$32,000. Every option that's available.
For similar price, I could have got EVO, STI, and BTW, S2000 was my ex. But I like my 8. Sure, S2000 can smoke just about everyone else in autocross. For another 10k, I can get a Vette and left EVO and STI behind on Track. But I like my 8. It's not any less a chick-magnet than my S2000, and heck, it takes two more babes. I don't want to compromise with cheap interiors, I want to have NAV, leather seats, moon roof, and I don't want non-sports exterior. I don't want to hear "Hey, what's that? Is that fast?" when I am in an STI, because that's exactly what you are gonna get. Yes, it's a slower car. But the bottom line is how often would I be on racetrack? How often would I join Rally races? How often do I park with an a$$hole at a red light? Okay, maybe that. But I still can't, I need more than just muscle. There you go. Bye Bye, Subaru. So Long, Mitsubishi. Here I come, Mazda.

So I leased it, for two years. Two years later, I expect a faster, meaner, and better RX-8. Otherwise, I am jumping ship. Acura is working on the new NSX replacement, and one between NSX and S2K. Possbily a coupe. Or I'd go for the new 959, or the new 2006 Elise.

Why? After all the good reason for my 8. Why must I either have a turbo RX-8 or something else?

Simple. I have a need for speed, and I could use more hp. Not that I would, but I could(Isn't that true for most of us?).

Nonetheless, it's a proof of Mazda still can make rotary work. RX-7 was an indicator for Japanese sports car. It was a milestone. It's 15 yrs old, and still a faster and meaner car. It was the symbol of Mazda. Is 8 a milestone? Not quiet. Can 8 be the new symbol for Mazda? Not in my opinion. To me, if the top of the line sports car can only offer 238hp/159torque, I will probably lost my faith to the future of rotary engines.

Is RX-8 a good car? Yes, most definitely. But is it good enough for us to keep it for another 10 yrs like many of us do our RX-7s? I know my answer to that.

 

I left my 10ft pole somewhere...

 

I'm keeping my 8 forever. FOR EVAR!!!11!11!!!11one

 

Ride and handling, and esp center of gravity make this is a great car to drive for a very long time. Plus i need the space. But the power must be fixed. Runs like it needs a valve job or something. ha! With a turbo, it would be hard to flaw and would certanly keep me out of the car mags for quite a while..

 

I've said it once and I'll say it again, the 8's power is ADEQUATE!

(I wouldn't say no to another 50hp, but stock is enough for majority of people).

 

Geeze RX8888, were you channeling Andy Rooney there or something?

Well, thanks for the solioquy ...

For the record, my -8 is a 4 year lease and at the end, back it goes, and back I go to "sensible shoes" cars as I will have THREE teenaged boys with driver's licenses in my house. Ain't no sports car for this kid for several years at that point. I'm thinking minimalist ... Honda Accord.

But it's not because of anything to do with power ...

 

The RX8 isn't as underpowered or slow as the Miata - one of the all time best selling cars of all time.

 

I don't get it when people say "under-powered".... according to what/whom????? I don't think you could ask for much more at the price you pay.....

Face it.... your NEVER gonna have the fastest car on the road. That being said, I guess every car is relatively underpowered.

Where do you draw the line?

 

While I would also like more power in my RX-8, I bought it knowing what market Mazda was targeting. This car was not meant to be a two seater sports car with a big engine or a lot of boost. If you bought it wanting a really fast sports car, you should have gotten the C6 instead.

I also have faith that we'll be seeing performance kits for the RX-8 soon, it may not be this week, but the car has only started it's second model year.

 

I actually agree with RX8888 to a large degree. In 4 years when my lease is up i expect a faster 8 to be available. That said, there will be a faster EVO and a faster STi then too. If the 8 manages to keep it's performance pedigree/'sport' ethos and still allow me to put a kid and a dog comfortably in the back, i'll be sold. But yes, i would like a little more torque heh.

 

I agree with both sides of the fence. The RX-8's power is just fine as is, it has a balance that most cars dream about. That's why it continues to win shoot out after shoot out against faster cars. On the other hand, compared to its rivals we know it could use a bit more grunt. With a bit more power this car would be near invincible and would silence all those wise a$$ critics out there.

 

That's the key to the magic of this car: balance. Turbos, with the resulting "turbo lag," ruin a car's balance, IMHO. Sure, we don't have a ton of torque now. But at least it does build in a linear, predictable way. It's nothing like the off/on power delivery turbos create. If Mazda adds a turbo, this will be my last RX-8, as I enjoy this car's harmony and dynamics far more than it's brute power.

On the other hand, if they find a way to eliminate the lag, say by doing something weird like hooking up two turbos (quick spooling and bigger boost) sequentially... hmmm... waitasec...

I'm not saying I wouldn't enjoy more power. But this is an RX-8, not street racer - to simply add more power for power's sake misses the point of the car. If it's going to happen, it *must* be done while keeping the car's overall balance in mind.