New Yorker

Just out of curiosity, how do you know that? Was there a poll of all 8 owners worldwide? Yes, maybe most 8 owners on this forum wish they had a bit more power… maybe… but most 8 owners… worldwide?? I suspect that's not, in fact, the case. (I, for one, don't yearn for more power—and I'm on this forum.) Why don't the auto journalists who positively rave about the car—which is most of them—long for a bit more power in their reviews? Each review typically mentions a few gripes: "The outside mirrors are too small". "Outward vision to the rear is poor". "The interior plastic scuffs too easily". "The oil dipstick is hard to reach". Read the reviews—you'll see plenty of "fuel economy disappoints," but "I just wish it had more power" is NOT a common complaint. In fact, most journalists describe the power and experience of revving the Renesis in very positive terms. I suspect most 8 owners don't particularly long for "more power". 20-somethings on this forum? Sure. But most 8 owners? I don't think so.

I could be wrong, but that's my hunch.

toxin440

When i feel i need more power all i have to do is be rolling down a road, drop it into second doing 40ish and then ZOOM ZOOM! hearing the engine spin of lightening fast and the purr of everything coming out of the RP SuperCat and Racing Beat Catback = SEX!

Its my belief that all of us here with 8's that love them are the people that knew exacly what we were getting into with this car (power wise). I've never owned a powerful RWD sports car before so this always blows my mind when I get in it. Granted if i came from a Z06 or something i might be a little dissappointed. I spent 2 months researching the car before i even test drove it. After i got a feel for the car (owning it of course) im impressed daily by the cars grip and eagerness to get up and go into and out of corners.

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

I don't know that but it wasn't intended to be presented as fact. It was intended to put forth the idea that 8 owners are satisfied with their cars. The claim was supplimented with speculation based on car reviews, forums, etc. Its not the fact that there should be more power, just more power relative to cars such as the 350z, s2000, etc. From reviews I've read "Lack of low end torque" is one of the most commonly occuring criticisms of the car. I suppose I should have said torque rather than hp because one without the other means nothing. Greater low-end torque would give faster acceleration (or at least not having to drop the clutch from the heavens) and the "feeling" of more power. The reason journalists often do not mention power and other terms of the like is because they are all relative. There is no set benchmark therefore no certain amount to be deemed as "enough" Now, one can say the realistic expectations of power output between a sports car and economy car are very different but a car such as the 8 - not 100% sport but not doscile by any means - the destiction can be difficult.

I appologize for making the careless generalization of "most" that seemed to offend you and no, I didn't poll all rx8 owners worldwide

Romeo

Huskyfan23, by any chance are you From North Hollywood?

I knew a guy from North Hollywood with a Screen Name like that.

-RoMeO

HighRoller

Listen to Negative Ned over there always quick to tell people their wrong. Hows this one: see my avatar? You're wrong.

Didn't take that long to get there and my nerves gave out before the car did... it still had plenty more to go. Nice and smooth at that speed I might also add. So there are some cars out there in stock form that are faster than the RX8. Doesn't matter, there's so many other positives that make up for this that I could find no reason to talk down about it. (Disclaimer: I don't condone anyone driving over the speed limit on any public highway )

Krankor

And what a shock, that it's Ike.

Frynge

also a shock, prairie dogs love my 8 too. how unfortunate for them. (member of mad scientist's union for prevention of cruelty to possible test subjects)

tonyny

I am a current owner of a 2006 G35 Coupe 6MT, I had a 2003 350Z touring and the 35th anniversay 350 Z, not to mention a 2005 S60R and other sports and sport like cars. That said, the 2004 RX8 manual that I recently traded-in was by far the most fun to drive. May not be the fastest but for pure driving pleasure, it was the most fun and least expensive of any of my recent cars. Enjoy your RX-8.

turbine

I have wound 5th to 149, and it gets their very quick. G35 could not pull me. We both locked in till that speed. That was before most of my mods. I have not wound it out since. I am sure everyone has seen 6th pull 184 on the dyno. I wonder how much power we would need to overcome the wind drag the dyno can not reproduce? No doubt FI would be the only way to achieve the power 6th would need. I would guess we would need to be in the 1rwhp to every 10lbs range.

To me, the car impresses me over 80mph than it does below 80mph. My statagy off the line is to hold ground, not pull ahead. I know its not going to happen. If I can stay in the game until I slot 3rd, I usually start gaining ground in 3rd. So I never try to provoke anything until higher speeds. Besides that I like being the underdog.

The RX8 has more potential as a sports car than you know. Why? You can add power to any car. So stock power is not the major factor. What is the one thing you can not change about any sports car? Balance! That is priceless. 50/50 weight combined with the PPF is huge. Not to knock any other cars but, you can not go back and change those things.

Smileynh

The 350, s2000, sky redline only have 2 seats. How much do those back seats weigh anyhow?

Hence the 8 gets thrown in with the mustang, evo, sti, m3(twice it's cost). Only the mustang price tag is comparable. So it's muscle car vs. sports car. I'm happy with that.

The 8 is still exotic in looks and it's engine.



I saw a R32 in the mall. I was like, "cool car". I still like VW ergonomics. So I started researching. Guess what? Nothing else in the price range, with 4 seats, was even close. I kept coming back to the 8 over and over. I didn't buy a base because, If I'm buying the car I always wanted, I wanted to have a sunroof and leather.

The 8 was $23,500, the R32 was $29-30k. When the 8 is paid for, it's staying in my garage for a long long time.

New Yorker

No offense taken. I'm probably overly sensitive about the "more power" thing because when people talk about it here they act like "it's a given"—but when auto journalists talk about the 8 you don't really hear this. True, they will mention the lack of torque—but they all then go on to say that the whole Renesis experience is so much fun that it doesn't really matter. Sorry for jumping on what you said.

Endor

Yep. Some top gear estimates from the interweb:

2005 Honda Accord EX
1st : 39
2nd : 62
3rd : 90

Ford Taurus SHO '95, 7000 redline
1st 45
2nd 70
3rd 90

2000 eclipse gt, redline starts at 6500rpm
1st 44
2nd 82
3rd 120

1992 Saab 9000 turbo, 5-spd manual, redline 6000 rpm
1st : 36
2nd : 58
3rd : 91

1995 Thunderbird, 4.6L V8 + 4R70W, 3.27:1 gears, 225/70R15
5600 RPM redline / fuel cut
1 - 49 MPH
2 - 90 MPH
3 - 140 MPH*

1993 Crown Victoria P71, 4.6L V8, 2.73:1 gears
1 - 62 MPH
2 - 102 MPH
3 - 140 MPH*

KeithL

I was wondering how long it'd take Ike to show up and crap on this thread.... <g>

The thing I really hate about Ike is he's almost always right...

PS Guess I'm just a stupid fanboi, but I enjoy my 8 more than any other car I've owned (and I'm 45).

therm8

While what you say about journalists is for the most part true. How many people would respond with a no if Mazda said "here's the 20 extra hp we promised you 3 years ago, at no charge?" My guess would be...0.

I'm not sure why people must justify to others why they bought the car. I'm the driver, I'll buy what I want to drive. I don't feel the need to defend my purchase of the car when someone bashes on it.

Ike

If by negative you mean the truth, then you're right.

Except I was wrong on one thing, I forgot about the Vette not getting the tuned port fuel injection til MY 85, so I stand corrected on that.

If you have to concentrate on shiftpoints in other cars it's mainly because you're not used to that car and/or because it accelerates faster than you're used to. But yes, many cars do top out a little quicker than the RX-8 in each gear. However, that probably hurts performance rather than helps it.

Endor

Wait, accelerating fast and redlining quicker hurts performance? Wha? :

Ike

No, but taller gears can hurt performance.

'87 Turbo II

the gearing for your gearbox + the 155 governor proves to me you're lying. The 5th gear in my Rx-7 and the 6th gear in your Rx-8 have the same gear ratios and we have a top speed of 148, just like you guys do.

9291150

Only Ike would have stats on '85 Vettes.

I remember spending much more time in my youth than I'm willing to admit in something similar - a 1990 IROC, same engine as the '85 Vette less 5 horsepower (245). Was considered "the car" back then, but barely was able to break into the 15's. I know a guy that has kept hisfrom that era.

Endor, your gearing examples make no sense, I think those are all slushboxes. A fair comparison are six speed manuals, especially those with similar power characteristics to the rotary.

For example, a S2000, I think, shifts into 4th at 80mph vs. a RX8 at 90mph. This higher gearing hurts the 8's trap speed in the 1/4, but probably helps with daily fuel economy.

wantan8

Smartest thing anyone has ever said on these boards. Major props.

Ike

I've heard people claim the RX-8 can hit 95mph in 3rd gear. Which means that stock RX-8s should never shift into 4th if they want to run the best time.

Raptor2k

If there is no wind at all, maybe. I usually get up to 88-90 in 3rd, shifting passed 9k. Chances of 95 are probably better on a base too.

9291150

maybe if they rev it to 9500rpm, at redline (9) I'm at 89-91.

turbine

I never said I went 155. I did see 148 at the end of 5th. Someone help me here. On a dyno 6th will turn 183 or 184. It's all over the forum. No way it can do it on the street. Not enough power to overcome the drag with stock power.

Dude check it out before you slam anymore people on this forum. I have seen your posts all over this forum. They are negative at best. IOF - Ignorance On Fire.

Someone flush the toilet, we got a stinker.

trusterotary307

just a note ive ridden in 3 rx-8's that topped out at 187 believe it or not