I was just at my local Mazda dealer looking at a silver '04 RX8 and the dealer mentioned that a turbocharged RX8 should be released by next summer. I know you shouldn't believe what dealers say but does anybody know anything about this? I love the styling of the car but it is so underpowered and this could be a def. solution.

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:rolleyes:

no, we know nothing about it.... that's the problem :D

I would not beleive a single thing that a salesman will tell you. Trust me - I am in sales myself. We will say anything to hook your interest before we make our kill.

Underpowered my ass - wanna go for a ride? It is all a misconception - this power thing. Do you want to go straight and fast? If so, buy an STI or an EVO. You will look like a refrigerator with a beer opener on the trunk. My 8 is has plenty of power for me thank you. This car is built for long winding roads with LOTS of turns. It is a sport car, not a dragster.

Exactly, if I wanted straight line quick, I'd strap myself to the nose of a bullet and ride a crotch rocket motorcycle.. Not much can keep up with the 8 on a twisty road...

I just hope that the extra weight in the engine compartment from the forced induction stuff doesn't throw off the weight distribution and hamper the handling

It was just estimated in the mag, but they said about 5.5 sec. 0-60 (from 6.1 sec.), and 14.0 flat@100 mph (from 14.5 sec.). No estimate of additional cost. They listed the tire as Bridgestone Potenzas, but not which models.

Nice additional article on Mazda Grand Am Cup cars

I have access to a scanner but I'm not sure how to add pictures on my posts (call me technically illiterate)

I agree with Nemesis, don't believe a word a salesman says. You can tell they are lying, because their lips are moving. If anything my purchase experience with my RX8 taught me that salesman have none of your interest at heart, they just see you as a paycheck.

Obviously for some the power is adequate but when compared against similarly priced competitors the RX8 is the runt. Many agree that the RX8 is underpowered and would welcome a bump in power...hell if it had 280+hp I'd probably be in an RX8 rather than the EVO.

Also, you don't need 50/50 weight distribution for good handling. The EVO does fine with 60/40 and Porsche does fine with 40/60.

Please correct me if I am wrong.. but doesn't having 50/50 weight distribution dramaticaly help with understeer/oversteer? sorry for getting a bit off topic

As an 8 owner i would certainly like a little extra hp/torque. However, 50/50 disty is a bit of a holy grail - it does make for a better handling car. Are the EVO and Porsche poor? Not at all. But you can bet if the engineers could make them 50/50, they would.

MANY OF US SAW one of the tested sc'd renesis engines at racing beat. well the housing anyway. it did have a problem that we have discussed at length.


2 reasons

a. there is/was aproblem
b. they are still at work cracking the ecu for engine management. their goal is to write maps to the stock pcm.


the suspension has been retuned- no doubt with weight distribution in mind.

What does it cover?

I am a Mazda Salesman. I've been one for only 2 weeks, but none the less I am one. I got the job because of my 8. Anyway, that's a lil off subject. There are ALOT of stupid salesman in the car business. However, there is a turbo mazda coming out early next summer. It's just a mazdaspeed Mazda6.

yeah bane we know about the MS6 already. the problem is the salesmen going around telling people there is a turbo 8 coming out next summer- when we know there isnt.

The RX8 is definately underpowered. I know the car really wasn't engineered to be a dragster; but neither is any car that is mass produced. You all say that car is so much fun to drive, and it is pretty fun, but torque is a great thing to have. It can make a great handling car even more fun to drive. The STi was more fun to drive because it never once lost traction or anything, has loads of torque, and handles very, very nicely. I just wish Mazda did turbocharge the RX8 because it does have very nice styling. I guess I got my hopes up for nothing...

maybe you did emfollin.

uh oh, here come the ....

http://phpmywebmin.josh.ch/_uploads/j0sh/fire.gif

It's going to happen, a turbo and/or a supercharger will be here for us one day - we just have to be patient - that is a virtue I guess :)

M12 - I bet you are having a blast reading this thread. See what you started! A supercharged Renesis must be fun to drive. Sam Mitani - if you are sitting next to M12, have a beer on me!

Don't think a SC will significantly throw off the weight distribution. SCs + accessories arent that heavy.

Patience is definately a virtue. Something I do have really have... And I love assholes who cannot let someone voice their opinion and just flame them. I did not come on here to bash the RX8 but to voice my opinion and try and get the opinions of RX8 owners.

I agree everyone should have the right to voice their opinion. However, when you come on a board and make a statement such as the one above (with 3 posts total) some members will label you a troll and flame. That internet forums for you.

For me... different strokes for different folks. If the STI is your thing.. cool. The 8 is underpowered..your opinion. I love care, handling and the power, but I would love to throw a SC/Turbo on it.

My advice, tone it down a litlle bit. (maybe edit out the @sshole part)
Show some respect, and this board will give it right back.

Enjoy the forum and Welcome!;)

Given a choice between a having a SC or not, the answer is pretty obvious. I did look at the EVO, but the interior and exterior is not my cup of tea, no matter how much horsepower it has. Also 50/50 is the best. I had a 911 Carrera, while it was nice, and handled very well on the track (I had the factory stage 1 sports suspension), I also had a chance to drive the Boxster S and thought that because of the mid engine, near 50/50 weight balance the handling was better.

Patience may be the only virtue that will wait itself for us to attain....

Or will it?

Damn it, hurry up and tell me!

Best part is the carbon fiber flywheel.

Can't wait to get one of those.

Why do people keep using an evo as a reference when talking about straight line acceleration? An evo kicks ass going forward, turning, or stopping. It does all of the above with lots of grip, power, and brake. It does it for the same price of a 8. It does not project the image or type of fun I was looking for, but I would really not resort to belittling what is one of the best performance deals around.

I love my 8, but why are people so afraid of power? My 8 kicks ass. Power would only make it better. I would also pay more for it with more power. It does everything right, but it would do more so with more power. I am lost on why that is not such a simple statement?