Roaddemon

/QUOTE/ i can attest to the fact of just wanting to get in my rx-8 and drive. i've passed up riding my r1 to drive my car already. even my girlfriend knows she stands behind my bikes in preference. lol

yamajj[/QUOTE]





he,he,he, I can relate. The rx8 is the only car I can drive without missing my bike. It makes a great substitute (fun wise) when my bike's in the shop.

Roaddemon

If your drunk on power you'll miss the true joys of life. The rx8 is one of them.

rx8wannahave

I don't plan on racing the car or useing it as a dragster (I perfer race cars over dragsters). I'm pretty sure that the RX8 after MUCH MUCH research has once again beat out the last challenger. My thinking is...What you experiance more often in the street is the feeling of a good curve and the fun factor. While I like the 0-60 run the RX8 is fast enough for me in that department. The GTO has its good points but not enough to overcome the RX8.

What I will do to the RX8 is upgrade and personalize it with time. NOT, because I'm going to race it but I want to make it even better than it is. I'll probably go the weight savings way first...then engine upgrades...then MAYBE I'll take a look at a body kit or two.

The GTO is just so DANG FAT and plane looking, so it's the RX8 again.

Note: Thanks for the Canzoomer ECU information.

dmp

Keep in mind, Wannahave is in Florida - there is MUCH more opportunity for straight-line speed than twisties.... :D

rx8wannahave

Yes, don't remind me...LOL

Tayninh

Actually in Florida he has no need for winter tires and can drive his RX more than those us contending with winter road conditions or need to have MS rated tires. Me, mine stays in the garage until the Spring now. Bummer. Florida is nice for the winter months but gets rather warm duing the Summer months. Kind of wished I lived in Florida right now. LOL

rx8wannahave

Thanks for reminding me...LOL

You know, I'm not sure If I'll live in Florida forever...but I could not accept putting the RX8 in the garage for parts of the year...that would SUCK!!! I would probably have to get a AWD car then cause I would hate putting the car away.

Sorry for those who do...but thanks Tayninh for reminding me...

9100RPM

Go to www.airpowersystems.com.au to check out twin turbo installation on Holden Monaro ie LS1 engined Aussie version of the GTO. It's rather quick. Although Australian this company exports packages to YANK LAND
9100RPM

Fanman

Take a look at the SSR Engineering/Speed Force Racing Turbo kit for the RX8. They are claiming 300 whp/250-260 lb.-ft. torque. Phenomenal #'s. I forgot to add that if you are willing to spend the money on the full titanium system (saving 20-30 lbs.). You should also take a look at the SR Motorsports midpipe/hi flow cat w/ resonator that will save you another 10-12 lbs. Maybe some racing seats, lighter rims,etc. I can see a 100 lb. weight reduction for the RX8. 500 lbs. for the GTO would be near imposible.

rx8wannahave

Fanman...thanks!

Now, do you have a link to that website? That turbo sounds...sweeettttt! 300whp, I guess that means WHEEL HP....right, that would be PERFECT!!! Gosh...the RX8 would become the best car in the world...or at least in the top 5...LOL

Kari

Yes Phenomenal numbers that the GTO beats stock. Oops :D

rx8wannahave

Yes, but it also has 700 extra pounds...don't forget...LOL. A RX8 with 300Whp would take a GTO...stock, I think.

Fanman

Take a look here at this thread : https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=45834

They have a website, but they are getting updated. The thread seems pretty informative. Can't wait for a dyno to get put out.

Kari,

Now all you need to do is upgrade the suspension, brakes, rims & tires, body on the GTO and you're right there !

I would rather have a 350 hp (approximately 300 whp) 3000lb. RX8 than a 400 hp, 3600 lb. GTO. Hell even a 500 hp GTO. 350 is plenty, and I can actually make a turn without ending up in a ditch.

rx8wannahave

This is what Im saying...LOL, I like the GTO...but I'm head over heals in love with the RX8!

AND I DON'T EVEN OWN ONE YET!!!

zoomed

Heck, if you are going to do all that work to a GTO you might as well get a Vette -- and leave it stock.

MIGoat

ls1gto.com, there are a couple of others out there but IMO its the best one. Weight can be lost on the GTO, but I think 500lbs would be almost impossible.

dmp

This might add to the confusion - it sure has to mine

http://www.d-mphotos.com/movies/TopGearGTO.wmv

G8rboy

It sure was better looking inside and out before Pontiac put their ugly-*** trademark all over it... the Monaro isn't bad at all. The GTO might be a beast, but I would never pay that kind of $ for something that looks like a Grand-Am.

MIGoat

They really didn't change the interior except for fixing that right hand drive thing. And I think more people confuse it with the Grand Prix than a a Grand Am.

G8rboy

I guess they all look alike to me... and now the G6, too.

rx8wannahave

G6 looks very nice...come on, I sat in it and it looked nice inside too. The rear seats have alot of room and it looks nicer than a Honda Accord (while I respect and love Honda).

I think the 500 pounds is dead in the water...just no way without makign major changes. Now, 200-300...well...just mabye...LOL

The problem with the Vette, if there is any, is that I need at least 4 seats so I can't get one...well, then there is that pesky affording it thing...LOL

rx8wannahave

Note: GTO update...the back seats are GREAT!!!!! Very comfortable and space to spare, the best rear seats I have ever sat in...in a 2+2 by far, the RX8 is 2nd or tied because of the extra doors.

Note2: The GTO still looks like a Pontiac...LOL, I think the next one will look VERY NICE!

Malloy

Hey guys, this is my 1st post on the board, and I was in the same situation.

A little about me: My daily is an '03 24v VR6 Jetta (suspension, brakes, and usual bolt ons), that Im just tired of. (its a really good car, I bore easily) Ive owned about 10 cars, Fbodys, Supras, Mopars, 4Runners, DSMs, and so on, and Im looking for a new daily ride. I have no blind ignorance to any marques just b/c they are not Jap, German etc. I work in the auto aftermarket, and I do special projects with Mazdaspeed as well as work with Millen, and other GTO racers. I can get S plan type prices for both cars, so that helps.

They are offering great incentives on both the RX8 and GTO, so it made sense to look at both. As already detailed, both cars have their high and low points. Well, the GTO was a BIG disappointment. Sure it was fast, but it felt really unrefined and most of all..heavy. Simple, its a heavy car...but some cars mask their heft better than others. In addition to being a realy plain jane car, it felt like a dump truck to me. Plus the HVAC controls were soooo cheap. Turning them every day would drive me nuts. Its hard to put to words ...but I would not be happy driving that car 20k mile a year. As a contrast, my Jetta is an absolute blast...the Stoptech brakes and full eibach kit really make it fun to drive. GTO out, time to look at the 8.

I have always *loved* the unique love it/hate it styling of the 8. The back doors are especially quirky, and cool to me. A few friends have owned FDs, and the interiors and general build quality were a huge disappointment.

Well, after seeing a few cool RX8s at the SEMA show, I quickly realized this cars fit/finish was much better than the FD. Lets jump to the test drive. WOW. Im 5'9 ~175 and the car fit me perfectly. THe fit/finish seemed supurb for a car that price, and light years nicer than the GTO (which admittedly had a better than avg. GM interior...but still felt cheap) The car was an absolute delight to drive. Razor sharp handling (for a stock car) and it just felt really tossable. I LOVED it. The 160 ft/lb TQ numbers scared me on paper, but after driving it I realized the gearing helped compensate for the lack of grunt. Again, this will be my daily driver. If it runs mid 14s, Im happy. If it runs mid 14s and handles awesome, Im thrilled. Thats all I could want. The engineering that went into the RX8 was evident, where the Holden seemed pieced together.

Conclusion: Im working with 3 local dealers to get the best deal on an 8. Hopfully I will be driving a black/black 6sp GT package car next week.

rx8wannahave

Agreed, I'm not so picky with interiors since both of my other cars were so old so I don't expect much but the GTO interior (besides some issues) was WAY better than normal Chevy stuff. I also wish the car did not weigh so dang much (3400 max please) but I too have decided on the RX8.

The RX8 is truly a car made for me and I just can't wait to get one...GOD WILLING! Out of the box the RX8 is the best all around sports car out there. Then, it has rear seats for normal people...LOL...

Like I say, THE 8 IS GREAT!

rx8wannahave

Malloy...not to say you were picky, I'm just saying that's all...I'm easy to please with interiors....well sort of...

My wife's 6 seems to push up against my HAPPY foot while driving but it might be me??? I don't know?