Ford Fiesta vs. RX-8
09-25-2008, 03:55 PM
#1
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Ford Fiesta vs. RX-8
My girlfriend has just aquired a 2007 Ford Fiesta, and in her absence I had to drive it from the car lot to my garrage. Man, I tell you it was a strange experience. I wasn't born in an RX-8 and I'm not trying to emphasise that I'm driving a superior car. But.... gee. I felt like I was driving a truck or something. The seat was way to high, the steering wheel was way too large, so was the shifter... Not to mention the maneouvrability or acceleration... I even didn't know what bloody gear I was in... they are all the same. Brrrr. I must cleanse myself. Guess I'll have to take my girl to a ride asap. Talking about my Mazda, not the girlfriend 
09-25-2008, 04:50 PM
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Rest assured, even though that Fiesta may indeed destroy an rx8 in a straight line, on the twisties you got her!
And I have little rotor accents that Im STILL discovering on my car. Rotor accents= superior vehicle!
And I have little rotor accents that Im STILL discovering on my car. Rotor accents= superior vehicle!
09-25-2008, 06:21 PM
#7
That's the darndest thing eh? something about those american cars.
While I was in Vegas two years ago I discovered the same thing. While my company sprang for a "family sedan" *Yawn* I felt I'd try my hand at the nicest car they had on the lot - the all new "Dodge Charger". (it was still "new" then)
First impression: Woah, this car looks menacing! and look at those big wheels! oh I've heard so much about this car (Well not really).
Getting in the vehicle, I was staggered.... (Just like you) "I thought I got into a car? didn't I? but this isn't a car .... *realizing*... this is a truck, but no that's impossible! because just seconds ago, I was outside of a car. Ok, this car is some sort of transformer, it's a car on the outside and a truck on the inside. I figured that Dodge loves their trucks so much, they kept making them even inside their cars. Anways, I brushed it off, as "The new American muscle car experience".
Within two blocks from the lot, I get invited to my first race... with a Crossfire. Bunch of guys in love with their own muscle car and pleading me to race them. My first response was "This thing is just a truck! it just looks like car". They kept pleading with me, so I relented (they cheered) ... "Alright then, I'll floor it for you".
Light turns green, and the dodge makes an awesome sound like it's trying to pull an "ox-cart", thankfully the crossfire let me pull ahead first, because I thought this car would never start moving. I soon realized that although my car was slow, so was their car! The cross fire won eventually and the boys in the crossfire were thrilled to win a race - pushing the roof motion with the hands.
It was the saddest driving experience I ever had. Like I was celebrating mediocrity.
Then there was the first "speedy" turn I took, which almost ended my life. A simple slow corner right, but unfortunately the steering wheel speaks a different language than the front of the car, because it kept going perfectly straight into incoming traffic. I just can't figure what's so worth while about the dodge charger... I mean, imagine something stupidly simple, like trying to parallel park, and every small adjustment you make results in squealing tires. Ok it's not that bad, but it came to my mind two years ago.
Compared to the RX8 - which is the feeling of become part of the "machine" when you sit in it - a charger feels like a square steel version of a brick which is raised above four spongy wheel/suspensions. Hmm... like a light weight version of a box car pulled by a locomotive.
On a side note: Ok yes it's bloody hot in Vegas, and the roads are actually slick with the oil bubbling up from the asphalt. So perhaps it's a little more greasy than I'm used to.
I will say one last thing.... I have to give the charger credit for one thing that it does very well. It's a smooth pillow soft cruiser for those long air conditioned journeys everywhere you must go. Also it can make big noise, when you get road rage. That..... about sums it up (for me)
While I was in Vegas two years ago I discovered the same thing. While my company sprang for a "family sedan" *Yawn* I felt I'd try my hand at the nicest car they had on the lot - the all new "Dodge Charger". (it was still "new" then)
First impression: Woah, this car looks menacing! and look at those big wheels! oh I've heard so much about this car (Well not really).
Getting in the vehicle, I was staggered.... (Just like you) "I thought I got into a car? didn't I? but this isn't a car .... *realizing*... this is a truck, but no that's impossible! because just seconds ago, I was outside of a car. Ok, this car is some sort of transformer, it's a car on the outside and a truck on the inside. I figured that Dodge loves their trucks so much, they kept making them even inside their cars. Anways, I brushed it off, as "The new American muscle car experience".
Within two blocks from the lot, I get invited to my first race... with a Crossfire. Bunch of guys in love with their own muscle car and pleading me to race them. My first response was "This thing is just a truck! it just looks like car". They kept pleading with me, so I relented (they cheered) ... "Alright then, I'll floor it for you".
Light turns green, and the dodge makes an awesome sound like it's trying to pull an "ox-cart", thankfully the crossfire let me pull ahead first, because I thought this car would never start moving. I soon realized that although my car was slow, so was their car! The cross fire won eventually and the boys in the crossfire were thrilled to win a race - pushing the roof motion with the hands.
It was the saddest driving experience I ever had. Like I was celebrating mediocrity.
Then there was the first "speedy" turn I took, which almost ended my life. A simple slow corner right, but unfortunately the steering wheel speaks a different language than the front of the car, because it kept going perfectly straight into incoming traffic. I just can't figure what's so worth while about the dodge charger... I mean, imagine something stupidly simple, like trying to parallel park, and every small adjustment you make results in squealing tires. Ok it's not that bad, but it came to my mind two years ago.
Compared to the RX8 - which is the feeling of become part of the "machine" when you sit in it - a charger feels like a square steel version of a brick which is raised above four spongy wheel/suspensions. Hmm... like a light weight version of a box car pulled by a locomotive.
On a side note: Ok yes it's bloody hot in Vegas, and the roads are actually slick with the oil bubbling up from the asphalt. So perhaps it's a little more greasy than I'm used to.
I will say one last thing.... I have to give the charger credit for one thing that it does very well. It's a smooth pillow soft cruiser for those long air conditioned journeys everywhere you must go. Also it can make big noise, when you get road rage. That..... about sums it up (for me)
Last edited by Gyro_Bot; 09-25-2008 at 07:51 PM.
09-25-2008, 06:31 PM
#8
Then I came home to my girl. Waiting like an angle.
It was such a refreshing experience. It's like... returning home to your favorite home cooked meal, after spending weeks eating something that was named the same thing, but in reality just a cheap facsimile. Like trying to replace your favorite hickory smoked BBQ stakes, with 2 for 1 Tofu-steak.
When you return starving for it, nothing tastes as good, as the "real thing".
Sorry.... just reminiscing. Anyone else have a similar experience?
It was such a refreshing experience. It's like... returning home to your favorite home cooked meal, after spending weeks eating something that was named the same thing, but in reality just a cheap facsimile. Like trying to replace your favorite hickory smoked BBQ stakes, with 2 for 1 Tofu-steak.
When you return starving for it, nothing tastes as good, as the "real thing".
Sorry.... just reminiscing. Anyone else have a similar experience?
Last edited by Gyro_Bot; 09-25-2008 at 06:39 PM.
12-24-2008, 01:35 AM
#10
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Fiesta vs RX-8 reloaded !
Friday I'm going to Sighisoara, which is the only inhabited fortified citadel in Eastern Europe (2 pictures posted, my girlfriend is somewhere in one). I went there last year driving my RX-8. Was a pleasure, as always. My car was parked in front of the hotel, and I noticed many couples taking pictures standing by my 8 !
The only issue is this time I won't be able to take my ride, because I lack winter tires, and probably it will snow. I'LL HAVE TO DRIVE MY GIRL'S FORD FIESTA !!
The only good thing could be that maybe I'll take more pleasure in admiring the environment. When you drive an 8 through the twisties is kind of hard to see the nature's beauty...
Wish me luck... keep in touch.
The only issue is this time I won't be able to take my ride, because I lack winter tires, and probably it will snow. I'LL HAVE TO DRIVE MY GIRL'S FORD FIESTA !!
The only good thing could be that maybe I'll take more pleasure in admiring the environment. When you drive an 8 through the twisties is kind of hard to see the nature's beauty...Wish me luck... keep in touch.
12-24-2008, 07:44 AM
#11
My then girlfriend, now wife, had a 1980 Ford Fiesta. It was the first FWD car I had ever driven. It had the typical torque steer and understeer through the corners. But, it tracked well through the snow and it didn't even have winter tires on it. The only time I autocrossed the car, she said I got it up on two wheels (The front two). She said that she saw daylight under the rear 2 tires. Everything felt fine to me.
12-24-2008, 03:09 PM
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My then girlfriend, now wife, had a 1980 Ford Fiesta. It was the first FWD car I had ever driven. It had the typical torque steer and understeer through the corners. But, it tracked well through the snow and it didn't even have winter tires on it. The only time I autocrossed the car, she said I got it up on two wheels (The front two). She said that she saw daylight under the rear 2 tires. Everything felt fine to me.
12-24-2008, 06:28 PM
#14
hahaha.
only thing is.. its her car.. shouldnt she be driving it?
my dad is the same way, whenever he and his gf go somewhere and take her car. he drives. so sexist! he's greek (lives there too). romania isnt too far away. it must be that part of the world. :P
only thing is.. its her car.. shouldnt she be driving it?
my dad is the same way, whenever he and his gf go somewhere and take her car. he drives. so sexist! he's greek (lives there too). romania isnt too far away. it must be that part of the world. :P
12-25-2008, 02:09 AM
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Fiesta reloaded !
12-25-2008, 03:28 AM
#17
my dad's gf hates driving in general. greece is a pretty awful place to drive though. very helter skelter, not organized at all.
my dad loves to bitch about female drivers. if he sees someone driving particularly badly, he'll always loudly comment it must be female. the sad thing is, i've never seen him wrong about it.
my dad loves to bitch about female drivers. if he sees someone driving particularly badly, he'll always loudly comment it must be female. the sad thing is, i've never seen him wrong about it.
12-25-2008, 01:45 PM
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my dad's gf hates driving in general. greece is a pretty awful place to drive though. very helter skelter, not organized at all.
my dad loves to bitch about female drivers. if he sees someone driving particularly badly, he'll always loudly comment it must be female. the sad thing is, i've never seen him wrong about it.
my dad loves to bitch about female drivers. if he sees someone driving particularly badly, he'll always loudly comment it must be female. the sad thing is, i've never seen him wrong about it.
01-03-2009, 12:33 PM
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But if you were ever chased through a mall by baddies in a Corvette or had to take part in an amphibious landing assault with the Royal Marines, the Fiesta would be the car to take.
01-05-2009, 01:55 AM
#21
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On the other hand, it's far more important to know your car and her limits rather than driving a better one. For instance, when I drove my daddy's old Dacia 1300 (bet many of you didn't even hear about this car - it's the Romanian version of a Renault 16 - FWD, 54 HP, the concept didn't change from the seventies) on a sinuous mountain road, I had no problems at all smoking a Mercedes ML. All that driver could do was to overpass me in straight lines. In twisties he always hit the brakes and acted like it was for the first time he drove that car. I don't know what the beautiful blonde who was sitting in his passenger seat thought when she saw that a piece of crap car (I mean mine) could do better than that German Tank.
01-05-2009, 08:38 AM
#23
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When my wheels got stolen off the 8 I borrowed my buddies Porsche for a bit, which was nice, but not as wonderful as the 8. When I had to return his car I still didn't have my car and had to borrow my folks extra Toyota Corolla. I drove it around as if it weren't even a car... just a "mobile couch on wheels" as CanofWorms calls it. The steering is so the opposite of precise, the chair is in the roof and it cornered not at all. Don't even talk about power hah! That being said, for simple transport from point A to point B it did the trick and I hardly ever saw the gas gauge needle move the whole time I borrowed it. For the crowd that thinks driving is just about transport from place to place and not about the journey I'm sure cars like the Fiesta and Corolla are perfect. For those of us that driving there is a big part of the point, we own RX-8s.
) and a 89' honda civic...
01-06-2009, 05:16 AM
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