klegg

I think they tweacked the suspension a bit too. I like them, very nice style. Much nicer then the new BMW.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

A vs B ... eeps

TODreamer

am I the only one that thinks its a little nutty to buy an RX8 as a winter car when you already own an S2K?
I can understand always wanting a sporty aspect to your ride but if hes looking for a winter car, why not get something thats a little more capable than a RWD 8?... why not something like a used WRX? (AWD which is perfect for snow and sporty)

124Spider

Well, this threadstarted a year ago, so he's probably already made his decision.

But, I generally agree with you. Although both the RX-8 and S2000 are just fine in the snow with good snow tires, if I were looking for something for the winter instead of an S2000, I would look for something that wasn't also a low torque, high revving rwd car. In the same situation, when I decided that putting all those commuting miles on in the winter traffic was not charming, even in an S2000 (mostly, the winter ick here is rain, but it's practically every day), I bought an old Celica All-Trac. Turbocharged AWD from Toyota; what's not to like about that for a winter car, especially for the price?

Ike

Well I've always heard Canada is about a year behind the times :p

valpac

iTrader: (2)

hmmmmm...


http://motortrend.com/roadtests/coup...ree/index.html

Longhornxtreme

What about an RX-8 with approximately $1900 of suspension? vs the S2k?

That's my plan with my 8... leave the power alone and learn to drive. hard.

If you can't go fast in a slow car you can't go fast in a fast car...

My previous driving experience is summed up by this...

98 Acura GSR - totaled at 9k miles... dumbass hit me and was ticketed

99z28 bought with the insurance check, gap insurance, and the settlement from the wreck that left me with 2nd degree burns... drove it about 30k miles and started to have problems... had 100 shot of nos and a nos cam, and full exhaust... yada yada... GREAT little sleeper drag car... BUT I never learned how to 'drive' in any way other than in a straight line....

sold the z28 and got a 01z71 extended cab... and still have it now... put 52k on in 4 years and have loved it every mile... BUT i want a damn stick again... AND i want to LEARN how to drive...

I've also had 20 or so hours hard driving in a plain jane boxster and about 10 hours in a new 911 cab RWD....

The s2k just wasn't what I was looking for... If its not going to have real power (I define real power as a high 12 sec 1/4 after a year of an 11 sec car) Don't get me wrong... I trade my truck with a buddies s2k for 2 days... and I did have a blast... I think all he had done to it was a Greddy can on the back... Sure its faster in a drag... but who the hell actually thinks either of these cars are 1) meant to go in a straight line, and 2) actually fast in a straight line...

Drive an Rx8 with TEIN flex's with EDFC... you'll do just what I'm doing right now... Fixing up your current car for the private market while having a RX8 with the sport package only being delivered to your local dealer....

The power is just enough to have fun without killing yourself... and its the car to let you learn how to drive at 10 tenths (where the car is constantly on the verge of rotation) and then when it comes to wanting to just drive comfortably push the EDFC and soften up the damping rate... simple as that.... and when you find your setting I'd put money I'd pull a better lap in the RX8 with the TEIN's than in my dad's 911 because it handles SOOO much better....

Sorry for the long windedness

klegg

Ah..but what about this.

If you can not go slow in a fast car, you can not go fast in a slow car..or slower then a middle range car, or faster then the average slow car. :p

It was a good post. I am just teasing you.

124Spider

I think that what everyone (including Motor Trend) misses when engaged in the exercise of comparing two such different cars, is the emotional aspects involved in a car like the S2000. The Motor Trend subjective ratings nail the S2000 as a weekend only car, uncomfortable, etc. It extols the virtues of the RX-8 as being comfortable and yet having good performance.

But that is precisely why I (and most S2000 owners) like the S2000, and bought it rather than so many of the other cars available. There is nothing sensible about the S2000, but no other car can give me anything like the driving pleasure (and, yes, it's actually a very good daily driver) the S2000 gives me, for anythink like the price. That's me; I like the rough and noisy ride--it actually gives me feedback which is useful, especially in performance driving. I know that I am in the minority, which is why more RX-8s are sold than S2000s. And that's fine.

But, for those who really love the S2000, no other car comes close to the total driving pleasure for anything in the same price neighborhood. Not the RX-8; not the 350Z coupe (or convertible, for that matter). You have to get into the new Boxster (or older Boxster S) to clearly be more attractive (as a driving machine) than the Honda.

And you can put all the suspension mods on the RX-8 you want, but you will need a very large can opener to put the top down on a nice day. :p And that really is a very large part of the appeal of the S2000. The fact that it's a better track and autocross car helps, but the joy of top-down motoring, for those who like that, is incomparable.

Razz1

Don't forget who kicked *** at the S2000 Int'l event at Calf. Speedway in an RX 8.

shaolin

Well I understand what you're saying completely. I wanted an S2K ever since I saw concept and spy shots of it in 1998. I was just graduating from high school back then. I test drove it multiple times. But in my line of work, and the fact that I plan on settling down eventually, I needed a car with a little more practicality. Then I test drove an RX-8, which in all honesty drove like a hard top S2K with a less harsh suspension and quieter engine. It was the perfect compromise in my eyes.

Now, nearly a whole year after I bought my RX-8, I'm buying a house, and have some funds left over for a "beater car." Maybe I'll look for a used 2000 S2K. Haha...or maybe I'll just keep dreaming.

Roaddemon

I originally was going to buy an S2000. I wanted a fast racecar like roadster with honda reliability. After one test drive I changed my mind. The ride was so rough it hurt my wifes back. The car felt too primative and the engine had to be reved hard to get the power. Lot's of road noise too. 1 day later I test drove the rx8 and fell in love. My wife also liked the rx8 comfort and it felt like a much more substantial road car when compared to the S2000. The engine also felt much smoother to red line and reved easier than the S2000. So we bought the 8 and have no regrets.

If I go roadster in the future it will probably be a Mazdaspeed miata. It's a tight fit but nice car at an affordable price.

124Spider

This is all I'm saying. We each have our own wants, likes and dislikes. For some of us, the S2000 fits perfectly; for most people, it doesn't. For anyone who wants practicality (and isn't set of a getting a convertible, especially a roadster), the S2000 won't do it. But if the quirky combination that is the S2000 really floats your boat, as it does for me, then something "more comfortable" has absolutely no appeal by comparison.

Different strokes for different folks. All these cars are great cars for the people for whom they are intended (even the 350Z :p ). But anybody who claims that the S2000 is "better," on some sort of absolute scale, than the RX-8 is being as silly as if someone claimed that the RX-8 is "better," on some sort of absolute scale, than the S2000.

DARKMAZ8

^^^^^^You must get tired of writing the same thing over and over. Just copy and paste

124Spider

:D

Roaddemon

Some more reasons to buy an 8



http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/disp...ehicleCode=RX8

MazdaRich

I've been daily-driving my 2001 Miata for the past 3 years, and a small roadster suits fine as a daily driver as long as you have an extra vehicle on hand for bad weather/hauling stuff. My other car is an AWD Astro, which will kick the **** out of any car in bad weather (and for moving large objects.) This winter I got around fine with a BMW 325is, which had a LSD and snow tires. It made for a pretty good winter driver--I prefer that setup to a Civic with all seasons as well.

So I'm thinking of test-driving the S2K before I go for the 8 and say goodbye to topless driving for a while. I'm starting to tire of the harsh ride and noise in my Miata (It's fairly stiff with 250lb springs or so.) I'm starting to think the interior quiet of a fixed roof car might be nice for a change. I'll test an S2K and report back my impressions. I am aware that they are phenomenal performers. The S2000 is always going to be a little bit quicker, which was why it was moved up to A-Stock to allow the RX-8 to gain a foothold in the SCCA. The difference is pretty slight though, and a well-driven RX-8 can compete with a well-driven S2k under most conditions.

klegg

I am not sure what to make of this...are you saying the scca moved the S2k because the 8 could ot beat it?

124Spider

It's funny that you're considering getting rid of a roadster for a Mazda coupe. My first car was a well-used 1969 Fiat 124 Spider, which I dearly loved. When that died, I bought a used 1974 Mazda RX-3, which was a fun car, and far, far more reliable than my Fiat had been. Nevertheless, I literally had dreams about driving in a convertible with the top down, for years, until I bought another 124 Spider. I've owned a convertible ever since. Like you, I have a winter beater, a 1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac (turbocharged AWD Celica; very fun beater, and a car I don't mind parking on city streets when necessary).

Obviously, each person reacts differently, emotionally, to different cars, but that was my reaction.

Did I mention that I really like roadsters? :D

Ike

They moved it because the S2K was dominating BS, they should have just called it S2K stock because the belief was that it was the only car to have. It's looking more and more like maybe they were a bit hasty and it was moreso people not willing to invest in other cars to see if they could compete seriously with the S2K. Also, it usually takes a couple years for cars to get properly sorted out and the RX-8 didn't have that time and most people last year were running on stock suspension. Stock for stock I give the S2K the edge, but it seems with some suspension the RX-8 can be right there with the AS cars. Topeka should give us closer to a definitive answer.

DARKMAZ8

Die thread die!!!!

Or at least stay on the topic sheesh!

ozzyrx8

Firstly - you cant compare an rx8 with a 3series bmw or lexus as they are not perfomace cars- yes they are luxurios sedans but lack the true dynamics to be a sports car. A lexus or bmw is a car to go shopping in not a drivers car.

I had the s2 before my first child - and it felt slightly more "connected" to the road- mainly as you were sitting almost over the back wheels so when the tail would slide you would feel it sooner. Both cars have double wishbone front suspension - however the s2 was a bit more responsive in the 2,000-4,000 rpm range but due to the vtec cams over emphasized the "off-vtec" feeling when not doing 5,800rpm+. The rx8 is much smoother in the 5k + range and doesnt fall out of the powerband when shifting into 2nd gear at a legal road speed.

I do miss the s2000 massive rear wheel spins and overstear - but the rx8 is just as fun with DSC off.

Just before i bought the rx8 I did think about the s2000 again - but the combination of 4 doors/seats in a coupe shape with some actual interior storage space, and a better mid range power (with similar top end feeling) in the rx8 pushed me that way.

You wont be disappointed.

StealthFox

i like ya but im gonna have to disagree, but if you are right...the RX8 FAILS in its class, in terms of being a sporty 4 seater sedan, its a terrible car in that class, i'd take a 330 or alteeza any day. the fact of the matter is that it is a s2k and 350z competitor, and it happens to be the best of them all overall. in fact 4 of 5 magazines you read that involve a s2k/350z/rx8 faceoff will have the rx8 victorious. many note its a better "sportscar" and the entire package makes it outweigh the less power, and in the true sportscar driver's mind, thats what they need, the rx8 has a superior gearbox, shifting action, road connection, chassis stability, and steering wheel feedback compared to the s2k and the 350z. granted the s2k will outcorner it and the 350z will outdrag it(even though the 0-60 times are very simular) the rx8 is overall a superior sportscar. in terms of the needs of a sporty 4 door sedan, i will say hands down the 8 loses, the 3 series and the is300 would smoke it, the rx8 has inconvenient doors and doesn't seat 4 comfortably like either cars, the cabin isnt as quiet as the other two at high speed and the interior of both knock the socks of the rx8 in terms of quality(even though the 8's design and build quality are great, it just cant compete with bmw leather)

124Spider

Says you. I've said it twelve times in this thread, and I guess I'll make it 13. How many people actually decide between an elemental two seat roadster and a fairly comfortable four door car? I sure didn't. When I bought my S2000, I looked at five roadsters--Z4; Boxster; S2000; TT and 350Z. Last I checked (and I have one in my garage), the RX-8 isn't a roadster. My wife sure didn't. When she bought her RX-8, she didn't even consider any two seat roadster. These are two very different cars, in so many ways, it's just silly to pretend that there is much overlap in their respective markets. I guarantee you that Honda does not consider the RX-8 a competitor to the S2000.

"4 of 5???" and so what in any event? Look at the criteria they are looking at. When looking only at performance, no magazine claims that the RX-8 is the best; only when taking into account things the S2000 isn't designed for, like comfort and room, does the RX-8 "win." Using just performance criteria, the S2000 wins. Or the 350Z. Or some other car. How can you mark down the S2000 for lack of space or comfort, when it's not intended to be a comfortable cargo carrier? That's just as silly as marking down the RX-8 for not being a roadster. It's the same question. How can you rationally compare all facets of such different cars and say one is better than the other? It's just silly.

Many? Uh huh. Gee, when Road & Track did "best all around sports car" comparison in the March issue, the RX-8 wasn't even included. A couple of Porsches were; the Viper; the Elise; the Corvette; Z4; SLK350, and the 350Z. Oh, and the S2000. And guess which was right in the middle?

By "entire package," do you mean, for instance, soft ride and four doors/four seats? That's what Motor Trend liked, but that's just silly, as I've said before--comparing incomparably different cars.

Nobody says the RX-8 has the best gearbox. It's quite nice, but magazine after magazine says the S2000 has the best gearbox among production cars. In the March Road & Track, they said "The gearbox is quite simply the best in the world, with wonderfully short, extremely positive throws."

Many? The S2000 gives much better feedback than the RX-8, and has a chassis at least as stable.

Some do say that; some say otherwise.

and beat it in a straight line

Let's see--RX-8 is in B Stock, along with 350Z. S2000 was kicked up to A stock to give someone else a chance in B stock. The S2000 corners better, and is faster, more powerful, and has more torque, but the RX-8 is the superior sports car? Many would say, of course, that it's silly even to say "sports car" about a four seat, four door car.

The RX-8 is a very fine car, and a worthy contender in B stock this year. But it's not a superior sports car to the S2000. If the guy who asked the question loves convertibles, he'll miss the S2000, and it's silly to deny that. If he loves elemental motoring, he'll miss the S2000. On the other hand, if he wants more room, more comfort and a quieter ride, and doesn't much care about a convertible, he won't miss the S2000. But the driving experience of the S2000 is almost completely different from the driving experience in the RX-8. Some will prefer one; some will prefer the other.

StealthFox

i dont have time to read of what you said but i noticed that all of the quotes are from my long post, but i promise i will get back as i never "ignore" or brush of peoples comments especially since you spent some time writing up a post, but i knew by including the s2k in my comments if you were to see that i would envoke your wrath(you along with one of my friends wiht an 04 s2000 have informed me of the s2k alot) but i was directing my comments more to the Z in case you were wondering. ill go through everything tomorrow