Test drove the RX-8
03-21-2004, 05:34 PM
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Test drove the RX-8
Hi all, I just test drove the RX-8 yesterday and had to post my impressions. I originally posted them at Car and Drivers site. Here's what I thought:
I really can't stop thinking about that test drive. I'll have to visit the Mazda dealer just a few more times over the next few years to keep the RX-8 fresh in my mind once I'm ready to buy.
Great car and nice forums!
Mike
I just recently got back from a delightful test drive of the Mazda RX-8 6 speed and was I ever impressed! I knew from all the reviews this car had great driving dynamics, but words only do so much. One must actually drive the car to see what the hype is all about.
Naturally I took the 6 speed. This particular model was their demo, red with all the trimmings. Cost about $35K+ They had a silver auto for demos as well. The engine note is oh so sweet. I could drive this car all day with the radio off and just enjoy the sounds it makes. Similarly, I drive my WRX w/ the radio off often to listen to it sweet flat four and turbo.
Power is buttery smooth and with 3 people in the car it never felt bogged down above 2,500 RPM's. Naturally I stalled it by not giving it enough gas or not slipping the clutch enough. The 6 speed gearbox was very slick. Short, quick throws in "snick, snick" fashion... very nice and smooth. The extremely nice sales person took me on a variety of roads. I didn't bother with 6th gear at 65 mph, 4th and 5th were plenty smooth, and kept it in the 3 ~ 5 RPM range for nice response. Overall I was impressed with the power delivery. I thought the lack of torque would hurt the car; not the case!
Highway cruising was nice and firm, but never jolting. I took an off-ramp at speed and the car stayed flat. My buddy in the back seat said our oversized salesman was hanging on for dear life But he edged me to push the car, so I obliged! I'd love to take this thing to a track or even through an autocross!
Most impressive was the rear seat. My buddy is 6'1" and had no problems, even sitting behind the salesman. Amazingly it had more room back there than my old A4 did. Features and amenities were top notch. The gauges lit up with a solid white glow for easy reading and turned red at night. I'm not totally sold on the digital speedo as I generally use peripheral vision with analog gauges for a quick speed check. I'd probably grow used to it.
Mazda has a hit on their hands and I'm surprised more folks don't own these yet. This dealer had about 15+ RX-8's on the lot in both auto and 6 speed. I really hope more people take a test drive to see what an impressive vehicle this is.
Although I'm currently looking to add a Ducati street bike to my stable, in about 2 or 3 years I'll be looking for a 2nd car to drive and the RX-8 just jumped to the top of the list. Good job Mazda and congrats to all you RX-8 owners. That's one fine car!
Naturally I took the 6 speed. This particular model was their demo, red with all the trimmings. Cost about $35K+ They had a silver auto for demos as well. The engine note is oh so sweet. I could drive this car all day with the radio off and just enjoy the sounds it makes. Similarly, I drive my WRX w/ the radio off often to listen to it sweet flat four and turbo.
Power is buttery smooth and with 3 people in the car it never felt bogged down above 2,500 RPM's. Naturally I stalled it by not giving it enough gas or not slipping the clutch enough. The 6 speed gearbox was very slick. Short, quick throws in "snick, snick" fashion... very nice and smooth. The extremely nice sales person took me on a variety of roads. I didn't bother with 6th gear at 65 mph, 4th and 5th were plenty smooth, and kept it in the 3 ~ 5 RPM range for nice response. Overall I was impressed with the power delivery. I thought the lack of torque would hurt the car; not the case!
Highway cruising was nice and firm, but never jolting. I took an off-ramp at speed and the car stayed flat. My buddy in the back seat said our oversized salesman was hanging on for dear life But he edged me to push the car, so I obliged! I'd love to take this thing to a track or even through an autocross!
Most impressive was the rear seat. My buddy is 6'1" and had no problems, even sitting behind the salesman. Amazingly it had more room back there than my old A4 did. Features and amenities were top notch. The gauges lit up with a solid white glow for easy reading and turned red at night. I'm not totally sold on the digital speedo as I generally use peripheral vision with analog gauges for a quick speed check. I'd probably grow used to it.
Mazda has a hit on their hands and I'm surprised more folks don't own these yet. This dealer had about 15+ RX-8's on the lot in both auto and 6 speed. I really hope more people take a test drive to see what an impressive vehicle this is.
Although I'm currently looking to add a Ducati street bike to my stable, in about 2 or 3 years I'll be looking for a 2nd car to drive and the RX-8 just jumped to the top of the list. Good job Mazda and congrats to all you RX-8 owners. That's one fine car!
Great car and nice forums!
Mike
03-21-2004, 06:22 PM
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Glad you liked!
The thing about the torque is that even though the maximum value is low compared to a car like the Z. the rotary design allows it to persist at or near its maximum value through high RPM ranges - this means you can take advantage of the extra wheel torque provided by the lower gears for a longer period of time, and hence get acceleration in certain speed ranges that rivals that of the Z with its beefy max torque.
Remember, max HP is reached when the torque falls faster than the RPM rises, so the fact that the RX-8 achieves max HP at 8500 RPM tells you all you need to know about how flat that torque curve is
2-3 years is a long time to let that memory linger in your mind though.
edit: My bad, I didn't notice the part in your post where you stated your intent to make the test drive a regular habit.
The thing about the torque is that even though the maximum value is low compared to a car like the Z. the rotary design allows it to persist at or near its maximum value through high RPM ranges - this means you can take advantage of the extra wheel torque provided by the lower gears for a longer period of time, and hence get acceleration in certain speed ranges that rivals that of the Z with its beefy max torque.
Remember, max HP is reached when the torque falls faster than the RPM rises, so the fact that the RX-8 achieves max HP at 8500 RPM tells you all you need to know about how flat that torque curve is
2-3 years is a long time to let that memory linger in your mind though.
edit: My bad, I didn't notice the part in your post where you stated your intent to make the test drive a regular habit.
03-21-2004, 10:00 PM
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Also glad you liked your test drive, please keep us posted on your future test drives, as I plan on keeping my 8 for many many years, and don't know when I'll test drive another 8. Well know that I think about it, I'll test drive each new model year, but will wait a long time to get rid of my 04.
03-21-2004, 10:55 PM
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The torque definetly surprised me. I hadn't seen the torque curve prior to driving, so I did not know how flat it was. Very much like Audi/VW's 1.8T engine, which peaks early and stays flat as well.
While it is tempting to trade my '03 WRX in, I love the WRX too much. Plus I mainly bought it for all wheel drive; it's is a phenominal four seasons sports sedan. I also have a roof rack, so I use it for skiing and mountian biking. The RX-8 would seem out of place for those elements.
Once I pay it off in 2.5 years though, I should have a decent amount saved for a nice down payment on a second car, and as I mentioned, the RX-8 is at the top of the list. Over the next 2 years I'll be test driving everything I can get my hands on, but the RX-8 has set the high water mark, and it will be difficult for any car to meet the mark.
How is the RX-8 doing in sales? I'm hoping it's a huge success. The more sports cars, performance cars, and sports sedans on the road, the better! I hope this SUV craze ends
While it is tempting to trade my '03 WRX in, I love the WRX too much. Plus I mainly bought it for all wheel drive; it's is a phenominal four seasons sports sedan. I also have a roof rack, so I use it for skiing and mountian biking. The RX-8 would seem out of place for those elements.
Once I pay it off in 2.5 years though, I should have a decent amount saved for a nice down payment on a second car, and as I mentioned, the RX-8 is at the top of the list. Over the next 2 years I'll be test driving everything I can get my hands on, but the RX-8 has set the high water mark, and it will be difficult for any car to meet the mark.
How is the RX-8 doing in sales? I'm hoping it's a huge success. The more sports cars, performance cars, and sports sedans on the road, the better! I hope this SUV craze ends
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