Hercules

Like I said... it'll be out in a month.

Go drive it and make up your own minds.

ml2316

the bottom line is if you spend all your time at the track, autoxes, whatever then this video might raise some doubts for your rx8 preorder, but if you're never going to touch a track then this video means nothing for you, and you're going to love the rx8 for what it is. if track performance was the all-important measure of a car then the streets would not be filled with jettas, miatas, and accords not to mention thousands of other makes and models of cars which would be eaten up and spit out at the track. everyone has different priorities and I can guarantee there is a LARGE number of people for which the rx8 and its particular balance of features, price, performance is without a doubt the perfect car for them. for those people, the extra straightline speed of the g35c and s2000 would not be worth the lack of rear doors and seats and the extra $5K, the turbo punch and rollercoaster grip of the awd wrx would not be worth its bland styling and total lack of sex appeal, and the rsx's desirable qualities (whatever they are) would not be worth having to be seen in a car thousands of teenagers own.

Fab 8

Yup, wait till the car is here...

So it may not be a fantastic track car, but I remember an old BM video which tested the McLaren F1 against the F355, NSX, Diablo, a 600bhp Supra etc and a couple of other supercars...the McLaren came second last...

eccles

One has to wonder if the auxiliary ports were opening.

ml2316

it's funny when someone brings this up. five years from now people are still gonna be saying "when are the auxiliary ports gonna open". i call it "auxiliary ports denial", our inability to accept the demonstrated performance of a vehicle we wish to be much faster.

the rx8 is plenty fast. even if we go to the track once a month (which is far more than most of us here will), then for that .01% of our time driving the car we might become aware that other faster cars exist. the other 99.99% of the time we'll be driving on the street in what many reviewers have referred to as the most "fun-to-drive" car in its class.

takahashi

It is a new medical diagnosis!!! I must include it in the new DSM menu (the psychiartric bible) ~ ask any doctor

RobDickinson

hmm out of that list in the UK:

We dont get a G35.
350z isnt out till end of year and only seats 2.
s2000 is a great car but only seats 2.
Subaru WRX is a well known great car. Seats 4(5) and very fast. BUT its but ugly, has a riceboy image and is 4WD , I want RWD (also gets stoled 4 times a week here).
Skyline. lol £50k+ new car here (Import only too).
Integra type-r. We dont get. The only Type-R we get is the civic. Nice n fast but VERY Riceboy, plastic fantastic and FWD.


The RX-8 here is one of a very few purpose built 4 door/4 steater performance cars that retail for £20000. We have TONS of great 2 seaters here but there are very few genuine competitors for the RX-8 (things like toyopta celica or something?).

Thats why I'm getting one. If I wanted performance If I wanted 100% out and out performance I'd be gettinga caterham.

FritzMan

While it is disturbing to read about the rotary's relative lack of punch, for me it's not the primary reason for getting this car. This is a stylish, relatively affordable, practical, sports vehicle. In Canada, there simply is no other vehicle with the same offerings, let alone same price category. If we're going to compare different priced vehicles, then difference in performance has to be compared against features and cost. A fully loaded RX-8 is still 4K less than a base 350Z in Canada. A RSX Type S comes in at low 30s, so a Type R would easily be mid to high 30s = the reason why Honda/Acura is too scared to bring that car here knowing that feature wise they're lacking but performance wise, they're similar to the RX-8.

In terms of performance, I want the handling, braking, and some high end punch. Due to broadening the market appeal, the springs might be a little soft. However, IMO the handling potential/engineering of the RX-8 (yaw control, suspension design, and centre of gravity) exceed the others listed in the comparo. Slap some reasonable sport springs/shocks on the car and then well see truely impressive handling numbers. Am I surprised the RX-8 is a little soft? No, drive the Mazda6 with it's "sport suspension" and you'll experience the exact same lack of roll control.

Wolverine

How about the Saturn Ion Quad coupe? Do you have Saturns there in Canada. The Ion has similar type doors, less horsepower, and a lot cheaper. Sorry for sounding like a dealer, just trying to help out.

Skyline Maniac

Well, the BM staff said the RX-8 has a lot of aftermarket potentials, given its soft suspension, NA engine, and so-so Potenza tires. The RX-8 is already an impressive package, with additions of aftermarket parts (which Mazda themselves have referred to in the past) the RX-8 can definitely be a true sport car contender. I also have no doubt the Mazdaspeed RX-8 will address the many problems stock RX8 Type S has. Like I described before, the staff members of BM were enthusiastic about the RX and gave it a thumbs up for the overall package.

Every car has its strength and weakness. You have to find the one that fits you best. At OUR level, any track event would be determined by 90% driver skill and 10% car, so it doesn't matter much. If anyone is really serious about motor sport, then aftermarket parts can be slapped on to enhance peformance. (which is very different from RiCe) Look at it this way: You can always slap on a turbo and stiff springs on the RX-8 to make it a better performer, but there isn't anything you can add to a S2000 or 350Z to make them carry 4 people. Then again, there is the 6MT G35 sedan at around $27k luxuriously equipped..... but the styling department might be lacking somewhat. It'd be interesting to pit the G35 sedan against the RX-8 on track though.

Jimmylove

Check out the preview of the latest Hot Version.
http://www.bestmotoring.jp/digest/HV/index.html

rxtreme

iTrader: (1)

I have trouble believing that a RSX-R blew by the RX-8 on the straights, even factoring weight difference. That just makes me question the ability of the drivers that much more. Either that or the K20 the type r carries is under rated (RX-8 over rated?). I'm still interested in seeing the video and maybe then I can make an accurate comparison for myself. If you got a G35C slidin' all over Tsukuba and a handful of other good performers taking good lines on he same course and ending up with a finish as described above. Someone' s not doing something right. I would expect a greater gap between the S2k and G35. I would even expect the RSX a little closer to the S2k from what I've seen in the other BM videos.

javahut

Man, you guys are crazy if you think the RX-8 is underpowered! 250 hp is 250 hp. And you will not be complaining of lack of punch once you down shift that rotary and hit the accelerator. While it won't have the split second jolt of a car with peaky torque, it's gonna rocket to redline plenty quick, if you're not afraid to go there.

Also, the C&D road test (which was also in video format) said the RX-8 was easily the quickest and best handling in the lane change test... much faster than both the G35 and the Mustang Cobra.

And last, but not least... the driver of the car is a HUGE factor in how the car performs, along with how familiar the driver is with the way the car works. You can not possibly draw a definitive conclusion about how the car performs, from a single road test, where each car is driven by different drivers with varying skill levels.

Just as those of us that love the rotary engine (and have actually driven one before) are making subjective claims about the RX-8, which we have never driven (but do have at least some previous experience with in the RX-7 format), those who wish to dog the RX-8 are making claims they, too, know nothing about... and most of the time, they have NO previous experience with a rotary powered car.

Like Herc said... just wait and see. I don't think anyone will be dissapointed with their decision to purchase the RX-8 once they have driven it. If my past experiences with the RX-7 are any indication, I know I'm gonna love it!

block911

Well then a used Lexus is 300 can be had for only 23,000 from the local autotrader or ebay.


Sorry I'll have to pass on the rx-8 ... I don't need teeny boppers running me off the road/track. For track junkies get the srt-4
for driving enthusiasts get the is300 or gs35.

Nothing beat an inline 6 cyl car

oh well been fun

Hercules

That's right, we were all making excuses for the RX-8 and always saying it was all about driving in a straight line.

block911

OHHH so it rules in the twisties


so how'd it get owned in auto-x

LOL

zoom zoom my *** HEHEH


srtforums.com ownz j000z

chenpin

"They indicated the soft suspension of the RX-8 created too much roll around slaloms and corners."
That's why. Not because it's "torqueless". Hell, S2000 did very well and its got "no torque".

But look here: "RX-8 was rated to be the 2nd most fun to drive car right between S2000 and G35C."
The car the got "owned" is one of the more enjoyable cars.

Want better performance? get some teins, slap on a turbo.
But if you want fun, then you have to buy a fun car. I don't care what you say, you're not gonna get a G35c to rev up to 9k. I'm glad Mazda got the essentials things (which can't be changed) right.

Hercules

Thanks for your insight troll.

Skyline Maniac

Why would you want to rev a G35C to 9k..... when you are already dealing with 200lb.ft of torque at 2000rpm?

chenpin

Oh, G35c is an awesome car no doubt. But I just like revving. :D

Superfan

block911 you are so right. I'm canceling my RX-8 order and buying a Neon STR-4. Right........... It's great and all that you don't like the RX-8. I personally don't like the SRT-4 or any FWD cars for a matter. If I wanted a straight line fast car I would have bought an old fox body mustang for 2k and spent 18k on engine work. My choice was to get an RX-8 because I like rotary power cars. If in the future I want to go faster I'll add a turbo.

block911

OK you want to add $5000 in turbo to a 27,000 car just to go slower than an IS 300 or G35 AND wreck your warranty... way to go mang!!!!

Polish math for when the world just doesn't make sense anymore

Hercules

Look, most of the people here are buying this car because it's quite simply, the most fun to drive and the most practical.

This is echoed by both that video, and also every magazine review.

If you are buying a car to take to the track, there are better choices than a G35 Coupe or 350Z. If you are buying one to go in a straight line, there are better choices again.

What I, and many others are looking for, is the one that puts the biggest smile on our face.

You seem to be the type of person that buys a car because of what *other* people think. Good for you. Now hurry back to your SRT or whatever forums that "own us", because it's obvious you have nothing to contribute to bring up a valid debate or point, you're just here to troll.

However if you wish to participate in the chat, feel free to do so. Trolling has been put down before, and will be done again so like I said... either get participating or get out.

Thanks.

chenpin

How do you know what the potential of the Renesis is? Also, I think it goes without saying that you do this stuff after the warranty period. The Renesis alrdy matches (almost) the power (not torque tho) of the U.S. spec FDs. Imagine its potential with a turbo or porting.

Besides, the RX-8 is alrdy cheaper than most competitors so you can just see this as investing the money you save.

zoom44

and please all lets remember that all of the cars talked about can get smoked in a straight line by one of these(it's got good back seats too):



and one of these also (no back seats but HUGE "trunk") :



and one of these (back seat and larger "trunk" than any of them):




0-60 less than 5 seconds all of them:D