This is probably a dumb question, but I'm hoping someone can help.
I used to own a 2005 RX-8 1.3L Renesis 6-speed manual, when I lived in the UK, that I absolutely loved. I sold it when I moved back to the US, and now I'm wanting to get another.

However, I've been told that I am going to be disappointed with the US version.

One of the things I loved was the acceleration and how quick mine was, but I've been told the US has acceleration issues, due to emissions controls here and whatnot, and the 2 I've test drove so far (a base 2005 & a touring 2007) were disappointing.
I'm looking at a 2009 R3, but it's over a 500 mile drive, and I'd hate to drive that far to be disappointed.

Is there a huge difference, or did the ones I test just have issues (age)?

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They're identical. The UK got a manual 5-speed version the US never got, but you probably want a 6 speed anyway. Not sure what's wrong with the ones you drove, if they were manuals and not automatics, they left the factory performing the same as the UK ones. The bigger issue is the youngest RX8 is now 13 years old, so depending on previous owners approach to maintance, every car will be different.

Emissions in the EU are stricter than US, made the RX8 unmarketable there after 2011.

 

Hopefully this goes without saying, but get a compression test before seriously considering any rotary. Can your R3 seller go get one done, properly, before you drive 500 miles?

 

I will ask