I have been challenged a number of times, mostly by young kids with bean can equipped Civics and that ilk. I won't say just how old I am, other than I am no longer climbing, I'm sliding! When the youngsters let me know they want to see what the 8 will do, I just smile and wave.

However. . .the other day some guy in one of those big ole Dodge Hemis just had to show me what he had. Or so he thought. I just couldn't resist.

Please forgive me, but even in my old age, I still have the need for speed.

 

I won't lump minivans in the same category. They are genuinely useful, especially if you have kids. And most minivan drivers drive safely... because they have babies on board!

 

I beg to differ with this. It has been my observation that minivan drivers tend to be some of the most reckless drivers I see on the interstate, at least in my area. They drive too fast, follow too close, change lanes without signaling, talk on the phone while driving, and so on.

I am totally serious.

 

The exhaust system in my RX-8 is completely stock, yet I've noticed other drivers really eyeballing my machine when stopped at traffic lights. I get the distinct impression that if I gave any sign that I'd participate in a little (illegal) street dragging, they'd meet the challange. I'm happy enough knowing that my 8 will likely best many of these little sports sedans and a good many sports cars. I just don't need to prove it

1.3L

 

Ive noticed that after getting my 8 I have gotten much, much pickier about picking my challenges before i would race anything that would rev on me (I used to have a CRX with a couple of tricks on it) and would race tothe limit just to win? (stupid) now I only rece cars that seem to present a challenge (I mean this in a good way) G35, 350z, Evo, BMW m3's, ect. and I dont race for the win (we accelerate and show a little speed after we normaly slow down and lagh with each other) no competitive need to win and take to the dangerous limit (we both know that our cars are fast so there is no need to prove anything)

Be safe, rev it up...

 

100% accurate. I live in Santa Cruz, work in Silicon Valley.
The RX-8 may have the looks but not the engine to be a serious racing challenge here.

Could also be my age (I just turned 39) but I got challenged only once by a WRX in 12 months / 18000 miles of ownership

-Peter

 

I have a straight pipe and B&B catback system and everyone and their mother wants to race. Trucks, vans, bikes, cars, everyone!!! I asked for it! :D

 

Some of these posts are bordering on street racing stories, which as most of you know are not allowed on this site. A couple of these posts were "over the line", and have been removed.

 

No, people don't want to race you because of the Borla you have installed, they want to see how fast your car is...plain and simple. I would be very hesitant about racing someone off the line and making the 8 look bad, it performs better on a track with bends.

 

I just think it boils down to people seeing a car that you still don't see too much of (except around military bases) and just want to test the driver to see what the car and them can do. All you can really do is either give in to the urge to race them or just let it slide and be like whatever. I personally would rather avoid the tickets and possible accident's involved in street racing but at the same time find the urge to take part in those kind of activites ever present when i see guys in their civic's, integra's, and rsx's acting like they have the fastest car on the block. But i always tell myself those guys didn't pay 30k + for thier cars and that they are just trying to stand out among the endless number of similar cars out there, i know i did when i owned a civic.