The RX8 has a rotary engine
 

LOL, wait…put your flamethrowers down and just read. :flamed:

I fellow member here (razpewton) gave me (nice guy) a paper weight with a picture of a rotor on it. I never expected a paperweight to be a conversation starter but a friend asked me “What is that symbol…”.

I said it was a part of my engine or what made my engine go. After the puzzled look I showed them my desktop with a picture of a RX8 and said…”that, goes in there” pointing at the hood of the 8.

With all do respect to our lovely RX8 ladies who are not the typical women, she gave me that dog with his head twisted look like I was talking crazy. I gave her a quick explanation of the difference between a piston engine and rotary…but I think she was still lost (being that most women just don’t care about stuff like that).

Anyway, I made a comment that (yes even after more than a year of ownership) that just brought me a smile and reminded me of something I had forgotten:

“It’s a rotary engine, it’s the only car in the world powered by a rotary”

I sometimes forget how unique our RX is. I sometimes forget the engine we have under the hood and lose myself in the automotive jungle out there on the road, thinking my car is pretty much just like everyone else’s out there.

In fact, it’s actually completely different and unique and that’s something I think we sometimes forget. Sure it lacks some torque and the fuel economy is sub-par but we should never forget that we are driving an exotic. No…it’s not an exotic by price or performance, but by the uniqueness of its power plant.

I can never explain my RX or rotary again without ending the conversation with a HUGE smile. Honestly, I wish it wasn’t as exotic and unique since I’d rather see a faster progression of the rotary engine but I can’t hold back the smile knowing it’s unique and exotic.

I had forgotten that and honestly that tells you something about all us RX owners.
:dubs:

I like your first line here - funny!

You're absolutely right.

Best comment I recently got - from a mechanical/engine/techie type:

One of the clients for my business is International Trucks - maker of those big, bad-ass semi truck tractors, as well as all manner of other heavy duty, medium duty and light duty commercial trucks. 95% of them diesel powered. They also make the CXT - the biggest, bad-ass SUV to ever go down the road.

Anyway, in September, we were at a "ride and drive" event for the CXT, and I was out to do some relationshipping there (and to drive the big badass just for fun), and had my yellow RX-8 there - in fact we took some pictures of my yellow 8 next to the yellow CXT just for giggles. I'll see if I can find and post.

As we pulled my car up to take the pictures, it got quite a bit of attention from the International guys. I left it idling while we positioned it, and one of the engineer types came over to it and walked all around, cocking his head, listening. He opened the driver door, leaned in and listened from there.

Finally he said "What in the hell kind of engine is in this thing? It has an idle sound like George Jetson's car? I've never heard that, and my job is to know these things."

I said, "It's a rotary - as in Wankel!"

Well that totally set him off - he just about stole the car from me in wanting to take it back to his shop, and dismantle it, as he'd never actually heard or seen a Wankel. We took rides - he drove, I drove, idled it, revved it, etc. He even used an engine stethoscope to listen to it.

I loved every second of it - you haven't lived until an engine engineer goes bananas over your rotary!

Fixed

That's a good one... you musta felt like a proud pappa showing off your baby! Doesn't it feel nice when someone else appreciates your (car's) inner greatness!

Two good posts here. I have the same revelation every now and then. It's a rotary! :ylsuper: I love 'em.

I even owned (actually borrowed) a rotary-powered Suzuki motorcycle for about three weeks back in the early 70s. (Worst P.O.S. I've ever been around :icon_tdow ). My T500 Suzuki was in the shop and the owner loaned me this rotary engined Suzuki (I think it was called the R10 - or something like that). I'm sure he was hoping I'd fall for it and take it off his hands. That was back when seals were a problem - and the Suzuki had the worst ever.

I had a Mazda mini-pickup in 1979. Great little truck. :D:

And my unmarried sister-in-law had a first-gen RX-7 that I was the caretaker of. What a nice sports car that was. :D:

Thank you Mr. Wankel and Dr. Mazda. You've given us a great engine. Keep that appreciation of what you've got. Remmeber - low mass and high HP to weight ratio makes the RX-8 essentially a front mid-engine layout sports car. The rotary is key to the entire design of the car. Without it - it just wouldn't be an RX-8.

Rotaries Forever! :rock:

I *almost* have a tear trickling down from my eyes!

This is an awesome start to my morning!

I got the same reaction form a male engineer here at work! hahhaaahah. He actually told me that he didn't believe something like that would work.....as my car is parked out in the lot. :mdrmed:

It feels good to be a woman who has to explain rotary engine mechanics to an engineer at work. :cool:

StewC625...cool story.

I'll bet, it's kind of funny he said it probably couldn't work...ummmm, the car is parked outside...lol...duhhh...

Yeah, it would be an X-8. +1 for me!

^lol, in my early days of thinking I'd stick the LS V8 in my RX8 I always thought I'd change the name to X8...as to not dishonor the RX name.

But, like he said...the rotary is a major part of the soul of this car so I have since rejected putting a piston in my 8.

Now, the 3-rotor NA dream...remains alive...

I am a woman and my yet to receive 2006 RX8 will be my second rotary - guess I'm not in the "most" category. I can even explain how a rotary works. LOL

I carry a rotary keychain with me just for such important occasions.

^woohoo, I new rotary woman to lust after!!! ;)

Wow…and I can speak for the rest of the guys, that only makes you sexier…lol, so I’m glad your one of those types. I’m not a leg humper and I’m married, so this is nothing but a complement (that’s my disclaimer before the accusations fly (lol))

You know more than I do probably then, cause this is my first rotary.

Yeah, I got to get one of those.

Now this…this comes from a leg humper (lol)

I am actually quite happy with who I am with but she'll prove popular around here.

I am just as excited as Bunny Girl - just not nearly as post active. My 8 will be a white GT MT with nav and spoiler. Already bought the console pads and radio knob and waiting for clear corners. Plan on having the clear mask installed and Huper Optik ceramic tint (AZ requirement) - then I'm out of money. Hoping for mid-April. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!

My wife understand both how the engine works, and the obsession that this car creates. She's a bit obsessed as well... :)

Can I clone your wife?

reminded me of something I had forgotten:

“It’s a rotary engine, it’s the only car in the world powered by a rotary”

I sometimes forget how unique our RX is. I sometimes forget the engine we have


A great post, WannaHave. But (even after 2 1/2 years) I don't ever forget. As soon as I hit that starter, my grin gets broader and I thrill to the Wankel hum.

To all above:

I found this thread during my break after a busy, tough morning. Thank you all for a refreshing and enlightening conversation.

P.S.: my wife doesn't understand a bit of it, but she's pretty tolerant.

I love telling people my engine only has 3 moving parts.

No doubt...lol, where is guy321?

Labop...my wife is currently going through rotary training, our significant others should know what we have passion over (well, other than them...lol).

Yeah, that was the first thing I noticed when I drove my first RX8...that little burble burble sound...

The best thing is to show them an actual rotar with housing. Second best is the explaination of rotaries on howstuffworks.com

I think the sound is one of the main things I miss...

That sounds like something that can go into a song. Or an ad pitch! :)

Thrillin' to the Wankel Hum.... :ylsuper: