eccles

Took my car to San Antonio Raceway this evening, to sate my curiosity. Had a lot of fun, but wasn't really happy with my performance. I had a bugger of a time launching the thing - it either bogged down hopelessly or axle-tramped for the first 50 feet. And to add insult to injury, I missed the 1-2 shift on two of the runs. How embarassing.

In my defence, this was only about the fourth time I had ever driven the 1/4, and the first time in well over 10 years, so my efforts are hardly indicative of what a seasoned pro might achieve.

Anyway, to the hard data...

Discounting the runs I totally butchered, the best I could manage were three runs in the 15.4's, with the best a 15.4552 @91.19mph. Best top speed was a 15.4751 @92.48. (Best RT and 60' were 0.4641 and 2.4348, but that was one of the runs where I blew the shift! )

Air temp was around 76F, pressure around 29.97.

(Of course, now the Chicken Littles will jump up and down citing this as further evidence that the RX-8 is a 15-second car, completely ignoring the fact that my technique sucked. Oh well.)

RussellP

ahh couldnt you just lie and say you pulled a 14.2. Why cant someone pull a 14.2.

This is suppposed to be a sports car and from what i hear on this board, there is not one sport car in similar price range that cant smoke an rx-8.

f1michel

I DON'T CARE IF ANY CAR SMOKES THE 8.... can't you guys understand that? it's a car, not a rocket and if you need to brag about performance buy an ugly wrx !

f1michel

Eccles, this was not directed to you, i'm sure it's fun to test our car and ourselves.

nash

Let's see those cars "smoke" an RX-8 on the track (a real track, not a drag strip). You bought an RX-8, not an LS1.

3kgt

RussellP,

The performance I care about is around a track, not in a straight line.

eccles

I agree totally - I did not buy this car for its straight-line performance. This was purely to quell my curiosity.

klegg

It is interesting, the true owners of the car post the truth, even when painful.

The trolls would not know honesty if it bit them in the *** (I would say ***** but those are lacking) Skylinemaniac comes to mind, as does IKEwrk, 350zj, lightumup, and all the others.

Nice post eccles

Gord96BRG

You're confusing "sports car" with "muscle car". Sports cars have never been about 1/4 mile straight line acceleration - sports cars have always been primarily about handling. A Miata is a pure sports car, yet it's relatively slow. A Mustang is a muscle car that's quick in a straight line, yet it handles relatively poor. Yes, sports cars can be quick, and yes, muscle cars can handle relatively well, but there's no doubt that the RX-8 was intended and is focused towards the sports car side of the equation. If you bought it as a 1/4 mile wonder, you made a mistake.

Regards,
Gordon

Kev

Went out and did some serious twisties today - there's a particular stretch of road not far from me that's 8km of tight hairpins (25kph advisory) and s-bends that just keep snaking. That was ten hours ago and I'm still grinning.

The ruts and pot holes on this particular run would unsettle most cars I've driven (that's a lot of cars), but not the RX8.

When you combine the balance, quick suspension and wide rev range in 2nd and 3rd of the RX8, you end up with a car that makes the worst stretches or road seem far too short :D

Haris

Well 350z, WRX, evo, etc. will most likely beat RX8 on track as well. Although I doubt anyone would have enjoying ride in those cars as in RX8. Plus style, comfort, interior, uniqueness, etc. are all RX8's advantages over those other cars...

Broker73

do your research before you post such dribble...........some members have got low 14sec times and 100mph 1/4 mile times.................I think he posted the print out in the tech section??....can remember, but it is posts like that that make yourself look real out to lunch..........god some people just don't do their digging before posting...........look at the 325i, Hondas2000, G35.............the 8 has been tested faster than every one except the s2000, whch is close........and how much less does it cost....................

RussellP

yeah but the 325i is weak. What about the 330? I hear itll beat the rx-8 and its not even meant to be a sports car, its a "sporty coupe" or "near luxery." The 325 is just the diet 330 for those who wanna save a buck.

Broker73

you hear it can beat the 8...........what a useless post........I owned a 325i, and a friend has a 540 (heavy car)...........and the 8 which I have driven, has and will beat both...........I hear the 8 was made by aliens to.........

Gord96BRG

So what? A Maybach luxury sedan will beat most cars in a straight line (including the 350Z, WRX, Evo, etc.) 0-60 in under 5 seconds, etc. You need to be in Z06, Porsche Turbo, etc. territory to run quicker than a Maybach. Is a Maybach even remotely sporty? NO. You still don't seem to understand - sports cars aren't just about straight line acceleration.

Regards,
Gordon

Broker73

go and do a few hrs of reading on all the test runs for the 330, then out it beside the 8.........and after that spend some time in both cars.............the 8 is a fast time by sports car standards, and memebers on here have posted 6sec, low 14's 1/4 mile times..............these are all consistent with all the tests done by countless mags..........why do people on here just post random info without backing it up with facts??..........if you don't own or drive and 8, then why post such non-sense here??

Ike

Thanks for the post and work on those launchs and shifting, hopefully you can crack the 14s with a little more practice. For the record I don't think the RX-8 is a 15 sec car, high 14s yes, mid 14s no, low 14s... show me a link Broker and I hope it's something better than a gtech and is an actual time slip.

Ike

eccles

Indeed, even the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI - all 5577 pounds of it - will sprint to 60 in under 6, but I defy anyone to call it a sports car!

Broker73

sorry I don't have a link.....you'll have to look on here for yourself.................he did 3 different launches............from low to high RPM's..............before you make judgements, look for yourself, and do your own research..........all the numbers are there.........but these phrases " I think" are meaningless without facts.........I was surprised to se a 14.1 sec 1/4 mile time as well.........??......but based on all the numbers from members here, and the external reports, the mid 14's is the avg time..........

Ike

I have looked and have not seen any slips near that low, you say others don't have facts when it seems you're the one making the biggest statements without any proof or factual evidence. Show me that 14.1 timeslip, or even a mid 14 sec run from anyone but Mazda or on a pre production mag car and I'll eat my words.

Ike

P.S. Rip the period button off your keyboard or actaully start using it in a proper manner. Thanks!

poison123

RussellP
That was uncalled for, really uncalled for.

Kev

Agreed! For all you know he could have a sister that was recently attacked or something.

It's not very clever. Personal digs are one thing (I'm guilty of those!), but this is truly terrible.

klegg

I am no IKE lover but that is wrong. You have disgraced yourself.

RussellP

hahaha

mikeb

russell
who do you think you are
just another internet tough guy