bad experience at mazda dealer
#1
bad experience at mazda dealer
about 2 months ago iwent to my local mazda dealer to test drive the rx-8. At that time i did not know how to drive a manual, so the dealer took me out for a drive. The dealer stalled the car at least 2 times, and was close to stalling 3 or 4 others. Is this evidence that the Rx-8 is hard to drive, or just that the dealer was an idiot?
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Herndon, VA (near D.C.)
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I only stalled my 8 the 1st time I touched it. They had been letting it idle to warm it up for me. I wanted to move it 3-4 ft for a photo and I stalled it 1st thing. I've owned it for months now, and I have yet to stall it again.
#3
I think it's that the dealer was not very good with a stick shift. I find the rx8 very easy to drive, indeed. The clutch does have a relatively fast up-take, so if you're used to a very easy clutch (say, for example, in a Jeep TJ or something) then you can get surprised by that, but the car is not difficult to drive.
I think the dealer was just inept. The other thing to realize is that the engine does not produce much power at all below 2k rpms, so if you're getting that low, you should be coasting or down shifting...
I think the dealer was just inept. The other thing to realize is that the engine does not produce much power at all below 2k rpms, so if you're getting that low, you should be coasting or down shifting...
#6
I think the views counter on the index pages are calculated pereodically to save load on the database counting the views for each display of the main page.... so they are not up-to-the-second numbers...
#9
The car isn't hard to drive, but as others have said, the rpms move quickly, which makes it initially a bit difficult to shift smoothly. Regardless, if you know how to drive stick, you should be able to drive it without stalling out.
#10
Re: bad experience at mazda dealer
Originally posted by heckreck
Is this evidence that the Rx-8 is hard to drive, or just that the dealer was an idiot?
Is this evidence that the Rx-8 is hard to drive, or just that the dealer was an idiot?
As for the real question, the car is easy to stall if you don't rev it up before releasing the clutch, More so than other cars in my opinion. Once you understand that it is not an issue.
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
reply to 8pex: (the 8 is a dream to drive, the gear box is one of the slickest you'll find. and as far as the dealer goes.... idiot savant - savant = idiot)
savant does not mean idiot, an idiot savant doesn't mean the person is an idiot either, here are the definitions.
savant-A man of learning; one versed in literature or science; a person eminent for acquirements. -- someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
idiot savant-An intellectually disabled person who exhibits extraordinary ability in a highly specialized area, such as mathematics or music. (ex. Dustin Hoffman in Rainman)
savant does not mean idiot, an idiot savant doesn't mean the person is an idiot either, here are the definitions.
savant-A man of learning; one versed in literature or science; a person eminent for acquirements. -- someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
idiot savant-An intellectually disabled person who exhibits extraordinary ability in a highly specialized area, such as mathematics or music. (ex. Dustin Hoffman in Rainman)
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Phila suburbs
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't let a couple stalls keep you away from this vehicle. I don't know wether the dealer was a bad driver, having a bad day or what, but I do know that this car is a joy to drive and the shifter and clutch are wonderful.
#14
Members Only
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dallas, TX.
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reply to:Lakers GG: thanks for the english lesson. i think we've all seen the movie Rainman... idiot savant - (minus) savant = idiot
if you don't get it i can't help ya
if you don't get it i can't help ya
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: So Cal
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After having a difficult time moving from 1st to 2nd and 3rd without lurching a just a bit most of the time (kind of like I lost all momentum), I evenutally found the touch. This was during the break-in period when I rarely took it above 5k before shifting.
However, now that I've passed 600 miles and have started to really enjoy the engine, I found that if I take the rpms past 5 or 6k before shifting, it engages each new gear without so much as a hiccup.
However, now that I've passed 600 miles and have started to really enjoy the engine, I found that if I take the rpms past 5 or 6k before shifting, it engages each new gear without so much as a hiccup.
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hehe I'm glad I'm not the only one who stalled the RX-8 the first time. The very first time I released the clutch for a test drive, I stalled it and I'm an experienced stick shift driver too. Very embarrassing. I haven't stalled it since then, though.
Compared to my MX-6 and most other cars, the RX-8 takes higher RPMs to get it going else you'll stall. It's very easy to drive and shift, though. It's just different.
Compared to my MX-6 and most other cars, the RX-8 takes higher RPMs to get it going else you'll stall. It's very easy to drive and shift, though. It's just different.
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On this side of the pond you dont get an auto version of the 8. Its pretty rare to find any sporty car over here that has an autobox. (although semis have appeared recently for some other makes)
The 8 has a smooth box compared to many manual cars. The dealer had little or no experience with a manual. I dont think you can blame any car for the driver's failings.
When you get used to any manual car, I think you will find it more fun and rewarding than an auto when on the twisties. Go for it and dont worry about the stick shift. You will love it.
Mike
The 8 has a smooth box compared to many manual cars. The dealer had little or no experience with a manual. I dont think you can blame any car for the driver's failings.
When you get used to any manual car, I think you will find it more fun and rewarding than an auto when on the twisties. Go for it and dont worry about the stick shift. You will love it.
Mike
#22
Senior Jackass
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't ever stalled my 8, even on the test drive, which included starting on pretty severe inclines (bragging? who, me??). The dealer warned me about the quick clutch, and he didn't stall it in the only few feet he drove it. I can only conclude that your dealer didn't know what he was doing. If he's selling these things for a living, he should be able to drive one. I let my girlfriend drive mine, and she hasn't driven a stick shift in over 5 years. She never stalled it. Just be warned the clutch can be quick, and that it'll take some time to get used to it. Hell, I still can't even shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post