Titanium Grey

I remember that bit too, did't it say someting like 180 Degrees. Ouch!

I dont mind the plastic aluminium, it adds a nice touch to the transmission tunnel. I just thought if it was that soft and prone to scratches that they could have applied a clear laquer protective coating on top.

Another point I'd like to make, seeing the car has confirmed for me that I have made the right choice on virtually all possible fronts, (driving will have to wait awhile).

Unfortunetly it makes the amount of time I'll have to wait even worse.

oilman

For my part, I've not seen the car yet but, I'm pleased that we are all more positive now as opposed to the negativity a week ago.

Cheers
Oilman

shahpor

The problem for me is that I had too much fun driving the S2000

I am now considering getting one of those instead, for the following reasons:

Don't have to wait.
Cheaper (buy nearly new).
Probably cheaper to run.
Don't really need the rear seats.
People (JSG) who have driven both say the S2000 is more fun to drive.
It is probably faster since the 8's power decrease.

However, I really do like what I have seen of the RX-8 so far, so I have promised myself to not make any impulsive decisions and spend some time thinking about it.

Shahpor

Titanium Grey

There is an article on smartnav in Auto Express this week.

It is a standard navigation system that links to road traffic information services (UK only). Therfore allowing the system to update your route in real time if traffic problems occour during your journey.

Not sure if its a complete bespoke system or something that could be added to some standard outfits. But as it would have to exchange information with the existing nav software I imagine this would not be likely. Probably a stand alone unit.

I believe some manufacturers are already intergrating this system into their cars.

ChrisW

I liked driving the S2000 but then I thought of sitting in the cramped cabin with the hood up, on the motorway in the middle of Winter in the rain and didn't like the idea. It would be great in the Summer though.

Honda gave the car a minor facelift about a year ago when they sorted out the suspension (improved dodgy on-limit handling and tendency to chew through rear tyres at an astonishing rate) and added a glass rear screen (much better than scratch-prone plastic previously fitted). You really would want one of these later ones.

shahpor

If I was to get one then it would definately be one of the facelift ones. I also heard that the earlier ones had a problem with crunching gearboxes to death!

The other thing that I would get with it is a hardtop. This would stay on the car during the winter months, and I would use the softtop for the occasional showers that we seem to be getting at the moment.

The idea of driving during the winter in the rain or snow with only a softtop does not appeal to me either.

As you can see, I have been thinking about this!

Still undecided though.

Shahpor

Lensman

Shahpor you are disappointing me. We finally see the RX-8, all agree it's marvellous and almost immediately you think about jumping ship?! It's a funny old world...

jimbobjoe

I can totally understand your dilema Shapor.

I drove the S2000 at the show and was totally blown away by it. It's handling and power were absolutely fantastic.

I'm still positive that I'm going to hold out for the RX-8 though.

Well very, very sure at least.

Maybe just quite sure.

Hmm, definitely maybe perhaps..........

Doh!!!

Lensman

Gentlemen we have a contagion! Don your environmental protection suits and let us slay this S2000 virus before it infects us all...

oilman

Hey, not me Lensman, I can't live with 2 seats!!

Cheers
Oilman

c170673

Not me either, with a baby due in December / January, I think I will need all 4 seats, a roof rack and a trailer.

I am sure that it won't spoil the looks or performance though.

Chris :D :D

Lensman

I believe I saw an RX-8 badged, colour coded trailer option on the Japanese accessories list. It's rotor shaped, has 18" wheels and freestyle doors.

Seriously though, when you see the RX-8 you'll think it's a 2-seater until you look really closely at it. I'll bet I could fool a few people who don't know the truth.

shahpor

Sorry didn't mean to stray :D

It is just difficult to wait so long when I could have a S2000 next week.

Also, I did have a very good time driving it...........

I think I need help so that I don't go over to the dark side........

Will try and convince myself to forget about the S2000.

Shahpor

morganrogers

Go on now go ! Walk out the door.... <etc>

Buy the S2000. You seem very unsure about RX8 and perhaps you will always be thinking 'what if I had the S2000' ?

Do it , have it , realize the error of your ways , come back.

Anything could happen to you between now and September, so if you want it , have it.

Amen.

MarkW

Well Im definately not tempted by the S2000.

My only debate is get the RX8 or keep what Ive got a while longer.

Ive just got a new 42" Plasma TV and I was looking through all my pctures and video's of the RX-8 on it last night.

It looks great on a big screen and I must admit it gave me the same feeling again as when I was first looking at the car.

I'll just have to hang on for a few more months.

rael

Mr Rogers - Considering the large amount of 8' being imported into this country we need positive sale vibes. Depreciation looks bad enough without a glut of unsold car.

Shahpor - wait for the 8, it will be worth it over the S2000.

rael

shahpor

At least someone is being encouraging :D

I have to admit that i didn't suspect others of thinking about the S2000 as well.

This is indeed a worrying trend.

It seems every week someone is cancelling their order.

For now I am still with the RX-8. I have waited a long time for this car and I really do like it.

I am off from work next week, so I had better make sure I don't drive past any Honda garages! :D

For now I am keeping the faith, fear not brothers.

Shahpor

morganrogers

Who has cancelled ?
Seems to be all people talk about , but didn't think anyone had...

Just think you shouldn't deprive yourself if the S2000 does it for you....

ChrisW

Apologies for drifting off-topic here, but I don't think we should get too hung up on the numbers of cars Mazda plant to import. These are just forcasts. They are not going to ship 3500 cars to the UK every year regardless of sales and let them pile up in a field somewhere. Especially if demand elsewhere in the world is strong as seems to be the case. In fact we have already seen that Mazda are adjusting volumes and delivery dates due to demand in the US and Japan.

I was reading just yesterday that BMW Compact sales for the latest (rather ugly) model have been well below BMW's targets. But the residuals are still great. Not many people want to buy a secondhand Compact because they're ugly, but thats OK because there are fewer around because new car buyers didn't like them either. So the supply and demand thing all works out OK.

shahpor

I don't mean people from here. If you check the main forum there is a guy who only recently cancelled his order and bought a Audi A4 instead.

Then there was that guy a while back who decided it wasn't the right time.

Also the guy who bought a Lancer EVO instead.

There are several others but I can't remember the specifics at the moment.

All I am saying is that it is becoming a more common occurance.

One other fact that you are missing is that the reason I am undecided is that, yes the S2000 does it for me, but I don't know how the 8 will turn out.

For all I know I may drive the 8 and find it more fun than the S2000.

That is why I am not sure. If I could have driven the 8 then it would be much more clear cut.

Shahpor

oilman

Shahpor

FEEL THE FORCE LUKE!!!:D

Cheers
Oilman

shahpor

I definately feel something :D

Like I said unless there is a thread next week start "well, I have gone and bought a S2000....." then I don't think I will be jumping ship quite yet.

I think that as long as I avoid all Honda related contact for a while I should be ok. I think it is more of an impulse thing and I think that when I have thought it through I will still want to 8 more.

Still wanting and waiting for my RX-8.

Shahpor

rael

Just cancelled my order and purchased the S2000. What a lovely car, why nobody else is doing so I just don't understand ......except it has 2 seats and no BOSE and no rotary and........

rael

shahpor

OK, how about this.

Let say that the limited practicality of the S2000 wasn't an issue.

Also, you eventually drove a 8 and a S2000.

You found that you liked the way the S2000 drove over the 8.

However you liked the exterior of the 8 better.

You liked the interior of the 8 more.

But you preferred the feel of the steering and gearchange on the S2000.

You also found the S2000 cheaper to run.

What do you do?

Now I know that you all like the 8 a lot, so do I. But I am looking for certain things from this car and the most important is how it drives.

The least important is its practicality.

Now it may end up that the 8 drives much better then the S2000, in which case this is all irrelavent.

All I am saying is that I have tried the S2000 and I like it. Will have to wait and hope the 8 is just as good or better.

Shahpor

rael

To be honest if you don't need the 4 seats ever then I think there are other options in the market including the S2000. For me the 4 full seats option is probably the main asset that keep me hanging on.

rael