I def agree our cars arent FAST. fast to me is sub 12. But on that same note, slow to me is a ford taurus. I feel like RX-8s are so underated. I have a confession, I test drove an 03 350Z track for a weekend because I was considering trading in for one. The ONLY thing that impressed me with this car was the torque, thats it. The RX8 is so much nicer in every other aspect such as the rear seats and looks, and overall quality, not to mention the amazing handling. Even while being underpowered, it still keeps up with much more expensive cars such as the new TT, 350Z, and S2000. Im not saying we own the best car in the world, but our cars ARE amazing cars and ARE quick. Honestly, I paid 19K for mine in 06. What cars can you get that are near the value for that price, and SRT-4, ill pass!!!!!!!!!!! I love RX-8s and their 14-15 second 1/4 miles!!!!

 

hey 350Z fan, if RX-8s are slow, then what do you think your sentra, I mean 350Z is????? Our cars run 14.49 at its best while yours is running flat 14's. If you honestly think that .5 seconds seperates slow from fast, you arent that intelligent. Sure your altima, I mean 350Z it faster, but MY RX8 can hold 3 bitches while your gay 350Z can hold one dude. Cheers to you to *******.

 

I just installed the turbonator. It's fast now.

 

The funny thing is that most people who call the RX8 slow have probably never been on a track. The only thing they've got to go on is their experience on public roads where you can never really get going without being dangerous.

When you're movin the RX8 in the upper rev range (6,000+) it sure feels fast enough for me, especially on a public road (ie. on-ramp, etc.). I think people don't understand that you have live up there to get the power out of this car.

 

^^^^agree. My own personal opinion is that RX8s feel alot slower than they are, heres something cool for EVERYONE to try. Next time you got a buddy riding with you, floor it on an on-ramp up to about 100-110 (dont get pulled over...lol) and ask you buddy how fast they THINK youre going. I guarantee they'll say "I dont know, 70". Ive done that to 3 friends already who call my car slow. THen they respond by "no way" as they lean over to see the spedo and say "damn this thing is fast". The lack of torque and digital spedo make it seem slow. I just noticed that analog spedos seem to go up quicker.

 

Last time at the track I ran rings around a 350 Zilch. The thing handled like a gravel truck.

+1 ... A lot of bozos think that cars are defined by quarter-mile times. (Of course, if it's an American car, usually that's all they have, so...)

Plus RX8Club attracts a lot of whiners.

 

When I made up my mind to buy my 8, honestly, the 1/4-mile time wasn't even a consideration. I'm a very satisfied Mazda customer.

 

+1, I think that sums it up!

 

Agreed. However, if you are not paying attention the car can get up to speed very quickly and get you in trouble. It's not about being faster than the other guy, it's about being fast enough to have fun, the RX-8 really doesn't need much power to be fun or a beast on the track.

Mazda has a knack for making low hp cars more competitive and fun to drive than their competitors with a lot more power. A lower horsepower car requires you to rev it up more to get power, what's not fun about that? It's a selling feature if you ask me!

 

^^ And the most popular sports car of all time is -- a "low-powered" MX-5 Miata. Some people just don't get it.

 

the rx8 could be faster!
i mean, the rx8 is not slow, but everybody just hope it could be faster!

 

Wowsers!

That must increase mileage by at least 80%.

What car is that with 8, turbos?

 

To 350Z Fan, sorry to inform you but while the 350Z might be a little bit faster than the 8 a lot of other car enthusiast groups consider it slow as well so you might as well grab a peace pipe and sit at the table with us "slow" 8 owners. Honestly, I wish the 8 came out at a different time then it would have been viewed differently. Honestly if you look at what is on the road then the 8 might be faster than the majority of the cars on the road! Everybody doesn't have the Turbo (Legacy or Impreza), V-6 (Accord, Altima or Camry), or V-8 (Mustang or Camaro) version of the "faster" cars and everybody doesn't own a new car. Some of these cars in the trim level with the more powerful engine might be faster but again the ones the sell mostly are the N/A 4 cylinder versions (weak V-6 in the case of pony cars). Basically what I am getting at is that in the heirarchy of what is really on the road the 8 falls on the fast half of the masses although it isn't at the top of the $35k or less club!

 

why would you buy a 350 Z and have the same old V-6 drone ?, when you could have a car with a kick *** high revving, ear bleedin, F-1ish, 9500 rpm spinning whirlwind of engine that has an entire open wheel race series devoted to it... plus its a Mazda! Nissans really suck ***!

 

you also fail to realize that the RX-8 ISN'T an RX-7 replacement! Mazda was very clear when the released the 8 to say that. It has two extra doors, back seats, weights a bunch more, and in regards to the last gen, isn't turbocharged! Two different cars.

If the 8 made the same rwhp as the 350Z, it would whoope it's *** and then some. Superior chassis, superoir suspension, better dynamics.

I also don't get why people think the 8 is slow and compare to the likes of Hyundais and minvans. God, the 8 will get you a speeding ticket faster than 95% of the cars on the road. It tops out at over 165-mph! The speed the 8 is ultimately capabile of is more than enough to get any driver in trouble and somewhat unuseable on public streets. ****, a 3rd gear redline is already speeding anywhere you are! I redline in 3rd in my girlfriends Saturn and I'm still at 35-mph!

The fact remains the RX-8 is usually far more capabile and faster than the average driver can handle.

 

The specific reasons that I bought my 8 over any other vehicle is because of the engine. Last time this type of engine was released it was FI. Now they added extra size/practicality while risking the label of not being able too be fast enough, or keep up with other competitors top of the line race cars.

Well after everything I have done in my signature I don't really care about what "those" people think... It's NA, and the best part is that one of my modifications isn't an "intake plenum" because Nissan did an actual half *** job at properly feeding the engine at full throttle. I payed Mazda and got a well made machine.

And cars aren't defined by quarter mile times... There defined by driver and car. Having a track only changes acceleration off the line. Once your moving it starts...

 

I've addressed this issue from time to time. It usually ends up that some rx8 drivers become very offended when I consider my own rx8 fast. It gets pretty philosophical when they start breaking down the meaning of the word "fast" to me. Talk about ridiculous and a reminder of the need to get back down to earth.

I've also hinted before at the "ashamed" rx8 drivers out there. If I was ashamed to drive such-and-such a vehicle because of such-and-such a feature or performance, or felt interior when such-and-such a vehicle pulled up next to me, I'd be out of that car faster than I could register to post about how sorry I was.

In addition, why are people most often comparing against and moaning about 3 vehicles every time? (s2000, 350z, evo). That's a convertible, 2-seater coupe, and the evo I'm not sure because I've never bothered to check. With that kind of range, why aren't comparisons done more often with other convertibles, other coupes, and other "practical" compromised sports cars such as our rx8? For convertibles, there's the non-GXP Solstice and Miata. For coupes there's the Chrysler you-know-what and a score of American v6 cars. And for a "practical" sporty car with good looks and a level of comfort (like our rx8), look at the Lexus SC 430 or Eclipse models. Get out of the tunnel vision, because those 3 cars (s2000, 350z, evo) are all hardcore in at least one aspect, while our rx8 is really not hardcore in any aspect. It's a compromise between extremes, so once we start comparing realistically, its performance is seen more realistically.

I realize most people here know more about cars than I do and could make my arguments sound silly with their advanced level of debate and knowledge. Well congratulations on out-smarting a first-time rookie car owner like myself, but at least I'm actually into the car I drive rather than looking for ways to put it down.

Aside, I am relieved to read about people moving on to other cars such as the GTO or Mazda3/6 rather than bemoaning, although their taste is revealed to be very poor. How are people with less taste lecturing those with more developed taste? Personal preference would be Coke or Pepsi when choices are between equally poor soda beverages; taste is hierarchical so the the "preference" cop-out can't be used when someone sells their 8 to drive a box.

Lastly, on the way home from work today, I gave many a driver a strong dose of the good old rotary medicine, and it makes me smile just thinking about it. Passion for driving. The guy in the noisy v8 has it, while totally oblivious to the performance characteristics in which his vehicle is outclassed. We ought to have it as well.

 

sounding almost professor-like... very nice. nice indeed..and by the way could you pass me the Grey Popoun.

 

the never ending battle!!

 

Man I'm lovin this!!!

I'm almost tempted to go read some 350Z forums just to see how lame they are

When I was buying my 8 there was just no comparison. I knew the 350Z was seen as competitive in the minds of the masses, but I never even mildy considered it.

I guess I just knew I wanted an 8. Even though I've had my issues with it, I'm completely, 100% happy. There are FEW things I would trade it for.

 

People at my school also doubt the 8's ability. Unfortunately on Oahu there aren't any race tracks. its really pathetic because most of the other islands in Hawaii do have tracks. Anyways all of them try to race me on the streets, but i'm not going to waste gas/oil and risk my life for something I know I'd win. I don't really want to race because it proves nothing (in my opinion). Should i race them and just shut them up?

Most of these guys are running civics, integras, corollas, 240s....so to me, its not a challenge . The only person I'm interested at challenging is this Evo9....but i don't know if i even stand a chance against him.

 

Oahu has an AutoX at Aloha Stadium, take them there...if you lose then maybe I'll let you rent my 8, or better yet get BigO to work them.

 

We've been over this a billion times. The 350Z is a nice car, one I strongly considered buying before I found out about the RX-8.

It's a nice car if you can forgive it being extremely common on the roads. If you can forgive it sharing the same chassis and engine used on many other models. For all that platform sharing, you'd think the car would be cheaper to buy. Instead, for an equally equipped RX-8, you end up paying out the ***, and still come out short. Sure it has a little bit more hp, but there's an easy solution for that

 

My solution for that problem is easy (YMMV, though). Monday through Friday I drive my 4-cylinder Mazda6 back and forth to work and wherever else. Then on weekends I break out the RX-8. And surprisingly enough, it never feels slow!

 

Something you wouldn't expect to have 8 turbos...

http://www.lateral-g.org/sandlin/

vid: http://www.teasdesign.com/lateral-g/inciner8or.wmv