RX-8 beats out 350Z, Audi TT, and Mustang Shelby in the June 2007 Car and Driver.

Quote: "That's not to say some extra power isn't sorely needed here - it is- but even at the ripe old age of five, the RX-8 pleases us the most."

 

Not trying to take anyway from the car, but you know C&D has a hard on for all Mazda vehicles right?

 

they seriously do, but enjoy it!

 

You're such a 350Z owner.

C&D has a hard on for complete packages. Honda's and BMW's usually, not always Mazda's (remember their test of the MS6...certainly not a favorite). That's not to say the prefer soft cars, they just prefer cars that are good at more than just straight line speed.

 

Discussion on this all ready in progress.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...0&page=1&pp=15

 

... and initiated in the wrong forum.

I've noticed the mods here don't do much moving of threads to the forum where they belong.

 

I just read the article and was very surprised that the 8 won the comparo. My wife had almost convinced me to put the car up for sale, but I showed her the article and we're gonna hang on to it for a little while!!

 

they picked a base 350Z and sad it was the best value, when in actuallity it should be 4 grand higher or more.

 

If you know me, you will know how much I hate Nissan. I had way more Mazdas than Nissan or any other cars. I know about C&D's crush on Mazda long before the 350z or RX-8 days. If you go back on all their reviews, they love every cars from them. It's like Motortrend has a hard on for all GM cars and BMW

 

You're a little late in the game. Someone should merge threads.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=114945

 

I was about to write the same thing in one of the 14 other threads about this when I saw your post. As another example I've seen Motorweek say that the 350Z has a much better interior than the RX-8. Just goes to show you -- there is no one right answer. Gotta go with what works for you.

 

Funny, though, how they sort of grudgingly gave it first place, with plenty of criticism about the lack of torque, the power band, and, of course, the car's gargantuan appetite for fuel.

 

A win is a win. Doesn't matter how it came about.

You can go on and on about the 8's shortcomings, and how C&D is pro-Mazda, but it is just as easy to go on and on about the competitions' shortcomings and how other industry mags are anti-Mazda.

Face it, the 8 is an technically interesting car that is unique in many ways. It is a clever package that manages to deliver on driving fun without too much in the way of compromise. Plus, you can get one fully loaded at a bargain basement price.

4 years after its intro, it still manages to one-up newer entries. Furthermore, the fact that even after 4 years, it is still a subject of debate and not a footnote means that Mazda had succeded in its original intention to produce a modern, practical sportscar.

 

It managed to one up newer entries because C&D is pro-Mazda. Also, "debate" doesn't sell cars (at least not in this case).

I'm all for the 8, but you're trying to dismiss valid points by completely ignoring them. Don't take it so personally. This one comparison doesn't make or break the 8 in any way shape or form. No one is bashing the 8.

 

I dont think C&D is pro-Mazda. THey had a comparo on sports sedan in which the MSP6 was 4th in the field of 5 cars which included Accord, Jetta, G6 and something else I can't remember.
But if you read most comparos with the rx-8 against the likes of the 350z, mustang or even the 3-series, the 8 always come out on top. I think the sum of all its parts just beat the competition.

 

Yah, I personally think C&D is pro RX-8 more than anything. Once they get smitten with a car they stick with it -- just like every one of us. It's a subjective thing so I don't get why people use these comparisons as the definitive word on anything.

 

I think it's interesting that motor mags on both sides of the Pacific Ocean like just about every Mazda made, particularly their latest range since the RX-8 and Mazda 6, these are the facts and whether or not you like the brand it is obvious most of the worlds motoring public also "get a hard on" over their line up.

It's no fluke that Mazda Japan have a "capacity" production problem most other car manufacturers would also love to have.

Mazda's world wide resurgence has been a carefully orchestrated marketing and design plan started by Mark Fields many years ago...I just hope Mazda can continue their success.

 

When they do include it, other mags like Motortrend and Road & Track also picked the 8 in their comparo's.

 

Well, it won because "the Mazda pleases us the most".

Obviously that's subjective. The things C&D—and, apparently, most other car magazines—value most aren't necessarily torque, power, or fuel economy—but, at the end of the day, "how good" a car makes you feel. Yes, that's based partly on measureable performance—but also on many "little things" that aren't quite quantifiable. That's where the 8 shines.

 

actually just read this article yesterday. Yea it was weird how it got 1st place but got bashed the most. a few points to add about their 3 main concerns with the car for eveyrone else who thinks about those negative side effects of a rx-8.
1) eats up oil......Stop bitching, its not really a big deal to put a quart of freakin oil in every 3,000 miles.
2) not enough torque......it redlines at 9k rpms so who gives a ****. Mod the car and keep it moving.
3) its bad on gas......its a damn sports car, if you wanted a car thats good on gas, go buy a honda fit.

Regardless of what any car mag says, good or bad, the rx-8 is the most unique car really that you can buy and its fun as ****. I was really skeptical at first with some mags bashing it for those 3 things, but I love this car too much for everything its worth. and its a freakin 4 door sports car thats bad ***. nuff said.

 

Can someone send me the article or something? My C&D payment expired and i missed that issue

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...di-tt-20t.html

 

I picked up that issue of C&D when I was in the airport, because it mentioned the RX-8, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the results... I had actually been contemplating saving up a few extra grand and going with the TT.

What I thought was odd though was the inclusion of the Mustang in the comparison... is anybody who's debating between a TT, 350Z, and an RX8 seriously considering a pony car as well? You may as well have put a Hummer in that 4th slot, for the relevance it had to people considering the other cars...

 

That's the weird thing about this segment. People cross shop between an RX-8, S2K, 350z, Mustang, Audi TT, Evo, STi, and more.

 

For all the hating the 350Z owners do on the 8, I think it's primary due to the fact that the drivers who purchase that car are all about 0 - 60 times and don't give a crap about anything else. Mustang owners too.

I think the 350Z guys are also pissed at the fact that I don't think the RX8 has ever lost a comparison to a 350Z. In every mag, although the 8 is a slower car, it always comes out on top. I'm actually surprised they're even competitors.........they're designed in such different ways.

Some comparos between the two:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=101039
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...pe_comparison/
http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...di-tt-20t.html