Thetitanium8

All I can say is, I am proud to drive the 8. I don't care what people say cause their actions speak louder then their words. For example other night a couple kids driving a riced out civic pull up next to me at the red light and take some pictures of my 8. Now these are probably the same people the would flat out talk smack about it on the net. So I could care less what people have to say. I am proud of it cause when I read articles comparisons with a 1.3 (rx8) vs 4.6(mustang) and 3.5 (z) it puts a smile on my face.

StewC625

WHO THE HELL CARES if an M3 was beat by or beats RX-8s?

I find that hard to believe (yes, hell is freezing over - StewC625 is agreeing with IkeWRX. What the hell will happen next???) as well - that had to be a fluke lap.

My business partner has an M3. We swap cars a lot - I love his car - AMAZING torque and horsepower and a great handler to boot. I'm faster on our "test loop" (an unbuilt-up area in an industrial park near here - the streets are in, the buildings are not) in his car than mine. When playing chase, the driver in the -8 can catch the M3 in the corners (not that we've done an irresponsible thing like rat racing around this secret place, heavens no) but the M3 pulls away on the straights.

That said - look at prices. For the price of an M3 you can get an RX-8 AND for fun, a Mazdaspeed 3 for an extra toy! ****, for that kind of scratch, it should beat the crap out of the RX-8 - but it doesn't, although I think I am clearly faster on the track in his M3 than I am in my RX-8.

But again, who the HELL cares?

BlueEyes

Who are you talking about? and why does it matter to you how someone spends their money? Why is their opinion less valid because they don't have as much money as you? You sound like someone we should all take seriously though.

124Spider

Not by any means knocking the RX-8, which is a fine car. But, to respond to your various questions, the S2000 has a lot fewer compromises than the RX-8; it tries to do much less (centered around performance and fun), and does those things very well, especially for the price. The RX-8 does a lot of things well, and is a lot of fun to drive, especially factoring in the four doors and the price, but it performs a bit below the S2000 at the things the S2000 does so well. And it's not a convertible :D .

The RX-8 had the issue with HP early on, and nobody would claim that it is conservatively rated now. The S2000, OTOH, did not see an increase in the rated HP when they stroked the engine in 2004, but it dynos something like 10 RWHP higher than the previous version. My S2000 is clearly more powerful than our RX-8, and more nimble; there's no question I would get faster laps in my S2000 than in our RX-8 on the local track, but the difference might be only a few seconds out of less than two minutes (just guessing, since I don't time myself in the S2000, and can't fit in the RX-8 wearing a helmet).

As as to the mindless bashing, all the one-car sites have the same issue. It might be worse on the S2k site, since that site seems to have a disproportionate number of really young males who think that the highest and best uses of the S2000 are drag racing and wrapping it around innocent trees, stop signs and dumpsters. But all the sites seem full of people who need to validate their choice by bashing every other car. It astonishes me the number of times I read about how the Boxster sucks, or the 350Z, or whatever car, when, as auto enthusiasts, we should be celebrating the wealth of attractive choices we have now, compared to what was available 10 or 15 years ago.

shazam

I'm talking about that IkeWrx guy, that spews nonsense.

Nothing personal, but if you finance bling, you are either a kid, which is fine, or a really stupid adult. Either way, I really don't see how an adult intelligent RX-8 owner would value that opinion. Most of us bought the car because it fit our requirements. For me it was a rear facing car seat and some fun. I also didn't want a car payment so I could pay my $3000/month mortgage and still have my wife stay home.

I ask;

would you rather finance wheels, or max out your 401k?
would you rather finance wheels, or max out your roth IRA?
would you rather finance wheels, or purchase a rental property?
would you rather finance wheels, or purchase a cabin in big bear?

I would suggest that someone that finances wheels would not apply to me. I would also suggest that most adults that purchase this car bought it because of similar compromises.

So, more power to kids and stupid people, but quite frankly, I don't care what they have to say.

StewC625

S2K:

Man, dude talk about your cake and it it too! You've got an S2000 AND an RX-8? Those were my two top choices and I had to choose one. I LOVED the S2K for "just me and the sunshine" driving, but I'm not a fan of rag tops in the winter, and the 2 seat thing just doesn't work in my household of schlepping kids to and fro.

But damn, if I could have both? I'd use the RX-8 for the "most of the time" daily driver, and for carving up country twisties. I'd use the S2K on sunny days when it's just me. I'd find a way to take them BOTH to the autocross track and enter both of them - getting twice as many runs in a day as the rest of the folks there.

You're a lucky dude.

BlueEyes

If you don't care, then don't say anything, there is no need to be malicious. You mention being an adult quite often, which is suprising because you're acting like a child. Just be a man about things.

shazam

I think you missed my entire point. The RX-8 is a compromise car. The S2K, 350z, and lots of other cars that this guys is comparing this car to are not in any way except financially. If you are a kid and don't get this fine. But, if you are an adult and don't, then you aren't the brightest bulb in the lamp store. Either way, I think those opinions bring down most discussions.

I'm done, hope I didn't offend too many people. Just my opinion.

124Spider

You don't know the half of it--I have the best wife in the world, too (she's the one who chose the RX-8, although I will admit to having pointed her in that direction). Not a day goes by without my realizing what a charmed life I have .

shazam

Wow, tight squeeze. Best I could do was convince my wife to get a Volvo V70R manual. No kids?

BlueEyes

Dude, your views about the 8 are clearer than crystal. I don't understand why in expressing them you feel the need to take shots at other people. You have 5 posts on this forum and you're introducing yourself by bad mouthing other members. it doesn't even take a working lightbulb to figure out what's wrong with that.

124Spider

Nah, not a tight squeeze at all, so long as we plan a little bit. We have three kids; one's in college, one's in the 12th grade and one's in the 10th grade. We also have an Odyssey, and an old Hyundai wagon which has always been the kids' car. When we were pregnant with #3, my Fiat 124 Spider died (well, died for the last time, to distinguish it from all the other, frequent, deaths from which it could be resuscitated), and I couldn't quite justify another 2-seater (that was the first year of the Miata). I bought a Toyota Celica GT convertible, and enjoyed it for 15 years, but it was not a performance car. It was giving out last summer, however, and Wifey encouraged me to get a new car, and insisted that I get a fun car (see, I told you she's the best ). I thought it only fair, at Christmas, that she should have a fun car, to save wear and tear on the Odyssey, so we got the RX-8 (I think that she likes me, too, or at least is used to me after almost 30 years :D ).

Iwannarex8

yes it can be said about owners of every brand whether it be cars, computers,motorcycles, cookware, clothing ......etc,etc........its called brand loyalty :D .........the point Im making is if it did badly this particular session, rx-8 owners shouldnt be gloating like the rx-8 is better than a M3 and M3 owners shouldnt try to deny that it lost in this particular session.......give credit where credit is due especially to an underdog.

oh and I dont drive a rx-8 so I dont think Im biased, but Im the type of person that likes to take a slower car and build it up to something more, its more satisfying for myself in the end........especially the look that might be given at the stoplight by a M3 that just got dusted by a turboed rx-8 :p

I think this car has much potential that mazda didnt take advantage of, maybe with upgrading the rx-8 it could match the M3 in certain situations but as a stock car it just cant do it.

Aoshi Shinomori

Hate to be ignorant, but where can I find the RX8's times?

BlueEyes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/powerlaps/page_2.shtml

Aoshi Shinomori

Thank you very much

TODreamer

Well not to argue with you as you raise some valid points... but the s2k is about 25% more expensive than an 8, has two seats, the performance isnt that much ahead of an 8... yet people dont want to take that into consideration when trying to "compare" these two cars.

as for the convertible thing.. thats purely subjective... some people dont like them

PUR NRG

As a current RX-8 owner and former S2K owner, I take issue with the performance opinion. The S2K handles much better stock than the RX-8. Like many things when you get near the top end of the scale there are diminishing returns and what seems like a small percentage increase actually takes a significantly large expenditure. From a performance standpoint the S2K is a better car.

As I said previously, if you want a performance car the S2K is great. If you want performance plus practicality the RX-8 ranks up there. No one is going to debate whether the S2K is more practical than the RX-8 because it's no contest. But in terms of performance you can't expect the RX-8 to do as well because it has that practicality handicap.
________
Motorcycle Tires

124Spider

Sigh....

As I took pains to say, I was not knocking the RX-8; Mazda has done a marvelous job of making a really nice, fun car, with remarkable practicality, for a very attractive price.

What I was trying to say is merely that the RX-8 is a compromise--Mazda does a nice job of making a four door, four seat coupe a lot of fun to drive, at this price point. The S2000 chose not to try to do so much--didn't care at all about practicality, so comparing the cars in any way is kind of a silly exercise--they are not "competitors," either literally or figuratively. They are meant for different purchasers.

However, since people keep bringing up performance, I will say that nobody with knowledge of the two cars would choose the RX-8 over the S2000 for either autocross or racing on a road-racing, twisty track. Nobody. It's just not a fair contest with equal drivers. They are not even in the same class in autocross; the S2000 was just bumped up to A-stock. I am sure that the RX-8 is a lot of fun, both in autocross and on the track, and a superior driver in the RX-8 will beat an inferior driver in an S2000, but, in stock form, the S2000 is superior in every way for racing.

Of course, if you wanted to take three of your closest friends with you, then I would choose the RX-8. :p

Peace....

Ike

I have just about every Topgear ever made on my computer than you very much. They DO just time one lap, as long as there is no blaring mistake like a spin, but if you watch some of the videos some mistakes are very clear. Take a look at the C6 video where he completely locks up the tires, or the FQ400 episode where he's off boost badly in a turn. Those mistake could be as much as a second or two on a lap time. Then there are the episodes where the track is wet. It's hardly scientific to compare those times, it's fun but in the end they really don't mean a whole lot.

Gord, do you honestly believe the E46 SMG M3 will usually turn the same lap times as an RX-8? I used to drive E30 and E36 M3s on track days from the time I was 15, I've also driven the E46. The RX-8 is a great handling nimble and fun track car, but it's no M3.

Also, best motoring with professional race drivers has turned 1:08 laps with the E46 M3, I don't think even the modded RX-8 they raced turned better times than that. I haven't seen the one with the stock RX-8 in a while so correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was turning 1:11+ laptimes is memory serves.

Ike

I've never seen an RX-8 do better than 14.9, does that mean it can't do it? 14.5s in the RX-8 are rare, so are high 13s in the S2K, but both are possible with a good driver on a good day.

Ike

What the hell are you talking about? The dealer offered to give me a discount on wheels and tires because the stock wheels and tires are aweful. I got credit for the stock wheels and tires, and got a great deal on aftermarket. I also got to drive my car home without having to mess with swaping out wheels and tires later on, ordering those wheels and tires, paying for shipping on those wheels and tires, and dealing with having wheels and tires I didn't want sitting around.

I pay 1.9% financing on my car, I doubt there are many people here that wouldn't have done the same if they wanted aftermarket wheels and were given the option that I was.

Anyone want to place some bets this shazam is Shift_zoom 8, who's been banned with a few other names as well? Are you stalking me or something, how the hell did you even know I financed wheels without going back through many many old posts of mine?

TODreamer

~sigh

look people.... I KNOW the s2k is a better performer. However at the same time it is nowhere near "night and day" when compared with an RX8....its not a 4S. As a result I just dont see how someone can see an S2K as "fast" yet the RX8 is "slow".... um yeah... comparitevly speaking it is slower than an S2k....
but the way people talk about it... if i didn't know better, I would have thought teh 8 was no faster than a Geo Metro

shazam

Well, in this example you are inquiring about payment terms on wheels. Wasn't really willing look any harder then this.

Thats what Im talking about?
Any other selective memory questions???

https://www.rx8club.com/auto-rnd-91/gb-volk-racing-gt-series-wheels-43017/

Thanks Pal.

Ike

Hahahahaha, it's a group buy! When you ask what kind of payment terms for a group buy it means do I have to pay now or when the wheels come in. Many group buys mean you pay now then you get the product months later, some you pay half now half when the product comes in, had he had the right price I would not have financed nor paid with my credit card. Thanks for proving how moronic your little rant was about my 3 month old post Shft_zoom.