Analyzing the 8's acceleration - what happens at 90mph?
 

Seeing the recent C&D test, I can't help but realize how slow the 8 is from 90 to 100 in particular. The test showed it hit 93mph in 15 sec., but then it needed a whole other 3 seconds to hit 100...3 seconds for 7mph?

I noticed this with other tests, the best example is the Motor Trend test w/the 350 & s2000. It showed acceleration in 10MPH increments so you can see exactly where the 8 trails off. Up until 60 the 8 is .2 seconds behind the s2000, and from there it looses another .2 seconds 60-70, another .2 sec. 70-80, another .4 sec. 80-90, than a whopping 1.2 sec. longer 90-100. The redline shift into 4th is 89mph, so did Mazda pick a lousy 4th gear ratio? Fuel economy reasons?

Now all cars loose pace as they accelerate, but the pace of the loss is usually gradual. Not so with the 8. I noticed it soon after I bought the car, that the shirt into 4th is like driving into wet cement, though the acceleration seems to pick up again once you clear 100mph. Doing roll-ons with a friend also confirmed this, but I noticed that delaying that shift into 4th until fuel cutoff (9300 or 9500rpm – depending on who you believe) brings you up another 3-4 mph and that drop off in power isn’t so severe once you shift.

Anyone else notice that the shift into 4th blows? Maybe next for the 8...a 7 speed direct shift transmission :fingersx:

Hmmm, I don't seem to have that problem of a wet cement feeling... sure you are not mixing up 4th with 6th or shifting too soon?

Of course I shift through 4th to 5th or 6th pretty quick and pretty much just use 4th for city streets anyway.

I like how you broke down the mph to show the progress or lack of between the vehicles. But didn't the RX-8 win that comparsion? What do you want its already a proven fact that the RX-8 is not the fast 3rd generation Rx-7 or Honda S2000 in 0-60 or 60-100pmph speeds. But what it does have is a supple suspension, smooth ride, comfortable drivers seat, 2 extra seats in the rear, a useable trunk and a smooth reving almost electric car running engine. It seems to win most comparison against 2 seater Sports cars. I think it should compete against like vehicles like coupes with rear seats and or 4 doors like the Mustangs, Audi TT, VW R32v, Volvo S40, BMW 318, 325, 328, 330 or C230 280s. The 8 would probably still win because of price and unique design but the huge points given for praticality will be negagted.

Not to cry folw but since Mazda has redefined the purpose of a Sports Car, its going to be hard to beat it in any magazine article. I like its exterior and interior styling, slick shifting 6spd and smooth reving engine. But there are better what I call Sport Cars out there. Not many better cars, and not any with a Rotary engine. Is that fair? So what if its not the fastest it still one of the funniest cars to drive.

But try to define it. Is it a Sport luxury Sedan?, Sports car?, Sport sedan?, Sport Coupe? Does it have two doors with extended cab? Or is it a vehicle with 4 doors?

It's cameo in the X-Men movie was approipate because its also a winning Mutant.

Never noticed any particular problem in 4th. As ridiculous as it sounds though, I kind of would like to see what a 7-speed manual would be like in this car, as I often wish that lower gears were a bit shorter, and the top gear was a bit taller. I guess we could achieve the same thing by simply making 1st-4th shorter and 6th taller, but maybe that wouldn't feel right with such large gaps between 4-5-6.

did you even read the OP's question? also. "funnest" is not a word.

yup most funnest car to drive. :) , its not THAT much slower then the other cars. You want to see speed difference get a sportbike , smoke a s2000 in a heartbeat , but then again its not a car anymore is it >_>

It's more funner, not most funnest!

You guys are both wrong.. he didnt say funnest.. he said Funniest..
like.. i know the rx8 has its flaws.... but there is no reason to laugh while driving it..............

It's still more funner...

I'd say do a seach for the gear ratios on the japanese version. Without quoting and searching myself, it's my understanding that the Japanese gearing allow the car to complete the 1/4 mile in third gear, at or around 100mph. So that means we got different ratios in the US.

michael

[edit]
yeah, this is it:
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...4&postcount=61

The posts in the thread should confirm your thoughts
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ese+gear+ratio
[/edit]

Your right Michael, i can get 167 kmh in 3rd which is just over 100mph. But then again we have a speed limiter at 185kmh. this can be removed though

from 60-130, the stock rx8 is a monster -- on par with the Porsche 911. i have never read or experienced anything like what you're talking about. if there's an rx8 that takes 3 secs to go from 93-100, something is screwed up.
i chirp my wheels in third but not in 4th. is that what you're talking about? :rolleyes:

you tard, its MORE FUN TO DRIVE...not more "funner"

go back to 1st grade english.

I think its funnerer.

no.. it's fanner

funny, isn't it?

d1s i5n'T f1rSt gR@d3!11!! d1s i5 tHa 1nt3rn3t n00b11!1!!1

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=funner

... umm, monster? I guess that would make cars like LS1 F-bodies Gozirra!!

if it makes you feel any better, this z06 has the same problem after 150.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evIozvN5ItY

My 4th gear feels great.

he didn't say what kind of monster. maybe he's talking about the gremlins (what happens to mogwai after eating past midnight).

I just wanna state something.......WTF Mustangs have four doors? is this on planet Zeta?

"and or 4 doors"

I beleive what he is saying is; sports cars w/rear seats that have 4 doors and sports cars w/rear seats that don't have 4 doors...

MrSuicidedoor thanks for the english lesson, you have too much time on your hand or why not just say that you don't like or agree with what I wrote. As for did I read what the original posters wrote, did you read my inital statement of how I like how he broke down his analogy in mph increments.

Now MrSuicidedude, Dshizh..1489 is right its "more fun to drive". SDD remind me not to ask you for grammar or english input, thanks U get a "F" for effort. Smarty pants.

Damn didn't I say the RX-8 won that review, what do you want? I also agree it is a Great Car, but like the O.P. stated it's not a fast one. So what, the sky is not blue all the time, such is life. Ain't it Great!!

Mustang with 4 doors not, I stated Coupes/sedans with 4 doors "and or" rear seats. Wow I'm taking all kind of incoming, good thing I'm a tank. Its just my opinion, we all got one. Thanks guys that are for freedom of speech rights.

Proof that you can teach stupid people proper english, but not sarcasm.