So forgive my ignorance, but basically you're saying the HP difference between the MT and Auto is only available at >7500 rpm?

So if you're driving at a more typical 4000 rpm that you're basically about the same (the AT even has more torque right)?

Is that relatively true even with the 4-port auto?

The 238 vs 197 seems like a big deal, but if you're only getting access to that at the >7500 then it doesn't seem like it comes into play very often.

I searched but couldn't find a RPM vs HP chart/graph -- if someone could point me to one that would be appreciated

 

I know ppl who tell me that a mustang / 350z / g35c will beat me in a straight line and are better and more powerfull cars. I dont debate the power part and i accept without hesitation that rx8 wont last with them on a straight line.

Now, you take the line and bend it a LOT of times and then run the same test: VOILA!
Guess whose going past who...


hint: zoom zoom!

Mind u.. i have respect for most other cars... (not all cuz. well.. u know y) .. and i dont argue against cars that have bigger numbers.. the fact of the matter is that I LOVE rx8!
and thats where i end the arguement and tell my friends to shut the f**k up!

Besides.. i dont see them putting down and buying the car they want... they are happy with their economy small size cars that they modify to make it look and sound like it goes faster than an enzo .. but in reality.. a toddler in a 3wheeler can beat them.

ok.. so that was my rant.. i m done now...

 

Lol abs, there's so many reasons why I would pick an rx8 out of that list of cars...

More power or not, I can't stop driving this machine.

 

Who cares if the RX8 isn't faster than the EVO or the WRX. When people see my car do you think they say... "oh wow look at the lack of hp on that car", no, they say "damn what is that, that car is nice". When an EVO or a WRX comes down the road do you think that people say, "oh wow that car has lots of hp", no. People usually for the most part judge the car by the looks and gadgets it comes with. So when I drive my 8 I constantly get compliments, oohs, and ahhs. When I see a WRX, or EVO, I hear from most people about how damn ugly they are, I never hear someone say, "WOW look at how exotic and nice looking that WRX is! Bwaaaaaaaaahhhh

Besides the 8 is so damn fun to drive, 15mph turns at 48mph and sticks to the road like glue!

 

Here's the way I understand it....

Yes, aside from being able to drop the clutch on an MT there isn't that much difference from a standtill up until 7500 if the AT owner is using the Autostick. The AT will lose some power to the CAT but not that much.

Also, the AT TQ will be the same as the MT in 2006 since they are both using the same engine now.

 

I don't know why, but this all reminds me when I saw a few FD owners giving an 8 owner a hard time. Basically how far superior the FD was to the 8, the usual turbo argument, etc...

One 7 owner, some 17-18yr old tough-guy says to the 8 owner, "why would you ever buy that," gesturing to the 8 in disgust, "over a 7."

The 8 owner simply responded as a matter of fact, "because I can actually afford a 30K car."

Both points were completely irrelevant to each other, but it shut the guy with the 7 down.

 

The best thing about your RX8 is you have one and your "friends" don't.

 

I stand corrected, so is the 4-Port history?

 

Yes, 2006 and up.

 

is that true for all the models using the low-power engine? (such as the 5sp MT) Or is this just for the NA market?

 

for now just NA

 

Yeah are your friends driving swapped honda civics? Fun but not RX-8. The RX-8 is the best sportscar this side of a Porsche Boxster. A lot of RX-7 drivers can't go on a trip accross town without breaking down. (I'll get flamed for that, but I've seen it happen.)

 

And the flaming will come from me. I have both. While the 8 is ultimately a much more reliable car, the 7 (with turbos) is also quite reliable but requires much higher maintenance/repair standards to keep up. If the 7 is NA, all you have to do is religiously change fluids/spark plugs and it will run for a long, long time (just like the 8). Most of the problems with turbo 7's have to do with mechanic's ignorance and owner stupidity/neglect.

 

i dont understand why people (8 owners) get so upset when other people tell them that they have a faster cars o whatever. if you are so concern about this issue why did you buy the 8 in the first place? and if your friends car is .03 secs faster than your does that make him a better person or happier? tell you what...he can have that .03 secs and i 'll keep driving a very unique, really fun and like nothing else on the road out car instead of the civis, 350z, or g35. i see these cars out there all the time at least 5 to 6 a day. i barelly see a few 8's in a month that why i wanted to have a car that because is unique and not many other people out there have one. i get compliments all the time from many people and quesions about what kind of car it is and thats better than a .03 secs faster car that you see all day.

 

That's a good point kurtslash. I agree with the uniqueness cache value of this car; those who have an RX8 tend to be 'car guys' (& gals), dare I say moreso than 350Z owners.

I also just received a compliment this weekend, from a teenager working at the golf course (Poppy Ridge @ Livermore, btw!). He asked me all kinds of questions about the car while I was loading up my stuff, said he was saving up to buy a used RX8 sometime in the future. nice to see this young man was not entirely into the 'how much hp can you get out of it' angle with cars.

That being said, I care *a lot* about performance; but I'm willing to forgive some absolute thrust if handling/balance/feel are there in spades. I see that one of the posters on the Competition board is the Solo II B Stock national champion, and that RX8s pretty much owned that class in '05....the other cars competing in B Stock are pretty decent sports cars too!! that says a lot about the RX8s overall performance capabilities.

 

ill say it before someone else does and gets flamed for being atroll- the s2000 is not in bstock anymore. thats why the 8s are doing so well. besides that there are some kickass drivers in the 8s

 

don't know if its a new change for this year, but none of the s2000s are bstock. the s2000 00+ is astock.

 

thats what i said- it used to be

 

oops. so you did. i blame it on being tired.

 

I have heard from my dealership New 8's, or maybe just shinkas are getting 10lbs more torque. Can't remember if they said 8's or Shinkas.

 

Automatic RX8 is going from 197hp/164ft-lbs (2004-2005) to 212hp/159(?)ft-lbs (2006).

the engine in the automatic is being switched from the 4 port that is currently used to an rpm limited 6 port, same as is used in the 6speed manual. the 6 port engine makes slightly less torque than the 4 port.

also, take anything your dealer's sales people tell you with a grain of salt. a good majority of them get their facts wrong, or just flat out make them up. in this case, they just slightly mixed up the details.

 

^--------------- Just to add to that... Most of the time the RX8club members know more about what's going on than the dealers do. I have gone in asking about certain things I've heard on this forum, to find out that the dealer never heard about it, then the part or upgrade, or recall is issued and the dealer says, "****, you guys know more about whats coming out than we do".

 

It all depends on what you like. I owned 3 different Mustangs from 1997 to 2005. But during that time I also had a 1997 Probe GT and a 2000 Contour SVT. Those cars made me realize just how bad Mustangs handle without major suspension upgrades and how bad the brakes in most other cars are. Last year while driving around in my 2003 10th Anniversary SVT Cobra, I realized that I basically had owned the same car since 1997. Now my Cobra had been modified and had 450HP 460TQ, but the brakes sucked, the handling sucked and the interior was basically the same as my 1998 Mustang GT. I missed the good handling and braking from those smaller cars I also had owned but I HATE front wheel drive. The only car I could think of that MAY have met criteria and thought about trying was the 8. One test drive sold me. Don't get me wrong, the Cobra was AWESOME......in a straight line. But my 8 is fun all the time. My Cobra got tons of attention, but suprisingly enough I get asked about my 8 just as much.

Although this did look a little more intimidating:

 

Intimidating doesn't even begin to describe it. Daaaamn that looks mean.

With suspension mods the new Mustang is supposed to be a pretty good handling car. Without mods... it's ok. Much better than before though. Power wise... hook up with a Saleen blower for underrated 400hp. For real power, get the Kenne Bell kit. Have your own GT500 at less the cost.

 

Its too bad the 8 didn't come FI from the factory. A measly 9psi is all this car needs to be A) one of the fastest, and B) the best handling car on the road.