A lighter flywheel and a proper final gear would yield more acceleration guaranteed

 

So does that mean that a Header, Mid-pipe, and Air Intake are a waste of $$$, and you dont see hp gains?

 

I didn't' sell my RX8 because I thought it was "slow", but because it was problematic, and I didn't trust the long term durability. Whenever I would use the slow comment, it came in reference to it's looks, or when comparing it to other sporty cars in that price range. It looks a lot faster then it is no doubt about it, and in the eyes of many it poses a problem. I do feel a car this sexy should be faster, but it's most certianly not slow. Also, when I'd spend several days in my daily driver STI, then I'd hop in the RX8, indeed, it did feel slow, but it never bothered me, because I appreciated the other gifts it brought o table that most other cars can't. Now I have a more reliable, better gas mileage, slightly faster and more nimble S2000. Same feeling when I get out of STI and into this, but I have the convertible factor, and a bit more performance to please me as a fun summer car. The RX8 will always have a "slow" tag to it as long as it's not up with it's competitors, and the power can't match it's sexy exotic looks.

 

Still in the process of breakin' her in, so I've yet to take it above 4K...

Nevertheless, given the times of the car and the TQ that's stated, I didn't buy it to have the fastest sporty car around. If you were one of those to buy the RX-8 for it's power... did you seriously not look at the market? For the price of one of these babys new, you could get an awefully low price muscle car (such as GTO, Cobra, and for a vew bucks more, Vette).

As a Cobra owner as well, I can tell you that speed and power REALLY aren't everything...by far. The refinement, interior, sporty contours, and overall design of the car make it a much more entertaining and fun daily driver to have. And the handling...oh it's to die for in this car. I still absolutely love it.

Do I consider the car fast? Guess that really depends on yur defintion of fast. It's definetely quicker then yur average V6...but it's not gonna win too many V8 drags.

As originally stated early on the the thread: It's fast enough for me

 

Well said.

 

You'll see some small gains. in the 1-5 hp range per part, but nothing that is going to make you want to hit the drag strip.

 

Some people, YES...the RX8....not at all.

Slow is a big heavy SUV, Minivan, standard sadan...the RX8 is not slow.

 

i agree, our rotarys engines are alot smaller than all other engines, for a 1.3L im impressed... for what it is yes its fast size does not matter...

 

The RX-8 is far from slow, you just need the right kind of roads to appreciate it. I live in New Zealand where we don't have big interstates that are a straight line for miles with the occassional slight bend.

At best we get a 1/4 mile stetch and lots of corners, this is where the car comes alive, It doesn't lose much through the corners and as long as you keep it in the right gear, there is more than enough power to scare the hell out of you!

I guess what i am trying to say is that if you live in a large city and only drive on freeways or big interstates it probablly isn't the best car to buy. The only way to test its performance in this situation is in a straightline where it doesn't feel that fast for two reasons.

1. The power comes on very smoothly, there is no sudden burst of power like a turbocharged car

2. It just isn't a world beater in straight line speed!!

I think if your idea of performance is drag racing at the lights then the RX-8 wasn't the best choice of car and you would think it slow.

I didn't buy my car for that reason, I bought my car to enjoy on the open road and commute to work in comfort. For me it fits the bill great but everyones different

 

LOL

(Taka writes this one down coz it is a classic quotable quote). :p

 

This deserves a sticky all on its own. The Interstates are boring. The fun is on the twisty back roads. Earlier this spring I was on a great twisty road nearby, seeing the first flowers coming out, leaves coming out, that cool little deer crossing the roa...

DEER! Brake-release-swingleft-swingright-recover... pant, pant, pant... GOD I love how this car handles! Phew!

 

If you bought that, you'd have an impressive quarter-mile car, but one where the suspension literally falls apart around corners.

The "RX-8's are slow" mentality is really just a product of its quarter-mile performance. And really, who cares about that? By any other standards, like autocross or track driving, it can hang with the best of them.

 

My real gripe about the RX-8 is that even above 7krpm it still feels slow. My Probe that has 50hp LESS than the RX-8 feels worlds faster in a straight line. The torque comes on early and just builds to redline. The RX-8 does not "feel" fast in the least, but it's definitly a lot faster.

Also, the Probe I have is modded. Stock it would have 74 less HP, but after dynoing it, it has picked up about 24hp over stock with mods. So that's why I say it has only 50 less hp...in case anyone was going to question that...probably not, but I thought I'd cover myself.

 

I got beat by a Nissan Altima last night.

















Because I missed 2nd gear.

 

I think it's almost impossible to do the speed limit in the car.
Most cars I've driven have nowhere near the amount of power that this car has...beyond that in 5th gear alot of smaller japanese cars don't even have the same power in their 3rd or 4th gear....beyond that its cornering and handling is amazing and it is smooth ...the rotary engine's sounds and feel are unlike any other sports car to my knowledge.

A one second or two second difference.....in the 0-6O in my opinion really doesn't make much of a difference unless you're on a race track...or want to feel like you can beat anything out there...

i think it could probably use a little bit more power low end, via turbocharger (but then it'd get even worse gas mileage) and maybe it could use a bit more torque and horsepower like 270 or 280...

even still that probably wouldn't make more of a 1 or two second accelleration difference.

I think it's more than good enough, in fact there are alot of people out there that are experienced drivers that couldnt' handle the 8..

BTW. I beat a 350Z, he was winning initially but once I got up to speed I won. But I don't know if he pulled off or not. Possibly....but either way it was very close, and that car's got more ponies.

 

your cool.

 

No kill or being killed stories please

 

I understood full well that when I bought the RX8 it was not a straight line car.
However even with that in consideration I still feel that it is slow.

That being said I am not disappointed in the RX8.
It just feels great! Slowly but it feels great.

 

Yes, it is slow.

 

i had a nissan altima SE-R and ive beaten srt4s, r32, mustangs and so on....but the RX8 is not that much slower..my old car was a little faster..i think the problem is the torque and doesnt make the car seem fast..but its definantly not slow.

 

When I collect my Ferrari F430 in 2 years. This car will be bloody slow :p

 

i thnk that if u bot ur 8 to be a drag car ur in the wrong car.

I also think that if you write in "text message speak" on a chat board, that most people will think you're not the brightest bulb in the string.

But that's just me.

I like the car just fine.

 

itss tooo slooow for its loook.. but i still love it. hugs the corner like a baby hugs a mother!

 

Compared to my FD? Yes. The RX8 is not supposed to be a drag car anyway, it was designed with balance in mind.

 

have you tried driving it with the rev's high up in , like on a track.

I'm certain it's not slow then...

Most of it's slowness below 3 k rpm no?