RedRx8Guy

Glad to hear it.. I'm here to entertain you so as long as I know your enjoying yourself I can be happy

Spin9k

Gosh, we haven't had so much fun in a long time (when will winter be over?).

If you're for real, what a wakeup call for you RedRx8Guy And again, if you are for real, welcome to the doubting Thomas's RX-8 club. You'll get used to it, and we to you - if you stick around!

Sue Esponte

Approx when did you buy your car and from which dealer?

-Eric

D MENAC 7

OK, benefit of the doubt. I apologize.

Definitely check into the Canzoomer stage 1 for a decent boost above 5K RPM. For the CZ stage 2 you will need a high flow cat and hi flow cat back exhaust system to use it otherwise your catalytic converter will burn out because of the excessive heat this stage 2 ECU mod will cause. However, with these mods, you will gain much in the HP output and atually get more than what Mazda originally stated before they retracted it last year.

Read everything you can on here. If you can afford these mods, go for them if you are looking for the need for speed.

I guess we get a bit defensive on here about certain topics that we hear people whine about a lot. I have never complained about the quickness of the RX-8, it goes fast enough to get me a ticket if I don't watch out. I did complain about the MPG issues but realized that if I drove it like a granny, my MPG went up but that was absolutely no fun. So, I accept it as is. It does better than my last vehicle so I cannot legitimately complain.

What we have is a vehicle that is classy looking, even with front license plates, a nice handling car that gets us from here to there with reasonable quickness. It has features that very few other vehicles have, such as the free style doors, the sleek lines, the body style that makes people turn their heads and, above all else, it has no pistons with fewer moving parts than a piston powered car which help to make it one smooth operator.

Look at the things that attracted you to the RX-8, do not look at the criticisms of your friends because in all honesty, they are probably jealous that you have true sports car that looks, performs and drives like a sports car should and not some sedan that is made to perform lke one.

Yes, the Neon SRT can beat you, the WRX is faster, the Mustang goes quicker, the STI will leave you behind but can you really say that they are classier or better looking? I do not think anyone can say so. The Nisan 350Z and Honda S2000will also leave you behind but, at lest you can take 3 of your favorite friends along for the ride.

I think if you look at the positive things about your choice, point out these to your biggest critics, use the argument that you chose this car because it out classes anything else in it's price range, they cannot continue to criticize your choice because you know what the truth is. If they do not like it, find other friends.

Oh, and another thing, when and if you make the mods that will keep you ahead, ask me about my third brake light RX-8 mod so that you can flash your RX-8 in their face as you leave them in the dust. :D

Outlaws eXtreme

I love how you said... "I HAD to get it." That's funny. Must be tough for you to visit any store/mall since you spontaneously buy stuff without first researching them.

RedRx8Guy

I got it at Kendall since they were the only one around that had 1 MT, Ocean either had none or only Autos. MTs are faily hard to find. Those are the only 2 that I knew of, I just moved to Miami 1 year ago.

Hey D MENAC 7,

Nice post.. Ya I checked out the Canzoomer forum. You can't beat 20-25HP for $500, even thought we just paying to get back the power we lost, but either way its a big gain.

EstonRX

The answer is easy!

Just drop in a 3 or 4 rotor engine!


Well, it might bring up your final price tag to the mid 70's after upgrading and tuning the rest of the power train, but with a 500-900 rwhp RX-8, you won't have to worry about the STI's any longer

Dustin4u

Wow, someone complains and everyone jumps on him.

He has every reason to complain.

Sheesh nice forum.

emailists

I knew RedRx8guy was legit and not a troll.

Too bad he got jumped on so bad. There is a ton on info on the canzoomer forum and aftermarket as well. Basically stage 1 is just the ecu piggyback box, and stage 2 is a more aggresive tune requiring a down pipe and high flow high temp cat. Start with stage 1 and you can easily go to stage 2 for the same cost as doing it originally, I 'm not sure if they're shipping stage 2 yet, so go ahead and order stage 1 now as there is a pretty long waitlist, and you wont be charged until it ships incase you change your mind or another solution comes to market (Rik Shaw;s currently requires cutting wires rather than plug and play)

I am curretnly waiting for my stage 1 to arrive. Also read about the "L" ecu flash from Mazda.

Theres alot to catch up here since you are new, but you are certainly "welcome to the club." Theres really a ton of great info and knowledgable people here- even if a few of us run a little hot under the collar when we hear our beloved 8's gets bashed.

PS- another tip- stay away from exhaust and intake mods right now- no one has yet to prove they make any significant power since MAzda designed the factory parts corretly from the start.
This could change at any time- meaning some exhaust/ecu combo might turn out to be great- but just start with stage 1 right now.

Gord96BRG

Those people aren't into cars - they're into drag racing, maybe the compact customizing scene. People who are genuinely into cars appreciate sports cars that can handle, they don't just focus on power ratings and 1/4 mile times. You need new friends! Go to a performance driving school - then get your "friends" to go to a track day with you. After you blow them away, see what they say.

Regards,
Gordon

RedRx8Guy

Thanks for the info. I am not looking to make it a race car, I just want some extra ponys that will just put me a clear notch or 2 beyond the average sports cars that are every where on the road.. Like the slightly modded Preludes, RSX-S's, Celica GTS's and similiar and all those other 15 second ish cars.

JimW

I was reading on another forum a product developed by a Dr. Lightspeed. His mod is equivalent to the Canzoomer stage 1 his testing netted him mid 13 sec 1/4 times with cold conditions but the good time came from his only decent hook-up,although I prefer the Canzoomer mods. Just imagine what Canzoomers stage 2 will do with some 17'' rims to reduce rolling resistance, this is plenty of power for anyone, and if not with the stage 3 and a lightly compressed turbo (low boost) should push it into the high 12s. I understand how redrx8 feels at times, everyone wants to race you because of the way the car looks, old ladies try to dust you off and they have no knowlege of the RX8, it's just that they see a great fast looking car and something ticks off inside that's been dormant for a while and zoom zoom away they go. I dont think it's because they think it's slow, hell where is the challenge in wanting to race a slow car. I think in time we'll see the negative slow car comments change to one of desire.

G8rboy

What the hell do you expect- someone buys a $30k car without ever test driving it (or doing any research either, apparently- who the hell pays sticker for a car without even test driving it??), then complains about losing street races due to it's lack of power?!?

"Why did mazda make such a sporty car and cheap out on the power", umm, I wouldn't call 200+HP out of a 1.3L motor 'cheaping out' on the power... and the The "sports car pergatory" line really sums up the issue here.

This guy obviously doesn't know what a sports car is, and doesn't appreciate the RX8 for what it is, and has serious personal hang-ups if he's only worried about the image his car reflects upon him.

RedRx8Guy

Well thats very true and all but the fact remains, 99% of street racing doesn't involve handling, and probably 99.9 of people are not interested in taking there cars to any track other then a 1/4.

Its like being a kid thats a state champ in the long jump, but hangs out with all 100 meter dash guys. The 100 meter dash guys couldn't care less about high jumper's skills thus the skill are nearly worthless since everybody is competing in the 100 meter dash.

Sue Esponte

I never meant to suggest he didn't have an 8. I just simply don't get these types of posts.

It's like someone on a Miata board bitching and moaning about the lack of a back seat. "I bought it because I had to have it before everyone else but I didn't realized it didn't have a back seat."

A friend of mine hates her 325xi and blames BMW because she didn't realize her backseat isn't large enough for her needs.

"My car looks as fast as a Ferrari but it's not...how lame is that?". <---I say how dumb is THAT?

How are these failures of the manufacturer? Sounds more like a failure of the customer to research the car they were buying.

The reason I asked WHEN he bought his RX8 is because I went to Delray Mazda (about an hour north of Miami) back in early February and they easily had more than 50 RX8's on the lot and a test drive wasn't a problem. Miami's not exactly a low-population area, and So. Fla dealers tend to be rather sizeable...so timing would have to play a big part in whether a car could be test driven. But, if RedRX8Guy bought his car that early in the sales cycle, Mazda would have offered to buy his car back from him! If he was truly dissatisfied with acceleration, why didn't he give it back to Mazda and buy a 350Z?

No offense, but anyone who doesn't test drive a car before buying it gets what he or she deserves. My Honda dealer lost a sale on an S2K years ago when he said I'd have to buy it to test drive it. Oh well. The only reason I didn't buy a spot on the Lotus Elise buyer's list at my local dealer is because I wanted to get into the car first. I've read amazing things about the car for YEARS but how do I even know if I'd fit comfortably?!

Incoherent rant over.

-Eric

RedRx8Guy

Actually its quite diffrent.. Awhile back I remember reading the rx8 running the 1/4 in a mag around 14.5... Now after Mazda gets done with it, the car that origionally started as 250HP has been dynoing on average about 170HP to the wheels (210-220HP?).. I was expecting more. It feels to me like a mid 15 second car. Power is not the only reason I got it, I really like it and it unique and fresh. I am somewhat involved in the street racing scene here and I was expecting a bit more power but I will just have to spend a bit to get it back..

At least I can get some of the power back with the kit, too bad I just missed the deadline of the buyback, could of had $500

PS. The reason I got it without the test drive was because I was gonna get it regardless, they only had 1 MT on the lot that had what I wanted in it and it was nearly sold to another person. I felt I knew enough about it to warrent buying it.

Also the 350z was tops on my list but I needed the trunk and storage space for work related reasons.

jonalan

Um, I would say, oh, maybe 100%!!!

I'm not sure what you meant to say, but this comment is about the same as saying "how often do you use your tires, anyway?".

RedRx8Guy

Not sure where or how you race, but everybody I know races on highways or straight shots and if there are curves they are very mild enough and probably use less then 25% of the car's full lateral handling\grip potential.

Racing around turns would be WAY too dangerous unless on a santioned course.

Sue Esponte

Hp at the engine/flywheel and wheels are two entirely different animals. A chassis dyno will never show full engine hp since the drivetrain will always sap Hp from the numbers. That much I think you know.

But, people have also found that as a response to what the drivetrain perceives as "slippage" on the dyno, the engine management system retards timing and runs a richer fuel mixture further distorting and diminishing values generated by the chassis dyno.

Ignore the numbers, screw your friends (not literally), and enjoy your car! :D

-Eric

havyn

i still don't understand why this guy didn't buy an EVO or STI...he is WAY too concerned with straight line racing and besting his 'friends' to appreciate what a marvel Mazda has put together here. it just doesn't make any sense..<sigh>

edit: evo and sti both have large-ish trunks as well...and seat 4...and are faster ...

RX8Bliss

The prelude, rsx-s, gts are not sports cars, they're sport compacts or coupes. sports cars are s2ks, porches, mr2, etc. 2 seats, rwd, and relatively light. a fwd car is not a sports car.

Chantage

"a fwd car is not a sports car." So I guess to you, a 1990 Lotus Elan is not defined as a sports car.

RedRx8Guy

Although those are fast cars, to me they are just Economy cars that are turbocharged to within an inch of its life. I wouldn't dare drive a Lancer, and IMO the STi its a cool car, but not my cup of tea. I am a die hard classic RWD sports car person.

RedRx8Guy

If you wanna be foolish and nit pick go ahead.. The point of that statement was to explain that most """"SPORTY CARS"""" on the road run about mid 15's.. I then gave a few examples.

Wow this board is harsh, its like a bunch of vultures ready to attack anything that moves..

Sue Esponte

Says you. We've had this discussion before. You should check the archives because it was an interesting discussion. By your definition, a sports car requires RWD. What about AWD? Is a Carrera4 not a sports car? And, why is an MR2 a sports car whereas an RSX S-Type, a car that will easily outmaneuver an MR2, not...just because it has RWD?

Oh, and what the heck is a Porche?

-Eric