Hercules

Hey all... I wanted to post these yesterday but my internet went out...

Room:
For your information before I start, I'm 6 feet tall with 34" legs. The RX-8's leg room is almost TIED with the G35 Coupe, and the 330Ci. I used the same method of measurement that I did in all cars; I sat in the front seat (passenger seat in the RX-8), and adjusted it to a comfortable position. I then went into the back seat, and found ample leg room in EVERY car. The 330Ci is probably the best not because of the leg room, but because of the big window you can look out of; it's not nearly as claustrophobic. The RX-8 is like looking out of a ship's window in that regard. The G35 Coupe is by far the worst, even though the leg room is fine for me, my head was hitting the ceiling and I had to hunch over to sit in the car. My cousin, who is several inches shorter than I am, also had a problem and his head was hitting the glass window in the back. If you stop hard in this car, your head will fly forwards, and then back into the glass giving a good chance to have a concussion or worse!

In review, #1 here is the 330Ci, just because of a more open view thru the window. The LEGROOM is almost identical in all three. Headroom is identical in the 330Ci and RX-8, and the G35 Coupe is terribly far behind.

Ingress/Egress:
I know this had been a touchy spot for a lot of people. I was not sure what to expect myself. After adjusting the front passenger seat in the RX-8, I climbed into the back -- with ease. If you put your left foot flat on the floor, then hop into the car, it's easy to get in without a problem. Getting out however... that's another story. While it took me a few tries to get out of the RX-8 quickly, there is a method that can be used that I personally don't like. You have to grab onto the seat in front of you, and pull yourself out. An "oh ****" handle would have made this job a lot easier, pulling yourself out of the car. Even though egress is more difficult, it still is easier than getting out of both Coupes, the 330Ci, and G35 due to the fact there's an extra door there. There's a slight inconvienience, and if you are a regular passenger, you'll quickly discover how to get in and out without a hiccup.

Build Quality:
I'll just say it now. The BMW 330Ci has the best build quality. Comparing the RX-8 and G35 Coupe is like comparing apples to apples; it's very close. Visually I think the G35 Coupe was better off AT THE SHOW, because its interior lights were on, the gauges were lit up, etc. The RX-8 was completely blacked out. The RX-8's build quality was not much better than my Millenia, and also not much worse. So if that gives you a feel for it, it's about the best I can do. The G35 Coupe is the same, pretty good feel and aesthetics, not BMW quality but nonetheless pretty darn good. I admit I'm more taken with the RX-8s interior because I've never been a fan of Titanium interiors in ANYTHING.

So in conclusion... the RX-8 is pretty much exactly how I wanted it to be. The 330Ci is going to beat the RX-8 in every category except ingress/egress as per LOOKING at the car. Driving the car of course will be something I'll have to report later on Build quality, room, aesthetics -- the RX-8 and G35 Coupe are within arms length of each others constantly. The only real pet peeve I have with the G35 Coupe is the rear headroom which is ATROCIOUS even for shorter people.

The RX-8 will fit a 6 foot person up front, and a 6 footer behind, a guy that's got 34" legs as well, and that's ME! And so you all know what I look like now, here's a picture

Hercules

And the front picture...

Hercules

Oh and let me add... I didn't bother taking too many pictures of the RX-8 because so many people were crowded around it, and I figured we have a million pictures of what I'm going to talk about... so I didn't see the need

ZoomZoom

I think that it is unrealistic and unfair to compare any concept or prototype car's interior with any production car interior, the fit and finish is always better on the production vehicle. It will not be very long now for a fair comparison. :D

Lensman

Interesting. I always had you down as a middle aged guy with white hair and a beard. That's expectations for you: often confounded!

BRx8

my question is: how comfortable exactly are those seats? do they hug you into them like they should? did you see the navigations sytem? did you play around with the stereo and the LCD panel?

Hercules

The car wasn't turned on, so I couldn't play with it much.. there was no navigation so again, that point is moot.

Rear seats are very comfy, front ones even moreso. I think that they are probably the best bolstered seats of all the competing cars, with the side edges of the seat really holding your *** in place, and the leather on the actual seat of the seat, is very grippy and keeps you in place.

I was very comfortable, and I didn't hit my head anywhere like I thought I might.

Spining Ncnratr

At least you got to sit in it at the Cleveland show they didn't let you get up to it. Was on a turn table platform and thats as close as you got. But yes vs the Infin-Nissans its not even close in fit and finish and hope Mazda don't let us down. Now all that needs to happen is some real driving on the final version and real to goodness feed back.

rx8daniel

Is the seat belt on the rear door that for the front seat?
Is the red in your picture you posted here quite close to the actual color? I've heard some say they like the red, but many seem to be disappointed by it. I'd strongly considered the titanium myself.

How many 6' or better folks have had a chance to sit in one w/ the moonroof installed? I assume this read one had the moonroof since it appears to be a GT package? Or was it missing it as one of the mixed bag preproduction models?

Thanks for the report. I'm pretty sure now I want to make the trip next weekend!

laferle

How much extra headroom did you have in the moonroof-equipped RX-8?

I'm 6'3", also with 34" legs, and am concerned i won't fit in the car...

Hercules

As I recall there wasn't a sunroof in that car... so I can't really answer that. I think if you're 6'3" then you'll have no problem DRIVING ... and since your legs are as long as mine, then ideally you'd still be able to put a 6 footer behind you.. I like to be pretty relaxed when I'm driving personally.

From my understanding, if the car has a moonroof won't make a difference because it doesn't retract into the car, it goes on top so therefore you don't have to worry about headroom loss. I had a good few inches in the back and front.

That seat belt is for the rear door.

EDIT: oops the car DID have a sunroof :D And I had a few inches to spare sitting in the car.

P00Man

went to the show today, fell in love with it all over again...AND GOOD NEWS, THE REP SAYS GT PACKAGE DOES HAV 6disc AND climate control!
________
BLACK VID

Zoom49

Originally posted by laferle
How much extra headroom did you have in the moonroof-equipped RX-8?

I'm 6'3", also with 34" legs, and am concerned i won't fit in the car...

I'm 6'1 1/2" and 240 lbs and got to sit in both a sunroof and non sunroof car at the Rev it up event in Orange County Ca.
In the non sunroof car I could sit in the drivers seat with the seatback fully upright (Not my prefered setting) and had a spare inch to the cieling. I did not even have to set the seat all the way
back to get comfortable and my 5'7" wife could easily fit is the rear
with plenty of room. If I moved the drivers seat all the way back
her knees were close to the seatback. In the sunroof car with it's
lower cieling my head would brush the cieling with the seat fully upright. I got comfortable by moving the seat back further and
reclining the seatback some (I prefer this position any way) then
I had about an inch of headroom and a comfortable driving position. I loved the position and feel of the shifter (There was no need to reach, it fell naturally to hand)

gazita123

Here are pics of me in an RX-8 with sunroof. There was plenty of room for me, 6'-3", 34" legs.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/rev-up-rx-8-info-3577/

rx8daniel

this morning when I'm more clear-headed apparently I went back and looked at Herc's pic in the front seat - and I thought - I think I see a sunroof - looked at the pic of him in the back seat, and yes, there is a sunroof. And it looks like you have a few inches above your head. I'm 'only' 5'11" so I'm not real concerned about the headroom - it was always kinda tight in my 1st gens that just had the popout sunroof. I appreciate all the feedback on these questions. As for the rep's statement about the 6CD and climate control, "I" think he's *wrong*. Wouldn't be the first or last time.

tallguylehigh

I am 6'4" and I fit into the car perfectly. I couldnt even adjust the seat the way I wanted it (I sat in the drivers seat of course :D ) and I was able to get comfortable, even with the sunroof intruding.

By the by titanium people, the car was at NY and it is absolutely gorgeous! Didnt take any pics because it was extremely crowded.

Also on a side note- a lot of people were interested in the car, didn't seem to be a negative reaction to it at all.

On another side note- The Subaru chicks were oooh so hot!

BillK

It's all going to depend on your build - you're going to have to sit in the car to find out.

I'm long legged and long torso'ed so I have 36" legs and am 6'1. I couldn't find a position in the front seats where my hair wasn't in the headliner, but as it was a auto show car I'm waiting to see if the dimensions differ any in the production cars, as they often do...

For the record, I fit in a Gen II RX-7 but there was no way I could even get into a Gen III unless I wanted to drive with my knees...

Skyline Maniac

Just wanted to add to Hercule's comments on the rear seat room:

The BMW 3 series coupe is a pure sedan conversion. It offers plenty of headroom in the rear seats and access to the back is pretty good. The downside is the coupe looks very similar to the 4 door sedan. (to be expected from a sedan conversion) The 2004 body style has some minor changes that separates the looks of the sedan and coupe some more though.

The Mazda RX8 is a true cross over of a sedan/coupe. It can hold 4 adults comfortably, rear seat headroom is very impressive. The lack of B pillar and suicide doors allows for easier entry/exit. The only thing is the legroom in the rear is not quite as generous as the headroom. From my experience at the El Toro Rev It Up, the leg room can be a problem for long trips. Then again, if you are going on road trips with 4 people, it'd be smarter to take another car rather than the RX8. The downside is the lack of B-pillar 'may' compromise structural integrity and safety compared to a fixed B-pillar. Also, the rear 'hatch' area can look very odd from the side and rear quarter view. Looks out of place in an otherwise beautiful car. (Compromise some aesthetic for practicality) If you really want a very sporty handling car and have the need to carry full size adults in the backseats all the time, then the RX8 is a very good choice. (I would also recommend the IS300, which can be had with lots of discount now)

The G35 Coupe is pretty much your standard coupe. Nissan designers made no compromise to the styling of the car and engineered it to be a true GT coupe. The result is an obvious lack of rear seat headroom and more difficult entry/exit from the vehicle. I won't deny it'd be a pain in the *** if I have to sit in the rear seats of my coupe. I am almost 6' and my head is definitely on the glass. Luckily, for passengers under 5'8, the rear seats of the G35C is excellent. Plenty of legroom thanks to the 112" wheelbase and plenty of elbow and hip room since the rear only seats two. (WHY!?) If I have to carry around 6'+ passengers in the rear seats very often, I would not have bought a G35C. Then again, I wouldn't be looking at a RX8 either. If you frequently carry tall passengers in the rear seats, then 4 door sedan would make a lot more sense. Not to mention, with passengers in the rear, you are adding 300lbs to the weight of the car, thus spirited driving have to take a backseat, and torque becomes more important.

Fit and finish: BMW > G35C > RX8. Then again, if you look at the price tag, there is a 8k gap between the 330 and G35, another 3-4k gap between the G35C and RX8. The interior quality of the 8 is quite nice, but I wouldn't call it luxury. It's around the same level as the new Accord, which is quite a compliment IMO. I don't agree with Hercules's analogy of the RX8-Millenia interior though, because frankly, the Millenia interior is nothing to brag about, even when compared to the last gen Accord and Camry. (Looks nice, not durable at all)

Overall Value: If all you are looking for is sportiness and performance, then the RX8 would be the best choice. The lighter weight plays big roles in the fun to drive category, and the rotary only makes it more fun to drive. If you are looking for practicality and space, the BMW gets my vote, as the seating position and space feels better in the BMW than the other two. If you want to have an excellent ownership experience, reliability and built quality though, I wouldn't recommend the RX8. Look wise, all three cars are beautiful in their own ways, the BMW is the classic Bulvarian, the G35C is the beautiful coupe, and the RX8 is the flashy new cross over with an attitude. For $30k+ though, BMW330ci is out of the question, and I picked the Infiniti because my past experience with Mazda quality/service was dissapointing. $30k is a lot of money to spend on a Mazda, even one as magnificent as the RX8. Let's hope their dealership attitude has improved with the introduction of these new products.

Hercules

I'd disagree with the fit and finish only on the basis that the RX-8 has a more sporty flair and that takes away from the luxury 'outlook' the G35C recieves.

The actual touch of the plastics in the G35C and RX-8 are almost identical. If you press a button in, touch them, feel the materials of the seats and steering wheel... it's like I said, apples and apples. The fact that the RX-8 uses harsher colours, and the G35C uses a more relaxed feel in its cabin, I think gives the G35 a more luxurious appeal, but not a higher level of fit and finish.

Elara

I have to disagree a a bit about the fit and finish- I've sat in all three cars, and while the 3 series just IS luxurious, the G35 tries too hard- the huge expanse of silver plastic turned me off an otherwise beautiful car. The RX-8 didn't pretend to be anything other than it was, which I found a pleasant change.

RotorGeek

Hey Herc
Did you ask about the CD Changer and climate control?

Hercules

Climate control as I understood before the show, is standard... the 6CD indash they have no idea, but as far as I still know it's an OPTION.

Maximus

Suuuuch a typical statement. I am really getting tired of such statements over and over again ... sounds like a crusade against Mazda :-)

Hercules

I am refraining to respond to these comments because I'll be fighting an un-winnable war.

Zealots are zealots, regardless of company they are wooed by.

zoom44

well i gotta tell you, so far my impression of mazda dealerships insant great and judging from other comments on this forum, especially others who have had pre-order problems, i'm not the only one.