RX8Club.com - First real drive impression from a novice

I've been lurking here and posting simple questions since last year. I took a test drive last summer but didn't know snot about rotaries and how the rpms should be kept above 4k to really appreciate it. Although I thought it was sluggish (since the test drive was mostly under 4k) I was still enamoured with the styling and overall appearance of quality to stop at the local dealer on the way home from work just to drool over it.

After hearing about the 8's quirks and TSB's I started leaning toward an Acura TL. Yesterday I went for a test drive and didn't drive it like I stole it, but I tried to drive the car hard while minimizing the chances of getting a ticket.

My overall impression of and desire for the car has increased 10 fold. The sound of the engine as it moves over 4k is addictive. I don't know how anyone could drive this car like an Olds Cutless on a regular basis. I can see puttering around 3k much of the time in the city, but I know there wouldn't be a time I took the car out for even a simple errand without ripping through 2nd at least once, and I'd certainly look forward to getting on the freeway at every opportunity to use 3rd and 4th too.

The handling was great. When I remembered to get in the right gear to power out of a sharp corner, I could really feel the car grip the road -- felt like it was on rails to steal somone else's comment. I'm not an experienced or knowledgeable racer, but I would certainly consider enrolling in a local driving school after I bought this car to have a better chance of enjoying this car to its fullest.

Engine and road noise cruising at 70 mph on the fwy was acceptable. I felt the amount of engine noise was just right: not too loud to wear you out, but loud enough to tell where you were in the rpm range without looking at the tach. Ride over rough highway pavement was very good for a sports car. I didn't notice anyone checking out the car, but I was too busy driving and working the gears. Shift knob on the demo was stripped for some reason (or lock washer not installed?) and kept turning in my hand, but otherwise the shifting was tight and short.

I've been looking at the rear seating every time I've stopped after work to look at the car. After driving yesterday, rear seating has ceased to be an issue -- who cares whether there are seats? I'll be sitting in the front!

The cloth seats felt very comfortable although the side bolsters seemed thin and not that firm. I'm not a big guy so I wonder if any of you larger folks feel the bolsters are firm enough to hold you while weavng moving through S-turns. Also the bottom cushion seemed thin, too.

In short, from a long-time driver, but not an experienced sports car enthusiast, my impression is the car will bring out the racer in just about anyone, while meeting the needs as an everyday car, if one so chooses. I suspect if I buy one, speeding tickets will be in my future.