simple question -


is the RX-8 a TRUE "sports" car?

and don't forget WHY or WHY NOT...

autoweek doesn't seem to think so...

http://www.autoweek.com/search/searc...49834&record=4

 

dont kid yourself
its a SPORT car

 

Are you expecting an unbiased answer?

Why is this car a sports car:
- Handling and grip
- Engine responsiveness
- Brakes
- Coupe looks
- Short throw gearbox

All that with a bit of practicality - that's why I bought this car.

 

maybe it is because it definitely looks like a sportscar.. doesn't look like anything REMOTELY related to a sedan, even if it does have 4 full size adult seats.

maybe it isn't because to some people, TRUE sportscars should not have or need 4 seats..

maybe it is because it certainly handles as good or better than most "TRUE" sportcars.

maybe it isn't because it doesn't have the straight-line performance you would expect out of a TRUE sportscar.

maybe it is because it's braking performance is as good or better than most TRUE" sportscars. Certainly better than 95% of today's sedans.


The problem is that the definition of a "true" sportscar varies from person to person.

purely subjective from that standpoint.

if you provide a clear definition of what a "true" sportscar is, there would be no doubt as to what the RX8 really is...

 

This seems to be the biggest gripe some have with the RX-8, to keep it from being a Sports Car.

So much for the Porsche 911.

I was doing some comparing of acceleration times in the back of Car & Driver. There are very few cars in this price range that offer mid-6 second 0-60 times. Looks like the RX-9 measures up in that department just fine.

Handling is the most surprising part of owning this car. Incredible feedback and response.

The looks speak for itself. It shows you you are looking at a Sports Car. And the gobs of people that oogle over seeing your car will not deny they are salivating over a great looking Sports Car.

 

Sigh. What an original question - why, this must only be the tenth poll or so on this exact question. Not to mention the 20 or 30 other threads that have already discussed this.

FWIW, if you wish to quote magazines, then go find the 10 or 15 other automotive magazines that did conclude that the RX-8 is a real sports car. Those would include Car and Driver, Road & Track, Automobile, Evo, AutoExpress, CAR, etc. Read all the road test links that have been posted in the various forums. Read all those previous threads on here about this discussion.

THEN report back.

Regards,
Gordon

 

PS - did you even bother to read their (Autoweek's) driver's logbook for the RX-8?? It's here . Note how their own staff emphatically declare that it is a true sports car.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Nope this is not a true sports car ... just doesn't hack it on the track BUT ....

I ordered it rather than the sports cars out there cos it is so damned close to being one and yet so practical and funky at the same time

 

Yes.

If the RX-8 was a two seater there is no question what it would be.

And since the only thing that has been added is a rear seat that holds real people the definition doesn't change.

Easy!

Vince

 

If you completely read the article you posted, you would see that it spends more time saying it is more than a sports car, than less than a sports car. Mazda's attempt (damn fine one) at giving the world a car with true sports car characteristics, with a much wider range of versatility. All of the mags that Gordon mentioned seemed to come to the conclusion that they succeeded. Even the mag you mentioned, although a very old article, seemed to reveal and confirm the redefinition that Mazda was seeking. A MORE VERSATILE AND PRATICAL SPORTS CAR.

Oh, and back to your question. I will agree with the vast majority of professional car mags. A new type "true sports car".

 

Ultimately kind of s illy question. When you read the above mentioned article it refers to every aspect of the driving experience as comprising a sports car experience.

It seems it is only the backseat that leads to the criticism.

I was thrilled to trade in my Audi TT 225Quattro for the RX-8.

Simply no comparison. The TT felt heavy and ponderous compared to the nimble RX-8. And I get a usable back seat as the TT rear seat is joke.

I wonder, is the TT considered a sports car?

 

When it handles and brakes just as well as the majority of sports cars out there, and is fairily fast. As well as having a sports car look and feel, then



Yes, it is sports car. It is just a "4 Door" sports car. I believe that this style of doors may just catch on.

 

good point vince

 

It better be a "sports car", because that's certainly what Mazda calls it in all their ads and product literature. If it ain't, they may end up buying back a whole bunch more of 'em....

 

I wouldn't call the RX-8 a sedan, and I wouldn't call it a sports sedan. It is just an updated RX-7 with a back seat.

 

Evo "a perfectly nice Audi TT": please define...I naturally assume you drove them both. If you think the TT is a better drive, power to you. I (and every performance article I have read) would disagree. The TT routinely finishes last in comparison tests.

I found it less fun to drive; hard seats you sit on rather than in - I always felt like I was sliding out; a shifter that came to feel like it was mired in molasses; a road feel that was too heavy, I won't even mention the quirky electrical problems I encountered

Yes, it has a nice interior...I think that is why I bought it. i liked the look and the swelling acceleration of the turbo (once you get it rolling).

Over time the bloom tended to fade from the rose so to speak and I came to mind the drawbacks I mentioned. My earlier cars have been a late 80's MR2 and then a Miata. I really missed light feel of those cars and I think I have found it again in the RX.

 

Anyway, did any of you notice that's the Autoweek article from LAST NOVEMBER? Check the new stuff from them and their test car in the Media section- they sure seem to think it's a sports car now.

 

I love the rx-8 as the next guy but the rx-8 performance is poor for its price range (when comparing to other "sports car" in the same range). The avg price for rx-8 purchases is $31,100. Performance isnt the rx-8 strong suit.

 

You need to be much more specific - you're only referring to straight line performance. Handling? RX-8 is right up there. Braking? There's maybe 3 mass-production cars in the world with better braking than the RX-8. In all-around performance, the RX-8 is extremely strong. If you just want to drag race in a straight line, then the RX-8 is the wrong car. Performance, in a sports car sense, is much more than just one dimensional.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Ditto! Great Post Gordon.

 

I would vote to ban 'performance on a straight line' from any discussion....unless you are ready for the killing MiniVan....which will ashame many sports cars and muscle cars alike.

 

Not that I really give a (insert proper four letter word) what Autoweek thinks, but SCCA classes the RX-8 in B Stock along with Audi TT, older 'vettes, various Lotus cars, a few Ferraris, and the S2000 (for the moment since they are considering moving the S2000 to BSP much to the dismay of those owners), etc. In fact, opposing the request of members, SCCA refused to consider classing the 8 in STX. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but what counts is what the racing community says. And they know cars. In my book, it's a sports car and a quite nice one at that.

 

The guy who wrote that article is just bitter he doesn't own one. AHAHAHAHHA! ( that's not the real reason, but it's the most entertaining)

 

Here is a real sports car.

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=09282484

Of course to own it you have to be Bill Gates and buy some politicians..
details, just details

 

before MY opinion gets misconstrued... i DO believe that the RX-8 is a "SPORTS CAR". Moreso than an Lancer Evolution, WRX STi, IS300... however, because it has 4 useable seats AND 4 doors it creates a class of its own in 2004. no traditional 2 door sports car whether it's a 2+2 or simply a 2 seater is a fair comparison.

my citing of the November 2002 Autoweek article was one of the first or second online articles i had read since my test drive on Saturday 9/13. i was simply asking an innocent question in my discovery phase of the RX-8...

thanks for the response!


btw - the 959 is a "_TRUE_" sports car. :D i'm not sure you can mention the RX-8 in the same sentence...