They put the old 20b from a cosmos into a RX-8?

Interesting but I was hoping mazda was developing a new engine...

Picket fence white would be a bummer. I highly doubt it.

Pearl white like the 3000GT would be very nice. A bit high on the femininity scale perhaps, but I think it would be a favorite color choice. My daughter had a new 3000GT in that color. It was real sweet. It seemed to have a bluish irridescence to it in the moonlight.

Good thing I purchased the 2004 model then. Yellow is mandatory. First year problems - they can be worked out.

You are comparing your driving skills, not the actual car. An equal driver in an evo or Z will take you out in your rx8 quite easily. The rx8 certainly has some good power, but compared to other cars it is outclassed powerwise no doubt about it. I obviously did not buy this rx8 for that purpose, and I enjoy it thw way it is. I am getting the most out of my 8 performance wise, but I'm realistic. It's a truly wonderful overall machine, but if you throw me in an evo, or even a 350z we take a run off the line to lets say 100mph, I'm sorry man, you and your 8 will utterly be TOAST. As much as I love my rx8, I will be trading it in when a faster one comes out. The mazdaspeed will cure those of us who need to compete with the big boys, but if you find a chicken shit or crappy driver in an evo or 350z, sure you can beat him, but it's not because the rx8 is faster. It is a better overall car though :)

outclassed
 

from my limited understanding, the 8 and z post similar times. comparing the 8, NA engine to the wrksti, evo turbo engines is not really a comparison. its like comparing it to vettes, maseratis, shelby cobras, chrystler me four-twelve, etc..., OUTCLASSED.

Re: outclassed
 

The z will pull away from an rx8 naturally because it has more hp and a boat load more torque, but of course they are comparable enough that a good driver in an rx8 could certainly beat a bad or scared driver in a 350z. Cars like the evo and sti , yeah you are absolutely right. Not fair to even compare them performance wise because those are pure performance vehicles, where the rx8 or 350z is not as of yet. I think ultimately though Nissan has the upper hand, because the 350z can be upgraded to be a true monster powerwise, and leave other cars in dust. Too bad I just don't like the car, but if they put a turbo in that sucker, LOOK OUT!!!

I really don't understand this fixation on horsepower as the be-all-end-all of automotive performance. :mad:

If you want to go fast in a straight line, buy Pontiac's 2005 GTO, which is being upgraded to an LS2 and 400hp next year. It will be faster than either a Z or an 8 in a straight line.

Does anyone know if the 8 and Z have been seriously timed at the Nurburgring? That would give an indication of each car's overall speed. Maybe the Z would be faster; I dunno. But faster in a straight line doesn't mean the Z is the better sports car.

T.

Only if the same driver takes them out. At the 'ring, the driver is a HUGE factor, take a look at this cool video of an Elise vs Corvette C5.
video

My brother and his RX-7 (see my avatar) keep taking championships in NORPAC GT-2. Except for the most anemic of the cars in his class, he never overtakes on the stretches due to power. Maybe due to higher speed out of the last turn, ok. Where he dominates his field is in the braking & turning, the esses, you know, what makes a sports car a sports car.

You want top power? Straight line accel & top speed? You're in the wrong forum, you own the wrong car. Go get one of them "hemi" pick'em'up trucks.

Racer X-8 - You're right, who needs HP? How about I get Olhins suspension for my John Deere Ride-on?

:o

Snarlynx:
you will find the WRX at least as fun driving as the 8, though they are different. People think the suspension too stiff but that's how you can really feel the road. It is faster than the 8 too and the looking isn't as good as the 8 i agree but is very unique too. I also agree with you that some poeple here are Elitists and they don't open their eyes to other cars. However, many of them are in good sense can give you useful information.
Some even say that being young can't buy the 8 or something like that.... omg, i am finding this forum crazy since the posts are so subjective. Beinf young isn't doing wrong and the 37 here you were a kid you know?

I love all good cars and I know to appreciate cars!!

I like the Rex a lot, my buddy's got one and I drive all the time.

But I like the 8 more and since my mom works for ford (which owns part of Mazda) I would get a great deal on it.

Unfortionatly, I need about one whp for every ten pounds of wieght for it to feel "fast" to me and 280WHP seems like it would be out of reach as of yet.

when it is though, I'll be the fist in line for a white one. :)

Here we go again! For me, I would never let the available colors influence my decision to purchase a car.

NONE of the existing colors please you?

I know a family here that has a thing for white cars. It's all they ever own, no matter what the car. IMHO, it does nothing to show off the lines of the car. It can't reflect light the way colors do.

I agree. There is so much more to a car than that, but some people want bragging rights, even if a car that is a 1/2 second quicker in the quarter mile doesn't really change anything for the street driver.

By that, I'll just reply that you simply don't get it, or you like to come off like an a$$hole to strangers in midst of a discussion.

To Big_ton: The WRX (one of a whole bunch of cars which I "appreciate") does have the power advantage. On a road course, it might still have the advantage since it's handling is also very good. If I were to be in the market for a car to do some showroom stock racing, yes, it would be a top contender. The RX-8 would not be, as things are right now. If that's what you really wanted to hear straight from an RX8club.com "elitist", there you have it - from one "elitist" to another. I'm glad you're happy with your choice of cars, just as I am -still- happy with mine.

Troll, thats all I've got

I'm hardly a troll.

Racer X-8 said that I should get a "hemi".

Racer X-8 implied that I was just like so many other ricers on the internet that care only about big dynograph numbers and street racing.

My point is that I like it to be fast and handle well and there's nothing wrong with that. If I wanted a car that was fast in the strait line, I would be driving I Mustang GT, Not a 240sx. I would be thinking of upgrading to a Cobra, not an RX-8.

Read my first post, I started off nice. Any sarcastic remarks on my part is a direct response to a post another user made. I just get fingered as the troll because I'm the newbie.

Re: The more I see tuned RX-8's the more two things bother me...
 

Why don't you fab up a turbocharger or supercharger and do a write up on it? I can't think of any big power adders, other than giving your engine boost. It also depends on how long you want your engine to last. If you give it like 30 psi. boost, prepare to be rebuilding your engine every few ten thousand miles.

BTW, exhaust adds more power than it's piston counterparts, although still nothing phenominal. This is because the catalytic convertors on a rotary engine are the size of a straw to meet emmission standards. :D

The RX-8 engine is very impresive for its size and HP out put, I keep seeing the RX-8 versus the 350z. I beleive the Z is also heavier and is a small V6 engine which is more tolerant to be modified than our whacky roatary engine. Stock to stock though I really don't think there is a big diffrence besides the torque, the Z will have more kick you in the chest feel but the 8 will just accelerate faster and redline later.

Unofficially (*don't tell my insurance guy!*) I have raced a couple of Z's already and our redline and need to shift alot less gives us an edge on the Z. When I was in 3rd/4th gear I could see the drivers in the other Z cars shift and redline and lose momentum. The only thing that matters is the startline that is where the Z shines with it's F***ing torque BS LOL. In the end though it did not help them much. :) Can anyone say burnt smell of cluth baby YHEA!@ Take it to the track , never street race.

Snarlynx,

I'm a big fan of "passion", in whatever you do. I think some of the remarks you have received are in defense of the car these owners are so passionate about. It's also hard to communicate emotion properly when your writing in a forum like this.

Personally, I'm also extremely satisfied with my 8. Trust me, I wouldn't complain if it had a bit more "punch", but understanding the give and take, it is an extraordinary vehicle.

I amazed that there has not any comparisons to the Porsche Carrera on this forum. Since there are so few 8s around, many people ask me what my car is, and say they thought it was a Porsche. If I spent three times as much as I did, and bought a Porsche, I'd have more "punch", but less money and rear seating space.

What's important to you?

Everything is a "package." Everything is a compromise.
If you want Hp, buy a V8, if you want gas mileage, buy a hybrid, if you want one fine package of handling, comfort, style and cost effectiveness, buy an RX8. A 350z is being constantly compared because it, like the WRX and Evo, are new cars on the market together. I don't feel like searching for the links, but check out Edmonds articles on their heads up comparison tests on the Z and 8 and also both of their long term tests on the cars. The 8 wins both, hands down, even though the performance is slightly less. It's the package.
My personal opinion is Mazda did the best job on the overall packaging of the car. The handling, for both every day driving and hot rodding, is phenominal. I have compared it on many threads here to my Formula cars. I have owned Porsches, Mercedes, BMWs, Hondas, Acuras, Merkur and a few more and NONE of them compares to the overall package of the 8. FOR ME.
The best thing to do is to go drive EVERYTHING out there and make up your own mind for what best suits YOU.
If you have time and energy to come on an internet talk forum and get into pissing matches, have at it, it is VERY entertaining!

Actually, I think Thew is right VikingD. The RX-8 can be faster due to the driver. However, at what cost? If both the Z and RX-8 owner are equally willing to abuse their clutch & drivetrain, then the more powerful car would win (Z). But, if Thew is willing to shorten the life of his RX-8 that much, for a stupid Drag Race... and the other driven is not... then Thew will win. Personally, I'd laugh if I were the Z owner... for what future maintenance costs did Thew incur by his so called "win".

Well said. There are many dimensions to owning a car be ita '69 GTO or a Bentley Continental, but if you are a sports car driver, the 8 provides an excellent combination of USABLE performance in an everyday car.

It does not need the "improvements" one adds to a Civic to make it go., but some people want to lavish thousands on a car the day after they take title whether it needs it or not. They're never happy.