Test Drive - First Thoughts...
06-12-2009, 12:30 AM
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Test Drive - First Thoughts...
So I went to the dealership after work to take a look at a 2006 RX-8 (manual). Asking a little under $15k for it. Sales guy said it was a trade-in by a guy who took really good care of it before trading it in for an R3.
We took it on the freeway, where it took off like a jet on the on-ramp. It took a few minutes to get comfortable revving it up to 9k before shifting, but I eventually came to really enjoy this part of driving the car. The gearbox is perfectly placed, and the short-throw shifter lets you find the next gear quickly and efficiently.
The car corners beautifully and grips the road like a champ. And when you push it above 6500k or so, it really starts to shine. Though considered a 4-door, there really isn't a ton of room in the back, though enough for a kid or a couple suitcases, I imagine.
This was my first taste behind the wheel and I'm still kind of grinning about it. It'll be hard to find anything quite like this while I'm out shopping...
We took it on the freeway, where it took off like a jet on the on-ramp. It took a few minutes to get comfortable revving it up to 9k before shifting, but I eventually came to really enjoy this part of driving the car. The gearbox is perfectly placed, and the short-throw shifter lets you find the next gear quickly and efficiently.
The car corners beautifully and grips the road like a champ. And when you push it above 6500k or so, it really starts to shine. Though considered a 4-door, there really isn't a ton of room in the back, though enough for a kid or a couple suitcases, I imagine.
This was my first taste behind the wheel and I'm still kind of grinning about it. It'll be hard to find anything quite like this while I'm out shopping...
06-12-2009, 04:52 AM
#14
I'm 5'10" and I can sit in the backseat comfortably with the front seats set to my position. My knees do slightly touch the back of the front seat but it's not much of a problem because the seat back is soft. Any taller, then there might be a problem for long rides.
Last edited by SayNoToPistons; 06-12-2009 at 04:55 AM.
06-12-2009, 06:06 AM
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We had a pretty good thread over on the Mazda 6 Club about the RX-8 being 4 doors or not.
Myself I don't really think of it as a true four door car because the two rear “doors” cannot function independently.
It like calling a hatchback a 3 door or 5 door...
Either 4 or 2 buy the car if it's clean.
That is a good price.
Is that 38k or 18k miles I see?
Myself I don't really think of it as a true four door car because the two rear “doors” cannot function independently.
It like calling a hatchback a 3 door or 5 door...
Either 4 or 2 buy the car if it's clean.
That is a good price.
Is that 38k or 18k miles I see?
06-12-2009, 11:30 AM
#16
Yeah Sioux Sioux!!!
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We had a pretty good thread over on the Mazda 6 Club about the RX-8 being 4 doors or not.
Myself I don't really think of it as a true four door car because the two rear “doors” cannot function independently.
It like calling a hatchback a 3 door or 5 door...
Either 4 or 2 buy the car if it's clean.
That is a good price.
Is that 38k or 18k miles I see?
Myself I don't really think of it as a true four door car because the two rear “doors” cannot function independently.
It like calling a hatchback a 3 door or 5 door...
Either 4 or 2 buy the car if it's clean.
That is a good price.
Is that 38k or 18k miles I see?
http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/2006..._Trade-In.aspx
06-12-2009, 11:39 AM
#17
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...This was my first taste behind the wheel and I'm still kind of grinning about it...
Two days after my test drive I called the dealer and very suavely said "You know that RX-8 I was drooling over...?" Three hours later Zoomy was mine.
Ken
06-12-2009, 12:00 PM
#18
I'm 5'10" and I can sit in the backseat comfortably with the front seats set to my position. My knees do slightly touch the back of the front seat but it's not much of a problem because the seat back is soft. Any taller, then there might be a problem for long rides.
06-12-2009, 12:40 PM
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So I went to the dealership after work to take a look at a 2006 RX-8 (manual). Asking a little under $15k for it. Sales guy said it was a trade-in by a guy who took really good care of it before trading it in for an R3.
We took it on the freeway, where it took off like a jet on the on-ramp. It took a few minutes to get comfortable revving it up to 9k before shifting, but I eventually came to really enjoy this part of driving the car. The gearbox is perfectly placed, and the short-throw shifter lets you find the next gear quickly and efficiently.
The car corners beautifully and grips the road like a champ. And when you push it above 6500k or so, it really starts to shine. Though considered a 4-door, there really isn't a ton of room in the back, though enough for a kid or a couple suitcases, I imagine.
This was my first taste behind the wheel and I'm still kind of grinning about it. It'll be hard to find anything quite like this while I'm out shopping...
We took it on the freeway, where it took off like a jet on the on-ramp. It took a few minutes to get comfortable revving it up to 9k before shifting, but I eventually came to really enjoy this part of driving the car. The gearbox is perfectly placed, and the short-throw shifter lets you find the next gear quickly and efficiently.
The car corners beautifully and grips the road like a champ. And when you push it above 6500k or so, it really starts to shine. Though considered a 4-door, there really isn't a ton of room in the back, though enough for a kid or a couple suitcases, I imagine.
This was my first taste behind the wheel and I'm still kind of grinning about it. It'll be hard to find anything quite like this while I'm out shopping...
My experience is a carbon copy. I was grinning like an idiot when I took it on the freeway.
If this plus the test drive don't convince you, I don't know what will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA
06-12-2009, 08:50 PM
#20
Spin Triangles! Spin!
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I felt the same way. It was unbelievably smooth. it was like floating on air and then ALL OF A SUDDEN your were on rails taking a corner...while the engine just whispered softly in your ear.
________
The Vision Condo Prathumnak
________
The Vision Condo Prathumnak
Last edited by dmorales; 09-09-2011 at 03:39 AM.
06-13-2009, 01:46 AM
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My experience is a carbon copy. I was grinning like an idiot when I took it on the freeway.
If this plus the test drive don't convince you, I don't know what will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA
If this plus the test drive don't convince you, I don't know what will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRiPSlx8PxA
06-13-2009, 09:49 AM
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http://www.topgear.com/us/videos/mor...stig-mazda-rx8
The RX posted the same lap times around the Top Gear track as an M3 and 350z!
06-13-2009, 11:51 AM
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Show them this:
http://www.topgear.com/us/videos/mor...stig-mazda-rx8
The RX posted the same lap times around the Top Gear track as an M3 and 350z!
http://www.topgear.com/us/videos/mor...stig-mazda-rx8
The RX posted the same lap times around the Top Gear track as an M3 and 350z!
Just the 350Z. The E46 M3 was driven by the good, but not as great "Black Stig". His laptimes were always underachieved by White Stig's standard.
06-13-2009, 12:07 PM
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As far as car shopping go, if straight line speed isn't a priorty, then this is the vehicle to get in my humbled opinion.
The handling is great like everyone else says, but handling is a subjective term.
If it's grip you want, there're other cars in the same segment that will do just as good if not better.
If it's the driving feeling you're after, then there is no car that is as "organic" as the rx-8 outside of Porche's and Lotus' this side of 100K pricetags.
Well, maybe Mazda's own Miata!
But I truly can't think of anything else under 100K.
The handling is great like everyone else says, but handling is a subjective term.
If it's grip you want, there're other cars in the same segment that will do just as good if not better.
If it's the driving feeling you're after, then there is no car that is as "organic" as the rx-8 outside of Porche's and Lotus' this side of 100K pricetags.
Well, maybe Mazda's own Miata!
But I truly can't think of anything else under 100K.
