I think I'm in the minority here....I am not 'in-love' with the RX8. It's a fine car. It's a fun car. But the way some people here GUSH about the thing, you'd think they'd never driven anything newer than a '54 Buick.


The car handles pretty good.
The car has pretty good power.
The car is reasonably Comfortable.
The car is built of adequate worksmanship/quality.
The car looks pretty good.

That's about it. It does a number of things well - but I don't feel any emotional attachment. My Probe GT was endearing because of the excellent torque/weight ratio. My Miata found a place in my heart because it was VERY fun...and handling was world-class. The Rx8? It's much slower than the ProbeGT. It's much heavier (Feeling) than the Miata. It's a better 'car' however....just doesn't have one single measurable area which stands out as being better-than-the-rest.

 

I think the car is nice.. THe BEST car I've owned before this one was a 2001 Oldsmobile Alreo...

But a car is a car.. I enjoy the experience of driving it but If i abuse my body, why should I treat a car any different.

 

WOW!! I seriously can't understand that....lol

diff'rnt Strokes, right?

:D

 

It was a real nice car for only 24k!

 

DMP, you hit the nail on the head with a passing comment. The RX-8 "...just doesn't have one single...". For many people the RX-8 is a well-balanced car not only on the measurables but also on things such as the balance between sport driving and practical uses that involve a real back seat. For others, nothing comes close in the style and appearance dept. Ya gotta admit when it comes to tangibles, the RX-8 has some of the best brakes on ANY car.

The RX-8 may be equally strong in all of the different areas and that could be why no one area shines. THAT is the strength of the RX-8. Besides, you would be surprised at the things learned about this car by taking it to a road course. I figured when every one of our instructors were unanimously surprised and impressed that's all I needed to hear to know I made the right choice. I already liked the car but these guys were better drivers than me, so they should know.

CRH

 

Good comments, Charles...

As far as braking, my miata stopped better with stock rotors + good pads. I suspect that's a function of tires and weight however. Generally, I 'am' impressed with the 8's brakes, though. I also enjoy the steering of the car. Now that I think about it, the car is VERY easy to control whilst drifting. When the back end kicks out, it's easier than any car I've had to just keep sliding along, without feeling out of control. A quick lift of the throttle and the car just sorta snaps (controlled) back into line.

I suppose if I could control the body roll without sacrificing handling it would help endear the car to me. The car still 'feels' heavy though.

I guess I'm just starting to wonder if I'll ever really 'love' the car - I think you're onto something...a day at Thunderhill might just 'cure' me.

:D

 

If I can recall your Probe was *ahem* turboed which would explain it being slower. I've had plenty of miles on the MX6.

I think what makes the 8 so good is it is what you said but more importantly balanced. The ride doesn't beat you, the interior fits ike a glove and is a great quality, definately high revving fun, and it looks damn sexy. (I think it beat out both your cars in the last dept by far.) Name cars that have the total package like that under $30k. I can easily say I love it. But I loved my other cars as well.. just the 8 more.

 

Indeed it was boosted - still, rightly or wrongly I was showing how it had a pretty substantial quality.

I'd take exception to 'great quality' interior...rattle....rattle...squeak...

 

I think for many people it really comes down to what they just came from.....I was driving a Neon before this so the jump is extreme...
( I can remembe that after I test drove the RX8 and jumped back in my Neon, I moved it about 15 feet and thought that that something was wrong with the car - then I remembered it was a Neon. That's what was wrong with thte car)



however before that I was driving an 84 5.0L Capri RS with a modified suspension and a 305 hp engine with a 100 hp NOS kit...that would have given me a different perspective coming from that car....

Let me tell you, it was hard going from a car with nice hp to a Neon.

The RX8 is a good all-around solid car. It isn't the fastest but that's ok for me. I went through my phase of street racing, replacing a set of tires every year...blowing up rear-ends...etc.

I don't want to mod a car anymore. I just want something nice to drive that handles well, looks good and is comfortable in traffic..oh yeah, I still need to have some fun with it....and of course, I need to be able to fit the kids in there every once in a while.

 

<<<<< The Rx8? It's much slower than the ProbeGT>>>>>>

Your joking right? The stock Probe GT only has 164 hp. The 8 should kill a Probe GT. You must have modded your GT.

 

Somebody didn't read the whole thread it seems...lol



My Probe GT had 160hp/162lbs-ft at the front wheels with Intake and Exhaust. 248hp/250lbs-ft at the front wheels with Turbo and Exhaust.

 

That's sorta how I felt going from the test-driver, back to my Miata. My miata was pretty 'nice' inside...just didn't feel 'new'...and such. Didn't motor along quietly and soundly. Made a LOT of noise


I'm in the same boat - If the RB intake looks like it makes any signifigant power, I'll probably invest in that, a muffler, and perhaps coil-overs.

 

My best car was my FD--the RX8 is the best car for what I want right now--sportiness/handling/4 seats.

 

For me the reason I like it so much is

1) It's the first car I picked out and paid for by myself. My previous was a '97 Camry which was "given" to me by my parents in 2000 (I have since given it back). Before that I drove my parents' '86 Minivan and an '81 Volvo.

2) It's my first manual transmission car.

3) Looks. I love the way it looks and I love the suicide doors.

4) Performance. Never having driven any sorts of sports car before, the performance of the 8 is incredible. Of course if I were coming from a Corvette or something, I probably wouldn't have thought so highly of it.

 

I came from an '86 accord and have never had the pleasure (or embarassment :p ) of owning a miata or a probe, but the 8 is many, many times more enjoyable than my accord (except in gas consumption, of course )

I totally understand what you're saying though. There are many cars out there that are better than the 8 in certain things, but as a complete package I'm pretty satisfied.

I don't know about the miata braking better than the 8, dmp. Maybe it just felt like it?

2004 Mazdaspeed Miata (60 to 0 -> 118 ft):
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/coup...5_first_miata/

2004 RX-8 (60 to 0 -> 115 ft):
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/coup...ee/index7.html

Of course this is just one source, but the first I found, and I'd assume the Mazdaspeed miata would have better brakes/pads than the stock miata...? Could be wrong, though.

LMAO! :D

You should go post that over in the SRT-4 forum...that would be fun to watch. :p

 

well stock for stock... the 8 is faster than the miata and probe gt... handles better then those 2 cars too.. and brakes better... does it not? u modded the probe so that u'd have a nice kick in the car, and modded the miata so u'd have better brakes and handling with suspension and such? u can do the same with the 8 pick what u want, invest an lil $$, and there u go, ur 8 will be "significant" in a category u invested in... and look sexier than all other cars (IMO :D )

 

I'll give that Neon credit for one thing....I couldn't kill it....lord knows I tried. After it developed an oil leak I would never top it up until it was time for an oil change...even then I would go about 10km's between changes. I would rev the **** out of it and try and drive it into the ground. The only problem I ever had was the original bio-degradable head gasket. From what I heard, I was lucky with the car because those 95 neons sure had problems. I served its purpose. I neeed a cheap car because I had gone back to school had built a house and still needed money to party. Then after getting married and having kids, I had a car that when the babies barfed all over the seats I didn't seem to mind.


..it served well for me.


now if the kids even thing about sneezing they better watch out. :D

 

Yo, dawg, don't be dissing my Olds posse. Olds is whack.




Huh? What did I just type?

 

My miata was about the lightest Miata every made...2250lbs with leather and roll-bar, and 'heavy' rims (stock wheels were 8lbs each, I had 'up-sized' 13lbs rims). Couple that with Axxis Ulltimates...I bet the thing would stop from 60mph 10-20ft 'quicker' than either the MSM or the RX8.

I'd just not want to race 60-0-60mph however...cuz..well..yeah. low 16s @ ~80mph (what my miata ran) would get pwnd. :D


Fwiw, Stock Probe GT's were tested by some mags to stop from 60 in 117ft.

 

There's little chance My Rx8 could be rated as 'better' handling than my miata - even when it was stock. The probe? It could be argued. 2nd Gen Probe GTs were no slouches in the corners. Fwiw, I've seen of a stock rx8 running as fast as 14.5 in the 1/4. I've seen Stock Probe GTs run to within .2 of that.

 

Oh yeah dmp, I forgot the miatas keep getting heavier and heavier...

What year was yours again?

 

1993 Limited Edition

 

Wow! I didn't think it was that old....I was guessing late 90s. It looked DAMN good in that pic you took on the highway :D

 

Thanks Mate.



:D

 

I think the real reason is not that it does all those things you mentioned adequately, but rather it does all those things starting at $27k.

It's hard to find a car this good for that price.