Zephyrzone

Here's to hoping the auto climate control can be retrofitted to the version 1's somehow...

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

??? It's a Sports Car. Who cares about auto climate control????

rotarygod

I got to see an '09 in person last night. The car looks very nice. It has the body updates that the car badly needed. The front end is fantastic looking. Much nicer than the original. There was always something wrong looking about it though. I like the tail lights. I'm still a bit up in the air about the lower bumper area in back but it'll grow on me. It's not my favorite but not bad. I definitely don't like the generic Mazda steering wheel that they are using now. It's pretty ugly.

Under the hood it's hard to see anything. One thing you do notice though is that the oil filter is definitely not where it used to be which is a good thing. I didn't get any pictures of the car (we've seen them anyways) but overall it's a nice update and one which was long overdue. Many people's initial reactions are a bit harsh to most updates at first. In a few years this will be the RX-8 that is sought after and the old ones will just be the cheaper plentiful ones that had more issues. Nice job Mazda. Let's see the 2nd gen!

jonnyspeed

I thought about waiting for an '09, but I really don't like the new styling as much as the first gen. Plus there are so many kits available for the first gen that look better than the second gen (IMHO) anyway that I didn't see any reason to wait.

-my 2 cents

Bester

The following is my opinion, feel free to disagree.


Some mid life updates turned out good:

Last gen WRX eliminated the bug eyes (? year).
The 99-04 Mustangs looked better than the softer 94-98 models


And some have not been improvements:


C4 Vette in 91 went from concave rear with round lights to fat butt rear with squared off lights
The NSX ditched the pop up headlight for fixed lights but the front end looked hidious compared to the original

Have to wait and see if the refreshed RX8 is for the better or worse.

jonnyspeed

Hehe... personal taste is a funny thing.

To me:
WRX with bugeyes = Yuk
Mustang.. not sure. I don't recall
C5 vette is Far better than C4 or C6 (style wise) to me
NSX first gen front end was def better than the second version
Second gen RX8 to me looks like a bad attempt to look like it has an aftermarket body kit.

Again, just my 2 cents...

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Does it really qualify as a "2nd gen"? It's more of a new series or minor "1.5" update in my opinion. Much like the RX7s.

LionZoo

I've never been in a car that had an automatic climate control system as well dialed in as the traditional temperature adjuster. To me, auto climate is a negative feature.

jonnyspeed

Yeah, I would agree with that. More 1.5 than 2.0. I was hoping for 2.0... But Mazda gave us 1.5... so I bought a 1.0

robrecht

I'd say it's more of a 1.2.

Razz1

Boy are you a fan BOY!


Your post is words. Best front end? If like happy faces.

I wonder if they give you a little toy with every buy.... Just like Mc Donalds.

SideOfBacon

now the ms version I could tolerate... but the stock version is a$$. just something about it i dont like... especially those sidestrakes now with either a reflector or turnsignal built in? :vomit:

rotarygod

What's so bad about it? It's an opinion. In my opinion the RX-8 has always looked iffy at best! Something has always looked wrong about the RX-8 and now it all looks in harmony. In other words the car no longer looks heavy and slow. It looks lighter and more nimble. It's amazing how simple looks can give you that impression. This is how the car should have always been designed. Well, except for that damn steering wheel and maybe the rear bumper. They got the front end right though.

Floyd

I agree RG, there was always something a bit akward about the geometery on the front end of the 04-08. The facelift has realy tightened up all the lines and created a uniform look/feel to the entire car.

I was planning on looking for an 06 copper red shinka in the next few years but I think I will have to change that to the brown mica 09!

Spin9k

This is all such a beauty contest. Some apparently like the new edits (weird thou it is to me), some not. RG I would say I almost totally am of the opposite opinion of what you feel, for, to me, the front now looks very heavy and overdone, it doesn't flow with rest of the car, and is so iffy as to make me not like the '09 RX-8 design overall anymore! And it is amazing how such small changes can give such a big change of impression.

And I like the rear and esp and the lights a lot. The only place we agree is on the bulbous steering wheel stolen from some parts bin I guess. And most would agree I hope that the overbite is hideous, if for no other reason than it almost forces a lic plate being hung there because it is so noticeable wo it.

Maybe they be able to satisfy more with the '10 redo, given that they can come up with it even!

rotarygod

There were the same reactions when the RX-7's got facelifted. It's just happening with another car. The 2nd gen RX-7 was facelifted in '89. You will still find people that don't like it or certain aspects of it but most would agree that it's the style that is the one to find if you really want an 2nd gen RX-7. The 3rd gen RX-7 got a facelift in 2000 or 2001. Many people hated it too yet you still see people go out of their way to import the bodyparts from Japan to do the conversion. That's just the way it goes. This car is no different. In a few years people will be trying to find wrecked ones to take body parts off of to install in their older ones.

Zephyrzone

Whoever said "who cares about climate control in a sports car" must not care about things like decent stereo's, power windows or heated seats either. Although somehow the 350Z and corvette manage these features. Oh and the RX8 has climate control in Europe. So, I feel this is on topic because the NEW 8 has it and we don't.

I was in my gf's G35 this weekend and the auto climate control was uncooperative so I can sort of see your point. However, the nice thing is that in all cars equipped with the feature it can be turned off. So I don't see how having the option is a negative.

Also, the auto climate control in my Acura CL Type S was amazing. I can't believe how much better it was than the G35. I guess I'm just spoiled. The CL also didn't rattle the way my 8 does. Hmmm. I kinda miss my Acura now. There really is something to be said for Honda build quality (let the flaming begin.....)

As for the 8 refresh, while I haven't seen it in person (and that could very well change anyone's opinion), it just looks terrible to me. I feel the exact opposite of RG. The new model looks heavy and overdone- like a bad body kit from an old Battlestar Galactica prop. Everyone hates the steering wheel (although I bet the radio controls are easier to press). I'm not crazy about the new interior, but even if I were, the exterior just looks soooooo ricey to me. Like it's trying to +1 the STi or something. I think the lines of the original flow very well and it all looks organic.

rotarygod

I hope the people who don't care about climate control aren't using theirs! They'd better have removed it entirely for "weight" reasons like the RX-7 guys do. Otherwise it's a bit hippocritical to say "who cares". To have a car with all the creature comforts that still performs this well is a testament to a good design. It shows you don't need to have a stripped down tin can to have good performance, much like many older sports cars did. Look at the Mercedes SLR or Bugatti Veyron. Creature comforts to the max!

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I find it ridiculous to rip the climate controls out of a race car, let alone a street car. How many races have you seen fog build up on the inside of the window. And you shouldn't care about getting that last horsepower or loosing that last pound in a street car.

jimtor

I agree ,that sidestrakes make me vomit, and then, they took away the side markers ; WHTF, they should had keep the last sidestrakes and the sidemarkers ,that make the car looks even more sport ,,,,ho by the way the stock version sucks

altspace

iTrader: (2)

I want to like it, but the designer in me simply sees so much out of place. The front bumper overbite and cut line that is now angled, bulbous headlight lens, large black molding, fender vent styled like so many others, rear tail lights that appear more of the "Altezza" style instead of the flowing design elements of the current front and rear lights, the open portion to the exhaust tips which now show more of the muffler, the parts bin steeering wheel, and the way the center console does not flow in a fluid motion from top to bottom.

I simply do not see the lines of the car flowing anymore. Too many curves, angles, openings.

heyarnold69

iTrader: (1)

whats with the plastic? so basically a vielside is required with this car?

Spin9k

I didn't really follow the RX-7 evolution much. To my eye the last ones were very nice looking, the early ones look ... sad & old .... for want of more colorful adjectives. That comparison doesn't work, it's not about the fact that it changed and I'm just not used to it.

It IS about style and flow, and immediate attractiveness to the eye.... attractiveness that is felt at 1st look.....and the fact that '09 lacks it. It plainly and simply is not 'beauutiful to behold'. It's lost it's magic to a large extent. Just like the redo of a great movie, or Coke II or whatever they tried to call it, it's a redo that lost it's mojo. It looks contrieved. It looks like an 18yr old kid who's into hotcar toys decided to photochop it.... It's overdone, a mismash of themes and shapes.

It has nothing to do with getting used to it.

SageJMP

It says that is the R3 trim level....I wonder what the stock package is going to look like

SolarYellow510

A sports car should be superior all-around transportation. The 8 loses on acceleration, fuel economy, stock speaker quality and heavy wheel feel with the stockies, but wins by miles everywhere else for my needs. A 996 under warranty is still my first choice to drive for any distance on paved roads with up to one other person. Put the auto climate control at 69 and leave it there, and it stays perfectly comfortable in all conditions. It's not just about going fast, it's about being great at everything, including magic handling.