Is this Renesis really smooth?
01-23-2004, 01:10 AM
#26
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Smooth is a relative term. After driving my Lexus LS430 for the day and then getting into the RX-8 it feels loud, rough and noisy. But it's a sports car. It's supposed to have some character. If you want quiet and powerful, get a Lexus. If you want something fun and different, drive the RX-8. Or just get both :-)
01-23-2004, 03:51 AM
#27
On order of refined smoothe drive :
Renasis(rotary)
V12
I6
V8
The engine is incredibly smoothe. I sit on motorways at 70 in 6th and press the accelerator - the car just floats quicker, no vibration, no shudder, just whafts its way past 100.
There is noise if your over 5k and pushing it, but the motor and the acceleration is supremly smoothe. I understand this is because it runs on double cream - which I hope is cheaper than the petrol I've been putting in.
Renasis(rotary)
V12
I6
V8
The engine is incredibly smoothe. I sit on motorways at 70 in 6th and press the accelerator - the car just floats quicker, no vibration, no shudder, just whafts its way past 100.
There is noise if your over 5k and pushing it, but the motor and the acceleration is supremly smoothe. I understand this is because it runs on double cream - which I hope is cheaper than the petrol I've been putting in.
01-23-2004, 05:39 AM
#28
Ricer is Nicer.....
Noise.....
You may be confusing 'rev noise' with vibration or 'harshness'.
Noisy it may be, but there is no way it is rough.
On a side note, I have to drive entirely below 5k revs, otherwise I get a high-pitched squealling from the passenger seat.
But if I leave her at home, I can rev to 8500!
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.
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doc
Noisy it may be, but there is no way it is rough.
On a side note, I have to drive entirely below 5k revs, otherwise I get a high-pitched squealling from the passenger seat.
But if I leave her at home, I can rev to 8500!
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.
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doc
01-23-2004, 05:58 AM
#29
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Originally posted by Maniac
Wow. That is so different from my experience.
I find it hard to tell if the car is even ON when it is at idle and the sound when you rev it is so quiet (compared to what with I am familliar) that I think it seems wimpy to anyone that might hear it.
I often find myself cruising along at 6k or so because I forgot to upshift.
Sometimes, I'll go down the road to my office at 7500 or higher in second. Why you might ask?
Why not?
It feels the same as doing it at 3000 in 4th. Purr...
Wow. That is so different from my experience.
I find it hard to tell if the car is even ON when it is at idle and the sound when you rev it is so quiet (compared to what with I am familliar) that I think it seems wimpy to anyone that might hear it.
I often find myself cruising along at 6k or so because I forgot to upshift.
Sometimes, I'll go down the road to my office at 7500 or higher in second. Why you might ask?
Why not?
It feels the same as doing it at 3000 in 4th. Purr...
01-23-2004, 06:49 AM
#30
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Originally posted by S3/P3/E2
More often than not, the only real stretch of freeway on the way to work is just a short one that usually has a CHP cruiser parked on it somewhere. I've had to make special effort to watch my speed (or at least just play for short stints) because it does climb so quickly. Moving to the east coast in about 2 weeks, so I'll have lots of open interstate (and a Passport 8500) to wind it up a bit.
More often than not, the only real stretch of freeway on the way to work is just a short one that usually has a CHP cruiser parked on it somewhere. I've had to make special effort to watch my speed (or at least just play for short stints) because it does climb so quickly. Moving to the east coast in about 2 weeks, so I'll have lots of open interstate (and a Passport 8500) to wind it up a bit.
The engine is very smooth and the roar above 4k RPM reminds me of an RB211 on a 757 at takeoff power.
01-23-2004, 06:50 AM
#31
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Originally posted by S3/P3/E2
More often than not, the only real stretch of freeway on the way to work is just a short one that usually has a CHP cruiser parked on it somewhere. I've had to make special effort to watch my speed (or at least just play for short stints) because it does climb so quickly. Moving to the east coast in about 2 weeks, so I'll have lots of open interstate (and a Passport 8500) to wind it up a bit.
More often than not, the only real stretch of freeway on the way to work is just a short one that usually has a CHP cruiser parked on it somewhere. I've had to make special effort to watch my speed (or at least just play for short stints) because it does climb so quickly. Moving to the east coast in about 2 weeks, so I'll have lots of open interstate (and a Passport 8500) to wind it up a bit.
The engine is very smooth and the roar above 4k RPM reminds me of an RB211 on a 757 at takeoff power. I often leave the radio off so I can hear the rotary hummmmmmmmm!
01-23-2004, 07:10 AM
#32
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The only car I have driven that can rev as high as the RX-8 is the S2000. I drove one briefly, and at 8000 rpm it sounds like its engine is about to explode. The RX-8 is not exactly quiet at those sort of revs but is sounds completely unstrained. As someone said, the engine seems as happy at 8000 as at 4000.
01-23-2004, 07:19 AM
#33
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Originally posted by Q121825
...The engine is very smooth and the roar above 4k RPM reminds me of an RB211 on a 757 at takeoff power.
...The engine is very smooth and the roar above 4k RPM reminds me of an RB211 on a 757 at takeoff power.
I often leave the radio off so I can hear the rotary hummmmmmmmm!
Doc, sounds like you need a muffler for that passenger seat. LOL!
BTW, back in the pre-order days, everyone was down on the car for being too quiet. I guess if you get a 50/50 split on opinions, that means you're right on. I think it is.
01-23-2004, 09:49 AM
#34
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By far the smoothest engine I've ever driven. It's whisper quiet and vibration free up to around 4-5K RPM. Past that it starts getting a bit noisy and snarls like a swarm of angry bees near redline, but it never feels harsh or vibration-prone. When idling, it's difficult to tell the engine is even running.
I occasionally find myself at 6K+ RPM in 3rd on the highway because the car is so smooth I just forget to upshift. The car is practically inaudible under 3K RPMs, and new drivers to the car may find themselves stalling when launching because they can't hear the engine over the stereo.
I occasionally find myself at 6K+ RPM in 3rd on the highway because the car is so smooth I just forget to upshift. The car is practically inaudible under 3K RPMs, and new drivers to the car may find themselves stalling when launching because they can't hear the engine over the stereo.
01-23-2004, 09:54 AM
#35
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If you saw C & D's review last year when the guy tested the car he said something to the effect of..
"There is an audible tone to tell you to shift at 8500 rpm, because you would not know it otherwise. There is no humming, vibration, or anything to indicate you are at redline".
Not an exact quote but close. For anyone that wants to distinguise noise from smoothness take the car in 3rd gear on the highway and go to 7500 RPM and let off the gas and let it coast, turn the stereo off.
"There is an audible tone to tell you to shift at 8500 rpm, because you would not know it otherwise. There is no humming, vibration, or anything to indicate you are at redline".
Not an exact quote but close. For anyone that wants to distinguise noise from smoothness take the car in 3rd gear on the highway and go to 7500 RPM and let off the gas and let it coast, turn the stereo off.
01-23-2004, 11:54 AM
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You have to consider what kind of speeds the engine is spinning at when you are at higher RPM. A smooth running engine is a sign of how good the rotary is. The noise has more to do with the RX8 being a sports car than it being an inherently loud. Comparing it to other luxury cars is unfair because they have much more sound insulation, but more sound insulation equals more weight. And since the RX8 is a sports car that’s means less sound insulation.
If you put the rotary in something like a Lexus, than it would probably be almost silent.
If you put the rotary in something like a Lexus, than it would probably be almost silent.
01-23-2004, 01:33 PM
#38
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Guys,
Thanks for the comments. I agree with the large majority re the smoothness of the Renesis.
This is no Lexus luxury car so the engine noise is expected in a sports car like this. I sense no vibration or harshness above 4K RPM but was concerned about noise and sounds like that is normal.
I will continue to enjoy my RX8 and thanks again for all the feedback.
Thanks for the comments. I agree with the large majority re the smoothness of the Renesis.
This is no Lexus luxury car so the engine noise is expected in a sports car like this. I sense no vibration or harshness above 4K RPM but was concerned about noise and sounds like that is normal.
I will continue to enjoy my RX8 and thanks again for all the feedback.
01-23-2004, 08:06 PM
#39
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Originally posted by RenesisPower
No this aint no V8. Defenitely sounds like a small 4 banger running on 3.
No this aint no V8. Defenitely sounds like a small 4 banger running on 3.
01-25-2004, 03:28 AM
#43
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Originally posted by Maniac
Yeah, pretty horrible. 13 - 15 MPG at best.
Oh well...:p
Yeah, pretty horrible. 13 - 15 MPG at best.
Oh well...:p
I can't believe you're driving around at 7500 rpm in 2nd gear and not be bothered by the noise.
The engine is indeed very smooth but when you get in the higher revs, it gets very loud. I heard the 8500K rpm warning beep for the first time last night and I needed to listen hard for it to hear it.
01-25-2004, 02:49 PM
#44
Originally posted by hotpot
You're probably used to driving an auto-box; Or you own a gas station.
I can't believe you're driving around at 7500 rpm in 2nd gear and not be bothered by the noise.
The engine is indeed very smooth but when you get in the higher revs, it gets very loud. I heard the 8500K rpm warning beep for the first time last night and I needed to listen hard for it to hear it.
You're probably used to driving an auto-box; Or you own a gas station.
I can't believe you're driving around at 7500 rpm in 2nd gear and not be bothered by the noise.
The engine is indeed very smooth but when you get in the higher revs, it gets very loud. I heard the 8500K rpm warning beep for the first time last night and I needed to listen hard for it to hear it.
I wonder if there is really that much tolerance in the manufacturing of the RX-8 to account for all of the different opinions on the noise level of the Renesis.
My shift beeper is clearly heard over the motor when accelerating.
When cruising, in ANY gear at ANY RPM, the motor makes almost no noise at all.
01-25-2004, 03:30 PM
#45
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Originally posted by hotpot
I can't believe you're driving around at 7500 rpm in 2nd gear and not be bothered by the noise.
I can't believe you're driving around at 7500 rpm in 2nd gear and not be bothered by the noise.
01-26-2004, 11:42 AM
#46
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Originally posted by RenesisPower
The Renesis on the other hand(at least mine) is very buzzy at over 4K RPM. I can't hear the stereo at 7K RPM.
The Renesis on the other hand(at least mine) is very buzzy at over 4K RPM. I can't hear the stereo at 7K RPM.
This engine is not harsh/buzzy at all. If anyone has driven a Kia or Hyundai V6 over 4k RPMs (if it even goes that high), you'll know harsh. The engine sounds like it's ready to fall to pieces. The RX8 is loud at upper RPMs, but definetly not harsh. Very smooth, sweet and great sounding! Nothing like hearing a beautiful engine sing its song when your mashing the pedal!! My favorite part is how smooth it is at idle. My 1.8t engine in my Golf vibrated really bad at idle, the RX is so smooth. LOVE IT!
07-13-2004, 06:22 PM
#47
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Can't resist joining in this one! DrComputer is right, if you want smooth get a Lexus. My SAAB 9k CSE AT turbo is smooooth, with 2 balance shafts and max torque coming in at 1900 the effortless top gear surge from 40 to 80 was so satisfying, but it never left me grinning ear-to-ear like the first time (and every subsequent time) I drove the RX8.
The RX8 may be smooth in some respects but that's not the reason we drive them. It's "joie-de-vivre", "elan", "esprit". Mazda has once again out-Lotused Lotus.
The RX8 may be smooth in some respects but that's not the reason we drive them. It's "joie-de-vivre", "elan", "esprit". Mazda has once again out-Lotused Lotus.
07-13-2004, 06:25 PM
#48
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I have to agree on this one. I often find myself turning the stereo down to get a better "feel" of the engine. One things for sure, each time I see a RX8 comercial on TV I surprise myself thinking "Damn, that's a sweet car" before realising it's mine. Granted I don't have 2k miles on it but still 
07-13-2004, 07:07 PM
#49
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Originally Posted by M-ster
Well, recalling what Jeremey Clarkson had said in his show: The 8 doesn't seem like running on anything vulgar like diesels or petrols, but on DOUBLE CREAM!
Along with... "Oh My!" "Wow!" "Hah!" "yes..Yes..YES!" and "This (the '8') is the easist car to drive fast that I have ever driven" :D
Extremely enthusiastic about the '8'... all in all.. Said "I think this is the best car I have driven all year" (and then later said.. well maybe..) though he didn't really care for the styling and he expressed a concern about the performance of the tires in the wet. ... which he later retracted on a UK radio show, after trying out a different set of tires.. and then went on to say on the same radio show... "For the money, and even for two..even five or seven thousand pounds more... there is simply nothing better on the market".
Go.. JC.. Go!
