dude

I'd been hearing a lot about the Mazda 6 and I went down to test drive it, and was not very impressed. I am no race car driver, but the handling and shifting did not feel nearly as good as my 10 year+ old prelude. I let the dealer talk me into driving a Mazdaspeed protege, and to me it felt like a souped up version of all those little 4cyl econo cars out there, you know, sensible. This will finally bring me to my point, I hope the RX-8 bears no relation to the aforementioned Mazda cars, and from what I hear, it doesn't. I don't think I'm demanding, I just want a car that I can afford that will be as fun to drive as my prelude.

Hercules

Honestly though, if you felt your 10 year old Prelude handled better than the 6... I suggest you learn how to judge cars better.

Newer Preludes I'll give you, but 10 years old? And then the Mazdaspeed Protege is a souped up econobox?

Seriously you're begging to get yelled at :p Trust me, you need to learn how to drive (no offense intended here!)

dude

How could I take offense at that?!
I was simply saying I was disappointed in those cars. I have driven an RX-7 in the past, and I loved it. I realize these are very different cars, but I hope the RX-8 is more than what I've seen from my recent experience. I won't, turn this into a personal attack, but you are welcome to continue yours.

Hercules

There's few people who couldn't enjoy an RX-7.

Only thing I'm saying is that you have to pick apart the driving dynamics of the Mazda6 and other FWD cars, and sometimes it's more a challenge than a RWD car because they are more flexible in their use.

This is also why a Miata is a blast to drive and when I sit in my Millenia I feel bad... but then I drive my friend's Acura TL and I don't feel much different.. However, that is too close a comparison to make. I drove the Mazda6 and definately saw the differences between my crappy Millenia and the Mazda6's handling characteristics.. you just gotta toy with it :p

Sometimes it's not enough to get a test drive, you need to just go out and have fun with it. My dealer let me take the car for 20 minutes and 'play' so maybe that's why I got a better impression. I haven't driven the Mazdaspeed Protege though, but that would be fun

Skyline Maniac

Honestly the Mazda 6 is built in the US, with a Mexican made engine..... That spells "FORD" to me anyway you look at it. I wouldn't use the Mazda 6 is a good gauge for the performance of the 8. Now if we are talking about a Mazda 6 built and made in Japan.... that could make a difference. Either way, the Mazda 6 is a good looking car, but Mazda is overdoing its zoom zoom 6 commercials. (Reminds me of the MPV commercials when they compared it to a Miata: PATHETIC)

Hercules

The Accord, Camry, Civic, Mazda6, and COUNTLESS other cars are built in the United States.

To add to the FORD comment... I'm no fan of them myself. But Mazda merely took the Duratec engine BLOCK and reworked it themselves. It was just a hunk of metal until Mazda added VVT and reworked it entirely.

They also created an all new aluminum four cylinder that for its class, is very very good.

I think the Mazda6 is a very good gauge for the RX-8. Because as per handling, it beats EVERYTHING in its class. The Passat, Camry, Accord, Altima, etc.. The RX-8 from all reviews done thus far... has shown no less.

Power is one issue where some might be concerned, but looking at straightline figures thus far, I'm more than happy with what the RX-8 is delivering on. I'd rather take the engineering skill Mazda has and continue to make the best suspension and best handling car than to put excessive resources and get that extra horsepower out just to one-up the competition.

Mazda is returning to its roots at least, and building cars for the enthusiasts. I'm glad about that.

rx8daniel

It's been probably over 10 years since I've driven a Prelude - think the last was a 88 w/ 4WS. They used to be one of the best handling best shifting easy to drive FWD cars on the market. I can't vouch for it lately as the styling, in my opinion, got worse so I've not been drawn to it. Which test was it - the Japan intro to the press of the RX-8 I think - where they said the lead car was a 6 and they were told to catch up with it - I think that is what Dan wrote at Rotarynews when he participated in the short drive. I think that alone says the 6 is a capable car with an expert driver. As for the RX-8 - I think it will stand heads and shoulders above a new Prelude, a 10yr old Prelude, a 6, and even the Miata. Interesting many of the tests have compared the shifter to the Miata and it sounds confidence inspiring to me!

MattZ

I've owned 2 A4's, my dad has a 330i, so I'm obviously biased towards german cars. I also just recently test drove the Mazda 6 and came away very impressed. The looks are great, especially the quality of the interior. I thought the power was decent, shifter was excellent, and handling was very good. I just recently had a Camry as a loaner, and the 6 blows it away in every way. You need to compare the 6 to the Accord, Passat, Camry etc...not the Prelude, which is a sporty cooupe.

GotGrip

As someone who places a premium on chassis dynamics and handling (my '01 Prelude is Quaife LSD-equipped and is no slouch in this area), the RX-8 is the only car I am considering as a replacement for it. The fact that the RX-8's rear seats are actually functional is icing on the cake.

If you drive the 6s back-to-back with its competition (Camry, Accord, Altima, Passat), you recognize the difference in feel and ability rather quickly. If I wanted to stay in a FWD car that doesn't scream "Hey officer, over here!" the 6s would be on the top of my list (although it does need a LSD). But, since I seriously doubt a FWD car can get any better than my Prelude, I'm moving on to RWD or maybe AWD.

cagefreak

If anyone wants a better comparison for handling and chassis rigidity then you should actually drive an FD (3rd and last gen RX7). That's a bit closer to the way the RX8 should feel. Understood that the RX7 is a little different when it comes to the acceleration because of a sequintial twin turbo system, but that should get you a little closer to the feel.

wakeech

hmmm... for overall driving experience, i'd suggest testing out an FC (1986-1991) RX-7, 'cause (on the whole) they'd have a suspension more akin to the RX-8 (which isn't as firm as the FD's), and are nearly all non-turbo, giving you an idea of the amount the RENESIS has come from the Series5 13B... heh heh, i'm telling you, it's a looooong way.

cueball

Did you drive the base I4 model or the V-6 s model? From what I hear there is a fairly large gap. The s model has a bigger engine, sporter tires, and sportier suspension.

ToRX-8orToZ

The difference between the wheel bases of these two cars means they are going to drive a lot differently. The 8 is going to be a lot more stable on straightaways then the 7, besides being all around MUCH more forgiving to the driver. About the only similar thing will be the whirl of the rotary.

FoMoCo

Sorry MazdaWorld webmaster, but the 3.0 Mazda 6 motor is a Duratec through and through, even, heaven forbid Made in the USA.

Yes it has variable valve timing (so does the Jag version of this engine) but its heads, block and timing chains are American as You (like it or not) and I. Ford has also been useing this Cleveland built motor in Europe since 1995 with critical success.

Cheer up , at least you won't have to replace timing belts like most jap designed motors...

zoom44

actually fomoco the whole top end has been changed by mazda. it's a whole evolutionary step ahead of the way it was when they got it from ford. i think ford is even going to use the mazda version in some of it's ford badged cars and may be the base engine in the next mustang.

FoMoCo

Yes, Mazda did make improvements, and point well taken. I was simply countering the suggestion that Mazda created a whole new engine from the humble Ford block...

zoom44

ok and you were right to do so. lets all try to get our facts straight.:p