Everything is there for a world class car. CD says knife edge handling, killer track dynamics and great road feel. They also say that you have to row the gears and use the motor to get that performance, which is no chore at all, topping out their 'fun to drive' category. Once again, while the strict numbers may say one thing, the overall car says another. As I've mentioned numerous times, Mazda cars have always been more than the sum of their parts, and the RX-8 is doing that and more. Not to mention that the 8 as tested is 7k less than the Mustang and the G35c. That's alot of dough for a split second at the track.

 

the video clip showing difference between the svt and the rx-8 in the emergency lane change maneuver test is astounding. The RX-8 just cuts through the lane change like nothing happened, at a MUCH MUCH faster speed too!

 

I was clapping. Then I rememberd this is a TV program, not a live performance.:D

 

Gamera, you the man!!!

Luckily I found the link before your service was halted. Interesting show from the perspective of a European like me and thanks for hosting the file.

 

What does it mean to "row the gears"?

 

thanks again Gamera! one more for the archives

 

row = shift

shift = fun

therefore RX-8 = fun :D

 

It means to be constantly shifting from one gear to another. The hand motion is akin to that needed when rowing a boat. (Although if you rowed with only one hand, you'd simply rotate on the spot. )

 

OK, this is killin' me. Is the C&D video posted anywhere currently?

thanks
mike
94' black and red se7en

 

Can someone please have MERCY and post the link again.......

 

Gamera ....

You are God ...thanks for hosting ...comparo was awesome! Was watching it while on a conference call today ....did my attention get distracted? hmmmm..... (still watching for the 10th time)

 

arr.... the link is dead? can some one host it again??

 

Finally had a chance to watch the download! Awesome!!!:D

The RX-8 looks incredible next to the other two cars -- the curves -- the lines if I say anymore my wife will get jealous.

You could tell the C&D guys were impressed and couldn't stop raving about the handling. If they had reviewed one with the GT package the comparo would have been a total blow-out.

The part showing the emergency lane change with the RX and the Mustang was hilarious. The RX looked like a world-class skier carving the course and the Mustang looked like an out of control first timer lost on a black diamond run :D

 

Will someone please post it again! Please email me at donlindich@mac.com when it is up!!

 

well, my version is a bit fatter (due to the dimensions and bitrate), at 74MB, but if you want it, you can find it at..

http://66.206.4.159/cd.zip

DL it while you can..
Sorry didnt have time to make the file smaller, but hey beggers cant be choosey..

 

Did everyone notice how complimentary the test driver was about the Mustang before giving it last place - talk about low expectations. What impressed me the most is that the RX-8 was less than 1 sec behind the Mustang but had a deficit of 150hp and 230lb ft torque.

 

thanx RX-Nut finally i got the link to download the file...wow ur server is fast man...i downloaded in 2 mins...thanx a lot...now i am going to watch it....:p

 

Certainly appreciate the link being made available once again. IMHO, I consider this a 'must see' for anyone considering any of these 3 fine sports cars.

It appears to delve a little deeper than the article C&D published.

Thanks again !!

 

being able to see all 3 cars in motion gives you that extra feel about the car, that you don't get in static pictures and writings :D

 

RX-Nut, thanks for posting your capture, it's always good to spread the bandwidth.

Here's an updated link (I finally switched my hosting service):
CarAndDriverTV_RX-8_G35C_SVT.zip

 

Thx... no problem!

FYI, I dumped my capture and am now using Gamera's one. His is better than mine and faster to download..

Use this link instead..

http://66.206.4.159/cd.zip

Sorry if I disconnected anyone if you were downloading..

 

That my friend was awsome, I missed your posting on Monday morning but I am double glad to get it now.

 

Pelucidor, let's give credit where credit is due. I'm pretty sure they said the Mustang Cobra had a 4.6 0-60 and a 13ish in the quarter mile. They got a 5.9 0-60 on the RX8 and a... sonofagun, I don't remember what they got for the quarter mile.

If you want tremendous straight-line acceleration, there's a world of difference between that Mustang and the RX-8. As far as I know, if you want to beat that kind of straight line acceleration you'll need to buy a 'vette.

Of course, if you want usable back seats, cool styling, a rotary engine, better gas mileage, cheaper insurance, top notch handling, and $7,000 less to pay off in a car loan, that all adds up to a world and a half of difference in the RX-8's favor.

I'm easy to satisfy in this regard. The cars my wife and I have pull an 8.5 in the 0-60 mph. Going from that to 6 seconds will be more than enough to satisfy me. :D

 

I second that. I don't know what the 0-60 is on this baby, but I think the rx-8 is going to just edge by it...

 

When the designers said they were going to get a 104% out of the RX-8 they meant it.

Seriously, with driver it is 52/48. Without driver it almost 50/50, and with 4 people in the car its is supposed be about 48/52.

Regardless, 2% isn't that big of a deal.

-Mr. Wigggles