jdwk

This is kind of late chiming in, but I have driven both cars. The RSX like most Hondas, has no low end torque. It is pretty annoying to get going from a stop.

My MX-6 ran a 15.28 with just a Magnaflow exhaust, Hotshot CAI, and very good (S-03) tires. I race my friend quite often in his stock RSX Type S and we both autocross. He can pull on me on the highway once we are well past 60, but I beat him stop light to stop light everytime. He hasn't drag raced his yet though to get a sli[, but there are plenty that have. Maybe I can convince him to go over to Firebird one night with me. It would be really close.

I have test driven a few RX-8s. One felt incredibly faster than my MX-6. This figure is completely out of my ***, but it felt a good second faster in the 1/4 (although I didn't have the CAI then). It kicked you back from 2000 rpms and kept pulling harder and harder to redline.

The second RX-8 I drove was much slower, and while it kicked like the other off the bat, you could feel the torque drop as you climbed the RPM range. On the highway, it really didn't want to move at all.

The 3rd RX-8 I drove was somewhere in between. It didn't build like the first one, but it didn't drop like the 2nd one either.

Some guys in the UK seem to think there are at least two versions out there, and I agree.

Regardless, everyone knows that Renesis is not running to it's full potential. When that happens this thread will become pointless, because no RSX with anything short of FI will come close to keeping up with an NA eight.

Of course we are all waiting very impatiently for the first FI eight to start throwing out some numbers. Then Supras, modded FDs, 911 Turbos, and Z06's will be the debate.

rjenk

Former RSX Type-S owner here.

I traded my RSX in on the RX-8 after 2 years of very pleasant ownership. I was really happy with the Acura. In fact, when working the deal with the Mazda dealership I told the guy that I was happy with my Acura and if they could not meet my numbers I would walk away happy with my current car...fortunately I didn't have to walk.

I loved the RSX. I purchased one the first month they came out. I loved the 6-speed and the iVTEC engine was like having a turbo when it kicked in on higher RPMs. But let's face it; I'm not out there racing with the car. I consider both the RSX and RX-8 to be a refined ride, not a striped down ride to get the best 1/4 mile time possible. With that in mind, here is my honest take.

Exterior styling is a hands down winner to the RX-8. My wife called me after seeing one thinking it was the new model RSX (she got a quick view and saw the RX) and told me the new one made my car look like sh*t. As for interiors, the RX-8 definitely has more room for both front and rear but I really have to say I liked the styling of both. The choice of materials for the dash on the RSX was fantastic and all controls were well placed. I especially love the climate control and the auto-up driver’s side window and miss them on the RX-8. The sound system in both cars was done by BOSE but the RX-8 blows the RSX away in terms of volume and bass even though the RSX had a sub in the spare tire area. The seats in the RX-8 have a much better fit to them. One thing I dislike is the placement of the cup holders in the 8 as they are too far back.

As for engine. The RSX was very smooth and the 6-speed transmission was the smoothest that I ever experienced. It is hard to knock Honda for their manual transmissions as they are very refined. The engine provided more than enough power for city and highway use and I never had any problems getting power from the engine when needed. Low end and high end RPMs produced the best with a lull in the mid RPMs until the VTEC could kick back in.

As for the RX-8, I drove both a 6-speed and AT before settling on the AT. I was somewhat concerned with the 6-speed as it seemed to idle a little rough. The 6-speed is smooth but is not as refined as the RSX. Both 8 engines are suitable for the task and operate extremely well. I have not had any problems getting power from it whether I am just racing to 60mph or trying to pass someone. The biggest thing is the difference in sound as the rotary has a very different sound to it.

Handling is much better with the 8 than the RSX. The 8 feels like it would hang upside down from the highway. I feel much more confidant in the 8 when cornering. Steering has a much tighter and responsive feel that with the RSX.

Finally as for fit and finish, both are excellent. I cannot find issue with either. Road noise is present in both but is not a bother.

Sort of long, but with all that said, I loved my RSX and I love my RX-8. There are a few things I would like to have in the 8 from the RSX but overall, the 8 is a very impressive vehicle that is well worth the money. I still cough at the gas pump but my wallet is getting used to it.

As for insurance, mine dropped significantly. I have a clean record any the rate dropped over $50.00 per month which more than makes up for the fuel. Ha-ha.

Finally…(again)…a few things negative about the 8. One of the nice things about the RSX Type-S is that there are no options. Everything was standard; 6-disc CD player, climate control, etc. On a higher-end vehicle, I would expect the 8 to include those items as standard. A $30,000.00 car should include those items as standard, much less to not even have some of them available. There were add-ons for the RSX such as spoiler, fog lights and the like (mainly appearance items) and that is fine, but some items should be considered standard features. It is nice that some options are there with the 8, as it gives some choices but overall it is somewhat lacking. Just a small sticking point with me.

Hope that helps...

RJ

93rdcurrent

RJ,

That was a great post. One thing to take into consideration though is that the RX-8 could have been a much more expensive car like the RX-7's were. Mazda figured that those of us who wanted the extras would be willing to pay extra and for those who either had a tighter budget or who were less concerned with Nav, 6 disc changer, etc. they were able to get a great sports car with some highly advanced features where it mattered most. I applaud Mazda for this insight and I think that they learned a few things from the last generation of RX-7.