MotorTrend best handling car comparo - RX8 included
 

Didn't see it posted, so here you go.

http://www.motortrend.com/features/p...sts/index.html

always nice to see more info.

awesome test - look forward to part two ...

Sweet!!!!

It seems like the rubber on the RX-8 is pretty weak. It's losing out on the tests which should be its strong points(braking). It's losing to the Mustang even!

225/40R19 89W Bridgestone Potenza RE050A were what it is equipted with during the test, they shouldn't be THAT bad.

New RX8 sucks...I am now disappointed...It was great review when the original RX8 was introduced. But now, the new R3 pkg does not enhance its driving characteristic...Rotary...R.I.P. (rest in peace)

calm down guys - look at the cars it is up against ......

as mazda's making a new car with a new rotary engine....

exactly... there was a comparison a while back where it was compared to cars like the M5. Most these cars should be better.... especially since you pay for it.

Any truth to that?

^hmm... that's quite interesting. hahaha

An $80,000.00 Mustang...

I somehow don't feel as bad :dunno:

The rx8 handles great but isn't gods gift of balance. At least the facelift is getting some coverage.

I think this definitively illustrates in excruciatingly detailed terms why the (at least current '09) RX-8 *needs* mods like suspension, wheel and tires to get it competitive with other mundane and not-so-mundane cars in the handling dept...at least in this new R3 version. Tires could have a lot to do with it, but not that much....

One has to wonder what have they done to the car to get it so unsorted in this new version? ...springs...suspension rates for comfort...shock valving...sway bar rates?? And the std car must be a real mess....is it possible it's always been this way? Have newer cars gotten soooo much better? Wish they used an '08 not an '09.


So far it looks quite disappointing... one can make excuses for cars costing $60K $80K or $100K, but a Chevy that looks like a kicked dog?

The Cobalt SS has repeatedly shown its a great handling/performing car, FWD or otherwise, so thats no surprise. Yeah its an ugly lil turd, but it has sick performance. The Chevy brand and the looks is what gives it a "cheap" "pos" stigma. I dont see why people still dont realize this.

For the Mini, Rx-8 and Cobalt SS to even be in this company tells you something. Yeah i also wish the 8 would have put up better numbers but hey, look how many other cars they passed up in ultimately choosing the 8.

$80,000 Mustang. So if one invests $50,000 on the RX-8... Mwahahahaha!

Please go test trive a Cobalt SS. It is a revelation. It's an unbelievable FWD drive - if you can forgive that it's a Cobalt.

Aside from the body roll issue - which is why the most popular suspension mod seems to be bigger sway bars and something I don't believe they addressed in the R3 package - I don't see anything that strikes me as 'bad' in this review. The understeer thing has me scratching my head a bit. As others noted it's just an honor to be nominated. :)

A set of 18 inch rims and decent tires would probably bring some of those scores up.

Bone stock autocrossing the RX-8 understeers like its front wheel drive!!!
Of course an alignment fixes that issue easily.

hmmm... no mention of the G8... lame

Interesting..In fact, I remember that Best Motoring Japan in 2003 tested stock RX8 along with 2002 RX7 A-spec on winding road showdown. The comment was that RX8's soften rear suspension set up is intentional like other high performance cars do. It was good feeling on regular driving. In the other hand, the RX7's suspension is natural born track-racer set up.

^exactly. It's a sporting car for all occasions, thus why it's ludicrous to keep comparing it to the FD RX-7, or an S2000 or a 350Z.

Given the ride quality and comfort, I think the RX-8 fares fantastically. It is almost on par with S2000's and 350Z's performance stats on most counts, but the ride comfort is leaps ahead.

Lost to a Mustang?
Car and Driver begs to differ.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...omparison_test

Perhaps the mkI rx-8 was just the better car over the new one. Why mess with perfection? ;)

I hate how all of their performance tests include the viper acr, it is a track car!!! Adjustable suspension, that in some tests has an engineer to adjust the suspension to the ideal settings, I feel this ruins the test, it is about all round performance from the car, trying to find the best compromise for all the types of handling.

Sorry mate, I think your comment that the R3 has lost all of its driving characteristics is frankly bullshit.

As you know Mazda have reworked the rear suspension multi-links among many other "handling" improvements.

Here is briefly what our Australia WHEELS Mag said about the R3 (We call ours the GT)....

"The bottom line is all the other stuff (new equipment levels) is peripheral to how this more mature, more capable RX-8 drives.
YES, "outstanding" is the word that instantly springs to mind."