zevans

The Xenons are amazing.

The sound of it on full chat. (My Typhoon is in a cardboard box next to me here so it should sound even BETTER after an hour with a spanner this evening. :D )

The whole drivetrain is set up to let you do really quick downshifts, even with standard flywheel. It really is snick-blip-snick-GO. I've tried clutchless upshifts once or twice just to prove that the gearbox is that good. It is.

The response to inputs when cornering and the level of feedback.

Brake feel - left-foot braking is a joy in this car.

Considering the type of car it's phenomenal in the wet.

I find the audio a bit muddy actually, but the audiopilot stuff is good I guess.

I only found the ski compartment thing in the back the other day...

You really can fit four people in for extended periods which means you can use the car ALL the time and leave the hot hatch at home.

The other thing I found today was the limit of grip ... 6000 miles and today is the FIRST time I've had the guts to carry enough speed in to understeer. (In fact, it's a good job left-foot braking is so easy otherwise I'd have ended up leaving the roundabout on the offside exit lane :D )

zevans

LOL I did that this morning!

I'm trying to think of a glass building round here I can park in front of at night so I can take an arty photo...

Couture

My favorite is the Whhirr of the engine.
I often turn down the volume on the stereo to listen to it as I shift gears.

The fact that all the guys I know are SICK that a chic drives a car this cool.

speedweasel

1. Being able to drop the clutch in a hard right turn and chirp BOTH tires.
2. One touch to crack the sunroof, one touch to open all the way.
3. The strut tower cross-member. (I use it regularly!)
4. 6th gear. (I use this regularly too!)
5. That sexy lady who tells me where to go. (GPS Nav Voice)
6. 80mph to 0 in 160 feet. (At least the dog was thankful.)
7. The removable console between the rear seats. I can go skiing in style now!
8. The fog light switch. (Wish the console light dimmer was there too.)
9. Heat ducts to the rear footwells.
10. The left foot rest pylon.
11. The Homelink garage door opener that works from 300' away!

Best of all....being 6'3" and still have headroom!

RotorWheeee

Various thing that I find real nice that might be over looked
-A seat hight that dosen't make you feel like your sitting on the road
-Cruise contol, when you hit resume picks up quickly
-as the cooler weather starts to hit ,the heated seat and mirrors are real nice touch
- rear trunk lid hinges that don't crush the groceries
never get tired of looking at it

Ellar

The lowered area of the trunk that keeps a days worth of groceries from rolling around all over the place...even if you strafe your favorite twisty road on the way home.

Architech

This is probably my favorite aspect of the car!

The placement of the parking brake lever...

It gives you an excuse to reach over and rub on your dates leg! :D

I love everything about this car! I can't think of one thing about this car that has ever made me think "Why the hell did they make this, like that?"

I think most of you know what I mean with that quote!

Ellar

Here's a rainy day little thing: Velocity Red totally changes color in the rain. It looks somewhere between the bright, oxygen rich blood you get from an artery, and the dark, oxygen depleted blood you get from a vein. So rich. Then you wash it on a sunny day, and that metal flake comes out bigtime. The red starts to sizzle. It's like driving one car in the rain, and having another for the sunny days.

Rob Tomlin

What a coincedence. I was talking to my neighbor today about the Velocity Red paint and how much it changes color depending on the lighting. This morning we had bright sun, and the gold flakes were really eye popping. Later in the day, while detailing the car, the neighbor walked over again. This time there was a fairly dark cloud cover. The Velocity Red looked a much darker, deeper shade of Red, and you could barely see the gold flakes.

Very cool!

Architech

The RX-8 is a "mood" car, in so many ways, from the way the paint seems to change color, to how you could be having a "Down Bottom Sh*tty" Day, till you get in and drive the thing, to how the Mazda commands attention on the road, like it was a Bently!

Am I wrong

RotrDoc

No, Architect, you're completely right. I just found this thread--amazing--over a year of folks just rediscovering the joys of this jewel. Wish that I had time to read it through--I will, eventually. I agree with all the little things I've read above, including a couple I hadn't discovered (slits in the visors? I'll check that one).

A "mood car"?? Every morning I approach mine (after a full year), crouching in the pre-dawn and feel a thrill as I hit the lock and realize that "Oh boy!!! I get to drive to work again this morning." (Sounds cheesy, but really true). Keep 'em comin', friends.

Jim Paukert
--My other car is an MX-5--

1.3L

There are so many things to like about the 8 and I think everyone has hit the best points. Here's another, unless I missed it:

I like the fact that I don't have to change the intermittant wiper selector if I happen to need the regular wiper motion.

1.3L

Racer X-8

And push UP on the wiper stalk for just 1 wipe. Way cool.

The pocket on the inside of the trunk lid is way cool too. If you're not using it when you're closing your trunk, you're just not doing it right. Of course, you can't close your trunk lid all the way with it - you'd smash your hand if you tried. It's nice to bring the lid down though, without having to reach, or damage the paint job with your rings. A small push closes it the rest of the way then. If you don't know about this, it's inside the trunk lid to the right-of-center.

rx8cited

I always close my trunk with the inside "trunk handle" you're speaking of. It's just a matter of mastering pulling down with the right amount of speed and pull your hand out fast . Sometimes I don't get it closed on the first try.

rx8cited

RX8 Pusher

I found that slot on day three of ownership (thanks to the forum) and never have to stop the motion of closing the trunk by using a second hand….the best part is my wife (who never wants to admit that I have taught her anything) watched me closing the trunk with a curious eye; thinking “Now, how in the heck did he do that?” Needless to say, she has the technique perfected as well.

8_wannabe

I took my baby camping last weekend; it was great. The car is so darn versatile. Check this out: If you buy the Coleman Roadtrip grill it fits perfectly on the trunk ledge right behind the seat, provided you don't have the spare tire. You must move the fix-a-flat kit to make it fit, it's that tight. Leave the grill stand at home. You can see the grill here. Be sure you do NOT buy the LX grill, which is bulkier. I bought a couple of plastic containers that nestle into the trunk well that hold all my camp cooking supplies and food. On top of them, stack the tent and sleeping bags, collapsable water jug, a couple of small propane containers for cooking, and I'm set for the weekend in my little RV-8 (lol, just made that up!) The only thing that won't fit in the trunk is the ice chest which goes on the rear seat. But if I bought a nice, slim ice chest and minimized perishables on my trip that could probably go in the trunk too.

1.3L

My first "big" vehicle was a 1991 Ford Explorer. Replaced it three and a half years ago with a 2002 Explorer. Also, I've owned a 1990 Nissan pickup since new. After washing my new RX-8 a couple of times I remembered why I don't wash my other vehicles very often; they are too tall and have too much surface area. By comparison, washing my 8 is a snap! And in between wash jobs I can chamois down my 8 and clean the window in less than 10 minutes, including putting a shop rag to the wheels! :D

1.3L

Hespra

I started the search to replace my 1985 Prelude by driving a few SUV's. I thought a SUV would mean I wouldn't have to call my son to haul home whatever I found at the garden store or antique shops. The SUV's were roomy and trendy, but perinneal gas hogs and not the least impressive taking corners. I gave up on SUV's.

The perfect car had to be black on black, unique in character, with enough get up and go to climb hills with ease. Beyond that, I wasn't sure what else would ring my chimes. I read user's forums from hell to breakfast and quite by accident stumbled onto this one. Here I found page after page of pure joy --- tangible evidence of a whole lot of people living a love affair with their car. I was intrigued.

The RX-8 looked classy, sassy---almost feral. I went for a test drive. Took less than a mile to conclude I wanted a sibling. Dealer found everything I wanted in Seattle.

I love to hit the open road, burn through a tank of gas just for the thrill of freedom on a Sunday afternoon. Open the sunroof, power the seat back so my legs can stretch a bit, turn on cruise control, crank up Elvis and sing along:

She gives me fever......fever when she holds me ....fever all through the night


Thank you Mazda for all the thought you put into this beast. It's a joy to drive.

Petrus

Things about the 8 that aren´t as appreciated as they should be... The handling is just amazing. I´ve never driven a car with better feeling. Weightratio, front / back. Not overlooked, but compare it to other cars on the market. Not many of them have a 50 / 50 wiehgtratio front and back. This is something that makes the 8 an incredible joyride. I agree agree with the speed of the powerwindows... Just a little something to make it stand out. The single foglight in the rear (EU models standard). I´m sure there´s a million small things to be said about this car that is overlooked,,, But I´ve only had mine for a few weeks. Can´t stop loving it!
:D

SilverEIGHT

It's nice to drive for 500 miles and see 3 RX8s. I like being different. The car stands out and holds it's own amoung exotic sports cars. I usually park away from a store to keep doors from being opened on my baby. When I returned to my car from shopping the other day, there was a Lotus parked next to me with the same idea. No other cars within 50'. Both silver and my RX8 was just a sexy as the Lotus.

I've traveled Georgia, Tennessee and Florida and there just are not many of us around.

zevans

Just like to revisit this thread after my first trackday.

The balance is amazing - it oversteers when you make it oversteer, it understeers when you make it understeer, and otherwise it just... goes round the corner. Quickly.

The brakes are indestructible and have a LOT of stopping power. I was following Exiges into corners. (Needless to say the Caterhams could outbrake me )

You never tire of snicking it up and down the ratios and contrary to my initial impressions, the clutch can take a lot of abuse. I made a mess of downshifts and it just didn't care. (It did wag the tail a bit when I accidentally shiftlocked it into a hairpin :D But it was easy to recover even though I had DSC off.)

By the way...

Quick push turns off just the DSC - so it won't brake individual wheels any more. This does actually give you -more- grip near the limits because DSC comes in a fraction too early and upsets the balance of the car. It also stops you using oversteer to dive it into the apex.

7/8 second push turns off traction control as well, for all your doughnut requirements.

But DSC is pretty impressive and I don't think I'd ever switch it off on a public road.

SilverEIGHT

I use the card slot for my insurance card. Also while on the visors... you can actually see thru them when you are at a red light and the sun is blasting your eyes. It's not just a sexy addition, it's functional.

speedweasel

Wow! I had to go out and look at my visors after that one....
Being 6'3" always makes for difficult traffic light viewing when first on the line.


I got one more for you....

The trash bin between the rear seats can hold a bottle wine (or small JD) ....if you put dry ice wrapped in washcloth, you can even chill it!

Luckystar

There is so many things i like about this car, its awesome

Luckystar

I keep thinking that the 8 is like a Ferrari too.