To quote Tiff from 5th Gear last night, 'There are two versions, but nobody is going to bother with that' (meaning the lo power version). If I'm going to get a RX8, it would probably be the lo power one and to be honest, I can't help thinking Mazda has shot themselves in the foot a little, calling it a 'lo power' rather than just a 190 version or something, for example, the Celica has a 190 for it's top of the range model, the Audi has a 150, 180 which are lesser than the 225 or V6, but are not marked as being 'lo power'.

I was annoyed and I haven't even ordered one yet!

Any thoughts?

B.

 

Dear Beavis,

Since we have, in the Netherlands, a very uncommon Tax system on cars (the more expensive the more tax - progressive) the HP will cost here in pounds about 35.000.
Low Power will cost about 29.000 pounds.
Cars are fully equiped to make them at least a bit attractive to buy.
The most ordered will be the LP versions. And given the specifications there is not that much difference to worry about when driving I guess.
I went for an LP with Satnav, and the Bose audio system (32.000 pounds) and will go for extra's when available.
I am sorry to see that most of the 8th's tested are the HP's.
I think the LP version also will make a nice statement.

Kind regards,

Eric

 

Eric,

I think you misunderstand, it's not my personal opinion, and if I buy one I'll get the lo power one! It's just I don't think Mazda has helped themselves with the way the lower power version has been marketed. Another reason to be tempted by it (other than the price!) is you get slightly more mpg!

In the UK, the most ordered will be the HP.

Cheers
B.

 

Silly comment by Tiff IMHO, what's wrong with 190bhp, it's still very respectable.

Have to admit to having a 230 on my drive though:D

Cheers
Oilman

 

Nothing wrong with any RX8.

 

In all of Mazda's RX-8 literature that I've seen they're calling them the "Standard Power" and "High Power". It's only the media that started the "Lo-Power" name. I even recall an interview with one of Mazda's people in which they said they don't want to call it lo-power.

 

Hi,

For the same reason as in the Netherlands, in Belgium the Tax system is not at all nice for buying a HP. By the way the terms LP and HP are not official terms, they appeared for the first time on this forum.

So my dealer didn't even buy a 231 HP, he bought 7 standard power machines, one of wich is mine.

regards
Patrick