old_s13

Sad but true...

I like my FD RX7 a million times more than I like my RX8, both in terms of performance AND styling. The RX8 is still a good car though, but I dont think I will own it as long as I have owned my FD.

cas2themoe

Performance I'll agree with you, but not by much. As far as looks.......... NO WAY!

BlueEyes

The funny thing is that I never tried to convince anyone it wasn't a sports car, nor would I ever try, because its a matter of opinion. I just said it didn't fit my defintion of a true sports car. They all went off the deep end without their water wings.

And you're right, it's hard to fit my true defintion of a sports car. Cars like the elise, Gt3, CS do a damn fine job of it though.

Ike

RX-8 to me looks like a car that a bunch of designers sat around in a room and brainstormed a bunch of ideas. After doing so they decided to use every idea they came up with. It's a bit garish, it has some funky lines, but I think it looks great. I also don't think it will hold up as well as the RX-7s flowing lines and classic coupe styling. Over 10 years after the FD came to market it's still one of the better looking cars on the road, I don't think the same will hold true for the RX-8 but you never know.

BlueEyes

haha, throw another log on the fire Ike!

cas2themoe

That's an opinion based on personal judgement. That's fine. I beg to differ but hey I still think the RX7 is a great looking car but not better looking than the 8.

Butt Dyno

You ripped this quote straight out of Top Gear didn't you?

DARKMAZ8

The problem is that the more pure a sports car is, the less comfort it will have. Between me and you, I love a car with "no"srs, ps, sunroof, pw, pl, abs, dsc, stereo, ect. I can guarentee you that as much as we love how "pure" it is, It wouldn't sell.

BTW those cars that you listed are still unpure but are the closest you can get to pure these days.

Ike

I'm petty sure I said almost the same thing on this forum before the Topgear episode came out and maybe before the RX-8 was even released. I'm getting old and it's been a while though :p

Ike

I think you can get closer. The Ultima GTR and Caterham to name a couple.

BlueEyes

I don't think either is street legal in Canada. I guess their kit cars though eh? so maybe they are. A caterham would be F'in sweet!! I need a car I can bust out my driving goggles with :D

rx8wannahave

You don't have to have a sports car scale, but in your OPINION...what makes the RX8 not a sports car? Is the Solara a sports car?

YESSSSSS....gosh blue, what are you a secret agent or are you ashamed of your defintion? For the love of GOD man...spill the beans.

Everyone, let's get this started what do you THINK is a sports car?

According to Webster’s dictionary "sport" is (there are other meanings to):

to amuse oneself

It also stated to look up “play” (frolic, frolicking, fun, recreation, relaxation, etc)

So, a “sport” car is a car that amuses us, it's used to play, it’s fun, it’s used for recreation, and relaxation.

If that’s it, then the RX8 is one of the most SPORT cars out there. It’s FUN FACTOR is through the roof.

What do I think is a sports car?

I think of growing up and playing “sports”. I played up against a lot of people and the best athletes where the ones best at the sport. So, what equals a great athlete?

Nimble, Fast, Strong, Quick reflexes, Balanced, Stamina….

So, the best athletes playing sports is how I measure a sports car. If a car can match most of the above…it’s a sports car in my book. The RX8 is nimble, IS FAST, dose have quick reflexes, and is balanced. I’ll leave out strong because it should be faster to be considered strong and I’ll leave out stamina because I can’t relate it to a car…lol, not fuel economy that’s for sure. Stamina might be how good all of the above perform at a track...there...pretty good.

That’s my opinion…let’s here yours.

old_s13

Its already been said before, a sports car is a car that brings the driver happiness in the driving experience.

It doesnt necessarily mean the car has a lot of power
It doesnt necessarily mean the car is 100% light-weight thorough-bred

BUT, it does mean that there have been sacrifices made typically, to ensure that the driver has a great driving experience. If this means lack of insulation, so be it. This could also mean chassis lightening, race designed suspension and braking components, etc..

So, the RX8 can fit in this catagory.. but to me, its pretty much a cross-over car.. which is why most of the die-hard enthusiasts who loved the FD are not stepping up to the plate for the RX8. The RX8 is designed to attact customers who dont want a car with power but a completely useless interior like a Z or S2000 -- the RX8 can happily fit people inside the cabin. It has some power, maybe not as much as some of the competition.. but enough to do its job and satisfy the driver.

As for styling though, I still think the FD *owns* and this is a fact.

Butt Dyno

Anyone who thinks the 8 looks better than the 7 needs their head examined. That is all.

rx8wannahave

Anyone who thinks the 7 looks better than the 8 needs to have their head...so on and so forth...

I loved the 7 and it's a great SPORTS CAR...but the 8 makes more sense to someone that needs useful back seats.

DARKMAZ8

I'm sorry, but the 7 is one of the best looking cars of all time. The 8 looks are well above par for the price but can't compare to a freshly painted FD.

Ike

While I think that's a bit of a stretch the FD is most certainly among best if not the best looking car to ever come out of Japan.

DARKMAZ8

Thanks for the correction

Ellar

Where do you think the Skyline rates? Also, aside from the 8, that Toyota convertable sportscar from the Bond movie where he eventually meets with "Tiger" Tanaka has to rate up there...

Ike

It's so how to judge cars like the Supra and Skyline when it comes to looks if you know what they're capable of. This would be my top 10 list off my head for Japanese cars in terms of looks...

1.) NSX
2.) R34 GTR Skyline
3.) MKIV Supra & FD Tie
4.) 300ZX TT 2 seater
5.) 3000GT after the headlight change
6.) Lexus SC300 & 400
7.) Lexus SC430
8.) Infiniti G35 Coupe
9.) Honda S2000
10.) Mazda RX-8 & 350Z Tie

flame away...

DARKMAZ8

Here's my correction...... :p

1)NSX
2)1999+ FD
3)MKIV Supra & 300zx TT 2 seater tie
4)R34 GTR Skyline
5)G35 coupe
6)Rx-8
7)350z
8)2nd gen MR2 Turbo
9)JDM Integra Type R
10)Mitsubishi FTO

PPen131

can't argue too much about the top 3. however, sc430??? gross

Ike

I knew someone would have a problem with that one, but I love the looks of that car for some reason.

BlueEyes

How about because it ooozes class. Plus my solara looks a bit like it :D

rx8wannahave

Blue...must have me on ignore, cause a sports car has yet to be defined by him...oh well...

Here is my list: (and this is hard to do...)

1) NSX
2) RX8
3) RX7
4) 300ZX
5) Supra
6) G35
7) 3000GT
8) 2nd Gen MR2
9) S2000
10) 350Z

Updated! I saw a RX7 on the road...I forgot how nice it looked!