Yesterday test drove RX-8 R3, Mazdaspeed3, and hardtop Miata 'vert
 

... while waiting for a new computer for my RX-8.

My impressions of the R3 package RX-8 were very similar to that of a previous members. It felt very much the same dynamically but with noticeably shorter gearing. This was especially noticeable in 6th where cruising speed was at a higher RPM than that found in the previous models. The seats were a nice treat with great side bolsters significantly wider than the stock rx-8, and are definitely lighter due to them not being automatic at all... I'd wonder if any members here would do the swap. I don't think it rode as comfortably due to the 19 inch wheels, but the response from the tires was almost less than that of my car due to having RE-010-R rubber. The interior I'll admit looks a lot more classy, especially the new tachometer design. Worth the extra money? Not yet, not until Mazda releases the 1.6 L rotary. For me, the R3 is just an appearance package with some cool little tidbits.

The Mazdaspeed3 felt like the Mazda3 I had last week, but on cocaine. Larger rubber, bigger brakes, tighter suspension, and a NOTICEABLE kick in the pants when that turbo comes on at around 2500 rpm. I don't know about many members here, but I'm not too keen on the overall looks of the car. The seats were less supportive and bolstered than my RX-8, but were still pretty good. The interior quality is a little bit short of the RX-8 as well. The entire dash seems to be made of a plastic that isn't as high quality as the RX-8. Flat out, this car is quicker than the RX-8. Can definitely see where it falters in reguards to braking and cornering. The front just wants to understeer you out of a good apex line, as well as providing some torque steer in 1st and 2nd gear. The torque steer isn't as bad as one would thing due to Mazda nerfing the power. If you need the space... this car is a definite buy.

And last but not least: The Miata Hardtop 'Vert. What's to like? The car changes direction with amazing speed, no wonder this car is an autocross marvel. The gearbox is beautiful as well, perfectly mated to the 4-cylinder that powers the car. Nothing really bad about this car either... except that it needs more power.

I had my wife's 03 Miata for the day a few weeks back. I don't often drive it. First thing I said to my son when I got home "I'd have to supercharge that thing if I drove it every day." Fun car in its own right, but 50-75 more horsepower would be that much more fun.

Mazdaspeed3 is faster than Rx8 on the Lightning Lap...

ms3 is no doubt faster. but the power falls off quickly.

a few minor mods corrects it, and can boost power levels beyond what we can currently archive with the rx-8.

they did a great job with the ms3 engine. But the gains don't change the fact it's basically a short station wagon. I wouldn't mind owning one though.

The NCs are much much faster than NAs or NBs...the 2 liter has waaaay more torque and the braking is phenomenal...it's not a practical car because it only has two seats, but it's an excellent entry-level sports car and very track-able...and even though it only has 170HP, it's a good 400lbs. lighter than the RX8 depending on trim.

And its easier to look like a fag while doing so...heh

I still don't think it would beat an RX-8 on the same day with the same driver (on a road course). It has a higher center of gravity and the front end losing grip doesn't give you too much confidence in the corners. It just doesn't have the balance that the RX-8 has. A great car still none-the-less. Let's just say it's the only car I drove that day that didn't need more power though, in fact it could probably do better with a little less... At high rpms, the MS3 does seem to lose momentum, almost as if the engine outruns the turbo. Shifting 500-1k short of redline seemed to give you the best results with acceleration.

Quite disappointed in the R3 package though. Just doesn't seem to add too much performance for the price. My RX-8 with just new wheels and tires on it seemed to kill it in the handling department. It would do Mazda a lot of good to introduce the new 1.6 mated to a car already.

:lol:

I'm just wondering that in order to extract the performance of the R3 package over the regular GT model, one would have to drive it a vmax at a track perhaps? On the street, I doubt it will be any better. Much like the S2000 CR vs. regular S2000 or Nismo Z vs. regular Z. Differences are not readily apparent until one hit the track.... and I don't mean drag strip.

I dunno about that. Those optional wheels look fairly heavy and might actually hurt it's track performance. The stock RX-8 wheels with some good rubber on them might fair much, much better. I didn't notice a difference in steering response after getting right back into my car, if anything there was a better response from my re-010-r tires.

The suspension package it has in it seems a little worth it, but I honestly couldn't feel the difference.

I saw the RX-8 and Miata would use anywhere from 50 to 100 hp more.

Glad I didn't wait to buy a 2009, then. I wouldn't have wanted any more noise in the cabin while cruising on the freeway.

from what I've read, the rear end has a lower gear, but the 6th gear has been extended in the transmission so the rpms in 6th should not be higher when cruising.

If I wanted a fast $22k fast car I would get the MS3.
If I was really worried about looks and not straight line speed (but loved the cornering), I would get the Rx8 (not the new model though). If only I had the 33k to get one lol.
If I wanted an open top go-cart with great handling, I would get the miata.

Mazda has some great cars available right now.