SmokingClutch

Keep in mind that the 2970 lb weight Road & Track reported was for a fully loaded model, with the 18" rims, and possibly the automatic transmission (don't remember for sure).

If this is the case, the basic model very well could be in the 2700-2800 lb range. Even at 2850 lbs, which seems on the heavy side for an RX car, the car really isn't all that heavy.

Keep in mind that the SVT Focus, which is "hot hatch" weighs 2800 lbs. The Golf GTI is pushing 3000 lbs these days. The S2000 is over 2800 lbs, too.

When you look back, Mazda has done a brilliant job keeping weights in line. If you can get an RX-8 in the 2800 lb range (which I believe will happen) you're looking at a vehicle only 100 lbs more than an FD, about the same as an FC Turbo II and 100-200 lbs heavier than a naturally aspirated FC, about 250 lbs more than a GSL-SE, and still only about 400-600 lbs more than the original 12A RX-7. Even when compared to the RX-3, which weighed in around 2000-2250 lbs, the RX-8 doesn't look all that bad for being loaded with 30 years worth of additional safety and technology updates!

Among current cars, the S2000 actually makes the most compelling comparison - similar weights, extremely similar horsepower and torque numbers, it's just that the RX-8 holds twice as many occupants.

Really, I see the RX-8 not as the RX-7 replacement (good thing, since there will be another RX-7 if the RX-8 sells) but as the successor to the RX-3. If you've ever seen an RX-3 you know they're tiny - about the size of a first-gen RX-7 but with rear seats and a body that resembles an unholy marriage of the 67-69 Camaro and '70 Ford Maverick with a great big dash of quirky Japanese-ness from the 70s thrown in. It sounds odd, but is a really attractive car, and the grille of the 74-78 models is clearly the inspiration for the RX-8's.

redwood

I think that your real competition is the wrx stock and a chipped vw gti 1.8t. Both are getting 1/4 times in the low 14's given what I saw on a early thread that posted some 1/4 times for the rx-8 these two cars are your real competition that you should try to mod to keep up with. The Acrua Rsx- type s is not the car to shoot for because it is a equal car, and you will make no real progress in making your car faster, just a thought.

j1mb0x99

keech's first post? Did you realize you just brought back a thread that has been dead over a year? If you had looked you would notice that the man now has 3000+ No offense meant by this but in the future try not to do this. The information in this thread is now outdated. It is good for research but thats all really.

-JiM

wakeech

*tee hee hee* yup, my first post.

...and "the boy" would be more accurate

Hanzo

Rise from the grave.

Ike

Altered Beast! wooooo!

Doc Gyneco

I am surprised that no one really compared the RX8 vs the S2000.

They are both RWD, sporty, offer luxury, look alike, have a small engine producing the same ouput of HP and revving at 9000 RPM, and are in the same range pricewise (rx8 fully loaded is 32k, same as a S2000 which doesn't come with any options).

Personally, I am a loyal Honda customer (GS-R owner), and the drive test with the S2000 really blew me away. The engine is really mean at high RPM, and it's a pleasure to drive it to the limit.

I am in the market for both of those vehicules, the RX8 so far has my preference in term of styling and convenience (4doors!), but all those little problem here and there for this first year of production kinda annoy me.

As for the comparaison with a M3, I don't understand.... why compare of sporty car vs a "cheap" supercar?

wakeech

well, we have... this is certainly not the be-all end-all of comapro threads, 'cause if you note: the 350Z hadn't even been released (i think it was just coming out) at the time i authored this thread, and it seemed every 1 out of 5 threads in the discussion section were about "RX-8 vs 305Z", both of which (at that time) were still fictional cars.

so, this is one of those long looong look ahead kinda threads.

mikeb

did he just call the rx8 a cheap supercar

Ike

Nope, he called the M3 a "cheap" supercar. Meaning it about as close as you'll get to supercar type performance for the price, though the Z06 may have something to say about that.

mikeb

well, I'll take a m3 over a zo6 anyday

shift_zoom8

It's interesting how age and lifestyle may influence a person's list of competition for the RX8.

I can see why Road & Track would take cautious effort to select the Infiniti G35. I can understand why Automobile is careful to find a median between the BMW 330i and the Nissan 350Z. I can also see the engine comparisons to the Honda S2000's engine. But comparing the RX8 overall to a Subaru WRX sti, Acura RSX, GTI 1.8T, and SVT Focus? Hmm.

This thread almost reminds me of that "kill" thread a while ago. Someone needs to rein it in.

Efini 8

I dont know guys, so far I have been liking the RX8 but recently its been sucking. A few problems for me, thinking of getting a nsx, but if I do I wouldnt drive it everyday cuz people would hate on it at school

RX-GR8

how has it been sucking?

Doc Gyneco

Now why don't you brag about that modena you own?