RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

According to many, the RX-8 isn't a sports car due to it's lacking performance figures If the FR-S / BRZ is even slower, then it must be even less of a sports car, and more of a "fun daily".

Amirite?

I also didn't say that fuel economy was THE reason to buy it. Just simply that it DOES offer superior economy.

usnidc

I don't hate the Toyobaru, I am sick of the hype it is getting because it really is nothing new. There is nothing new or revolutionary about it. It is toyota and subaru doing what mazda did 8 years ago. Other than a mpg advantage (and being in production), it has nothing on the RX-8. Other than having a bigger trunk and technically back seats, it has nothing on the MX-5 (latest comparo I read the Miata matched it on the track). I do hope it keeps the niche alive so Mazda can bring back a RWD sports coupe. I *hope* it is a rotary when they do.

brilliantblackrx8

SkyActive Rotary RX9 would be the next evolution if it ever were to be, but you know given the media and how they love the rotary, how much it still would be downplayed into a worthless buy. Thank you R&T and Motor Trend, the same guys who like to compare cars that are utterly different, (like the latest iteration of the GT-R vs. ZL1 Camaro) in terms of price and performance, and are somehow amazed at the results.

NotAPreppie

You forgot reliability. Odds are good that this won't have major engine or tranny issues.

And maybe what some of us want is a MX-5 with a hard top, 2 extra (admittedly, barely usable) seats and a bigger trunk.

On the subject of back seats, they may be useless for humans, but they look good for my backpack and wife's laptop bag. Out of the way but still accessible.

Awesome_X

I own a scion tc... well I bought it for my wife new in 2007 anyways it's a shyt box. The motor and drive train is good but the car itself is a junk. We have had nothing but problems with the struts, sunroof, back hatch and various other interior panels making racket and not to mention the dealer " not finding any problems with anything " until the warranty was out and than after charging me to fix them.... pretty sad for the car only having 45k miles today. not a scion fan here

usnidc

As far as I know, the Miata is as reliable as any toyota or subaru out there.

NotAPreppie

Sure, but I wasn't comparing to Miata reliability. That shot was aimed that the RX-8.

I like Miatas but I want back seats, miniscule though they may be and I don't want a convertable.

Obviously, what I want isn't what others want, but Toyota/Subaru think there are enough of me out there to put a car out satisfy us.

1.3_LittersOfFurry

iTrader: (4)

Those "many" must have forgot to look at the mpg figures lol.

TheKDog

Looks like a pretty good car, light and great handling.

But the back seat isn't really useable, so I'd have to pass.

Also not sure if I like the looks. Maybe it'll grow on me.

MariesRX8

I know it's become a cliche, but it really does look better in person. I just saw my first BRZ an hour ago, and it's lines and proportions are actually really nice. My only complaints are that it's very boring looking at the front head-on, and some of the angles and edges around the front seem kinda busy and transformer-ish. Like it never quite finished folding into a car, lol.

But I'm nitpicking. I wanted to hate it lol, but it actually is nicely done.

Razz1

Yes, I noticed that too.
From the front it looks boring.
I'm not sure I like the head lights.

I like the, flush. The extra fancy design I don't like and costs allot of money to replace.

R&T said they like the car.

Razz1

Ha ha! Does this sound familiar?

Water in tail lights?

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/bl...lity-problems/

CarAndDriver

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

77mjd

I saw my first BRZ in person today and thought it looked really good. It was already sold so I couldn't test drive but they let me get inside and look at the interior. It was the premium model and I wasn't crazy about the cloth seats, but it seemed pretty well put together. Don't care for the wheels either. That car needs 18s.

Just the fact that the process to get one is pretty much a PITA right now will likely prevent me from getting one. There's no way to get a test drive and theres no way I'll pay MSRP anyway, so it's a pass for me. I don't understand why they are making this car so limited.

I'm waiting to hear from someone on this forum who has an RX-8 who test drives either the FR-S or BRZ. I'm guessing the feel and performance will be pretty close but I'd really like to hear a comparison.

NotAPreppie

Bite your tongue!

I've been railing against this silly wheel syndrome that has been plaguing manufacturers and aftermarket yobs alike.

goose guy

I test drove an FR-S. Check out my post.

https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/test-drove-fr-s-today-234037/

77mjd

Normally I'm not into anything aftermarket, but if there's one thing asthetically I can't stand it's a huge wheel gap. Can we at least agree the car should be lowered then?

MariesRX8

Did you feel comfortable in it?

I finally sat in one too, though an FR-S not a BRZ. I just could not find a comfy position. It's kinda like you're sitting on the floor reaching up for everything. I like the caccoon feeling the RX-8 gives. In the 8, you kinda sink into your seat, surrounded by a cockpit. In the FR-S, I felt like I was sitting on a rock-hard seat in an open room.

I'm guessing you get used to it, but it's not to my liking. Maybe I'm just used to Mazdas, as I was actually more comfy and at home when I first drove a CX-5, as opposite that is to the 8 in shape.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I sat in a BRZ over the weekend, and the prior person in it that adjusted the seat must have been ideal, as I felt comfortable immediately. That could change quite a bit with a test drive of course.

One of the main things that caught my notice was how low the roof is. Even lower than the 8's by a noticeable amount. Much lower and it could walk under the dining room table without hitting it's head...

MariesRX8

Any chance of that? Neither Scion nor Subaru would let me, even though the car wasn't sold or pre-ordered, even as a forty-something female still dressed from the office (not exactly the free-joyriding around the block type lol)... no drives without preliminary paperwork and a $500 deposit.

Apparently it's nothing personal, but buyers are so picky and the car is so rare they don't want any excess miles on the cars. But I just can't bring myself to do all that just to see if I like it, that's all so backwards.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, a test drive won't happen any time soon. More likely to happen from an obliging owner than a dealer.

HiFlite999

iTrader: (2)

I also sat in one last weekend. Meh. It felt more claustrophobic than the 8. A crude comparison of the headroom vertically showed it to be about the same. However, tilting my head toward the outside lets me hit the top of the door opening. The same test in the 8 lets my head clear by some margin and this with the power seat in the full up setting. Headroom in the BRZ is "pinched in" relative to the 8. The seats feel R3-like vs the normal RX-8 seats. I'm not a large guy, but it left me wondering how these rather aggressive side bolsters on the back would wear on a long drive. The seat bottom is none to wide either; those of larger stature or of greater butt-icle proportions may find the seats quite restrictive.

However, I did love the RX-8 tribute triangle stop light in the lower rear bumper cover!

Bladecutter

Yeah, the nearby Fiat dealer tried that with myself and my gf this past Saturday when we showed up to test drive one of their Abarths.

All we did was point out the obvious:

How do they expect a current owner of a Fiat 500 Sport (my gf) to decide if she wants to move up to the Abarth if they don't let her test drive the car?

We also pointed out the fact that they had previously lost our business when we bought the 500 because they were too busy playing games with financial numbers, and we drove to Texas to buy the car sitting in the parking lot, instead of ordering it through them.

They then relented, and let us test drive the car.
My gf loved it, and has been thinking about trading in her Sport for the Abarth ever since.

So, if they try to pull that on you, either remind them that you don't buy cars without test drives, and you have no trouble taking all of your money elsewhere, or find a different dealer to test drive it at.

BC.

MariesRX8

Problem is I don't think they have much incentive to do so. Most of the cars are pre-ordered it seems, and even when one becomes available they seem to be found by those looking for one very quickly. It's not just my two local dealers, it's mentioned on the BRZ/FRS forum as being the norm with only a few exceptions.

I think the idea is the car is going to people who already knew about it, who have been waiting for it to come out, so the "test drive" is just a formality for them. They're already sold on it, they worship the ground it drives on.

So normal shoppers who are cross-shopping and comparing... outa luck it seems. They don't need us.

CarAndDriver

Regardless of whether you like the twins or not, it is great that there seems to be renewed interest in entry-level sports cars again. It really was slim picking at some point - I really think people should give Mazda more credit for helping start the renaissance with the MS3.