nobutawoproduce

Hi, i have always wondered how an rx8 keeps up with other cars like the 350z's and stuff around this field, i know that the rotary is light, but still is there an equation that allows u to know how the weight effects the horse power at the wheels for the rx8? And the 3 rotor rotary engine is it more powerful than the 350's dohc v6?as u probably know i'm pretty new to cars.

RufusVonStorm

rx-8 is the bestest compared to others

RWatters

iTrader: (5)

On a road course the RX-8 can stay with (even be faster) than a 350Z in the corners, but once you get them onto the straights the 350Z doesn't have much of a problem pulling away. It has great handling but is low on power (and torque) in comparison to the Zed.

Weight doesn't affect wheel horsepower, drivetrain loss does, and the RX-8 either suffers from a lot of it or the horsepower claims Mazda gives out aren't entirely true or accurate. I'm banking on that one being the culprit.

Rootski

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, weight totally kills your horsepower. I hear for every pound you add, the engine runs that much worse.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

It blows them away.

delhi

RX-8 wins.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test

there are other countless comparos with S2k, 3-series, G35 coupe in other publications and rx-8 comes out as the top choice. Do a search. To be honest, I've yet to encounter a comparo done by a major auto magazine that has not pick the rx-8 over its peers.
Yet there are many folks who are not professional paid auto journalists that disagree.

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

Nothing can beat the 8. Nothing. It's the fastest box on wheels ever.

Bester

Ditto on the test car results. As of 07 I had never seen any comparison where the RX8 lost. Even though usually most of the other cars were faster in the straight line. Lets see,....always wins yet is not the fastest. It was a trend.

Now having said that you need to see if this car is for you. Its not for everyone. If you love torque look elsewhere. And I dont mean to say that anyone who chooses another car has bad taste; its just not everyone's type of car.

But if you enjoy a car that is fun to drive and rewards precision driving then this might be the car for you.

Ross_Dawg

iTrader: (2)

i love how nobody has flamed him yet LOL
keep up the good work!

New Yorker

If you're asking about performance, measured in numbers, the 8 is NOT your car, as many cars "outperform" it on paper. No, the 8 is all about feel. It's all about lightness, smoothness and agility; things they don't have stats for. (Yet.)

It's the reason the 8 wins comparo road tests against cars with far more power.

superglue

I had a 220awhp WRX (stock suspension) that would simply blow the 8 away in a straight line. I still traded the Suby in for the RX-8. Just when I thought my WRX was a canyon carver, I took the 8 out to one of my favorite roads with tons of off camber corners, technical switchbacks, and a few blind corners with decreasing radii.

Now I thought I drove that road fine in the Suby, but after taking the 8 down the same road I knew right away I had made the right choice. The car is blinding fast around the corners and had the balance and precision that I never had in the Subaru. This Mazda is truly something else.

Razz1

Ok you asked fot it!

motorups

Hum...
should we still want one living in Florida? The home of straight and flat roads?

I'm enjoying my ride but just not many curves...if at all. Thinking at least half the fun is have the right roads to enjoy the ride and straight and flat are not such roads.

fahrfegneugen

I am pretty sure it is a 2 rotor engine, but the Z does have more horse power.

I won against a prelude today with exhaust and you know how fast those things are, jk. Even if you are putting the 8 up against the Z and STI, it is still important to notice that it is faster than %90+ of the cars on the road.

Hitmann24

They use 3 rotors in their race cars. In every serious review I have read the RX-8 is always the most under powered car they compare. And even when they went head to head with the 350Z in the corners the 350 pulled ahead and managed to hold off the RX-8. But even when they where done. Both drivers admitted they would rather have the RX-8 in their driveway. It's just something about it that appeals to the driver.

If you have have caught the guys from top gear. These guys only review exotic rare or unique cars like, lambos, ferrari's, and supercars. They reviewed the '8 and loved it they reviewed the 350 and trashed it. Laters when nissian revamped the 350 the put it head to head with the same driver on a technical course. They put up identical times. And they all STILL pointed to the RX-8 as the better car.