RX-8 review on Autoweek.com
#1
RX-8 review on Autoweek.com
I'm not trying to start another 350Z vs RX-8 war, but I needed to post a few facts, and to be a voice of reason in here. Overall they liked the car (read the review here: autoweek review ), as do I, but a few of the things you've used to bach the Z were reported in the 8. People in here were bashing the Z for it's reported understeer. Well --- "The low torque is not the stuff of power-slide dreams. Brake late, crank the wheel, and floor the throttle in an attempt to kick out the tail: The RX-8 understeers off-course through innocent orange cones." And everyone keeps stating how the Z is an overpriced 35K$ underperformer, have you forgotten that the enthusiast Z is priced at 26$ and change with the same engine/output and the higher models.
"2004
MAZDA RX-8
ON SALE: Mid-June
BASE PRICE: $26,680
$25,180 for the Standard model and $26,680 for the High-Power version." according to Autoweek.
I like the 8, but I was reading a lot of false information about the Z in here. A real auto enthusiast can appreciate anything, even when it's not their car of choice -- as I do with the 8. Just because your somehow emotionally attatched to the 8, doesn't make it the batmobile with two extra seats. This of course does not apply to everyone, and you could probably come over to the Nissan board and find people with the same attitude. Just had to get that out of my system --- enjoy your cars
"2004
MAZDA RX-8
ON SALE: Mid-June
BASE PRICE: $26,680
$25,180 for the Standard model and $26,680 for the High-Power version." according to Autoweek.
I like the 8, but I was reading a lot of false information about the Z in here. A real auto enthusiast can appreciate anything, even when it's not their car of choice -- as I do with the 8. Just because your somehow emotionally attatched to the 8, doesn't make it the batmobile with two extra seats. This of course does not apply to everyone, and you could probably come over to the Nissan board and find people with the same attitude. Just had to get that out of my system --- enjoy your cars
#3
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Making a Miata or a first gen RX-7 oversteer isn't even that difficult, and both of those cars have low torque and low power. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they were forced to leave the stability control system on...
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Originally posted by m477
Making a Miata or a first gen RX-7 oversteer isn't even that difficult, and both of those cars have low torque and low power. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they were forced to leave the stability control system on...
Making a Miata or a first gen RX-7 oversteer isn't even that difficult, and both of those cars have low torque and low power. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they were forced to leave the stability control system on...
#7
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Ok, the autoweek guys can't drive worth **** if they couldn't get the tail to slide out in the auto-x, here is the video to prove it:
http://www.3rotorrx7.com/images/Lagu...%20out_web.wmv
http://www.3rotorrx7.com/images/Lagu...%20out_web.wmv
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Originally posted by m477
And one more picture, in case there was any doubt left:
My opinion of Autoweek just went WAY down...
And one more picture, in case there was any doubt left:
My opinion of Autoweek just went WAY down...
#11
Administrator
Originally posted by m477
Ok, the autoweek guys can't drive worth **** if they couldn't get the tail to slide out in the auto-x, here is the video to prove it:
http://www.3rotorrx7.com/images/Lagu...%20out_web.wmv
Ok, the autoweek guys can't drive worth **** if they couldn't get the tail to slide out in the auto-x, here is the video to prove it:
http://www.3rotorrx7.com/images/Lagu...%20out_web.wmv
couldn't get the video to load, but i could hear the tyres... wow, HEAR them, holy shmokes...
#13
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well, i'm on a Mac (OSX), and all i get is the audio...
for those who check out the site, the "hot lap" video freakin' rocks!! you can even hear the rev buzzer!!! !!! cool beans to the max!!
for those who check out the site, the "hot lap" video freakin' rocks!! you can even hear the rev buzzer!!! !!! cool beans to the max!!
#14
Prodigal Wankler
Originally posted by JTek_55
It didn't work for me until I installed Media Player 9. Now it works perfect. Go figure...
It didn't work for me until I installed Media Player 9. Now it works perfect. Go figure...
#15
Administrator
well i went ahead and upgraded my windows media player.
the vid is of a red one he's in the same position as that black one thru the first turn but on the second he spins all the way around:D :D :D and i think i would consider the body roll of the car in the vid well within my range of acceptibilty.
GREAT VIDEO! THANKS!:D
the vid is of a red one he's in the same position as that black one thru the first turn but on the second he spins all the way around:D :D :D and i think i would consider the body roll of the car in the vid well within my range of acceptibilty.
GREAT VIDEO! THANKS!:D
#16
Recovering Piston driver
Originally posted by eccles
Isn't that the version that implements Microsoft's draconian rights management, and has no uninstaller? Thanks, I'll pass.
Isn't that the version that implements Microsoft's draconian rights management, and has no uninstaller? Thanks, I'll pass.
no draconian anything here
#17
Emailed author
This is the response I got from the author of that article concerning his comments on the ability to break the rear end loose.
Josh,
First, let me apologize for being so short earlier. I hope I didn't seem rude--I was just in the middle of doing ten things when I got your message, but I still wanted to reply. Anyways, about the RX-8: It's not that you can never break the rear-end loose. The quote you originally sent me is taken from the part of the story where I'm talking about its behavior on an autocross course.
As I'm sure you know, those are usually really slow courses with tight corners. All second gear stuff. In that setting, the RX-8 is not a car that is easy to slide sideways. Really, as great as the rotary is, it's just not torquey. As I go on to say, it takes some real technique to get it sideways. If you've read somewhere that it's easy (again, on the autocross), then the author must be far more talented behind the wheel than I. If that's the case, then I can accept that, no problem. I'm certainly not Michael Schumacher. But what I can tell you is that the Skip Barber instructors Mazda hired to coach us around both the autocross and Laguna recognized the same thing. They told me it took them the better part of two days before they got a handle on how to slide the thing around the autocross. They finally learned that you basically have to unbalance it on the brakes before feeding the power in. This isn't bad and it doesn't mean you can't do it. But compare the RX-8 to, say, the 350Z. The Z is a pretty tail happy car if you want it to be, and it's not at all difficult to break the rear end loose in almost any situation. You just need to stab the throttle. I haven't driven that car on an autocross, but I've driven it enough to see how it would behave, and I don't think it would be hard to kick the rear out.
I think the Z is a good car to compare the RX-8 to because the pricing isn't that far apart, and they'llappeal to the same segment of buyers. I also think so because both have strong individual characters. Drive a Z and you'll know it thrives on sideways antics. But the RX-8--while it can be made to slide--doesn't feel as natural or as loose when doing so. Like I say in the story, that's not the way to get the best out of it. It just doesn't respond to that as cars like the Z, Boxster or S2000 do. At least it didn't in my relatively little time behind the wheel. If you happen to be considering buying an RX-8, and if breaking the tail loose is what you love, there are indeed cars that will satisfy you more. That is my honest opinion.
Now, away from the autocross and at slightly higher speeds, it's going to be much easier to get the RX-8's tail out. The increased momentum is a big help. Josh, please don't misunderstand me. I never meant to imply that this car is impossible to slide and just an understeering nightmare. It's not. If that is the impression my story gave you, I apologize. Perhaps I should have tried to discuss these details more than I did. I will certainly make a note of this for future stories. I appreciate your questions and input, it's always nice to hear from AutoWeek readers. I hope that overall, you enjoyed the story, and please let me know if I can clarify anything else. Thanks.
Mac
Josh,
First, let me apologize for being so short earlier. I hope I didn't seem rude--I was just in the middle of doing ten things when I got your message, but I still wanted to reply. Anyways, about the RX-8: It's not that you can never break the rear-end loose. The quote you originally sent me is taken from the part of the story where I'm talking about its behavior on an autocross course.
As I'm sure you know, those are usually really slow courses with tight corners. All second gear stuff. In that setting, the RX-8 is not a car that is easy to slide sideways. Really, as great as the rotary is, it's just not torquey. As I go on to say, it takes some real technique to get it sideways. If you've read somewhere that it's easy (again, on the autocross), then the author must be far more talented behind the wheel than I. If that's the case, then I can accept that, no problem. I'm certainly not Michael Schumacher. But what I can tell you is that the Skip Barber instructors Mazda hired to coach us around both the autocross and Laguna recognized the same thing. They told me it took them the better part of two days before they got a handle on how to slide the thing around the autocross. They finally learned that you basically have to unbalance it on the brakes before feeding the power in. This isn't bad and it doesn't mean you can't do it. But compare the RX-8 to, say, the 350Z. The Z is a pretty tail happy car if you want it to be, and it's not at all difficult to break the rear end loose in almost any situation. You just need to stab the throttle. I haven't driven that car on an autocross, but I've driven it enough to see how it would behave, and I don't think it would be hard to kick the rear out.
I think the Z is a good car to compare the RX-8 to because the pricing isn't that far apart, and they'llappeal to the same segment of buyers. I also think so because both have strong individual characters. Drive a Z and you'll know it thrives on sideways antics. But the RX-8--while it can be made to slide--doesn't feel as natural or as loose when doing so. Like I say in the story, that's not the way to get the best out of it. It just doesn't respond to that as cars like the Z, Boxster or S2000 do. At least it didn't in my relatively little time behind the wheel. If you happen to be considering buying an RX-8, and if breaking the tail loose is what you love, there are indeed cars that will satisfy you more. That is my honest opinion.
Now, away from the autocross and at slightly higher speeds, it's going to be much easier to get the RX-8's tail out. The increased momentum is a big help. Josh, please don't misunderstand me. I never meant to imply that this car is impossible to slide and just an understeering nightmare. It's not. If that is the impression my story gave you, I apologize. Perhaps I should have tried to discuss these details more than I did. I will certainly make a note of this for future stories. I appreciate your questions and input, it's always nice to hear from AutoWeek readers. I hope that overall, you enjoyed the story, and please let me know if I can clarify anything else. Thanks.
Mac
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have you forgotten that the enthusiast Z is priced at 26$ and change with the same engine/output and the higher models.
In order to get an LSD on the 350z you have to take it up to one of the options, which quickly skyrocket the price to 28 or 30K.
#20
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Originally posted by tallguylehigh
The 8 comes with 18 inch brakes
The 8 comes with 18 inch brakes
http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2537
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