RX-8? Great!
 

After years of anticipation I finally got a chance to, if not flog, at least toss around a new RX-8 for about 15 minutes, thanks to a generous dealer. Bottom line here at the top? It is a thoroughly engaging, dynamic, and exciting car.

I drove a red over black leather 6-speed with the Touring Package (containing a few "soft" items in addition to the more mechanical upgrades of the Sport Package). The salesman came along, as did my folks, for a total of about 7-800 lbs in the saddle! The route contained a bit of stop-and-go city roads as well as two freeway stretches (with on and off ramps). Regrettably, there was no access to any 2-lane B roads.

First, away from the surroundings of an auto show, the styling of the car is even more striking. Having seen it in person about a dozen times over the course of its gestation, I would've expected my sense of surprisability to be tempered by familiarity by now. Not so. The car stands out in what is for the most part a sea of sameness.

Once inside (again, not for the first time) there's lots to delight. Surfaces are of a good quality, and tactile feedback (from buttons, switches, and the like) is first rate. Of note is the backlit instrument array: bluish white during the day and red-over-blue at night. Sharp. The snug packaging layout, with the high central tunnel, may not be for everyone, but I like it a lot. Also, the all-important view out over the hood is unlike anything on the road today, what with the pontoon fenders and the impressionistic, rotary-shaped relief sculpting. One more indication that one is at the wheel of something special.

I drove out of the dealer lot and, as usual with any unfamiliar car, had to concentrate on clutch engagement. And after a few shifts everything smoothed out. During the first mile of uneven-to-fair pavement I noted how the car transmitted quite a bit of the road surface up into the cabin. That told me that the RX-8 is a sports car first, with whatever additional mission of practicality a secondary concern. A first impression, I'll grant you. Also, right away the car conveyed a composed, substantial feel. Perhaps this was due in part to the load it was carrying, but the car had a nice solid plant.

I was not wildly enamored of my initial sequence of shifts from neutral into 1st and then 2nd. Yes, yes, most everything pales in comparison to the Miata's gearchange. But taken on its own the RX-8's action was not a stand out, though certainly okay. To be fair, it might just have been this particular car's (with only 57 miles on the odo) idiosyncrasy.

Steering from the get-go was light and direct, and it remained so throughout the drive. Along with the directional and suspension sensations it was providing, the wheel also felt wonderful in my hands. That tactile feedback again.

On to the freeway.

When I test drive a car with anyone along, I'm always concerned that they feel at ease. This is especially true for salespeople who in the course of their day no doubt have to contend with a wide array of driving, er, styles. So, I try to let anyone aboard know what I'm about to do -- that is, if it's to be abrupt or out of the ordinary.

Right away, the sound of the rotary as the revs climbed was an indication that the action was stepping to a higher level. Up through the gears I went, slotting into mild traffic for just a brief pause. Then, after a look around (not just in the mirrors!) for an opening, I said to my passengers, "Here we go!" From 6th I blipped the throttle, skipped down to 3rd and, just as I pulled into the far left lane, planted my foot. The speed rose along with the vibrationless revs, interrupted with an upshift before I eased off at about 90 and allowed the car to slow back down to the flow of traffic. Then I did it again.

If you'll forgive my inner pocket protector-wearing self, I just really like knowing how the rotary works and what its design provides to a car's overall package, all while experiencing it under foot. But there's something more. Not to overstate the point, but the engine imparts a real feeling of soul to the car: a heart, pumping life.

In short order I had to get across four lanes to the exit ramp. No problem. A tap of the brakes along with a gentle bend of the tiller brought us over without drama. Then, seeing that the ramp was a nice, long, deliciously shaped S-curve, I placed the car on the line and told my companions (did I mention that my mom's little dog was along too?) to hang on. No, I didn't risk the car by pushing it to the point of scrub or squeal, but I was not apprehensive either. The RX-8 locked in tracked beautifully. Bow-wow!

Once finished with the exit, and after a couple of stoplights, back around we went, reentering the freeway to return in the opposite direction. This time I tried some lower speed/higher gear acceleration attempts to see how the engine pulled. No, it's not the torquiest tool in the chest, but hey, that's why they give you a shifter to play with; select a lower gear and you'll get the desired result.

Nearing the second (and much shorter) exit ramp I made sure to maintain a good clip in order to give the brakes a semi-emergency test. (Is the dog belted in?) Bang! About 70-10mph with little dive and abundant pedal feel. Then, all of the fun over too quickly, it was a matter of a few blocks back to the dealership where a shopper, an RX-8 brochure in his hand, watched us arrive.

The end.

Nits? I don't know. The RX-8's angular shift topper is a little funky. I love and have grown accustomed to the spherical Voodoo knob I installed in my Miata. And while we're on the subject, I wish Mazda could find a way to divert a few pennies so as to make their shift boots out of leather rather than vinyl. (The Protege's I can understand, but the 6? The RX-8 flagship?) Other than that, nothing comes to mind. Really. Maybe the Touring Package's Bose audio upgrade was only so-so. I really can't say. I was too taken with the sound of 9,000 rotary revolutions per minute to give it a listen.

In discussing cars in general and/or with specificity, I often get the impression that people tend to -- if not like to -- find fault. With objects as pervasive as automobiles, everybody's an expert I suppose. But what's not ideal for you may be just fine for me.

Nevertheless, try this attitude with the RX-8 and you'll miss something, I think. As with the Miata, it will come up short in some areas if what you're hoping to find is that elusive "perfect" vehicle. But the 8 is something else. Here is a car that is unusual enough that you must clear away your preconceptions and take it on its own terms. The Zen of Zoom.

© Copyright 2003 by Lyn Vogel

Great post. And very well written. The correct use of grammer works wonders:D ;)

wow! eMMM yeh... I got sleepy after a few paragraph, and wats up with ur grammar;ayehk I had a headache. You have a nice review... emmm there. I would never think that a dealer would let anyone drive their *new, flagship, sports car* like that. Did he do a credit-check on u...BOW WOW! :p

lyn,

what dealer in the city did you go to and and how many did they have? Were they marking this one up?

One of the most well written reviews I've seen so far. I like how contractions are just about the only abbreviations there...

How many people would pay to read a magazine article written with garbage like, "yo. ur rx8 is sick sick!" ?

Concur with all. Your mastery of the language enhances your credibility. Do you write for a living? If not, you could.

As long as you mentioned passengers and dogs in the back seat, how did they feel after the drive? Safe and secure, or with raised hair? The passengers I had in the back were comfortable but complained they couldn't really see anything (high seat backs in their face.) I guess if they were paying for the car I might care... ;-)

Excuse me, I've just had an irony overload.

Let's see, how does it go....oh yeah:

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!1!!

I know I've seen Lyn's moniker around somewhere. Miata Magazine, perhaps?

Correct. Lyn is from the MCA writes for Miata Magazine.

btw..."sick" means good...:cool:

y cant they use good grammar like It bad!

I'm aware of what the kids these days mean by 'sick.' And by kids, I mean my peer group... It just smacks of the whole 'fast and furious' scene.

I also enjoyed the review, and the above is by far the best compilation of words I've seen in a while.

Thanks Lyn for your comments. I would like to know your comparison of the the RX-8 to the RX-7 you own(ed).

I liked his review, taking a dog around in a new RX-8? I don't know about that as well as his Bow-wow. I didn't know that rapper got shout outs like that, but besides the canine references... very good.

I meant to do that. *sigh* old people just can't see it sometimes.

It's got a radio? Maybe I shoulda looked around at all those buttons & thingys smore...

Dear Diary: Today marks the first time I've officially been labelled an "old person." Should I feel bad, or just go out and beat down a few more "youngsters" on the autocross course? :D

the hell're you talking about?? you ARE old :p

Keech:

Compared to you, EVERYONE on the is forum is old!;)

:D

"i don't wanna grow up, i'm an RX-8 kid..."

"THE ZEN OF ZOOM" i like that i might have to change my plate idea to "ZENZOOM"

[QUOTE]"THE ZEN OF ZOOM" i like that i might have to change my plate idea to "ZENZOOM"[/QUOTE

Actually, I was thinking about getting a rear window sticker made that said "The Zen of Zoom", instead of the standard "Zoom Zoom" sticker.

Do I have your permission Lyn ?

Wanna talk about old?! I went with a colleague to Abercrombie & Fich last night, and was just astounded. It looked like they had just unpacked the entire store out of a duffel bag! There was not a single piece of clothing that was not severely wrinkled! Now, when I was a teenager my clothes looked kinda wrinkly (and I preferred them that way), but I never would have bought them that way! I must be getting old...I thought 29 was still pretty young and hip - guess I was wrong! :(

excellent review!! this is the kind of review needed in that msn auto-review to get crdeibility for rx-8

http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?threadid=7358

Thanks to all who took a moment to give me a compliment. My aim was not to impress but rather inform. Still, generosity is always accepted!

Incidentally, yes, I am a published writer (Miata Magazine indeed one of the places where I've appeared) and playwright. And as for the presence of good grammar and spelling, hey, if you had a 4th grade teacher as beautiful as mine was, you'd have paid attention in class too!