you think we have a chassis?
OD

 

Everyone's clamoring about the power, but when I take the RX-8 to track days, I'm spanking Audi S4s, Corvettes, Mustang GTs, Pontiac Firebirds, STIs and other high horsepower cars through just pure handling.

The more power you have, the less likely your talent will save you. It also takes serious ***** to drive a 400HP Corvette at its limit. One owner of such a vette admitted to me that he was only driving in 3rd gear throughout the track at Autobahn. What?

It's no fun to be scared all the time while on the track. I have the ***** to chuck the RX-8 into a corner because I *know* I don't have the power to wreak havoc on myself. A 400~500HP car? Hell, I don't even know if I'd have the ***** to go full throttle down the straights lest the brakes overheat when I get to the braking zone.

 

You're spanking those cars because you're a better driver, and/or have a better setup car, and/or more than likely have less fear of disaster due to the 1st two reasons

The interest in more power comes from different experiences, but the one I often have is on track. It goes like this... In adv int or adv group there are often GT2s, Porsche Turbos, Corvettes, race-stripped BMWs, etc., etc. Everyone generally know how to drive reasonably well. Sure everything is fine and lots of fun in the corners, but upon entering a straight, and offering a pointby, I'm either flat out in 2nd, or more often third, or even fourth....the gear is really immaterial ... and one or more of those cars will simply fly by with a quick tap on their accelerator so fast I might as well be standing still. Meanwhile I'm left still trying to force the accelerator further into the floorboards!

Going fast in a straight doesn't take much talent, only enough to keep you straight. Nevertheless the result is the same, the other guy is already braking and heading into the next curve.

Not that there is anything wrong with that scenario, and I'm not really complaining about the car. It is what it is and that's damn good! I'm just stating fact and the reason for the calls for better power. My five year old $30K car does just fine even being on the track with the likes of some major performance cars that cost upwards of 80-100K+, but that does not diminish the wish for a bit more in the getup-and-go dept and STILL be able to drive a production rotary engine car.

 

Yes, it is indeed perhaps due to driving talent, or Mazda's wonderful setup (only "setup" I had was a MazdaSpeed wing on 15 degree angle).

But my point was that it's *easier* to drive a low horsepower/torque car fast like the RX-8 than a high horsepower/torque car like a Corvette. That, and you develop your talent far faster because you can't fix your errors with the throttle (and you're not being scared to death all the time, and can focus).

 

Is there anyone out there that can disagree with nycgps? I wanted to but... he's pretty much nailed it didn't he. I also agree with the statements above.

About the article, that was a good read and worthy of quoting in the future. Demonic pokemon... hahaha yes, I suppose that's true lol

 

Although it was a good review of the R3, I think there was a lot of false information. All in all that review dissappoints me. Mazdas whole claim is a 4 door 4 seat practicle sports car and the dude bashed it in one sentence!

 

I’m not saying that the RX-8 R3 handles well for a $32k car. I’m saying it handles better than a $320k car. Or, more importantly, whatever you’re driving.

 

Sure, but he made a mockery of all the other attributes of the car!