tgd

First let me state this is NOT a "troll" message.

I own an S2000, but have 2 young children and really need to dump the 3rd car & the S2000 and get something we can put the kids in if required (other auto is an MPV).

Initially upon hearing about the RX-8, I thought it was the car for me (previously owned a 3rd gen RX-7, then I got married).

However, as much as I love the looks of the 8, some of the not so flattering reviews do have me worried. I understand they have been on pre-production units, but I am now a little hesitant.

I drove a G35c... it's nice, not great. I am also looking at a 330, but I am defintely waiting for the RX-8 to be released, as I am expecting to like it more than either of the two listed above.

Anyone else out there feeling the same way?

m477

What "not so flattering" reviews are you talking about? There were some people that weren't completely pleased with the very early prototypes, but every single article that I can recall after Laguna Seca has been extremely positive...

wakeech

... yeah, i have a sneaking suspicion that he's talkin' about that notorious red (the silver one was the nice one, right??) pre-production prototype... or he puts too much stock in Mr.Alex Law's editiorial abilties :p

anyhoo, check out the Media section where (i hope) people are posting everything they can find, good or bad, about the RX-8... and it is much better than even i expected... dig the Car and Driver video (there are a few links in this thread )... the only bad thing, performance-wise, that Csaba could say was that "it needs more torque"... i think he's asking for a little much, but whatever... it's the same sort of thing people say about the S2000, but you drive one, right?? dig the video, your fears of this car underperforming will be allayed...

not to disrespect your wheels or anything, but the RENESIS is better than the F20C (engine in the S2000) in almost every single way... honestly, the video won't dissapoint

gusmahler

IMO, two young kids and a 2-door car do not mix. I had a two-door, and kids getting in and out of the back seat ruined the front seat with footprints. Plus there is the convenience factor. Much easier to get kids in and out of a 4-door car.

That said, I am waiting also. But my alternative car isn't a G35coupe, it is the G35 sedan.

tgd

Yeah, the S2000 needs either MUCH more torque, or a flatter curve... neither of which is possible with that engine in it's current configuration.

I have to say I am very intrigued with the flatter torque curve of the Renesis. I guess that is actually my main concern. I am not looking for a torque monster (like the Viper or sumpin'), but anyone that has owned an S2000 for any period of time (and can be somewhat unbiased) will tell you it gets to be tedious in every day driving... keeping it at 5000+rpms all the time has worn me out. Although the light weight makes it a joy to drive around on weekends... espcially here in sunny AZ!!!

Secondly, yes.... I am refering to the pre Laguna period... I haven't had much time to research lately.. just a periodic check of new posts here (I lurk a lot)... so it is nice to hear that more positive reviews are coming out!!

And to the last guy... yeah, I know that a 4 door is really what I need, but it is not what I want... besides, we have the MPV for any serious kiddie hauling... the extra seats would do for the number of times I plan on hauling the family around in an RX-8!!

I will search around the "media" section...

RXhusker

I also have two small kids and a two door just won't do even though 95% of the time it is only me in the car -- have a Windstar (soon to be Volvo XC90) for the family hauling.

For me it was either RX-8 or Volvo S60R. Having had an RX-7 previously I must say that Rotary Fever never leaves your system and when the RX-8 was announced I was 90% sold -- seeing and sitting in the car in Detroit put me over the top 200% :D

babylou

tgd,

It seems that the RX-8 is closest thing to a 4 seat version of an S2000 as there is. If you like your S2000 then I think you will like the RX-8.

If I had kids I would get a 4 door. An RX-8 is a semi 4 door that would work decent. However, I believe the 330i and G35 sedans have easier rear seat access and even more rear seat room. Of course neither of these cars will handle as good as the RX-8.

StephenF

I'm waiting, but certainly not because I lack the desire. I just lack the monetary means. In a year and a half, after I get my degree, things will hopefully be different...

In the mean time, I'll keep torturing myself by feeding my unhealthy obsession.

-Stephen

pelucidor

Welcome tgd

You might want to check out this thread about someone who was very keen on the S2000 before learning about the RX-8:
http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?threadid=785

Also I have only ever read 1 review that was very critical of the RX-8 (and I have read all of them - like most people on this site). It was the one wakeech referred to when prototype cars with different suspension tuning etc were given to some magazines writers for a couple of laps in Japan last year. With the Laguna Seca test-drives a few weeks back we are finally seeing results from final (pre-production) vehicles and ALL reviews have been very positive. When (not if!) you buy an RX-8 make sure its a red one...

KAuss

I'm waiting for various reasons...

1) Insurance record of a recent totalled accident (I'm also 21)
2) Price drop, if not extensively at least to the point of leveled supply and demand
3) Extensive consumer road test to really test daily driving
4) Minor perk changes during mid generation period
5) Release of the STi (hopefully in wagon form too)
6) Grow up and drive new cars maturely... I've blown it when I totalled my new car, gotta punish myself for being a dumbass...
7) Maybe also need to get my feet wet in handling a RWD car too since all I've driven were either FWD or AWD...

As for most of you, you guys are mostly Gah Gah over this car and praise it like the god that it is... But I for one know it's a machine crafted by people in which flaws are possible to have made its way into the final product.

I generally wouldn't buy a car without letting people bash all over it first, because much like this forum, the Subaru crazy people were Gah Gah over the WRX and ended up bashing the car emensly over the tranny. There were hordes of other problems too, with seat material horendously wrecked after 20 or 30K miles, and the list goes on.

I just hope to shed some light on the issue, but still wish there are enough rich people with enough money to buy a 2nd or 3rd car for the fun of it to support the needs of Mazda to continue the production of such a great car. But for those of you that are putting all your eggs in one basket to buy this thing, I would suggest you wait also before you find yourself posting on various websites stating the sale of your overpriced vehicle or lease of... But I'm sure most of you know this already

I'm fortunate enough to not have kids to worry about, but I do support my family, and I wouldn't be caught dead driving a car I paid 26K plus whatever for and end up not liking it for a major problem which keeps it from being a daily driver. Track reviews are great, but none matters more than MY review :D Until then, I'll have to settle with my bucket

Gaidin

Well, I wanted to get one this year, but opted to buy a house instead (just closed today!!). I figure that by this time next year I'll be ready to buy. Hopefully by then the production will be in full swing, the prices will come down from MSRP, all the bugs will be worked out, or the MazdaSpeed version will be around the corner. :D

Cylo

I am buying myself one right away because you only live once, and the Mazda marketing department managed to convince me that I cannot live with out this car.

bwayout

I'm waiting because back in January, my beloved black 1990 Ford Probe met it's unfortunate demise prematurely ... Well life being what it is, I could not wait any longer for the RX-8 to come around. Plus Mazda was offering 0 down and 0% on a 5 year loan on the Protegé5 ... So for the next 2-3 years I'll be driving my Protegé5 ... than trading it in for the RX-8 ... Hey, I've been waiting for it since 1999, what's a few more years ... right?



I originally planed on waiting till next spring (hoping to get a price under MSRP and) giving myself time to testdrive it a few times to make sure that I stlll loved it and also everyone else on this forum sill also felt the same way too!


:D

jimbotomy

I'm waiting for several reasons. For one, I need to actually sit in and drive the car before buying it. I mean, on paper I loved the 3rd generation RX-7, and then I actually got in one. Couldn't fit. (2nd generation RX-7 was great, and that I could fit in.) I need to make sure I can drive it comfortably.

Second, I want to wait until it's available on the S plan, so I can pick it up for slightly over invoice without the bother of haggling.

Third, I'd like to wait until the kids start kindergarten. "Second" will probably take care of the third.

Finally, I read in the "Zoom-Zoom" magazine about a Mazda 6 MPS, with all-wheel drive, 275 hp, and other niceties. Would probably be more practical for my family, and it's unlikely to cost more than a comparably equipped RX-8. Not saying I'd get the MPS 6 over the 8, but I'd sure like to compare the two before making that choice.

pelucidor

I will sit in and drive the car before buying it... an hour later!

Hercules

You're gonna wait an HOUR? Sicko!

IGOZMZM

I doubt he's going to wait an hour, it's going to take him an hour of driving around with a perma grin on his face before it dawns on him that it's been an hour and he needs to go back and actually buy the car before the dealership goes nuts. :D "Was I really gone for an hour???? Opps sorry, lost track...."