Had a conversation last night, amongst other car nuts (Audi and BMW owners) who see the RX8, not as a rival to the TT or 3 series coupe, but to the likes of the Hyundai coupe! They also found it difficult to pigeon hole the 8, which I think is one of its charms. Their still trying to convince me not to have it, but I just need to see the looks on their faces when I get it. Snobs :p
Only one thing worries me .......... Formula Women.


AnilS.

 

No question that 'Formula Woman' is a catastrophic marketing blunder but I think the positive spin on the car from the likes of Top-Gear, EVO and 4-Car will displace a lot of its horror.

As to your friends: well likely as not they're partly just trying to wind you up. Having said that, cars are very subjective and the RX-8 won't be to everyone's taste. I went to Goodwood with the owner of a Lancia Delta Integrale and he loved the 350Z and thought the RX-8 looked weird, whereas another friend that we met there and who is totally clued up on cars and a phenomenal driver said the Mazda was the right choice. Seeing the RX-8 changes a lot of people's minds and driving it will no doubt change a lot more. It IS a radical design so not everyone will get it but Hyundai? The gargoyles??? I think not!

 

Sorry Anil, what make was that

Somebody has to buy them I suppose!

Cheers
Oilman

 

I have recently driven both those cars. The TT is a good car - fast, loads of grip - superbly well made. The beemer also - well screwed together, a nice thing.

But for me they are both dull. I didn't get out of either and think wow! The TT's handling is very vague - you feel that you have very little input as to what's going on. It should be nimble and chuckable, but my alfa 156 is much more so and it's a much bigger / more practicle car. Much more fun in the twisties.

The beemers v6 (it was a 325) is quiet, but has no real character. The interior is so dull it makes you want to go to sleep!

So I guess the point I'm making is that maybe we are looking for something a little different to most people.....they say the average man buys an average car ... not to mention both these cars are 27k plus and owners may feel a little threatened!

 

Anil,

Read the reviews, drive the car and decide for yourself.

As for your car nut friends, Audi do not make true drivers cars, BMW do but most people buy them for the badge not the driving dynamics. I would not be seen dead in one as I dont like the BMW 'image'.

If you get an RX-8, once they see it they will be envious as hell in their 'me-too' BMWs

Cheers
Mark

 

cant beleive Mazda has decided to market this car using Formula Woman as the vehicle. Believe the idea is sound, and would have been better suited to the Mx5, and perhaps the 8 could have been the vehicle used once the contestants had mastered the Mx5. Rememeber this is got to be entertaining, and the car is pretty much going to be the back round material, and I am speachless that Mazda has decided to fund this effort. I would much prefer to see the allocated budget used towards maintaing the Rxs superb motor racing history.

 

buy the car you want, NOT one to impress anyone else. The only satisfied person has to be you. Personally, Id have the 8!!.

 

MarkW, you are dead right. The "me too" effect will rear its ugly head soon. As far as reviews, I have every single review, bits of literartue and newspaper clippings to keep me wanting it. As none of us have driven it, judging by whats been written on the forum lately, we are not going to disappointed.
There are good odds at work, that I'm not going to have it (they think they are setting doubts in my mind) but it just makes me want it more. Stuff em' :D


AnilS.

 

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention, but they keep reminding me ......... ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM. If Formula Women is wrong, so is the theme tune.

AnilS.

 

AnilS,


I think your friends are just jealous thet you had the foresight to pre-order such a innovitive car.

They just wish that they had done the same and when the bandwagon is starts to gain momentum they will be thinking of jumping on.

Chris

 

AnilS -

What are you buying ? A car or a badge ?
Me - I buy the car.

Audi - Too drab. Hardly exciting looking vehicles are they ?
And another thing - How many £££ for VWs in drag ???
BMW - Need I start ? Would not be seen dead in one as MarkW says ! Will never , never understand this countries fascination with them. Overpriced , underspec'ed , driven by (snip - edited for content)

Do what you must. But stick with the RX and you can have a very smug "I know something you dont know" on your face after delivery...

 

I actually like the new shape Hyundai coupe although I may not buy it as I can afford a little more but if that was my budget I would have no problems. I have had Jag, Merc, BMW, Audi as well as Renault, Ford and Mazda, so I badges mean less to me, its the panache and usage of the car that is more important.

Unfortunatley many BMW and Audi owners are stuck up their own ***** polishing their badges and don't see the competition sneaking up behind them.

I agree that Mazda to date have not been considered by me or others to be of a similar quaility but I think the new Mazda cars now being released including the 6 & 8 will raise their game to compete with Audi and BMW.

rael

 

I've always liked the hyundai coupa, looked at one a few years ago.

Only problem with it is its severly underpowered IMO.

But nothing like the RX-8.

 

Guys

Cmon dont be so down on the TT and the BMWs - both are great cars with great build quality - never to be understimated. The fact that they ARE overpriced for what you get says it all its the power of a brand built through reputation. BMW in particular are one of the most technically innovative. Unfortunately what they introduce and charge a premium for - other copy and budle in the price - but the overall package in the BMW (or Audi ) is always top notch.

On shakier ground now as havent been in the 8 yet (hopefully the beginning of next month will drive the Hi-power in the US when I'm back there) but I'll bet the build and finish although very good isnt as good as a BMW or Audi - any takers...?

Incidentally Mazda may get there a la Lexus, Acura and Infinity but it will take a while.

my 2 pence

BK

 

Partialy true. BMW do make great cars. But they sell some nasty crap. They have super top end engines and build quality is great if you pay for it.

Then they stick in nast iron lumps in low end 3 series, and build wuality (even on the higher spec models) is sometimes dodgy, and poor at least on the eary 3 series compacts and newmini's.

Audi have had several very embarasing problems recently too. Ignition coil packs, bad suspension and aerodynamics on their top 'sports car' etc.

All fairly understandable on cars as there such complicated things but on premium cars that almost charge for air in the tyres is not great.

I've a friend who's always loved Audi's, from the quattro rally era on, he has a TT now, lovly car, fast, well built etc. Even fun, but in a detached sort of way. He's thinking of getting a caterham too

 

My VW is 19months old and is about to go back to them for the 4th time!!!

Stupid engine management problems and electrical faults.

No cars these days are "bulletproof" anymore, they're all looking to cut corners and costs in a competitive market.

Cheers
Oilman

 

Simply put the japanese cars of old might have been skips/rust buckets. The old datsuns for 1 a total rust bucket but if the body work matched the engine it could run for hundreds of thousands of miles. (same as Alfas)

However, in the past 10 years the Japanese manufacturers have got it right. I dont exactly say i agree in some of the designs and models but the quality gets better as each year goes on.

Toyota year after year get THE top marks for reliability. Japanese car makers now have stuffed the likes of Jag/Merc/BMW/Audi. Why else would these manufactures now introduce the cars they have done. Its only been in the past 5 years really that the average family can afford to own a car with any of the badges above on them. The Japanese cars wipe the floor with there european counterparts in

1/. Value for money
2/. Reliabilty


Ok you might say the asian car market still has to catch up on the quality of the interior. but sorry its a car not a lounge. If you want to drive around in your front room buy a 70 grand BMW but to me a BMW is more a status symbol than a car. (hence the idiots that drive them - of course there are a few exceptions)


I challenge anyone to say they can get a better deal pound for pound now than a Lexus IS200. Pound for pound blows away the BMW(spit crap ) Audi or Merc even Jag offerings

I have converted my neighbour who had a BMW 328 to have a IS200.