Ike

You might have to adjust some valving and springrates for the suspension to be optimal, but the chassis itself would be just fine with more power. 300hp isn't anything earth shattering nowadays and it's hardly going to turn the car into some beast like some people here think. There enough guys here with mostly stock cars with just a turbo kit and supporting mods, ask them. The thing they probablt qworry about the most is their tune, engine, and lousy engine management systems.

Raptor2k

+1

The 8 has good power, it's zippy, but it needs more. Everyone and their dogs know it.

A positive about having an N/A rotary is the rev-ability. High RPMs don't faze it (except for gas mileage) and the 9000 redline is a thrill to experience, even if it's not 300 whp.

All I need to get my hands on now is Pettit's S/C, and then I'll be satisfied. Temporarily

Raptor2k

It wouldn't be a beast but the power to weight ratio would be pretty uncommon, given that the 8 is hundreds of pounds lighter than a lot of its competition, at least on the streets.


Btw my rear end has been kicking out like hell on wet days like these. DSC is straightening me out at least a few times daily, even at low RPMs. Even when it's dry and I take a quick turn...the car just gets a lot of body roll. Mazda softened up the suspension to make it a little more practical compared to a car like a Z but I'd like it more tightened up. Now I just need money for sways and coilovers...

mdw1000

It was the only thing in its price range (24K when i bought my 05 AT)that i could get with great handling, a decent ride, a usable back seat, 4 doors, a decent reliability rating, and styling that i liked. Plus I was curious to try the rotary engine.

I should be getting a new diff with the 4.77 gear in a few weeks. That should help the acceleration issue some.

astrozoom

Here is the deal. There are so many people that complain about the fuel economy already and pretty much any mod that would add significant power/torque (super/turbocharger) would require more of a loss in fuel economy. Since when, do people buy a sports car for fuel economy anyways. Have you ever heard a Mustang or 350Z owner say "I bought my car because of the fuel efficiency?" It is this guys own loss that he does not want anything to do with the 8. I still enjoy my 8, and his opinion will never change that!

j9fd3s

this is all imo....

i think the rx8 is FUN as is. ive been driving 1st gen rx7's forever, and for me the rx8 is an improvement in every way. its also FUN in the same way as the old rx's are.

would more hp be a bad thing? nope not at all.

is it needed? not really. i'm not trying to drag race every car i see, and the rx8 has a nice close ratio (its the competition trans from 79 with a granny 1st, basically) gearbox, so theres always a gear to drop down to...

Meeneevan

(Originally Posted by CarAndDriver View Post
AutoWeek Drivers Log (05/14/07)
2007 Mazda RX-8 (6M)
As Tested Price: $34,095
Fuel Economy: (EPA/AW): 20/15.8

MORRISON: I have a love/hate relationship with the Mazda RX-8. I love the relative practicality, the flat-out made handling, the steering feel, the suspension. But the Renesis engine delivers no torque and drinks gasoline like an F-22 fighter on full afterburner. And for what? A whole 232 hp? Cue the angry letters from rotary-engine nuts, but we've spent a lot of time with this car, and it doesn't intrigue me as it once did. That's a shame, because this Mazda was conceived with much more than raw power in mind, but the chassis is so good that it makes you dream of just that.)

I guess Mazda can bump up the power when and if they do the 1st redesign of the car. It's still in its first gen production so give them the chance to change and improve anything they feel needs it. To anyone who owns and drives the car regularly and feels that it is underpowered I can only say you are a DAMN FOOL for spending that much money only to be unsatisfied! I actually test drove the car on several occasions before I decided I wanted it and knew exactly what I was getting, as should have the rest of you owners - nothing has changed in the last 2 years of ownership (no, the car doesn't get any slower - only your reasoning and reflexes!!!)

As for the gas consumption, it was all on the sticker (can you people read?) The sticker states 18/24 MPG and I get around 17 MPG driving it hard all the time with little to no freeway time. This is 1 MPG under the stated value for city driving and is perfectly in line with what my 2 minivans get for their stated gas mileage (18/24) as they are supposed to get this kind of mileage and only get 17 MPG as well.

Anyone who is not satisfied with the car's performance after test driving it has only themselves to blame and not Mazda! I test drove a 350 Z and even though it is a very nice car with ample power I didn't like that it felt far less smooth than an RX-8. Thus, I didn't purchase one and have no need to rake Nissan over the coals for producing a car that I am not happy with - I made the decision not to get it and am perfectly happy with my decision to get the 8 instead. I don't remember Mazda forcing me or any other person to buy and 8, we made these decisions on our own after ample testing and research - right?!?!? Nobody here would blindly follow and do and believe what others post on chat sites, that's just crazy!!!!!

Tayler

iTrader: (1)

I think I know why most people have a problem with Ike, he doesn't sugar coat anything. Granted it can be a little brass at times but more often than not it's the truth, whether or not most here can handle it is the problem. I'd say he's the "Simon Cowell" of the board.

(minus tight black shirt)

:end speculation:

CarAndDriver

I was thinking more along Paul Abdul!

Chrisbert

Almost anything is more fun with more power!

Lennart

Agree with you 1000000000000000%
Very well written as well

DailyDriver2k5

Even if the 8 came with 300Hp many of you would still be unhappy. You would complain that its not as fast as a GTO or a Cobra Mustang. If the 8 came with 400Hp many of you would still be unhappy that its not as fast as a Z-06 Corvette or a Twin turbo Porsche. Its a never ending whine fest!

Be happy with what the 8 provides, no... strait line performance is not the 8 's strong point, but it makes up for that as being a pretty well balanced sports car that can be driven easily at its limits.

Look at the Mini Cooper , low on power but probally one of the best handeling cars out there for the money and not to mention loads of fun to drive , especially on a curvy road. But it couldn't hold a candle to more than half the cars out there on a open strait road.

The RX-8 was not built for strait line, nor was it built to be a high all around performance car like a Z-06 ( which can handle and go fast in a strait line). The Rx-8 is a affordable sports car or sports coupe (depending on prefrence) that was built to be fun, balanced and to stir the soul of the driver.

Look at it like this.... the RX-8 is a nice foundation to build upon for the next rotary car that mazda brings out. But for now appreciate your 8 and enjoy!

Raptor75

We seem to be missing the real issue that the writer of the article is saying and that is for the gas consumed the car should be faster. He is right.

We bought the car with the HP and mileage listed. I am happy with the HP, would I like more sure, it would make the car better. The real killer here is the fuel consumption. Some on this board get close to EPA estimates, the majority get worst (14 to 16mpg) and some get much worst. (10 to 12mpg) range.

When you look at the 232hp with a 11mpg fuel rating it pretty much sucks. Some one mentioned a Mini and how it is fun and a great driver with much less HP, very true but while doing this it gets 25mpg city.

With $4/gallon gas prices coming unless Mazda can fix the mpg issue the rotary is living on borrowed time. Love the car but not at 12mpg.

New Yorker

No, he's wrong. He'd be right if the 8 had a piston engine. In the piston engine world, we have to choose between fuel economy and speed—if we have a very fast car, it's reasonable to expect mediocre fuel economy. And, conversely, if we have mediocre fuel economy, we expect a very fast car in return.

But the 8 has a rotary engine, which confronts us with a very different trade-off: in exchange for mediocre fuel economy, we get sublime feel and handling—courtesy of the placement of the tiny, lightweight engine that's barely 13" tall. Yes, there are fast cars that handle well, but review after review gush over the unique—yes, unique—feel of the RX-8. And that's what you're getting for your mediocre fuel economy. People can't deal with that because it's contrary to how we normally think about fuel economy and speed.

dos

So let me get this right, everyone is pissed off because the writer at AutoWeek stated what is already known. Is he supposed to write his long-term update without stating the good, and the bad? Read any long-term report on any car and they will list its accomplishments, and flaws.

saturn

What does everyone expect. We all sit around and rehash the same arguments/discussions every single day. Even if the RX-8 had a major update every other Thursday we'd still talk about the same crap over and over again. These magazines are no different. They run out of crap to talk about and basically just reiterate the same junk that every other publication does.

This article is about as useful as this thread. Then again, at least this thread is getting me a higher post count that I can use to impress chicks.

NoRotorNoMotor

The RX-8 is teaching me to be a better driver .

Since I can't simply beat everyone by simply putting my right foot down ... I need to out drive them!

Power = $ 10,000
Handling = $ 8,000
Driving lessons = priceless

saturn

That's is exactly how I feel. And for me, the reason I don't just buy a Mustang GT or something similar is because style, whatever that is to me, is important. The people that say "any car can go fast in a straight line" might be right, but not all of them actually make me want to look at them.

Sorta off topic, but there always seems to be a handful of n00bs that don't seem to understand.

Joel Ramsey

I posted a reply under that blog titled "Sick & tired of 8 haters". I'm really getting tired of the dislike for this car.

Just last night some freakin moron in a TDI Volkswagen starts slamming my car and telling me what a piece of junk it is. All I was trying to do was get some grass seed!

playdoh43

no need to get pissed about people like that, it just shows their own narrow mindedness.

but then again, theres quite a few people here that like slam lesser cars too.

RX8redRob

Hey, I posted a reply too. "Mine was titled the best car you'll ever need"

Cheers

Joel Ramsey

Well said!

flomulgator

By this spring I was getting a little loopy and starting to think things like this. Then the weather got nice and I pulled out my 1000cc V-twin crotch rocket. It reminded me that:

ENOUGH IS NEVER ENOUGH!

Rotator

Power? You can never have enough "USABLE" power.

What has been said about the 8 many times is the chassis is capable of handling at least 100hp more. I am in agreement with this.

Do I complain about the lack of power though? No. I knew going into it that this was not a 1/4 mile car. It's like buying a miata and complaining it is slow.

What exactly does having 100, or even 200hp more get you? Extra cornering speed? No. It gets you from 0 to loose your license faster.

Want speed? get a bike!

Do we want a TVR with over 900bhp/ton to wrestle with?

Or do you take a car that has been written as one of the easiest cars to exploit the handling limits by your average driver?

Not many other cars that I know of has had so many favorable reviews about the handling except for the NSX, and possibly the boxster.

From the factory the car is a blast on any twisty real road surface. Don't like it as it comes from the factory?
Then there are plenty of aftermarket companies with product ready to give you more HP, more grip, louder sound, bigger brakes, etc. You have a base to work with that is unique. Put a 3-rotor turbo in it if you want.

The RX-8 is not a sports car. It is a sporty car that you can thrash all day long with 3 of your friends (2 at least) on twisty bumpy mountain roads hitting 9K rpm in every upshift with beautiful neutral 4 wheel drifts, or NOT.

That's the beauty - If you want more speed for the price - get an EVO. Nothing will touch it for the money.

For me it's all about Balance - 1 car that is affordable, unique, that can do most everything. (I'd really like an RS4, but it is a tad more expensive)

CarAndDriver

I need more power.