You get used to it, I did when I drove my brother's VFR for a summer, and you learn to link gears and rpm to speeds. So when it gets sporty you don't actually look at it, you know how much too quick you are by the gear and the engine's sound level!

 

No, I got one! :D

As I said, the digital speedo is useable. I don't hate the car for it; just not my preference for that instrument.

 

I luv it! Although I do find myself looking at the tach instead. I took some time for me to get used to it!

 

I tend to agree with Nubo. The analog speedometer is another ingredient in your perception of acceleration. On other cars, your sense of acceleration is the culmination of the incoming rush of scenery, your butt dyno, and how fast your speedometer needle is sweeping.

On the RX-8, all you see is a flurry of digital numbers. You lose one of your perception of acceleration. That is why some people say that the acceleration of the '8 is sublime - because they can't truly tell by the digital speedometer.

 

I was watching the Indy 500 today and noticed all their guages were digital.

 

I had a '92 Pontiac Bonneville SSE that had the heads-up display. A lot of people who drove my car couldn't get used to it, I absolutely loved it! I don't understand why it's not in more cars. My dad just bought a BMW 530i with the heads-up display and again I think it's just super. However his does mine better: it displays your next turn when you use the navigation system!

Funny thing was that my old Pontiac's display was always 3 mph faster than the analog speedo. I find myself still making that mental correction years later in my RX8!

 

I prefer it because it gives an exact number. Since I am in the military it really helps on bases where speed limits are 5 mph in parking lots. Analog ones don't read 5 mph to well the lines are real close so I normally end up at about 10 and some base police love to be d*** heads and pull you over for that.

 

I agree with JimJimElf I like the low speed readout. Down in VA beach there is a development on a golf course that has 18 mph speedlimits!

 

Let's face it: there is no big practical difference between digital and analog, and you are overanalyzing it if you argue too hard one way or the other. Most race cars don't have a speedo -- of those that do, some have analog and some have digital. The guy who said the speedometer was a major factor in his decision about whether to buy the car or not is probably exaggerating.

My opinion: The digital speedo is somehow just more fun. No fancy argument here -- I just think it's kind of cool.

 

Every time I drive my wife's Hyundai, I forget to look at the speedo gauge until I get the sensation that I'm about to be busted by the fuzz.