R888

I don't think any stock manual 8 can beat stock IS250 in manual, the dyno of IS250 is 176HP. While the IS350 has 260 @wheel.

Mazda needs to build up 280 HP in 08 or nobody will buy it.

Dam this is a sad news.

Start with 36,000 for the IS250 with 4 doors sharp lexury sedan better compare to the 39000 for the 8 in canada + all the recalls.

Thats more sad!!

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

the IS250 weighs 400lbs more then the RX8... not as fast as our cars


it is a nice car though, and has made my short list for a future car

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

^what he said

hp isn't everything. hp to weight ratio is important

yiksing

^^not entirely correct

Applicable wheel torque vs weight is important

Fiveohmike

Fun factor vs other cars = greater

mlx8

Even hp/weight isn't everything. Bhp certainly isn't everything. As long as there are a "fair" number of curves involved, a good set of brakes can be worth more $10,000 in engine modifications. Few cars, even with "great" engines, can accellerare faster than most cars with even "poor" brakes.

There are lots of high hp cars the Rx8's power can't out accellerate, but not may than can out brake it, ... and if the stock system isn't robust enough for you, you can always add a beefier big brake kit for something less than $2k, that can make you faster around a road course track than $10,000 worth of "horsepower" engine modifications. BTDT, so far repeatedly this year.

dillsrotary

IS250
0 to 60 - 7.2 secs
1/4mile - 15.4 secs
weight - 3465lb

IS350
0 to 60 - 5.6 secs
1/4mile - 13.7
weight - 3600lb

the IS350 is obviously faster in the 1/4, but at that weight it'll get spanked autocrossing.
http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroa...xus-is250.html

ElusiveFX

Thats fine... this reminds me of the time some guy told me the new maxima could beat my E36 M... lol

OnRails

At the last autocross here a guy in an IS350 came in second in novice class.

Link: Autocross Results (Look Under Novice)

I think he did pretty good.

kw1k

my friend wants an IS350, really nice car for the price

oh btw, it sounds amazing with the hks exhaust

http://youtube.com/watch?v=21YS52IBr...IS350%20HKS%20

dillsrotary

WOW, i stand corrected. plus he beat a couple sti's as well, must be one hell of a driver.

mp5

Hate to burst your bubble, but looking at random autox results (especially the novice class) won't tell you much about a car's performance. The novice results are indexed, and the raw times for the novice STi's are quicker. Also, he got spanked handily by the non-novice STis in A-stock and STU classes.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

lol, i never said torque wasn't important. dude's just facting on hp.

syntrix

Thanks for the autox comparisons!

Let's keep this to legal competitions such as legal drag racing, or more importantly, the twisties like autox and road courses.

brattesani

autoX results say alot more about the driver than the car.

Dinhx8

no they don't.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

^+1

if that was the case, why would people be buying the auto? 197 for what today's usual is 300.

spork

Er why would a car 400 pounds heavier with 176HP at the wheel be faster than a car with 185-190 horsepower at the wheels? I don't get it. If you really need more power on your 8, drop in on the PTP guys who have turboed theirs to 330HP at the wheel...

And I guess in Canada pricing is weird since in the US the IS250RWD Manual is 30K base, and the Rx-8 is 24K base (after rebate). Why is the RX-8 so expensive in Canada? It's $10,000 USD more in Canada?

But I do have to say I'm skeptical of your claims. Can anyone else in Canada confirm that the RX-8 goes for $39,000 Canadian dollars (US $34,714) in Canada? If the RX-8 really is that over priced in Canada, then I wouldn't get it myself.

BlueEyes

It's $37K CDN for a base Rx8 here.
http://www.mazda.ca/eng/getin/mazdam...&ModelName=RX8

We get hosed on most cars compared to US pricing. My next car will be imported from the US without a doubt.

Rhawb

I'd love an IS350 for my next car. Especially with that exhaust!

...if automatics didn't bore me out of my mind.

I've got a Mazda 3 rental car right now that I hate driving just because I have nothing to do as I drive. I can totally see how so many accidents happen - it's so easy to do other things besides driving. Plus, I find my mind wandering while driving this car FAR more than when I drive my 8. It's definitely not just the car either, I love driving my roomie's stick shift 3s.

I definitely need a car that's more engaging. What's with car companies doing consumers a "favor" by making automatics mandatory? The Charger does this too - I was even a little interested in it until I heard that you're stuck with a slushbox.

Anyway, back on topic. Yeah - a stock IS250 isn't going to beat an 8 at anything but luxury and comfort. The performance is pretty decent, but it's not quite enough to take on sports cars.

Dinhx8

not to mention that the rear legroom in the IS is laughable. There's no more room than in an 8 even with the seat all the way back.

Zio

IS350 only comes with an auto gearbox.

spork

Why is the Lexus so cheap then? (it's only 2K over the price here vs 10K over the price here). Oh you wacky Canadians.

Winfree

Market demands, and competative sales directors -
But it would be lovely to lure a 350 on a twisty track and put it up against an 8... Especially with a few good long hills - the 350 might get more speed on the downhill, but that weight would make it really fun on the uphills....