Like you Maverik I too had an MX-3 and was very happy with it, OK the V6 was possibly the smallest on the planet at 1.8 litres but it was so smooth.

I currently drive an MX-6 more powerful although it handles a bit like a tank sometimes, again it has a wonderfilly smooth 2.5 litre V6, a very flat torque curve, and room for four adults, but I still wouldn't call it a sports car.

The Idea of a lighter and more compact car with more room inside for the backseat passengers, with a engine that is smoother and even more powerful than the one I have at the moment, with the power deliverd to the rear wheels for some driving fun. Wow!

The RX-8 to me is a practical, luxury car, that I can use on a day to day basis, but if I feel the need to let loose every now and again, I can. It sounds like I'ts also a car you can have some serious track day fun in. What other car provide s such a complete package?

My only regret is that our drive is so long I'll be depriving passing motorists the pleasure of looking at my car. (Perhaps I'll leave it on the road outside for a while as a treat for them).

 

Lensman said

Excellent service. My dealer rings my regularly to update me and just keep in touch. Nissan are giving me corporate hospitality at the 'Goodwood Festival of Speed' (several hundred pounds worth of tickets and freebies for two) and they have pointed out every opportunity to see the car this year.

Oh dear

It does seem like the 'cons' against the eightball are mounting

Lower power
crap pre-sales service
middling depreciation (at best) awful at worst - a la W8.
delayed delivery schedule
potentially high insurance bracket


It would seem to me that the coffin is almost nailed shut...

I guess the clarkster and co will be the decider...

If I was Mazda UK - I'd be SERIOUSLY concerned - as apart from looks - they could be heading for Mx-6 type lemon territory...

I'm still tending towards cancelling - also drove the new RX300 soft roader from Lexus last W/E was an eye opener - different sort of car and ride - but damn it ws good!

BK

 

As pointed out the way i feel at the monent am sitting on the fence. I hope when i see and drive the car it will blow me away and by then better information is avialable including more UK car reviews.

I don't particularly need 4 good sized seats as we run 2 cars but if the performance is the same as my existing TT I would go for it but but not if the performance is much worse and the depreciation numbers are frightening especially compared to the TT which has held up very well.

If only Mazda would hand out a few carrots like Nissan have!

rael

 

At least we've got a debate going here!

Let's hope Mazda Uk are reading

Cheers
Oilman

 

I have never got the impression that Mazda UK or their dealers are reading this site although it would be a goodsend to their PR department to enable them to be ahead of the general market and fix things early.

Really disappointed with them.

rael

 

How can the performance be 'much worse' than a 225bhp TT ?
Gotta be much of a muchness at minimum !

 

Surely "performance" and "TT" shouldn't be in the same sentence...?? :P


-andy-

 

I would expect the TT & RX8 at 225 and 228 to be similar but, the RX8 should be quicker with better performance 70-100mph.

Cheers
Oilman

 

Not convinced about that at all. The 225TT has a huge ammount more torque, and inthose gears you have to spend longer out of the higher bhp revs?

 

A turbo-4 should have a wider power band (and thus, a bit more torque in the midrange) than a peaky engine like the Renesis or stook inline-4 making the same power. In the same car, the turbo-4 should be faster.

At the same time, the TT has a bit of weight, so who knows...

---jps