Disappointment from Denver Auto Show
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Disappointment from Denver Auto Show
Last week's Denver Auto Show had an RX-8 on a roped-off rotating platform and I was able to talk the folks on hand into letting me sit in it.
First impression - Mazda's definitely building to a price point. The seats were of the strange perforated leather only found on Japanese cars like the S2000 - no biggie, though.
However, seated in the passenger seat (the driver's seat was power, which meant it couldn't be adjusted) I found the sad fact that even without the moonroof, I didn't fit.
Yep, hair was rubbing the roof. For reference I'm 6'1, long legs, long torso.
FWIW, I fit just fine in the Gen II RX-7, but not in the Gen III, and, unfortunately, not in the RX-8, either.
The trunk was, um, interesting, and is certainly roomier than that on say a Ford Mustang sedan but I wouldn't count on getting groceries with it unless you're talking cases of soda or beer.
The shifter felt taut and precise, but not as good as the one on an S2000, but then again since this was obviously a demo show car, who knows if it holds any semblance to reality in the first place and/or how badly it's been abused at this point.
All in all, though, it looked fantastic, and I can't wait to see one in the showroom and on the road, even if I won't be able to fit in one...
First impression - Mazda's definitely building to a price point. The seats were of the strange perforated leather only found on Japanese cars like the S2000 - no biggie, though.
However, seated in the passenger seat (the driver's seat was power, which meant it couldn't be adjusted) I found the sad fact that even without the moonroof, I didn't fit.
Yep, hair was rubbing the roof. For reference I'm 6'1, long legs, long torso.
FWIW, I fit just fine in the Gen II RX-7, but not in the Gen III, and, unfortunately, not in the RX-8, either.
The trunk was, um, interesting, and is certainly roomier than that on say a Ford Mustang sedan but I wouldn't count on getting groceries with it unless you're talking cases of soda or beer.
The shifter felt taut and precise, but not as good as the one on an S2000, but then again since this was obviously a demo show car, who knows if it holds any semblance to reality in the first place and/or how badly it's been abused at this point.
All in all, though, it looked fantastic, and I can't wait to see one in the showroom and on the road, even if I won't be able to fit in one...
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The driver's seat wasn't adjustable as it was power.
However, the passenger's seat was manual, and no amount of adjustments got my hair out of the roof...
However, the passenger's seat was manual, and no amount of adjustments got my hair out of the roof...
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I'm 6'0" and I fit fine in an FD or an 8. Maybe you have really big hair. :p And unless you're buying food for 50 people, there's plenty of room for groceries, hell, I've even gone grocery shopping in my FD before with out too much trouble...
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Re: Disappointment from Denver Auto Show
Originally posted by BillK
First impression - Mazda's definitely building to a price point. The seats were of the strange perforated leather only found on Japanese cars like the S2000 - no biggie, though.
First impression - Mazda's definitely building to a price point. The seats were of the strange perforated leather only found on Japanese cars like the S2000 - no biggie, though.
Originally posted by BillK
For reference I'm 6'1, long legs, long torso.
For reference I'm 6'1, long legs, long torso.
Originally posted by BillK
The trunk was, um, interesting, and is certainly roomier than that on say a Ford Mustang sedan but I wouldn't count on getting groceries with it unless you're talking cases of soda or beer..
The trunk was, um, interesting, and is certainly roomier than that on say a Ford Mustang sedan but I wouldn't count on getting groceries with it unless you're talking cases of soda or beer..
#8
I think the whole sitting thing depends alot on how a person sits in the car. If you sit straight or close to the steering wheel instead of reclining, obviously you will have less head room because your perpendicular to the roof instead of being at a angle, which will allow for more room.
#11
Ricer is Nicer.....
Perforated leather....
I have seen the perforations on other cars, and I think they are meant to allow a little air circulation on a hot day. The only car with a forced air type of seat heater is an 'S' class Merc, I believe. A nicer system, but a whole different kind of car, without the weight consideration of an '8'.
The heat on every other heated seat I have met is from loops of resistance wire just under the material.
Were I live, we know our seat heat!
The heat on every other heated seat I have met is from loops of resistance wire just under the material.
Were I live, we know our seat heat!
#13
RX-8: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....
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that dude from Miami said he is like 6'0, drove it around for several days and didn't complained a bit about it.
Ask him if you are concerned about this.
Ask him if you are concerned about this.
Last edited by Smoker; 03-26-2003 at 04:29 PM.
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Re: Re: Disappointment from Denver Auto Show
Originally posted by babylou
...I have no problem shopping with my Miata and the RX-8 trunk is about 50% larger...
...I have no problem shopping with my Miata and the RX-8 trunk is about 50% larger...
Originally posted by Lensman
I thought the perforations are for the heated mode, to let the hot air through. Or am I deluded?
I thought the perforations are for the heated mode, to let the hot air through. Or am I deluded?
---jps
#16
perforated leather
Maybe the perforations are for air circulation, but think about this.... THe seats are cusioned right? i dont know how they are cusioned on the rx-8 but most cusioning has to do with sponges or sponge type material that have small chambers that hold AIR. when you sit the cusion squishes and becomes more dense, therefore air needs to go somewhere.... I bet the AIR GOES THROUGH the perforations... this would help in the longevity of the leather seat.
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Just under 6'3" and no problem sitting in the RX-8. I will say however that when I first sat down it was too tight. I had to adjust the power seat to the lowest position -- but then no problem. I also sat in one with manual seats and it seemed to me that the power seats adjusted farther down and back.
The trunk was much larger than I expected :D
The trunk was much larger than I expected :D
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Re: Perforated leather....
Originally posted by Doctorr
I have seen the perforations on other cars, and I think they are meant to allow a little air circulation on a hot day. The only car with a forced air type of seat heater is an 'S' class Merc, I believe. A nicer system, but a whole different kind of car, without the weight consideration of an '8'.
The heat on every other heated seat I have met is from loops of resistance wire just under the material.
Were I live, we know our seat heat!
I have seen the perforations on other cars, and I think they are meant to allow a little air circulation on a hot day. The only car with a forced air type of seat heater is an 'S' class Merc, I believe. A nicer system, but a whole different kind of car, without the weight consideration of an '8'.
The heat on every other heated seat I have met is from loops of resistance wire just under the material.
Were I live, we know our seat heat!
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Re: Disappointment from Denver Auto Show
Originally posted by BillK
Last week's Denver Auto Show had an RX-8 on a roped-off rotating platform and I was able to talk the folks on hand into letting me sit in it.
... The trunk was, um, interesting, and is certainly roomier than that on say a Ford Mustang sedan but I wouldn't count on getting groceries with it unless you're talking cases of soda or beer.
All in all, though, it looked fantastic, and I can't wait to see one in the showroom and on the road, even if I won't be able to fit in one...
Last week's Denver Auto Show had an RX-8 on a roped-off rotating platform and I was able to talk the folks on hand into letting me sit in it.
... The trunk was, um, interesting, and is certainly roomier than that on say a Ford Mustang sedan but I wouldn't count on getting groceries with it unless you're talking cases of soda or beer.
All in all, though, it looked fantastic, and I can't wait to see one in the showroom and on the road, even if I won't be able to fit in one...
Well, I've seen the 8 cubic feet in the G35 Coupe trunk (that includes a spare) so I'm prepared to see the trunk space on the RX-8, but I'm one one those who on the rare occasion needs to carry around alot of big stuff (like my big old 200 watt Fender Bandmaster Amp or my smaller in size advertising/art portfolio case - 30" X 42" X 6")... I'm not sure if I'm going to be pleased or not.
I just can't wait to see it in person!
#20
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Originally posted by RXhusker
Just under 6'3" and no problem sitting in the RX-8. I will say however that when I first sat down it was too tight. I had to adjust the power seat to the lowest position -- but then no problem. I also sat in one with manual seats and it seemed to me that the power seats adjusted farther down and back.
The trunk was much larger than I expected :D
Just under 6'3" and no problem sitting in the RX-8. I will say however that when I first sat down it was too tight. I had to adjust the power seat to the lowest position -- but then no problem. I also sat in one with manual seats and it seemed to me that the power seats adjusted farther down and back.
The trunk was much larger than I expected :D
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Originally posted by Lensman
I thought the perforations are for the heated mode, to let the hot air through. Or am I deluded?
I thought the perforations are for the heated mode, to let the hot air through. Or am I deluded?
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Re: Re: Disappointment from Denver Auto Show
Originally posted by babylou
I have no problem shopping with my Miata and the RX-8 trunk is about 50% larger.
I have no problem shopping with my Miata and the RX-8 trunk is about 50% larger.
OtoH, a Miata? I really don't fit in a Miata; I look over the windshield in one.
And yes, it may be my seating position; I don't drive in the "lowrider" reclined position, but rather with the back rather close to a 90 degree angle to the seat bottom (i.e. if the seat back is spring loaded with detents usually only one click back...)
As I said before, I can't wait to actually see a real one rather than the demo that's gone from auto show to auto show...
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Originally posted by MrWigggles
If you were in the passenger seat, how did you know that, "The shifter felt taut and precise, but not as good as the one on an S2000"?
If you were in the passenger seat, how did you know that, "The shifter felt taut and precise, but not as good as the one on an S2000"?
However, to move the seat forward and back to judge fit, one had to use the manual passenger seat...