RX-8 friend

OK, I got to drive Maurice's car from the airport back to his home a week ago, and back to the airport to get him just today (30 km each way).

Maurice's car has the Stage 1 box, high flow cat and resonator, and stock muffler. The box is actually tuned to Stage 2 (test map). Everything else is stock (suspension, wheels, tires).

I'm used to my 93 RX-7 twin turbo ("slightly" modified - with a claimed 300+ HP, free exhaust, etc. etc. as well as H&R springs and stock shocks).
<--- That's it in my avitar.

Power
The RX-8 feels like my RX-7 when its' off boost. I kept waiting for it to get "on" boost, but it never did. Funny . It just kept going faster and faster. I kept noticing I was at least 20 km/hr over the limit. Sneaky! Very smooth power curve with the Stage 1 unit.

Gearbox
I love shifting gears. I kept getting "lost" in the transmission. I could use at least 3 gears at any given speed! What a rev. range! I quickly learned you run this engine at least 1500 RPM higher than my 3rd gen. The syncros were flawless. Did I mention I love shifting gears?

Handling
The car feels like my 3rd gen when cornered hard. I didn't take it to the limits, as it's not -my- car, I just drove it like I drive my 3rd gen. It took it in stride without incident.

Brakes
Well, nobody cut me off, so I didn't explore the limits when I was driving, but Maurice did one day when I was a passenger, and it stopped without incident (damn minivan morons). It stops at least as well as my 3rd gen, maybe better.

Ergonomics
My RX-7 is rough, uncomfortable for anyone larger than 5' 10", has very little room - for anything. Cargo, passengers, your legs!
What a difference! The ride is much more comfortable and the seating is very nice. Nice improvement Mazda! What, you mean I can carry 3 passengers!

Looks
Same attention getter. "What kind of car is that?". "Nice car!" etc. etc. You all know the drill.

So, will I sell my 3rd gen and get one? Maybe one day. For now I don't have $40,000+ burning a hole in my pocket. I did find myself thinking about how nice it would be to exchange my 3rd gen for one on the drive out to the airport today.

Very sneaky, Mazda!

Senseny

I originally thought that you were going to ask the board to compare the cars and I was going to say for the first time--Do a search. I was relieved when I saw your write up. I basically agree with all of your points.

TiRX8

RX-8 friend, what part of the city do you live in? I saw a beautiful yellow 7 at the Sobey's in my neighbourhood (SW near the old Heritage mall). If it was your car, you caught me drooling!

Rupes

Dude, I got my 6 speed for $26,000 with 0 miles on it. Fully loaded they cost like $33,000.

-Rupes

brothervoodoo

Dude, he is talking Canadian...

DavisRx8

I purchased my Rx8 for invoice as well - I think the dealerships are being told to offer less than msrp right now. Think 26k sounds a lot better than 40k......more incentive?

Kel Rx8

put it this way
never sell the 7
get a 8 and enjoy life to the fullest
i regret selling my fd
btw is it true cym ?

TiRX8
what is that sig

Gord96BRG

Dude, he's talking Canadian!!! Canadian dollars are smaller than US dollars, so it takes more of them to buy the same car. Your price is irrelevant to the price of the car in Canada. Last year, with exchange rates factored in, Canadian RX-8s were actually several thousand dollars cheaper than US RX-8s. This year, with the weaker US dollar, the cost is about the same after factoring exchange.

Regards,
Gordon

bureau13

I've been in basically the same boat since I sold my FD and bought the 8. I can't really explain it, but while I know my FD was faster, the new car is at least as, if not more, fun to drive. Its bizarre!

jds

RX-Hachi

I've been without my FD for many years now and it always felt like a part of me was missing. But now that I have the RX-8, I feel whole again.

In terms of raw performance, the RX-7 did have the edge. But this RX-8 is so refined in comparison. The handling feels just as good as the RX-7, but the ride is way better. Certainly I miss the twin turbo rush of the RX-7, but I'll take the higher reliability (I hope) and high reving nature of the Renesis.

As for looks, I used to think that RX-7 was the most beautiful car on the planet. And I still feel it's a more fluid design than the RX-8. But I think the RX-8 has its own unique style that is just as nice in many respects.

Interior wise it's no contest, the RX-8 has it in spades. Plus being a family man now, nothing can beat the RX-8 when it comes to being a true 4 door sports car with a decent trunk as well!

Atacdad

Looks like a rotorhead going "...where no man has gone before"

boothguy

8F:

I think you're right on with your comments - having them both concurrently for a comparison is very telling (I kept my FD when I got the 8). Assuming your CYM is in fact a '93 R-1, it's the most extreme comparison since that version had the most rock-hard suspension of all. A couple of other random observations:

I always felt that all the money to build the FD got spent on the engine/chassis/body and that they had nothing left over for the interior. Mine squeaks and rattles horribly. Winner: RX8 by a WIDE margin, although I wish the seat cushions were more supportive.

My '94 FD has Michelin Pilot Sport (wider than stock) tires, Eibach springs and Koni yellows, but you can still feel every gum wrapper on the road. Corners like a Go-Kart, but rides like one too. Winner: road-dependent, it's the FD, but for overall use, the 8 gets the nod.

Power: hard to make the same comparison as you since I'm still waiting for my CZ-1 nearly six months after paying for it (ahem). While it's fun to rev the 8, the FD with improved breathing like yours (and mine) just plain dusts the 8 without having to row the gearbox nearly as much.

Overall, I think the 8 is the better car. While the FD generates way more adrenaline per mile, it is literally too high-performance for its own good as a real-world, daily driver. The 8 is a completely different car, but represents a superb blend of fun and usability.

RX-8 friend

My FD is a "base" model, and an original CYM. The paint has been "enhanced" (it's much nicer - lighter color yellow and lots of clearcoat). I guess that happened when the body kit went on.

Yes, sigh, Canadian dollars. The car is $42,000 (leather, no sunroof). Multiply that by 0.75 to get $31,500 US. Taxes and duty differences will make up the difference in price.

Your wait is almost over! We're almost caught up to demand!

I'm up by the muni. It was not my car you saw.

Senseny

So Canada got the CYM in base trim as well. Damn Canadians--we only have CYM in R-1's from 93. BTW, great color.

shelleys_man_06

The FD is a faster car, if that's what you're saying. Is it the most useful car? Probably not. I was considering buying a 1994 FD, but I was turned off by its usefulness. I love my 8 because it's fast, practical, and it's NEW. The FD is going the way of the 60's musclecar in terms of tuning. Time for new and confusing technology .

Kwullen

Hahhhh, ha, ha ,ha ,hahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Definitely my pick for quote of the week!!!