Goldenhue22

Is there really a point in test driving the car. We've read all the articles and know everything about the car. There is no way that any of us will say no to the car because of a poor test drive. It just won't happen. With most people agreeing to "break-in" the engine, you won't be able to rev the engine over *X* amount of RPM's...is a test drive even needed? I don't think I will even test drive the car. Just gimmie the keys and let me go!

RotorGeek

I don't plan on test driving. I will go sign some papers and get out.

chinx

ha

if i had the fortune of buying this car right now i'd do the same. in and out. don't need no sales telling me wrong info about the car :D most of us here probably know more about these cars than them anyway

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

I will wait patiently until there are enough inventory at the dealership to allow for a test drive

*sits on hands and waiting patiently*

TJRX8

Sign and Drive!

gord boyd

The rx8forum makes it possible to buy on-line so-to-speak.
But that puts a responsibility on all our shoulders for in depth,
quality questions and answers. It could be a notch better
if Mazda participated by corresponding with Moderators on
unanswered questions--say once a month. They have enough headaches making profits in a cut-throat business but it might
be that 'zoom-zoom' differentiation that is key to Mazda's
revival.

The best advertising or promotion any company could hope for
is "word-of-mouth" by us. You can not buy that. I, for one,
applaud their transparency thus far!

Mak

Hell yes I'm gonna test drive. It's hard not to get all caught up in the hype but a test drive will definitely tell you alot about the car.I don't mind waiting for this car to see if eveything is the real deal.

brothervoodoo

Sign and drive over here...

Making the pre-order Tuesday... delivery... in August? I will let you know how it turns out.

Hercules

A few cars haven't been taken off the dealer's hands as part of their inventory yet, so if you ask around you might find a car that you like that a dealer has coming in with no name attached.

And you can pick it up as soon as it comes out !

Digisan

I will be test driving first. Insight from others is great but I need to experience the car first hand before I lay down $30K.

Rob

brothervoodoo

I did come across this with one dealer that actually said he had a model coming in that had all my specs except it was all black leather. I would rather wait and get the tan and black interior. I'm new to this board but it seems that the first 8's are weeks away, I could have sworn this guy said that this 8 was coming in next week!!??! Anyway, the guy must have been pulling my leg or I must have heard him wrong...

Superfan

I love the car and all but I'm going to take mine for a test drive before I sign the papers. Not gonna get on it or anything but I just want to make sure the car isn't going to fall parts as soon as I leave the lot:D

rxeightr

This is what I'll do as well -- make sure everything works while keeping the revs down. Want to make sure the RX-8 is pristine before the money changes hands.

Spining Ncnratr

I'm still going to test it and see,feel, and experiance the vehicle
After my Marauder this is what I've tested
Mazda 6 better than the 626,Camery,and Accord V6
Miata Special edition still needs about 150 HP to feel right
Z350 Nice on outside dirt cheap on inside can give 65% of most vehicles a run in the Fun and day to day driving.

And patiently waiting for an RX8 to wring out and no I'm not going to be doing 8,000 RPM clutch drops. But well be doing some spirited driving

:p

m477

Hell yes I'm going to test drive it. It's not that I don't think the 8 will be an excellent car, but I have to make sure that there is nothing defective or damaged before I will cough up $31k.

KKMmaniac

Yes, a test drive is definitely a good idea! I bought my last car mainly because the automotive press were so positive about it.
I did test drive it briefly, but before, had pretty much decided I would take it anyway. Maybe I would have rejected it on the basis of clutch and shifting feel, and steering response if I had been more impartial. (although, I don't recall if the option to reject it was stated)

Even a careful, stress-free (to the car) drive can tell you a lot about how the car will feel when it's driven harder.

BillK

I can't believe anyone would spend any amount of money for any car without test driving it, even a car like the RX-8. Anything from sample defects ("the fuel cuts out at 5000 RPM") to things you just can't live with ("my right knee is at an uncomfortable angle when driving at 65 MPH") to resonance and rattles are discovered on a good test drive (I'm not talking just a quick 15 minute drive, either; really you need something like the new GM overnight test drive.)

Believe me, I've bought more than one car while blinded by emotion... and it costs you four to five figures in depreciation each time you realize that brand new car you bought a few months ago with 1700 miles on the odometer isn't something you can live with long term. Even knowing the above I've still done it, and well, it's hard on you, your bank account, your relationships, etc.

KKMmaniac

Amen Brutha! Depreciation won't be doin' me any damn good.

chinx

gm has overnight test drive now??? wow. what's to keep the driver from putting on 500 miles in one night on a brand new car?

javahut

Yeah, I'll test drive. But just to make sure there's no outstanding problems, rattles, etc. I've owned only Mazdas since '83, the first being an '83 RX-7. So I'm pretty much convinced that Mazda doesn't make a bad vehicle. I loved my RX-7, and I know the RX-8 will be sooooo much better. And I love high revving engines!

Common factors in all the Mazda vehicles I've owned have been their reliability, and their above average handling. That combined with only positive reviews of the 8 tells me just about everything I need to know. You guys (and gals) who've never driven a rotary before are gonna be in for a great new experience! I know I'll be signing as long as there's no outstanding flaws. Can't wait!

BillK

You can't put on more than 100 miles.

It's also not as easy as going in and borrowing a car; in essence you basically buy the car, complete with financing, all paperwork signed, etc. and GM is allowing you 24 hours/100 miles to return it.

TJRX8

Just found out today I will be getting a VIP to the Miami Rev-it Up, so I'll be test driving one afterall. :D

eccles

Don't count on it. We got to ride in the RX-8 at the Houston VIP day, but they wouldn't let any of us actually drive it.

gord boyd

There is a lot of anticipation, ehuberance on this Board.
This colours the cool judgement necessary to a test drive.

It would be good to have a hard list of longer term
criteria for full satisfaction, contentment with a car
that makes or breaks the buying decision. Have that list well in advance--maybe even develop a dialogue on this Board
as to what truly nurtures that big grin five years down the line.

"Fun-to-drive" ranks high with me but "build quality--free from
vibrations and rattles and harmonic resonance at certain constant
speeds" is even more important.

There was a very serious resonance problem with an earlier
Camry that still sold 3-4 hundred thou/yr. This board will be a very valuable resource well into the third year production.

JTek_55

I am scheduled for the May 31st Miami Rev-It-Up. How can get in on the VIP day??