After reading through alot of posts on this forum, I've noticed many of you shift in the 5k to 8k range.

Isn't this unhealthy for the engine, or is it ok to treat a rotary engine car in this fashion?

5 - 8.9K (redline) shifts are just fine from what the people (mostly the rx-8 mechanics) at rosenthal have been telling me (knowledgable people unlike some dealerships I might add).....in fact they are encouraged!!

after a quick break-in/warm-up the 8 loves to be run up in the higher rpms. I wouldnt suggest cruisin down the highway at 7K rpms in third gear but while accelerating, it is more than capable of handling near redline shifts all the way through the box.

Rx8 - your are driving the car.
The other cars you mentioned - you are riding in a car.

MTLbroker, I like that little two liner.

I'd like to point out that driving the AT is NOTHING like driving the 6pd MT. Don't waste your time driving that thing to get any sort of comparison. Feels like 1/2 the power (becuase the engine cuts you short at 7500 RPM) and 2 less gears. The ONLY thing comparable is the interior. Driving fast with the power and control of the MT even changes the suspension and handling dynamic.

The 8 talks to you. I swear.

It says things like "I dare you not to touch the brakes."
Often I hear "Don't you dare upshift."
Just this morning "Come on, drop the hammer, you wuss!"

My Z3 talks to me, unfortunatley I can't speak german, something about Scheiße, not sure...

I traded a Z3 for an RX8, couldn't be happier. 'Nuff said.

mooneycj

LOL... just yesterday I had that thought at a particularly interesting right-angle corner near my work. It reminded me of that amusing quote about the Evo:

"The only thing you have to remember about an Evo [RX-8] is, in order to get the best out of it, you have to go beyond the line where bravery... becomes insanity. Shall I take this hairpin bend at 100 [30] miles per hour? Why not... what's going to happen? NOTHING."

I'm constantly finding excuses to downshift (and rev match). I can't get enough of that superbike-ish wummm!!! WUMM!!!! sound when going down the gears. Going to pick up a pizza sounds like an F1 race.

Another distinction I might make between the 8 and 350Z-ish cars:

The 350Z (and similar) is for car enthusiasts.
The RX-8 is for driving enthusiasts.

cheers!

From the first time I sat in an 8 I was hooked. After a 5-minute test drive, decided I had to have one! The ERGONOMICS of the machine, from the seats, to most things make the 8 fit me. Performance is a given.

Drove the Z, with its great torque, but stiffer ride, poorer handling (IMO), not as refined of an interior, no rear seats (don't care), no trunk (care a little), and very limited rear visibility (annoying). Have to admit I like the shape, though. Best thing about the Z (IMO) is that the instruments lower/raise with the steering wheel, so you can always see them, no matter how low the wheel is....alhtough, I much prefer the 8's instrument cluster and its different 'themes'!

Hey Egress.... here's some required reading:

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...9/page002.html

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ee/index3.html

http://www.karr-tv.com/agrx8.htm

http://www.drive.com.au/news/article...XB1MMNXHD.html

http://automobilemag.com/columns/0401_vilegossip

And check out the Top Gear review at: http://www.step-hen.com/e_rx8clips.htm#review

And lastly, the first movie ("My Wish") at http://special.rx-8.mazda.co.jp/gallery/movie.html - it always brings a tear (of joy) to my eye

:)

A 2000 M3 is a great car. You were content with this ride until your brother showed up with the RX-8. Do you have a competitive streak, or what? Give it up. Be satisfied with what you have, get your money out of the investment. Put your money to work by investing in a house (upgrade it if you already own one). Congratulate your brother, be happy for him, but move on.

I say, keep your car for at least 10 years. Let's do a little math. Oh yeah, exciting. Say you purchase a new car every decade (at 20, 30, 40... and even on your 90th birthday). That's eight cars (if you stay a bachelor). Using todays dollars and "taste", you purchase a $30,000 car each time. That's $240,000 (without interest) over your lifetime. Will the car go 10 years. Ah yeah, probably 20 if you want it to. But you, no! You're looking at a 5 year trade plan. So, when you're 90, you will have invested nearly $500,000 in today's dollars on cars. At 5 years, cars like the M3 are still pretty darn new. What are you really getting for that extra quarter million dollars? A smile from your local salesman each 5 years?

On the 5 year plan, when you retire you'll probably still need to work. On the 10 year plan, sign yourself up for some nice Cruises.

Heelntoe, that movie did bring a tear to my eye...

Zeltar, it's not a competition, I was the one that told him to look at it to begin with, I was just taken aback by how nice it was when he finally pulled up (and trust me, he def. is a little peeved that I might be getting one, with myself being the eldest, he's always tired to duplicate me, but now he feels he has one upped me and he is proud, understandably so)

Also, to correct you it's a Z3 not an M3. As far as the "investment" is concerned, I feel if I have the disposable income, and enjoy getting a new car every so often, then why not do it if it doesn't put me in the red. I'm not going to want to drive at 70 years of age, if I make it that far.

The shoot out is between the RX-8 and the G35c now. More deal beating than anything at this point, because I know I'll be satisfied with both.

Had a Z, now have an 8
 

Well, for those wondering about the two cars, I can speak to this. I bought a slightly used 04 350z Touring coupe with AT and I really, really liked the car. Great power, great handling, a somewhat rough ride but I had the 17inch tires and I suspect they are not as rough as they 18inch low profile ones. Didn't really care about a lack of space although there were a few times where it was a pain. I did miss having a sunroof and radio controls on the steering wheel.

Well, cut to about seven months later and I still hadn't received plates. Turns out the dealer sold me a used car that they didn't actually posessess the title to. I then heard a couple of horror stories about people buying cars, being screwed over with not getting the title, going to court and all that so I went to the dealer (a Mazda-Nissan group), told them what happened and said, get me into a new RX-8 without it really costing me (anymore than it already had) and that'll be that. A similiar Z would have definitely cost more.
Had to do a lot of travel for work and didn't want this hanging over me and more and didn't want to do the whole legal thing.

So, for a couple hundred bucks plus a first payment, I got into a brand new RX-8 with Grand Touring package and bose and NAV. It's an AT, so I knew I was going to lose HP but I live in LA and don't want a stick for my only car. Besides, the paddle wheels are fun and the AT is really smooth.

There's so much I like about the 8 and so much I like about the Z, really, really tough. Z had that awesome torque and great sounding engine. Interior had some extra functionality, trip computers and such but the amber lights never did it for me. Bose in the 8 sounds as good if not better but the Z had sat radio built in, which was cool. I kind of miss having sat but I can live without it.

Handling wise, they may end up being the same but the RX-8 feels and is lighter on its feet. It just feels easier to handle the twisties, even though the Z is as capable. Once you're moving, the 8 is deceptively fast while the Z never lets you forget your moving quickly. RX-8 steering feels more responsive to me as well but that is probably subjective.

Ergonomics go the 8, sunroof, all the necessary controls on the wheel, trunks and usuable rear seats. In the end, for me, the Z was more fun because of the torque but the 8 is an excellent car and in the long run, I'm probably better off having it.