salituro64

For those of you who keep trying to race other cars from a dead stop with a stock RX8 GT, forget it. The RX8 is not a drag car and it does not shine in the 1/4 mile. This car is for touring at high speeds. On the highway between 70-80 drop it to 4th gear and nail it. Red line the gears and the car pratically shoots like a turbo. You'll be over 100 and hanging onto the steeering wheel in a flash. I've had much success with cars that try to tease me up in those higher ranges. Other cars start to loose there troque (that the RX8 is lacking) and the RX8 is just getting started.

JmurphRx8

ummmm yea we already knew this...some of us have had our cars for over a year now

TRZ750

YES - FORGET DRAG STARTS. ENJOY THE 8 FOR WHAT IT IS DESIGNED FOR. I love the 40~70 range and drop it to 3rd or even 2nd when passing. But just the back and forth swooping turns.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

this is not exactly ground breaking news.

dmp

every group of owners who drive a car which doesn't go very fast in a straight line attempts to justify their car's lack of power with "it's not a drag car".

:-/

Mazda could have very well made it a drag car AND a road-race car. Instead of 'both', they chose either, or.

Doctor Bob

Exactly. That is why I am trading my RX-8 on Saturday for 2005 M3. It has low-end torque and 8,000 rpm redline. Handling not as sharp but I am not driving on a race track.

Bob

salituro64

The reason I put this thread was because in my reading through this forum for 2-3 months, I keep seeing people asking about beating this car and that car comparing HP & torque (usually from the younger RX8 owners, I'm assuming), . For those of you who already knew, then your comments/input were not required. What I also see that alot in the last few months, many know it alls who make wise cracks when someone puts in an entry expressing their thoughts. To you people, if you can make a better RX8, then go become an automotive engineer and let me know when it goes into production.

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

Did you test drive the RX8 before you bought it? I'm wondering if this wasn't the case, you would have bought the M3 from the start, since it seems that straightline power is most important to you.

salituro64

Test drove it 3x, and no I could care less about straight line power. I want to fly on the open highway, back and forth to work. Handles great, not too stiff a ride. It's eveyhing I wanted. You misunderstood my thread. I spoke of high end, not low end.

Doctor Bob

Yes I did test drive the 8 but not the M3 before buying the 8. I made the mistake of driving M3 that friend owns. I admit I like acceleration but also like handling. Life is short and one has to play!

Bob

Cygenic

if you got the spare cash why not? then u shldn't even have looked at the rx-8 in the 1st place imo. gl with your new toy!

amartin

Hmm.... so where is it in the USA that has a speed limit over 75mph?

Your doing 100+ on the streets in a Sport Sedan... lovely. I just hope you don't live near me.

Oh, and for what its worth, the RX-8 doesn't "SHINE" at any speed..it just sucks less when above 50mph because the a$$ end doesn't bounce up and down when shifting from 2nd to 3rd...

I can't even pull on a F-350 Desiel at 65mph in my RX-8 6-Speed.... The RX-8 isn't a very quick-car...I mean come on, were talking about ~190 RWHP (on a good cool day).

Just enjoy the car for what it is and stop driving at speeds.... your endangering peoples lives.

09Factor

Az and Tx have spd limits over 75. They're not abundant, but we enjoy them when drive 'em !

theCATALYST

The RX8 is not a drag nor any other type of race car. IMHO it is simply, a very beautiful, fun to drive, "Some have called its styling EXOTIC" that simply looks fast, especially for those that dont know any better. For example, not even 20 minutes ago, at a red light, three teenagers in a Lexus IS300 revved and made hand gestures beside me, in which I simply looked there way and smiled, I mean, come on, the IS is a gorgeous car too. When green hit, they squeeled tires, and shot away from me, whereas I accelerated in no amount of hurry. Last I saw of them before I turned left was one awe stricken face in the back window, and a pair of wide open eyes in the drivers side mirror, and finally a set of IS300 brake lights on full shine. Moments later near my home, the same IS and three kids rolled their window down and exclaimed how lucky I was to have this car, and attacked me with a barrage of "How Fast" questions. Even the 8 can appear to have speed without actually proving it. Someday perhaps the aftermarket will help with our need for speed, until then, I am content with all the OOO's and AHHH's that I get.

Shamblerock

In Canada, you could buy a brand new RX-8, Trubute and Mazda 3 for the price of a M3. The cars simply do not compare and were never intended to compete with one another. Germans make the best cars but you pay for it.

I don't know about all this poor acceleration stuff that keeps getting mentioned. The way I see it, going to 60mph in 6 seconds and 14's in the qurter mile (8K clutch drop required in both cases!) is pretty dam quick for a car that is made for 4 persons and not 2+2. I think if you can get rid of the wheel hop, you should be pretty impressed with the car's performance numbers given it only has 238 hp coming out of a 1.3L. The Infinity does a tad better and need 280 hp to beat us and is only 1/2 the fun.

For me, its wheel hop that I must eliminate as a first mod when the spring rolls around.

The car is fast, but you just have to really push it to its limits to maximize performance numbers, which is extremely fun and not as concerning when you push the same way in a piston engine.

The car is cutting edge in terms of technology, very comfortable and sporty, attractive and multi-functional. All that for 80% of the cost of a G35 or 50% the cost of a Vette, and 40% cost of a M3.

When they manufacture an appropriate Turbo(s) for the 8, slap another $4-7 G's and all of a sudden your giving top sport cars major headaches in the performance department while looking as good if not better than most.

TODreamer

Yeah... the M3 is a very nice car but theres no way I'm shelling out 90Gs on the road for that... uh uh.. no way

JmurphRx8

~ I second that, well said

spork

Because that's probably not that accurate. The 0-60 in 5.9 seconds involves a 8K rpm clutch drop which isn't good for your car. If you don't do a clutch drop I think the 0-60 time jumps up to like 7.5+ seconds or something like that? It looks really fast so some people bought this car for that and are disappointed when it doesn't launch like they expect it to. But then again, the test drive should've told you that.

It's a fast car (my friends when they ride with me tell me that the acceleration is ridiculous, but they all drive stuff like Civics, Accords, and the like) but being in a car that's meant for rally racing (Suburu STi) I know it's not close to that. People are suspicious of the 238 too. Most people that dyno their cars don't get close to that. In fact I think most of them get under 200 bhp. Who knows tho? There's been a lot of discussion about this.

Personally I don't really care about the torque or horsepower issues. Sure I'd love it if it had more, but I'm satisfied with what it has. But yeah if an M3 and the RX8 were the same price, I'd had gone of the M3 myself. The M3's in an entirely different price class though so it was definitely out of the question.

Rxdriftingaction

:p good for u .. !! u finally realize !! cheer up

dmp

I think you've stated the point of the RX8. It's a ~$25-30K car. For $25-30K, I'm having trouble finding a car that is more fun. That's what fuels my interest. About the only car i can think of which competes WAY outside it's sales-price-class is the Corvette.

Back to the price I can afford - The WRX/STi/Legacy are all faster-straight line...ANY car I get will eventually bore me, power-wise. I'm banking on the GREAT styling and nice handling of the RX8 to last longer than the thrill of power the other cars will offer. Take away the power of other cars in the price segment, and they aren't left with much. At least the RX8, once you take away power, it's got exotic-looks, and very capable handling. :D AND utility!. Let's not forget that mid 14 seconds and 95?mph traps are not a 'slow' car by any means. Compared to my current ride, that's better by 2 full seconds and 10-12 mph. I anicipate a few companies will soon(?) be able to do for the RX8 what FlyinMiata has done for the MX5; Quality performance parts which can turn the car into a track beast, while maintaining reliability.

I believe the appeal of the RX8 is largely due to the car being an "exotic looking/handling" car that even poor gubbment workers like I can afford. Mostly afford. :D

Ole Spiff

I love my 8. Had it since July of last year. I drive the southern California freeways everyday to work and back and I have no problem make a passing move if necessary; no matter what I need to move around. If you're trying to pass a F350 and you can't, you've probably just punched the gas pedal without downshifting. Drop it into 4th gear and nail it; you'll have no trouble getting around the F350; in fact you WILL have trouble keeping the speed down because you'll be hearing that redline buzzer right quick. Mazda gave us the gearing in a 6 speed for a reason; use it. It's not at all like driving an American V8 with gobs of torque where you can just mash the pedal at any speed no matter what gear you're in.

Maybe I just got lucky with my car, but mine runs beautifully; is very fast; handles like a dream; gets decent mileage; STILL gets attention over a year later; is STILL a blast to drive. And best of all, I can still fit my amp, two guitars, guitar stands, and various accessories in it to go to band practice. :D

I tell ya...life is good.

SDB

How is that different from any other car? Maximum acceleration is usually obtained by reving the engine and dropping the clutch. Different cars respond to varying degrees of revs but I don't know of any that just drive smoothly away to get the best times.

Doctor Bob

Guys-I get the feeling from some of the posts that some are upset that I made personal choice to trade my 8. Do not get me wrong-it is a fun car. When I bought the car sales staff said with a wink that supercharger from Mazdaspeed was on immediate horizon. Also some feel that I am some maniac on streets now. I have had one speeding ticket in 39 years of driving and that was when on a straight road with no other cars other than the cop I got up to maybe 90. This run was only to "clear my head" as I was the primary caregiver for my ailing father who passed away 9/04.

Sorry if anyone was upset or offended.

Bob

salituro64

No offense taken, but for my money I would take the 2005 Vette over the M3 and day. More power, accelaration, handling and looks. Just My Opinion.

Shamblerock

Bob, absolutely not offended. Not even dissapointed in any way. The M3 is another animal altogether and, for most of us, was never being considered against the 8 at time of purchase. I personally think the car is a huge bang for the buck that provides more satisfaction than I ever anticipated. I appreciate it more everyday and am always looking for reasons to drive it all the time. I even have the kids bugging me all the time to go for a cruise "somewhere/anywhere dad".
People think its just a Mazda, but I can tell you that when compared to Infinity, Lexus and Acura, it is a premium automobile in every way i.e. styling, fit, finish, quality of maetrials/electronics used etc...

So Bob, I have the utmost respect for "German Engineering" and the M3 in particular and hope you really enjoy it in safe travels.

Just don't get mad when they start selling superchargers through the dealerships without violating your Mazda warranty! (Ya right, pipe dream!!)