MotorTrend best handling car comparo - RX8 included
08-27-2008, 09:19 AM
#26
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 0
Received 240 Likes
on
110 Posts
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?
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?
The track must also have been alot of straights with few turns, since the other 3 do simply have more power for those straights.
Disappointing article, even though it won.
(I have also been annoyed that Car and Driver and Motor Trend seem to have the same vehicles for the same tests every month. Conclusions change, but come on... separate more and go where the other one isn't.)
08-27-2008, 11:06 AM
#27
Registered
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Concordia KS
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08-27-2008, 12:50 PM
#28
Grand Chancellor
08-27-2008, 01:00 PM
#29
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That was a complete 180.
I still think tires made a difference in part 1. Braking is a tell all. Brake fade does not come into the equation until multiple stops so on a skid pad you can gauge how much grip the tires have by taking a look at the results.
All that said, any AWD vehicle has a real, tangable, definite advantage when equipted with street tires. As soon as stickier rubber is introduced AWD becomes a giant weight with no benefit.
I still think tires made a difference in part 1. Braking is a tell all. Brake fade does not come into the equation until multiple stops so on a skid pad you can gauge how much grip the tires have by taking a look at the results.
All that said, any AWD vehicle has a real, tangable, definite advantage when equipted with street tires. As soon as stickier rubber is introduced AWD becomes a giant weight with no benefit.
08-27-2008, 01:09 PM
#31
(o_x) c~('_'c)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice article though, I'm reminded why I bought this car in the first place
Last edited by Catspaw; 08-27-2008 at 01:12 PM.
08-27-2008, 01:13 PM
#32
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
that's one hell of a lineup of cars. Nicely done MT, the RX-8 shows (once again) that it's one heck of a car.
08-27-2008, 01:22 PM
#33
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
the RX-8 has grace and fluidity and balance like few other sports cars on the market today. "The more powerful cars feel like riding a horse," Pobst says. "The RX-8 feels like wings bolted right to your arms."
... the sum is far far better than the sad test numbers suggest
08-27-2008, 05:23 PM
#40
Super Moderator
Yeah and for a car that is so OLD and no "Enhanced Driving Characteristics",
It REALLY goes to show that the RX-8 IS ALL CLASS!..
Those of us in the know already knew that!
It REALLY goes to show that the RX-8 IS ALL CLASS!..
Those of us in the know already knew that!
08-27-2008, 08:04 PM
#42
Registered 407 Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Markham/Mississauga
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I still can't believe that the Cobalt was a few hundreths off of the EVo in Lap times. Damn, having been a former SS owner I knew they were good cars, but this turbo is fast (and ugly)
08-27-2008, 08:59 PM
#43
It's a Cavalier
Look at ya, dissing your own car when you read a not-so-complimentary review, and spin 180 degrees to fanboi when something nice is said.
That's pretty bad guys. Doesn't show much confidence in your car.
That's pretty bad guys. Doesn't show much confidence in your car.
08-27-2008, 10:07 PM
#46
Super Moderator
The EVO in 6th!
NO Subaru WRX?
Where is IKE when you need him...
NO Subaru WRX?
Where is IKE when you need him...
08-27-2008, 10:07 PM
#47
Registered
I just wish they would have put all the cars on comparable tires. The range of tires that these cars come equipped with is staggering (no pun intended). Simply put, the runflat equipped vehicles would have had significantly better instrumented testing if they were on regular, comparable, summer-only tires. I would love to see this set of testing done with one model of tire in the appropriate sizes for all the cars. Eliminate the manufacturers tire choice and lets see who can really grip the road.
BTW- This shot is simply awesome.
BTW- This shot is simply awesome.
08-27-2008, 10:13 PM
#48
Super Moderator
On the subject of Braking Distances this is what the New York Times said in 06..
From NY Times article "Stopping Short" , June 2006.
Braking (Stopping) distanced from a cruising speed of 60MPH (100KPH)
BEST
Aston Martin V-8 Vantage 107 ft.
Ferrari F430 Spider 107 ft.
Lotus Exige 107 ft.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 107 ft.
Porsche Boxster S 107 ft.
Porsche 911 Carrera S 108 ft.
Ferrari Enzo 109 ft.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 109 ft.
Maserati Quattroporte 109 ft.
Mazda RX-8 110 ft.
WORST
Ford Escape XLT 145 ft.
Volkswagen Passat 3.6 138 ft.
Volvo S60 T5 138 ft.
Cadillac CTS 138 ft.
Audi A3 2.0 T. 138 ft.
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 137 ft.
Toyota Camry Hybrid 136 ft.
Subaru Legacy GT Limited 135 ft.
Scion xB 134 ft.
Honda Civic EX 133 ft.
From NY Times article "Stopping Short" , June 2006.
Braking (Stopping) distanced from a cruising speed of 60MPH (100KPH)
BEST
Aston Martin V-8 Vantage 107 ft.
Ferrari F430 Spider 107 ft.
Lotus Exige 107 ft.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 107 ft.
Porsche Boxster S 107 ft.
Porsche 911 Carrera S 108 ft.
Ferrari Enzo 109 ft.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 109 ft.
Maserati Quattroporte 109 ft.
Mazda RX-8 110 ft.
WORST
Ford Escape XLT 145 ft.
Volkswagen Passat 3.6 138 ft.
Volvo S60 T5 138 ft.
Cadillac CTS 138 ft.
Audi A3 2.0 T. 138 ft.
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT 137 ft.
Toyota Camry Hybrid 136 ft.
Subaru Legacy GT Limited 135 ft.
Scion xB 134 ft.
Honda Civic EX 133 ft.
