So I had to bring in my 05 for a state inspection and found out the dealership had a black 09 GT on the lot and asked for a test drive.

One thing I noticed is that on black the new lip on the front grill is really not noticable and does not detract from the car in any way. They only had a black one so I can't comment on the others. I did however ask if it was possible to switch out the new taillights for the old ones and the guy said no (I refuse to believe it until someone has tried and failed) I personally hate the new tail lights, they look like something off a chevy impala or something.

So I got in the car tested out the sound system with a cd that had hvy base and found that the system wasnt too shabby for a factory setup. First thing I noticed however was the clutch.

THE CLUTCH IS DIFFERENT *edited, I called it fly by wire based off my perception of what I drove, not necessarliy what mazda may have changed on the clitch

I personally think that this hasnt gotten enough attention anywhere on these boards. Frankly I almost thought I broke it when I went to start the car and NO feedback from the clutch what so ever. It was a very weird an erie feeling. I was almost tempted to remark to the salesmen, "why didnt they just put paddle shifters on it and call it a day" (granted I think that would make it worse but I tend to be a bit sarcastic) I will have to admit despite the feedback problem that shifting was much smoothier due to the new clutch.

Since I mentioned starting the car just a bit ago I also want to mention that it is now essentailly a keyless start. The key fob was a credit design and you only had to have it on you. You do not put a key in the ignition but instead there is like a little place holder you just turn. So basically the only requirement is that the key fob be on your person (i.e. in the car) The key fob does however come with a key but its only to open the door, which frankly with keyless entry these days seems a bit silly. I dont understand the need for it because if you loose the fob, you lost the key too, but whatever.

I also noticed that they lowered the center console a bit, which I thought was a nice touch. Also this could just be me, but I think they might have made the shift **** a bit smaller. The dash radio seem a bit higher up than normal too.

The car deffinetly sounds different to me with the windows down, but unlike others I think the sound is more of a high pitched one than a low pitched change.

As for as the other changes I wont really comment about them since everyone has talked them to death already, I just wanted to add what I thought others had missed.

 

I think the key's there so you an get in just in case the battery is accidentally drained.

 

The credit card key fob has been like that for years. I have it on my 07.

 

fly-by-wire clutch?! this is the first time i heard it. whhhhhhat?

pretty sure this is not the case. clutches on brand-new cars always feel excessively light to me; perhaps this is why you thought it was *fly-by-wire*

 

fly-by-wire? i didnt know the 09 rx8 included flight capabilities. i'll have to test fly one for sure now.

 

Ugh oh, look out for RX-8s flying off freeway ramps!

Yeah the lights are one of those things, at night the LEDs probably look nifty, but the style isn't nice and subtle like the old ones. Thats an interesting comment with the clutch though, as I would say that the old RX-8's is a bit too picky, but if you lose all feel then thats simply missing the goal on the other end..

 

I don't think it's an electronic clutch, just that the extra material and the lack of break in has led to less clutch feel than what you're used to.

 

credit card style key has been around since 2006MY RX-8 GT models. And on another news, Bush thought the war in Iraq was a success.

 

Listening to the salesman, I see...

 

How do you refuse to believe the tail light replacing? Just look at the the tail light comparisons, there's no way the new tail lights will fit on older 8s.

 

Yeah totally, do any salesmen know anything about cars? I had one tell me that the rotary flooded because it stored 3 gallons in the engine and if it isn't hot enough it runs out or something.... wtf??!

It can't be an electronic clutch, that would be too expensive and destroy performance. Might be throttle by wire now though.

 

hasn't the throttle always been drive by wire?

 

I have the credit card keyless entry on my 06.

 

 

Yup.

 

I have been well aware that the fob was changed to the credit card style; however, my comment was more in regards to the fact that you didn’t have to insert a key into the ignition to start the car, which not many people seem to talk about. I have seen plenty of the fobs just didn’t know that you didn’t need to insert a key.

So since it seems you all want to gang up on my at once, I will answer you all at once. First, I may have improperly used the term “fly-by-wire” to describe an electronic clutch. I was in Civil Air Patrol and ROTC for a long time so I tend to have more knowledge in regards to air craft history than the average Joe. I still think the term is fitting regardless of what any of you say. Further, the salesmen said NOTHING about the car and was only there as a chaperon on the drive. It’s nice to see that the typical internet behavior still applies even to a specialty forum such as this.
Now if I am actually correct about the new clutch that remains to be seen. I grew up on farm equipment, and frankly have never felt a clutch that had ZERO feedback. It might not be an “electronic clutch” but something sure as hell changed. I could understand something being loose, but I can’t understand something being that loose. All I can say to the rest of you is go test drive one yourself.

 

Um, I don't think a pedal-activated automated manual has ever been done before. Nor do I see a need for it to ever be done. So I gotta call BS on that one. Unless you can "pop" it and the car still starts smoothly, it's just a really light manual clutch.

 

could be hydrolic clutch? they suck. basically no matter how you take your foot off the clutch they engage at a set rate to ensure "smoothness"

 

all i was saying was that i've driven lots of brand new cars w/ clutches that felt like marshmellow that just went in like a button, so it might be a new car thing. not trying to make fun of you

feel and feedback come back a bit with usage and wear. i was pretty shocked when i saw *fly by wire clutch* and am pretty sure that's not done except for those flappy pedal shift automated manuals, and mazda doesn't have one of those yet. and even if they did, it's be pretty strange to include a clutch pedal

 

You can't just make such a decisive comment (in size 7 font, no less) that's based on no facts, only perseption, and not expect people to jump on you for it when the statement turns out to be false.

 

Well, I dont doubt what you say, like I said before I am probably not correct on what I am saying, just that SOMETHING has changed and is different.

I should mention that when I test drove I didnt find an "engage" point, i.e. that point where you know the engine is starting to pick up.. not sure how to better describe it.

Like champ said above it might be a new hydrolic clutch or something.

 

You are entirely correct, I was not basing what I said off facts, but perceptions. I have edited my post to reflect that. I apologize for any confusion.

 

ease up guys ---he is just describing the "feeling" of a fly by wire.
Thanks for the feed back man
olddragger

 

 

Viewed objectively, it is one of the most successful wars the U.S. has ever fought.