A little intro... I currently own a 2001 Mazda Mp3 and I just love great handling cars, so that’s why im here...

I have been on this board for a few months reading and researching about the RX8 and I think it’s the car im going to get next spring. I know all about the little things such as oil use, redline a day keeps the doctor away yada yada yada.

So I went for a test drive today in a 2006 shinka and there were a couple things I thought were off. The major one being the loading of the suspension during acceleration.

While getting on the gas, you would feel the front of the car push to the left, and when you quickly push the clutch in it would "snap" back to the right!!!

Now I know you will get this with higher torque cars but this doesn’t make sense with the RX8.

So my question is, do your 8's do this as well or was this one just fu(#ed?

Thanks for any help and I can’t wait to join the Rx8 ownership club!!

 

That's not normal, unless you are launching it or something (which is not what your description describes).

 

I have never felt what you described when I was N/A or now turbo. Although now boosted, the front of the car raises up when you floor it.

 

Ok, yea I didnt think it was normal... Also while looking under the hood on the drivers side I noticed 13b was stamped on the "block" or whatever is called haha. This threw me off and is it supposed to be there??

 

^yes, our engine is a 13b...the rx8's engine code is 13B-MSP, dont get it confused with the 7's engine 13B-REW

 

And no this wasnt launching it, this was mostly felt when at crusing speeds while getting on and off the gas.

 

Ah thank you kind sir!!

 

Definitely not normal... I can literally drive with my hands off the wheel for a pretty long distance, gas on and off. The only things that cause directional changes are bumps in the road.

 

Wow... that's pretty weird. I'm trying to think of what would cause that. I was thinking maybe the back tires had one really worn, and the other one new... something like that. Or some crazy chassis damage. I don't know...

It could be it's the Limited Edition Shinka FWD RX8... you're just getting some torque steer.

 

Not normal.

 

Thanks for input guys!!! Same thought here about possible damage... While looking at the carfax, it says it was originally from Kentucky but bought through auction twice to finally end up here in mid Michigan.

Im glad that it wasnt normal, I was truly dissapointed! Now I just need to find another one to test drive

 

Let us know when you do

 

Will do!!

 

noticed you're in michigan. there's a protege turbo running around my neighborhood, not an mp3 tho. what you described on the car you drove was very weird, def not normal. used 8's are such great deals. i occasionally check craigslist in detroit metro just to see what's out there, and there's at least a couple decent-looking ones out there. good luck

 

Could be the front alignment is off. Excessive toe out. This will cause the car to wander on uneven roads. Trammeling it is called.
The wheel will pull to one side and follow the ruts in the road. You might want them to check the alignment of the car.
Just a thought. If the rear axle geometry is off the same thing could happen as you described.