Closing-in on an RX8 purchase test drive observations from a gear-heads perspective
11-09-2006, 10:20 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by N10S
Hehe..you guys should be getting some commission when Mazda sells an RX8. This info is invaluable to me. Every forum has a different personality and the owners and their attitudes have a major reflection on the subject matter in discussion....
Thanks again
Jeff
Thanks again
Jeff
I always feel bad when I have to turn the key and shut 'er down.
11-10-2006, 12:14 AM
#27
I am going to do this deal guys... I am going to call the sales guy back in Missouri tomorrow and tell him I want the car. I will be making a road trip back home the week of the 20th over Thanksgiving holiday week and will plan on picking the car up then. I liked the way the shinka handled and the alcantara inserts were pretty comfortable and really keep you planted, but I am thinking the grey with black leather is the right deal for me though. I am going to check on the stoneguard for the car while its new to battle some of the road debris that gets picked-up along the way as insurance for the finish.
Lots of great feedback from all of you on the experience of owning the RX8, and also affirmation of things like gas mileage(which doesn't sound too bad actually), maintenance quirks with the oil use and a few other things specific to the RX8. Otherwise though, very positive feedback confirming an extremely user-friendly car that can be used for various purposes including long distance travel. So far none of it seems like a down side. Its funny, my wife has always hated my car buying and selling. Its my dark side for sure. Its interesting this time though, as she has always commented on the RX8 since it was introduced. After we test drove the MS6, when I told her we were going to test drive an RX8 she really had to work hard to act indifferently about the car. This is actually a car that she will enjoy having as much as me I think, and thats a real unusual situation that almost never occurs with us.
Bottom line is that this is one of those rare cars that actually behaves like a full-on sports car, but with additional amenities you can't find with any other vehicle.
Thanks again!
Jeff
Lots of great feedback from all of you on the experience of owning the RX8, and also affirmation of things like gas mileage(which doesn't sound too bad actually), maintenance quirks with the oil use and a few other things specific to the RX8. Otherwise though, very positive feedback confirming an extremely user-friendly car that can be used for various purposes including long distance travel. So far none of it seems like a down side. Its funny, my wife has always hated my car buying and selling. Its my dark side for sure. Its interesting this time though, as she has always commented on the RX8 since it was introduced. After we test drove the MS6, when I told her we were going to test drive an RX8 she really had to work hard to act indifferently about the car. This is actually a car that she will enjoy having as much as me I think, and thats a real unusual situation that almost never occurs with us.
Bottom line is that this is one of those rare cars that actually behaves like a full-on sports car, but with additional amenities you can't find with any other vehicle.
Thanks again!
Jeff
Last edited by N10S; 11-10-2006 at 12:17 AM.
11-10-2006, 12:43 AM
#28
congrats on the decision.
its nice to know you know how to take care of a car and enjoy a car for the experience not just horse power.
just search around on here and you can find tons of great info.
its nice to know you know how to take care of a car and enjoy a car for the experience not just horse power.
just search around on here and you can find tons of great info.
11-10-2006, 01:17 AM
#29
Welcome to the club.........
Don't forget the oil is droped on the Apex seals for lubrication so consumption is not bad like in pistion engines where it reflect worn rings, valves, bad seals what ever.
You must like music too, so do a minor upgrade like speakers and it will be perfect, but try the stock Boze for a couple on months first.. It may acceptable to you.
Haven't done mine yet and I love good quality sound.....
Don't forget the oil is droped on the Apex seals for lubrication so consumption is not bad like in pistion engines where it reflect worn rings, valves, bad seals what ever.
You must like music too, so do a minor upgrade like speakers and it will be perfect, but try the stock Boze for a couple on months first.. It may acceptable to you.
Haven't done mine yet and I love good quality sound.....
11-10-2006, 01:32 AM
#30
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Jeff,
we are somewhat alike, in that when it came down to paring my choices down to 2 cars, it came down to the RX8, or a used M Coupe. from test driving both on more than one occasion (including in Autocross), I knew that the Mazda had a slight overall edge over the MC in the driving feel/dynamics dept. I reallly liked the MC though because of its uniqueness, it was the iconoclastic 'anti-BMW' BMW.
Alas, I couldn't find an MC on the used market that I liked; the ones available at the time in my area were either too hi-mileage, or wrong color, or had mods I didn't want. So, the RX8 was 'plan B'...and what a Plan B it's turned out to be! like you said, it's a practical car that's got the classic sports car moves and feel. from the bolt-action-like gearshift feel (decidedly un-BMW-like), to the way the car communicates the thrill of the revs building up, yet without inducing NVH hysteria.
I think you'll be happy!
we are somewhat alike, in that when it came down to paring my choices down to 2 cars, it came down to the RX8, or a used M Coupe. from test driving both on more than one occasion (including in Autocross), I knew that the Mazda had a slight overall edge over the MC in the driving feel/dynamics dept. I reallly liked the MC though because of its uniqueness, it was the iconoclastic 'anti-BMW' BMW.
Alas, I couldn't find an MC on the used market that I liked; the ones available at the time in my area were either too hi-mileage, or wrong color, or had mods I didn't want. So, the RX8 was 'plan B'...and what a Plan B it's turned out to be! like you said, it's a practical car that's got the classic sports car moves and feel. from the bolt-action-like gearshift feel (decidedly un-BMW-like), to the way the car communicates the thrill of the revs building up, yet without inducing NVH hysteria.
I think you'll be happy!
11-10-2006, 02:35 AM
#31
Thanks guys! I had to laugh at your MCoupe comments. When I owned and restored old 2002 BMW's only a niche group of folks knew or cared about them. The first newer BMW I owned was a brand new 98 estoril blue M3/4 5spd. It was a great neutral handling car, with more sport than luxury. It was interesting though, because the e36 M3 seemed to get negative responses. I wasn't driving like a jerk or anything, but when I met or passed people sometimes I would get the feeling they had a preconceived idea that I was a snob or something. I just loved driving the car, but it did have a negative aura around it.
Fast forward past the ownership of an S4 bi-turbo, and suddenly I am buying an MCoupe and saying goodbye to my nogaro blue S4. Man, it was very similar to my drive in the Rx8 and also was the same for me in the evo. I simply couldn't keep from buying it. The MCoupe was a very different BMW experience than the M3.
It was a raw purpose-built car...no compromise, and not a very logical car to own as a daily driver. Everyone that met or passed me waved and stared at the car. People would be looking at the car and drift towards me almost hitting me. It was like driving something unusual that everyone seemed to be interested in. I had two burly construction guys in an old ford truck roll down their window and ask what kind of a car it was, they thought it looked like a james bond car. Girls...always looking and smiling and sometimes waving, if my wife knew the effect it seemed to have on females she would have kept my keys hidden.
The crowning glory came one day when I was driving down the interstate and came upon an original 289 V8 AC Cobra. This was no kit car, but the real McCoy. I was amazed at seeing it, and took in the sights as I drove closer and then passed. When I was beside the guy he was looking over at the MCoupe and had a huge smile on his face as he gave me a thumbs-up for the MCoupe!! I returned it, felt a bit unworthy, and then suddenly realized how special certain coupe style cars really are. I felt the same energy in the Rx8 the other day, and this time I can carry my wife and two boys so its even better!!
Well, thats my run-on MCoupe story, next time you will know better than to mention that car in one of my threads. Oh yeah...almost forgot, the MCoupe was a scary little bugger to drive at even 8/10ths. Mine was Shark injected and had a Conforti CF airbox as well, and the sounds that car made were magical. Sounds familiar eh..??
Fast forward past the ownership of an S4 bi-turbo, and suddenly I am buying an MCoupe and saying goodbye to my nogaro blue S4. Man, it was very similar to my drive in the Rx8 and also was the same for me in the evo. I simply couldn't keep from buying it. The MCoupe was a very different BMW experience than the M3.
It was a raw purpose-built car...no compromise, and not a very logical car to own as a daily driver. Everyone that met or passed me waved and stared at the car. People would be looking at the car and drift towards me almost hitting me. It was like driving something unusual that everyone seemed to be interested in. I had two burly construction guys in an old ford truck roll down their window and ask what kind of a car it was, they thought it looked like a james bond car. Girls...always looking and smiling and sometimes waving, if my wife knew the effect it seemed to have on females she would have kept my keys hidden.
The crowning glory came one day when I was driving down the interstate and came upon an original 289 V8 AC Cobra. This was no kit car, but the real McCoy. I was amazed at seeing it, and took in the sights as I drove closer and then passed. When I was beside the guy he was looking over at the MCoupe and had a huge smile on his face as he gave me a thumbs-up for the MCoupe!! I returned it, felt a bit unworthy, and then suddenly realized how special certain coupe style cars really are. I felt the same energy in the Rx8 the other day, and this time I can carry my wife and two boys so its even better!!
Well, thats my run-on MCoupe story, next time you will know better than to mention that car in one of my threads. Oh yeah...almost forgot, the MCoupe was a scary little bugger to drive at even 8/10ths. Mine was Shark injected and had a Conforti CF airbox as well, and the sounds that car made were magical. Sounds familiar eh..??
Last edited by N10S; 11-10-2006 at 02:41 AM.
11-10-2006, 10:08 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by N10S
I am going to do this deal guys... I am going to call the sales guy back in Missouri tomorrow and tell him I want the car. I will be making a road trip back home the week of the 20th over Thanksgiving holiday week and will plan on picking the car up then. I liked the way the shinka handled and the alcantara inserts were pretty comfortable and really keep you planted, but I am thinking the grey with black leather is the right deal for me though. I am going to check on the stoneguard for the car while its new to battle some of the road debris that gets picked-up along the way as insurance for the finish. ...
Also, with the amount of traveling you do, consider Clearbra for your front end.
11-14-2006, 04:21 AM
#34
Well, its been a rollercoaster ride to find the right car. I thought the Galaxy Grey GT I mentioned previously in this thread was the perfect option, and then found out that it was a demo (or buy-back maybe?) with over 4500 miles on it. Looked great, but I just couldn't bring myself to buy a demo, especially a performance car demo... .
Anyhow, the copper red Shinka was also an option as well at that dealership, but as it turns out the lower miles I must have been looking at when I was driving the car were the trip miles and not the real miles which once again were in the 4800 mile range. Bummer man...very frustrating situation. Then I started to scope all of the other local dealers and found a few cars that appeared to be equipped at the level I was looking for. Several days of thought, phone discussions, and a credit card deposit have me locked on an 06 Galaxy Grey Shinka. It was one of only a handful of Galaxy Grey cars in the entire area with no miles to speak of.
Right after I closed the deal on the car earlier tonight, I was driving through Roswell and saw an excellent looking Lightning yellow RX8 sitting under the streetlights at a restaurant. Man it looked good, and seeing the car, just confirms I have made the right decision!! Well anyway I am looking forward to getting the car next week sometime, and will be scanning through the threads looking for useful information as a new owner.
Thanks again for all of the useful feedback, it has helped me a great deal. This is a pretty late (or early ?) post and am just closing a rather painful night coming from the ER with my first-ever bout with Kidney stones....
Jeff
Anyhow, the copper red Shinka was also an option as well at that dealership, but as it turns out the lower miles I must have been looking at when I was driving the car were the trip miles and not the real miles which once again were in the 4800 mile range. Bummer man...very frustrating situation. Then I started to scope all of the other local dealers and found a few cars that appeared to be equipped at the level I was looking for. Several days of thought, phone discussions, and a credit card deposit have me locked on an 06 Galaxy Grey Shinka. It was one of only a handful of Galaxy Grey cars in the entire area with no miles to speak of.
Right after I closed the deal on the car earlier tonight, I was driving through Roswell and saw an excellent looking Lightning yellow RX8 sitting under the streetlights at a restaurant. Man it looked good, and seeing the car, just confirms I have made the right decision!! Well anyway I am looking forward to getting the car next week sometime, and will be scanning through the threads looking for useful information as a new owner.
Thanks again for all of the useful feedback, it has helped me a great deal. This is a pretty late (or early ?) post and am just closing a rather painful night coming from the ER with my first-ever bout with Kidney stones....
Jeff
Last edited by N10S; 11-14-2006 at 04:25 AM.
11-14-2006, 06:07 AM
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Originally Posted by N10S
...Thanks again for all of the useful feedback, it has helped me a great deal. This is a pretty late (or early ?) post and am just closing a rather painful night coming from the ER with my first-ever bout with Kidney stones....
11-14-2006, 11:41 AM
#36
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Had to take my brother to the ER for that. He is a pretty tough guy and he said it's the most pain he has ever had. This is a guy who at least once a year has a nail or something shot through him.
Congrats on the purchase. I have a CR Shinka and love it. A great daily driver just rememember to get snow tires (just put mine on this past Sunday) and don't shut it off cold.
Congrats on the purchase. I have a CR Shinka and love it. A great daily driver just rememember to get snow tires (just put mine on this past Sunday) and don't shut it off cold.
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