The Smoking Tire - a RX-8 review
 

Just spotted this on you tube in case you are interested.


Matt Farah is the reviewer of a mildly modified RX-8

Great find man! Thanks for sharing.

he cant stop talking about the low mpg, ugh shutup already.

Lol. That was pretty stupid.

I can agree that fuel consumption is probably the ultimate weakest point in the rx8, or any rotary engined cars design. It is appallingly bad. People like to dog on it saying it lacks power, which it does when going head to head with s2ks or the VQ motor cars, but not by much. If the rx8 performed on the same level it does now, but did more reasonable fuel mileage, it would be a lot more accepted and desired. I admit it is my least favorite part of owning the car so far. That and their transmissions. They are fantastic when they are in good order but they break down too easily.

The chassis balance and overall driving feel is probably the very best i've ever had, even compared to my old ap1 s2000. Ultimately the rx8 has some of the highest potential out of any car ive ever driven, and with a touch of practicality mixed in with the ridiculous fuel consumption, it's a pretty nice package with some obvious compromises.

That guy was a pretty annoying meathead though. Ya bro dont you have to pull your motor to change your plugs broooooo???!! -_________-

Well said. I don't know why people call the RX-8 slow. It's faster than the FRS. And everyone loves the FRS. I know it's way more economical compared to the RX-8. But an affordable, practical, rear wheel drive sports car with 4 seats and 50:50 weight distribution?

Mazda did it 10 years ago yo! :us4allswi

the RX8 is definitely slow, compared to how much fuel it consumes. As for affordable, sure, many can afford to purchase it, however to keep it on the road is a different story. Just look at all the new members who bought a used RX8 thinking they got a deal. But when they are informed of the maintenance, and the costs associated with it, reality sets in.

And as for practicality, sure it has four seats, but that's about it.

Interestingly ........... an rx8 with turbo and 400hp uses same amount of gas as a 200hp one !

I wonder if that would change his view ...............

Probably not, considering he would still bring up the maintenance and reliability.

he hates rotaries...he has said it plenty of times. He would then talk about having to use the upper rpm range to make power.

That guy is a tool I've never liked his work.

Yeah he's kinda contradictory. He praises the e92 M3, which has a rev range nearly identical to the RX-8. 8300RPM redline V8. All the power is in the upper band.

For a GT car I don't mind the power in upper RPM's. It gives you the chance to drive it sensibly or double shift down and get the power :)

When talking about the RX8's fuel mileage. I think people tend to forget it is a 1.3L engine that rev's to 9000rpm and makes 232hp. That is 178hp per liter. For any other car to make similar power for example a 370z would make 659hp. What would ist fuel mileage be like? The renesis is a engineering marvel and to get the fuel mileage it does with the power it makes is amazing.

"As for affordable, sure, many can afford to purchase it, however to keep it on the road is a different story" - try a Porsche vs. the RX-8. RX-8 wins (and is a much better daily driver on stndard ill-maintained 'Murican roads))!

Not at all .Compare the renesis fuel economy with any non rotary engine making the same power and you'll find the Renesis loses badly . It even loses to engines making twice the power . Which is the point the guy in the clip is making.

BTW ,The renesis is effectively a 2.6L engine when comparing it to a piston engine .

I don't think the RX-8 is a GT car and while I have love for the Renesis (or I am nuts for owning one this long), it is far from an engineering marvel.

original owner since 07, the rx8 sucks. i'm just a huge Mazda rotary fan boi. the rx8 is like a FRS, witch also sucks. we just got the car 10 years earlier.

i agree with 9krpm we're all nuts for owning one

Well, it is the only new automotive engine of the 20th Century. It's just not as reliable as an internal combustion engine.

The 8 has everything but some grunt to move out of its own way.
With the 150+rwhp this car is simply amazing... true story :)

.

Agreed .... keep the Renesis in there for stock driveability and it's even more amazinger :suspect:

#nodriveability issues and #norenesis issues here... :yesnod:

#forgottenwhatcarusedtobelikebeforemods