Finally made it in for a test drive
 

I've been wanting to get to the dealership for a test drive and I finally made it to the dealer to do one.

I'd never been in an 8 until today. It's a nice car. It felt solid. More solid than the G35 coupe I had. Suspension felt nice and firm, but not too harsh over the bumps. Way less body roll than my Mustang.

Power was one of my big concerns because most of my previous cars have been decently strong (Camaro SS, WRX, G35, Mustang GT). Leaving the parking lot with the AC cranked all the way up I thought the car had no trouble starting in first gear. I consider myself EXCEPTIONALLY sensitive to the AC being engaged. My Mustang feels particularly weak starting in 1st... The 8 did just fine on that test.

I didn't really get on it because it's not my car (yet :) ) and I feel bad ragging on someone else's car. However, I did push it a little bit and found it to be deceptively quick. It has such a smooth and linear power delivery that it was deceptive how fast it was accelerating. My Mustang is faster, but it delivers its power in a much more coarse and violent manner.

I've heard that the Mustang has "light" steering, but I never thought much of it. After driving the 8, I agree. The steering in the Mustang is so light as to be non communicative. The 8's felt much better in that regard.

The clutch in the 8 was VERY easy to actuate. I've never complained about the clutch in my Mustang, but after driving the 8 and then getting back into my car I noticed how stiff my clutch is.

Bottom line, I'm in trouble. I really liked the 8. The only issue I have at this point is the head room. I don't consider myself tall at 5'11", but I found that I needed to recline the seat back a little further than I wanted to make sure my hair wasn't touching the roof. I tried to fiddle with the seat to get it as low as I could, but I don't know if I did.

Now I just have to figure out how to explain to my wife that I need to get rid of my 2007 Mustang and get a 2008 RX8 :) Wish me luck.

Congrats and good luck! You won't be sorry. Any you wife will probably take one look at the 8 and say "what Mustang?"

Nice writeup, very well written. Some people "get" this car, others don't. Those who love it love it, those who hate it hate it. Though one thing is for sure - if you tell the Mustang guys about this, you'll never hear the end of it. :lol2:

Ya, I don't really keep tabs with them because they are usually not my kind of crowd.

I don't think I'll have to press my wife too hard. She gets my car obsession.

yeah just tell ur wife "it has 4 doors that way when we go shopping u can fit more stuff in easier" haha or something of that matter!!! But either way go for it you will not regret!!!

Take her for a drive in the 8 and that should do it.

Don't worry about the headroom. I'm 6'4" and headroom is a non issue. I fit better in the 8 than I do in most other cars, even my gf's TSX. I don't have the sunroof, but at 5'11" I don't think you will have any comfort issues.

I know I can deal with the daily drive, but I know I'm going to do track days in this car and I've got to be able to fit a helmet...

If you think the car was fun, just wait till you redline it. My old WRX could mop the floor with this car in a strait line, but hitting 9K RPM still has me grinning from ear to ear.

And for what it's worth, I'm 5'9" and have no issues fitting inside with a helmet. I have heard of tall folks having to lean back or till their heads a little though.

I just traded a 2005 G35 for my RX8 and have not regretted it,

just all around a better car even if it isn't the torquiest
also just started pre-mixing which i did not think I'd be able to notice a difference but it sure did start and run smoother, if you get one def. read some of the threads about it

just my little 0.2 cents worth

Get it, they are awesome and you will scare people going around curves. Going in straight lines no matter how fast you accelerate doesn't bother people as much. I just love it when my passengers say, "uhhh, oh geez, there is a curve there!" (grabbing on to whatever they can)

couldn't agree more. love it! :lol:

Try getting one without the sunroof. You'll gain an inch more headroom!

never wore a helmet in the 8 but i'm 6'2" and it fits me like a glove :D: it's not upright like a *regular* car tho, a bit reclined, but hey, it's a sports car. did you push the seat all the way back?

owner of 3 yrs+ here and I gotta say I like it more now than ever .
When I first got it i thought the car was pretty much perfect for me and I wouldn't need to mod it - how wrong that was .
Now with some power mods , a throaty exhaust and mazdaspeed suspension it feels just awesome to drive .