waiting that much more tolerable here. Lensman welcome back from the Darkside :D

shahpor

I have to say that 'ready to pounce' is a good disciption for it!

What surprised me about the radiator is how far back it is mounted from the front.

I have to agree with Lensman about the height as well, shouldn't be a problem.

Shahpor

shahpor

Another thing is that I drove a S2000 for the first time today.

If the RX-8 drives anything like the S2000, it should handle really well and be great fun to drive.

Have to say though that my favourite car for the day that I drove was the Vauxhall VX220 Turbo. Talk about extreme! :D

Shahpor

Lensman

You obviously got in the queues quicker than I did! I made the mistake of checking out the 350Z and the RX-8 before queueing and ended up with a Volvo C70 convertible (VERY quiet and quite quick but eternally naff!) and a bloody Rover 75 estate: Doh! There was nothing else left. I didn't mind though, my mission was already accomplished. I found it really amusing that even to reach the car park I had to drive around a banked track. That put me in the right mood. Did you see the promo girls in the blue catsuits? Hideous, every last one of them.
Tell you what though, I had my eyes opened to driving possibilities. I took a pro-drive in a turbo-diesel Volvo saloon, that's a few laps on the high speed handling circuit with a pro driver at the wheel, they give you a lid largely for effect I think. Anyway, this was no blistering car yet he kept it on the tyre squeeling edge (whilst keeping up a conversation), following in the wheels tracks of a Focus RS and impressing me mightily. If you'd told me I was in a Caterham I'd have believed you, it was VERY VERY quick indeed and I'd never have begun to expect it. The precision of the driver's control was awesome, he was millimetres off disaster at all times and we both chose to ignore the fact and pretend it was a ride in the country.

ChrisW

I really liked the S2000. I didn't even think it lacked torque so I guess I won't have any "low torque" problems with the RX-8. Of course you have to use the revs, but then it is a sports car. What I didn't like was the terrible din from the engine above 6000 revs (and I'm used to Honda VTEC's). If I owned one of these couldn't see myself using the full performance very often for that reason alone. This, of course, is where the RX-8 should score with it's ultra-high reving but also super smooth rotary engine.

I also drove the Hyundai V6 Coupe (no, don't laugh!). Its actually very nice in spite of the badge and it's apparently the UK's best selling coupe. But I reckon it's going to have it's work cut out competing against the low power RX-8 which only costs £1500 more. Makes you realise how competitively Mazda have priced this car when they can think about taking customers from Hyundai!

shahpor

Yeah, I got there really early in the morning. Still didn't get all the drives I wanted.

Still, the main aim was to see the RX-8, so I am not too disappointed.

The hot laps were great. Went on the Auto Express stand and got driven round in a Subaru Impreza STI. Amazing car, very fast and handled great. Couldn't believe the speed this guy was taking the corners at.

Wanted to try the Ariel Atom, but it broke down and wouldn't start!

Shahpor

MarkW

Interesting to hear all of your comments guys. Keep them coming.

Can we assume this will be the car at Canary Wharf then?

Makes my decision all the more difficult :D

Lensman

It is the only RX-8 in the UK for the forseeable future so yes it is the MotorExpo show car. I confirmed this with the rep. You really MUST see it because you don't know what you're dealing with until you do.

Shahpor, I checked my video and you were right about the suspension height. It's not too bad but noticeable when you pay attention. Hopefully this is a pre-production anomaly.

shahpor

I hope it is only a pre-production anomaly. I can see problems otherwise as if you try and lower it then you end up not being able to get over speed bumps.

One other thing, the rep I spoke to second claimed that the car wasn't pre-prodution, but was a Japanese spec production car! I don't think this was the case, at least I hope it is not true.

Still have to say that it could be a production car as the fit and finish were very good.

The rep also told me that this will be the same car at the Motorexpo. Guess I will be seeing it twice then.

Shahpor

shahpor

One other thing that I have just remembered.

The first rep let me look under the bonnet. What is under there is mostly what you see in the pictures.

What struck me was how light the bonnet was. I know people have mentioned how light it is, but I forgot about that until I lifted it and then wondered if it was on gas struts. I almost dropped it before I realised that it wasn't. :D

Another slight annoyance is that to check the dipstick you have to remove the plastic engine cover first. Not a big deal but a little more tricky then I would have liked.

Still the engine looks even more compact and smaller than it does in the pictures.

If I think of anything else I will let you know.

Shahpor

Lensman

Compare the suspension height of the show car with the height of a production Japan car. Not entirely different. It didn't jump out at me as a problem though as you know. We've been looking at images of the car for months and this hasn't been raised as an issue so I would welcome other opinions.

18ME

You are corect about the emptyness between the tyres and the wheel arch. Apparently the suspension will be lower on the uk cars according to the one guy I spoke to today. He said the ride height is higher on Jap cars which is the car that was here today.

I am a bit annoyed reading through this thread though as I asked to sit in the car but was told that no one is allowed to sit in it as its the only car in the country and they don't want anymore damage to it. Yet some of you got to sit in it, and I did mention that I'd ordered one, I wish that I had pushed him now

I did complain to the organisers though about the lack of decent cars to drive. I got there about 1.15pm, went to the breifing then out to book my 6 drives. Firstly Lotus had completely booked out within 30 minutes. Next the VX220 same situation, S2000 all gone. I was not a happy bunny but at least I'd get to drive the 147 GTA (I thought) what a joke, Alfa had 10 cars altogether, 5 were diesels, a couple of 1.6's and a couple of 2.0's and only one V6 and that was the 147 GTA so no chance. Next was Jaguar, they offered me a 3.0 X-type which was ok but I've already borrowed one before, all the V8's were gone. I decided to compain to the organisers which is unusual for me as i'm usually typically british and put up with it, but I'd paid for 6 drives for my brothers 40th birtyhday present so I felt bad for him. I did get to speak to the guy in charge of the event and got all the normal spiel saying that it's a first come first served basis but he tried his best to get us in some cars. I got a XK8 and a Lotus and my brother got an S-type 4.2, Lotus and a StreetKa and I did blag the Civic type R that they were using for the hot laps after they had finished, but even after these it didn't leave enough time to use all 6 drives. Anyway we went to see if anything could be done regarding our last 3 drives each. The girl was freindly but couldn't do anything and there were quite a few people in the reception area at the end of the day complaining that they had their last drive cut short because they closed the test track early, so the guy in charge decided to refund everyone there that still had unused drives left.

So the moral is that it paid to complain this time.

Sorry to go on....but I do have a pic for you

18ME

whooops.....

Lensman

Hey 18ME, were you with a couple of other guys? I spoke to someone by the RX-8 who was storming off because the Mazda rep wouldn't open the car. He said he'd complained to the organisers about the lack of drives and we had a short conversation in the entrance to the building. Was that you???

AndyPearce

On 18me pic it looks like it only has one exhaust whereas all the other pics I've seen has it with two. Is it just the angle on the picture or do some only come with 1??