AirForceGuy

Hello everybody, was searching for information about the RX-8 and I found this forum, and wow what an awesome place, I've spent the past couple of hours browsing through posts, looking at pictures, etc. Well anyways right now I am the owner of a 2000 Mustang GT and I am considering trading it in and getting a new RX-8. I know the Mustang has much more torque than the RX-8 but really I just want a new car, and one that is sporty and just plain fun to drive. I haven't test driven an RX-8 yet but plan on doing so this upcoming weekend. One concern I have is that I have read on some websites that next year Mazda will be manufacturing a turbo version of the RX-8. Any truth to that? Maybe I should put off buying an RX-8 until next year, but then if they don't release a turbo, that's a year wasted that I could have been driving an RX-8 in.

Wow all I have to do is just look at close-ups of the red model with all the trimmings, and I drool... but I am just a bit hesitant because of the rotary engine, mileage concerns (yeah I know, I drive a Mustang, why should I be concerned about gas mileage...) and I've heard that the engine makes the interior of the car warm because it runs so hot.

Anyways I don't know if anybody is interested in taking the time can to answer any of my concerns, but if they would I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

--- Possible future RX-8 owner

mikeb

the mazdaspeed version is not expected for a couple years from what I've heard.
Heat inside the car is not bad IMO
If you want a fun car to drive , this is it
welcome

spdspappy

We're in San Antonio and even when it's hot here, the A/C doesn't have any problems keeping up (even w/ cycling). The gas mileage varies btw drivers. However, like a bumper sticker I saw on a 350Z says...
Gas mileage isn't everything!

I love the car and once you test drive it, I'm sure you will too!

8_wannabe

Life is too short to not be driving an '8. Go for it! Now!

- NavyGuy

mybluerx8

8 is very good~!

mybluerx8

fast too!!!

Ike

If you're a big straightline performance guy you're going to be disappointed in the RX-8 compared to your GT, especially if you have any mods. If you're looking for something a little more suble in the speed department that handles better than your GT and is a bit more in the sportscar mode, with a nicer interior then the RX-8 is a good choice. Isn't the new Mustang GT coming out next year, I think it's a damn good looking car and is going to have one hell of an engine. Hell even a slightly used 03 Cobra could be had for the price of an RX-8. Not trying to steer you away from the RX-8, just wondering what it is you're looking for in the car compared to your GT.

Lastly, there is no confirmation that Mazda will release a turbo model, so the chances of it being out in the next year or two are slim.

Ike

RodsterinFL

ditto on the responses. Another good thing is the warranty.

Mazda actually has a great warranty:

4 years/50K

roadside

loaner car

not many other companies that sell cars in the $$ range have ALL of these things. (I just finished looking)

A few have 5 yr 60K on powertrain but lack the loaner car. One has rental reimbursement for up to 4 days (Honda) but then what?

ON my 2001 MIllennia I used the loaner car option. It was great. BMW did not give me a loaner nor my friend who also bought a convertible 325. (It is/was a dealer option not a company policy)

Maybe mazda will raise the powertrain 1 more year and beat the competition in EVERY WAY.

As far as performance is concerned, the GT specs out as slightly faster - not severely faster. GT vs. Mach 1 maybe.

BUY THE 8 - you can drive it while they perfect the aftermarket and then do what you want at 50K miles! ALso, read the reviews. One mentioned that they (the reviewers) were concerned abou the low torque but when they drove it were surprised. THe high RPM engine uses gearing to give it a torque that, according to p. 36 of the Yamaguchi book, gives the RX 8 a troque somewhere between the Porsche boxster and Boxster S at the wheels per se.

asparapani

Hello Air ForceGuy! If it comforts you, I just purchased my rx-8 gt. I'll tell you the truth.....this car simply rocks. From Stylying, to ride comfort, handling, truly balanced vehicule. Now compared to your mustang in feul efficiency i couldn't tell you the difference. I do know though that you'll get more head turns in this car than a mustang.

I would do it. I would go with Mazda ( well..Ford's bitch,heehee). And if your worried about the rotary and problems arise, then bring it back to the dealer! YOU HAVE WARRANTY! People always use that as an excuse. " But this and but that..." Who cares! Let the company that you purchased the product from deal with it. Not your stress level. Besides you would be buying the company's sports car which they are looking at very closely to ensure that owners have a great experience with. Mazda doesn't wanna screw up with this car in regards to be a succesful product. So far it is.

I wouldn't think twice.

RX22

Test drive it, you'll love it. I tested just about everything in its price range (some higher), and this thing stands head and shoulders above the rest. But that's just my opinion. Make sure and rev it, and listen to that great rotary sound. There's nothing like it. Good luck.

graphicguy

concur with almost everyone here.

Mustangs are tons of fun when doing stop light wars. Outside of that, I don't know that I would want one.

While I love the way the small block Mustang sounds, it's going to be way different than what you'll experience with the RX8. While I can't really describe it accurately, think of the difference between the way a Harley sounds when compared to the way a "crotch rocket" sounds.

I dare you not to smile when you wind out an RX8 to the 9K redline.

Handling....no contest...RX8 is so intuitive no matter what kind of road you are on...squirting through small traffic holes, taking big entrance ramp sweepers while keeping the revs between 7K-9K and blasting out the end towards a straight part of the interstate is simply delicious.

clutch/shifter action is simply one of the best in the business as is the steering.


you can fit a lot in the turnk and your friends in the back seat.

wanna cruise quietly on the highway with the cruise control on.....done....the RX8 does it (while staying in the power band in 5th gear to blast past semis).

Drive one and you'll see what we mean.

rxeightr

Living in 'Bama, I can attest I do not have A/C or cabin heat problems with my RX-8.

Like IkeWRX stated, straight-line performance will be less (not much), and the new Stang is closely approaching. It is awful hard to come up with another vehicle that offers the package found in the RX-8.

Hope you find that last statment true when you take your test drive. Keep us posted.

Kev

If you want a car that's fun to drive, the RX8 has brillant handling, good brakes and a rev range that'll rarely leave you in the wrong gear no matter what corner you're powering out of.

It's satisfying to drive and I can't help smiling when I look at mine.

If you want to prove to other people how fast your car is, it's not your car - but that said, you mentioned yourself you want a fun car. Like me, your've probably done your traffic light drag racing years....

Sit in it, let it wrap itself around you and find some twisty road. You'll find yourself grinning - you just can't help it :D

I read it else where, but the sentiment is valid...

Live long and Rotor :D

Spin9k

I concur with the positives mentioned already - I am amazed how after a tough day, simply a few miles taking my 8 to redline makes all the bad go away :D and it gets replaced with a big smile cause it really is a blast to drive.

As far as not having the straight line performance of some big block cars, an interesting occurance I've found from the likes of 'vet owners and others after they say "cool! what an awesome looking car - what is it?" is:

".... Boy! How fast is that? It looks like it can beat my car!"

Just agree with them! You've already won, and you didn't need to show your stuff - they gave it up on your 8's looks alone! And who know (I don't race) you just might have won had you gone for it!!

Dugless

BUY IT!!! I bought mine during the test drive. A few 9,000 rpm shifts and a couple tight corners, plain and simply, I made an offer before we got back to the dealership, and I had been looking for a new car for 7 months!!!!

You have to drive one, that's it. You will see what everyone in this forum is talking about.

AirForceGuy

Hey, I just wanted to say, thanks to everybody who replied to my post! I test drove an RX-8 and loved it, I traded my Mustang in for a Velocity Red GT, and I'm having a great time with it so far! It's a bit tricky for me to get it into reverse though for some reason... the first time it took like 15 minutes, lol... I'm getting better though. It's an awesome vehicle, and a blast to drive! I have gotten quite a few looks and stares while on the road, and complete strangers are coming up to me and asking me about my RX-8. Again, thanks to all of you, and I hope to have some pictures to post soon!

RX-GR8

reverse is a little notchy just push down on the stick then throw it into reverse. good luck with your new 8!

Broker73

been waiting for my 8 for a while............but do have a friend who has the 6sp..........thought we'd see how it stacks up against a buddies BMW 540i........not the M edition........but has the sport package, and has 300hp....now I know this may be a bad comparison here, but the night was interesting......he has been asking to see the 8 for a while.......and just bought the BMW last year for 76K canadian.............I have to say, for those who say there is not a straight line car.........I beg to differ,,,,,.........no doubt there are faster cars out there, but we found a long stretch of road, and put them side by side..........I was in the 8....(wish I was driving)........we didn't use a very hard lauch, and it was nowhere close from the start until we hit about 80mph...............now these cars are in 2 different classes, and his was the auto, but when we stopped, the first thing he said was ...."I wonder if my wife will let me trade the Beemer!".................the 8 was so smooth it was interesting the difference from a stop.....and even though his was the auto with 300hp, it was still rated at 0-60 in 6.7 I believe?.............and all he could see was out tail-lights..............now I know there are faster cars out there, but the 8 has just enough to beat most cars out there, if you liek to rev it!.........but it is not something I plan to do........but we were curious, so snuck away while the girls were chatting and went for a spin!.........I bugged him and said he could of saved 30K Can. and bought the 8..........

spdspappy

Congrats on your car AirForceGuy!!! Send some pics...

Dugless

I hate to say "I told you"....... but I told you!!!!!!

Nice work AirForceGuy.

Next time you're on the freeway and you are crusing in 6th, step on the clutch and push the stick straight up and pull it staright back really fast. The trany will automatically go into 4th and you'll take off!!!