Elara

This strikes me as odd, too- because mine definitely pulls more after 5k rpms. Between 4 and 5 is when it really starts accelerating. I would guess something's weird with the car.

DrComputer

I own two cars... a fast car and a fun car. When I drive the RX-8 it's a fun car to drive. I also own a Lexus LS430. Although it looks far less "sporty" than the RX-8 it can outpace it at any speed. But that's fine, because the Lexus is not nearly as fun to drive as the Mazda.

Speed-ER doc

Road and Track:
0-60 / 1/4 mile / top speed / slalom
LS430 6.4 14.8 131 60.6
RX-8 5.9 14.5 148 65.4

At what speed can the LS 430 "outpace" the 8? Or did I misunderstand you?

There is NO Lexus currently made that outpaces the 8, although the SC 430 has a higher top speed (156).

i3man

I think he was referring to the crash test where both cars hit each other head on and see which one sustains less damage :p

hotpot

Just a word on handling comparison.

On my commute from work there is this long left-handed bend up a slight gradient which I just love zooming through. The road surface is not perfect and has quite a few small bumbs. I normally take that bend at about 140 km/h.

In both my previous Beemer (E36 model) and my current RX8, the amount of body-roll felt about the same (just a hint less on the 8), although the 8 has the lower-profile tires and a more sporty suspension. However I find that when going over the small road imperfections, the Beemer felt more secure steering-wise, where the 8's steering wheel would wobble in my hands, making the car move around a bit. I find that the 8 requires more concentration when driving at speed on less-than-perfect roads.

However I can take the same bend at a higher speed in the 8. At 140 km/h the Beemer back-wheels start sliding away, while I've pushed the 8 round the bend at 150 km/h, with room to spare. In any case both cars have wonderful chassis which provide excellent feedback to the driver.

hotpot

The car definitely feels to start pulling more eagerly above 4000 rpm' s, but I certainly have never felt any kick, like that of a turbo. Could it be that there is something wrong with my engine, and that the extra ports are not opening?

BLUE PHI RX-8

Hey Speed-ER doc,

That picture on yor avatar is from the mountains of North Carolina just outside of Asheville. Do you go there often?

AF-RX8

Ok, I've had some more time behind the wheel since I borrowed the RX8 and I can tell you that the car pulls really well especially up top in the upper rpm's and hte engine makes some nice sounds while doing it.
There is nothing about driving this car that would discourage me from getting one, I love everything about it.

Overall it is a very connected car to the road, I can understand what someone on the board said about the shifter being a hard throw, coming out of my 330i where the shifter is very light in it's action, the RX8 moves with a little more friction in comparison. If i didn't drive a stick on a regular basis I would not have noticed it since it is a very smooth shift with a couple of snicks in it to make it feel good !!

Gas mileage was 13.2 mpg ...

With all that said, I am not going to get one. While it is a great car, it is really on the small side and since I have my kids A LOT of times in my car, I really need a bigger car plus I really am in love with the Bimmer just like you guys are in love with the 8, once you have that love, it's hard to part with it.

skagen

nice post carguy, thanks for the compliments of our 8's. trust me, im pretty sure i can safely say we would love a bimmer as well. both cars are definitely to be fallen in love with.

AF-RX8

Thanks Skagen, I have to admit I am not 100% positive I am not getting one since that damn 8 is sooo connected to the road and I keep thinking about it.

I have been trying to scheme a plan to have both the bimmer and the RX8 . . . Damn I better get this car out of my garage quick

Meanwhile my stepfather told me I could keep it for the week . . . arghh ... the torture :p

skagen

If its a prob, can i borrow your bimmer? :p

SDFLY

Nice post and good luck with your ultimate decision. I must confess that I originally started out looking for a low mile M coupe (the Z3 type) but was unable to locate a satisfactory example over a fews weeks time, I then refocussed my search down to to a 2-3 year old C5, the G35 coupe, the 350Z or the RX8. After much research and hands-on testing, I couldn't be happier...and the damn thing is, I just can't put my finger on one reason why, the overall package is hard to beat. Good luck. - Kevin

racerdave

Al, I mean, Carguy...

My wife thought the rear of the 8 was too small, but it was more claustraphobic than anything. Rear leg room isn't great, but it's no worse than say a 4-door Golf or something.

So we were set on a 325i. Then I heard the 8 was S-Plan eligible and I could get it for about $5K less than a 325... sold. The 8 it is.

She wants to drive it one more time, but it's a formality.

But I am lucky in that she has a Volvo V70 as the practical car, and the 8 would not be bad at all, particularly since my boy is only 2. He's got plenty of time to grow, so the backseat won't be too limiting at all.

That said... if I already *had* the 330, I'm not sure I'd switch. The 330 is a great car too... just a little different.

Anyway, thanks for the input on the 8!

AF-RX8

Dave,

What is S plan eligible ?

I am surprised because I thought you were set on the 3 series . . . I guess depending on options it could be a 5k spread but the 8's I see are priced $31,200 -33,500 which is very close to the 325 in price . . .

We have the Volvo XC90 as the family hauler but my biggest problem is my wife doesn't drive a manual (I gotta teach her how to already) so I always need to use my car when going out with the kids alone which BTW isn't really a bad thing because I really am not into driving the truck.

Good luck and keep me posted

---------
Alan

///M-Spec

I'm a little late chiming in, but I wanted to comment on the difference between a BMW's powerband and the 8's.

Recent BMW sixes (derived from the M50 family) are long stroke, torquey motors. If you look at a dyno for an M50/52/54TU, you'll notice the torque builds up very quickly starting at ~3000 RPM and then dies off after 5000. This is what gives the 3 series a punchey bottom end... there's a dramtic shift in torque much like the VQ in the 350Z/G35. However, anyone whose driven one will tell you the motors take a nose dive at the top end of the rev range (the VQ, in fact, falls on its face after 6k.)

By contrast, the 8 has very even, linear torque curve all the way to the redline. There is no 'bulge' or dramatic build up like there is in the M50 or VQ. Consequently, it doesn't feel very fast, because the engine doesn't give you all the torque at once .. it doles it out a little at a time all the way to red ---exactly like an S2000, another deceptively quick car.

I imagine CanZoomer's mod will fill out the top end even better and really open the car up after 6k.

BTW, CarGuy, I have an E36 M3 and am looking at getting a 8 this year.


///M-Spec

aussie77

Carguy, good luck with your decision On one note, I think you might find the 8 has more room than you might suspect at first drive. I just got back from my christmas road trip. We did several 3-5 hour drives with four adults (two 6'2 males, two 5'9 females), one suitcase and a huge-assed sports bag, not to mention a couple of backpacks. We had a fun time trying to get everything packed in, but when you do a 4 hour drive with 4 adults, luggage for a week on the road, and everyone is comfortable... Works for me anyway

racerdave

Alan,

The S-Plan is special pricing from Mazda/Ford for employees of Ford Parters. My company is a Ford Partner, so we get the S-Plan.

It basically winds up being a shade lower than invoice price.

The S-Plan price on a 6MT with Sports Package is $25.5k. The 325i SP I wanted would've invoiced at about $30.5k.

So even if the 325 has a lot better resale value down the road (very likely) I'll still have a $5k cushion to play with at the outset.

My wife found that $5k savings enough to make her reconsider the RX-8.

But like you, no matter if it's an E46 BMW or a RX-8... there's no way to lose. :D

MBL-RX8

As an enthusiast that's torn between both camps, I've gotta say something here!

Carguy, your 330i has one of the very best engines in the world. Considering the amount of advertised power it makes, its performance embarrasses many bigger and "more powerful" engines (cough cough Nissan cough cough). In fact, your 3 liter's been an award winner every one of its years. It's also characterized by it's very broad, very, very flat torque curve...you have most of your torque thoughout your entire rev range! Hence the massive pull...

While my idea of an ideal engine has a torque curve similar to the 3 liter's, I've really taken a liking to the nature of the rotary. Now in fairness I hated the nature of a VTEC engine I tried years ago, so I'm always skeptical of high-revving engines. When I test drove the RX-8, I was fixated on flying through the gears and watching the needle zing up the tachometer every few seconds. The salesman tried to demonstrate the stereo, but I was just too distracted :D . As long as I kept thrashing the RX-8 like I hated it, it just loved me right back.

Eventually I would love to join the BMW club (almost did too this round), but I think my future affair with the Wankel will be an interesting and exciting jaunt.

clyde

I guess your ordeal with choosing wheels was just a preview. :p

Quote:

I have been trying to scheme a plan to have both the bimmer and the RX8

Son, what's a few Gs, anyway?





Carguy and Dave know how I managed...I talked my wife into selling her car and taking over my 325 wagon.

AF-RX8

Glad to finally see you here . . . I was thinking if I was to sell my Bimmer, just think how much $$ I could get for my wheel collection . . . (I've got 3 sets :D ) plus all the aftermarket stuff I put on my car . . . Sheesh, I could get an RX8 AND make a profit

93rdcurrent

Carguy,

I traded my M3 in on my RX-8 I didn't post because I had already talked about a few times on different posts. I struggled with the decision to purchase the '04 RX-8 or the '04 M3. Handling wise the cars are similiar. Both had Nav, DSC/TC, Seated 4, etc. The major difference was hp. Finally it came down to price. I decided that when Mazdaspeed puts out the turbo kit I can have similiar hp to the M3 at a fraction of the price. I also get more glances and thumbs up in this car than I ever did in my M3. I loved my M3 but it was a few years old and it didn't have all the luxuries I was looking for that my RX-8 has and even though they are different kinds of cars you have to give the RX-8 some props for being compared to cars the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Porche, etc. They are all fun cars.

Oh and to answer another question, I did feel quite a difference in the power after about 2,000 miles. I really noticed it just before we started getting snow here. Now I don't get to play with it so much but yes after 6,200 rpms the car opens up and the hp kicks in. The 3rd intake ports open up and you can feel it. It is kinda like a turbo, almost. I miss my Turbonetics stage II upgrade sometimes. Anyway I hope that helps. Yes you can go from a BMW to a Mazda and be happy.

viggen

Had a 2000 BMW M Roadster -- outrageous acceleration, exhilarating thrust, really pushed you into the seat. Handling was mediocre at best, as was quality, fit and finish and materials.

330i has great acceleration and handling and improved quality, makes my M seem cro-magnon in comparison.

However, RX-8 blows away my M Roadster in nearly every way. I also chose it over the 330. Why? It's a sprotscar, not a sporty coupe. It has spectacular handling, fantastic design, more interior cu. ft. than the 330, a usable trunk and hot styling. Last, I enjoy the "work" it takes to wring the substantial performance out of the RX-8. The M Roadster was effortless, as is the 330 when it comes to getting the power to the road; for me that translated into a slightly boring experience...

Now, if I were looking for a lux/sport coupe instead of sportscar, I would definately consider the 330; however, I'd likely choose the G35!

AF-RX8

Just so you guys know where I am last night I gave back my stepfathers RX8 to him since I was worried about driving around his brand new car but I have to say I am having some serious RX8 withdrawal's . . .

I also test drove the G35 Coupe yesterday and I think the RX8 is the car for me in comparison. The G coupe is fast as hell but the RX8 has the feel I LOVE in a car. the G is too luxurious and doesn't offer the roadfeel the RX8 offers. It's like a sports GT versus a real sports car.

Anyway I am going to drive my 330 for a few days and if I feel I still want the RX8 and if I do I will trade in the 330 for a RX8 with the Grand touring and possibly the Rear spoiler.

Lucky for me my 330 is a 2003 it would be either an even swap or maybe cost me a couple of g's in the end.

I'm thinking Red or black exterior and with black or black/red interior.

DaveT

I'm a little confused by all this, or something isn't right with some of the cars here. Before my RX8, I drove an Alfa Romeo GTV6. The Alfa 2.5 litre V-6 is probably one of the best reving piston engines ever built. My RX8 revs quicker and effortlessly compared to the Alfa, and my RX8's power is smooth and consistent all the way to redline. "skagen" has it right 'cause peak HP is 8500 RPM. If you drive the RX8 using the same mindset used to drive the BMW, then you left most of the 8's HP and torque unused, which isn't a fair comparison. To get the most out of the RX8 (and keep the ports from clogging up) then drive it like you stole it.

AF-RX8

Dave read the whole thread not just the initial post. . . my originally thoughts have changed since I have lived with the RX8 for 3 days . . . I agree you need to rev that sucker and it is damn fun !!!!

In fact when I got back in the bimmer (which felt like a torque rocket) I missed the extra few thousand rpm's !!